Kabir Cultural Centre presented the 14th edition of the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal in the spring of 2025. All films are carefully subtitled in French, thus promoting intercultural access and dialog. A mini-edition will be presented in Saguenay from 21st to 23rd November, thanks to an inspiring collaboration with the Bibliothèques de la ville de Saguenay, Cégep de Jonquière and the ciné-club of Jonquière. This initiative builds bridges between communities and celebrates the richness of South Asian cinema.

Kabir Centre is proud to present, in collaboration with La maison de la culture Ahuntsic emerging musicians from Quebec/Canada. The following events are proposed.

1. Portraits of Devi (female deity) by Arjun Ashok (vocal) – Anjana Srinivasan (Violin) – Sainan Kandiah (Mridangam) – Kajanan Shanmugarajah (Ghatam)

The months of September and October in the Hindu calendar are filled with celebrations of the Goddess – a time when her many forms are honoured through music, ritual, and devotion. Festivals such as Navratri and Deepavali shine within this season, each carrying its own traditions and expressions of reverence. This concert, Portraits of Devi across Composers, brings this spirit to life, tracing how Carnatic masters have painted her in melody and verse. Arjun Ashok’s vocals paint vivid images of Devi, echoed by Anjana Srinivasan’s violin that arcs and blooms with each raga. Sainan Kandiah’s mridangam — a double-headed South Indian drum — provides a steady rhythmic foundation, while Kajanan Shanmugarajah’s ghatam — a clay pot percussion instrument — adds a warm, earthy resonance. This is a concert both celebratory and meditative — a living garland of sound.

2. Soulful Melodies and Divine Tones by Lionel Pezzano (sitar) – Saulo Olmedo Evans (tabla)

This duo reflects the richness and diverse influences of their backgrounds: a deep and subtle blend of tradition, modernity, and a spiritual vision of the world. Through music, these two musicians have found a unique connection, bringing their paths together at the heart of Hindustani music. Deeply rooted in tradition, this duet offers a sparkling and unique rendition of North Indian classical music, from its most meditative aspects to its most virtuosic expressions.”

3. Laya Triveni (Confluence of rhythms) – Ninad Puranik, Sainan Kandiah, Chinmay Kulkarni, Kajanan Shanmugarajah 

Immerse yourself in a soulful journey where the Chinmay Kulkarni’s Tabla, Sainan Kandiah’s Mridangam, and Kajanan Shanmugarajah’s Ghatam flow like the three sacred rivers, each with its own vibrant voice. Guided by the serene melodic landscape created by Ninad Puranik on the harmonium, the rhythmic rivers carry their ancient traditions from across India to meet in a breathtaking and sacred confluence of sound. Experience the pulse of centuries-old rhythms, the joy of spontaneous dialogue, and the pure meditative power of laya.

Kabir Centre is proud to present, in collaboration with La maison de la culture Ahuntsic, the emerging dancers from Quebec. Here are the events of the day.

1. The divine feminine:  by Natya Collective (Surya, Arushi et Aishwarya, étudiantes de l’Université McGill). This event, in Bharatanatyam style honours the power and breadth of the feminine. Fierce as the unstoppable Kali, radiant as the wise Saraswati, tender as the yearning Nayika. She emerges in many forms, yet each is bound by the same unshakable spirit. Through intricate footwork, graceful lines, and vivid storytelling, the dancers reveal how femininity is at once strength and softness, fire and stillness, mortal and divine.
2. Nitya Samarpan (eternal offering): by Anita Pandey Dance School  (Pratheeksha Nair, Avani Athreya, and Yashika Thakur).
   Nritya Samarpan pays homage to a dancer’s devotion and surrender to their art form.
   Experience the divine resonance of the ghungroo, and the striking, rhythmic echo of the dancers’ feet as it transcends into the space in unison. Brought to life with the powerful instrumental accompaniment of the tabla, and melodic spirals of the sarangi, witness the journey from technical rigour to the vulnerable, emotive aspects of Kathak. This work as a whole, awakens an inner India within each audience member, reshaping the theatre space through a dynamic showcase of small group pieces, duets, and solos from the iconic lineages of the Lucknow Gharana. Love, and live Kathak along with the dancers through Nritya Samarpan.
3. Mata by Veils of Bollywood (Emmanuelle Martin,Marie-Laurence Deschênes,Sofia El Iraki,Song Wang).MATA, which translates to MOTHER in Sanskrit, tells the story of a lone, parched tree in deforested lands that begins to wither. Whispers stir the air, summoning rain, and breathing life back into nature. From this rebirth, a barren forest erupts in a vibrant, untamed dance—a call to awaken, to move in harmony.

Since 2021, we have been celebrating Canadian authors of South Asian origin writing in diverse genres at GOLD – the Garden of Literary Delights, a unique literary event in Montreal. It is part of the NexGen MultiArts Festival of the Kabir Cultural Centre.
We have a stellar line-up for 2025 too:
Torontonian, Deepa Rajagopalan, presenting her powerful short story collection, Peacocks of Instagram, shortlisted for the 2024 Giller prize.
Torontonian Aamir Hussain, reading from Under the Full and Cresent Moon (Fall 2025), a wonderful debut novel about an Islamic matriarchy in the past.
Giller-prize long-listed author Arjun Basu, a Montrealer, reading from his acclaimed “family” novel, The Reeds (2024). He is also creative on several platforms.
Aditya Banerjee, award-winning, best-selling author of mystery novels reading from Secret of the Missing Tenant (2025), set in Delhi, Bombay and Rajasthan. Banerjee is also a Montrealer.
Plus Indian munchies, conversation, community, book sale and book signing, giveaways…
Admission Free, donations appreciated!
Please RSVP at info@centrekabir.com

Curated by the versatile artist AMBICA SHARMA, the enchanting poetry evening is back
as part of the 7th edition of NexGen MultiArts Festival.

Poetry narrations will be in diverse languages and will be enhanced by a panel discussion on Poetry in the times of AI.
Poets: Hazibullah Fazal – Jerome Ramcharitar – Behrouz Hedayati – Soma Roy – Zoraiz Mohsin – Harjinder Rahi – Amandeep Kaur

Panel Discussion: Sean Michaels – Ambica Sharma – Meryem Yildiz
Snacks served.
Admission free; donations greatly appreciated!!
Saturday 4th October 6 to 8 pm, at Centre Sanaaq (Hall #2), 1200 rue du Sussex (Metro: Atwater)
RSVP: info@centrekabir.com

Meet Sheila James, the award-winning author of ‘Outcaste, a novel’.

Sheila is an award-winning author and videographer, produced playwright and has performed, composed and recorded original music for stage, screen and broadcast. She is a recognized leader in equity, diversity and inclusion subject and is the Executive Director of DEVI Consultation and Strategies, and is the former Senior Strategic Advisor for the Canada Council for the Arts where she led the Equity Office for 10 years. She is the inaugural director of the Office of Indigeneity, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice (I-IDEAS) at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Limited Seats: Reserve your seat by email to info@centrekabir.com.