The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival has been one of India’s most popular arts and entertainment events. Maybe the kind of variation a person gets to see and witness here makes this event so enjoyable and praiseworthy. Scroll down to know all about Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2021.
What is the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival?
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is a festival that is widely attended annually amongst the host of popular festivals in Mumbai city. This festival has been the biggest ethnic and multicultural festival in the city since its inception in 1999. Over the years it has continued to expand and reach hundreds and thousands of people from city and region. It has become more and more successful. This extravagance of a festival also contributes to the wide range of activities.
The festival is organized every year by the Kala Ghoda Association. Twelve sections of the festival include visual arts, cinema, dance, theater, music, workshops, literature, urban design and architecture, food, the street, cultural walks, and the children’s section.
The Kala Ghoda Festival provides a vivid range of colors, culture, and traditions. From heated literary and social discussions to seminars and book launches, from musical delights to dance performances, from mesmerizing visual arts to handmade crafts, the festival is a fascinating delight for any art connoisseur.
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2021 Venue
The festival is held in the historic Art District of Kala Ghoda. It’s open to anyone, free of charge. From the Regal Circle in the north to the Mumbai University in the south, from the Oval Maidan to the west, and from the Lion Gate to the East, the boundary of the subdivision district can be traced approximately.
The district is blessed with its rich architecture and heritage. The district is highlighted by a mix of Indo-Saracenic, Neo-Gothic, and Neo-Classic style houses. The Elphinstone College, David Sassoon Bibliothèque, Jehorn Art Gallery, the Prince of Wales Museum of Bombay, the Maharaj Maharaj, Chhatrapati Shiver Vastu Sangrahalaya are renowned for their architectural feats (CSMVS).
Image Source- festivalsherpa.com
Kala Ghoda Festival 2021 Events
For the twentieth edition of the festival, events will take place in 14 categories.
1. Dance
The themes will range from classical and contemporary Indian to foreign dance styles. All dance events will take place at the Maidan Cross at Mahatma Gandhi Road, Churchgate.
2. For Children
There will be 77 children’s activities this year. Various workshops and events will be held every day at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (11:00 am to early evening). Literature activities will take place in Somaiya Bhavan and Kitab Khana.
3. Music
There are several concerts lined up with eclectic genres. Some well-known artists include Jonita Gandhi, Sahar Zaman, Lydian Nadhaswaram, Nikhil Patwardhan, Shilpa Rao, Taufiq Qureshi, Ayaan, and Amaan Ali Bangash (the Mugdha Hasabnis, who pays a tribute to Lata Mangeshkar). All the musical activities will take place at Cross Maidan and others will take place at the Asian Library Steps.
Image Source – GQ
4. Visual Art
Every edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, innovating visual art facilities are always a major attraction. It won’t be any different this year. Horniman Circle Garden, Cross Maidan, the K Dubash Marg Art Centre, and the Army-Navy Entrance will be set up art installations.
5. Stalls
The twentieth edition will have about 150 stalls set up. Clothes, shoes, luggage, home decor, and other items may also appear to local craftsmen and other organizations. People flock to the stalls every year to get the first range of items. The booths will take place along Kala Ghoda Road and outside the Jehangir Art Gallery in the traffic triangle.
6. Urban Design and Architecture
These events will include lectures, films, talks, presentations, and interviews focused on the new design, architecture, and city scenario. Many famous writers, designers, filmmakers, and artists can share experiences in their own fields at the events. At the Max Mueller Bhavan, the activities will take place.
7. Stand Up Comedy
There will take place 4 days of events from February 3, 2021, to February 6, 2021, when new comedians are available. The activities will be curated and will be held in the Irish House at K Dubash Marg by Shreemayee Die and Rohan Desai.
8. Theatre
The Horniman Circle Gardens, MC Ghia Hall (Kala Ghoda), and National Gallery of Modern Art organize 35 plays in different languages such as Hindi, English, Gujarati, and Parsi (NGMA).
9. Literature
Book launches, poetry sessions, talks with writers and much more will take place. The David Sassoon Library will host all the literary activities for the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (DSL). The key focuses of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival this year are-
- A Tryst with Democracy
- India’s Place in the New World Dis-Order
- Seeing Ourselves
- Clear Lens on the City
10. Workshop
The workshops will take place at the Lifelong Learning Artists’ Centre, the Artisans’ Center, and the Somaiya Centre. Entry to all workshops is free of charge. The theme of the 20th edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is ‘Zest.’ Workshops would be based on self-improvement and self-expression with more passion.
Tips for the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
- If you’re a non-local, it’s best to book your accommodation early. Hotels and other lodges will fill up in the blink of an eye approaching the time of this festival.
- Make sure you schedule ahead of which activities you want to attend. The places can get crowded pretty early, and you wouldn’t want to miss the best seats in the building. It’s worth being the early bird.
- Carry comfortable clothing, please. The weather is springy during this time.
- Make sure you bring your cameras to catch all the vibrant displays of art, culture, and food. We guarantee that you’ll regret it later if you don’t!!
- Keep your mind always open. The festival is a melting pot of ideas and culture.
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, a festival like no other, is one of those experiences you just can’t skip. Come and immerse yourself in an extravaganza of nine days of art, music, culture, ideas, and individuals.
Also Read: Tips To Teach Kids About Indian Culture and Traditions
