Image 1: ‘Multiplay’, an expansive visual arts exhibition curated by artist duo Thukral and Tagra, encouraged visitors to engage with the exhibits, blurring the lines between audience and artist at the recently concluded Serendipity Arts Festival 2024.
Day 8 of Serendipity Arts Festival 2024: A Celebration of Sustainability, Tradition, and Musical Brilliance
Panjim, December 2024: The final day of the Serendipity Arts Festival 2024 brought this vibrant celebration of art, culture, and creativity to a memorable conclusion. From sustainable workshops to immersive theatre, and a star-studded musical evening, Day 8 offered an eclectic mix of performances, exhibitions, and experiences that reflect the festival’s commitment to diversity, innovation, and inclusivity.
Waste-to-Value: Coffee Grounds Reimagined by Khushboo Gandhi was a hands-on workshop that invited participants to turn old coffee grounds into sustainable, creative products, held as part of the larger ‘Cultures of our Food Futures’ curation by Edible Issues.
At The Old GMC Complex, the Multiplay exhibition, curated by Thukral & Tagra, blurred the lines between artist and audience. Featuring works by artists such as LN Tallur, Tania El Khoury, and Shailesh BR, this participatory exhibition encouraged visitors to interact with the art and experience it in new, dynamic ways.
“Through the lens of Multiplay, we aimed to invite audiences into an experience where participation becomes the centrepiece. Rather than passively observing, we wanted them to engage deeply—activating the work by investigating, choosing, listening, adding, touching, shaping, and making,” said Thukral & Tagra.
Sakuntalam, directed by Guru G Venu and presented by Kottichetham and Natanakairali, offered a stunning 5-hour performance of Kalidasa’s timeless love story, blending traditional Koodiyattam theatre with modern innovation. This extraordinary production showcased the talents of actors like Sooraj Nambiar, Kapila Venu, and Sankar Venkateswaran.
For those interested in the cultural and ecological intersections of food, The Mushroom Keepers: Film Screening & Panel Discussion, curated by Edible Issues, offered an insightful exploration of fungi’s role in traditional food practices and climate resilience. Following the screening of the short film at The Food Lab at the Old GMC Complex, a panel discussion delved into the importance of indigenous knowledge in adapting to environmental changes.
Finally, the evening culminated in an unforgettable concert, Three Divas, featuring the iconic Usha Uthup, Aruna Sairam, and Shubha Mudgal at The Arena at Nagalli Hills Ground. With a blend of soul-stirring classical renditions and vibrant energy, this performance was a fitting grand finale to the festival.
Day 8 of the Serendipity Arts Festival 2024 was a fitting close to a week filled with artistic exploration, creative exchange, and cultural celebration. With performances, workshops, and exhibitions that engaged, inspired, and provoked thought for years to come, the final day underscored the transformative power of the arts in shaping the future.
###
NOTES TO EDITOR
About Serendipity Arts
Serendipity Arts is a not-for-profit collaborative platform based in Delhi, fostering empathy, curiosity and cross-cultural dialogue by supporting emerging artists across South Asia. The Foundation’s aim is to nurture artistic practice, promote research, and provide sustainability and education in the field of the arts. Over the past decade, Serendipity Arts has encouraged cultural heritage projects alongside contemporary art practices with extensive residencies, grants, collaborative projects, art writing initiatives and a multi-disciplinary arts festival.
About Serendipity Arts Festival
The Foundation’s primary initiative and largest outreach project, Serendipity Arts Festival is a multi-disciplinary arts event held annually across multiple venues in Panjim, Goa. Curated by a panel of eminent artists and institutional figures, the festival is part of a long-term cultural project that hopes to catalyse positive change in the arts landscape of India on a scale that transcends geographical, linguistic, and ideological boundaries. Now in its ninth edition, the Festival stands as a testament to the transformative power of the arts – addressing crucial issues such as arts education, patronage culture, transdisciplinary discourse, inclusivity, and accessibility. Through our initiatives, we strive to bridge the gap between the aesthetic realm and real social impact by creating a sustainable ecosystem for the arts to thrive.
Loading ...
