Nestled along Goa’s tranquil Mandovi River along the scenic Panjim waterfront, the former Directorate of Accounts building has long drawn the attention of travelers with its sprawling verandahs, grand colonnades, and whispering tales of hidden tunnels. Originally built in the 1500s, the Portuguese-era building now resonates with the vibrant pulse of art.
Undergoing restoration for over two months, it is one of the many heritage sites hosting the Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) to be held in Goa from December 15 to 22. Moving away from the idea of a ‘white box’ space, to challenge the traditional boundaries of what culture can be,” says Smriti Rajagadhia, Director, SAF.
Since its first edition in 2016, the festival has grown manifold – from 53 projects spread across eight locations in the inaugural year to over 200 projects across 22 locations this year, and leapt from a million to over a million footprint in 2023. “It’s an organic growth and a proud moment for us how it’s come together,” says Rajagadhia.
Each year, a new group of curators is invited to shape the festival’s program, which spans a rich tapestry of artistic disciplines, from music and dance to theatre, fine arts and culinary arts. Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Enterprises and founding patron of SAF, notes, “We look for curators who are not only extremely talented themselves but also have the ability to work with other artists and art forms.” This year’s lineup includes Geeta Chandran and Jayachandran Palazhi for dance, Zubin Balaporia and Vikram Ghosh for music, Kwasar Thakor Padmasi and Shankar Venkateswaran for theatre, and Veerangana Solanki and Jiten Thukral-Sumir Tagra for visual arts.
In the first phase, several projects are selected through an open call. With the white sand beaches of Goa serving as the backdrop, there is an effort to engage with the local communities and celebrate the region’s rich heritage. If the “Sempre Fado: Antigo e Novo” project curated by Balaporia will celebrate traditional Goan music and its complex relationship with Portuguese Fado, “Music in the Art Park” curated by Gaya Tiedemann will spotlight performances by local and experimental musicians. . The exhibition “Goa Familia: Archive of Potential (Goan) Futures”, curated by Lina Vincent and Akshay Mahajan, will explore the personal and collective history of Goan families through a rich collection of photographs, objects and stories. An ever-evolving identity of Goa. Asawari Kulkarni, author of the photobook Markets of Goa, will guide participants on a journey through her childhood memories, exploring seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood and the spices that shape the essence of Goan cuisine.
Discussions and seminars are woven into its fabric.
The Mandovi River, meanwhile, will come alive with the strains of classical music every evening as part of the ‘Naadi Raag’ program curated by Ghosh. A sunset cruise will depart daily from the Santa Monica Jetty.
Why should you buy our membership?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be confused and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package