The Museum of Goa (MOG) is commemorating a decade of creativity, innovation, and cultural dialogue with Festivals of Goa, a landmark exhibition that runs from November 9, 2025, to January 18, 2026, at its Pilerne campus. Featuring over 100 artists and more than a hundred works, this ambitious exhibition provides a unique lens through which visitors can explore Goa’s rich cultural fabric, evolving identity, and abundant diversity.
Curated under four simultaneous shows within the broad theme of Festivals of Goa, the exhibition examines shared histories, interfaith practices, and the ways in which traditions have adapted to modernity. Visitors can experience Goa’s festivals not just as cultural spectacles, but as vibrant spaces of memory, identity, and community expression. Sharada Kerkar, Director of MOG, emphasizes that the exhibition aims to reveal both widely celebrated and lesser-known festivals, offering insight into over 30 different festivities across the state.
The exhibition features works by noted Goan artists including Ramdas Gadekar, Viraj Naik, Chaitali Morajkar, Harshada Kerkar, Siddesh Chari, Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwal, Verodina Ferrao De Sousa, Asavari Gurav, Daniel D’Souza, and Nalini Elvino de Sousa, among others. Through photography, collaborative installations, multimedia artworks, and a children’s art show, Festivals of Goa reflects on the power of art to bridge communities and transform society. Subodh Kerkar, founder of MOG, underscores that the museum’s mission is to democratize contemporary art and create a space where the diverse voices of Goa can be heard freely.
The exhibition is divided into distinct sections to illuminate different aspects of Goan festivities. Where We Gather presents collaborative community projects, including a Narakasur, a crochet Christmas tree, and a giant Matoli, emphasizing the unifying power of community-based art practices. Festivals as Playgrounds, a children’s art exhibition curated by the museum’s Children’s Art Studio, explores creativity, community, and celebration from the perspective of young artists. Side by Side, curated by MOG, examines artistic responses to known and lesser-known festivals, offering insights into Goan society. Finally, The Seen/Unseen photo exhibition, curated by Prashant Panjiar, Indrajit Khambe, and Sharada Kerkar, reveals the labor, anticipation, and devotion behind the celebrations, offering a nuanced view beyond the spectacle.
The preview night set the tone for this landmark exhibition, featuring performances by celebrated Goan singer Sonia Shirsat and local band Roz Angon. Nilankur Das, Collaborations and Engagements Lead for MOG, reflected on the museum’s journey, noting that what began as a dream has grown into a dynamic space where artists, thinkers, students, and visitors intersect to engage with Goa’s histories, contradictions, and celebrations.
Since its establishment in 2015, MOG has emerged as a vibrant platform for artistic expression, collaborating with over 500 artists globally and hosting more than 600 exhibitions and events. The museum welcomes around 70,000 visitors annually, including 12,000 students from Goan schools, fostering a deep connection between contemporary art and the local community.
Festivals of Goa is open to visitors from November 9, 2025, to January 18, 2026, offering a once-in-a-decade opportunity to experience the state’s cultural richness, artistic diversity, and communal spirit at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne.
BTS’s RM is about to make history once again — but this time, not on stage. The global K-pop icon will step into the art world as a solo curator with RM X SFMOMA, an ambitious exhibition set to open at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from October 2026 to February 2027. The collaboration, announced by BigHit Music on October 3, marks the first time a K-pop artist has curated an exhibition with the prestigious U.S. institution, positioning RM as a cultural bridge between the realms of music and modern art.
The initiative stems from SFMOMA’s recognition of RM’s refined taste, deep engagement with art, and growing influence beyond the music industry. RM, known for his frequent museum visits and art commentary on social media, has personally shaped the concept and selected works for the exhibition. According to Yonhap News, the project positions RM not only as an artist but also as a visionary curator.
The exhibition will showcase approximately 200 pieces, blending RM’s private art collection with selections from SFMOMA’s extensive archive. These works span across various mediums — including painting, sculpture, and contemporary experimental pieces — and highlight renowned Korean modern artists alongside celebrated international names. Many of these pieces will be shown to the public for the first time, offering a unique cross-cultural and personal perspective on art.
