The Kala Ghoda Art Festival is one of the biggest multicultural street art festivals hosted in Mumbai in the month of February every year. For the first time this year, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Mumbai is participating in this popular and prestigious festival and showcasing the theme ‘एक-सा / EK-sa (१-सा... Respecting Identifies)’ to promote equality, togetherness, and respect for all identities.

The theme

Since time immemorial, humans have created an anti-egalitarian ecosystem. Neglecting certain identities has caused discord and disharmony in the environment, eventually leading to the extinction of beautiful species, cultures and heritages. We have paid too high a price for inequalities in societies which have consistently ripped away the social fabric of our ecosystem. In accordance with the theme ‘एक-सा / EK-sa (१-सा... Respecting Identifies)’ the installations created by NIFT Mumbai, are a group of six octant-shaped structures that seem like phases of a moon, brought down on earth. The spiral formation is reminiscent of the Tarpa drawings in a Warli painting. The installations are covered with mull that breathes and brings time alive. The dimensions of the octant-shaped structures are varying from heights of 14 feet to 6 feet.

Apart from the static display, NIFT students have also created a 15-minute Performance Art around the installation.

The installations and performances presented on day one of the festival received enthusiastic appreciation from visitors.  To witness these beautiful creations, NIFT, Mumbai invites you to visit the Kala Ghoda Art Festival 2023 at Cross Maidan Garden, Mahatma Gandhi Road. The festival takes place from 4th Feb 2023 to 12th Feb 2023 (10 am onwards).

Here is a glimpse of the installations -

Way ahead

Life is a journey with many bittersweet ups and downs. As we cycle through life, our heart is the compass that maps our life towards the paths we choose. ‘Through Way Ahead’ we hope each journey will be navigated towards joy, peace and bliss. In this installation, the journey of a traveller is portrayed using artisanal products created by Solapur weavers.

 

Reflect

India's handicrafts are the genesis of our rich culture. ‘Reflect’ shows how we may choose to create an environment for our handicrafts to flourish. In this installation, old crafts that would otherwise be shattered, are translated into beautiful contemporary wear. Paithani sarees in vibrant colours with peacock, parrot, and lotus motifs from the Paithan cluster used in the installation speak about the heritage of Maharashtra.

Waiting for Godot

We spend so much of our lives waiting for something with little chance of showing up. We sit in the waiting room of our mind as time loses all meaning, and anxiety distorts all perception. ‘Waiting for Godot’ asks - Does the wait ever end, or do we need to take charge of our destiny, and stop waiting? The wall hangings from Solapur, bamboo and wooden craft from Sawantwadi and leather craft from the clusters of Kolhapur are all creatively assembled as a piece of art in this installation.

Hands with a Heart

Little do we know what it takes to create a fabric from thin threads with two hands. To embellish them, to weave them so beautifully, the artisan's fingers are led by their heart. This installation makes exquisite use of modern artefacts made by weavers of Solapur and Warli artists.

Breaking All Ceilings

The only limits that exist are within our minds. Breaking open from the shells of comfort and conditioning; sets one free to greater possibilities and lightness of being. The installation ‘Breaking All Ceilings’ talks about self-examination and breaking free from self-inflicted limits and motions.

Wrapped in a fabric called humanity

We all may look different, think differently, and act differently, but aren’t we still wrapped in the same fabric called humanity?

The energetic performances that accompanied these installations further amplified NIFT’s theme. Take a look -

Sabrang

The facade of superiority that colour, class, and caste represented, results from antisocial standards. To make colours proprietorial is absolutely unacceptable. This was presented through a street play - Sabrang.

 

Un-Shackle

Humans tend to get comfortable in their inertia and do not notice if something pulls at their strings until the full force of it confronts them. We pull until we gain awareness and courage to unshackle ourselves from the conditioning and limitations, we have caged ourselves in. It's never too late to unshackle ourselves from the puppeteers who hold our strings and set us free to dance to the rhythm of life.

 

Un-Conflict

Disharmony and conflict arise from disrespect.  The reality of conflict is that innocent and common people become pawns in the play of power and greed. If we agree to disagree and yet respect that people are similar but not the same, that there is enough for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed, then this world would be a peaceful place to live in.

 

Un-Oppress

The oppressed are as guilty as the oppressor. History is witness to the cruelty of a powerful group over the weaker sections.  The power of the oppressor needs to be broken for all beings to be free and equal

 

Un-Dark

Everything precious needs to be protected vehemently. It is not just material possessions, but also truth - the most important thing, that needs protection. There may be perspectives to truth, but the universal truth is far beyond perceptions and perspectives. And we need to commit ourselves to protect it from the ones who want to dim the light of truth. Un-Dark performance will be showcased today.

 

Through these installations and performances, the theme ‘एक-सा / EK-sa aims to portray that this world is a wonderful place bursting with myriad colours, ideas, perspectives and faiths. Whenever society has neglected or overlooked any aspect, there has been disharmony. Respecting, not necessarily agreeing, is fundamental in keeping the fabric of society healthy and vibrant.

About NIFT 

The (NIFT), set up in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India is a Statutory Institute governed by the NIFT Act 2006. NIFT is a leader in fashion education with the ability to integrate knowledge, traditional arts, contemporary thought, and academic freedom, innovations in design & technology and creative thinking. NIFT, today, has spread its wings across the length and breadth of the country. Through its 18 professionally managed campuses, NIFT provides an excellent environment to its students from different parts of the country to achieve their highest potential through the programmes offered. NIFT Mumbai was established in 1995 in the "Fashion Capital of India”, today NIFT Mumbai is spread over 10 acres of area in the education hub Kharghar Navi Mumbai.

 

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PIB Mumbai | Nikita /CY

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