As the year comes to a close and I look back on the fantastic destinations that I have had the opportunity of visiting, the hungry traveller in me longs for one last getaway. But this time, I want to do more than just traverse across the map of a city. I seek a wholesome experience that is enriching for both, my mind and my soul. The Serendipity Arts Festival, a multi-disciplinary arts festival being hosted in Goa from December 15-22, 2019 offers me just what I'm looking for. With this one-of-a-kind arts festival, I'm all set to end my year on a high note. What about you?
About Serendipity Arts Festival
Famed as one of the largest multi-disciplinary arts festivals in South-East Asia, Serendipity Arts Festival brings forth the visual, performing and culinary arts. Bringing artists and experts from across the country as well as the world, the festival is known to host a range of interesting workshops, exhibitions, and symposiums around the themes of literature, film, and fashion. Featuring brilliant artists from around the world, Serendipity Arts Festival is a wholesome, immersive experience that will expose you to the beautiful world of arts. Here are a few standout workshops and experiences that you cannot miss.
Heart-stirring performances
1. Music in the Park
Taking place across several days during the festival, Music in the Park is sure to be your go-to event. Featuring bands and musicians across rich genres such as jazz, fusion, retro, blues and pop, the show will compel you to explore music like never before.
When:
December 15 - 22, 2019 | 12.00 pm - 3.oo pm
Wher:
Children’s (Art) Park, Panjim
2. Gulon Mein Rang Bhare with Azeezon ki Toli: A Performance by Rekha Bhardwaj
Known for being the voice behind some of the most memorable Bollywood songs, Rekha Bhardwaj will transport you to paradise with her distinctive voice. This performance will be a medley of some of her best work so far, and will be a night you won't forget for a long time.
When:
December 19, 2019 | 8.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Where:
DB Ground, Panjim
3. Aurat! Aurat! Aurat!
Curated by Arundhati Nag, this performance is a tribute to one of the greatest short-story writers of all time – Ismat Chugtai. The play, directed by Naseeruddin Shah, boasts of an all-women cast and showcases excerpts from three of Chugtai's essays, Ek Shauhar Ki Khaatir, Aadhi Aurat Aadha Khwaab and Soney Ke Anda. If you haven't been introduced to Chugtai's world, then this performance is one that you cannot miss.
When:
December 15-22, 2019 | 12.00 pm - 3.00 pm
Where:
Children’s (Art) Park, Panjim
4. Coke Studio
One of the most beloved platforms that brings together music from across genres is coming back to Serendipity Arts Festival this year! Prepare your senses to be evoked by beautiful symphonies.
When:
December 22, 2019 | 8.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Where:
DB Ground, Panjim
Know more about this performance here.
5. Boy With a Suitcase
This is an Indo-German collaboration featuring artists from different nationalities to exploring poignant themes such as migration, displacement, alienation and the concept of home.
When:
December 16, 2019 | 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Where:
Parade Ground, Panjim
6. Karsh Kale presents Classical Science Fiction feat. Pt. Ajay Prasanna and Max ZT
Witness a soul-stirring performance by the very pioneer of global fusion. This drummer, DJ, remix artist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist accompanied by Pt. Ajay Prasanna and Max ZT, is sure to give you a musical performance that you won't forget for days to come.
When: December 20, 2019 | 8.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Where: DB Ground, Panjim
Other exciting performances that you must catch are The Landscape of Human Emotions, Sound Interventions, and Louiz Banks and Braz Gonsalves.
Workshops to get your grey-cells working
1. Healing Culinary Legacies
If you're a healer or are interested in healing techniques from around the world, you are sure to have come across Bach Flowers. This unique workshop centered around medicinal plants, flowers and trees will give you an insight into the uses and administration of these plants. More importantly, the workshop will also teach you about air purifying plants to create a better environment for yourself. So if you live in a metropolitan city that is fraught by pollutants of all kind, this workshop is sure to be really helpful.
