Abhivyakti – The City Arts Project is set to return to Vadodara for its third edition, promising an exciting line-up of performances in theatre, dance, and music. Organised by the UNM Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Mehta Family of the Torrent Group, the event will take place at the Alembic Art District from January 17 to 19, 2025.
After the resounding success of its earlier editions in Vadodara in 2023 and 2024, Abhivyakti aims to continue its legacy by offering six curated performances to the city’s art lovers.
The performances are designed under the theme “Stories from the Soul” and feature renowned curators, including K Sumant in music, Chirag Modi in theatre, and Mansi Modi in dance. The mentors for the event include Rajat Dholakia (Music), Saumya Joshi (Theatre), and Kruti Mahesh (Dance).
The event will kick off on January 17, with two performances. The first, “Swayam: The Voice Within,” will be a Carnatic music fusion by Neelakantan I Krishnan at 7:30 pm. Krishnan, a seasoned Carnatic musician from Vadodara with over 25 years of experience, will explore the 10 avatars of Vishnu through a blend of traditional Indian ragas and contemporary Western styles.
“Each song captures the essence of a specific avatar, from the ancient sounds of Sat-Yug to the modern era of Krishna,” the statement read. The compositions will feature classical ragas, rhythmic syllables, and Western instruments, creating a unique soundscape.
Following this, at 9:30 pm, Tushar Sharma will present “99 Days,” a theatre performance exploring male friendships, fatherhood, and the emotional journey of understanding the father-son relationship. Sharma, an actor, writer, and director since 2017, brings a fresh perspective to ordinary narratives, giving a realistic portrayal of friendship and familial bonds.
On January 18, the evening’s first performance will be “Purushartham,” an Indie musical by Mishal Bhatiya, starting at 7:30 pm. Bhatiya, a seasoned vocalist and composer with over 16 years in the industry, delves into the often-overlooked topic of men’s emotional and mental health. His performance highlights the societal expectations placed upon men and aims to challenge the stereotype that men must suppress their emotions. “Purushartham normalises the expression of feelings and challenges the pressures placed on men to remain emotionally guarded,” the statement asserted.
At 9:30 pm, Gopal Agarwal and Akash Vanzara will perform “Territorial,” a contemporary dance piece that explores the theme of man versus nature. Their performance reflects on how human encroachment on wildlife threatens the natural world. This performance calls for reflection on the need to protect our planet’s flora and fauna to ensure both their survival and our own.
The final day, January 19, will feature two performances as well. At 7:30 pm, Anannya Vaidya will present “Vahi Kahani, Phir,” a modern folk theatre production inspired by traditional Indian folklore. As a debutant in theatre direction, Vaidya explores timeless and forgotten stories of women from across India. The concept touches upon feminism while offering a fresh take on traditional storytelling. Her performance blends folklore with contemporary themes of women’s stories, inspired by ‘nautanki.
The closing performance, “Busknation” by Sarthak Dubey, will take place at 9:30 pm. A raw and energetic street dance performance, “Busknation” highlights the journey of street dancers and their reality behind the spotlight. Dubey’s piece, which draws on various dance styles like Locking, Popping, Hip-Hop, Whacking, and Freestyle, explores the tension between family pressures and the contrasting success of street performances. The production shows how street dancers engage with the crowd, breaking the fourth wall to bring the raw essence of street dance.
All performances will take place at the Amphitheatre, Alembic Art District, Vadodara, and entry is open to all on a first-come, first-served basis.
Since its launch in 2018 in Ahmedabad, Abhivyakti has expanded to cities like Rajkot and Surat. To date, the initiative has featured 1,979 artists and reached an audience of over 6.19 lakh art lovers.
The UNM Foundation’s initiative aims to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of location or socio-economic background, by offering free entry to all performances.
For more details, art lovers can visit www.abhivyaktiart.org or contact the event organisers at 7069104444/7069105555.
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