First International Kala Mela to feature over 800 artists
WITNESS an amalgamation of art and artists under one roof as the Lalit Kala Akademy makes the first move by inviting over 800 artists from across the globe for their International Kala Mela.
To inaugurate the event, M. Venkiah Naidu, Vice President of India, along with Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of Culture lighted the lamp at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi (IGNCA) on February 4.
On the auspicious occasion, M.venkaiah Naidu, talked on Indian art, culture and its values. He stated, “Different language, different couture, yet it’s one country. Unity in diversity is India’s speciality.”
The first of its kind in the country, this Kala Mela does not just provide a platform for artists from abroad, it also showcases art and celebrates various cultural forms of India.
Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of Culture also addressed the attendees on the occasion. He said, “India’s recognition is in its dense culture. Presence of the Vice President on the occasion of the inauguration of first International Kala Mela is an expression of his desire to spread the fragrance of India’s diverse culture in each corner of the world.”
The Minister of Culture also congratulated CS Krishna Setty, Administrator, Lalit Kala Academy and his entire team for organizing such a great fair.
“This is for the first time that the Akademi has planned the International Kala Mela at such a large scale. It is going to prove a boon to especially those artists who cannot afford to exhibit their works of art in private art galleries. With a firm commitment to the art fraternity, the Kala Mela will be a great delight to observe the paradigms of the contemporary nuances of the modernistic trends in art,” said Setty in his welcome speech.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by folk dance presentation by Karunadasa Olaboduwa Dance Troupe, Sri lanka and ‘Sargam’ Kathak recital by Pandit Harish Gangani’s team, India.
With a total of 325 exhibition stalls, this festival, which has participants coming from countries like China, Venezuela, Peru, Portugal, Sri lanka, Poland, Tunisia, Mexico, Bangladesh, Trinidad Tobago, Fiji, France, Papua New Guinea, Czechia, UK, Spain and Brazil, will be open for public till February 17.