Q. There remains a lot of curiosity about the aspect of curating a festival. Please help us demystify the intricacies of curating a culture development festival like SAF?
Smriti: Curating a cultural development festival like the Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) is a dynamic blend of creativity, collaboration, and thoughtful planning. Since its inception in 2016, SAF has focused on bringing together curators, artists, and changemakers to shape a festival that reflects the richness and diversity of India’s arts and culture. The disciplines are led by curators with distinct practices and expertise, creating a dialogue that bridges tradition and contemporary innovation.
Our approach emphasizes neutrality, granting curators the freedom to experiment without interference. This fosters a space where the full spectrum of art—from visual and performing arts to music and culinary traditions—can be showcased in a way that feels organic and interconnected. The goal is to make art accessible to all, spark meaningful conversations, and celebrate the vibrancy of cultural exchange, all while building an inclusive community.
Q. Can you throw some light on the festival this year? Is there any particular theme emanating from the lineup of events?
Smriti: This year, Serendipity Arts Festival continues its mission to push the boundaries of art by embracing innovation, inclusivity, and interdisciplinary practices. Our diverse programming reflects a deep commitment to rethinking traditional ideas of art, while fostering dialogue between creators, audiences, and spaces.
One of the interesting additions this year are the AI projects which offer a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of art and technology. The AI Mini Lab, designed for audiences new to AI-driven creativity, this interactive space allows visitors to create animated visuals and sounds simply by speaking. Beyond its playful engagement, the project delves into critical questions surrounding AI ethics and the relationship between creator and machine. There’s also an exhibition, Game of Whispers in collaboration with Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Art x Machine, featuring the work of five Indian artists working with AI.
Another highlight is “A Haptic Score”, a multisensory project where audiences engage with art through touch and sound, challenging the very definition of ‘visual arts.’ Similarly, Thukral and Tagra’s “Multiplay” blurs the lines between artist and audience with public art that invites real-time interaction and human connection.
Culinary arts remain a unique hallmark of the festival, with over 50 programs this year. Curated by Edible Issues, these projects examine how cultural signals shape the future of food systems, from farming to culinary traditions. Through workshops, talks, exhibitions, film screenings and immersive experiences, we highlight the artistic and cultural dimensions of food.
Q. What could you say defines your ethos?
Smriti: Inclusivity and accessibility are core to our ethos. Curator Salil Chaturvedi has crafted a meaningful Accessibility Program, ensuring audiences with special needs can engage with the festival fully. We also have an extensive and exciting lineup of children’s activities, creating opportunities for younger audiences to connect with art in inspiring ways.
New to this year’s festival is “The Alley”, a vibrant marketplace located at the historic Old Goa Medical College in Panjim. This space showcases brands and artisans championing responsible design, sustainable fashion, and artistic innovation, offering a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
Overall, while the festival does not adhere to a singular theme, the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity emanates through every project. The lineup reflects a celebration of art as a powerful medium for dialogue, creativity, and transformation.
Q. What are the events/art forms to be on display this year at the festival? Can you share some of the musical events this year?
Smriti: Music remains one of the most vibrant aspects of the festival. A standout event is One World, a harmonious celebration of unity featuring the legendary Lou Majaw and members of Indus Creed, who blend rock, folk, and Indian classical music to create an unforgettable experience. Another musical highlight is Shaam-e-Ghazal, curated by Bickram Ghosh, that pays tribute to the timeless artistry of ghazal legends like Ghulam Ali and Jagjit Singh, offering an evening steeped in nostalgia and melody.
One of the most anticipated performances is the finale evening at the Nagalli Hills Concert Arena – Three Divas, where Usha Uthup, Aruna Sairam, and Shubha Mudgal join forces to showcase their unique styles in a powerful celebration of their artistry. The Music in the Art Park series brings a fresh perspective to music with daily performances by local and experimental talents, combining live and electronic music in an outdoor setting. Roz Angon offers a nostalgic celebration of Goan culture through music, connecting audiences to the state’s rich musical traditions. Complementing this is Sempre Fado: Antigo e Novo, a night dedicated to traditional Goan melodies, featuring performances by local and guest musicians who breathe new life into these timeless tunes.
