Jyotsna Srikanth is not ‘simply’ a renowned London-based Indian artist and significant contemporary exponent of the Carnatic tradition nor even ‘just’ a delightful violinist, but also a forward-looking artistic director and event organizer.

In this latter dress thanks to the help of Dhruv Arts, she’s imagined and realized an intriguing Festival, which showcases both young and established acts who are enlightening the British capital music scene.

The London International Arts Festival, which will run for five days throughout the first week of November, debuted three years ago as a tribute to the sounds coming from the Indian Carnatic tradition.
But, the Festival also cares about the opportunity to mix those sounds with the many music influences coexisting in London.

Since 2012, the event’s hosted musicians coming from India, but also South America, Turkey, Mexico, U.S.A. and the Balkans who have been able to create an attractive mixture of rhythms and styles. The 2015 edition will carry on the path already mapped and undertaken by its predecessors.

Oslo, Stage 3, Rich Mix, Redbridge Town Hall and Jazz Café will be the venues hosting the gigs and workshops, but also impassioned to “communicate arts” in an effective way to the many communities composing the London urban fabric.

To start off the event, Oslo will introduce its audience to the festival mood thanks to a particular evening, during which world-fusion ensemble Kefaya will share the stage with Japanese influenced singer Mina and classically trained South Indian artist Manorama Prasad.

The second day will knock down music tradition borders when Stage 3 will present iyatra Quartet playing their global blend or Indian raga, Balkan energy and Brazilian softness, Tumbaito with their afro/Latin jazz and an engaging ending jam session with world and jazzy patterns.

Then, the next day Rich Mix will arguably hosts the highlight of the Festival.
On the 6^th of November, Southern Indian sounds will join European and London ones to create a unique atmosphere, enlightened by electronic underground and cutting-edge beats, Carnatic traditional references and percussion virtuosity.
The East-London venue will indeed see on its stage the talent of Jyotsna Srikanth followed by Bernhard Schimpelsberger throbbing solo performance, Osmani Soundz visionary soundscapes and Talvin Singh all-round artistry.

While during the afternoon of the 7^th of November, Redbridge Town Hall will wear some colourful traditional Southern Indian dress.
In fact, for five hours, the venue will showcase some brilliant talents enriching the Carnatic and Bengali folklore.
Among them Mahathi and her fine vocal technique, distinguished percussive trio Southern Rhythms and Bells in Sync reviving Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi Indian classical dance forms.

The Festival will round off with another all-embracing musical experience.
The Jazz Cafè will open its doors to the eclectic and airy tunes performed by the trio Human Beamings and global sound presented by one of London artistic pride and joy: Grand Union Orchestra.

London International Arts Festival is the proof that to stage an intriguing cultural event able to enrich people and fulfill their cultural curiosity, it needs good will and musicianship.
When there’s an organic and stimulating project to build upon, you won’t even need to line-up any artsy-fartsy, much-publicised and acclaimed acts.