Ahmedabad: The 7th edition of Abhivyakti, the city arts project curated by the UNM Foundation, is set to run from November 14 to November 30, 2025, at Gujarat University, ATIRA, and Shreyas Foundation. Celebrating Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Literature, Abhivyakti provides a unique platform for emerging and established artists to experiment, innovate, and present their work to audiences free of cost.

Since its inception in 2018, Abhivyakti has encouraged original thinking across multiple art forms. Over the years, the project has received more than 3,500 proposals and showcased over 400 selected projects, featuring performances by more than 580 artists. Previous editions have drawn footfalls exceeding 6 lakh, reflecting the festival’s growing popularity and its impact on the city’s cultural landscape.

The 7th edition will feature 140 productions from 45 cities across 16 states in India, spread across 3 venues, 6 stages, and 3 platforms, presenting performances in 5 art forms.

Curated by Gurleen Judge (Theatre), Jay Thakkar (Visual Arts), Gopal Agarwal (Dance), Tapas Relia (Music), and Preeti Das (Literature), with guidance from mentors including Saumya Joshi, Rajat Dholakia, Kruti Mahesh, and Khanjan Dalal, the festival emphasizes artistic inventiveness and conceptual expression over any specific style or genre.

Abhivyakti not only showcases creativity but also nurtures it. Artists are selected through a comprehensive curatorial process involving open calls, mentor sessions, and incubation support, helping them realize their vision on stage and in exhibitions.

The initiative is part of the UNM Foundation’s broader vision to bring arts to the public, strengthen bridges between artists and audiences, and inspire meaningful conversations. Over the years, the Foundation has also made significant contributions in healthcare, education, and urban renewal, making Abhivyakti one of its flagship cultural interventions.

Ahead of the 7th edition, ‘Mumbai Star’, a theatrical-dance musical produced by Devika Shahani, directed by Nadir Khan, and narrated by Rajit Kapoor & Srishti Shrivastava, will be performed on November 13, 2025 (Thursday) at the Manch venue, Gujarat University Campus.

The main festival will commence on November 14 at the three venues: Gujarat University, ATIRA, and Shreyas Foundation. The full schedule of events is embedded below.