2021 Media Coverage

AWARD WINNING SOUTH ASIAN FESTIVAL CELEBRATED ITS 6TH YEAR THIS YEAR Digital festival featured Bollywood, Punjabi and Multicultural performances, Online Talent Hunt, and a Classical Music Showcase THE VIRTUAL SOUTH ASIAN FESTIVAL REACHES OUT TO AN AUDIENCE OF OVER A MILLION WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND IN ENGAGEMENT

The Arts and Culture Initiative of South Asia (ACISA) presented one of the largest South Asian festivals in Canada – VIBRANT BRAMPTON – that showcased the culture and diversity of Ontario from July 23 to 25, 2021. As in the past, the 2021 digital festival presented international and local artists from across the globe. It was streamed live over festival Facebook page @Vibrantbrampton. This year’s festival under ACISA’s umbrella showcased over 150 local artists from Canada, USA, UK, Pakistan and India with over 50 acts over the course of the three components of the Vibrant Brampton festival. Among the headliners was Bollywood playback singer Monali Thakur, winner of the famed Filmfare award for her song “Sawaar Loon”, who then also received the prestigious National Film Awards for her song “ Moh Moh Ke Dhaage” from the film “Dum Laga Ke Haisha”. With over 140 numbers to her credit, mainly in Hindi and Bengali, Thakur has also been one of the judges for the famous singing talent show, SA RE GA MA PA L’il Champs Besides leading South Asian artists, the festival roster included several nonSouth Asian acts including performances by Canadian Indigenous artists, Afro-Canadian artists, Salsa, Flamenco, Reggaeton, Pop, Jazz and Instrumental Fusion expositions. One of the newest additions this year will be a Hip HopBreaker-Popping Jamming session by leading local artists.