This December, Panjim, Goa, will host the 10th edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival, transforming the city’s heritage spaces into a vibrant celebration of creativity across visual arts, theatre, dance, music, craft, design, photography, and culinary innovation. From 12–21 December 2025, the festival will occupy over 300,000 square feet across iconic venues, including The Old GMC Complex, Art Park, Kala Academy, and more, presenting a rich panorama of contemporary South Asian culture.
This milestone edition places a special focus on children, transforming the festival into an artistic playground where young audiences are active participants, creators, and storytellers. The carefully curated children’s programming spans themes from the environment and food to music, film, literature, and mindfulness. Activities include interactive workshops, storytelling sessions, film-making labs, animation projects, hands-on art and craft, and wellness experiences, ensuring every child discovers a unique way to engage with the arts.
Highlights include “Once Upon a Taste,” a food futures workshop led by Usha Chhabra and Thomas Zacharias, where children aged 8–12 explore the stories and futures hidden in food, culminating in their own creative “Cookbook for Tomorrow.” Other storytelling sessions explore Goan culture, wildlife conservation, folktales, and marine life. Artistic workshops introduce embroidery, weaving, terracotta, and crochet, while science and nature activities, architecture projects, and filmmaking experiences encourage curiosity and imagination. Mindfulness, emotional awareness, and musical exploration round out the festival’s immersive program for children.
Over the past decade, Serendipity Arts Festival has evolved into a platform that nurtures creativity in all its forms, fostering empathy, cultural understanding, and a lifelong love for the arts. Founder Patron Sunil Kant Munjal emphasizes that children are the greatest source of imagination, and the festival seeks to empower them to experience art joyfully and participatorily. Director Smriti Rajgarhia notes that the children’s programming is designed not only to engage but to give children confidence, creativity, and ownership of artistic expression. Co-Founding Patron Shefali Munjal reflects on ten years of impact, expressing gratitude for the artists, audiences, and partners who have helped build a movement that champions creativity as a force for social change.
Registrations for Serendipity Arts Festival 2025 are now open. Families and young creatives are invited to join this vibrant celebration of imagination and culture in Panjim, Goa, from 12–21 December 2025, and participate in what promises to be the festival’s most ambitious and joyful children’s programming yet.
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.
Panaji, February 2025 – Culinary enthusiasts looking to pick up new tips in French and Goan cuisine and refine their pastry skills can register for the newly unveiled culinary hobby courses jointly hosted by Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts (KCCA) and Kamaxi Skills. Designed for food enthusiasts of all levels, the courses begin on February 10.
The hands-on hobby courses will be held across two locations, namely, the KCCA campus in Verna and Kamaxi Skills culinary centre in Margao and aim to teach people a mix of traditional and innovative culinary techniques, with three renowned chefs imparting their expert knowledge over four-hour classes, each commencing at 2 PM. Participants can look forward to mastering over 10 dishes in Goan, French cuisine and the pastry section.
Chef Patrick Albert, Maître Cuisinier de France and Head Chef Faculty at KCCA, will guide participants in the art of French cooking, ensuring adeptness in creating classics like flavourful ratatouille (an iconic vegetable stew comprising eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomato), hearty cassoulet (a stew of beans, sausage, and a confit of duck or pork), and decadent mousse au chocolat (chocolate mousse), among others. Chef Patrick’s modules will take place on February 10, 17 and 24.
Chef Anjali Prabhu Walavalkar, an award-winning home chef known for her mastery of Saraswat and Goan cuisine, will introduce the heady flavours of coastal Goan cuisine – aromatic chicken shagoti (xacuti), rich bhikanacho ros (a gravy of jackfruit seeds cooked with tur dal), mangana (a dessert made from chana dal, sago, cashews, jaggery, coconut milk) and more. Chef Anjali’s sessions will run on February 12, 19 and 26.
Chef Playton Dias, Master of Pastry and Bakery at KCCA, will train participants to bake fluffy genoise sponges, springy and savoury focaccia, sugary cinnamon rolls and other treats. Chef Playton’s courses will be held on February 14, 21 and 28.
Parixit Pai Fondekar, the founder of the Kamaxi Group, which operates KCCA and Kamaxi Skills, highlights the importance of cooking as an art form that connects us to our culture and history. “Cooking is more than just a skill—it’s a way to connect with our roots and share joy through food. These chefs bring a wealth of knowledge and creativity to the table, and this hobby course is a fantastic opportunity to learn from their expertise while exploring new culinary horizons,” said Parixit Pai Fondekar.
