University News Last updated 07 April
Next month (May 2025), Birmingham City University (BCU) will host Serendipity Arts Festival, a four-day arts extravaganza celebrating South Asian arts and culture, and free tickets are available to book now.
Birmingham, with its rich multicultural heritage, is a perfect setting for the festival, which not only celebrates the deep artistic traditions of South Asia but also fosters new collaborations and cultural exchanges.
Serendipity Arts Festival will celebrate its tenth edition in India in December. The event typically encompasses more than 200 projects spread over multiple venues in Panaji, Goa. Established by founder-patron Sunil Kant Munjal, the event has grown into South Asia's largest arts festival, covering performing, visual and culinary arts.
The Birmingham taster event will be the first time the festival has been held outside of India. BCU has been working with the festival organisers to bring a vibrant celebration of South Asian arts, music, dance and culture to the Midlands, showcasing a mix of performances, workshops, film screenings and exhibitions that will take place at RBC and Symphony Hall.
Award-winning local comedian Shazia Mirza will headline the event, which will take place over the bank holiday weekend, Friday 23 – Monday 26 May.
The festival will celebrate the talented BCU community:
- The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, started by Lecturer Joe Broughton when he was a student in 1977, will take to the stage to deliver an energetic show, with up to 75 musicians taking part, including fiddles, brass and percussion.
- BCU Media Production Course Director Dharmesh Rajput will curate a film package about Indian music.
- Professor of Poetry Greg Leadbetter will lead a poetry evening.
- Multi-instrumentalist and Jazz Lecturer Shanti Jayasinha will lead RBC’s Banda Brasileira celebrating Brazil’s global music traditions.
The line-up also includes:
- Thumri in the Chamber – a classical Indian music tradition given a contemporary twist by Indian rock musician and composer Zubin Balaporia.
- A tribute to the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain capturing intimate moments of his musical journey through the lens of celebrated photographer Dayanita Singh, and a screening of the film The Speaking Hand, which charts Zakir's growth from the by-lanes of Bombay to his present place as a celebrated musician.
- Sempre Fado – an evening of soulful music capturing the true spirit of Portuguese Goa.
Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba said: “Everyone at BCU is hugely excited about this festival. It will be the first of its kind in the UK and it will showcase BCU’s strong commitment to supporting and fostering the arts.
“Since our founding almost 180 years ago, arts, design and performance have been at the core of our University, and our education provision remains rooted in the city’s diverse cultural landscape. This event will not only cement Birmingham’s position as a cultural destination of choice but will build on the talents and aspirations of our students and University.”
Festival Founder and Patron Sunil Kant Munjal said: “We are thrilled to bring Serendipity Arts Festival to Birmingham, a city that shares our passion for artistic innovation and cultural storytelling. This edition will be a bridge between continents, traditions and contemporary expressions. Together, BCU and the festival will make the arts accessible to all.”
Read more about the festival and its programming this year
Pictured: Thumri in the Chamber