AAW #250

Hello, Yatris. Last Wednesday, our precious city turned 609. Founded on 26^th Feb 1411, the cities legacy still echoes through the old walls and monuments of the city. And on the onset of this new year, we bring our sestercentennial edition of Ahmedabad Art Wekkly, guiding you towards the entertainment hotspots of the city.

First up, The Times Group, in association with Adani, has adorned Amdavad ni Gufa with their Times Art Fest. The exhibition congregates artworks by more than 50 artists from across the country which represents the unique and prestigious heritage of Ahmedabad.

Introducing you to the rich and eclectic culture of Bihar, Bihar’s Art, Culture and Youth Department is hosting a 3-day event in Ahmedabad, titled Bihar Mahotsav 2020.

Surprisingly, and to our benefit, this week brings you a lot of exciting musical performances. Celebrating Sudhir Khandekar’s 75 years of excellence in music teaching and music making, Swar Kalpana presents a performance which features some of his melodious Gujarati songs. Spic Macay, in collaboration with Ahmedabad University, is going to host ‘Yamini’, an all-night Indian classical music concert with an all-women ensemble.

Thirdly, we have Alakh, a venerably aligned traditional & folk music event performed by young maestros, with an aim to get the young audience interested in traditional music forms. Last but not least, we have Jaipur Junction which is a mesmerising blend of Indian folk classical music and indie jazz western drums. Performed by Sarita Rav, a melodious Indian vocalist, and Otto de Jong, a quirky Dutch percussionist, the performance will interpret the robust Indian rhythms with jazzy improvisations.

Join Priyanka Sharma and Janvi Sonaiya, two enthusiastic journalists, in their book review of Freedom at Midnight. So, let’s come together to discuss and debate over our freedom movement, national leadersand the politics at its heart.

For those who seek for a  more visually artistic experience, we have some interesting exhibitions lined up for you. Vishal K Dar has planted a very interesting site-specific sculpture inside the Ambapur Vav architecture. An exhibition titled ‘Rut’, Vishal aims to express an ephemeral being, distortingand mimicking the empty architecture around its reflective skin which emphasises on the water crisis of the hour. Hutheesing Visual Art Centre presents a solo show by Chander Parkash titled ART Synthesis of Real and Apparent which will feature some of his wood and papier mache sculptures. And lastly, Tanuja and Anil Relia brings you a beautiful photography exhibition, titled ‘The Indian Portrait – XI’ which will feature photographs by Jyoti Bhatt that capture his life and his contemporaries through portraits.

An independence movement activist and member of the Indian Parliament, Maniben Patel was one of the most prominent freedom fighter who, from time to time, congregated the women to fight against injustice. Daughter of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, she lived by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and initiated various female protests all around Gujarat. She was also elected as the Vice –President of the Gujarat Provincial Congress Committee and wrote a book titled Inside Story of Sardar Patel: The Diary of Maniben Patel.

For her valour and contributions to our freedom struggle, we dedicate our 250^th Ahmedabad Art Weekly to her.