संत सेवा उत्सव | SANT SEWA FEST - RISHIKESH - INDIA | ऋषिकेश - भारत
Sant-Sewa festival is an artist-led initiative to transform Sant Sewa Ashram in Rishikesh into an art gallery, full of music, traditional and contemporary dance performance and magic on the bank of the holy river Ganges.
In November 2020 the festival showcased some of the most authentic alternative artists - local and international. From Randy Getty leading the way with his murals all over the town to Inessa Garder with her mesmerising creations in oils, Dina Blinkova blending contemporary dance plastic with traditional Indian gestures and Prince Insanez improvising in his unique "sacred move" style, with Acharya Anuragi on the mike, Pablo ji Musicforpeace with his enchanting violin tunes...and many others. The spirit of this event was created by the unrepeatable atmosphere of Rishikesh and shared by hundreds of visitors.
In November 2020, shortly after the severe lockdowns in India, a group of international artists saw an opportunity in using massive mostly empty spaces of an ashram, that would normally be used to host tourists, seekers and yoga students from all over the world. The artists decided to turn this empty space into a vibrant celebration of visual art, music and dance.
The success of the event exceeded all expectations. The rich cultural heritage of Rishikesh allowed for an event with a unique genuine spirit to emerge.
Sant Sewa festival aims to strengthen international connections of Indian artists with their colleagues from all over the world.
Over 1000 people have visited the Sant Sewa Ashram over the course of 3 days of the festival. We've had visitors from Delhi and Mumbai as well as many cities from the state of Uttarakand and of course from Rishikesh itself. The vibrant community formed of the local and expat artists residing in Rishikesh created the environment that made this very special event possible. With Mathieu Picault as a curator, the festival made its debut in November 2020.
EXHIBITIONS
“Eternal Horizon” series of digital canvases by Arjun Mehta,
Aleksei Krylov, and Maria Lukoianova
2nd floor, outdoor loft
“Cosmic Drift” video artwork (in the darkroom) by Mikhail Mashtakov
Ground floor
“Scattering” painting by Carolina Anyways
1st floor, main hall
“Blind Sage” digital art by Diana Kozlova
1st floor, main hall
“Tranquil Reflections” photography by Vadim Dashkovsky
and Neehith Mamidi
Ground floor, photography gallery
“Threads of Eternity” show: mixed media by Roodra Thakur
paintings by Ananya Sharma, Rajesh Kumar,
digital art by Yuri Kurganski
Ground floor, mixed media gallery
WORKSHOPS ROOFTOP
Curated by Yulia Shanti
SATURDAY
11 am - 12 pm: Singing and chanting w/ Sky Ragini
12 pm - 1 pm: Introduction to abstract acrylic art w/ Yulia Shanti
1 pm - 3 pm: Oil painting techniques w/ Arjun Mehta
3 pm - 5 pm: Photography basics: Capturing nature w/ Vadim Dashkovsky
4 pm - 6 pm: Abstract painting w/ Diana Kozlova
4 pm - 6 pm: Yoga-inspired movement and dance w/ Priya Nair, finishing with group meditation w/ Rajesh Kumar
SUNDAY
10 am - 11 am: Henna art w/ Poonam Mehta
11 am - 12 pm: Indian drumming rhythms (tabla) w/ Akash Verma
