AAW #150

Look out for a slew of theatre acts this week, including the folk form of Bhavai, a stand-up comedy act by Gujarati comedian Dinkar Mehta and Heritage-centred events.

The 150th edition of Ahmedabad Art Weekly marks a moment of achievement for the people of Ahmedabad. It stands as proof that the people of this city have consistently tried to evoke creativity in others through their creations. As the city celebrates its 607th year, its favourite cultural media platform feels proud to highlight the best of its happenings in Ahmedabad Art Weekly’s 150th week.

This week, in the world of theatre, witness Bhavai, a mix of drama and folk art; look out for some theatre talk and an exuberant Women’s Day performance. Gujarati comedian Dinkar Mehta is sure to leave audiences in splits at his stand-up comedy act, while some thought-provoking art exhibitions have much food for the soul. Heritage takes centre-stage with a Heritage Photo Walk that is accompanied by a conference on Heritage Tourism. Also, don’t miss a screening of Ajji, a film billed as “one of India’s strongest independents this year”, according to Hollywood Reporter.

This week’s creative inspiration is the 18th century Gujarati narrative poet Shamal Bhatt. A figure from the medieval Gujarati literature era, one of his poems profoundly influenced Mahatma Gandhi into evolving the philosophy of satyagraha, of resisting authority through civil disobedience. Bhatt’s Padya-Vaarta (narrative poetry) had to withstand competition from traditional storytelling methods like Puranis and Bhavai. His 26 works of literature were mainly based on traditional Sanskrit tales, and his most prominent works are the fantasy fictions Simhasana Battisi, Vetalpanchvinshanti and Suda Bahoteri. His riddles have wisdom and wit. The Ahmedabad based creator left for his heavenly abode in the mid-18th century in Sinhuj, which is near Mahemdavad today.