In his official statement, RM emphasized his hope that the exhibition will encourage viewers to reflect on cultural, temporal, and geographic boundaries. “There is no fixed way to appreciate these works,” he said, “but I hope this exhibition becomes a small yet solid bridge for many.” His curatorial approach is rooted in inviting a broad audience to experience art beyond labels and expectations.
SFMOMA’s chief curator, Janet Bishop, praised the collaboration, calling it a rare opportunity to witness an intimate and meaningful conversation between RM’s artistic sensibility and the museum’s world-renowned collection. The exhibition is expected to attract wide attention from both BTS’s global fanbase and the broader art world, opening new avenues for cultural dialogue.
As RM continues to redefine what it means to be a global artist in the 21st century, RM X SFMOMA stands as a landmark in the evolving relationship between pop culture and fine art. This is not just an exhibition — it’s a statement about connectivity, creative expression, and the power of cultural exchange.
Panaji, July 2025 – The Museum of Goa (MOG), known for celebrating local art and culture, is hosting an exclusive screening of I Am Nothing, a soul-stirring documentary that explores the life, work, and philosophy of one of Goa’s most enigmatic artists — Vamona Navelkar.
Directed by Goa-based filmmaker and writer Ronak Kamat, the documentary offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual and artistic journey of a man who quietly transcended borders and boundaries. The event will take place on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 11:30 AM, at the Museum of Goa in Pilerne Industrial Estate, Bardez, followed by an engaging conversation with the director.
Vamona Navelkar, who passed away in 2021, left behind a body of work that is both intensely personal and universally resonant. From his early years in Mozambique, to his academic pursuits in Portugal, and finally his return to Goa, Navelkar’s life was marked by cultural shifts, personal loss, and an unwavering devotion to art.
He famously signed many of his works with the name ‘Ganesh’, in tribute to his deceased brother — a symbolic act that reflected both his humility and his philosophical outlook. His quiet mantra, “I am nothing,” was not defeatist, but deeply spiritual — a rejection of ego and a celebration of anonymity.
“This film is not just about Vamona’s art, but about a way of thinking and being,” said director Ronak Kamat. “His story is about identity, loss, and finding purpose in humility.”
The screening offers audiences an immersive experience of his journey, as told through visuals, interviews, and archival material. It’s a must-attend event for art lovers, students, filmmakers, and anyone intrigued by Goa’s rich cultural tapestry.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM onwards
Venue: Museum of Goa, Pilerne Industrial Estate, Bardez
Entry: Free (Limited Seating. RSVP via WhatsApp: 7722089666)
This event is part of MOG’s ongoing commitment to creating platforms that connect the public with Goa’s artistic legacies and untold stories. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply curious about the lives behind great works, I Am Nothing promises a morning of deep reflection and inspiration.
For more details, follow @MuseumOfGoa or contact via WhatsApp.
By Maryanne De Souza || Team Allycaral In its largest-ever edition, the festival will have 35+ curators including Shubha Mudgal, Lillete Dubey, Ehsaan Noorani, Manu Chandra, Thukral & Tagra, and Geeta Chandran among others across disciplines like visual and performing arts, craft, culinary arts and accessibility.
Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) returns to Panaji, Goa in its landmark tenth edition, from December 12 to 21, 2025, with a renewed vision, expanded ambitions, and a vast roster of curators and grants. As one of India’s largest multi-disciplinary arts events, it will mark a decade of celebrating the arts and fostering creativity, collaboration, inclusivity, and cross-cultural exchange across disciplines.
To mark this significant edition, along with the recently concluded SAF Mini Edition in Birmingham, UK, the Festival will extend its presence beyond Goa, activating events in cities across India through the year, culminating in the main event in December. This anniversary edition will reflect on Serendipity’s past journey while also looking forward — with dynamic art-led interventions, deeper community engagements, and greater national and global presence.
