The NGV is set to become one of Melbourne’s liveliest places this Saturday, with a free program celebrating the creativity and diversity of Victoria’s Indian community.
Indian Community Day 2026 returns to NGV International on Saturday, 12th September, bringing together artists, dancers, musicians, poets and families for an afternoon celebrating the creativity and diversity of Victoria.
The five-hour program runs from 12pm to 5pm and is free for everyone. The celebration, however, is open to everyone, with all of Melbourne invited to join in.
A free afternoon of Indian culture at the NGV
Hosted by Dheepa Awtani, Indian Community Day will unfold throughout NGV International with performances, creative workshops, tours and activities for all ages.
The afternoon kicks off with sitar player Saikat Bhattacharya, who will perform Indian classical music in the Great Hall from 12.10pm to 12.30pm.
And that’s when the afternoon really gets going. From 1pm to 1.45pm, the Naad Band will invite visitors to join a community singalong inspired by Antakshari, the popular Indian parlour game traditionally played on long train journeys and at family weddings, through timeless classics, contemporary favourites, ghazals and soulful Sufi sounds.
If Bollywood is more your thing, the University of Melbourne Bollywood Club is also putting your movie knowledge to the test. Its Bollywood Film Quiz runs from 12.30pm to 12.50pm, with visitors able to join the live quiz on stage or scan festival QR codes around the Gallery to play online throughout the day.
Of course, in true Indian fashion, there’ll be tons to eat along the way. From 12pm to 4pm, Gandel Hall will serve chai, mango lassi and a selection of mithai and other traditional Indian sweets, making it easy to refuel between performances and activities.
Get ready for Kathak, Odissi, Garba and Dandiya
The afternoon’s dance program offers a whistle-stop tour through several of India’s rich classical and folk traditions. At 2pm, Rhythmica Dance School will perform Odissi, one of India’s classical dance forms. Originating in the temples of Odisha, the style combines expressive storytelling with intricate and precise movement.
At the same time, poet Mohammad Abu Nasar will bring Urdu poetry to the Exhibition Space on Level 1. He will perform his own original work alongside poetry by literary figures including Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Javed Akhtar.
Then, at 2.25pm, The Naach Box will take over the Great Hall with a Kathak performance. Watch rapid spins, intricate footwork and rhythmic storytelling unfold on stage. At 2.50pm, ABCD Bollywood Dance School will showcase Gujarati folk dance, bringing together the circular rhythms of Garba and the energetic stick work of Dandiya.
The afternoon takes a decidedly more contemporary turn when DJ Ash takes over the decks from 3.10pm to 4.10pm, spinning a mix of contemporary club anthems and golden hits from across India beneath the NGV’s iconic Leonard French stained-glass ceiling.
There’s plenty for kids, too
From 12pm to 4pm, artist and educator Bushra Hasan will host a drop-in drawing session on Level 2, where children and families can sketch, colour and create artworks inspired by traditional and contemporary Indian motifs, including Madhubani art.
Hasan will also lead a special children’s tour from 3pm to 3.30pm, inviting families to discover the stories and vibrant details within the NGV’s Indian art collection. First-time visitors can join the Welcome to the NGV tour from 12.30pm to 1pm, which delves into the history of the building and highlights from the Gallery’s collection of more than 76,000 works.
Later, from 3.30pm to 4pm, NGV Senior Curator of Asian Art Wayne Crothers will lead a specialised tour exploring highlights from the Gallery’s Indian art collection.
Key details
- What: Indian Community Day 2026
- When: Saturday, 12th September, 2026
- Time: 12pm–5pm
- Where: NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
- Cost: Free
- Best for: Families, culture lovers, Bollywood fans, music fans and anyone looking for a free Melbourne event
The NGV Library will also be available as a quiet, private prayer room during the day.
Whether you come for the Bollywood quiz, the classical dance, the Urdu poetry, the family activities, the mithai or simply the promise of dancing beneath the stained glass, Indian Community Day offers a colourful way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Melbourne.
