New Delhi

Serendipity Arts Festival will return for its 11th edition from December 13 to 20 in Panjim, with an acclaimed line-up of artists, performers, and cultural practitioners set to shape this year’s programming across multiple disciplines.

The organisers announced that renowned artist Sheba Chhachhi, celebrated Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam, choreographer Ashley Lobo, and theatre veteran Anuradha Kapur will be among the key curators leading the festival’s interdisciplinary programming, which spans visual arts, craft, culinary arts, music, dance, accessibility, theatre, and special projects.

In a statement, Sunil Kant Munjal said that as the festival enters its second decade, the focus is not only on presenting art but also on reshaping how audiences experience, engage with, and interpret it. He described the curators as the driving force behind the festival’s spirit of inquiry and experimentation.

The visual arts segment will be curated by art historian Latika Gupta alongside Chhachhi, bringing together academic rigour and socially engaged artistic practice. Chhachhi’s work is widely recognised for exploring themes such as gender, urban identity, memory, ecology, and the body through immersive visual storytelling.

The music programme will be led by Padma Shri awardee Aruna Sairam and singer-composer Ankur Tiwari, blending classical traditions with contemporary musical collaborations.

The theatre section will be shaped by playwright Mahesh Dattani and Anuradha Kapur, both known for their influential contributions to modern Indian theatre and their socially reflective artistic practices.

Dance programming will be curated by Ashley Lobo and Surjit Nongmeikapam, with a focus on movement as a medium of both structure and creative disruption.

The craft segment will be led by textile designer Kshitij Jalori and interdisciplinary artist Sudheer Rajbhar, aiming to connect design innovation with traditional material practices.

The culinary arts vertical will be curated by Anisha Rachel Oommen, who is expected to position food not merely as consumption, but as a cultural and intellectual experience.

Accessibility programming will once again be curated by poet and disability rights advocate Salil Chaturvedi, ensuring inclusivity remains a central pillar of the festival.

Special Projects will be led by curator Sreyansi Singh and dancer Padmini Chettur, bringing together collaborative works that challenge conventional boundaries between disciplines.

Festival director Smriti Rajgarhia said this year’s curatorial team has been brought together with a clear vision—to deepen interdisciplinary dialogue, encourage slower and more meaningful audience engagement, and present sharper artistic narratives.

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As it enters its 11th year, the festival is expected to continue pushing creative boundaries through exhibitions, live performances, workshops, installations, and immersive interactive experiences.