Presented to you by Milap, Indika, one of Europe’s largest festival of Indian classical arts is returning to Liverpool this year taking place throughout the 17th – 31st October. Coinciding with Milap’s 40 year anniversary, the 15 day celebration will feature a programme of Indian dance and culture, ranging from cutting-edge contemporary to deeply rooted traditional forms alongside yoga, poetry and storytelling.
Performance art and dance are the pulse of Indian storytelling – where gesture becomes language, rhythm becomes emotion, and devotion finds its form in movement. Rooted in myth and memory, yet ever-evolving, these art forms hold a mirror to both the divine and the human. In their dance and performance art pieces Indika by Milap visualises this dialogue, where centuries-old narratives meet modern artistry. Each performance becomes not merely an act of dance and movement on stage, but an act of preservation, reinvention, and communion – connecting artist and audience through a shared rhythm of cultural memory and creative awakening.
This year, Indika turns its gaze toward dance as devotion – where movement becomes prayer and performance transforms into storytelling. For the artists, devotion holds many forms, whether it be love, faith or holding close to tradition. Each piece embodies the artist’s search for the divine, translating myth and philosophy through the language of the body. From classical forms that honour centuries of heritage to contemporary works that challenge and reimagine tradition, the festival celebrates dance as both history and experimentation. Within these performances, the stage becomes sacred ground – a space where art transcends technique, inviting audiences to feel, reflect, and witness the power of movement as a living, breathing act of faith and expression. Milap invites you to experience these divine performances at the beloved Unity theatre. Here are our top three selections conveying unwavering devotion, the connection between the body and the soul and practising dance as a personal ritual in which the artist conveys their relationship with their self and God.
Dancing the Divine, 23rd October, Unity Theatre
Conceived and performed by Sanjukta Sinha, the artist is inspired by the timeless figure of Krishna. Dancing the Divine is a journey through love, longing, and surrender – a personal exploration of devotion, presence, and the unseen.
In this intimate solo, Sanjukta Sinha draws from recent work that reflects a quiet, internal dialogue with the idea of the divine – however one may imagine it. Krishna never appears, yet his essence is felt in every movement and stillness.
Through Kathak, Sanjukta asks: ‘Can love exist without form? Can absence still hold presence?’
The Idea of God, 24th October, Unity Theatre
‘Is He the creator, or is He my creation? Does God reside in art, or is art a path to the divine? Do I seek Him, or is She already within me?’
The Idea of God is a full-length solo Bharatanatyam performance that traverses Indian thought and literature, from the ancient Vedas and Sangam texts to the revolutionary writing of the 21st century.
Blending classical rigour with contemporary insight, Dr. Apoorva Jayaraman invites audiences to reflect on where the divine truly resides – in form, in feeling, or within the self. This is not simply a recital, but a layered enquiry into the many ways we imagine God
Stories of the Ramanyana, 28th October, Unity Theatre
Upahaar Dance Company (London) are graceful, expressive, and full of storytelling magic. This vibrant performance brings to life stories from the Ramayana, the ancient Indian epic that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the return of light over darkness. Closely tied to the festival of Diwali, the Ramayana explores themes of love, duty, courage, and the power of hope – universal ideas that continue to resonate today.
After the show, the audience is invited to a free, fun, hands-on workshop from 3–3:50pm, before an opportunity to delve deeper into the elegant world of Mohiniattam, the classical dance style from Kerala, known for its fluid movement, subtle expression, and lyrical storytelling. Led by Upahaar Dance Company, the afternoon workshop is designed for experienced dancers of any background who are curious to explore the technique, gestures, and expressive vocabulary of Mohiniattam.
Take time this October to explore, learn and reflect upon our relationships with ourself, God and the Divine at Indika.
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