The sixth edition of Abhivyakti – The City Arts Project, an initiative by the UNM Foundation of the Mehta family’s Torrent Group, showcased a vibrant blend of artistic and cultural expressions on Friday evening.
As part of a special arrangement under the Foundation’s UJAAS initiative, 35 residents from Shantiniketan Old Age Home in Adalaj, Ahmedabad, were treated to an outing at Abhivyakti. They attended a mesmerising Indian classical dance performance by Asmita Thakur titled Vi-Ka-Vi-Bu: Vinaash Kaale Viparit Buddhi. The residents expressed their delight and gratitude for the performance, which left a lasting impression on them. This marks the second such group visit, following an earlier one on 29th November.
The evening opened with soulful Carnatic music and offered a diverse array of art forms, including puppet theatre, experimental theatre, musical satire, mushaayra, spiritual dance, and Indian classical dance. The performances took the audience on an artistic journey across India, showcasing cultures from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bengal, and Goa, alongside traditional classical themes.
Artists from cities such as Jaipur, Pune, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Goa, and Kolkata brought to life the spirit of Abhivyakti, a platform that transcends boundaries to celebrate art in its myriad forms.
True to its ethos of fostering creativity and learning, Abhivyakti also offers workshops for aspiring artists. A three-day dance workshop led by Buskman, themed Embracing Freedom Through Movement, began on Friday. Open to art enthusiasts through registration, the sessions run from 4 pm to 6 pm, encouraging participants to explore freedom of expression through dance.
The festival features thought-provoking visual art installations, inviting visitors to reflect on themes of nostalgia, detachment, and identity.
- Childhood Memories: Visual artist Sanjaykumar Rajwar evoked nostalgia with his installation, featuring origami paper planes. Visitors were encouraged to create their own paper planes, reconnecting with the joy and creativity of childhood. Rajwar believes this act rekindles a sense of accomplishment and imagination, reminding viewers of carefree moments from their past.
- Unfiltered Rest: Atharv Karkare, a visual artist from Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, presented an installation featuring sleeping figures symbolising detachment and simplicity. The sculptures invite viewers to pause and experience the present moment, free from pride or pretense. Karkare’s work urges individuals to embrace stillness and reconnect with their authentic selves.
- The Authenticity of Human Surface: Sculptor Suraj Kumar Sahu explored human identity through terracotta works. His installation celebrates the human surface as a reflection of deeper truths, balancing vulnerability and resilience. Sahu’s pieces encourage viewers to connect with the emotions and stories embedded in his sculptures, offering a journey of self-discovery.
Performance Schedule for 7th December 2024:
| Venue | Artists | Theme | Art Form | Time |
| Amphitheatre – GU Campus | Jaimil Joshi | Borderlands | Dance – Contemporary with classical vocabulary | 07:15 pm |
| Auditorium – GU Campus | Tushar Sharma | 99 Days | Theatre – Humour & Drama | 07:15 pm |
| Manch – GU Campus | Smit Bhatt | Thappo | Music – Contemporary | 07:15 pm |
| ATIRA | Munaf Luhar | Ishq Ke Saat Maqam | Music – Indie / Contemporary | 07:15 pm |
| Platform GU | Sarthak Dubey | Busknation | Dance – Street Performance – Hip hop | 08:30 pm |
| Platform ATIRA | Ajaaz Shaikh | HOW THIS, HOW THAT!!! | Theatre -Clowning | 08:30 pm |
| Amphitheatre – GU Campus | Rahul Kanthariya | Charan Kanya | Theatre – Experimental Puppet Theatre | 09:30 pm |
| Auditorium – GU Campus | Anupa Pota | Betha Garba by Sharnam Vrund | Music – Traditional Folk | 09:30 pm |
| Manch – GU Campus | Dhara Rughani | Dhaag Samvad | Dance – Contemporary & its sub forms | 09:30 pm |
| ATIRA | Debjani Chatterjee | Vastra: Necessity, Dignity, Identity | Dance – Bharatnaytam | 09:30 pm |
Abhivyakti continues to serve as a dynamic platform that brings together artists, audiences, and diverse cultural expressions, creating a confluence of creativity and inspiration.
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