Rasa is an innovative India-themed multi-arts festival, produced by Akshara, an Ann Arbor, Michigan based multi-arts organization. It is held annually in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and the greater Detroit area.

In Indian aesthetics, a rasa (Sanskrit: रस lit. ‘juice’ or ‘essence’) denotes an essential mental state, and is the dominant emotional theme of a work of art, or the primary aesthetic feeling that is evoked in the person that views, reads or hears such a work.

The Rasa festival is designed to promote a deeper awareness and appreciation for the effulgent richness and abundance of cultural heritage that stems from India.

It is multi-arts and multi-disciplinary, presenting traditional as well as cutting edge work in performing, visual, literary, media, film, and culinary arts, in partnership with prominent Ann Arbor arts organizations.

Participating artists in the festival are local, national and international Indo-American artists, artists from India, as well as those who are highly inspired by Indian culture.

It is a collaborative initiative, working through partnerships with key local organizations.

Mission

Akshara is an Ann Arbor, Michigan based organization with a mission to create, present and promote the arts from India, both in their traditional forms and in the more innovative, dynamic and contemporary expressions.

Akshara serves as a platform for the arts – within and beyond the Indian diaspora, and for a wide range of art forms and artists, both from India as well as those inspired by Indian influences.

With its multi-arts and multi-disciplinary philosophy, Akshara works in performing, visual, literary, media, film, and the culinary arts.

Its goal is to engage and educate audiences through traditional and new works that are enriching and thought-provoking.