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At the recent Rajnigandh­a

At the recent Rajnigandh­a Hindustan Times Imagine Fest 2018, visual and performing arts came together in a way that’s never been experience­d before!

- Henna Rakheja ■ henna.rakheja@htlive.com

Hindustan Times Imagine Fest 2018, visual and performing arts came together in a way that’s never been experience­d before. Check it out!

The visit to an art gallery attained a completely new meaning for those who experience­d the first edition of Rajnigandh­a Hindustan Times Imagine Fest 2018, held at Nehru Park lawns in Chanakyapu­ri, last weekend.

“I have never seen children running and playing in art galleries. But this festival made that possible,” said Gopi Gajwani, veteran artist, who was at the event.

Galleries exhibited artworks — priced between ₹5,000 and ₹1.5 lakh — alongside some stalls that facilitate­d art workshops. Besides, there were talks, musical performanc­es, and food stalls to make the fest a complete sensory experience.

“This is the first time ever that we have exhibited artworks at a platform that brings various arts together,” said Tripat Kalra, founder, Gallery Nvya, while listening to the energetic live tunes of the fusion rock band Swarrveda, singing songs such as Piya Re Piya Re and Bam Lahiri. She adds that people are often hesitant to enter art galleries “but here, there were no barriers, and people could see art and relate to it”.

Some art stalls exhibited small format works of popular artists, who created new pieces, specially for this fest. Case in point is artist Sanjay Bhattachar­yya’s depiction of common people of India through watercolou­r on paper in 15”X11” size, at Arushi Arts’ stall.

But, it wasn’t just visual arts that was curated for this fest. Chef Pankaj Kumar from The Leela Palace stall said, “We created the dish Martini Espunas — with a mix of lamb and mushrooms — especially for the visitors at Imagine Fest, and received a great feedback. Even our travel cakes in lemon and coffee flavours sold out really soon.”

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 ?? PHOTOS: HTBS/PRABHAS ROY/MANOJ VERMA ?? Artworks on display at the stall of Arts of the Earth attracted many visitors
PHOTOS: HTBS/PRABHAS ROY/MANOJ VERMA Artworks on display at the stall of Arts of the Earth attracted many visitors
 ??  ?? Rock band Indian Ocean performed on the first day
Rock band Indian Ocean performed on the first day
 ??  ?? Members of the OSA Drum Circle pepped up the audience during the afternoon, on day two
Members of the OSA Drum Circle pepped up the audience during the afternoon, on day two
 ??  ?? A sculpture by artist Lal Bahadur Singh in fibre and acrylic colour at Gallery Nvya’s stall
A sculpture by artist Lal Bahadur Singh in fibre and acrylic colour at Gallery Nvya’s stall
 ??  ?? Sumit Sharma, lead vocalist of fusion rock band Swarrveda, compelled the audience to get up and dance to his songs
Sumit Sharma, lead vocalist of fusion rock band Swarrveda, compelled the audience to get up and dance to his songs
 ??  ?? An installati­on made of cow dung cakes by artist Gunjan Tyagi became a talking point among the attendees at the fest
An installati­on made of cow dung cakes by artist Gunjan Tyagi became a talking point among the attendees at the fest
 ??  ?? Actors from Gurgaon Theatre Group enthral the audience with their performanc­e
Actors from Gurgaon Theatre Group enthral the audience with their performanc­e
 ??  ?? A painting on display at the fest
A painting on display at the fest
 ??  ?? Making memories with a picture
Making memories with a picture
 ??  ?? Visitors at the fest indulge in discussion­s over photograph­s displayed at one of the stalls
Visitors at the fest indulge in discussion­s over photograph­s displayed at one of the stalls
 ??  ?? Architect Gaurang Khemka (second from right) conducts an art walk with a few enthusiast­s wanting to know about the displayed works
Architect Gaurang Khemka (second from right) conducts an art walk with a few enthusiast­s wanting to know about the displayed works
 ??  ?? Scrumptiou­s kebabs on tandoor at the stall of Popo Grill
Scrumptiou­s kebabs on tandoor at the stall of Popo Grill
 ??  ?? Ruchi Sibal and Aditi Kapoor, founders of HT Palate and Imagine Fest
Ruchi Sibal and Aditi Kapoor, founders of HT Palate and Imagine Fest
 ?? PHOTO: HTCS/PRABHAS ROY ?? Sharad Kohli, economist and startup guru
PHOTO: HTCS/PRABHAS ROY Sharad Kohli, economist and startup guru
 ??  ?? Singer from The LauraJoe Santana Quartet
Singer from The LauraJoe Santana Quartet
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