Serendipity Arts Festival, one of South Asia’s most celebrated multi-disciplinary arts festivals, brings its programming to Birmingham. Delivered in partnership with Birmingham City University (BCU), the event will take place from May 23 – 26, 2025. The Serendipity Arts Festival Mini Edition will present a rich program of live performances, exhibitions, pop-up libraries, and masterclasses, connecting South Asian artistic traditions with Birmingham’s diverse cultural landscape.
As an extension of the Serendipity Arts Festival, which marks its milestone 10th year, the program embodies a revolutionary approach to arts programming—one that views individual artistic expressions not in isolation, but as part of a larger, interconnected cultural tapestry. This interdisciplinary ethos, which has shaped the success of the flagship festival in Goa, now travels to Birmingham to create new dialogues and collaborative opportunities between artists from South Asia, the UK, and beyond.
Thumri in the chamber
At the heart of the Mini Edition’s program is ‘Thumri in the Chamber’, a semi-classical Hindustani vocal form that embodies poetic storytelling, melodic improvisation, and emotional depth. While rooted in tradition, it takes a bold approach by not presenting Thumri in its conventional form but in a way that makes it more contemporary without disturbing the beauty of the original. It invites audiences to experience Thumri not only as a musical form, but as a cultural prism—one through which diverse artistic, historical, and social dimensions are refracted and revealed, offering a fresh perspective on one of Hindustani music’s most cherished traditions. This thematic lens will shape performances, discussions, and artistic interventions across the Festival, illuminating how music serves as a bridge between cultural memory and contemporary expression.
Sempre Fado – Antigo e Novo
The Mini Edition of the Festival will also host iconic artists and emerging voices from both South Asia and the UK, inviting audiences into immersive experiences that traverse music, visual art, literature, and performance. Through interdisciplinary collaborations and cross-cultural exchange, Serendipity Arts in Birmingham will become a platform to redefine cultural boundaries, celebrating heritage while embracing the spirit of innovation.
Banda Brasileira
The collaboration with Serendipity reinforces BCU’s commitment to providing a uniquely multidisciplinary, inclusive university with global appeal. BCU students will play a large part in the festival, with events taking place at locations like BCU’s iconic Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Symphony Hall.
Programme Highlights:
Exhibitions & Installations
- Zakir Hussain Maquette by Dayanita Singh – A photographic tribute capturing the legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain on stage and at home, originally crafted as Singh’s first student project.
- Eternal Echoes – Archival images of Indian musical instruments from the collection of Sunil Kant Munjal, curated by Helen Acharya, highlighting the craftsmanship and cultural legacy of Indian music.
- Pop-Up Library: History of Indian Instruments – Curated by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC), this space features books on Indian music history, alongside book readings by authors from Birmingham.
Talks, Lectures & Workshops
- Remembering Zakir Hussain – A reflective talk led by Sumantra Ghosal and others who collaborated with the maestro, celebrating his legacy.
- Scoring to Picture Masterclass – An interactive session on composing music for film, led by Zubin Balaporia and Sameer Patwardhan.
- The Art of Taal – A Confluence of Drum & Tabla – A hands-on workshop blending Indian rhythmic traditions with Western jazz drumming, conducted by Gino Banks, Zubin Balaporia, and Ojas Adhiya.
- Daily Readings & Conversations – Hosted in the Pop-Up Library, featuring authors and historians from Birmingham, exploring the evolution of Indian music.
Concerts & Performances
- Sempre Fado – Antigo e Novo – A celebratory evening of Portuguese-Goan music, performed by Zubin Balaporia, Nadia Rebelo, and ensemble, blending tradition and modern arrangements.
- Across Oceans – Jazz from India and the Americas – A cross-cultural collaboration blending Indian and Western jazz traditions, and performances by RBC’s music ensembles.
- Banda Brasileira – A high-energy performance celebrating the rich musical traditions of Brazil, directed by Shanti Jayasinha, in collaboration with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
- Echoes of Elegance – Ghazals & Old Bollywood Classics – An intimate performance reinterpreting timeless ghazals and Bollywood melodies, led by Priyanka Barve, Sarang Kulkarni, and others.
- RBC Folk Ensemble – A powerful showcase by the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, blending folk music with jazz, rock, global beats, and contemporary styles.
- Thumri in the Chamber – Grand Finale Concert – A culminating performance weaving classical thumri into a vibrant tapestry of contemporary interpretation, featuring artists like Vijay Prakash, Priyanka Barve, and a string quartet.
Film Screenings
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Ms Smriti Rajgarhia Director of Serendipity Arts Foundation
The Speaking Hand – A documentary tracing Zakir Hussain’s musical journey, directed by Sumantra Ghosal.
- Indian Music on Film: Curated by Dharmesh Rajput – A film marathon in association with Birmingham Indian Film Festival celebrating South Asian films that unravel stories where music is much more than sound.
This Birmingham extension of the Festival is the first stop in a series of global engagements stretching throughout the year. This four-day event serves as a prelude to the ten-day full-format celebrations, marking the tenth year of the Serendipity Arts Festival in Panjim, Goa, from 12-21 December, 2025.
The tenth edition of Serendipity Arts Festival is set to take place in Panjim, Goa, from 12 -21 December 2025.
For more details visit https://www.serendipityartsfestival.com/.
