The third day of the sixth edition of Abhivyakti – The City Arts Project, an initiative by the UNM Foundation of the Mehta Family’s Torrent Group, unfolded a vibrant mix of contemporary, folk, and fusion music alongside experimental folk theatre on Saturday.
A veteran of three previous editions of Abhivyakti, Jaimil Joshi, mesmerised audiences with his performance Borderlands. This act explored the emotional tapestry of human connections across physical borders. Through diverse musical genres, Joshi depicted a spectrum of emotions shared by lives on either side of borders, from fear and division to love and togetherness.
Tushar Sharma’s theatre production 99 Days presented a humorous yet poignant tale of three friends living in an apartment. This slice-of-life drama delved into male friendships and the delicate dynamics of father-son relationships, portraying the value of a father’s presence while reflecting on those who are not as fortunate.
Smit Bhatt’s performance Thappo combined contemporary music and storytelling, inspired by classic tales like Panchatantra and Akbar-Birbal. In an age dominated by screens and dwindling attention spans, Bhatt emphasised the importance of taking a break to reconnect with cultural values. The performance featured children aged 5–12, adding an element of charm and joy for the audience.
Rakesh Wani’s Anant Lay offered a profound exploration of rhythm as a universal force, connecting music, life, and the cosmos. Using everyday objects, Wani created an immersive musical experience, showcasing the omnipresence of rhythm in nature and human activity.
The beauty of Gujarati folk music to life was presented by Ragi Khambhalvi‘s Char Bait Gujarati. Through song and dance, the performance encouraged audience participation, fostering a deeper connection with this traditional art form and making it accessible to all.
In Funambulism, Mansi Modi celebrated tightrope walking—a traditional street art. By bringing street performers to the spotlight, Modi highlighted Abhivyakti’s inclusivity and its commitment to showcasing diverse artistic expressions.
Rajoo Barot’s Rangbhoomi Na Sadabahar Geeto featured a blend of traditional and modern music, preserving theatrical folk heritage while making it accessible for contemporary audiences. His use of both traditional and Western instruments captivated the crowd.
Bhagwat Prajapati’s Dway (A Journey of Eti-Neti) explored dualities like life and death, light and darkness, through the lens of the eti-neti philosophy. The performance revealed how dualities stem from a single void (shunya), inviting audiences to ponder deeper realities.
The Mukt Band’s The Palette of Time blended alternative rock with live foley effects, drawing parallels between changing seasons and human emotions. Musicians Udit Bhavsar, Tarun Gagdekar, and Dhaval Yadav delivered a moving performance that reflected the cycles of nature and life.
Anannya Vaidya made her directorial debut with Vahi Kahani, Phir, a collection of women’s stories inspired by folklore and songs. With a modern touch, Vaidya’s play explored feminism and the art of storytelling, bringing forgotten tales of ordinary women to life.
Among the visual art pieces, Jyotik Bhachech’s The Omnipresent Self redefined selfies as a form of visual art, using reflections and shadows to explore personal expression. Chalapaka Chakravarthy’s Portal to Protection celebrated South Indian rural traditions with an installation featuring turmeric, rice powder, and other ritualistic elements. Simran Yagyik’s This Is Not A Place To Eat portrayed the chaos and nostalgia of middle-class Indian homes, challenging conventional views of dining spaces.
Performance Schedule for 24th November 2024:
| Venue | Artists | Theme | Art Form | Time |
| Amphitheatre – GU Campus | Neelkantan I. Krishnan | Swayam- The Voice within | Music – Carnatic Fusion | 07:15 pm |
| Auditorium – GU Campus | Karthik | The Wolf Man – Fantasy Drama | Theatre | 07:15 pm |
| Manch – GU Campus | Dipak & Bhoomiti Prajapati | Panchtatva –Symphony of the Senses | Dance – Neo Classical Ballet & Contemporary | 07:15 pm |
| ATIRA | Dr Ayswaria Warriar | Tripoothu – Mohiniyattam | Dance | 07:15 pm |
| Platform GU | Tarini Tripathi & Shalmali Zankar | Alokik – Kathak | Dance | 08:30 pm |
| Platform ATIRA | Kiran Panchal | Marzi Mushayra – Humour &Musical Play | Theatre | 08:30 pm |
| Amphitheatre – GU Campus | Kadam Parikh | Kathak Aakhyan-Abhimanyu Parv –Kathak | Dance | 09:30 pm |
| Auditorium – GU Campus | Ivan Khan | The Carnival of Death – Dark Comedy & Absurd | Theatre | 09:30 pm |
| Manch – GU Campus | Arif Mir | Gol Chashma – Folk Fusion | Music | 09:30 pm |
| ATIRA | Deval Vora & Asif Ajmeri | Jogidas Khuman -Ek Shant Baharvatiyo – Period Drama | Theatre | 09:30 pm |
Abhivyakti – The City Arts Project is an endeavor of UNM Foundation of Mehta Family’s Torrent Group, which envisions making art an integral part of the social fabric, by enabling access for audiences without constraint of location, thresholds (physical and individual) and social or economic strata by free entry.
Also Read: Widen Your Reach but Narrow Your Ideology: Two Takeaways of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Results
