Featuring over 100+ artists across 4 venues over 4 weekends
*This media release is being republished from Sangam's official website. South Asian Today is an official media partner of Sangam.
Sangam 2021 to present an eclectic range of Performing Arts from South Asia and Diaspora
Featuring over 100+ artists across 4 venues over 4 weekends, Sangam 2021 Performing Arts Festival of South Asia and Diaspora, presents an eclectic range of music, dance, spoken word, comedy, classical, contemporary and experimental performances.
Being held on February 20, 27, March 6, March 11-13, 2021 at Abbotsford Convent, The Drum Theatre, Bunjil Place and Dancehouse, Sangam 2021 builds on the inaugural three-day festival held in November 2019, which brought together 80 award-winning South Asian and Australian artists of diverse backgrounds. The 2021 festival reunites the highly successful artistic team of Dr. Priya Srinivasan, Hari Sivanesan and Uthra Vijay who led Sangam in 2019. Based in Naarm/ Melbourne on unceded land, Sangam acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Wurundjeri and Bunnuwurung people and is guided by Blakdance.
With support from the Victorian Government and Co-produced by Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV), the 2021 Festival presents:
A day at Abbotsford Convent dedicated to immersive and eclectic experiences including a family focused afternoon with Raga Immersion, Yoga, Bollywood dancing and Henna painting followed by an evening of short-spoken word, experimental music/dance, screen performances by 18 diverse South Asian artists.
The Earth Matters Walking Experience in Dandenong offers audiences a unique participatory interactive experience. This walking tour will showcase the best of classical performance in Melbourne in experimental sites along with exciting and rarely seen combinations of music and dance performances.
Experimental performances at Bunjil Place, featuring 15 artists from the South East region mentored by renowned local and international artists over 6 months.
Classical and contemporary South Asian dance at Dancehouse with Sangam Commissions featuring 2 international and 5 Victorian artists at extraordinary premiere showings over 3 evenings. With Panel discussions both online and live at the Convent and Dancehouse, the festival is not to be missed.
Speaking about Sangam 2021, Priya Srinivasan said: “We are so grateful to see the interest and excitement for South Asian Australian artists and artistic practices grow. Through Covid and our severe lockdown we had to innovate connecting the local with global which enabled surprising and beautiful relationships, learnings and performances that you will see at our festival. It shows how resilient artists of colour and how needed new voices are to truly reflect Australia as it is today”.
As in 2019, MAV has co-produced Sangam 2021, as part of its commitment to leading sector transformation by empowering artist-led frameworks that model international best practice.
MAV CEO, Veronica Pardo says: “As the leading diversity arts company in Victoria, MAV is a critical support for creative practitioners wishing to challenge systems of cultural production and consumption. We believe Sangam is an exemplar of how things can be done to ensure a more equitable and representative arts sector.”
With experiences happening across four weekends, in venues spread across Melbourne’s city center and periphery, there is something for everyone in this year's free and ticketed program. Enjoy a family friendly afternoon of immersive music/dance experiences with a fun dash of Indian and South Asian food and Culture. Indulge in evenings dedicated to short spoken word, experimental music/dance and screen performances. Engage in site specific performances and classical and contemporary South Asian dance and Participate in scintillating panel discussions with Sangam 2021.
Know more and book tickets at www.sangam.com.au
Sangam is a proud partner of MAV. We are supported by Creative Victoria, Australia Council for the Arts, City of Melbourne, City of Greater Dandenong and Yarra City Council. Our venue partners are Abbotsford Convent, The Drum Theatre, Dancehouse and Bunjil Place. Guided by Blakdance. Supported by Ausdance Victoria, Peril Magazine and South Asian Today.
Media enquiries: Shweta Kawatra & Simone Etheve: admin@sangam.com.au