Bangalore-based artist Sri Vamsi Matta will bring his interdisciplinary performance ‘Come Eat With Me’ to Australia this October, with its Australian premiere at Campbelltown Arts Centre. The work uses theatre, food and storytelling to explore caste, community and resilience, culminating in a shared meal that encourages connection and reflection.
The performance draws on Dalit histories and contemporary experiences, offering audiences an intimate and participatory insight into oppression, solidarity, grief and joy. Through inter- and intra-communal eating, Vamsi transforms the simple act of sharing food into a space for discussion and community building, challenging dominant narratives often told through the perspective of oppressors.
“Much of the art made about caste is filtered through an oppressor’s lens, often reducing our stories to pity or pain. My work resists that,” Vamsi said. He emphasises that the performance is created from a place of power and dignity, reclaiming visibility for Dalit bodies, histories and experiences. The performance concludes with a communal meal featuring chicken curry, Andhra-style lentil soup and steamed rice, reinforcing the connection between culinary traditions and cultural memory.
Following a successful U.S. tour and a residency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Vamsi will undertake a two-week research and community engagement residency at Campbelltown Arts Centre ahead of the Australian performances. Campbelltown City Mayor Darcy Lound noted that the city’s cultural diversity makes it an ideal home for the performance, adding that it provides an opportunity for the community to engage with important stories and learn from one another.
Campbelltown Arts Centre Director Mouna Zaylah said the venue is proud to host Vamsi’s residency and Australian debut, inviting audiences to engage with timely conversations and be moved by this immersive work. Vamsi, who co-founded arts collectives OffStream and Perishable Goods, has previously created works addressing Dalit student experiences and anti-caste narratives, highlighting resilience and systemic critique through theatre and art.
‘Come Eat With Me’ will be performed on Friday 10 October and Saturday 11 October 2025 at 6:30pm at Campbelltown Arts Centre. The performance contains adult themes including references to violence, death and discrimination. It is supported by Arts House, Campbelltown Arts Centre, H_ME W_RK, and the Nagarajan-Lew Fund for independent artists.
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