Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 will have around 250 events this year, down from 350 in previous years. (Photo courtesy of KGAF)
It’s that time of the year again. Well, no, it’s a bit sooner and there is still a nip in the air. The Kala Ghoda festival, a confluence of arts and events in Mumbai’s Fort, has dominated our February calendar for over 20 years. This time, it’s here a bit earlier than usual.
Themed Udaan, the festival was inaugurated on January 20 and is on in the city until January 28. “The weather is among the many reasons that led to this shift,” says Brinda Miller, chairperson of the Kala Ghoda Association, adding that the overlap with the India Art Fair and the Jaipur Literature Festival, are others. The festival, in its 25th year, and 24th edition, will also join hands with the Mumbai Festival. “Mumbai Festival requested us to do it together, to make it one big festival. So, people know where to go and what to do over nine days. It was the more practical thing to do,” says Miller.
Mumbai: Heritage walk during the Kala Ghoda festival. (Photo courtesy of KGAF)
24th Kala Ghoda Festival: Theme and programme
This year, the festival will have more than 250 events—across dance, cinema, music, theatre, food and heritage walks—spread out across outdoor and indoor venues in the Fort area and beyond. In addition, nearly 80 works of visual art will be on display as part of the festival.
“The larger theme is Udaan (taking flight), and each vertical interprets it differently. The sub-theme for the Children’s section is Flight of Fantasy, and that of Music is Concord, for instance. Each section has its highlights. For dance, we have Nrityagram on the opening day. There’s Herbie Hancock, the world-famous jazz musician, in music. In a first, Ayan Ali Bangash is performing with his sons Zohaan and Abeer,” says Miller. “Then, we have Farhan Akhtar in a live show. Javed Akhtar and Gulzar will be part of the literature section”, she adds.
The venues
Some of the venues have changed, Miller tells us. “And when venues change, everything changes,” she adds. The National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) and Monica Bungalow in Cuffe Parade have been added to the list of venues. The latter will host a four-day festival within the festival. The Yashwantrao Chavan Centre will stage theatre performances in place of the NGMA.
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Miller says audience tastes have evolved. “Certain sections like stand-up comedy have become far more popular than they were three years ago. We have taken a larger space for it. People don’t want to sit through panel discussions. They want more interactive things. The attention span has reduced,” she explains.
The Kala Ghoda Festival, like art events the world over, had to suspend its 2022 edition amid fear of COVID resurging. In 2023, it opened to packed houses, and streets, despite trepidation about large gatherings. Miller believes that this has also led art enthusiasts to become more appreciative of festivals. “Earlier people took it for granted,” she adds.
The Kala Ghoda Festival hasn’t added more events over the years. If anything, it has shrunk from its 350-plus event calendar, to now hosting roughly 250 of them across various venues.
“We want to make it even smaller, but that never happens. So many people come forward and that’s the great thing about Mumbai. People contribute in whatever way they can,” says Miller.
Events
When two landmark festivals come together, over nine days in the city, there’s a lot to watch and experience. Beyond the big acts that enthusiasts will be thronging to, here’s a pick of the relatively less-known across categories that you could explore.
Theatre
Mosquito Wosquito by Jubilee Theatre Company
A young, non-violent mosquito befriends a human and wants to change how mosquitoes are perceived in this comic children’s play.
On January 26, 4 pm at Yashwantrao Chavan Centre
Music
O Gaanewali
A baithak-style mehfil that celebrates the women of thumri, dadra, ghazal, and other classical forms of music.
On January 23, 6.30 pm at Cross Maidan
Dance
Street O Classical
Bharatanatyam and street dancing come together with Bollywood music at this performance by Swetha Warrier of Sony India’s Best Dancer fame.
On January 27, 7.50 pm at Cross Maidan
Workshop
Cartography: From Bombay to Mumbai with Mrinal Kapadia
A creative mapping session on how maps tells stories and histories, with film producer and founder of India Visual Art Archive, Mrinal Kapadia.
On January 26, 11 am
Literature
Around the Country in 80 Ways
Truth seekers of our times, Dilip D’Souza and Kunal Purohit, speak to journalist Naresh Fernandes about travelling the country and their discoveries.
On January 26, 6 pm at David Sassoon Library
Heritage Walks
Nissim Ezekiel Poetry Crawl – Take off to poetic heights
Hosted by Saranya Subramanian, the walk takes you through the city’s poetic landmarks with readings.
On January 27, 4 pm
Kala Ghoda Festival will be on from January 20 to 28 in Fort, Mumbai.