October 30, 2007

Kala Ghoda Diwali Utsav


The Kala Ghoda Association hosted a crafts festival in collaboration with HSBC as a part of its Diwali Utsav celebrations through the weekend, ending Sunday the day before. Though there was little of Diwali in the celebrations there was enough variety to keep the audience in its seats in the open air auditorium between the Bombay Natural History Society’s Hornbill House and the Jahangir Art Gallery. The street came alive with a string of stalls, including those catering to food enthusiasts, and the stage where light, sound, and music stepped it up for the artists. We reached just as the Bharatnatyam exponents took to the stage to entertain the weekend crowd.

Later, Raell Padamsee's band of school-going children revved it up with a spirited performance.


Gary Richardson introducing Brinda Miller to the audience. Brinda Miller is a painter and is actively involved in making the Diwali Utsav happen.


Then Gary Richardson took to the stage with Nisha Harale in two interactive plays. Gary was fluent through the performance and pleasantly energetic but I couldn't help feeling that they picked up themes that didn't sit well with the Utsav, but then scripting plays that do not rely on a bit of hot spice to raise a laugh is never an easy proposition. Another place, another occasion, the same plays might have been perfect!


Alyque Padamsee holds forth from the table, attempting to make the obvious memorable until it was neither.


Max and Harry let the guitar flow to a soothing rendition of Don McLean's 1971 classic 'American Pie' before following up with equally memorable tunes.


The music changed pace again, quickening to the rendering of the Ganesh Vandana as the lights dimmed.


There was little doubt that the evening had something for everyone.

10 comments:

bluemountainmama said...

i think the last photo is my favorite... brings back memories of my son when he was a wee'un, doing the same thing at the many concerts and festivals i drag him to. :) sounds like fun!

kenju said...

The dancers are beautiful, Anil.

Lakshmi said...

This is what I miss about Bombay.. the life, the energy

ddrips said...

I do not know too much of what is the celebration about ... but your narrative of it sure seems that it was events worth being there for...

Anonymous said...

i had attented the utsav .. but i found the post more festive than the utsav!

Anil P said...

Bluemountainmama: It sure is fun, some variety to life in a metropolis, though there are people who call Bombay a megapolis.

Kenju: Yes, they are. I believe the alert look lends the edge.

Backpakker: Very true, even as it saps energy from the commuter it gives it back through its cultural vibrancy.

ddrips: It was to celebrate Diwali, a Hindu festival of the lights. Diwali is in the second week of November. The Diwali Utsav was held earlier.

V: :)

Anonymous said...

I was wondering if I shd feel bad that I missed the fest. Just feel so lazy to go to "town" nowadays- use to do it all the time before. So reading ur post was a nice update!

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Nice photo essay on the event!

Anil P said...

Anon: The fest was an occasion, even otherwise it still feels nice to be around there.

Shantanu: Thank you.

Unknown said...

Waah Sonali. Kiti chaan distes :). Khoop divsan nantar dislis.