The Serendipity Arts Festival returns to Panaji this December for its tenth edition, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to making art accessible to all. As South Asia’s largest multi-disciplinary arts festival, SAF has grown into a dynamic platform where artistic practices, lived experiences, and community relationships converge.
This year, the festival once again transforms Goa’s riverfront and public spaces into vibrant zones of creativity, connection and inclusion from December 12 to 21. Throughout the year, the festival travelled through Birmingham, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Varanasi, Chennai, Gurugram, Dubai and Paris, offering previews of its tenth edition and engaging new audiences beyond Goa. Accessibility has been at the foundation of the festival since its inception, and in 2025 it continues to be central to the programming curated by poet and artist Salil Chaturvedi.
At the Access Village in the Old GMC Complex, sensorial, interactive and community-centred projects welcome visitors with diverse needs to experience art in ways that honour dignity and participation.
This vision is echoed by founder and patron Sunil Kant Munjal, who emphasises that culture must belong to everyone and that no visitor should ever feel excluded. The festival brings a range of unique experiences such as Scented Stories, a fragrance-based storytelling workshop; Hand/Eye, which explores touch as a mode of visual perception; and Breath + Sound Immersion, which blends meditative breathwork with sound healing.
Spaces like Studio Me and the Sensory Room provide open, calming environments for neurodiverse and neurotypical visitors to decompress and create. Curated by Tanul Vikamshi, the Paper to Sculpture workshop focuses on recycled materials and collaborative processes, while Nature’s Symphony offers blind audiences an auditory and tactile introduction to urban birdlife at Art Park and the Access Village.
The Gallery presents Therefore I Am, showcasing seven artists whose practices draw deeply from lived disability. Performances include Silent Rhythms, featuring India’s first group of deaf performers led by Dr. Alim Chandani, and Poems on the Move 2.0, curated by Thukral & Tagra with Chaturvedi, bringing live poetry readings into shuttle cabs across the city.
At The Lab, workshops by Siddhant Shah, Access for All, Rohan Marathe and Shivani Dhillon invite children, seniors and neurodiverse participants into sessions such as Dear Normal, Sound of Silence, Sensory Storytelling and Panchtantra Stories. Special projects further expand the accessibility commitment, including Cinema for Every Sense with audio-described Hindi films and a Pilates Flow Performance by Kaizen Wellness.
SAF Director Smriti Rajgarhia reflects on the decade-long journey, emphasising that accessibility has been a core priority long before it became a larger cultural conversation and remains central to the festival’s mission. Co-patron Shefali Munjal echoes this, noting that the festival has grown into a movement that fosters creative and social connection while supporting artists and cultural heritage.
As registrations for the 2025 edition go live, audiences are invited to secure their passes and explore a growing programme of exhibitions, performances, workshops and immersive encounters designed to make art a space for everyone.
Goa, 26th June 2025: The International Purple Fest Goa 2025, one and only premier platforms celebrating the rights and achievements of persons with disabilities, is scheduled to be held from 9th to 12th October 2025 in Goa. Organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and the United Nations in India, the 2025 edition will spotlight the theme of Think Inclusive – Advancing Inclusion through Universal Design for Everyone”. The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) joins as the official venue partner for the event.
The commencement of registration for this event was announced in the distinguished presence of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa; Shri. Subhash Phal Dessai, Hon’ble Minister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; Shri. Prasanna Acharya, IAS, Secretary, Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; Shri. Guruprasad Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities; Mrs. Varsha Naik, Director, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; and Shri. Taha Haaziq, Secretary, Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. Registrations for the International Purple Fest 2025 – Goa edition are exclusively through the International Purple Fest Goa mobile app, available for download through web link https://purplefest.goa.gov.in/ on both Android and iOS platforms. Participants are encouraged to register early and stay updated through the app for event schedules, venue details, and other exclusive content. This year, the Fest will spotlight on Think Inclusive — the idea of creating spaces, products, technologies, and services that are usable by all people, regardless of age or ability, without the need for adaptation. From ramps in schools and clear signage in hospitals to websites accessible to those with visual impairments, Universal Design ensures ease and inclusivity for everyone. Through this initiative, we aim to showcase how thoughtful, inclusive design can help shape a world that leaves no one behind. Speaking during the announcement, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa stated that “Purple Fest has become a platform where the voice of every individual is valued. This year, with the focus on Universal Design, we aim to redefine inclusion not just as a goal, but as a design philosophy that touches every part of daily life. Our commitment to persons with disabilities must extend beyond policy to practical solutions. Through Universal Design, we want to empower change at every level—from the metro cities to the smallest rural villages”.
