Diwali / Deepavali Live Music and Dance

Govind Pillai is a classical Indian dancer and teacher creating ethereal, emotive (and at times salacious!) morsels of dance. He draws on deep training in the classical Indian arts, often subverting them to discover stunning new possibilities to critical acclaim. With sell-out festival appearances, tours and a highly regarded teaching academy, he has performed internationally and his collaborations have attracted the Best Dance and Physical Theatre award at Melbourne Fringe and been shortlisted for the Australian Dance and Greenroom Awards.

Shamita is a QPOC performance artist and theatre maker. Her foundations began with 15 years of RAD ballet training, in addition to contemporary, jazz, commercial and a host of other styles. She has sashayed across small cabaret venues, to large elaborate stages all over Australia and abroad. When not prancing about in snazzy costumes, Shamita works as an actor, model, drag artist and movement director. She also dances with Melbourne's premiere Bollywood troupe, Sapphire Dance Co.

Unapologetic Dance Crew, founded by Melbourne-based dancer and choreographer Gerard Pigg, specialises in styles such as Commercial, Hip Hop, Heels and Bollywood fusion. On top of dancing, they want to spread a message and encourage others to stay true to themselves and to always, unapologetically, be you!

Pat is a producer, engineer, writer, researcher, facilitator and dramaturg. A Mercury Prize-winning songwriter for his work with Speech Debelle (Ninja Tune), he has amassed several production credits, including work with artists such as Kaiit, Kee’ahn, DRMNGNOW, Philly, Adrian Eagle, So.Crates and Nazeem Hussain’s Legally Brown (SBS). Pat has collaborated with international artists including Solange, and as a solo artist, graced stages from the Sydney Opera House to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. His compositions have been featured in the National Gallery of Victoria and he has performed as part of Season 10 of Spicks and Specks.

Originally from Delhi, India, vocalist-guitarist Nitin Toora has more than 15 years of experience touring with his band across India; he has now joined bands from different genres across Australia. Nitin captivates his audience through his electric guitar sounds, melodic acoustic chords and his vocal talents. Nitin has always believed in mixing up different styles and sounds, fusing Indian classical music with rock guitar sound.

A classically trained, versatile vocalist from India. Lakshmy specialises in film music singing in many languages, notably Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam and Sanskrit. She performs with numerous bands around Australia. She is known for her seamless smooth tone and her wide vocal range.