12 pm - 2 pm: Indian miniature art workshop w/ Narmina Askerova
2 pm - 3 pm: Painting for beginners w/ Carolina Anyways
4 pm - 5 pm: Creative dance for kids w/ Satyananda
4 pm - 6 pm: Mandala drawing and meditation w/ Poonam Mehta
PERFORMANCES MAIN STAGE
SATURDAY - 28th October
11 am - 12 pm: Open mic
12 pm - 1 pm: Indian fusion dance w/ Kavita Desai
1 pm - 2 pm: Live painting performance w/ Rajesh Chandra
2 pm - 2.20 pm: Theatrical performance: The Tale ‘How Koschei the Immortal
Became Mortal’ directed by Mariia Malysheva
2.20 pm - 2.50 pm: Handpan concert w/ Baba Kutani
3 pm - 3.30 pm: Indie music w/ Aarav Khanna
3.30 pm - 4 pm: Sky Ragini singing traditional Indian songs
4 pm - 4.40 pm: Dance show: Bollywood classics w/ Nisha Kapoor
4.40 pm - 5 pm: Instrumental sitar performance w/ Ravi Bhatia
5 pm - 6 pm: Open mike
SUNDAY - 29th October
11 am - 12 pm: Guided 5 rhythms dance w/ Kavita Desai
12 pm - 1 pm: Devotional kirtan music w/ Ganga Das
1 pm - 1.20 pm: Theatrical performance: Scenes from Indian Folklore w/ Anaya Reddy
1.20 pm - 1.40 pm: Poetry and piano w/ Rohan, Alia & Abhinav
1.40 pm - 2 pm: Sunrise Harmonies handpan music w/ Baba Kutani
2 pm - 2.30 pm: Romantic acoustic songs w/ Eera Sharma
2.30 pm - 3 pm: Indie guitar w/ Arjun Mehta
3 pm - 4 pm: Devotional and nature-inspired songs w/ Satyananda
4 pm - 4.40 pm: Pop and soulful guitar performance w/ Eera Sharma (bonfire evening session)
4.40 pm - 5 pm: Sound healing w/ Priya Nair & Moti Sharma
5 pm - 6 pm: Open mike
EXHIBITIONS
"Dawn 3" series of digital canvases by Alina Snitnikova,
Aleksei Krylov, and Maria Lukoianova
2nd floor, outdoor loft
"Racing Odyssey" video artwork (in the darkroom) by Mikhail Mashtakov
Ground floor
"Power of Play" and "Patience" digital art by Aleksei Krylov
and Maria Lukoianova
1st floor, main hall
"Echoes of Time" photography by Daniil Iova and Burcak Yetkin
Ground floor, photography gallery
"Transcendental Journeys" show: mixed media by Roodra Thakur
paintings by Ananya Sharma and Zalkar Toktogulov
Ground floor, mixed media gallery
PERFORMANCES MAIN STAGE
SATURDAY - 28th October
- 11 am - 12 pm: Open mic
- 12 pm - 1 pm: Ecstatic dance w/ Priya Nair
- 1 pm - 2 pm: Live painting w/ Rajesh Chandra
- 3 pm - 3.10 pm: Classical Indian music w/ Arjun Patel
- 3.10 pm - 3.30 pm: Theatric performance by Anaya Reddy
- 3.30 pm - 4 pm: Sky Ragini singing
- 4 pm - 4.40 pm: Dance show w/ Kavita Desai
- 4.10 pm - 4.40 pm: Didgeridoo w/ Sanjay and friends
- 4.40 pm - 4.50 pm: "52 Hz Whale" song performance by Aarav Khanna
- 4.50 pm - 6 pm: Open mic
- 6 pm - 7 pm: Visual Poetry screenings and discussion with Lidiya Ladyzhina
WORKSHOPS ROOFTOP
Curated by Poonam Mehta
SATURDAY
- 11 am - 12 pm: Singing w/ Sky Ragini
- 12 pm - 1 pm: Henna art w/ Poonam Mehta
- 1 pm - 4 pm: Acrylic painting w/ Rahul Sharma
- 4 pm - 6 pm: Abstract painting w/ Inessa Garder
- 4 pm - 6 pm: Ecstatic dance w/ Priya Nair, finishing with group sound healing w/ Moti Sharma
SUNDAY
- 11 am - 12 pm: Singing w/ Sky Ragini
- 12 pm - 1 pm: Djembe w/ Akash Verma
- 11 am - 1 pm: Mandala art w/ Poonam Mehta
- 1 pm - 3 pm: Painting for kids! w/ Inessa
- 4 pm - 5 pm: Dancing for kids! w/ Satyananda
SUNDAY - 29th October
