Every year for the last 16 years, the Kala Ghoda Festival draws visitors in lakhs, not just from the city but from all over the country, and, indeed, the world. Artists, performers and craft persons from all over India gather here every February. It is an experience, a kaleidoscope of music, dance, theatre, literature, street stalls, films, workshops for adults and children, visual arts and heritage walks. The nine joyful days refresh your mind, inspire your senses and leave you feeling exhilarated! This year the festival was held from February 7 to February 15. The theme of the festival this year was Sparsh (Hindi for ‘touch’)
The 350 events, 25 stalls selling unique items, and 100 different creative structures mesmerised the crowd that visited the festival this year. A structure showing a giant crow depicting the disappearance of birds from urban areas, a huge cricket jersey made out 3500 cycle gears, celebrity kiosks, the dabbawala cart modified with wings, a cube depicting the overuse of technology were some of the best creative works on display. A fridge and wardrobe creatively repainted attracted many children and youngsters.
People from different parts of the country gather here and take back rich memories. Says Puneite Chanchala Seth, who has been visiting the festival every year since the last five years, “I wait for this festival every year. It’s a pleasure to see the different art on display, shop for unique items from all over the country and also enjoy the best of theatre and cinema. I also take my kids along because there is so much creativity out there and so many interesting workshops for them. Kala Ghoda is one of its kind.”
By Shehnaz Chawla
