The Serendipity Arts Festival, South Asia’s largest multidisciplinary arts event, will return to Panjim, Goa, from December 13 to 20, 2026, marking its 11th edition with a renewed emphasis on curator-led programming and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Continuing its long-standing approach, the festival has announced a carefully selected cohort of curators across disciplines, reinforcing its commitment to research-driven and collaborative cultural production. The 2026 edition foregrounds a curatorial framework that treats artistic disciplines as fluid and interconnected, encouraging conversations across visual arts, craft, music, dance, theatre, culinary practices, and accessibility.
Founder-Patron Sunil Kant Munjal noted that as the festival enters its second decade, its focus extends beyond presentation to shaping how art is experienced and understood. He emphasised the central role of curators in sustaining a “spirit of inquiry” that keeps the festival responsive to contemporary cultural contexts.
The visual arts programme will be led by art historian Latika Gupta and artist-curator Sheba Chhachhi, bringing together critical art historical perspectives and politically engaged practices. In craft, designers Kshitij Jalori and Sudheer Rajbhar will explore intersections between traditional material practices and contemporary design innovation.
Latika Gupta, Visual Arts Curator, Serendipity Arts Festival 2026 and Sheba Chhachhi, Visual Arts Curator, Serendipity Arts Festival 2026, Portrait by JOHN PAGE
The culinary arts vertical, curated by Anisha Rachel Oommen of Goya, will position food as a cultural and critical medium. Music programming will be shaped by Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam and singer-songwriter Ankur Tiwari, combining classical traditions with contemporary soundscapes.
In dance, Ashley Lobo and Surjit Nongmeikapam will examine the body as a site of both discipline and experimentation, while theatre will be curated by Mahesh Dattani and Anuradha Kapur, bringing together performance, pedagogy, and critical inquiry.
Accessibility remains a key focus, led by writer and disability rights advocate Salil Chatturvedi, ensuring inclusive engagement remains embedded across the festival. Special Projects, curated by Sreyansi Singh and Padmini Chettur, will serve as a cross-disciplinary platform linking diverse artistic practices.
Festival Director Smriti Rajgarhia highlighted that the 2026 curatorial cohort has been assembled to deepen interdisciplinary dialogue and foster “slower, more layered engagement” with the arts.
Organised by the not-for-profit Serendipity Arts Foundation, the festival continues to position itself as a platform for cultural exchange, public engagement, and artistic experimentation. With free public access and programming spread across multiple venues in Panjim, the festival is expected to once again activate the city as a dynamic cultural site.
Cover Image: ‘Beasts of Reincarnations: Mythical beings in the city’ curated by Diptej Vernekar at the Old GMC Complex at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2025
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