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Serendipity Arts Festival concludes in Goa

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By Siddhi Jain
Panaji, Dec 22 (IANS) The third edition of Serendipity Arts Festival came to a close on Saturday with focus on collaborative efforts of artistes while a possible detraction was averted after Subodh Gupta, a guest co-curator, decided to “step back” in light of sexual harassment allegations against him.

The multi-disciplinary extravaganza kicked-off on December 15 and managed to attract thousands of visitors during the course of its eight days of programming.

The organisers remained tight-lipped on Gupta, who was named in anonymous sexual harassment posts on social media. It had released an internal statement soon after the allegations surfaced last week, informing festival curators that Gupta had decided to “step back” from his curatorial position. They refused further comment on this.

Over 40 of the featured projects were commissioned exclusively for the annual event. The projects covered visual arts, crafts, photography, culinary arts, dance, music and theatre, making the annual retreat for art lovers unique in its curation.

In a heartening relief from most galleries as well as exhibitions in India, visitors thronged the festival’s multiple venues in large numbers and long queues awaiting entry remained the usual sight.

The engagement of audience was evident in standing ovations, prolonged applause, intense discussions, and children’s workshops. Several of the festival’s venues were public spaces, thus bringing art — long held as a preserve of the elite — a step closer to the general public.

The festival also spurred interest due to its seeming focus on day-to-day elements.

These were displayed in various exhibits and curations, showing the handmade from Indian �karigars’ in new light, reimagining the timeless design of �charpai’, and dramatisation of the Mahabharata in puppetry.

There were also events on chai and beer-tasting, and exhibitions resulting from photographers’ exploration of their personal spaces. The festival thus transformed quotidians into objects of not just artistic enquiry but also agents that encouraged fresh perspectives.

In another takeaway from the just three-year-old festival, it brought forth a new crop of artists with diverse repertoires and fresh takes on what is seen — and ignored — everyday.

Other key highlights included events focussing on Lavani dance form, the gramophone-era Goan musicians, contemporary art practitioners carving their practice in the state, even through digital means.

The 2018 edition of the festival culminated with a concert by Coke Studio on Saturday night.

(Siddhi Jain was in Goa at the invitation of the organisers of Serendipity Arts Festival. She can be contacted at [email protected])

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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