Kala Ghoda art walk off to a slow start in Mumbai
K Dubash Marg, a street in Kala Ghoda, transformed into an art carnival and walker’s zone on Sunday but the response to it on the first day was lukewarm, said people.
The initiative is a pet project of the Yuva Sena (Shiv Sena’s youth wing) chief Aaditya Thackeray to make the streets pedestrian-friendly. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation plans to make it a weekly affair wherein artists have to book stalls in advance at the local ward office, every week.
“Considering that it was the first day, the response is quite good. We have had around 400-500 people coming in till early evening. The initiative is great for starters. Pedestrians going out for a stroll would be able to see our work,” said Vivek Desai, a members of Merchants of Cool, an art couture company that has two box stalls.
Prakash Vishwakarma, an independent sketch artist, said the initiative helps empower local talent. “I have been here for many years but we have never had such a platform.”
While the BMC had allotted space for up to 20 stalls, only a quarter of the them were occupied on the first day.
“It is an initiative which helps a comparatively new company grow. Enthusiasts should grab this opportunity,” said Manish Sampat, one of the box stall owners.
Visitors had mixed reviews on the first day of the art run.
“Artists should have thronged the place having got such an opportunity. Instead, there was hardly anyone here,” said Aakash Shah, a college student.
“I really hope the initiative picks pace in the coming weeks as I love to explore art while on a walk with my pet. People normally do not continue after starting something. I wish it is not the case this time,” said Ruchika Punjabi, an English teacher.