THE National Railway Museum (NRM) is hoping to turn the British winter into an Indian summer with the help of a new exhibition.

The Leeman Road venue is turning east for a series of Indian-themed events which it will be staging throughout the first part of the year.

With Danny Boyle’s critically acclaimed Mumbai love story Slumdog Millionaire released this week, the museum is bringing the colour and vibrancy of Bollywood to the UK in 2009.

As well as railway history exhibitions, the events will include modern and traditional Indian dancers and the premiere of a music-performance piece by Craig Vear, artist and Art Council England Fellowship winner. The premier, on April 16, is part of festivities to mark the anniversary of the first Indian passenger train service.

Festivals and events co-ordinator, Sue Dalton said: “It is very much a year for India in the arts and at the NRM we’re bringing the spirit of Mumbai to the UK in a variety of ways.

“Fascinating free exhibitions tell the story of India’s railway system, both the historic background and modern day. Our festival offers fun for all the family and Craig’s unique performance bringing the sounds of Mumbai to the museum should really appeal to culture-lovers.”

The museum begins the season on February 2 when visitors will be able to find out about Britain’s role in building railways in India and across the globe in a new exhibition within the museum’s Search Engine research centre. Exhibits include a map of the East India Railway dated 1846 which demonstrates how the backbone of the fourth largest railway network in the world was built using British expertise.

Following the success of last year’s China 08 event, the museum is also laying on free activities with an Indian twist from April 4 to April 17. Traditional Indian dancers will introduce the country’s history and culture while modern Mumbai will be represented with Bollywood and hip hop-style dances as well as a musical blend of the traditional and modern.