Magzoid Magazine - Luxury Magazine in the Creative Space | November 2023 |

THE SIXTH (PHYSICAL) EDITION
OF SERENDIPITY ARTS FESTIVAL
WILL KICK OFF IN PANJIM, GOA
ON DECEMBER 15
UAE
The Serendipity Arts Festival 2023 is
set to be a grand celebration of India’s
rich cultural heritage, spanning
across a diverse array of disciplines
including Performing, Visual, Culinary, and
Performance Arts and Craft. This six-day
festival, taking place from December 15th
to 23rd in Panjim, Goa, promises to be an
immersive experience, featuring over 150
events and showcasing the works of more
than 300 artists. With a mission to make art
accessible to all, the festival focuses on fostering
engagement, participation, and local
interaction, particularly emphasizing support
for artists and creative expressions from
the South Asian region.
The festival’s curatorial framework brings
together a talented and diverse group of individuals
to curate different sections. Craft
is curated by Sandeep Kumar Sangaru
and Anjana Somany, while Quasar Thakore
Padamsee helms the Theatre segment. The
culinary arts section is led by Chef Thomas
Zacharias and The Locavore Team, offering
a gastronomical journey that celebrates
the connection between people and cultures.
Music, with a wide range of genres,
is curated by Bickram Ghosh and Ricky Kej.
Geeta Chandran and Mayuri Upadhya curate
classical, experimental, and contemporary
dance performances and workshops,
while Veeranganakumari Solanki and Vidya
Shivadas are the Visual Arts curators. Additionally,
special curators, including Zubin
Balaporia (Music), Elizabeth Yorke & Anusha
Murthy (Culinary Arts), and Bhagyashree
Patwardhan (Goan design practices), add
unique dimensions to the festival’s offerings.
The festival is dedicated to providing
a platform for South Asian artists to amplify
their voices, engage young minds, and
co-create a vibrant artistic community. Inclusivity
and sustainability are core values, and
the 2023 edition features independent and
collaborative projects that highlight these
principles.
The festival takes place across multiple
venues, including the Old GMC Complex,
the Art Park, Azad Maidan, and more, offering
a diverse cultural experience to attendees.
The programming for the 2023 edition
offers a wide array of events, emphasizing
cross-pollination of ideas and inter-disciplinarity.
The opening night features a captivating
performance by tabla maestro Zakir
Hussain and his ensemble in “An Evening Of
Serendipity With Zakir Hussain And Friends.”
Other highlights include “Manthan: A Confluence
Of Kaavad Katha & Mohiniyattam,”
which unites two ancient traditions, and
“Shakti,” an abstract Indo-Japanese dance
theater performance exploring femininity’s
various dimensions.
The culinary world offers unique experiences
such as a workshop on the cultural
significance of buttermilk and a vinegar
tasting experience that delves into Goa’s
historical connection with this fermented
substance.
The festival also addresses social and
global issues with performances that explore
themes of war, displacement, and forced
migrations. “Afghanistan is Not Funny” tells
the true story of a British comedian and photographer’s
experiences in war-torn Afghanistan,
offering a poignant and thought-provoking
narrative.
Conversations are an integral part of the
festival’s programming. Talks on print culture,
writing, and illustrating for children
provide insights into India’s print publication
history and the possibilities for artists and
writers in the realm of children’s literature.
The festival’s collaborative approach includes
region-specific projects, workshops
for people with special needs, and dedicated
children’s programs. It collaborates with
various cultural institutions and foreign embassies
to create a rich tapestry of creative
exchange.
The Serendipity Arts Festival 2023 is a
celebration of art, culture, and community,
offering a platform for artists, curators, and
the public to engage with traditional and
contemporary arts in a dynamic and disruptive
way. This year’s festival invites everyone
to come together and celebrate the beauty
and diversity of the arts.
www.magzoid.com November 2023
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