The word 'isai' translated from Tamil, means music. To Chennai-based Eddie Prithiviraj, director of Exodus, a music and events company, it was a fitting name for a festival that was all about different melodious sounds. Add 'global' to it and they had a name that said exactly what they planned to put up on stage. And now, it has been nine years since and the Global Isai Festival has become a coveted space for indie music and dance fans with a mix of workshops, food and shopping. This weekend, they make their debut in Mumbai.

"While the scale may be small in comparison, the list of international artistes more than makes up for it," Prithviraj says, adding that sharing the experience in Mumbai was a long-standing dream. "The festival in Chennai has elements of Carnatic and fusion; here, we have focused on international acts," he says.