HAVING celebrated a bumper year last year Art Asia has organised a number of great shows to kickstart 2007.

Now in its 26th year the Southampton based arts organisation continues to provide the best in south Asian arts and entertainment.

For the first time ever, Art Asia presents a UK tour of enchanting sitar with Gaurav Mazumdar, accompanied by Sanju Sahai on tabla.

The star sitarist and disciple of Ravi Shankar, Gaurav Mazumdar is known for his virtuosic performances and collaborations with artists from a wide range of musical styles.

He performed alongside American composer Philip Glass at the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics and was among an all-star cast at the Concert for George' in London in 2003 celebrating the life of the late Beatle George Harrison.

Sanju Sahai hails from the renowned Benaras Gharana family, and is the sixth generation in this highly esteemed musical family. He has accompanied many of India's legendary musicians, and is acknowledged as the leading tabla player in UK.

The tour starts at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth on February 14, before playing at the Turner Sims Concert Hall in Southampton on February 15 and following on to the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon on February 16 and South Street in Reading on February 17.

In March the Cultural Show is back again, which is aptly named Saathiya (friends), following on from its success and popularity last year.

It will be a colourful showcase of all aspects of south Asian culture featuring; music and dance performances, drama sketches, and a fashion show from the traditionally eastern to the modern western.

And the final event for the first quarter is an International Women's Evening in conjunction with Art Asia and WEA.

Women from all ages and backgrounds will be invited to come along and enjoy an evening of free entertainment including dance workshops and performances. They will also be able to browse a selection of stalls selling food and beauty services (including henna tattooing) and the date for this event is yet to be confirmed.

For bookings and more information about any of these forthcoming events visit www.artasia.org.