Established in 1985, with a shared vision of bringing people across the North West together with a common love for Indian arts, Milap are celebrating their 40th Birthday in 2025 as the UK’s leading Indian Arts and Culture company – with a legacy that has raised the profile of South Asian music, dance and culture across the UK.

Over the last four decades, Milap have brought some of India’s most revered musicians and performers to stages across the UK through a rich and varied programme of music and dance, as well as pioneering the teaching and preservation of Indian classical artforms in the West and nurturing some of the UK’s most exciting emerging talent.

Milap’s story began in 1985, when Dr Prashant Nayak and a group of like-minded friends hosted “Indian Cultural Evenings” in Liverpool – to enhance friendship, understanding and cooperation between the local community and people of South Asian origin who made a home for themselves in Britain in the 1980s.

40 years on, Milap’s dedicated mission to promote Indian culture in North West England has spread nationally, culminating in the creation and delivery of groundbreaking artistic projects, with a strong track record of producing world class performances that spotlight classical Hindustani and Carnatic artforms and recognition at Milap’s National Indian Arts Awards.

Milap have worked with countless illustrious musicians that are globally renowned for their craft. Notably, British Mercury-Prize winner and pioneer of Indian Classical and Drum & Bass fusion Talvin Singh has been championed by Milap since the 1980’s – first bringing him to perform at the Bluecoat in 1993, and most recently collaborating with him at INDIKA 2023.

“Congratulations Milap & Team. Prashant Ji is a visionary in the arts and music. He has always been so supportive and in touch with young musicians in the UK. I remember us being in communication when my career was just taking off as an artist in the early 90’s and he knew me as a working musician in the 80’s and he’s encouraging and blessing have come a long way for us all in music. Great that Alok & Archana are taking Milap to even greater heights and my best wishes” – Talvin Singh

Of the many world class performances in Milap’s history books, another highlight is revered Carnatic vocalist and Oscar-nominee, Bombay Jayashri. An undisputed star of Indian classical music, she headlined the Southbank in London 2012 before returning to the venue for another stellar sellout show in 2023.