More than 40 Shivagarjana Sydney drummers will perform at the Kiamasala Festival on the weekend. Photo: Supplied.
Indian culture will return to Kiama for the second annual Kiamasala Festival on Saturday 22 March, with an expanded program ranging from a star from The Voice, a 40-piece drumming group and an extensive street food alley to provide an even richer and spicier experience.
Festival organiser Tom Oxley said the newly renovated Hindmarsh Park would be transformed into an immersive Indian Mela – or informal gathering – showcasing the diverse arts, live music, Bollywood and classical dance, and authentic cuisine of the subcontinent.
“We wanted to utilise the renovation of Hindmarsh Park and the custom-made stage,” Tom said.
“I think it also creates a kind of a natural amphitheatre by the shape of the park and the way that we lay things out, which will funnel people in a little bit more.”
He said the inaugural event received strong support, despite last year’s weather challenges.
“The response was excellent and that’s shown in the anticipation and the support for this second round,” he said.
“Most of the positivity was around having something so different in the town.
“This year I’m anticipating even more support from that South Asian community.”
Tom said among the headlining musical acts would be Sydney singer Nethra, fresh from taking part in Channel 7’s talent show The Voice.
“One of our other highlight acts is the Shivagarjana Sydney drummers, which will really pick things up and take over the town,” he said.
“They will fill the place with a lot of noise.
“They just played in front of Prime Minister Modi for his recent trip.”
He said there would be more than 40 of the drummers from Sydney filling the town with their rhythmic and mesmeric Dhol-Tasha drums.
Complementing the drumming will be a variety of Bollywood and classical dance performances, including DJ-led Bollywood dance-a-longs with the team behind BollyOn.
For those looking to indulge their tastebuds, the festival will feature a “street food alley” with stalls from Kiama favourites like JJ’s Indian Restaurant Kiama, along with a chai stall and Nepalese stall.
“Obviously the food element is strong and I’ve got more food stalls this year, including a new Nepalese stall as I slowly move the brand towards South Asia for next year,” he said.
Other attractions include a morning yoga session led by Swati Sharma, market stalls with henna and face artistry, a photo booth where visitors can be draped in traditional Indian saree for a photo, and representation from the Little India Harris Park Business Precinct in Sydney.
Tom said the idea behind the festival was to highlight and celebrate South Asian culture within the Illawarra.
“We also aim to present our area as an attractive and welcoming place for study, migration, visitation and investment,” he said.
“Kiama already has several prominent South Asian-owned businesses in our LGA, all of whom are offering essential services and creating valuable jobs.”
He said many of those had also chosen to sponsor the event, including Kiama Diagnostic Imaging, Acorn Lawyers, Collins Street Dental, Boat Harbour Medical Practice, Enhance Hearing and Kiama Municipal Council.
Kiamasala Festival will be held on Saturday 22 March from 11 am to 4 pm at Hindmarsh Park, Kiama. Admission is free.
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