Mumbai all set to celebrate Kabir festival

The much awaited fourth edition of the annual Kabir festival begins in Mumbai today and will go on till Sunday, January 12.

In the course of five days, the festival organisers have planned 26 events at 18 venues spreading across south, central and suburban Mumbai and Thane. The performance line-up at the festival that is being organised by Shabdam, an NGO working towards preservation of the Indian arts, literature, music and theatre, includes classical dance acts, storytelling and recitation and concerts spread across various genres of music from Hindustani Classical, Folk, Baul to Rock-reggae and gospel music.

"Every year we try to bring something new to the audiences through our festival. This year has a multiple sessions on the sufi poet Amir Khusrau. There will be a musical narrative of his poetry. Also, Dr Sunil Sharma, Professor of Persianate and Comparative Literature, Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature at Boston University will conduct a session on Amir Khusrao’s wisdom and sufi poetry," says Falguni Desai, festival co-ordinator.

When asked about the response to the festival over the past four years and the buzz it creates Desai says,“We are always wired for it, you can’t imagine how great it feels to be coming back year after year to a larger audience. This is a community festival and is based entirely on the efforts of our volunteers. It's one of a kind.”

The festival kick starts at Sophia Polytechnic, Peddar road at 2pm today with the screening of Anjali Monteiro and KP Jayasankar's film Do Din Ka Mela.

The events are open to all and don't have an entry fee.


Click here for festival schedule http://www.thekabirfest.com/2014/schedule.php



Festival highlights:


•Film: Do Din Ka Mela
Directed by  Anjali Monteiro and KP Jayasankar, the movie is about two Meghwals, a pastoral Dalit community that lives on the edge of the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. The film is a two day journey into the music and everyday life an uncle-nephew duo. The movie is in Kutchi and Gujarati with English subtitles.

Date: January 8

Time :2.00pm - 4.00pm
Venue: Sophia Polytechnic, AV Room, Social Communications Media Dept., Breach Candy

 
•Lecture: Hazrat Amir Khusrau by Dr Sunil Sharma
The session is a discussion of Amir Khusrau’s worldly wisdom and his sufi poetry. 

Time: 6.00pm– 7.00pm

Date: January 8

Venue: The KR Cama Oriental Institute of Oriental Studies, 136, Mumbai Samachar Marg Opp. Lions Gate

 
•Music: The Flameshot Fakirs; Devnarayan Saroliya and The Tipaniya Boys
The event will see a unique collaboration between reggae music and Kabir’s poetry.
Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Date: January 8
Venue: Society for Awareness, Harmony & Equal Rights (SAHER), Ganesh Maidan, Janashakti Police Chowki, Opp Malabar Hotel Jogeshwari (East)

 
•Music: Laxman Das Baul; Sonam Kalra and The Sufi Gospel

This one of a kind session will have artiste entwine Baul Music, a traditional music form from Bengal Sufi and Gospel music.
Time: 7:00pm-9.30pm
Date: January 8
Venue: In Association with Inner Courtyard at YB Chavan Pratishtan Hall, Opp Sachivalay, Nariman Point


•Music: Padmashri Prahlad Singh Tipaniya

This session will be conducted by Padmashri awardee, Prahlad Singh Tipaniya, a folk singer who performs Kabir bhajans in the Malwi folk style from Madhya Pradesh.
Time:7.00pm-9.00pm
Date: January 9
Venue: Sangeet Mahabharati, 10th Road, Opp. Amitabh Bachchan’s Bungalow, Juhu


•Dance: Rama Vaidyanathan (Bharata Natyam), Music by Parvathy Baul

This session will have Rama Vaidyanathan perform to well known Parvathy Baul's live music.

Time: 7.00pm-10.00pm
Date: January 10
Venue: Ramakrishna Mission, Vivekananda Auditorium, 12th Road, Khar West