This Summer, Tea India partnered with Mila, the UK’s leading Indian Arts & Culture company, to deliver the “Authentically Indian Summer Sessions” – a virtual celebration of Indian arts & culture.
‘Lockdown’ meant that much of Milap’s year-round programme of Indian arts in London on Liverpool was provided online, featuring everything from brand new performances and concerts, through to ‘Try It Out’ dance sessions covering a wide range of Indian folk styles and Q&As with some of the most exciting and interesting practitioners and performers.
The “Authentically Indian Summer Sessions” programme kicked of with a “Music for the Mind and Soul” performance by Dr. Rajeeb Chakraborty & Soumen Sarkar with Sarah & Tabla.
The programme was supported with other virtual content celebrating all aspects of Indian culture including Friday Night Curry Club presented by Hari Ghotra, a healing gong bath session with Lara Cocklayne and weekly Indian film & literature reviews accompanied by Indian inspired playlists.
Authentically Indian Summer Sessions Programme – Concerts and Video in partnership with Tea India
Music for the Mind & Soul featuring Debsagar Malik | Santoor & Tabla
We were immersed in the beautiful sounds of the Santoor and Tabla with this quintessential Indian classical music concert with Debsagar Malik, a rising star on the Indian classical music scene. Watch again and relax and unwind with the sounds of his Santoor and Tabla during his evening raaga performance.
–
Music for the Mind & Soul featuring Shakir Khan | Sitar & Tabla
Sitar and tabla came together in a performance that infused the depth and intricacy of Indian classical tradition with youthful energy and musical innovation. Acclaimed as one of the most sensitive and dynamic classical sitar players of his generation, Shakir Khan represents the legacy of his prodigious father and Guru – Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan.
Following in his father’s musical footsteps, he also stands out for his flawless instrumental technique, astonishing skills and sophisticated sense of rhythm and melodic presentation. In this concert, he was accompanied by a highly talented and versatile tabla artist to create an electrifying and inspiring experience. Watch the full performance here.
–
3rd September 2020 @7pm: Music for the Mind & Soul featuring Debopriya Adhikary, Samanwaya Sarkar & Indranil Mallick | Hindustani Vocals, Sitar & Tabla
The musical ventures of these artists are related to man and nature, divine and earthly with complete reflection of Indian Classical music with different approaches but preserving the tradition and nuances of ‘Ragas and Talas’. They are two of the country’s foremost young musicians spreading Indian Classical Music at its best. Catch the show here.
–
Abhijit Pohankar’s Bollywood Gharana Mehfil.
Revisit the Earthy Fusion of Bollywood Classics, Ghazals & Indian Classical Music featuring Abhijit Pohankar (Harmonium & Vocal), Gandhar Deshpande (Classical Vocal), Avanti Patel (Bollywood Vocal), Akshay Jadhav (Tabla) & Sourabh Joshi (Guitar).
–
AUTHENTICALLY INDIAN FOOD
Every Friday, Hari Ghotra taught us how to make delicious Indian food to savour whilst enjoying Tea India “Summer Sessions” – watch again here
Hari Ghotra is an Indian cook, chef and the founder of the biggest Indian food digital platform in the UK.
Trained at Michelin-starred Tamarind of Mayfair, she was raised in an environment where food played a central role in family life. Hari learned to cook amazing dishes from her mother. Her passion for simplifying Indian cookery without losing its authenticity meant that her unique cookery classes are much sort after in the UK. Hari quickly understood the difficulty people feel when preparing Indian food at home so continues her work to be the conduit between cookbooks, TV and cooking with you, in your home, through her digital presence. Her aim is to always provide a simple way to cook delicious, healthy, easy, Indian food at home from scratch in a digital age.
–
AUTHENTICALLY INDIAN PRACTICE
Yoga with Fizz from Happy Heart Flow Yoga
We started our weekends with a half an hour yoga session hosted by Fizz, founder of Happy Heart Flow Yoga.
Fizz is a registered specialist Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance UK.
She teaches Vinyasa Flow, Ayurveda Yoga, as well as Yoga for Cardiac and Rehabilitation, Yoga for Sleep Recovery & Insomnia & Yoga for Cancer. She is also a Registered Associate Nutritionist (Anutr) with AFN Nutrition UK.
Gong/Sound Bath with Lara Cockayne
Lara Cockayne, fully qualified gong/sound practitioner, yoga teacher, laughter yoga leader, Reiki master and reflexologist had us relaxing on our yoga mats to a gong bath, letting the sounds the gongs omit take us into a meditative state.
The sound of the gongs “washed” over us, “bathing” us in soothing sounds and vibrations, leaving us feeling relaxed, refreshed and re-energised.
It has been said that an hour of gong bathing is equivalent to a good night of sleep! In addition to feeling relaxed and helping to promote a good night of sleep, a session can help to release tension and tightness within the body.
Be sure to follow Milap on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for all their latest news.
