Now that we’re well into the second half of the year, we all know festival season (and wedding season) will be upon us faster than we can say jalebi but August is usually the calm before the storm. With Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami kicking things off, there is plenty on the calendar for us Indian-Australians!
Pick your event(s) from our list below.
Check out our What’s On listings for details of other Indian community events this August and beyond.
Oh, and if we’ve missed your event, drop us a line on editor@indianlink.com.au – we’ll be happy to add it here.
Big ticket events
If you’re a fan of B Praak, well you’re in for a treat this month as he heads down-under for a jam-packed tour. Performing in Sydney & Melbourne, the singer-composer is known for his dard bhare lyrics and a voice that could even make a rock cry…
If you’ve heard his songs (Teri Mitti, Filhaal, Mann Bharya, Qismat etc) you’ll know exactly what we mean. But nonetheless, we’re sure the concert will be amazing as audiences flock to concert halls to hear their favourite songs live!
We all know that there are so many aspects to Indian music so this month, there is also an evening of Ghazals! Ever heard of maestro singer-composer Hariharan? He’s the mastermind behind more than 15,000 songs in movies such as Hum Saath Saath Hai and Kya Kehna.
More music!
Now, Punjabi music listeners, last month was an eventful month with multiple folk-singers performing in Australia. But this month, the old schoolers of the Punjabi music industry will be making their way down so if you’re a purana chawal who is a fan of those olden day songs, you’ll want to read on.
Harbhajan Maan, hit singer-actor of the 2000s is performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland. He’s sure to hit you with nostalgia as he sings hit songs like Yaara O Dildara, Kuddi kad Ke Kaalja and more!
Now here’s an unexpected jodi… Parmish Verma, who gained fame from songs like Shada and Meri Marzi with Prince Narula. Having already toured Australia, Narula joins Verma for Bollywood night parties at Oxford Art Factory in Sydney. Uni students are going to eat this up!
Having already performed in Adelaide, Babbu Maan will now perform in Sydney and Melbourne. So if you’re a fan and haven’t been yet, get those tickets soon!
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August is most likely the month filled with the most amount of arts events in the year!
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024 is back! This vibrant festival features an array of screenings, from Bollywood blockbusters to regional gems, showcasing the diversity of Indian filmmaking. Attendees can look forward to Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and special events with industry experts. This year, the festival will be graced by some of the biggest stars, including Vikrant Massey, Nora Fatehi, Ram Charan and AR Rahman.
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Little Murmur, performing at Sydney Opera House is inspired by lived experiences of dyslexia, and combines stunning choreography, innovative visual effects, and a compelling narrative. Created by Aakash Odedra, the performance offers a unique blend of dance and storytelling, highlighting the beauty of overcoming challenges.
The Consulate General of India in Sydney is celebrating the 78th Independence Day. Complete with a flag hoisting ceremony, the event will include the singing of the national anthem and other patriotic songs. Members of the Indian community are invited to Sydney Cricket Ground for a day of dance performances and cultural celebration.
There will be other Indian Independence Day celebrations around the country with events in Queensland at the Centenary Heights State High School (Community Hall) and Melbourne at the Australian Technical and Management College (ATMC).
Community events
The City of Parramatta is playing host to Indian space entrepreneur and habitat designer Dr Susmita Mohanty in a chat with Lebanese remote sensing scientist Dr Maya Nasr in conversation to discuss their shared vision for space exploration. So, if you’re a science geek, get your tickets soon!
August also means the official start to Garba season! This month, we have Navratri celebrations in Melbourne and Adelaide with the sensational Aishwarya Majmudar, singer of numerous Garba songs.
Catch comedian Nazeem Hussain live with his brand-new show, Totally Normal. After a two-year break, he is back, bringing his unique brand of comedy to the stage. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his comedy, this is a show you won’t want to miss.
Comedian Gaurav Gupta has a busy tour down-under with shows in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. His witty humour and unique style are sure to leave you in stitches!
If these are not your cup of chai, head to our What’s On section to see more listings of Indian community events in August.
