City’s biggest art festival begins

The Navi Mumbai art festival at Urban Haat in CBD Belapur was inaugurated by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday.

The five-day cultural fest has attracted 200 artists from across the country, who are participating through demonstrations, fine arts, seminars, workshops, dances, fusion performances, food art etc.

The festival will have music and dance performances by distinguished artists and groups ranging from classical to contemporary and Indian folk.

The highlights of the fest include 40-feet-tall live installations, tribal art forms, calligraphy and dance, stone carving, paper art and also photographs by Navi Mumbai journalists.

Speaking on the occasion, Pawar said, “Politicians should ensure that while addressing the civic issues of the people, their intellectual needs are also addressed. Promoting art will help prepare a better society.”

Appreciating the fact that Cidco has supported the fest, Pawar said, “I am pleased that Cidco, along with working on the demand for houses, also paid attention to the craving of the people for art.”

The organisers had kept a canvas for Pawar to draw on. He was taken aback initially, but then went ahead and painted, and even signed on it. The painting will be auctioned and the proceeds will go for charity.

According to Gautam Patole, one of the organisers, “The fest will be a landmark event in the history of cultural events in Navi Mumbai. It will be a mirror reflection of evolution of art forms, as the festival will celebrate every possible art in its diverse forms. Ranging from the conventional paintings to wood carving, from bangle making to live stone carving, from Madhubani tribal art to papier mache, from clay modelling to metal wire art and much more.”

Added Patole, “Aimed at promoting upcoming artists, the five- day festival will showcase best in contemporary and modern art. Several notable artists have made Navi Mumbai as their homes. Also there are various corporate houses stationed in this plant city. The festival will serve as a platform for these artists to showcase the varied art.”