After a hiatus of two long years, Mumbai’s most loved art festival is back. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is back. One of the country’s largest festivals, Kala Ghoda, will be celebrating its 20th edition this year. The iconic Kala Ghoda neighbourhood is again lit with beautiful lights, stalls, and art installations. So, Mumbaikars, get ready to celebrate cinema, visual art, food, literature, and more.
Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda Arts Festival Is Here
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2023 is a nine-day festival starting on February 4 and lasting until February 12, 2023. The festival was celebrated virtually in 2021 and skipped in 2022 due to a rise in the number of cases. Founded in 1999, this festival attracts thousands of visitors every year, not only from Mumbai but across the globe. The theme for this year’s edition is ‘Past Forward’, which talks about celebrating the past and embracing the future.
The nine-day event this year will have over 50 events. With new venues and new ideas, this year’s festival promises to be more exciting. IF.BE, Mumbai’s oldest ice factory turned art gallery, as well as 145 Kala Ghoda and the lovely Cooperage Bandstand Garden will host a few events. With workshops on the usage of regional grains like millet and performances centering on folk music and dance from Maharashtra, the festival puts a renewed emphasis on local traditions.
A Nine-Day Celebration Across 14 Verticals
Children, cinema, dance, food, heritage walks, literature, music, stalls, stand-up comedy, street, theatre, urban design and architecture, visual art, and workshops are among the 14 verticals that make up the highly regarded art festival. The festival aims to promote arts, crafts, and cultural heritage. The money raised from the event is used to support the association’s restoration projects.
Some new events:
- Israel Culinary Workshop
- The Poetry Davakhana
- Mythology And Millenial With Devdutt Patnaik
- English Play: The Bose Legacy
- Vibrant Light Show at Rajabai Tower
- Performance by India’s Colonial Cousins
- Malavika Sarrukai’s Bharatanatyam Performance
- Christopher Benninger’s Architectural Presentation
The film and music-related events will be held at Cross Maidan on MG Road. Head to Horniman Circle Garden for theatres and the visual arts, and Irish House for stand-up comedy. The Mahatma Gandhi Road will host the food booths. Workshops will be held at Artisans on VB Gandhi Marg. You can take part in heritage walks as well.
Where: Kala Ghoda
When: February 4 – February 12
Timings: 10 am to 10 pm
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons