When you think of performance arts in India, the Serendipity Arts Foundation is a name that invariably crops up. The multidisciplinary body, renowned for it support and promotion of creative projects, programmes and education, is hosting a curtain raiser for the fourth edition of its flagship Serendipity Arts Festival. The curtain raiser, to be held on September 12 and 13 in New Delhi, intends to drum up excitement and formally launch the Festival, which is slated for a December 15 to 22 run, in Panaji, Goa.

Dhamaal, a percussion event, will be the opening act for this curtain raiser on Day 1. First showcased at the Festival in 2017, it brings together melodies, song-text and diverse drumming traditions from across India. The location Central Park in Connaught Place, 7.30pm onwards. Curated by Aneesh Pradhan, here&rsquos a look into an older performance 

Day 2 will kick off a day-long symposium called Common Ground II Parallel Migrations. The seminars will start at 10.30am at the British Council, and are expected to wrap up by 6.30pm. They&rsquore divided into three distinct panels that will examine imaging cultures, interpretations, media representation, and its context. These seminars are &lsquoInterrogating &lsquoPlace&rsquo in Practice&rsquo, &lsquoPolitical Value(s) and Art&rsquo and &lsquoConfigurations of the Self&rsquo. Notable speakers and panelists include spirited photojournalist Shahidul Alam, conceptual artist Ashmina Ranjit, and filmmakers Dechen Roder and Ayisha Abraham. 

The curtain raiser will also announce the curatorial lineup for this year&rsquos festival, across the disciplines of craft, music, theatre, dance, culinary arts, visual arts and photography. 

Both events are open to the public. To attend, register at the entry gates of the venues on the given dates. To sign up for the Serendipity Arts Festival in December, you can visit the official festival website. Entry is free, and open to all.