Destined to become a highlight of the NSW Master Events Calendar, the inaugural PARRAMASALA: Australian Festival of South Asian Arts was launched this month, revealing an eclectic line-up of major international and Australian artists.

To be held from November 4 to 8 this year, the new festival will see the historic city of Parramatta come alive with a program of ticketed and free events inspired by contemporary and traditional Indian and South Asian arts.

Featuring a vibrant masala or ‘mix’ of cultural influences, the program includes global music stars, kathak dance, American tap, contemporary music improvisors, DJs, traditional Rajasthani folk arts and a bustling street marketplace. Parramasala is a festival for all ages and interests.

“What’s on offer in this first Parramasala program sets the stage for becoming one of the world’s most exciting and unique international arts festivals,” said Artistic Director, Philip Rolfe.

“Together with Events NSW, on behalf of the NSW Government, and Parramatta City Council, we’re establishing the festival for the long term. This year it runs for five days and by 2012 it will reach its full potential as a 10-day festival drawing audiences to Parramatta from interstate and overseas,” he added.

In a number of Australian exclusives, the festival features two of the world’s most influential music artists – Kailash Kher and Nitin Sawhney.

Kher is one of the most recognisable and popular voices in India today. He’s sung for more than 200 Bollywood films, been a judge on Indian Idol and regularly plays live to audiences of more than 30,000. Kher and his band Kailasa will headline a concert in the beautiful Crescent amphitheatre at Parramatta Park on 5th November.

Britain’s Nitin Sawhney is one of the most influential musicians and composers in contemporary music. Nitin and his exceptional band, accompanied by a 39-piece orchestra, will perform a new live score to a rediscovered masterpiece of Indian silent cinema, A Throw of Dice, also to be presented in the Crescent amphitheatre. As well, he will perform his blistering Sound System show at Parramatta’s iconic Roxy venue and will conduct a masterclass for young professional composers.

Other festival highlights at Riverside Theatres include:

• Tap Kathak – an explosive dance spectacle with one of India’s foremost Kathak masters, Pandit Chitresh Das, and one of the world’s greatest tap dancers from the USA, Jason Samuels Smith;

• Desert Wedding – three groups of traditional Rajasthani folk artists including musicians and dancers entertaining audiences with the songs and rituals of a desert wedding;

• The Guru of Chai – a new comic play by one of Australasia’s most successful theatre companies, Auckland’s Indian Ink Theatre Company;

• Anandavalli, Australia’s renowned Bharata Natyam dance artist collaborates with South Indian contemporary music artists Anil Srinivasan and Sikkil Gurucharan to create the world premiere of A Million Eyes;

• Australia’s leading music improvisors, the Australian Art Orchestra, perform one concert of The Chennai Tapes featuring long-term artistic collaborator Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani and members of the Sruthi Laya Ensemble.

Free and community-driven events include a themed Twenty20 Cricket Match (the ‘art’ of cricket) and the annual Deepavali Fair at Parramatta Stadium.

Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor, Cr Paul Garrard said, “Parramasala festivities will light up the City of Parramatta. The festival is expected to draw thousands of visitors and provide a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase Parramatta’s appeal as an events-led city. The diversity of our city, reflected in an amazing assortment of languages, cuisine and cultural displays, makes it an ideal destination for visitors.

“Parramatta is home to many people from a South Asian background. These celebratory festivities will recognise their valued contribution to our city, pave the way for cultural harmony and allow our many different communities to congregate and celebrate as one,” Cr Garrard added.