“Abhivyakti – The City Arts Project”, is the brain child of Sapna Mehta, director of the U N Mehta (UNM) Foundation. Over the past six years, this vibrant extravaganza infused the Ahmedabad city with artistic fervour, championing emerging artists and elevating the cultural landscape of the city. The 15-day cultural festival, which offers free entry, features a diverse array of performances and art installations from all ages, celebrating creativity, diversity, innovation and community spirit while drawing large crowds daily.
Introduction
What began at Sanskar Kendra and Tagore Hall in Paldi with a modest lineup performances and installations blossomed into a landmark event. Today, Abhivyakti (which means expression) spans multiple values, attracting audiences in lakhs. More than 400 artists participated in the First Five Editions, which received over 3,500 applications, premiered 290 projects, and attracted over 3 lakh people in total. At the outset, the goal was straightforward to foster talent, make art accessible, and revive Ahmedabad’s longstanding passion for the arts.
The sixth edition of “Abhivyakti – The City Arts Projects”, which began on November 21, 2024, has drawn 1.89 lakh visitors till now, with the number expected to touch 3 lakhs by the last day on December 8, 2024. 50% of the 96 performers that are playing in this edition are from outside Gujarat.
Performances & Art Illustrations
The humorous, sarcastic CL performance “How this, How that!!” is presented by Thaikaar Theatre, that includes actors Pritesh Acharya, Jigar, Ajaaz Shaikh, Het Panchal and Amit Thakkar. Wild experiences and unrestrained hilarity are promised on this rollercoaster trip.
In Vahi Kahani Phir, a compilation of women’s tales based on music and folklore, Anannya Vaidya made her directorial debut. Vaidya’s play, which brought the buried stories of common women to life, examined feminism and the craft of storytelling with a contemporary twist.
Rangbhoomi Na Sadabahar Geeto by Rajoo Barot preserved theatrical folk traditions while making it accessible to modern audiences through a fusion of traditional and new music. The audience was enthralled by his use of both Western and traditional instruments.
Karthik, representing The Open Chennai, made his debut as a shadow puppet performer at Abhivyakti. Kartik said, “We learned about Abhivyakti from a fellow artist, and this platform gave us immense exposure. People did not know about shadow puppetry in Gujarat, and seeing our native art form appreciated so widely heartwarming.” He performed ‘The Wolf Man’, narrating a story connected to observing the nature with conscious awareness of the ecological sustainable balance. Using shadow puppets, ‘The Wolf Man’ creates a captivating shadow world where the audience can immerse themselves in it.
Neelakantan I Krishnan gave an enthralling rendition of Carnatic music. In his performance “Swayam: The Voice Within,” he used a distinctive fusion of modern Western music and traditional Indian music to examine the ten incarnations of Vishnu. From the ancient sounds of Sat-Yug to the contemporary era of Krishna, each song encapsulated the spirit of a particular avatar. The compositions created a complex and inventive soundscape by combining a variety of musical components, such as Western instruments, rhythmic words, and classical ragas. Renowned authors explore the concepts of compassion, wisdom, humility, and strength connected to the Vishnu avatars in the lyrics.
Dipak and Bhoomiti Prajapati introduced contemporary dance and Neo-Classical ballet. Ballet dancer Dipak and Kathak dancer Bhoomiti explored sensory detachment and rejuvenation in their performance of “Panchtatva-The Symphony of Senses“. With the aid of a mentor and the five elements of nature, the protagonist of this moving performance shut off from the outside world and set off on a voyage of self-discovery. This captivating work offers a poignant depiction of sensory regeneration and reconnection with the outside world by fusing dance and symbolism.
Kadam Parikh, a Kathak dancer, presented a performance inspired by a famous Gujarati medieval poet named Premanand’s “Aakhyan.” He explored the epic’s emotional depth in his “Kathak Aakhyan-Abhimanyu Parv” using elaborate motions and moving narration. The story highlighted the Mahabharata character Abhimanyu’s unspoken tales. Despite just having a brief 16-year lifespan, Abhimanyu rose to fame and is still remembered today.
“The Carnival of Death” was the title of a Dark Comedy & Absurd play that Ivan Khan of Ujjain performed. It told a satirical story about existentialism and the problem that surrounds it. It discusses the ridiculousness that people experienced following COVID-19, as well as the increasing frequency of conflicts, deforestation, and global warming.
“Gol Chashma” is a folk-fusion performance that Arif Mir has organized. “Gol Chashma,” which drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings, examined how applicable Gandhiji’s teachings are to the modern world. Through music, it offered a distinctive viewpoint that emphasized how interconnected all people are. Through Gandhiji’s eyes, the musical presented the world, showcasing the harmony and beauty inherent in all facets of existence. It inspired us to accept his lessons and put them into practice, which resulted in a more contented and significant existence.
A period drama on the narrative of one of the most hospitable rebels in history, “Jogidas Khuman-Ek Sant Baharvatiyo,” whose rivalry with the king of the former Bhavnagar State is still remembered with reverence and kindness, was reenacted by Deval Vora and Asif Ajmeri. Their production told the real story of the Kathiyawad hero who spent 25 years fighting for his rights and became a saint. Folklore was used to tell the story, and performers performed live songs, dance, and music.
Kiran Panchal and his colleagues introduced the idea of “Marzi Mushayra,” a comedy and musical show that combines audience-driven challenges, humor, and traditional poetry recitation. Because of this, the event was enjoyable and lighthearted. The emphasis in this format was on wit, sarcasm, and humor in addition to poetic expressiveness. “Marzi Mushayra” discussed humor in relation to social issues, everyday life, and amusing exaggerations.
One of the visual art works, “Glimpses of Past in Present,” by Rajani Bhosale, invites us to reflect on our history, present, and future by taking us on a temporal trip. Her work explores the fine line that separates the preservation of our natural heritage from human advancement. According to Bhosale, we frequently disregard the equally significant lives of the birds that occupy our places, even as we work to preserve ancient structures. She challenges us to think about how our actions affect the environment and to acknowledge our duty to live in harmony with nature through her powerful imagery.
“Time Flies and Memories Fade,” a moving examination of loss using handcrafted floor tiles and bird imagery, was on display by Chetan Solanki. The artist uses Persian and Indian miniature traditions to create evocative images, which are inspired by his memories of Gujarat’s Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. Solanki asks viewers to reflect on the impermanence of life and the connections between our feelings of loss by fusing conventional techniques with contemporary materials. By directing the audience on a personal journey of introspection, Solanki uses his work to elicit empathy and insight.
Through her provocative sculpture, artist Tanya Sharma‘s art installation “Hide and Seek” takes spectators on an engrossing voyage of self-discovery. Her work challenges our preconceptions and asks us to look beyond the familiar. She aims to reveal hidden realities and enable viewers to face their own prejudices by revealing the intricate fabric of the human psyche. Tanya thinks that her work has the power to inspire audiences to embrace uncertainty and set out on a path of self-discovery by acting as a catalyst for personal development and transformation.
The goal of the UNM Foundation of Mehta Family’s Torrent Group’s Abhivyakti – The City Arts Project is to make art a vital component of society by providing free admission to audiences regardless of their location, personal or social barriers, or socioeconomic status. The sixth iteration of Abhivyakti will take place between November 21 and December 8, 2024. This year, 50 performances will be given by 49 performers. A further 47 artists will design and set up 46 visual arts.
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