The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai from February 3rd to 11th was a must see event of Mumbai. From poetry reading to documentaries to some wonderful display of paintings and innovative creations, it had something for everyone. You needn’t be a connoisseur of art and culture to admire the magnificence and creativity of the art display. I went to Kala Ghoda number of times during the week since it was a refreshing change from the mundane and limited activities which Mumbai has to offer.

I went for a bilingual poetry reading by the renowned Hindi song lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar and the elegant Shabana Azmi at David Sassoon Library garden. Good set up and some lovely couplets from Javed Akhtar made it a worthwhile experience. He recited few his couplets from his book Tarkash and Shabana Azmi translated it in English from an English version called Quiver.

It was a beautiful experience. I wish I had noted down some of the lines… From there we headed to watch a documentary on the life of the Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso, well his full name is unusually long and runs into few lines – try this ‘Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Crispín Crispiniano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso.’ The short film spoke about his life, paintings, and his discovery of cubism, which basically revolutionized European painting and sculpture. It was very informative and a great learning experience.

Just like any other festival this too had food stalls and handicraft and book stalls, mostly run by NGOs. On the same day there was a dance performance by Sandeep Soparkar and his troupe. From salsa, jive, rumba to cha cha cha and tango, it was energetic, steamy and really good. Wouldn’t mind joining his classes but I think he has hiked his prices after becoming popular.

This is a regular feature during Kala Ghoda festival. Last year, they had a foot plastered at the bottom of the tree, which looked like a tree with a leg. But this time its kissing time.
Hamari Scooter

No Side Mirrors to Grieve About the Past
No Rubber Tires to Rush for a Start
No Leather Seats for Kids to Tear
Its the Iron Scooter that is so Rare

Putting together some thrown away crap
New Hidden Discoveries for you yo unwrap
Do Not Mistaken this as something in your Trunk
Its Just Indeed What we call Junk

The Helicoptook was really innovative. I certainly liked it, and so did many people, because many would queue up just to click a picture inside it. Its a modification of the indian tuk tuk.


Jazz concert

The jazz concert at Hornimon Circle was interesting too, I am running short of superlative here. It was my first visit to Hornimon Circle (often made fun of as ‘horny man cirlce’) and it was lovely, the garden, the soothing music and some vodka…amazing way to unwind after a long day’s work.

The footpath near Jehangir Art Gallery stretching all the way till the museum bore some lovely and creative paintings.

All in all it was a must see festival, something which Clyde really missed out on.

Stroll through Kala Ghoda Festival 2008

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Tags: Creative Installations, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai