Mandala Makers Festival

Mandala Makers Festival returns this March, and it's all about music. The dynamic range of voices and genres within the South Asian diaspora is showcased in Mandala Art's annual festival. Visit the festival portal at makersfestival.mandalaarts.org

Join us for series of digital performances every Friday in March beginning at 7 p.m. The festival supports emerging South Asian artists by providing a space—virtual at this time—to advance and challenge traditions, weaving a third culture.

“When we knew we couldn’t be together, I felt there was no other choice than to swiftly build a space to encourage continued practice among our artists,” said Mandala’s Programs Manager and Festival Curator Ashwaty Chennat. “This festival honors the breadth of experiences we have had during this time as well as how we, as artists, are continuing to find ways to express ourselves, create change, and collaborate as a community. May this space breathe life into the uncertainty of arts presentation going forward. We see a future in building new structures that endure.”

Each evening features musical artists rooted in South Asian traditions or perspectives; the sets often juxtapose artists focused on classical Indian disciplines with those considering contemporary approaches and pop aesthetics. 2021 Mandala Makers artists are: Priya Darshini, Max ZT, Anvita Hariharan, Lykanthea (Lakshmi Ramgopal), Chaitra Agrahar, Subhi, Chethan Anant, Rini, Pavitra Ramachandran and Uma Balachandran.