Adding to the excitement is an evening of popular Bollywood music, headlined by the iconic music composer duo Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant, who promise a memorable performance filled with their chart-topping hits and electrifying energy on the 20th of December at the Nagalli Hills Concert Arena.
Q. What are the selection criteria regarding the various artists featuring at the festival this year, especially music performers?
Smriti: The festival’s curation emphasizes diversity, innovation, and cultural resonance. Curators like Zubin Balaporia and Bikram Ghosh prioritize artists who can engage audiences while pushing artistic boundaries. Our curators are guided by the core mandates of the festival – Sustainability, accessibility, interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity.
Performances feature a range of artists from celebrated legends like the aforementioned Usha Uthup, Aruna Sairam and Shubha Mudgal to emerging talents and local bands like our Music in the Art Park line-up, curated by Gaya Tideman, balancing the experience by showcasing both established artistry and fresh perspectives.
Q. Nurturing new talent in music by giving them a platform worthy of their caliber has been a constant effort of the IPRS. Please take us through this recent collaboration you have with IPRS?
Smriti: This year, we’re proud to collaborate with The Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS) to present the Azad Maidan Stage at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2024. Running from December 15th to 22nd in Panjim, Goa, the IPRS Stage embodies a shared commitment to nurturing new talent and celebrating the richness of Indian musical heritage.
The IPRS Stage is more than a platform; it’s a space for discovery and transformation. Curated with great care, it brings emerging artists into the spotlight, offering them a unique opportunity to perform for an engaged and discerning audience. By dissolving traditional boundaries and weaving together India’s musical diversity, this initiative creates an enriching environment for artists to thrive.
Our three-day lineup exemplifies this vision. Mythical Melodies with Ulka Mayur on December 16th explores the origins of Indian musical instruments, blending storytelling and performance. On December 17th, Discovering India’s Hidden Melodies with Madhur Padwal, presented by Folks-Wagon, takes audiences on a journey through the native sounds of India. Finally, on December 20th, Daira’s Jaadoo Bastar brings the extraordinary musical traditions of Chhattisgarh’s tribal Gond, Halba, and Bhatra communities to the festival stage.
This collaboration reflects a commitment to nurturing talent, celebrating diverse traditions, and fostering meaningful cultural exchanges. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support new voices while honoring India’s vast musical heritage.
Q. How does Serendipity Arts Festival contribute towards the preservation and spread of art and culture, especially music?
Smriti: The festival fosters preservation by curating events rooted in traditional forms like Thumri, ghazals, and Goan folk music blending them with contemporary styles. Performances like Sempre Fado: Antigo e Novo celebrate Goan culture, while projects like Jugalbandi and Glorious India bridge traditional and modern genres. The festival also promotes collaboration among local and international artists, ensuring a dynamic exchange that revitalizes cultural forms.
As far as preservation is concerned, this year, one of the focal projects at Azad Maidan is the historical instruments exhibition, Eternal Echoes: The Resonance of Heart with Heritage curated by Helen Acharya. This exhibition explores the rich musical heritage that has emerged from the indigenous and folk traditions of India. It highlights the timeless instruments nurtured by communities for generations. These instruments speak of a celebration of life and a deep communion between the outer world and our inner selves. Along with live performances and other exhibitions. This display will offer a unique and immersive experience of India’s cultural tapestry.The Foundation and the Festival are committed towards nurturing musical talent, exemplified by the B-Side initiative. This delves into independent music and contemporary cultural currents, fostering conversations around music production, DJ-ing, research, performances, and collaborative sonic explorations across South Asia. As part of this initiative, Unlock Your Sound is a 10-day immersive residency designed to empower aspiring music producers with innovative techniques and creative expression, facilitated by Zequenx (Zainab Wani). Participants get hands-on experience with Ableton Live 12, exploring beat-making, melody crafting, sound design, and the fundamentals of mixing and mastering. Alongside technical skills, workshops on music distribution, promotion, and online presence prepare them to effectively release their music. The residency culminates in participant showcases, reflecting the depth of their learning and connecting them with the vibrant electronic music community.
