An upcoming music and dance festival will celebrate the beauty of Indian culture and its ties with the island.

The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS) has announced its Indo-Bahrain Dance & Music Festival, set to take place from May 3 to 14, featuring Indian musical and dance performances at the BKS DJ Hall.

The festival, organised under the patronage of the Indian Embassy of Bahrain, will celebrate Indian milestones such as the country’s 75th anniversary of independence, the 75th anniversary of BKS, which was founded in 1947, and the 50- year diplomatic partnership between India and Bahrain.

The event has been supported by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the Labour and Social Development Ministry, and SOORYA, a stage and film society based in India, founded by the well-known Indian author and activist, Soorya Krishnamoorthy, who is the curator and director of the festival.

The 11-day festival will feature several world-class artists, including Indian performers from across the subcontinent as well as Bahraini artists.

Singer, musician and actor, Anup Jalota, will appear on May 3 at 7.30pm. He is popular for his contributions to the Bhajan genre of Indian music and received the Padma Shree award in 2012. He will be performing Bhajan music along with Ghazal, a type of lyrical poem normally accompanied by a set of music and targeting themes of love.

Asha Sharath will be another highlight, taking to the stage on May 4, also at 7.30pm. She is an Indian actress and classical dancer who mainly features in Malayalam films and TV serials. She will be performing Bharatanatyam, a Hindu form of Indian classical dance that originated in the region of Tamil Nadu, to the song Krishna Nee Enne Ariyilla by Sugathakumari, a famous Indian poet and activist who fought for environmental justice and women’s rights and was the chairwoman of the Kerala State Women’s Commission.

Local artists Majaz Bahrain and Khalil Al Ashar will be appearing on May 11 at 8pm. Majaz Bahrain are a fourpiece band who play progressive fusion folk music and use a variety of interesting instruments. Khalil Al Ashar is a Bahraini dancer who performs Kathak, an Indian balletstyle dance.

The famous Sarod Trio consisting of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, are also set to perform at the event on May 14 at 7.30pm. ✤

GO: VISIT WWW.BKSBAHRAIN.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.