With its signature installations, stalls, colourful streets and various performances, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival smells of of fresh thinking, expression and creativity. The annual fest is back and we take a glimpse into what’s in store this year...
Art heaven
This year’s theme for Visual Arts at the fest is Moving Images. Diverse group of artists find a space for their talents and thoughts to manifest a form at the festthrough interactive installations and photography exhibits at Rampart Row, Parking Lot, CSMVS Gardens, David Sasoon Library, Art Entrance and Artists’ Centre
Right it down
They say literature feeds the soul’s curiosity and inspires the mind to go out on new adventures. This year at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, one can spend time with novelists and poets, columnists and non-fiction writers, people who are helping shape the world of tomorrow. There are readings and poetry sessions. Along with that there are panel discussions and people can participate in workshops and interactive sessions too at David Sasoon Library, Arbour and Tarq.
Heritage Walks
Mumbai is a city of myriad personalities. A city whose history is influenced by illustrious empires, a city which finds order in chaos, and amidst the pace and pause, a city of evolving dreams and manifestations of cultural ethos. Participating in walks can help you discover more about the city that baffles, overwhelms and inspires so many.
Mini momentum
The fest celebrates a special space where kids can learn, laugh, dance and play. Numerous workshops and shows are especially designed to interest curious and cheerful minds. There are no registrations and the children are welcome on first-come-first-serve basis at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maha Vastu Sangrahalaya Gardens and Kitab Khana.
Riot of colours
This year at Kala Ghoda, Mumbaikars can enjoy the gentle sounds and stories preserved through generations with the theme of The Road Show. The sides of the street will yet again become a living and thriving celebration of different folks and different strokes adorned by craftsmen, artisans and NGOs. The street will change its mood everyday with vibrant performances by folk dancers, musicians and street plays from all over the country. One can experience the folk dance forms, sounds of traditional instruments and spectacular costumes.
On stage
Theatre — a gregarious form that combines arts, dance, music, literature to create masterpieces that fire away the imagination of the audience. One can watch all kinds of theatre — tragedy, comic humour — and performances by many renowned theatre company. Veterans and amateur directors put together plays across many genres and languages at Horniman Circle Garden, Max Mueller Bhavan and Artists’ Centre.
The food train
The fest brings a culinary smorgasbord of food, a food train that calls in at different stations and allows their chefs to teach how they make their signature dishes. One can learn to create restaurant quality food with ease and comfort. This year’s focus is on the increasing presence of the home-cook, the do-it-yourself caterer, and the growing popularity of these self-motivated individuals. Workshops will be conducted by some of Mumbai’s master chefs Westside and Gateway Rooms.
Musical musings
They say music binds, heals, unshackles, enlivens and elevates aspects of self that one hasn’t discovered yet. Many artistes, philosophers and religious leaders believe that music will propel the awaited changes in the world. This year at the fest one can enjoy the melodies of artistes across experimental genres. Performances across Cross Maidan and Asiatic Library Steps see various artists coming together playing music for all ages to enjoy.
Lights,camera, action
In essence cinema reflects the many facets of Indian society. If you are a cine lover, this is your time to enjoy and experience cinema across genres and timelines. The programme will span across four venues —Coomaraswamy Hall, Max Mueller Bhavan, BNHS, Gallery Beyond.
The foot tap
They say dance is poetry in motion. It’s when thoughts and emotions break free from inhibitions, a dance performance is born. Several classical and contemporary forms of dance and India’s most celebrated dance groups get you on your feet. One can watch over 35 dance groups interpret the theme Gati in the dance form of their choice at Cross Maidan.
Workshops
Learn more about arts, lifestyle, photography, dance, cinema, theatre, music and food with workshops at the fest. Masters from respective fields come together, to conduct a variety of workshops every day through the course of the festival and are for all ages, mostly adults. Conducted at Artisans’, Artists’ Centre and Gallery ICIA, the workshops require no registrations, and participants are welcome on first come and first serve basis.
—Boski Gupta
(Watch out for In Your City space in DNA After Hrs for daily activities of the fest)
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