The program features an exciting lineup of artists, showcasing diverse sonic explorations across six days at The Art Park, Panjim. On 16 December, performances include Æ:M, Noni-Mouse, and EXCISE DEPT, followed by Te Hao Boon, Caroline Lethô, and Paul Purgas on 17 December. 18 December highlights Hamza Rahimtula and Unnayanaa: Osmosis, while Shantam and Rafiki take the stage on 19 December. 20 December presents the dynamic Delhi Sultanate (BFR Sound System), and the series concludes on 21 December with performances by Innerworld, Sijya, and Flux Vortex, offering an immersive journey through cutting-edge independent music.
Q. What is the general profile of a visitor at the Serendipity Art festival? Is the festival also a platform for forging tie-ups between local and international music artists?
Smriti: The festival attracts a diverse audience, including art enthusiasts, students, families, professionals, and cultural connoisseurs. International artists frequently collaborate with local talents, which encourage cross-cultural ties and create avenues for artistic and professional partnerships. Folios of Time, curated by Jayachandran Palazhy, exemplifies this through its choreography residency, where Indian choreographers worked with Italian mentors Damiano Ottavio Bigi and Alessandra Paoletti, and engaged with Japanese digital artist Kunihiko Matsuo.
Collaborations with esteemed international institutions like the French Institute in India and LACMA further extend the festival’s reach and enrich its multidisciplinary scope. A standout performance is “The Bells” by the Australian plein air theatre group 5ANGRYMen, a multidisciplinary showcase blending acrobatics, public installation, street performance, dance, and music. Supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations and the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai, this production highlights the global and collaborative nature of the festival. Additionally, 5ANGRYMen Theatre Company is supported through the Australian Cultural Fund, further underscoring the shared commitment to fostering artistic exchange and innovation.
This year at the Serendipity Arts Festival, we’re also hosting a series of symposiums under the ambit of Serendipity Exchange for the Arts (SEA) on the 21st and 22nd of December. Delegations from around the world will gather to engage in discourse, a testament to the rising global interest in the arts from India and the subcontinent.
Q. How do you see the festival broadening its base in the coming years? Are there going to be any focus areas of specific interest?
Smriti: Our vision for the Serendipity Arts Festival is to create a truly global platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, where artists from diverse backgrounds can come together to exchange ideas, innovate, and inspire change. Our long-term goal extends far beyond the festival dates. We aim to build a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures artistic talent and fosters meaningful cultural exchange throughout the year. Accessibility, sustainability, discourse, and impact are keywords for us. We believe that we can prove that culture is the soft power that can bring economies to regions and a positive change in society. Symbiotic relationships, collaborations and partnerships are key for us as they have a multiplier effect for the community. One may say that we set stretch targets for ourselves, but after nine editions, we are proud of our learnings and our partnerships.
As we continue to grow, we envision the festival expanding its reach, both in terms of audience and influence, shaping the cultural landscape by addressing critical topics about the future of artistic practices. Our goal is to bring what we’ve built in Goa to cities around the world, while ensuring that art remains accessible and that we continue to preserve and promote regional traditions. We are committed to exploring new ways to integrate technology, education, and the arts, and to supporting emerging talent globally.
Q. What are the obvious challenges and rewards of curating this cultural festival?
Smriti: Challenges abound. It requires immense hard work from the team, the curators, and the artists involved to start from scratch at the beginning of each year and organize a festival of this scale. Yet, it is incredibly gratifying to see everything come together in December, offering something for everyone who visits. With over 200 projects spanning visual arts, performances, culinary experiences, and fashion, there are bound to be a few that don’t generate the response we expected. But we’re okay with failure and see bumps on the road as part of our growth; we learn from them and apply those lessons to the next edition.