In a thrilling finale, St. Francis Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Siolim; Keshav Smruti Higher Secondary School, Verna; and Deep Vihar Higher Secondary School, Vasco emerged victorious at the debut edition of the Rockstar Chef Competition. The event, organized by Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts (KCCA) and Kamaxi Skills, aimed to provide a platform for aspiring chefs from Higher Secondary Schools across Goa to showcase their culinary skills.
The competition, held in two phases across December 2024 and January 2025, featured 21 participants from 11 educational institutions. The final round, held at KCCA, saw the young chefs present their creations to a panel of renowned judges. The winning dishes included Azure Vanilla Cake, Roasted Pineapple Curry, and Chicken Stroganoff with Steamed Parsley Rice.
Rishita Damaji from St. Francis Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Siolim, took home the top prize with her Azure Vanilla Cake. Paramjit Saha from Keshav Smruti Higher Secondary School, Verna, secured the first runner-up spot with his Roasted Pineapple Curry, while Shiphara Shaikh from Deep Vihar Higher Secondary School, Vasco, was declared the second runner-up with her Chicken Stroganoff with Steamed Parsley Rice. All participants received certificates, while the semi-finalists received gift vouchers. The winners took home trophies, certificates, and gift vouchers.
The judging panel comprised esteemed professionals, including Chef Aditya Singh Bhadoria, Executive Chef at Club Mahindra; Chef Amit Chatterjee, Pastry Chef at Alila Diwa; and Chef Patrick Albert, Maitre Cuisinier de France and Head Chef Faculty at KCCA. The competition featured two categories: ‘Hot Kitchen’ and ‘Bakery and Pastry’, where participants’ dishes were judged based on culinary technique, presentation, creativity, and cleanliness.
Parixit Pai Fondekar, founder of KCCA and Kamaxi Skills, emphasized the significance of the competition: “At Kamaxi, we believe in nurturing the culinary talents of young individuals. Events like the Rockstar Chef Competition not only encourage creativity but also give students the chance to learn and grow under the guidance of industry professionals. We hope to continue inspiring and shaping the future chefs of Goa.”
The Rockstar Chef Competition has successfully provided a platform for young culinary talents to showcase their skills, and its impact will undoubtedly be felt in the culinary world for years to come.
Among the highlights of the festival’s 9th edition is the innovative ‘Blind Date with Friends,’ an experiential programme designed to foster deeper connections and mutual understanding. Participants are paired with visually impaired individuals for a journey through the festival’s exhibits, sharing conversations, meals and art experiences. “The process itself is the art,” explains Salil Chaturvedi, the programme’s curator, emphasising how such encounters break barriers and celebrate the richness of diverse perspectives.
Goa-based Salil Chaturvedi, an acclaimed writer, poet and disability campaigner, has virtually redefined the intersection of art and accessibility at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2024. Known for his poignant works in poetry and fiction, as well as groundbreaking advocacy, Salil has steered SAF 2024’s accessibility-focused initiatives, creating inclusive spaces where creativity and community meet.
This year’s accessibility interventions aimed to set a benchmark for inclusive art spaces, which included tactile exhibits and ramps to outdoor rest areas and wheelchair-friendly installations. A professional access audit guided these changes, ensuring thoughtful infrastructure upgrades across heritage venues. Additionally, initiatives like a deaf poetry jam and tactile art workshops brought artists with disabilities to the forefront, challenging traditional notions of visibility in art.
Salil’s collaboration with differently-abled artists has been transformative. “For the first time, we prioritised their presence not just as participants but as curators and creators,” he shared. Projects like ‘Nature’s Symphony: A Bird Watching Adventure’, where visually impaired individuals explore nature, and others where they create art from beach waste and the tactile design programme, ‘Touched’, crafted with input from blind schools, highlighted how sensory and emotional experiences can redefine art.
Through these efforts, Salil envisions a future where inclusivity is the norm, rather than the exception. “The mindset shift is key,” he stressed, advocating for leadership roles for people with disabilities in cultural institutions. By blending empathy, technology and innovative programming, his vision offered a roadmap for inclusive art, fostering a space where everyone can contribute and experience its transformative power.