- 11 am - 1 pm: 5 rhythms dance w/ Kavita Desai
- 1 pm - 1.10 pm: Poetry & piano w/ Rohan, Alia & Abhinav
- 1.10 pm - 1.30 pm: Kaivalya's Song of the Soul
- 1.30 pm - 1.45 pm: Art school kids singing
- 1.45 pm - 2 pm: Theatric performance w/ Anaya Reddy
- 2 pm - 2.30 pm: Ganga Das's spiritual kirtan
- 2.30 pm - 3 pm: Indie songs w/ Aarav Khanna
- 3 pm - 4 pm: Handpan & sunrise w/ Ravi Bhatia & friends
- 4 pm - 4.30 pm: Ragini's romantic and party songs
- 4.30 pm - 4.50 pm: Satyananda devotional music
- 5 pm - 6 pm: Open mic
EXHIBITIONS
"Dawn 2" series of digital canvases
by Alina Snitnikova
2nd floor, outdoor loft
"Incredible Life" paintings of Indian wildlife
by Rajesh Chandra
Ground floor gallery
"Racing Odyssey" video artwork (in the darkroom)
by Mikhail Mashtakov
Ground floor
"Visual Poetry" video artworks (projected on the walls)
by Lidiya Ladyzhina
2nd floor, balconies
PERFORMANCES MAIN STAGE
SATURDAY - 28th November
11 am - 12 pm: Open mic
12 pm - 1 pm: Ecstatic dance w/ Sunny
1 pm - 2 pm: Live painting w/ Rajesh Chandra
3 pm - 3.10 pm: Classical Indian music w/ Pablo Ji
3.10 pm - 3.30 pm: Theatric performance by Georgii Kobiashvili
3.30 pm - 4 pm: Sky Ragini singing
4 pm - 4.40 pm: Dance show w/ Dina Blinkova
4.10 pm - 4.40 pm : Didjeridoo w/ Prakash & friends
4.40 pm - 4.50 pm: "52 Hz Whale" song performance by Prokhor Kuznetsov
4.50 pm - 6 pm: Open mic
6 - 7 pm: Visual Poetry screenings and discussion with Lidiya Ladyzhina
WORKSHOPS ROOFTOP
Curated by Narmina Askerova
SATURDAY
11 am - 12 am: Singing w/ Sky Ragini
12 pm - 1 pm: Henna art w/ Poonam
1 pm - 4 pm: Scrylic painting w/ Randy
4 pm - 6 pm: Abstract painting w/ Inessa Garder
4 pm - 6 pm: Ecstatic dance w/ Sunny, finishing
with group sound healing w/ Moti
SUNDAY
11 am - 12 am: Singing w/ Ragini
12 pm - 1 pm: Djembe w/ Matthew
11 am - 1 pm: Mandala w/ Poonam
1 pm - 3 pm: Painting for kids! w/ Inessa
4 pm - 5 pm: Dancing for kids! w/ Satyananda
SUNDAY - 29th November
11 am - 12 pm: 5 rhythms dance w/ Dina Blinkova
12 pm - 1 pm: Introduction to Indian miniature art w/ Narmina Askerova
1.10 pm - 1.30 pm: Kaivalya's song of the soul
1.30 pm - 1.45 pm: Art school kids singing
1.45 pm - 2 pm: Theatric performance w/ Georgii Kobiashvili
2 pm - 2.30 pm: Ganga Das's spiritual kirtan
2.30 pm - 3 pm : Indie songs w/ Prokhor Kuznetsov
3 pm - 4 pm: Handpan & sunrise w/ Baba Kutani & friends
4 pm - 4.30 pm: Ragini's romantic and party songs
4.30 pm - 4:50 pm: Satyananda devotional music
5 pm - 6 pm: Open mic
6 pm - 7 pm: Jam!
EXHIBITIONS
"The Graft" sculpture exploring the problems of waste
by Anya Glik
2nd floor, outdoor loft
"Let Love Flow" acrylic studies for murals of the Ganges
by Rajesh Chandra
Ground floor gallery
"Indian Collages" mixed media paintings
by Randy Getty
Ground floor
"Echoes of Heritage" – a photographic series celebrating
timeless cultural traditions
by Anastasia Rak
3d floor, outdoor loft
PERFORMANCES MAIN STAGE
SATURDAY - 28th November
11 am - 12 pm: Open mic
12 pm - 1 pm: Sound contact movement w/ Joana
1 pm - 2 pm: Live painting on the bridge w/ Elena Noire
3 pm - 3.10 pm: Sanskrit Rap w/ Raj
3.10 pm - 3.30 pm: Classical Indian music w/ Pablo Ji & Amresh
