Panchabhootam

पञ्चभूतम्

A multi-sensory, intergenerational arts experience in Austin, celebrating earth, water, fire, air and space.

Earth

Water

Fire

Air

Space

SAIVA's Panchamahabhuta artwork: two open hands painted as earth and water, holding flame, wind and starlight between them.

The festival

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Time to be announced
Austin venue to be announced

A day to see, hear, taste, smell and move through the five elements, co-created by elders, youth and artists.

--days to go

--hours

RSVP for the festival Plan your visit

The journey so far

Classes running since May 12, 2026

Free weekly singing and art classes for older adults, online and in person
Youth volunteers creating side by side with elders
Austin-based and visiting artists shaping installations and performances with participants
Listed for visitors on Visit Austin

Join a free class See our classes

Five elements, five senses

In South Asian cultural tradition, each element is linked to one of the senses. Panchabhootam turns that idea into art you can experience with your whole body. Choose an element to see what it brings to the festival.

At the festival

In the classes

From our weekly sessions

Moments from our weekly classes, where elders and youth create together, leading up to the festival.

SAIVA members together at the Austin Public Library — A group outing to the Austin Public Library

Five participants holding colorful hand-painted coasters — Hand-painted dot-art coasters, made and shown with pride

Participants crafting together at a worktable — Hands-on crafting in a weekly session

Group singing on stage in front of a marigold backdrop — Singing together on stage at the Domain

Group photo with fresh flower arrangements — Flower arranging with elders and youth

Decorating a tote bag with colorful markers — Decorating a canvas tote with color

A community Mother's Day celebration — Celebrating together at a Mother's Day gathering

What the program is building

We track participation from every class so the community, our partners and the City can see what this work adds up to.

Free to join

Weekly classes cost nothing, and anyone can take part online if getting to a venue is hard.

Built across generations

Elders lead with experience, youth volunteers bring energy, and both shape the final work.

Accessible by design

ADA-accessible venues, larger-text materials and information in more than one language.

Open to visitors

Promoted to travelers through Visit Austin so the festival adds to Austin's cultural calendar.

Hands-on activities

One activity for each element, free to join at the festival and in our lead-up classes. No experience needed.

Activities are designed first for adults 55 and older, and youth volunteers are welcome to join alongside them.

Join a free class Volunteer as a young person

The artists

A network of Austin-based and visiting artists working across the senses.

Plan your visit

Everyone is welcome: neighbors, families, and visitors in Austin for the weekend.

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Time: To be announced
Place: Austin venue to be announced
Admission: Details coming soon
RSVP: Link coming soon
Questions: saivacommunications@gmail.com

Access at the festival

ADA-accessible venue with step-free routes and seating throughout
Large-print schedules and signage, and this site's text size controls
Information in English, Hindi and Spanish
Quiet spaces to rest, and ingredient lists for every tasting

Coming from out of town? Make a weekend of it with Visit Austin's guides to places to stay, eat and explore.

Explore Austin

Which element are you?

Three quick questions. Your answer tells you where to start at the festival.

Get involved

Panchabhootam is built by the whole community. There are two ways to be part of it: sponsor the festival, or give your time as a volunteer.

Sponsor

Put your business or family name behind a free, all-ages celebration. Gifts may be tax-deductible.

See sponsor levels →

Volunteer

Lend a hand at the festival, or create alongside elders in the weekly classes. All ages welcome.

See volunteer roles →

Sponsor the festival

Local businesses and families help make Panchabhootam bigger and more welcoming. SAIVA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so support may be tax-deductible.

Become a sponsor

Sponsorship levels
Level	Gift	Includes
Presenting	$2,000	Title recognition, a spotlight reel and a moment to speak on stage
Platinum	$1,000	Premium booth, four emcee mentions and your logo on screen
Gold	$500	Booth or flyer logo, plus two emcee mentions
Silver	$350	Booth and one emcee mention
Screen	$100	Your logo on the main screen

Our sponsors

Volunteer with us

Our festival runs on volunteers of every age. Youth can earn service hours, and elders are the heart of our classes. Tell us what you'd enjoy and we'll find a good fit.

Volunteer roles
Role	When	What you'd do
Festival crew	Nov 14, day of	Setup, welcome desk, activity stations and teardown
Activity station host	Nov 14, day of	Welcome guests at the seed bomb, pickling, diya and quiet-space stations
Class helper	Weekly	Assist elders in the art and singing classes
Youth volunteer	Weekly or day of	Create alongside elders; service hours available
Outreach	Before the event	Share flyers and posts across your networks