Beat the heat; attend the many arts and cultural festivals taking place around the country.

Pratibimb Marathi Natya Utsav

5^th – 7^th May, 2023 | Mumbai

The Pratibimb Marathi Natya Utsav sees readings, talks, plays, and discussions by Marathi theatre artistes and experts. The annual Marathi theatre festival celebrates the vibrant tradition of theatre in Maharashtra, that is known for its thought-provoking themes. The three-day event is organised by the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and this year’s line-up will be a mix of popular, as well as experimental plays. It will be held in Mumbai from 5 to 7 May, 2023 across several venues at the NCPA.

For more information, click here.

Khamrubu International Short Film Festival

13^th – 14^th May, 2023 | Kamrup, Assam

A festival that celebrates independent short filmmakers, the Khamrubu International Short Film Festival screens animation, fiction, documentary, and experimental works. With the aim of appreciating the hard work, understanding the challenges, and shedding light on the various aspects of making a short film, the festival screens around 50 titles. Awards are given for cinematography, directing, acting, editing, art direction, screenplay writing, and more.

Named after Khamrubu, a name for the people of Bodo Kachari Community of Assam, it is organised by Swastikam. Entry to the event and film submission is free of cost. The festival will take place on 13 and 14 May, 2023 in Kamrup, Assam.

For more information, click here.

City Scripts – An Urban Writings Festival

26^th – 28^th May, 2023 | Bengaluru

City Scripts – An Urban Writings Festival is a three-day annual event that features panel discussions, readings, conversations, and workshops with eminent authors, journalists, poets, artists, architects, and others. The eighth edition of the festival will be held in Bengaluru from 26 till 28 May, 2023.

Organised by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, the event celebrates writings that bring the city alive, as seen through myriad lenses. Over the years, it has seen notable names that include Manoranjan Byapari, C. K. Meena, K. Satchidanandan, Rana Ayyub, and Lawrence Liang, among others.

For more information, click here. 

SamaBhav International Travelling Film Festival

20^th February, 2023 – 31^st August, 2023 | Bengaluru

SamaBhav is in its fifth edition and will feature documentaries, national and international short films, and feature films on gender-based issues such as discrimination against women and other gender minorities, homophobia, and toxic masculinity, among others. The festival name, which means “equanimity”, is a first-of-its-kind, free-to-attend festival that will be held between 20 February and 31 August, 2023 in Bengaluru.

The event, organised by Men Against Violence & Abuse, sees stirring conversations with filmmakers, media personalities, gender rights activists, and academics. Previous editions have featured award-winning films and notable speakers such as actresses Vidya Balan and Sonali Kulkarni, and transgender rights activists Gauri Sawant and Disha Pinki Shaikh, among other known artists, journalists, and filmmakers.

For more information, click here. 

Picture credits: Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS)

To know about more such festivals and events, visit Festivals From India, your one-stop shop for all arts and culture festivals in India, made possible by the British Council.