Commenting on the milestone 10th Edition, Sunil Kant Munjal, Founder and Patron, Serendipity Arts says, “Ten years ago, when we conceived the first Serendipity Arts Festival, we imagined a place where canvasses, workshops, stages, cuisines, cultures, and audiences could come together in a seamless mix…and where everyone felt welcome. We also visualised a platform where technology and tradition could blend and reflect on our reality. At that time, it seemed like a difficult, if not an impossible, goal. It is a delight to see that a decade later, this very place has become a thriving city of ideas where we are not merely celebrating art—we are redrawing its map and reaffirming our belief that when the arts come together, society moves forward. Many have played a part in this evolution: our own teams, the Government of Goa, the people of Goa, our amazing partners from many counties, the thousands of artists, the millions in the audience over ten years and our curators with their rich imagination and boundless energy. Each of these stakeholders are deserving of a big thank you from all of us.”
Mayor of Panaji, Rohit Monserrate, lauds all the past editions of the Festival which have added to the cultural vibrancy of Panaji. He says, “In each of its past nine editions, the renowned Serendipity Arts Festival has brought Panaji, the state capital of Goa, alive, nurturing creative expression, supporting our local economy and putting Goa on the world map as far as cultural and artistic expression are concerned. The festival’s diverse programming and inclusive spirit bring life to public spaces and boost tourism, helping create jobs and support Goa’s local economy. SAF is a stellar illustration of how art and culture are the soul of our city and the backbone of its growth. On behalf of the citizens of Panaji, we offer best wishes to the organisers of SAF on the occasion of their landmark 10th edition.”
Curators for the 2025 edition
In celebration of its grand 10th edition, Serendipity Arts Festival has brought together its largest-ever line-up of 35+ curators across disciplines like visual arts, dance, music, theatre, design, and culinary innovation amongst others. It features some of the most accomplished voices including actor-directorLillete Dubey, musicians Ehsaan Noorani, and Zubin Balaporia, Padma Shri Geeta Chandran, art historian Anjana Somany, artist Sudarshan Shetty, curator-publisher Rahaab Allana, tabla maestro Aneesh Pradhan, celebrated chef Manu Chandra, acclaimed poet and cultural theorist Ranjit Hoskote, multi-disciplinary designer Sandeep Sangaru, theatre director and recipient of Sangeet Natak Award Anuradha Kapur, amongst others.
Speaking about this year’s robust curatorial mix, Smriti Rajgarhia, Director, Serendipity Arts Foundation & Festival says, “As we step into our 10th year, Serendipity Arts Festival remains committed to creating spaces for artists, audiences, and communities to meet in meaningful and inclusive ways. With a stellar line-up of curators and an expanded set of grants and initiatives, we hope this edition catalyses new ideas, questions and connections that continue to energise the arts in South Asia.”
The Visual Arts section includes curators like cultural theorist Ranjit Hoskote, artist duo Thukral and Tagra and large-scale conceptual artist Sudarshan Shetty. Mumbai-based curator and writer Veeranganakumari Solanki known for her narrative-driven practice spanning public and private spaces will take the visitors on an interesting site with her artistic interventions. Vidya Shivadas, Director of Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA), and has a practice deeply rooted in critical art discourse, will curate exhibitions based on pedagogical and material experimentations.
The Craft section has curators such as ceramic artist Kristine Michael, and textile designer/artist Rashmi Varma who is known for exploring identity, memory, and gesture through the language of handmade fabric. Art historian and craft researcher Anjana Somany, committed to showcasing living craft traditions, will curate a project exploring the subterranean worlds of step-wells with a craft showcase. Designer Sandeep Sangaru, who works with indigenous materials will spotlight Kashmiri crafts in his curation.
The Photography section will be curated by several lens-based practitioners including Ravi Agarwal, an artist and environmentalist whose lens-based work interrogates ecology and nature. Rahaab Allana, curator and publisher of the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts, will curate an exhibition of image-oriented works from the Indian subcontinent and Arab peninsula. Documentary photographer and co-founder of Nazar Foundation, Prashant Panjiar’s curation will spotlight various occupational communities from Goa. Another of his curations will be a display on preserving family tales woven through self-portraits, inherited material, workshops, listening booths and talks. Dinesh Khanna, a veteran photographer and educator will curate projects on the theme of migration and memory.