3.30 pm - 4 pm: Eva & Friends singing
4 pm - 4.40 pm: Dance show w/ Prince
4.10 pm - 4.40 pm: Didjeridoo w/ Prakash & friends
4.40 pm - 4.50 pm: Dance show w/ Shivam
4.50 pm - 6 pm: Open mic
6 - 7 pm: Sound & Digital Art Projections Performance by Konstantin Frolov
WORKSHOPS ROOFTOP
Curated by Ksenia Kalchenko
SATURDAY
11 am - 12 am : Singing w/ Amresh
12 pm - 1 pm: Henna art w/ El
1 pm - 4 pm: Acrylic painting w/ Julia Shanti
4 pm - 6 pm : Abstract painting w/ Banjara
4 pm - 6 pm: Ecstatic dance w/ Sunny, finishing
with group sound healing w/ Greta
SUNDAY
11 am - 12 am: Singing with Acharya
12 pm - 1 pm: Djembe w/ Matthew
11 am - 1 pm: Mandala w/ Sneha
1 pm - 3 pm: Painting for kids! w/ Pavami
4 pm - 5 pm : Dancing for kids! w/ Satyananda
SUNDAY - 29th November
11 am - 1 pm: 5 rhythms dance w/ Dori
1 pm - 1.10 pm: Poetry & piano w/ Roshan, Alla & Abtin
1.10 pm - 1.30 pm: Kaivalya's song of the soul
1.30 pm - 1.45 pm: Art School kids singing
1.45 pm - 2 pm: Fusion Dance w/ Dina
2 pm - 2.30 pm: Acharya's spiritual singing
2.30 pm - 3 pm: Pop songs w/ Vinod
3 pm - 4 pm: Handpan & Sunrise w/ Baba Kutani & friends
4 pm - 4.30 pm: Mohan's romantic and party songs
4.30 pm - 4:50 pm: Jay's Rock'n'roll
5 pm - 6 pm: Satyananda devotional music
6 pm - 7 pm: Jam!
© SANT SEWA FESTIVAL | info@santsewafestival.com
EXHIBITIONS
"Sacred Summer" oil on canvas Monsoon Landscapes
by Inessa Garder
2nd floor, outdoor loft
"Animals of Uttarakand" acrylic studies for murals
by Rajesh Chandra
Ground Floor Gallery
"Into the Beyond" photography exhibition
by George Kascheev
2nd floor, balconies
"Wodehouse Reflection" digital art show
by Natalia Titova
1st floor, main hall
PERFORMANCES MAIN STAGE
SATURDAY - 28th November
11 am - 12 pm: Open mic
12 pm - 1 pm: Sound contact movement w/ Eddie
1 pm - 2 pm: Live painting on the bridge w/ Julia Kiseleva
3 pm - 3.10 pm : Sitar Music w/ Kavier
3.10 pm - 3.30 pm: Classical indian music w/ Pablo Ji & Amresh
3.30 pm - 4 pm: Ericka & Friends singing
4 pm - 4.40 pm: dance show w/ Ella
4.10 pm - 4.40 pm: Didjeridoo w/ Prakash & friends
4.40 pm - 4.50 pm: Sitar Performance w/ Ganga Das
4.50 pm - 6 pm: Open mic
6 - 7 pm: Group Chanting and Bonfire
WORKSHOPS ROOFTOP
SATURDAY
11 am - 12 am: Photography Workshop w/ George Kashcheev
12 pm - 1 pm: Henna art w/ El
1 pm - 4 pm: Fluid painting w/ Elizaveta Avtushenko
4 pm - 6 pm: Abstract painting w/ Poonam
4 pm - 6 pm: Ecstatic dance w/ Sunny, finishing
with group sound healing w/ Ganga Das
SUNDAY
11 am - 12 am: Singing&Sitar with Kavier
12 pm - 1 pm: Djembe w/ Matthew
11 am - 1 pm: Mandala w/ Sneha
1 pm - 3 pm: Painting for kids! w/ Inessa
4 pm - 5 pm: Dancing for kids! w/ Sunny
SUNDAY - 29th November
11 am - 1 pm: 5 rhythms dance w/ Prince Insanez
1 pm - 1.10 pm: Poetry & piano w/ Roshan, Alla & Abtin
1.10 pm - 1.30 pm: Kaivalya's song of the soul
1.30 pm - 1.45 pm: Art School kids singing
1.45 pm - 2 pm: Fusion Dance w/ Dina
2 pm - 2.30 pm: Acharya's spiritual singing
2.30 pm - 3 pm : Pop songs w/ Raghini
3 pm - 4 pm: Handpan & Sunset w/ Baba Kutani & friends
4 pm - 4.30 pm: Kavier's romantic and party songs
4.30 pm - 4:50 pm: Jay's Rock'n'roll
5 pm - 6 pm: Pablo ji devotional music
6 pm - 7 pm: Jam!