Around the corner of late January and early February every year, Mumbai starts to resonate at a different octave. Performing arts, cinema, music, cultural shows, theatre, literature, workshops, heritage walks, events specially organized for kids & youths, and above all a vibrant street mood engulfs the mind for most of the tourists and residents alike. Since recent years the entire area transforms into a street mela, with entrepreneurs & artists selling their innovation & creations, food stalls to offer great Indian food from across the nation.
Kala Ghoda (a hindi phrase for ‘black horse’), a small precinct in South Mumbai, is popular for its annual art festival in the beginning of every year. More importantly, it is gaining prominence among freelancers and professional startups within India and across the globe.
Being a Saturday, I just picked up my D70 and decided to experience the vibrancy of the maximum city - Mumbai. The thought of being among the crowd, cheering and shouting and clapping brings an adrenaline rush and goose bumps to the photographer in me. Besides offering a great photo-op, the festival makes me more philosophical to look beyond the focal length and the pixels.
Sitting there made me realize that art is such a leveler; the taxi wala and those ladies who just got down from the sedan were jostling equally for some foot-hold or rather, butt-hold on the beautiful Asiatic Library stairs. The scantily dressed and the burqa clads enjoying the same ragas and traveling as co-sailors on the same musical wave (though not the same wavelength). A festival like this gives an opportunity to the common man to experience legendary performers and also the unknown talented groups who put on their best for those few minutes of spot light, all completely free.
That evening Hindustani classical music was applauded with the same hysteria as was that for the next performance that followed. It was interesting to see how a pure western dance form had mesmerized the eastern population. I never knew what Paul Taylor stood for till that morning when my friend Googled it for me. I am sure most of the audience did not have a clue as well, but the magic of the performers with sculpted bodies and lightening agility bowled over everyone. No wonder the movement of art is immaterial of per capita income or, for that matter, the GDP of any nation. Yes, I agree with the gentlemen who said ‘the world is flat’.
Refuelling my beer belly for precisely 20 minutes after watching dance troop Adonis look alikes, I decided to move on to the theatre street. The colorful artists and painters literally paint the town red; the positivity made me smile. Fully enlightened once again, I decided to gulp that huge sizzler at a traditional old Mumbai joint. Who cares about flat abs, especially after a pint of beer?
Going back relaxed and thoughtful I wondered; do I really need to go to a guru when fundamental joy is right here in my back yard? A good question to ponder…
Ankur Shrivastava is a corporate citizen who works with one of the largest business houses of India. Being a technocrat, he enjoys experimenting with new gadgets. He is passionate about photography and traveling. As a freelancer and free-willed photographer he currently contributes mostlyto charitable causes and all that his heart desires and lens permit.
Follow him on Twitter @AnkurHums and get connected with him on LinkedIn http://in.linkedin.com/pub/ankur-shrivastava/0/644/850
From Zoë Dawes:
So love the quirky bikes and feeling of energy this evokes! Yet another reason to visit India …
From somdatta:
hey grt article
) love to see more coming up in native cultures…..all the best 
)
From Ankur Shrivastava:
Particularly this art festival is unique in the sense that it resonates the energy of the youth, art and globalization, all intensified in a small area… don’t miss it next time…
From Zoya Bhan:
Love it – took me right back to India. I could hear the chai-wala, and taste the pani puri(that I really miss)while reading your post.
“Going back relaxed and thoughtful I wondered; do I really need to go to a guru when fundamental joy is right here in my back yard? A good question to ponder…”
perfect.
From Caroline:
Ankur’s enthusiasm for the mela in Kala Ghoda beckons to travelers across the miles! I enjoyed reading this well written article.
From Sue:
What a great article!! Written to the point where I almost felt I was reading a tourist attraction book!! It definitely makes me want to experience Kala Ghoda one day.
I have to agree with what Zoya had said about your closing comment: “Going back relaxed and thoughtful I wondered; do I really need to go to a guru when fundamental joy is right here in my back yard? A good question to ponder…” Perfect!! It really does make you think long and hard, there’s so much life and love surrounding us; which tends to go unrecognized at times. Seeing such excitement and beauty does really make you ponder indeed…it does for me.
Very well written Ankur…loved it!! Wish I could have been there with you to experience it all!!
A good mix of everything. I don’t think anybody could go and leave disappointed
From Zoë Dawes:
Great response to this article – thank you all for taking the time to read it and respond. Sharing unusual and compelling stories from around the world is such a pleasure. Keep them coming!
From Maneesh Mohan:
The enthusiasm in Mumbai to organize such celebrations sans infrastructure is unbeatable. While Paul Taylor left their indelible mark, lot of creativity and attractive designs made a feast for both mind and soul
From Barry:
I once turned down a chance to work in India (Chennai) and have kicked myself ever since. Reading Ankur’s article is making me kick even harder. The festival looks and sounds fascinating, and Ankur’s words really do capture the colour and vibrancy.
From Mary Mansey:
Great article, Ankur , interesting and compelling !
I love your bikes photograph .
From Zoë Dawes:
Hope you get another chance to visit India Barry
From Zoë Dawes:
The bike photo is one of my favs on the QT site Mary. Very quirky!