Rahman and Ghosh will explore their shared British-Bengali heritage.
Milap will bring some of the most acclaimed names in contemporary Indian and Indo-Jazz music to the North West in Spring 2026.
Following the successful return of its Indika Festival, Milap has unveiled a new Spring programme in partnership with Liverpool International Jazz Festival 2026.
The season places a strong spotlight on leading Indo-Jazz artists working in the UK today.
The programme begins on February 28 with Milap’s annual return to the festival, with Zoe Rahman and Arun Ghosh.
Rahman is an internationally recognised pianist and composer, widely regarded as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz.
Her work is rooted in jazz while reflecting a classical background, resulting in a vibrant and expressive playing style.
Rahman’s career includes collaborations with major jazz figures, including Courtney Pine and George Mraz. She has also received several accolades, among them the Ivor Novello Impact Award.
Ghosh is a key figure on the UK jazz scene and a respected innovator within the Indo-Jazz tradition. A clarinettist and composer, he has twice won Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards.
He leads his own ensembles and tours extensively in the UK and internationally. His work is known for its open, multi-genre approach, drawing together jazz with a wide range of global influences.
Together, Rahman and Ghosh will explore their shared British-Bengali heritage.
Their performance is framed as a musical conversation blending South Asian traditions with contemporary jazz.
Rescheduled to align with the highly-anticipated UK Tour for his fourth album, There Is Beauty, There Already, Sarathy Korwar takes to the stage of Future Yard in Birkenhead on March 28, promoted in partnership with Milap and the venue.
Korwar is a globally acclaimed percussionist, composer and producer. He is widely regarded as one of the defining figures in modern UK jazz.
His work has received endorsements from The Guardian, Rolling Stone, MOJO Magazine, Songlines and Jazz FM.
Korwar’s accolades include MOJO’s Jazz Album of the Year in 2019 and Songlines’ Best Album of the Year in 2023.
Audiences can expect a percussion-led exploration of rhythm, voice and electronics. The performance draws on South Asian temple procession rhythms and contemporary minimalism to create a futuristic Indo-Jazz sound.
Indian classical music also features prominently in the programme.
Sarangi player Satwinder Pal Singh will perform alongside Milap’s Artist in Residence, Kousic Sen, on February 18.
The lunchtime concert takes place at The Tung Auditorium and forms part of its ongoing concert series. The performance is positioned as a reflective midday musical experience.
Singh’s musical approach is shaped by a rich family legacy and his upbringing in Punjab. He is known for his deep understanding of the Sarangi and his versatility across several bowed instruments.
In addition to the Sarangi, he performs on the Dilruba, Israj and Taus.
His work reflects both technical mastery and a broad knowledge of North Indian classical traditions.
The programme also marks Milap’s return to The Lowry following Indika Festival 2025. South Asian dance and performance will take centre stage on March 31.
The double-bill, Just Enough Madness and Caught In The Net of Rebirth, is created and performed by Payal Ramchandani and Chandenie Gobardhan.
Both are award-winning South Asian dance artists based in the UK and Europe.
The work explores the concept of Trimurti, the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation and destruction of the self. It combines poetic text, ritual and a live musical score.
Three musicians accompany the performance on percussion, flute and vocal. The themes include motherhood, miscarriage and post-partum experience.
Drawing from Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, street dance and contemporary styles, the piece is positioned as a bold new dance-theatre work.
It amplifies two new-generation South Asian female voices within the UK arts landscape.
Milap is the UK’s leading Indian arts and culture company, based in Liverpool and Merseyside. Established in 1985, it marked 40 years of work in 2025.
The organisation delivers a year-round programme across Liverpool and London. It also works nationally and internationally to inspire, educate and engage audiences.
Milap is the founder of the National Indian Arts Awards. The initiative recognises individuals and organisations across the UK supporting access to Indian arts.
Further information about the Spring 2026 programme is available.
Watch DESIblitz’s 2017 Interview with Arun Ghosh
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