December 5, 2021 KalaGram launched Kala Manch in association with the District Administration Gurugram and Municipal Corporation Gurugram.
The event was the curtain-raiser to the month-long weekend event series organised by KalaGram. Renowned artists in dance, music, and theatre performed on December 5th, 11th, 12th at Open Air Auditorium at Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurugram. 19th December the organisation would host its last event of the series. Free entry to the performances makes the platform reachable to a wider audience. KalaGram is a not-for-profit Government Society formed by the District Administration for the propagation of art and culture in its various forms to cater to the diversity of Gurugram.
A truly Kala Manch, free entry to the events made it widely accessible to people of the city. “The initiative would not have been possible without the support of Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram and the Chairman of KalaGram, Dr Yash Garg. His vision and unwavering support made the event possible,” said Shikha Agarwal from KalaGram.
Manjari Sinha, the acclaimed classical music & dance critic, graced the occasion as a chief guest. Other art, music and performing art exponents included singer Jyotsna Rana who swayed the audience with her melodious voice in a musical presentation ‘Sangeet ki Vidhaein.’
At Kala Manch’s opening, renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Priya Venkataraman and Saurav Padhi from Merry Go Round Entertainment were present. They performed over the weekends to celebrate and honour the cultural heritage of our country. Others present on occasion included Subhash Yadav, Divisional Forest Officer, Sohna, and Devender Kumar Bhadana, Executive Engineer (Horticulture).
The art, dance, music and theatre month-long weekend fiesta saw stunning performances. The talented artists of Merry Go Round Entertainment performed a Hindi play, ‘Ashadh Ka Ek Din’, written by eminent playwright Mohan Rakesh. An adaptation of one of the best poetic dramas of Kalidas’s ‘Meghdutam’, the play discussed many issues like the conflict between traditions and modernity, the dilemma and doubts of modern man, the complexities in a relationship between a man and a woman and more.
Priya Venkataraman, an exponent of Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest classical dance forms that originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu, mesmerised the audience with her performance.
She gave an introduction to the dance form: Nritta, Nritya, and Natya’, familiarised the audience with the performance repertoire and nuances of Bharatanatyam through specially curated dance performances. Her dance troupe from Nrityadiksha accompanied her. Watching her chiselled expression and brisk foot and handwork was a treat.
Gurugram got the opportunity to witness the performances of the reigning queen of Kathak, Padma Shri Shovana Narayan, and Meeta Pandit, the scion of the Gwalior Gharana of Hindustani Classical Music. The performances by the stalwarts left the audience asking for more. Kathak dancer Anu Rawal and her students also gave memorable performances.
The initiative is a part of Azadi Ka Mahotsav, a 75-week grand celebration launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to mark 75 years of Independence.
