Born on 30th August, 1998, the countries largest multicultural annual festival, The Kala Ghoda Association went on to become an ultra tiny piece of a rainbow, frozen in South Mumbai. The lauded Festival arranged by the Association commences on the first Saturday of February and bids adieu on the second Sunday of February. The festival includes events like visual arts, dance, music theatre, cinema, literary meets along with workshops organised by very prominent personalities. Throughout the years, the festival has attained a cult status in its doctrines of promoting various different art forms, and with its continuous attempts at maintaining and preserving the rich and cultural artifacts and values of Southern Mumbai.
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| 3-D Art portrayal at the Kala Ghoda |
Here we have some of the most memorable plays from the competition :-
Chaar Small :-
The play lasting for a couple of hours, written by Purvanaresh, Trishla Patel and Sanjay Dadhich, chiefly deals with four original short stories and the film city. The first story revolves around a couple with fresh dreams, fresh hopes and joie de vivre and their new life in the new city aka Mumbai. The next story has a very interesting plot where a seven year old comes to Mumbai and how his perceptions, as an adult, metamorphoses. The third story deals with the potholes which embellish the Indian roads. Familiar much? Home is where the heart is. In the fourth story, the protagonist tells us what home actually is to all of us.
Postcards from Bardoli :-
Presented by ‘Working Tiles’, this play focuses on the dolours and darkness of the society. The awful wave of suicides committed by farmers in world history, catches the attention of Mihir, the protagonist. Taking a cue from the historical Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928 and drawing inspiration from its hero, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Mihir embarks on a perilous journey with his hapless and flawed father looking on. The play points out that Swaraj is yet to be attained. It helps people look out of the pages of the history book and take a glance at what exactly is happening. Have Indians truly won the struggle? Is it their true independence? The play questions it all. Presented in English, this play of 1 hour and 30 minutes makes sure that your blinks have a hard time contradicting themselves.
Panch Kanya :-
The play written by Mahashweta Devi has a completely Bohemian theme. Presented by the ‘Phoenix Players’, the play is all about the forlorn women, tied with the same sheer grief, huddling together as the funeral pyres of Kurukhshetra rage and perform the dance macabre. Five Dalit women dreamt of a new dawn, a dawn where earth no longer resembled the ravaged, scorched piece which it looked like, then, to the five women. Before they trudge back to their hovels, the communion with their rajavrita counterparts invites a reflection of the past and a preparation for the future…the indomitable human spirit triumphs yet again, as life affirms itself.
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| A piece of artwork from Kala Ghoda |
Pandora’s Box :-
Presented by ‘Metamorphosis’, the play talks about life and its ways. The human memory is a time machine, one whose technology did not shape or modify. The protagonist spends a particular night contemplating and reminiscing about days long gone by. Letters, calendars, pictures, posters all come to life as Amol looks back into his past remembering the good and the bad. Overall, the play deals with the fact that, life is a small word with a heavy meaning....The unknown universe. Nothing is under our control and at times we should just let go just let it be what it will, Que sera sera!
Game Boy :-
Presented by ‘Theatrewaalas’, this play lasting for about an hour and a half, is a children’s play. It deals with the gen Y kids and their penchant for Xbox and Playstation. In a world, where outdoor games are losing their charms, this play portrays, how the teenage protagonist starts seeing the characters in the real life. His pals help him get out of the mess and thus give a very optimistic message.
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Just about a week from now, a multiple award winning play from this festival, The E.Q, by Amygo productions is coming to Kolkata at the University Institute Hall, beside Presidency University. Are you sure you want to miss it? Contact 9851716039 for tickets!
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| A scene from the E.Q |
See you there!
About the author :-
The youngest member of our ExPRESS family is Rupkatha Mitra. A student of class 10 from Calcuttta Girls high school, this multitalented lady is also a passionate day dreamer and a voracious reader.
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