Govandi Arts Festival is a cultural movement that celebrates the spirit and resilience of the people of Govandi through performative and visual arts. It is a community-led arts festival rooted in creative expression to reclaim the narrative about their neighbourhood, which is much more than just a ‘ghetto’. It has emerged from the community choosing to connect, create and celebrate with the rest of Mumbai. 

At the heart of the first edition, was a six months long mentorship program where creative professionals from five discipline - Theatre, Film, Photography, Public Art and Rap - were invited to engage and mentored young adults from different neighbourhoods of Govandi. Followed by a four month long artist residency program to create a safe space for emerging and established artists to collaborate with the residents to create site and community specific exhibits. 

The five day festival (15-19th February 2023) was filled with exhibitions, screenings, performances, workshops and stalls and culminated with a Lantern parade, true spectacle of joy and pride, facilitated by Lamplighters and made with the youth and children across Govandi. 

Watch the film above to learn more.