In Chennai, Sumanasa Foundation’s Art Unfettered platforms five artistes who are pushing boundaries

A culmination of the Grants Project 2025-2026, Sumanasa Foundation presents Art Unfettered, which will see five artistes from across the country take the stage for theatre, dance, dialogue and more

Bringing together a diverse range of practices and perspectives from artists across the country, the Sumansa Foundation will present Art Unfettered, a two-day showcase on April 12 and 13 in Chennai.

In its second year, musician, author and activist TM Krishna, who helms the foundation, traces their journey, and the decision to begin the Grants Project which invites applications from artistes pushing the envelope. “We felt that there were young artistes we could support and encourage through a grant, to think in a far more open manner in terms of their craft and their thought processes. This is in keeping with a philosophy that art needs to engage with larger society and the complexity of socio-political issues,” Krishna says.

Shehzor(in the centre) performs with the independent rock band Inshallah Babes | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

He emphasises the importance of democratising grants in the art world, which are most often urban- and English-centric. “The posters calling for applications were in multiple languages, and we spread the word through local artistes as well in many states. We did not insist on written applications either; videos and even voice notes were encouraged, whatever they were the most comfortable with,” he explains. While the foundation received nearly 150 applications from across the country, five artistes, Seetha, Arindam Manna, Nicky Chandam, Rini Alphonsa Joseph, and Shehzor and her rock band, Inshallah Babes, were then chosen by an independent jury. After being awarded a grant, every artiste has, over the last nine months, worked on their existing, or a newer body of work with Art Unfettered being a culmination of this.

Art by Arindam Manna | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

On day 1, Seetha, a PhD scholar will present a solo act, Kathakali, at 5.30pm; visual artiste Arindam will be in conversation with Aishwarya Arumbakkam at 6.45pm and Nicky will present, Unfolding: A Free Verse Movement at 7.45pm. On day 2, artist, potter and writer Rini will be in conversation with V Saranraj at 6.30pm, and Shehzor along with Inshallah Babes will perform at 7.30pm.