The Dance section will have curators including the iconic Geeta Chandran, founder of Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, Jayachandran Palazhy, writer and dance practitioner Ranjana Dave, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Tanusree Shankar. Dave’s curation based on dance and movement will focus on a wide range of accessibility needs. Palazhy will curate projects that explore the strength of human connections, the concept of influence, and daily urban challenges through AI interventions, visual installations and interactive performances.
The Theatre section’s curations are poised to ignite the socio, political and cultural consciousness of the society. Award-winning playwright, director, and filmmaker Mahesh Dattani known for bringing contemporary issues to the stage will curate an Ambedkarite opera. Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Anuradha Kapur will spotlight the 180-year-old rich legacy of Marathi theatre. Sankar Venkateswaran will bring a classical touch to his curatorial work around a Koodiyattam act which will let the audience reflect on the themes of justice, power, and love in an unequal world. The other curators in this section also include popular actor-theatre director Lillete Dubey, and theater actor-director Quasar Thakore Padamsee.
The Music section will have an exciting lineup of curators like Ehsaan Noorani, Bickram Ghosh, Aneesh Pradhan, Ranjit Barot, Shubha Mudgal and Zubin Balaporia. Balaporia and Noorani will curate a performance that will bring the magic of blues, funk and jazz. Barot with Balaporia will curate a musical tribute to the iconic tabla player and composer Zakir Hussain. Pradhan and Mudgal’s curatorial performance will enthral the audience with a percussion act spotlighting folk instruments.
The Culinary curators including Odette Mascarenhas, Rahul Akerkar, Thomas Zacharias and The Locavore will create a sensorial experience that will extend beyond taste and smell. The collective Edible Issues focussed on Indian food systems, will curate projects that probe the cultural perceptions of aroma, as well as those around climate change’s effect on livestock and pastoral communities. Influential Chef Manu Chandra who has helmed several award-winning restaurant brands will pay an ode to old Goan tavernas in his curation. Sommelier-restaurateur Prahlad Sukhantar will spotlight India’s diverse salt traditions in his curation.
As Accessibility of arts forms the core of Serendipity Arts Festival, writer and disability campaigner Salil Chaturvedi will curate acts led by deaf and mute artists, workshops tailored to audiences with special needs, and create an inclusive space like Studio Me where everyone at the festival can try their hand at art.
These curated programmes will be spread across age-old heritage venues in Panjim including the Old GMC Complex, Art Park, Promenade and Gazebo, Kala Academy, Excise Building, Directorate of Accounts Building, Azad Maidan, Santa Monica Jetty, Yoga Promenade Jetty, The Arena at Nagali Hills Ground amongst others.
Below is a sneak peek into the much-anticipated 10th-year edition
Serendipity Arts continues its commitment to supporting emerging and mid-career practitioners through an expanded portfolio of grants in 2025. These initiatives are designed to provide financial, infrastructural, and mentorship support to practitioners across regions and disciplines through the following grants and residencies:
Futures in Formation | Public Art Programme (in partnership with FICA)
Serendipity Arts Residency 2025
Senior Artist Residency (in collaboration with Royal College of Art)
Enduring Traditions Grant
Serendipity Arles Grant
Folk Arts Grant
Independent Music Production Grant
WAC (Write | Art | Connect)
Arts Journalism Grant
With such an exceptional curatorial team, an expanded grants portfolio that will be showcased at SAF 2025, along with a commitment to year-round multi-city engagement, the 2025 edition promises to be its most exciting edition yet for the Serendipity Arts Festival. The Foundation invites audiences, practitioners, and patrons to be part of this milestone celebration as it reaffirms its belief in the transformative power of the arts.
Overview:
Serendipity Arts
Serendipity Arts is a not-for-profit collaborative platform based in Delhi, fostering empathy, curiosity and cross-cultural dialogue by supporting emerging artists across South Asia. The Foundation’s aim is to nurture artistic practice, promote research, and provide sustainability and education in the field of the arts. Over the past decade, Serendipity Arts has encouraged cultural heritage projects alongside contemporary art practices with extensive residencies, grants, collaborative projects, art writing initiatives and a multi-disciplinary arts festival.
