Kala Ghoda Arts Festival Day 7: A Symphony of Conversations, Cinema, and Celebrations

Day 7 of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival unfolded like a carefully orchestrated symphony, blending humor, cinema, music, and wellness across four iconic venues, leaving the audience enthralled by its artistic brilliance.

At the majestic Gateway Room of The Taj Mahal Palace, the event Parsi Punch-Chai-Yat brought together a small, lucky audience of 40 to bask in the warmth of Parsi humor. Hosted by the charismatic Kunal Vijayakar, the session saw the witty camaraderie of Boman Irani, Cyrus Todiwalla, and Cyrus Broacha. Over steaming cups of tea, the quartet shared hearty laughs, anecdotes, and the quintessential Parsi charm, making it an intimate and memorable experience.

At Regal Cinema, cinephiles were treated to two cinematic gems. The afternoon showcased a 4K restoration of Shyam Benegal’s classic Manthan (The Churning). This landmark film, funded by 500,000 farmers who each contributed two rupees, revisited the powerful tale of a young veterinary surgeon igniting a milk cooperative movement in a village. The audience relived the tempestuous winds of change that swept through the rural landscape, leaving them inspired by the film’s enduring relevance.

As the evening descended, Regal transformed into the stage for The Mehta Boys, the Mumbai premiere of Boman Irani’s directorial feature. This poignant narrative delved into the intricate relationship between a father and son, forced to navigate their emotional complexities during 48 tumultuous hours together. The audience left with lingering reflections on the depth and nuances of familial ties.

Meanwhile, at Cross Maidan, music lovers gathered for an evening of strings and soul. The Anupam Shobhakar Trio performed The Rite of Strings, blending classical and crossover music with a contemporary twist. Later in the night, the venue paid a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Pankaj Udhas with Velvet Voice. Renowned artists Sudeep Banerji, Gayathri Asokan, Prithvi Gandharv, and Meenal Jain came together to honor his timeless music, leaving the audience spellbound.

At DSL Garden, wellness took center stage with Keep Moving with Milind Soman. India’s fittest family—Usha Soman, Milind Soman, and Ankita Konwar—joined Roopa Pai in a thought-provoking conversation on staying young in mind and body. They shared their secrets to staying active and motivated, inspiring the audience to embrace wellness as a way of life.

Day 7 at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival truly celebrated the diverse art forms that make life richer, one vibrant moment at a time.