Art Unites, right? A Cultural Confluence of India and USA at Veda Kunba

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On September 19th, 2025 there was a spark in the air as the energy at Veda Kunba transcended borders. An event titled – India and USA: Can Art Unite brought together poets, film makers, writers, and theatre enthusiasts in a celebration of performance, reflection and storytelling.












Poetry Session: Global Unity and Local 

Unity


 

A packed evening, it began at 4.30 PM and stretched right till 9PM. 

 

The evening kickstarted with a poetry session with performers such as Jasmine Babbar (Storyteller), J Brandon Hill (Actor), Stephan Fife (Author and Theatre Director), Karina Pandya (Author and poet) and Tracy Ann Chapel (actor) performing some of their finest pieces and engaging with the audience.  

 













Panel Discussion: Can Art Unite?

 

After an engaging session of poetry which enlightened the audience, there was a lively panel discussion session that was moderate by Tarun Agarwal with Stephan Fife (Author and Theatre Director), Tracy Ann Chapel (Actor), Hari Maa Priyanka (Philosopher, Poet and Vocalist) and Ina Amul Haq (Actor and Producer) about whether art could rise above politics and identity to serve as one of a global unifier. This discussion also highlighted that art mirrors the society and even has the power to heal and connect with people. 

 


The Keeper: When Theatre Met History

 

Vincent Van Gogh was believed to have his soul seen and felt in every stroke of his brush and today he is one of the most celebrated artists in the world. Played for the first time in India, this a that was not only written but also directed by Stephen Fife dealt with some of the topics such as the times and strife’s of the Dutch painter -Vincent Van Gogh – his personal struggles as an artist and the relationships that had shaped him. The play highlighted the relationship between two brothers – Theo and Vincent Van Gogh, the women who loved them and the family members who supported them through the times in their lives. A story of suffering, hope and passion; The Keeper portrayed this.     

 

The play had an interesting ensemble of actors such as Monnica Bae, Elana Date, Shawn Andrews and Justin Bisly. This play was a reminder that art is born through suffering and speaks a language of resilience.  

 


The evening finally came to a close with a wrap up of Q&A about theatre reviving history and dialogue that fostered global connections. 

 

An event that was supported by Big Bad Ideas and Chapel Film Productions is proof that this event was more than just a cultural gathering but was also a sign that art really does unite people. 


Global advertisers, a leader in the hoardings industry had helped to enhance the event by putting hoardings of the event poster at prime locations in the city. 





Comments

  1. Anonymous30 September 2025 at 07:36

    Truly an enjoyable and engaging evening, sadly very few of such events seen in Mumbai

    ReplyDelete

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