Networking with a Cultural Twist - ‘The Culture Grind’

Visualize the rooftop Shamiana of a life-sized Haveli flaunting with beautiful traditional décor, graceful folk dancers performing right in the centre of a grandeur hall and skillful artisans practicing their artistry; Pinch yourself, as it is not a fancy wedding, or a royal retreat or even a crafts haat; astonishingly it is, in fact, an astounding corporate networking event.

We all are thoroughly aware of the mainstream networking event with an old-school tedious corporate set up sophisticatedly arranged in homogeneous luxury hotels, but DoubleO, which is a city-based co-working space in association with SDG Accelerator decided to twist and tang the event’s commercial scenario by merging it with a bit of art and resulting it in a festive titled ‘The Culture Grind’ at Agashiye rooftop at the House of MG.

Shriya Damani the founder of DoubleO co-working space initiated her venture with a unique vision of creating a community wherein art and business grow together and creators, thinkers, and entrepreneurs amalgamate under a single dome to innovate something fresh every day.

The mesmerizing evening had a lot to offer for its participants to get enriched. High Point here was a 70-year-old enthusiastic woman Sugabibi Shaukatali. She delicately handcrafts intricate yet wooing holy prayer beads (Pavitra Malas) using silk and cotton threads for auspicious occasions. An artist who does the traditional ‘kalam kari’ work was also present at the do.

A city based artiste group, Saiyaara, who specializes in Gujarati Folk Dance (Garba) was called to groove everyone again in the nostalgic Navratri Fever. Their awestruck proficiency, alluring costumes, and variance of dance moves left everyone awestruck. The conclusion for the rest of the evening was delegated to local musician Chirag and Nikhil who guided people into a trance with their soulful fusion of flute and guitar.

We hope that more and more corporate take a leaf out of their page and use distinct cultural and creative assets that Ahmedabad has to offer. This idea would definitely create a win-win situation for all around!

Photographs : Ravi Panchal