Day 6 of the Serendipity Arts Festival 2024 continued to bring audiences together with a diverse mix of exhibitions, performances, and interactive spaces, celebrating creativity, memory, and community.
The day commenced with Serendipity Art’s Founder-Patron, Sunil Kant Munjal launching the foundation’s initiative, Serendipity Exchange for the Arts (SEA), designed as a vibrant confluence aimed at amplifying the visibility and reach of Indian artists while fostering substantial dialogues and collaboration with relevant creative stakeholders across the board.
“The very purpose of launching the SEA is for more opinion leaders to come together and positively influence those around them. The exchange is one of the ideas of friendship and emotions. The idea of Serendipity Arts Festival was to make access to quality arts available to all. The people of Goa have already adopted it as their own festival, which was one of our objectives, to have it as a people’s festival. This platform, which we are announcing today, is our attempt to reach out beyond Goa and build this into a global initiative,” said Munjal.
Past Forward: Remix and Collaborations in Ceramics and Glass curated by Kristine Michael, opened a dialogue on the role of ceramics and glass as versatile mediums for storytelling and innovation. This exhibition showcases collaborations among contemporary and vernacular artists who upcycle materials to create sustainable and imaginative forms of expression. Artists such as Hemi Bawa, Partha Dasgupta (in partnership with Shankar Turi, Zillu, and Dattaram Harmalkar), Reshmi Dey (with Vishnu Kushwah and team), and others contribute their unique interpretations.
In the realm of performance, Do You Know This Song? took centre stage. Directed and performed by Mallika Taneja, this moving piece, curated by Quasar Thakore Padamsee and Sankar Venkateswaran, delved into grief, loss, and rediscovery through song. Mallika reconstructed a forgotten voice using a harmonium, childhood objects, and haunting melodies while exploring themes of memory and healing.
Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, The Alley, open till December 22, transformed the Old GMC Complex into a lively marketplace, celebrating responsible, sustainable design and artistic innovation for the festival’s duration. Curated with a focus on sustainability and creative expression, this experiential space showcases brands such as Abraham & Thakore, Satya Paul, Studio Verandah, Yam, No Nasties, 11.11, and more. Visitors partook in a guilt-free shopping spree while engaging with the designers and artisans behind the products.
For a serene evening, River Raag curated by Bickram Ghosh presented an enchanting classical music performance aboard a sunset cruise on the Mandovi River. Audiences were treated to a jugalbandi featuring Suresh Vaidyanathan (Ghatam) and BC Manjunath (Mridangam), blending the magic of music with the natural beauty of the setting sun.
Come Eat With Me by Sri Vamsi Matta invited audiences to explore the intersection of caste and food in a performative dinner at The Food Lab – The Old GMC Complex. Blending personal narratives with academic insights, this immersive piece highlighted themes of oppression, solidarity, and the victories of the human spirit while sharing a meal.
Capping off the day’s celebrations, Salim-Sulaiman Live treated audiences to an electrifying evening of popular Bollywood music with the iconic composer duo, Salim and Sulaiman Merchant at The Arena at Nagalli Hills Ground.
Day 6 of the Serendipity Arts Festival celebrated the power of art to inspire, challenge, and connect. From thought-provoking exhibitions to transformative performances and interactive spaces, the festival continues to be a hub of creativity and reflection.
