By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Ever since it started in 1999, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) has acquired an important place on the city’s culturescape. Cutting across economic class, thousands of Mumbaikars have continued to throng this heritage precinct to watch the leading artistes of the country perform in a rich cultural setting.
Culture is the common language of the world we live in. The language of music, dance and art knows no boundaries and binds all people in oneness that transcends hatred, strife and divisions. The KGAF is an expression of the inclusiveness of art where all gather in a joyous spirit of celebration of the finest talents producing momentous and uplifting work. It truly is embodying the concept of ‘One World’.
L-R: Saryu Doshi, Brinda Miller, Shirin Bharucha,Maneck Davar,Jamsheed Kanga,Pallavi Sharma
The nine-day festival kicks off on February 5, 2011. The various sections – dance, children, film, literature, music, theatre, street fest, workshops, heritage walk and visual arts will revolve and resound with the theme ‘ONE WORLD’ to entertain and enrich everyone who visit this festival.
“KGAF’s importance lies in it being totally inclusive as far as the audience is concerned and that all of it is free. Its attraction is for all ages and tastes. I can’t think of any other event which is so eclectic and draws so many people. It is the brightest spot on the city’s cultural map,” states Maneck Davar, Honorary Chairperson, Kala Ghoda Association.
Visitors will be greeted by an array of color at the Rampart Row Street with street performers from artists across the country and street stalls including NGO stalls selling traditional arts and crafts completing the ambience of a village fair in the heart of Mumbai. The evenings at the Rampart Row Amphitheatre will transform into Dreams with a doll parade every day and a blend of music, dance, fire acts and street plays from across the country ranging from folk, Sufi to contemporary culminating in a stunning finale on 13th evening and all this will be presented without amplification.
The Visual Arts section at Rampart Row Street will showcase impressive street side installations by a number of artists including Krsna Mehta’s One World, the Papiertheatre (opening weekend only) supported by Max Mueller Bhavan, paintings and stunning photography by various artists.
For those who want to soak in the heritage of the area there are interesting and enriching Heritage Walks organized in and around the historic South Mumbai precinct with a special focus on flooring including a special treat for children – A Treasure Hunt.
Children are the future of the nation and to nurture them the festival this year has planned workshops for their all-round creative growth apart from various activities in art and culture.
28 splendid plays spread over nine days will witness directors from professional to amateurs showcase their passion for Theatre through their plays. Lillete Dubey, Sunil Shanbhag, Akash Khurana and Aylque Padamsee are some of the names of directors who will be presenting this year.
The Asiatic Steps and Horniman Circle will resound with beautiful sound and voices of the following soulful voices and instruments ranging from classical to contemporary and Bollywood in the evening of the weekends. Some of the artists performing Live are Rekha Bharadwaj, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam, Amit Chaudhari & his band, The Gundecha brothers, Ustad Fazal Querishi’s Percussions and the Dutch Band Jazz Expedition.
Dance being an integral part of the festival, this year too there will be a vibrant presentation of dance forms from across the country in all forms from classical to contemporary at Horniman Circle and Asiatic Steps with a special performance by the renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company in collaboration with The American Centre.
For the avid movie goers, a gigantic film section will have a retrospective of Basu Chatterjee’s films. In addition there will be a presentation and interactive discussion on “ Well Done Abba”, “We Are Family”, I Hate Love Stories”, “Wake Up Sid” by the respective directors Shyam Benegal,Siddharth Malhotra, Puneet Malhotra and Ayaan Mukherjee. For the first time, the festival will be showcasing Indian and International films to be released in 2011 where studios and independents will discuss their forthcoming films with a select audience primarily consisting of media. Some of these films are: The I AM series by Onir, Kucch Love Jaisa by Barnali Shukla and Vipul Shah, The Coffin Maker by Panchali Chakraverti, Randeep Hooda and Veena Bakshi, Tere Mere Phere by Deepa Sahi and Ketan Mehta, Karamyogi (Malayalam) by VKP and Creativeland Pictures, Saat Khoon Maaf by Vishaal Bharadwaj and UTV Motion Pictures.
Literary buffs will not be disappointed for there are an array of activities and workshops on creative writing, storytelling, book launches, book readings, discussions, literary quiz and opportunity to meet and interact with eminent authors like Upamanyu Chatterjee, Amita Baig, Amit Chaudhari, Sonia Faleiro to name a few.
ART & LIFESTYLE plays a special role in the WORKSHOPS section of the festival with experts from the field of WELLNESS, FOOD, ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, DANCE , MUSIC , CALLIGRAPHY, DIGITAL MEDIA presenting and interacting with the audience and giving them an understanding of their respective areas.
“With the theme this year being ONE WORLD, we are attempting to create ‘One soul, one sound, one taste, one color, one step, one beat and ONE WORLD’ to entertain and enrich everyone who visit this festival,” explained Pallavi Sahney Sharma, Chief Executive, Kala Ghoda Association.