When Dayanita Singh, the renowned photographer and bookmarker, embarked upon her creative journey, the first thing of art she crafted as a graphic design student at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, in 1986 was a handmade maquette, titled Zakir Hussain, her first published book, indicative of what was to become her cut-and-paste method alongside handwritten text and notes. The book was to become Singh’s vessel of artistic expression, and through it she explored the relationships between photography, publishing, museum and exhibition. The photo essay in it captured the dashing Indian classical tabla virtuoso on stage (including duet performances with his genius father-mentor Alla Rakha), at home (solitary playful moments with his tabla) and amid his family. Zakir Hussain was an icon who not only exemplified the idea of a syncretic India but also of a cultured, civilised humanity that the country’s rich historical legacy boasts of. Today, in a world without Hussain, who breathed his last on December 15, 2024, besides the musical galaxy he has left us with, it is these artful remnants of his day where we can catch a glimpse of the maestro, his world and his world view. Not only is Singh’s Zakir Hussain Maquette of archival value as a photographic tribute to the legend but it is a record of the man’s thoughts and words, such as: “I will always be a musician. A musician will always be a musician, not just me. He may stop performing but the musician is still there.”
Singh’s maquette is being displayed along with a cache of South Asian art and cultural events, at Birmingham City University’s iconic Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Symphony Hall, over four days from May 23-26, as part of a mini edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) in its 10th edition this year. A documentary on Zakir Hussain’s musical journey, The Speaking Hand, directed by Sumantra Ghosal will be screened. And a film marathon ‘Indian Film on Music’, curated by Dharmesh Rajput, in association with Birmingham Indian Film Festival. Curated by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, ‘Pop-Up Library: History of Indian Instruments’ would feature books on Indian music history, alongside book readings.
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Musical galas will include Portuguese-Goan music ‘Sempre Fado – Antigo e Novo’ by Zubin Balaporia (of Indus Creed fame), fado singer Nadia Rebelo, and ensemble; jazz from India and the Americas by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s music ensembles; Banda Brasileira, musical traditions of Brazil, directed by Shanti Jayasinha; folk fusions; ghazals and old Bollywood classics; and the grand finale will be Thumri in the Chamber featuring artists like Vijay Prakash, Priyanka Barve, and a string quartet.
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In its 10th year this year, one of South Asia’s largest multi-disciplinary arts festivals, which takes place annually for 10 days in Goa in December, SAF goes global this year. In a run-up to its event in Goa from December 12-21, SAF is holding a four-day mini edition in Birmingham, in partnership with the Birmingham City University (BCU), followed by other international cities, including Dubai. A grand milestone SAF festival will be held in Birmingham in 2026. “This event [the 2025 SAF Birmingham mini edition] will offer a glimpse into the festival’s vision, focusing on themes like nostalgia, identity, inclusivity, and global cultural dialogues,” Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Enterprise and founder patron of the the not-for-profit SAF foundation and festival, said earlier. There will also be a display of archival images of Indian musical instruments from Munjal’s personal collection.
When SAF was founded in 2016, there were not many platforms for different forms of art — fine arts, visual arts, performative arts — to come together. SAF Birmingham mini edition this year will also feature a rich programme of live performances, exhibitions, pop-up libraries, and masterclasses, connecting South Asian artistic traditions with Birmingham’s diverse cultural landscape.
Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) and his popular British crime drama show Peaky Blinders (2013) might have made Birmingham pop-cult sexy, while one of the UK’s most culturally diverse cities, with strong cultural and economic ties with India and South Asia boasts of a rich artistic legacy — from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Shakespeare Company. “The [SAF] festival will be an exploration of how international collaborations can create lasting cultural connections,” Munjal had said. Smriti Rajgarhia, director of SAF foundation and festival had said that satellite programmes are planned across 10 cities in India and abroad.
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