By Jagmeeta Joy
One of the largest and most celebrated arts festivals in the Southern Hemisphere, Adelaide Fringe is back in action. The annual festival, that kicked off on February 21, attracted over 4.6 million attendances in its last edition. This year, it aims to be bigger, better and even more inclusive.
“We have a line-up of 1,400 shows across 500 venues with 8,000 artists performing in this edition,” informed Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall.
Ms Croall was addressing a selection of local media at a special preview event hosted by Dana Wortley MP and the Hon. Russell Wortley MLC at the Parliament House on Wednesday.
This year’s edition, which will run from February 21 to March 23, features a strong line-up of Indian-themed performances that promise to offer festival goers a vibrant and exciting showcase of not just India’s rich cultural heritage but contemporary artistic talent as well.
The list is indeed impressive. There’s the uber-popular Indian comedian Zakir Khan who will present his unique style of storytelling with a comical flair on February 24; Suhani Shah, one of the “world’s most subscribed mentalist” with over four million YouTube subscribers, and two million Instagram followers is set to impress the Adelaide audience as well while Murthovic and Thiruda, pioneering Indian transmedia artists have collaborated with Punjabi- Australian singer Parvyn to present their show ‘Elsewhere in India’, to name a few.
“Adelaide Fringe has always been a festival that celebrates diversity, and it’s fantastic to see such a strong representation of Indian artists in 2025,” said Ms Croall as she went on to add, “Adelaide Fringe aims to be the most inclusive and accessible arts festival in the world, and we encourage participation from all cultural backgrounds.”
Strong supporters of the arts as well as the Indian diaspora in South Australia, Dana Wortley MP and Hon. Russell Wortley welcomed the Indian performers, some of whom were present at the preview event.
Among them was Bengaluru-based performing artist Vibhinna Ramdev, who has spent over two decades in dance, theatre, and film. She brings to Adelaide Fringe her solo dance-theatre show, ‘Why English?’
“I am so excited to be performing at Adelaide Fringe. My show had its world premiere at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2023 and I am so happy for the chance to showcase it here in Adelaide,” said Ms Ramdev who is also one of the Fringe Fund recipients.
“Adelaide Fringe is known for its open-access nature, meaning anyone can apply to perform,” added Ms Croall who is hoping to make the annual festival “even more multicultural.”
If you are planning your tickets for this year’s edition, here’s a selection of what the Indian line-up has to offer. Take your pick!
An evening with Zakir Khan (Hindi language)
Join Zakir for a captivating event that beautifully merges the timeless art of Indian folk storytelling and poetry with insightful comedic reflections. In this unique performance, delivered in Hindi, Zakir draws on the oldest legacy of Indian art traditions, using humour to breathe new life into the rich cultural heritage of Dastangoi.
For tickets, click here.
Suhani Shah – Spellbound
After sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, and RISING festival in 2024, Suhani is bringing her smash-hit show SPELLBOUND to the Adelaide Fringe for the first time. With her charm, incredible knowledge of human behaviour, and unparalleled skills in mind reading, Suhani promises to have the audiences on their feet.
For tickets, click here.
Elsewhere in India
A visionary audiovisual electronica performance set in a future where global cultures are on the brink of extinction. The narrative centers on Meenakshi, a cultural cyborg designed to preserve Indian heritage and foster harmony through traditional Indian performing arts. An amalgamation of 3D video games, AI-generated art, motion-captured dance, and an anthology of futuristic stories from India set in 2079 AD, intertwining heritage, science, and society through the lens of emerging Indian electro-classical dance music.
For tickets, click here
Why English? – Layers beneath the language!
A woman finds it hard to find work as an actor, since she can’t speak the languages of her own land – India. Was this not normal? Inspired by personal experiences and interactions, Vibhinna invites the audience to experience the nuances of linguistic diversity and its role in our interconnected world. A light-hearted show with a powerful undertone.
For tickets, click here
Antardhyaan
Be captivated by the sublime beauty of Indian classical music led by internationally acclaimed flutesisters, Suchismita and Debopriya Chatterjee, and accompanied by Karthik Senoy on tabla. As the only professional women flautists of North Indian Classical Music, their unique blend of tradition and innovation has mesmerised audiences across India and the world, including the UK, Canada, The Netherlands and now Australia. Their performance of ‘Antardhyaan’, or introspection of oneself, will transport you into a world of beauty and timeless storytelling that evokes the joy of life.
For tickets, click here
Welcome to Aussistan
A stand-up comedy based on close encounters of the “White-kind”. Presented byHammad Zafar, the show is based on his life experiences in Australia.
For tickets, click here
Sringaram – Tales of Love
An intimate dance performance that weaves together the themes of love and desire, exploring the essence of femininity and creating a vibrant tapestry of emotion and movement. Choreographed in Bharatanatyam—a traditional South Indian dance form—and enhanced by a blend of spoken words and movements, the piece celebrates the diverse beauty of womanhood.
For tickets, click here
Raul Kohli: A British Hindu’s Guide To the Universe
Raul Kohli is an award-winning comedian from Newcastle, England who has gigged all over the world and he is making his debut in Australia. After suffering a breakdown in 2024, Raul is using his comedy and life to “explore divinity, letting go of the past and how to find peace in an increasingly unstable world”.
For tickets, click here
