Poetry, music, dance, theatre and films, all were made a part of the celebrations by pursuing and evoking ‘beauty’, the theme for the fest.
Ahmedabad International Arts Festival (AIAF) saw the city come alive in varied hues of history and culture. Poetry, music, dance, theatre and films, all were made a part of the celebrations by pursuing and evoking ‘beauty’, the theme for the fest. As the artistry came to an end. One thing was clear — it surely did picture beauty in various fascinating manifestations. DNA profiles the events of the second day...
Pad Gyan and Haveli Sangeet by Gokulotsav Maharaj
Gokulotsav Maharaj, a renowned Indian classical vocal musician performed for a special audience in the morning. Gokulotsav grew up influenced by the likes of Ustad Amir Khan, who inspired him to develop serenity and vigour in his music. His performance touched a range of emotions, as he dwelled on each note with leisure and weaved interesting patterns around them.
The film festival’s Soundarya: Laya, Tala and Rasa
The AIAF film festival that was held at the CEPT campus made for a fabulous dose of culture on Sunday evening. The films screened were 'Search of colours', 'Life in Dance' by Mrinalini Sarabhai, 'Sunari', 'Sharira' and 'Bandish'. Gaurang Raval of Nazariya, who has curated the film festival on the theme of ‘beauty', said, "The meaning of beauty differs from person to person and it was interesting to witness different responses to the different presentations. Through AIAF, residents of Ahmedabad got an opportunity to come together on a common platform."
Talk by Debashish Nayak, CJ o'Neil and Stephen Dixon
Debashish Nayak, founder of CRUTA foundation spoke at the British Council Library about the city's beauty. His slide presentation titled 'giving the city back to the people' was informative which described beauty keeping in mind the city's heritage monuments. Moumita Bhattacharya, manager British Council who was present during the talk said, "This presentation was an attempt to change the perception about Ahmedabad.
People feel there is nothing to see in city but they are unaware about the old monuments including 49 mosques and 14 museums that are of heritage value." Cj o'Neil and Dixon also spoke about their Pol project and their experience of working in the inner city with local people. Adam Pushkin from British Council also talked about the stunning ceramic creations that Cj O'Neil and Dixon displayed. Pushkin added Neil's and Dixon's work added a beauty quotient to the entire festival.
Flowers: A work by Girish Karnad and Rajit Kapur
This play was performed at Natrani marking the end of the three-day festival on Sunday evening. A spokesperson from the theatre group speaking about the play, Flowers said, "The play is a dramatic monologue about a devoted and pious priest who violates both his 'dharma' and his 'bhakti' because of his love for a courtesan." Playwright Karnad takes a folk tale about the human condition and refreshes it with a contemporary sensibility that embraces love, loyalty and honour. Flowers bring together some of the best theatre talents from India.
The play is a unique but common platform for the coming together of the world renowned director from New Delhi, Roysten Abel, whose plays have been shown across the globe; the most recognized and lauded playwright of India, Girish Karnad; actor Rajit Kapur who won National award for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in 1996 film 'The making of the Mahatma'.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}