Mumbai’s most iconic cultural event is back with the Kala Ghoda festival, kicking off tomorrow. Rhea Dhanbhoora & Shirley Mistry tell you what you shouldn’t miss out on seeing, buying and experiencing
We don’t need to tell you what the Kala Ghoda arts festival is all about. It includes art, theatre, culture, dance, food, literature and a plethora of workshops for you to hone old skills or learn new ones. With several events happening for nine whole days, the event promises to be even more fun this year. Take a look:
Workshops/ Food
Learn great skills from the workshops at the festival. The food workshops this year are absolutely delightful and the best part is that there’s no registration required and they are all on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Bake your own cake
This year, learn how to make amazing customised cakes with Aashiyana Shroff, owner of Tart. The pastry shop owner is hosting a demo where she will teach you how to make sugar-free desserts, chocolate truffles and even share her secret recipes and tips with you. And the best part is — you can sample them too!
When February 6, 1-3pm
Where Westside
Fire up a burger
Popular Bandra eatery, Between Breads, is hosting an interesting workshop at this year’s edition of the Kala Ghoda Art Festival. Learn how to make their authentic and juicy beef cheeseburgers, their scrumptious bacon fries and their version of the Philly sandwich. This one is a great workshop to get some fool-proof recipes under your belt.
When February 5, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Where Westside
Breakfast or brunch
Chef Viraf Patel, the mastermind behind the exceptionally simple, yet delicious menu at Café Zoe will be conducting a workshop at the Kala Ghoda Festival. Inspired from the food served at his restaurant, expect to master basic yet impressive breakfast and brunch recipes at this workshop.
When February 8, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Where Westside
Shopping spree
Shopping at Kala Ghoda needs no instruction. We suggest you walk past all the stalls to find something you really like. In the meantime you can take a look at this one:
Pink Jalebi
Pink Jalebi will be participating at this year’s Kala Ghoda and it’s a great place to kickstart your shopping spree. The brand takes stories, mythology, pop culture and traditional art in India and converts them into visual essays on household items. The Bangalore and London based lifestyle accessories brand has a great collection that you should definitely take a look at.
When Throughout the festival
Contact www.pinkjalebi.com
Music
Music this year goes with a Crescendo theme and will see performances across Cross Maidan and The Asiatic Library Steps, with several artists coming together to perform.
Farhan Akhtar Live
Catch Farhan Akhtar, director, actor, producer, singer and writer perform ‘Farhan Live’. He will perform, along with his band and they will belt out all his famous hits and some original tracks as well.
When February 9, 7:45 onwards
Where Asiatic Steps
Dance
They’re really taking the poetry in motion a step further with their GATI theme for the dance. There are several groups and a major focus is on classical and contemporary forms of dance.
Diva Agarwal
Head over to watch a really great group dance Karthak at Kala Ghoda this year. By Diva Agarwal, Anandya Dudani, Mitali and Purva Kothari, the dance is on our must-watch list because of the four styles that you’ll see performed — Paramparik Kathak, Holi, Chaturan and Thumri.
When February 3, at 6pm
Where Cross Maidan
Wonkot
Dance that tells a story is always great to watch and at Kala Ghoda this year, you can watch a contemporary dance theatre piece that’s based on Elephant in a Dark Room, a parable by Persian poet Rumi. The entire dance tells a story from different perspectives that of the storyteller, elephant, man and even the room!
When February 4, 7.30 pm
Where Cross Maidan
Cinema
While the debate on whether cinema must educate, inspire or simply entertain is a long standing argument; we are not about to take any sides. But, this year's Kala Ghoda Festival has an interesting line up of films with 'Flash Forward' as its theme.
Shahid
One of the most acclaimed films of Bollywood last year, Shahid is a stellar example of good story telling and an equally compelling performance by Rajkummar Rao. Inspired by a real-life story, this one is a must-watch.
When February 1, 11 am to 1pm
Where Coomaraswamy Hall
Hotel Transylvania
Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a young boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teenage daughter. A light-hearted, well told story makes for good viewing if you plan to pack in a lot of serious talks and short films.
When February 9, from 11 am to 1pm
Where BNHS
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Visual Art
With a theme of Moving Images, the visual arts this year are all about shock value, with each one trying to compel you. There will be several artists with installations and exhibitions all over the area, so don’t limit yourself to this one, but don’t forget to check it out!
Junk cycle wish tree
We absolutely love the look of this installation, so don’t forget to check it out when you’re there. Made by Sonal Jhadav, the junk cycle wish tree will be on display throughout the festival.
Where Rampart Row
Children
Your children won’t be left out this year at the festival. Take a look at what’s in store for them:
A Journey In Love
Ameeta Chatterjee, author and philanthropist will read out poems from her book A Journey in Love for children to draw and paint inspired from the poems. The workshop will be held along with Shilpa Vaidya of Aatman Academy and everyone who has worked on the book’s illustrations.
When February 1, from 1pm to 2:30 pm
Where Museum Gardens
Ages 6 and above
Nine Hidden Gems
Kumkum Somani, author and illustrator will narrate The Blue Eyed Doll from Nine Hidden Gems through audio and visuals. The idea is to acquaint children with Gandhiji’s values through a fun and exciting way. Part of the session will be discussions, interesting crafts, dramatisation and a little bit of dancing too!
When February 4, from 3pm to 4:30pm
Where Museum Gardens
Ages 6 to 12 years
Theatre
Theatre this year is Rang Baraat and combines tragedy, comedy, veterans and amateur directors to put on masterpieces that will take your breath away.
Biwi O Biwi
Presented by IPTA and with a cast that includes Rakesh Bedi, Sulabha Arya, Avtar Gill, Nivedita Baunthiyal and many more, this play deals with the theme of modern male chauvinism. It traces how modern women stand up to fight against it. The play is significant because it’s intertwined with prevalent values in society and what needs to change for the betterment of women.
When February 2, at 5pm
Where NGMA
A Peasant of El Salvador
This QTP presentation is set in the 1980s and tells us about a time when El Salvador was under military dictatorship. The play discusses the cost of human life, explaining how most countries undermine it on the path to economic development. It’s already amassed fans in the city from previous runs, so if you haven’t seen it yet, don’t miss out!
When February 6, at 5.30pm
Where NGMA
The new section
We’re not going to pick just one from this section since it’s a new offering at the festival. The new Urban Design & Architecture section is called Move Mumbai and provides a different perspective on the physical aspects of our city. You are exposed to planners, administrators and architects and you shouldn’t miss out on walking around the entire festival to catch a glimpse.
Organiser speak
“62 presentations, six venues, more than 450 performers — I think that says it all! A unique amalgamation of languages, forms, veterans - newbies, classics-moderns... it has been an overwhelming experience getting so many artists together to celebrate a common passion for theatre at KGAF'14, in the Rang Baraat theme for this year.”
— Juhi BabbarSoni, curator, theatre.
Check out the entire schedule for various events in all categories at
www.kalaghodaassociation.com or www.facebook.com/kalaghodaartsfestival?fref=ts