Ahmedabad University Launches Sabarmati International Contemporary Arts Festival
Ahmedabad University recently inaugurated the Sabarmati International Contemporary Arts Festival of Ahmedabad (SICAFA), a cultural movement that celebrated the arts and their role in fostering critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning. The festival, held from March 11-18, 2025, showcased a diverse array of performing arts traditions and contemporary expressions, reflecting the university's commitment to integrating artistic inquiry into its academic mission.
SICAFA, organized by the Sabarmati Arts Foundation in partnership with Neekoee Foundation and the Polish Institute New Delhi, aimed to connect tradition with contemporary expression. It featured a rich programme of performances, including contemporary theatrical pieces, folk traditions, puppetry, Indian classical music, theatre, music, folk dance, talks, and culinary festivals. Renowned artists, educators, and scholars from India and abroad came together to celebrate and discuss the role of the arts in shaping cultural consciousness.
The festival opened with the spectacular Manganiyar Seduction, directed by Roysten Abel, featuring a grand ensemble of 40 Rajasthani musicians. Beyond performances, SICAFA also curated engaging discussions on contemporary arts and their impact on society. The event was a precursor to establishing the School of Performing and Visual Arts, reinforcing the university's commitment to artistic inquiry and its civic mission.
SICAFA was more than just a contemporary arts festival; it was a cultural movement that reaffirmed the role of the arts in fostering critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning. Ahmedabad University, through SICAFA, deepened its engagement with the arts and the city's cultural fabric, setting the stage for future artistic and academic collaborations.
