MUMBAI: 24th FEBRUARY, 2018: The evening was abuzz with activities in the lawns of Runwal Elegante which was playing host to the popular Kala Ghoda Arts Festival – Reloaded in one of the premium address in western suburbs.
Art lovers and families were seen all over the place, queuing up for the various art workshops which were being hosted in its premise. With a band playing in the backdrop it was indeed a festive atmosphere. The sundowner performance began with a live band and performance by Sanyaas, which was met with happy cheers by the public. By sunset, the people had settled in, looking forward to the performance of World Class Percussionist and Drummer, Sivamani, which was to be the highlight of the evening.
Sivamani started his performance with his signature style playing the drums and moving to experimental music, “I have always found the act of performing at Kala Ghoda Arts festival very special, considering the festival is predominantly all about leveraging art in all format,” said Sivamani. “It is a special feeling to be part of shaping and inspiring young talent which I always find in abundance at this festival.”
Sandeep Runwal, MD of Runwal Group felicitated Sivamani who was present with his family. It was heartening to hear the melodious voice of Sivamani’s wife Runa Rizvi, an Indian classical and Playback singer. With her newborn in the arm, Runa sang a beautiful rendition of Ganesh Vandana, offering her best wishes for the art festival coming to the western suburbs.
Celebrity actress, Urvashi Rautela present seemed mesmerized with the ambiance, taking in the awe-striking art installations, the performance, and soaking in the beauty of the surrounding. “Kala Ghoda is all about arts and its artist, which is what we members of the popular Bollywood industry have been striving to display to the world. I couldn’t have been more pleased to be here as I am equally excited about my career in this field” said Urvashi. “For several of my films and the roles I essay, I have been grooming myself with various dance forms and also research on the art and culture to be better equipped to handle the characters I play”.
Sandeep Runwal, MD Runwal Group, which owns this landmark building and host to Kala Ghoda Arts Festival seemed pleased to be part of the festival. He went on to say, “Every architect-builder strives to make his buildings a unique landmark just like an artist strives to make his work unique. Developing a project is a form of art in itself. Creating every aspect of the building from interior to amenities provided makes for an artistic living,” said Sandeep Runwal, MD Runwal Group, “The festival extending to the suburbs is the biggest highlight and makes for a great association. We are proud of having the opportunity to host the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival at Runwal Elegante.
The event concludes tomorrow with some more popular artists from the various background in arts, film, and television performing at the venue.
About Kala Ghoda Festival: The Festival is organized by the Kala Ghoda Association (a non-profit organization which aspires to promote arts and culture in Mumbai). The festival sections are visual arts, dance, music, literature including children's literature as a subsection, workshops, urban design and architecture, food, a dedicated section for children, and a vibrant street section including stalls selling eco-friendly, handmade arts and crafts wares.
Some of the popular artists and their work on display at the Art Installations and Art Gallery include names as M F Hussain, Raza, Vaikunth, Suhas Roy, Laxma Goud, Achyut Palav, Shreehari Bhosale, Jaya Lamba, Prerna Kewalramani, Shola Carletti, S K Tayde, Shreekant Patil and other popular artists
HIGHLIGHTS: 24th February 2018: includes a live performance by India’s Got Talent - 2016 winner, flutist Suleiman (youtube link:https://www.youtube.com/w
25th February 2018 – 4 pm: Divya Dutta book reading of Me and Ma. Followed by a Live Band and Finale performance by a popular artist.