Tata Trusts launches 'Kalapana’, a festival promoting art forms of India

‘Kalapana’ provides an otherwise inaccessible platform in metro cities to showcase the talents of groups and organisations that are supported by Tata Trusts in their effort to preserve, promote and perpetuate contemporary and traditional art practices and craft forms from across the country.

The two-day event will kick-off on the lawns of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Kala Ghoda of Mumbai and will showcase three performing arts as well as 10 craft organizations from different parts of the country.

The participating performing arts organisations include Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts (Contemporary Dance) from Bangalore; Dhrupad Sansthan (Indian Classical Music) from Bhopal; and NINASAM (Theatre) from Shimoga District in Karnataka. Heritage craft forms such as Handloom Weaving, Embroideries, Leather craft, Dhokra Metal, Natural Fiber Craft, and Folk Art among others, will be exhibited at the venue.

The Media, Arts, Crafts and Culture portfolio of Tata Trusts concentrates attention on conserving India’s heritage and those who embody it and has focused on three main areas — conservation-related projects, encouraging traditional and contemporary forms of performing arts and helping to sustain livelihoods based on crafts and more recently has worked in the area of art education.

"Kalapana was conceived as a two-way celebration," says Deepika Sorabjee, Head, Media, Arts and Culture, Tata Trusts, “To show the work of all the organisations and artists supported, by Tata Trusts and how these choices are made. Hopefully, this Kalapana – imagination - will grow in many ways, but in this first event, performing arts and craft are highlighted. Theatre rooted in language and community, Dhrupad passed on to a new generation that has taken roots not only in the country but around the world, and contemporary dance that has harnessed the talents of a newer generation in India, are the three presentations this time. This multiplicity of art forms is apt – it is the portfolio’s intent in reaching out to precarious traditions as well as seeking innovative new forms. ‘Imagine the arts’, is Kalapana’s byline, that asks the audience and patrons of art, to participate with the artists and the Trusts, to imagine a more involved engagement with the diversity of arts that we are so privileged to have in our country.”

‘Kalapana’ will also showcase a curated group of craft organisations who have worked in remote outposts of the country to revive and contemporize some of India’s finest handicrafts.

“The intent,” said Reshma Anand, Head Strategy, Partnerships and Crafts, “through this event is to establish a platform for artisans to connect with craft patrons, share their stories and their inspiration for their signature designs. The trend towards sustainable, local products in an increasingly globalised world has opened significant possibilities for artisanal products crafted in India. ‘Kalapana’ is the Trusts’ contribution to this movement”.

Speaking on the importance of preservation and awareness on these arts and crafts, Tara Sabavala, Associate Director- Tata Trusts said, “For Tata Trusts support of the Arts has not only been a part of the mandate defined by the founders, but intrinsic to building communities in a holistic way; our interventions are designed not only to preserve our rich heritage but also to integrate art into the present and learn from the past in order to define the future.”

‘Kalapana’ will be showcased on Jan 7th and 8th at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Kala Ghoda.