Parramasala: The Australian festival of South Asian arts November 4-8
A celebration of Parramatta City’s cultural diversity, Parramasala is a tribute to the heady melange of the classic and contemporary that is Indian culture. A massive five day festival, held between November 4 and 8, Parramasala is set to be one of the annual highlights of the NSW Master Events Calendar – a sumptuous feast of art, music, theatre, colour and cuisine.
Featuring a vibrant mix or ‘masala’ of cultural influences, the program will include global music stars, classical dance, contemporary music improvisers, DJs, traditional Rajasthani folk arts and a bustling street market. Parramasala is a festival for all ages and interests.
To be held at venues across Parramatta including Riverside Theatres, The Crescent Amphitheatre, The Roxy and Event Cinemas; the festival is expected to attract over 30,000 patrons at programmed events, in addition to the many visitors drawn to the free outdoor artwork and exhibitions.
Two of the world’s influential music artists will be performing live on stage exclusively for Parramasala. Kailash Kher’s soulful voice has graced over 200 Bollywood films. Kher and his band Kailasa will headline a concert in the beautiful Crescent amphitheatre at Parramatta Park on 5th November. Britain’s Nitin Sawhney is a renowned electronic and world music artist. Sawnhey, his band and a 39-piece orchestra will perform a new live score to a rediscovered masterpiece of Indian silent cinema, A Throw of Dice, also to be presented in the Crescent amphitheatre. He’ll also perform his blistering Sound System show at Parramatta’s iconic clubbing venue, The Roxy, and will conduct a masterclass for young professional composers.
Other festival highlights will take place at the Riverside Theatre including a ‘Desert Wedding’ in which folk artists entertain audiences with the songs and rituals of a Rajasthani wedding, and The Guru of Chai, a new comic play by Auckland’s highly successful Indian Ink Theatre Company.
Free and community-driven events include a themed Twenty20 Cricket Match (the ‘art’ of cricket) and the annual Deepavali Fair at Parramatta Stadium.
Also look out for stand up comedy acts, exclusive movie screenings, and a special South Asian twist on the regular Saturday Farmers Markets at Town Hall Square.
Parramatta’s historic streets and first class cultural venues are about to be transformed. For those who love a little spice, a little masala, and a touch of Bollywood romance, Parramasala is an event not to be missed.
Posted by Fiona Davies
