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PHOTO: H. Vibhu

ART FROM THE HEART Bridging the gap between rural artisans and urban markets

The melting pot of cultures and peoples that Bangalore has grown to be will be the venue for classical arts, traditional folk arts and western jazz and rock.

“We would like to get more people involved in the Habba. Apart from Hindustani and Carnatic performances at several venues in the city, we are also gong to have an arts and crafts mela at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath organised by Kala Madhyam,” says Padmini Ravi, trustee, Artistes Foundation for the Arts (AFFA).

The KCP campus promises to be a riot of colours not only because of the colourful crafts and dances, but also because the students of Srishti School of Art and Design are curating all the artwork on the campus.

“In a way we would like all the youngsters who come to the mela, and their parents, to see the amount of excitement in the arts. They can see for themselves the possibility of careers in the arts,” points out the AFFA trustee.

Kala Madhyam is a not-for-profit organisation that attempts to bridge the gap between rural artisans and urban markets, to bring folk life into the public domain in all its resplendent beauty and diversity with ‘celebration’ as its continuing theme. Over 200 artisans from 22 states of India are expected at the mela.

Unique arts and crafts from remote villages will on sale — bamboo craft, terracotta, handloom, jewellery, embroidery, jute products, crochet lace, art textiles, blue pottery, murals and leather crafts. Live performances like kathputli dance, Kachi Gohouri and Sapra dances, ghazals, bhajans, Dappu dance, Koya tribal dance, tribal songs, Naga dance, bamboo dance, dollu kunitha, garudi kunitha and pooja kunitha can be enjoyed even as you savour special rural foods in a rustic atmosphere. “The Habba has a very nice format with a mix of cultural, traditional and modern art forms. And all this is going to be free. By being part of these celebrations, we hope to reach out to our large group of wireless customers and all the others and alert them about the celebrations happening in the different parts of the city,” says Venkatesh V, CEO, Mobile Services, Bharti Airtel Ltd. “For the thousands of our young customers the Airtel Bengalooru Habba is sure to be an introduction to the rich arts of India,” he adds.

So be a part of the celebration, sing along with the tribals from Rajasthan, dance the dollu kunitha with folk artistes from Karnataka, and more between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m, till December 4 at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath.

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