Narungga‑led performance project Guuranda X has recently showcased Narungga language and culture in India through an international collaboration with Chennai‑based artists.

CreateSA has provided funding to support the international presentation of Guuranda X, a Narungga‑led performance and cultural exchange project created by Kaurna and Narungga artist Jacob Boehme.

Guuranda X is grounded in Country, cultural knowledge and future‑building, with artists determining how language, ceremony and creation stories are shared. The project demonstrates First Nations cultural authority in practice, with cultural responsibility guided by community.

In March 2026, Guuranda X was presented in Chennai, India, through a cross‑cultural collaboration with KM Music Conservatory (KMMC) and Tholpaavai shadow puppeteers. Performances took place on 21 and 22 March at Tower Park, Anna Nagar, as a free, public outdoor event, featuring a 90‑minute performance combining live music, dance and puppetry.

The work brought together Narungga First Nations creation stories, song and movement with Tamil cultural traditions and Indian classical music, adapting the 2024 Adelaide Festival production of Guuranda X through collaborative development with artists and cultural partners in place. The creative team included Jacob Boehme (artistic director), Aunty Lynette Newchurch, Sonya Rankine, and performers from KMMC and the local Chennai community.

Through this exchange, Narungga language and culture were shared on an international stage, with a strong focus on connection to environment, place and responsibility. Artists from KMMC and Tholpaavai worked alongside Narungga artists to co‑create each presentation, ensuring knowledge exchange occurred respectfully and reciprocally between communities.

The India presentation marked a significant moment of international collaboration, strengthening understanding of Aboriginal language and cultural practice while positioning South Australia as a place where world‑class First Nations artists are shaping new models for global cultural exchange.

Later in 2026, Guuranda X will continue its international journey with a planned presentation in Scotland, extending the project’s commitment to long‑term relationships and culturally informed collaboration.