IT'S a Valentine's Day concert with a difference - and it is already looking like a success.

The Valentine Serenade, at Kilmarnock's Palace Theatre on Saturday night, includes Indian classical dancing, operatic arias and classical piano.

The producer is Drishti Bundhoo, a young operatic singer from Kilmarnock who is studying at London's Royal Academy of Music.

And in a nod to the fact that she attended Crosshouse Primary School when younger, she has included choirs from the school in Saturday night's programme.

"I come from Kilmarnock, I know the Palace Theatre very well, and music and performing are my passions," Drishti said yesterday. "I thought, why not combine these two passions?

"It seemed to make sense to give something back to a community that has given me so much support over the years.

"East Ayrshire Council funded me to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in Glasgow, and I've been given a lot of support by East Ayrshire Leisure to put on this concert.

"My aim is simply to create a wonderful and unique event."

Drishti was brought up in a musical household in Kilmarnock - her mum, who came from Mauritius, studied Indian classical music, and has performed and taught in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Despite being only 23 Drishti has already built up a considerable CV.

She has performed at concerts across the UK and Europe, and also in India.

Last year alone she was one of the singers featured in the Festival 2014 programme of events linked to Glasgow's Commonwealth Games.

She was also part of a choral group that marked the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War in a special event at Glasgow Cathedral attended by the Prime Minister.

The Valentine Serenade at the Palace Theatre will see Drishti being supported by Inga Liukaityte, a classically trained pianist from Lithuania, and the Scottish tenor, Christian Schneeberger.

"Inga is an excellent pianist and Christian is wonderful," added Drishti.

The cast includes Vaniar Chana, an Indian classical Bharata Natyem dancer - and a choral performance by pupils at her old primary school. "The youngsters are very enthusiastic," she said.

The Valentine's theme runs through the selection of pieces that will be played though Drishti emphasises that the concert is for families as well as couples.

"Everyone involved in the concert has been working really hard and they are looking forward to Saturday night," added Drishti.

"This is obviously the first concert but it would be wonderful if it were to be a success and become an established event."

* The Valentine Serenade starts at 7.30pm. Tickets: £9.50/£8/£5 under-16s. Box Office: 01563 554900