Revelry in Kala Ghoda

This year’s Kala Ghoda Art Festival is the millennial’s delight and the shopper’s ultimate destination. While life-size installations make for the perfect selfie background for college-going students, the authentic folk art and material are best worth pocketing.

Even at three in the afternoon, the scorching sun didn’t seem to deter the spirit of Mumbaikars, as the crowd only seemed to get bigger and bigger.

The festival, which started a decade ago, has had exhibitors and buyers coming in every year without fail.

An installation of horse at the enterance

An ardent buyer from Powai, Indra has been coming regularly to the festival for the last five years. Though she finds the crowd same, she says there are certain things that one can find only here.

“This is a great destination for people to buy and see artefacts. There are so many different art forms that we get to learn about from here. I just bought a dupatta from this craftswoman who herself is present at the stall and making stuff on the spot. This is so great,” she beams.

 For 19-year-old Shreesha, there was a lot more than the handicraft collection. “This is my fourth time and it is fun. There are drawing and paintings activities happening. I did paint and scribble yesterday. It was a peaceful time spent,” smiles Shreesha.

For the first time, the festival also has Sahabhag, the social responsibility wing of the government bringing in craftsmen and the Warli art from Palghar district.

Kiran Pawar, who is managing the stall, tells that it was a tour in remote areas that led to the discovery of these craftsmen. “Warli art is done in papier-mache as well. And Subhash Kadu is a third generation artiste from his family. The entire range of artefacts are handmade and give a royal look on completion,” says Kiran.

Mrinalika Jain comes all the way from Jaipur to sell freehand painting products, and has been a regular for the last five years.

“All my products are utility products, and the work done on them is freehand painting,” says Mrinalika. What brings her back to the festival and the city is the ambience of the space. “The response has always been great. And the teakettles are the highest selling product. People love it.”

An art installation

As one heads down to explore more of the festival, another installation welcomes enthusiastic festivalgoers. Called the Sounds of Prakriti, it is a sound insulated installation that tells you to enter the room to get one with nature.

All said and done, 2018 has brought more colours and energy to the festival this time.

Ongoing till February 11