Mumbai’s favourite Kala Ghoda Arts Festival – a ‘go green’ celebration of creativity and talent

Mumbai’s favourite creative platform, the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is back again – with the theme of environmental conservation and sustainable living.

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In this edition, we feature the creative art works and installations at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2018 in south Mumbai.

In the earlier 170 posts, we brought you a wide range of creative photographs from an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, street art festival, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

Early February is a great time to be in Mumbai, thanks to events ranging from the Mahindra Blues Festival to the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF). The arts festival is spread across a number of locations in and around the vibrant Kala Ghoda district. Mumbai’s favourite arts event is a nine-day treat of installations, art works, craft exhibition, literature, culinary workshops, children’s activities, theatre, dance shows and music performances.

In this photo essay we showcase some of the diverse creativity on display at KGAF 2018; in Part II we also feature insights from the festival coordinator, Nicole Mody. The message of the festival this year is environmental preservation and restoration, aptly reflected in the theme “Hara Ghoda” (green horse).

The theme of mindfulness and sustainable living carries on into the culinary track as well, with a focus on using local ingredients and lesser-known vegetables, reducing kitchen waste, and creatively using left-over food. KGAF is truly a “platform of platforms” as it brings together a range of artistic communities and associations from across India.

“Art personifies me. Personal traits differ from person to person. Everyone has their own unique ways of expressing themselves, and people should never lose their way of expression,” said Silpi Panging, an artist from Assam, in a chat with YourStory. Being at KGAF is an overwhelming experience – you can enjoy the beauty of art even more, she added.

See also Part I and Part II of my photo essays from the 2017 edition, as well as interview with the former festival director Brinda Miller. The iconic festival this year has 565 programs and 60 installations across 25 venues, supported by over a hundred volunteers.

Now what have you done today for artistic expression and environmental preservation?

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

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