COVENTRY.- Experience the creative traditions and cultures of South Asia through a fantastic range of FREE events hosted over two months at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry.

Learn classical Indian dance styles, be inspired and moved by performance poetry and amazing Indian folk stories, enjoy a shadow puppet or dance performance, decorate your digits with our Mehndi painting classes, explore craft classes or have a good chuckle at a stand-up performance. Whatever you want to experience there are a full range of events for all ages that are all completely free!

The events, starting on Saturday, January 31 with dance performances and workshops led by SAMPAD, are inspired by the new exhibition Through Other Eyes: Contemporary Art from South Asia.

Curated by Gérard Mermoz during a three-month journey through Pakistan and India the exhibition presents a selection of drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs and films by emerging artists from India and Pakistan. He will be giving an insight into the exhibition and his journey as part of the events programme on Tuesday, February 3 between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Booking is essential by contacting 024 7683 2386.

Other events highlights include:

Artist Bharti Patel invites children aged five upwards and adults to create art using mehndi on canvas on Saturday, February 7, from 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm.

The same groups are invited to a drop-in activity called Dances of India on Sunday, February 15, when Coventry-based South Asian dance company Mrittika Arts demonstrate classical dance Bharata Natyam and folk dances from India in the covered courtyard at The Herbert from 1.30pm-2pm and 2.30pm-3pm.

There will be a week of craft activities ranging from ceramic tile painting to Asian shadow puppets during February half-term between 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4pm from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20.

Hip-hop will meet Bhangra when Nutkhut DJ Stiltwalkers perform from 11.30am-noon, 12.30pm-1pm and 1.30pm-2pm between Thursday, February 19 to Saturday, February 21.

Journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will give a talk called Who Do We Say We Are? Art and National Identity on Thursday, March 5, at 7.30pm, and stand-up comedians Sajeela Kershi and Dwainder Bansal will provide a lively hour from 2pm-3pm on Saturday, March 21.

There will also be a Bollywood screening of Kaala Patthar on Sunday, March 29 at 1pm, certificate PG. This is also free but seats are limited so it is advisable to come early.

Rosie Addenbrooke, Senior Exhibitions and Events Officer at The Herbert, said the rich variety of events was in keeping with the wide range of exhibits in Through Other Eyes.

She said: “We have organised events to appeal to a wide range of ages and interests to promote this major exhibition. Whether it is films, arts, talks, dancing or comedy, we are sure this programme will appeal to everyone. All the events are free which means it is also ideal in these tough economic times.”