Happy Onam! I am so glad to mention that even though I am in Delhi, I did not miss the authentic flavors of Sadya this year. I gulped down some amazing buttermilk and filter coffee and danced to the songs of the Wild Wild Women (India’s first all-female hip-hop band). There is no denying the fact that I loved to indulge in the flavor of the delicious food, folk, local instruments, and cultural richness. I attended the 7th edition of the South Side Story Festival at KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium, New Delhi for the first time and am superbly impressed. Everything about its vibe, the energy, the feast, and the enthusiasm was contagious. I bet, the memories will linger on for a long-long time. From classical notes to carnatic rock riffs, the festival promised a dynamic line-up of performances. Beyond the live music, the festival also featured delicious Onam Sadhya, literature, art, and curated F&B by partners such as Naivedhyam, Mahabelly, Dakshin Canteen, and Bili Hu. Do you know about it? If not, mark it for the coming years.
The unmissable Southern vibe
While there was no dearth of young girls and ladies dressed up in Kanjeevaram silk and jasmine flowers hanging from their hair and men dressed in mundus (a traditional garment worn by men in Kerala), the festival saw a great turn out from the capital. It was a pleasure to see how rich music, food, art, and traditions of Southern India brought the North Indians out of their houses on a weekend and made them groove. The unmissable vibe at the South Side Story Festival took over the cultural bridge.
On day one, the stage came alive with an eclectic mix of classical, folk, and contemporary acts. TM Krishna’s soulful Carnatic notes, Job Kurian’s indie sounds, and Aattam& Bhadra Rajin’s fresh performances set the tone for the evening. The highlight of the evening was Padma Bhushan awardee Shobana, who captivated the audience with her debut stage performance in NorthIndia – a seamless blend of Bharatanatyam and cinematic artistry. The evening ended on a high with Avial’s powerful Carnatic rock anthems, leaving the crowd roaring for more.
If day one was about tradition meeting innovation, day two amplified the energy with a bold and contemporary line-up. The fierce all-women hip-hop collective Wild Wild Women, the melodic Sooraj Santhosh, the electrifying Thaikkudam Bridge, and the iconic Raghu Dixit Project delivered unforgettable performances, ensuring the finale was as grand as the opening. From folk-fusion to hip-hop and rock, the diversity of sound created a spectacular showcase of South India’s evolving cultural landscape.
Sadya in Delhi – It is a wholesome food experience on your plate
The festival went far beyond music. I must say that the sumptuous 20+ dish Onam Sadhya on both days, was my most memorable takeaway from the event. I must appreciate the way it was organized unhurriedly, asking people to queue up, wait and with then eat mindfully. The tables were cleaned before new set of people were called in and we were served a sumptuous feast.
A big round of applause for the eclectic mix of partners including Morpheus, Royal Enfield, Bank of Maharashtra, Boomer, Woodpecker Beer, Reliance Digital, Muthoot, Gas-O-Fast, Maharashtra Tourism, Mahabelly, Naivedyam, Bili Hu, Neytt Homes, Oxford Bookstore, DC Books Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), VLCC, Epicuria Mall, Pride Plaza, and many more. They truly turned the festival into a pan-cultural showcase and storytelling platform.
93.5 RED FM- ‘BajaateRaho!’
I must give it to 93.5 Red FM for curating this special flagship cultural celebration. This ‘larger than life experience’ is definitely an experience to indulge into. I was happy to see the Indian youth connecting with the rich diversity of southern India. With 1,500 attendees in its first edition to almost 12,000+ participants this season across two days, it has marked a phenomenal audience growth in the past few years. And we need no more reasons to be there next year. South Side Story is one of New Delhi’s most loved cultural festivals. Period.
The article beautifully captures the vibrant energy and rich cultural experience of the South Side Story Festival. Its inspiring to see how the festival brings together diverse art, music, and traditions, creating a memorable celebration that attracts people from all over.