When:
December 16, 2019 | 2.30 pm - 3.30pm
Where:
Old GMC, Panjim
2. Senses 4.0
Senses 4.0 is a very interesting workshop that combines tactile art, workshops and curated walks in order to make it accessible to those who are differently-abled. In addition, the workshop seeks to throw light on mental health and well-being.
When:
December 15-22, 2019 | 10.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Where:
Other venues
3. Everyday Ecology
Everyday Ecology will show you the local, authentic side to Goa by giving you a peak into Goa's f0od sources. You will visit fishing village, traditional agriculture, Khazan lands and natural freshwater springs. You will get the chance to interact with communities involved in the production of food and end the walk with a sampling of local food.
When:
15-22 December, 2019 | 8.00 am - 12.00 pm
Where:
Other venues
4. Ek-Minute Film Workshop
This is one workshop that will especially interest you if you're a filmmaker. Ek Minute Film Workshop is an attempt to pay tribute to the legendary 16mm film camera that remains a favourite among filmmakers in spite of immense digitisation in the field. Through this workshop, the Harkat studio calls out to filmmakers and gives them an opportunity to a one-minute film on it. All films will be screened on the last day of the festival here. Check out this link to know more.
Other workshops that you must head to are Space and Sound, Chef's Legacy and Invisible.
At these exhibitions, let art move you like never before
1. Look, Stranger!
Look, Stranger! is a trans-media curatorial project that aims to explore a crucial relationship – the one between the self and the world. This project is travelling across the South Asia and is exploring the themes of community, detachment, belonging and space through photography.
When:
December 15 -22, 2019 | 10.00 am - 6.00 pm
Where:
Old GIM, Ribander
2. Image Journeys: The Conquest of the World as Picture
This visual-arts based exhibition critically views popular Indian imagery in the 19th-20th century. This includes about 200 images, objects, engravings, photographs and much more. The exhibition goes on to explore how printing and circulation of certain images shaped the independence movement in the country.
When:
December 15-22, 2019 | 10am - 6pm
Where:
The Adil Shah Palace, Panjim
3. St+art Goa
Cultural spaces in Goa such as Panaji Municipal Market and Taleigão Walls have been bathed in art by St+art. This project allows to re-imagine as well as transform Goa's cultural history and future through these walls.
When:
15-22 December, 2019 | 10.oo am - 6.00 pm
Where:
Other venues
4. Urban Reimagined 2.0
Curated by Ravi Aggarwal, Urban Reimagined 2.0 showcases artistic interventions by Sahil Naik and Achia Anzi. The work by Sahil Naik chronicles life in village Curdi in Goa that remains submerged in water throughout the year but reappears from April - June. The text based project by Achia Anzi will be installed on the balcony of Adil Shah Palace in the form of LED-neon text and will correspond with the colonial history of the building.
When:
15-22 December, 2019 | 10.00am - 6.00pm
Where:
Promenade
5. Goa Familia
Goa Familia, curated by Lina Vincent is an archive that aims to chronicle family histories through photographs, postcards, ancestral heirlooms and memorabilia. The exhibition attempts to help viewers reflect on the past and present.
When: 15-22 December, 2019 | 10.00am - 6.00pm
Where: Old GIM, Ribander
For more such enlightening exhibitions, check this link out.
You can head to the festival's Instagram page to stay updated on more exciting events and performances. In addition, if you're attending the festival, do download the Serendipity Arts Festival app where you'll find more information on the programme. Interested in volunteering? Help organise the greatest arts festival by applying as a volunteer here.
As the festival approaches, I am extremely eager to explore the innovations, creativity and art that it celebrates. Surrounded by the best artists, music maestros and people who revel in the arts, I cannot wait to interact with the greatest minds in the field. If you're looking to add some meaning to life, travel and at the same time, have fun, then Serendipity Arts Festival is the ideal place to get it all.
So get clicking, and book your tickets to Goa right away!
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