GEMARTS Masala Festival 2025

Asian Business Connexions
6 days ago
3 min read

A MIX & BLEND OF THE FINEST SOUTH ASIAN ARTS& CULTURE

14th – 20th July 2025

ABC is proud to, once again, to showcase it’s partner organisation GEMArts’ Masala Festival

“GemArts’ award-winning Masala Festival returns from 14–20 July 2025, celebrating the richness of South Asian creativity and cultural goodness! From world-renowned artists to emerging local talent, this year’s programme promises unforgettable performances and inspiring experiences. Join us as we celebrate desi voices, spark new conversations, and create moments of connection, joy, and celebration.” -Vikas Kumar MBE DL, Director of GemArts

Masala Festival 2025 launches on 14 July at the majestic Newcastle Theatre Royal with Songs of the Bulbul, a stunning production from Aakash Odedra Company, in association with Manchester Camerata. This powerful work explores the ferocious physicality of Kathak dance alongside the spiritual beauty of Sufism, creating a moving dialogue between movement and mysticism.

For visual arts lovers, GemArts has commissioned a new exhibition at Vane Gallery, Gateshead by local artist Sofia Barton. Death Magic offers a poignant, visually arresting journey through the intersection of neurodivergent experience and Punjabi perspectives on death, ancestry, and the enduring power of memory.

On 15 July, award-winning short storywriter Gurnaik Johal reads from his debut novel Saraswati at Northern Stage, followed by an in-conversation event with Professor Preti Taneja, Director of Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts.

Film enthusiasts can enjoy a curated programme of South Asian cinema, including:

I, the Song (15 July, Tyneside Cinema): set in Bhutan, this poetic film explores identity, tradition, and love in a country navigating the edge of a digital future.

Paradise (16 July, Culture Lab, Newcastle University): an acclaimed Sri Lankan film exploring themes of loss and redemption.
Starting Over, Rebuilding from the Ruins(17 July, BALTIC): a powerful selection of short films curated by Sonali Joshi, examining migration, displacement and diasporic identity, followed by a post-screening discussion with industry contributors.

As always, Masala Festival features an epic line-up of live music.

Make your way to Cluny 2 on 16 July and experience Baadal Dvaar seNazar (A Glimpse Through the Cloud Door), an original experimental collaboration by William Rees Hofmann and Benedict Taylor, where the sarod meets the viola in a truly boundary-pushing performance.

On 18 July at The Glasshouse, don’t miss Blossoming —a breath-taking collaboration between santoor virtuoso Eeshar Singh and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Drawing from ancient mythology and Indic folklore, this mesmerizing live performance seamlessly weaves Indian classical instrumentation with Western orchestration and neoclassical textures.

GemArts is thrilled to continue its partnership with headline sponsor Tyne and Wear Metro. Catch the exhilarating Bollywood Brass Band in Newcastle City Centre on 19 July! With blazing brass, soaring saxophones, pounding dhol drums and a booming sousaphone, the band delivers one of the most colourful and joyous live acts in the UK.

Also on 19 July, the incredible spoken word night Free spill returns to Masala Festival at Diver City Hub, hosted by Newcastle’s own Tahmina Ali. Featuring powerful performances exploring themes of heritage, resistance, and joy, this electrifying night of desi soul flow celebrates South Asian identity in all its boldness and beauty. Come through, bring your people, and experience stories that are rooted, resilient, and proudly desi.

Throughout the week, Masala Festival and Dabbawal are teaming up once again to deliver a flavour-packed celebration of South Asian cuisine. From the bustling spice bazaars of Sri Lanka to the coastal kitchens of Kerala and the sizzling street-side grills of Lahore, expect mouth-watering dishes served with Dabbawal’s signature flair and warmth.

There’s also a wide range of workshops to enjoy, including Bollywood dance, yoga, creative writing, and shadow puppet making—perfect for creatives of all ages.

And on 20 July, the festival comes to a spectacular close with the return of Masala Festival MINI MELA at Bensham Grove, Gateshead. Expect crafts, dance, delicious food, live performances, and plenty of good vibes. Come for the fun, stay for the flavours, and leave with memories to treasure.

There really is something for everyone at Masala Festival 2025!

Download the full GemArts Masala Festival 2025 Brochure today:

Explore the full programme and book tickets at: www.gemarts.org

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