“A unique highlight of Purple Fest 2025 will be its strong focus on rural inclusion,” said Shri. Subhash Phal Dessai, Hon’ble Minister for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. “We recognize that persons with disabilities in our villages face distinct challenges—limited access to healthcare, education, and transportation. Through dedicated sessions and the Rural Inclusion Conference, we aim to bring these issues to the forefront, while creating a platform for grassroots voices to share real stories and practical, scalable solutions. It’s time we ensure that no one is left behind, no matter where they live.” “Purple Fest 2025 is more than an event—it’s a movement,” said the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Shri. Guruprasad Pawaskar. “It brings visibility to the lived experiences of persons with disabilities and pushes the conversation beyond urban boundaries. With a dedicated focus on rural inclusion this year, we are not just listening—we are learning, engaging, and taking actionable steps. The voices we hear at the Fest will guide our approach in shaping policies that are inclusive, responsive, and rooted in real needs across Goa.” To bring this year’s theme to life, Purple Fest 2025 will feature interactive zones and exhibits that highlight real-world applications of Universal Design. A dedicated Universal Design Pavilion will demonstrate how everyday aspects of life—like physical infrastructure, transportation, education, and banking—can be made accessible to all. Adding a creative twist, the Design for All Challenge will invite students and innovators to develop simple, impactful ideas to make public spaces more inclusive and user-friendly. The Fest will also feature a special Rural Inclusion Conference, providing a platform for individuals from rural areas to share their lived experiences and innovative ideas. The aim is to listen, learn, and explore practical ways to make life more inclusive for everyone, regardless of where they live. In addition to this, the Fest will continue to raise awareness, foster collaboration, and support leadership, employment, and progressive policy-making for persons with disabilities. It will also highlight the latest innovations, spark new partnerships, and offer a vibrant space for creativity, enjoyment, and community engagement. As with every edition, Purple Fest 2025 will offer a diverse range of tracks that make the event truly unique. The Purple Think Tank will gather experts to explore Universal Design and discuss practical ways to implement it across sectors. The Purple Conference will delve into critical topics such as government policy, rural inclusion, and community leadership. Meanwhile, the Purple Experience Zone will feature interactive, hands-on spaces that demonstrate how inclusive design can be applied in everyday areas like banking, transport, education, and digital access. The Purple Exhibition will showcase over 100 stalls featuring innovative products, aids and appliances, and services designed by and for persons with disabilities. Purple Kaleidoscope will celebrate creativity through vibrant expressions of visual art, music, dance, and more. Adding to the cultural richness, Purple Rain will present powerful performances by persons with disabilities alongside popular artists. For recreation and wellness, Purple Fun will include inclusive Zumba sessions, scenic cruise rides, astronomy walks, and energetic drum circles. Purple Sports will highlight inclusive sporting events, including a special women’s cricket match, while Purple Street will bring music, art installations, creative workshops, and live performances to public spaces, bringing the Fest’s inclusive spirit into the heart of the community. The International Purple Fest Goa 2025 is not just a fest; it’s a movement of celebration of inclusion, creativity, and possibilities. By focusing on Universal Design and giving space to rural voices, this year’s Fest aims to bring real change. It’s about building a future where everyone no matter who they are or where they live can live with dignity, access, and equal opportunity.
