PANAJI: Migration and displacement, among the defining crises of our time, find a powerful visual and emotional expression at the Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) 2025. Curated by art historian and photographer Rahaab Allana, the exhibition titled ‘Displacement’ is on view at the Old PWD Complex, Panaji.
Allana points to 2024 as a watershed year for global migration. “Over 100 million people were displaced last year, the highest figure in recorded history,” he says, citing conflicts across Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan. Closer to home, he notes, South Asia has also witnessed significant internal and cross-border displacement, from Myanmar citizens seeking refuge in India to migration between India and Sri Lanka.
Set against this backdrop, ‘Displacement’ brings together works by artists from South Asia and the Gulf, many of whom are themselves living in exile or seeking asylum in countries far from their origin. The exhibition interrogates the idea of displacement beyond borders and statistics, centring instead on lived experiences, ruptures, and the emotional realities of forced movement.
“In a time marked by war, paranoia, racism, and territorial disputes, it is ultimately human beings who are affected,” says Allana. “This exhibition is rooted in a humanist ideal, using art as a provocation for dialogue on issues that are urgent and deeply political.”
The artworks reflect personal histories of severance and transition, while also highlighting art’s capacity to build community in exile. According to Allana, the artists speak to both internal and external shifts, using creative expression as a means of connection and collective healing.
Among the notable works is a piece by Afghan artist Hadi Ranaward, which explores themes of territory and surveillance. His work features a map of Kabul, over which origami planes and helicopters hover, casting ominous shadows. “It creates a powerful sense of scrutiny and control, reflecting how everyday lives are shaped by constant surveillance,” Allana explains.
Trained in art history and photography, Allana is known for his commitment to decolonising visual narratives, a sensibility that underpins his curatorial approach at SAF 2025. He emphasises that the exhibition is not about closing doors, but opening conversations.
“These artists are not people who are trying to shut the door; they are trying to open the door. They want engagement. They want questions to be asked, and to ask questions in return,” he says. “That openness is ultimately what ‘Displacement’ seeks to communicate.”
