Kala Ghoda festival ends on a musical note

After nine days of visual and cultural delight, the city bid adieu to the 14th edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts festival with a musical bonanza on Sunday.

After nine days of visual and cultural delight, the city bid adieu to the 14th edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts festival with a musical bonanza on Sunday.

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Music composing duo, Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, charmed the huge crowds gathered at the Asiatic library steps in the evening with their chartbusters. “I have been a huge fan of the festival from the beginning. It has helped encourage culture in the city,” said Dadlani.

With more than 40,000 people from the city making a halt at the festival on the last day, the workshops and the food section witnessed a record turnout. “Despite knowing the festival would be extremely crowded, I did not want to miss the fun,” said Neeta Mhatre, 37, a Thane resident.

Rampart Row, which has been declared a ‘silence zone’ since last year, had some interesting traditional street performances even on the finale day. “The audience got involved in our act, and kept clapping for us throughout,” said Banwarilal Jhat, a ‘Kuchi Godi’ performer from Rajasthan, who danced with an artificial wooden horse attached to his hip.

The last day of the festival also marked its tribute to artist Jehangir Sabavala poet Rabindranath Tagore. The film section screened movies on their lives. “The response was overwhelming, and we had discussions after every screening with the director and the audience,” said Deepa Gahlot, film section head, Kala Ghoda Association.

“This year, we received no complaints from residents, and the festival saw more than 30,000 visitors even on weekdays,” said Maneck Davar, chairperson, Kala Ghoda Association.