Colomboscope 2026 Festival Explores Rhythm as Social and Political Force Across Colombo Venues
The festival Colomboscope 2026, themed "Rhythm Alliances," took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from January 21 to 31, 2026. Under the direction of artistic director Natasha Ginwala and guest curator Hajra Haider Karrar, the event examined the concept of rhythm through both embodiment and mediation. Featured works included Raven Chacon's musical scores, Chamindika Abeysinghe's video game Taala Village (2024–25), and Aboothahir Al Wajahath's handloom reinterpretations. Presentations across five venues highlighted Sri Lankan cultural traditions, showcasing significant pieces by Basma Al-Sharif, Tashyana Handy, and Seher Shah. The Rio Complex hosted Basir Mahmood's A Body Bleeds More Than It Contains (2026) and a reimagining of The Song of Ceylon (1934). Additionally, Ayumi Paul's graphic scores were displayed at Soul Studio, while Arka Kinari performed aboard a solar-powered vessel.
Key facts
- Colomboscope 2026 took place from January 21 to 31, 2026, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- The festival's theme was "Rhythm Alliances," led by artistic director Natasha Ginwala and guest curator Hajra Haider Karrar.
- Works were presented across five venues: Colpetty Town House, Radicle Gallery, Rio Complex, Soul Studio, and Colombo's Port City.
- Artists included Raven Chacon, Chamindika Abeysinghe, Basma Al-Sharif, and Basir Mahmood, among others.
- The festival addressed themes such as threatened traditions, displacement, and colonial histories.
- A reworking of the 1934 film The Song of Ceylon featured a contemporary score by Asvajit Boyle and Nigel Perera.
- Arka Kinari performed on a solar-powered sailing vessel at Colombo's contested Port City.
- Colomboscope was founded in 2013 as an interdisciplinary festival bringing together artistic practices from South Asia and beyond.
Entities
Artists
- Natasha Ginwala
- Hajra Haider Karrar
- Raven Chacon
- Chamindika Abeysinghe
- Aboothahir Al Wajahath
- Imaad Majeed
- P. Ahilan
- Basma Al-Sharif
- Tashyana Handy
- Sakina Aliakbar
- Moe Satt
- Naiza Khan
- Seher Shah
- Nina Mangalanayagam
- Marie Louise Dilmaya Bergqvist
- Basir Mahmood
- Asvajit Boyle
- Nigel Perera
- Ayumi Paul
- Atiyyah Khan
- Filastine
- Nova
- Jiwon Yu
- Basil Wright
Institutions
- Colomboscope
- Transnational Adoptee Choir
- Bari Studios
- Ceylon Tea Board
- As-Shams Records
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Colombo
- Sri Lanka
- South Asia
- New Delhi
- India
- Former Yugoslavia
- Egypt
- Palestine
- Lebanon
- Pakistan
- Cape Town
- Sweden
- Seoul