Milap Unveil Autumn 2026 Season in Liverpool Featuring The World’s Finest Indian Artists

The UK’s leading Indian Arts organisation Milap continue to pave the way for Indian live music and dance in Liverpool this Autumn, announcing a fresh roster of the world’s finest Indian musicians, unique collaborations and rare instruments.

Kicking things off in October, Milap’s very own ensemble Tarang present bespoke arrangements of new contemporary Indian music, as part of The Tung Auditorium’s lunchtime concert series on Wednesday 7 October.  

Tarang is an innovative Indian music collective bringing together the UK’s most exceptional young professionals. Far from a standard ensemble, Tarang is defined by its contemporary interpretations of Indian classical music, reflecting the global influences and diverse cultural environments experienced by this generation of British-born Indian musicians.

Produced by Milap, this lunchtime concert features bold, innovative repertoire, from the intricate structures of Carnatic and Hindustani music to global contemporary influences. Highlighting a world premiere by Liverpool’s tabla maestro Kousic Sen and works by Hariharan and Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh, Tarang delivers a fresh, sophisticated, and entirely unique sonic identity.

Showing at Unity Theatre on Friday 9 October, multi-award-winning dancer, choreographer and movement director Sonia Sabri presents brand new work that aims to capture the feeling of ‘home’, through the intricate movements and melodies of dancer and musician. Just as plants come to life in the daylight but wither away in the dark, ‘NIDA’ explores how a true home can nourish us, how the loss of home might break us and how to find home wherever we find ourselves.

Weaving together Classical Indian Dance and Music forms, audiences are taken on a candlelit journey through wordless storytelling, beatboxing, mime and percussive dance. The music is inspired by Qawwali and Sufi music and features a santoor, a rare hypnotic Indian instrument with its roots traced back to Persia and Central Asia.

Starting out in her role as a tutor for Milap’s flagship Dance India programme, Sonia has gone on to become one of the foremost Kathak dancers of her generation. She is known for her precise, graceful technique, command of rhythm and repertoire plus an enquiring approach to developing the art form. Amongst many of her accolades, she founded the UK’s leading and award-winning contemporary South-Asian dance company (Sonia Sabri Company)

“Such an incredible musicality, it was impossible not to gaze in wonder and adoration. An uplifting crescendo of music and dance” – Dance Europe

Renowned for creating intimate and special live music experiences, Milap once again head to Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room for the soulful sounds of Sandip Chatterjee & Kousic Sen on Friday 30 October.

At the heart of the evening is the Santoor – a magnificent, hundred-stringed hammered dulcimer played with breathtaking dexterity by Sandip Chatterjee, a recipient of the President of India Award. Its rippling bell-like tones and delicate melodies fill the space, offering a meditative and peaceful atmosphere – suitably complimented by Kousic Sen’s energetic and rhythmic mastery on Tabla, adding a perfect grounding pulse.

Whether you are an Indian music aficionado or looking to experience something entirely new, this performance promises to be an uplifting and deeply moving experience.

A fitting season finale comes in the form of Roopa Panesar, one of the finest sitar players to ever emerge from the UK.

Returning to The Tung Auditorium on Friday 27 November for an evening of breathtaking virtuosity, Roopa is known for her captivating emotional depth, staggering technique and her effortless ability to blend Indian Classical music with jazz and western classical influences.

Over the course of her career, Roopa Panesar has performed at major global venues, from London’s Barbican and Darbar Festival to New York’s APAP – and her recent critically acclaimed album ATMA (The Soul) reflects her profound musical virtuosity, solidifying her reputation as a leading light of the British Asian diaspora.

For this special performance, Roopa is joined by Kousic Sen. Their musical partnership is a long-standing one; in 2011, Milap produced Roopa’s debut album, Khoj, which featured Kousic’s masterly accompaniment — an early milestone in a collaborative relationship that continues to flourish on stages worldwide.

Expect an emotional and immersive evening – and a true masterclass in Indian Classical live music. “One of the most important musicians to have emerged in the British Asian diaspora… a profound sense of calmness laced with an inexplicable exhilaration.” – Songlines Magazine ★★★★

“AR Rahman‘s suite from the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ soundtrack is effectively a concerto for sitar and orchestra, the former played with staggering dexterity by Roopa Panesar.” – The Guardian ★★★★

For all Milap Autumn Season 2026 tickets, head to milap.co.uk/experience/autumn-season-2026/.