Surat’s much-anticipated art and culture initiative, “Abhivyakti – The City Arts Project,” is set to return with an extended duration and a diverse line-up of performances across theatre, dance, and music. Organised by UNM Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Torrent Group’s Mehta Family, the event will feature six performances with free entry for the audience.
Following the success of its previous two editions in Surat, the third edition is scheduled from February 28 to March 2, 2025, at Sanjeev Kumar Auditorium, Hazira, Surat.
The event will showcase selected performances from Abhivyakti’s sixth edition, which was held in Ahmedabad in November-December 2024.
The performances on February 28 include a Qawwali recital, “Mehfil-e-Sama” by Jaymin Vaidhya, followed by the humour theatre production “Welcome Bhurabhai” by Chetan Daiya.
On March 1, the programme will feature “Charan Kanya,” an experimental puppet theatre act by Rahul Kanthariya, and a fusion rock music performance, “The Palette of Time” by Mukt Band.
On March 2, “Borderlands,” a contemporary dance piece by Jaimil Joshi, and “Sangeetkarini Tana Riri,” a classical contemporary dance by Khushi Langaliya, will be presented.
Curated under the theme “Stories from the Soul,” the performances have been selected by experts in each genre, including K Sumant (Music), Chirag Modi (Theatre), and Mansi Modi (Dance). The mentoring panel features eminent artists Rajat Dholakia, Saumya Joshi, and Kruti Mahesh.
Since its inception in Ahmedabad in 2018, Abhivyakti has expanded to other cities in Gujarat, including Vadodara, Rajkot, and Surat. To date, 1,979 artists from across India have participated in the festival, with over 619,000 people attending.
The initiative is part of UNM Foundation’s mission to provide emerging artists with a platform while ensuring free and accessible cultural experiences. Audience entry is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The schedule of performances is as follows:
February 28, 2025:
- 8:00 PM: “Mehfil-e-Sama” – A Qawwali performance by Jaymin Vaidhya, a Gujarat University graduate and silver medallist in music, featuring a selection of traditional compositions inspired by Sufi legends Amir Khusro and Nizamuddin Auliya.
- 9:30 PM: “Welcome Bhurabhai” – A humour theatre production by Chetan Daiya, depicting a corrupt housing society chairman attempting to impress a foreign guest while covering up his misdeeds.
March 1, 2025:
- 8:00 PM: “Charan Kanya” – An experimental puppet theatre performance by Rahul Kanthariya, based on the poem by Zaverchand Meghani, blending traditional literature with contemporary theatre techniques.
- 9:30 PM: “The Palette of Time” – A fusion rock music performance by Mukt Band, exploring the interplay between seasonal changes and human emotions through alternative rock and live foley elements.
March 2, 2025:
- 8:00 PM: “Borderlands” – A contemporary dance performance by Jaimil Joshi, portraying the emotional connections that transcend national borders through music and movement.
- 9:30 PM: “Sangeetkarini Tana Riri” – A classical contemporary dance by Khushi Langaliya, paying tribute to the historical vocalists Tana and Riri, known for their legendary performance of Raag Megh-Malhar.
Abhivyakti – The City Arts Project is an initiative by UNM Foundation aimed at integrating art into society by ensuring free and accessible cultural experiences for audiences across different regions.
Also Read: Abhivyakti Arts Festival Returns to Rajkot with Theatre and Music on February 8-9
