MUMBAI : Magnetic Fields, with its sharp curatorial focus, has come to represent an exciting vision of modern India, and its return every December is awaited with much excitement.
Having established itself as one of the most stimulating contemporary arts and music festivals in the world, the experiential festival has announced dates for its ninth edition, from December 15 to 17.
The three-day festival takes place in the small village of Alsisar with Alsisar Mahal, a stately 17th century palace, as the perfect backdrop for Magnetic Fields’ handpicked showcase of music and the arts.
Tickets for the December festival will go on sale on July 5, and will be available on www.magneticfields.in.
Theme for #MagFields2023
The festival, like every year, is limited in capacity, and promises to be an immersive, sensorial adventure.
The focus of the festival is as much on curating exciting music as on introducing new concepts and experiences to attendees. The addition of spaces like Magnetic Words (storytelling) and Magnetic Sanctuary (wellness) has set the bar high for an experiential festival in India, and is – rightly – counted as among the world’s best boutique festivals.
The theme for 2023 is preservation – a call to action to protect what's good, revive what's fading, and preserve what's essential for humanity.
Preservation is about honouring our roots, wisdom, knowledge and culture. It's about cherishing our past and using it to shape our future. “As we celebrate music, art, and self-expression, we must also be mindful of the impact we have on the environment and the responsibility we have to preserve it for future generations,” says Munbir Chawla, festival co-founder, adding, “From the decor and design elements to the activities, workshops and music – showcasing artists who use their platform to advocate for preservation and environmental protection, it will all reflect the diversity of cultures and traditions that we aim to preserve and honour.”
While programming for the festival is still in the works, Chawla promises fresher-looking – and sounding – line-ups for this year. “There will definitely be more focus on unheard sounds and up-and-coming acts from India, and our festival commission Fieldlines, that focuses on intergenerational cultural sharing and exploring new approaches to the traditional residency format, will return for a third edition,” he explains.
About Magnetic Fields
Magnetic Fields is an independent festival that was founded by artists for like-minded people. It is produced by Wild City, Alsisar Mahal, Kunal Lodhia, Vikram Jagdev, Bijju Varghese and Smita Singh Rathore.