India by the Bay 2025Teamwork Arts、Asia Society Hong Kong Center (ASHK)
India by the Bay, held annually in Hong Kong, is a tribute to India's multi-faceted cultural wealth and artistic treasures. The festival is a bridge between our two fascinating cultures and is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. Over the past decade, India by the Bay has evolved into a vital space for performances, collaborations and dialogue across music, dance, theatre, literature, cinema, textiles, fashion, food and wellness - connecting India and Hong Kong through shared experiences.
India by the Bay is co-presented by the Asia Society Hong Kong Center and is set to return from November 6-12, 2025.
The Theme: Celebrating the Best of India
To mark this milestone year, India by the Bay's 2025 edition spotlights the nation's icons - from acclaimed musicians and dancers to writers, poets and culinary masters. In its tenth and most exciting year, the festival will inspire and connect audiences through immersive performances, engaging conversations and interactive experiences - inviting Hong Kong to experience the very best of India. A snapshot of the line-up for 2025 follows.
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2025-11-2 ( Sunday )
INDIA BY THE BAY AT TAI KWUN
An electrifying evening of music and dance, free and open to the public, at Tai Kwun's iconic Laundry Steps. We feature an outstanding roster of talent to celebrate ten years of India by the Bay, in three sets:
2025-11-7 ( Friday )
SPOTLIGHT: Excellence in Celluloid with Javed Akhtar
Javed Akhtar is one of India's most celebrated screenwriters, lyricists and poets. With a career spanning decades, he has earned numerous awards and accolades, shaping the landscape of Indian film. A true icon, Akhtar has had a profound impact on Indian cinema and poetry through his exceptional storytelling, lyrical depth and cultural commentary. He will be in conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy.
2025-11-8 ( Saturday )
WORDS ON WATER: A Conversation with Banu Mushtaq, Winner of the International Booker Prize 2025
In Collaboration with The Hong Kong International Literary Festival
India by the Bay proudly welcomes writer, activist and lawyer Banu Mushtaq to Hong Kong for the very first time. Emerging from the protest literature movement of southwestern India in the 1970s-80s, Mushtaq's voice was shaped by a collective that challenged entrenched caste and class hierarchies - and she stands out as one of its few female contributors. Writing in Kannada, she has published six short story collections, a novel, an essay compilation, and a volume of poetry. Heart Lamp, the first full-length translation of her writing into English, was awarded the International Booker Prize in May this year.
2025-11-8 ( Saturday )
THE GALA DINNER: A Warm & Welcoming Family Feast
Food is an expression of identity, memory and community. The Gala Dinner is a celebration inspired by the spirit of home, where cuisine commingles with community. This thoughtfully curated meal is a collaboration between two exceptional chefs exploring the heart and heritage of Indian cuisine - in a setting crafted to feel like home. The evening will be punctuated by delightful surprises, to enhance this unforgettable dining experience.
2025-11-9 ( Sunday )
FAMILY DAY: India by the Bay's Family Day Returns!
Discover the many facets of Indian culture through a day filled with engaging activities. From traditional arts and crafts to music, dance, yoga, food, and sports, India by the Bay's Family Day features workshops and performances designed for the whole family. Running from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Family Day promises to be an unforgettable cultural experience for all ages.
2025-11-9 ( Sunday )
WORDS ON WATER: A Conversation with Shashi Tharoor
The Power of Words
English, often considered the most widely spoken language in the world, is full of wonder, wit, and anomalies. Politician, writer, and wordsmith Shashi Tharoor takes us on a journey through the curious wonderland of English, unpacking the puzzles of punctuation, the quirks of spelling and grammar, and the layered history of Indian English. With over 130 million speakers, India ranks as the second-largest English-speaking nation, where the language was not only adopted but gained a new voice.
2025-11-10 ( Monday )
MUSICAL NOTES: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is one of India's most revered classical musicians, a maestro whose unparalleled command of the sarod has captivated audiences worldwide. A sixth-generation musician, he carries forward a legacy that has shaped and refined the instrument for over two centuries. Having given his first recital at the age of six, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has since graced global stages, earning numerous accolades and distinctions. For him, music is not just an art - it is a profound tradition that demands time, respect, and devotion.
2025-11-11 ( Tuseday )
DANCE: Khankhana: The Sound of Dancing Feet
Nrityagram is a renowned dance gurukul dedicated to preserving and advancing Odissi - a classical Indian dance form with a 2,000-year legacy. At India by the Bay this year, Nrityagram brings us Khankhana: The Sound of Dancing Feet. This performance features a selection of acclaimed works choreographed over the past three decades by the internationally celebrated Odissi artist, Surupa Sen. Each piece reflects her distinctive vision and poetic command of movement.
2025-11-12 ( Wednesday )
MUSIC: Raga & Resonance
A vibrant fusion of Indian, Chinese and Western classical music featuring acclaimed Hong Kong-based musicians. Ustad Ghulam Siraj Niazi, the guiding force of the Rampur-Sahaswan tradition, will be accompanied by Mehdi Hasan Niazi (vocals), Ustad Ghulam Sultan Niyazi (tabla), and Ustad Shehzad Husain Khan (harmonium) from PUMKHA (Padma Bhushan Ustad Mushtaq Husain Khan Association). Simon Hui (bass), William Lane (viola), and Yeung Ching Ho Grammy (guzheng) join us from HKNME (Hong Kong New Music Ensemble), and Ma Wai Him (suona and guan) joins us with kind permission of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Among the evening's highlights, the musicians will perform a new work from renowned Hong Kong composer and violinist Luk Wai Chun.