• Arts / Culture

Kala Ghoda Art Kart (KGAK) from December 10, 2021 to Nov 30, 2022

• nationalherald
• December 18, 2021

KGAF’s Kala Ghoda Art Kart promises artisans a yearly global platform to help them beat pandemic loss

by Prashant Kapadia/NHN

The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) is back this February, and the Black Horse is a hi-flier with the theme Udaan. The celebration is as much about experiencing art as it is about playing patron to them. This year, in a bid to boost the economic recovery of the pandemic-affected local artisans and craftsmen, the Kala Ghoda Art Festival has come up with The Kala Ghoda Art Kart (KGAK) from December 10, 2021 to Nov 30, 2022.

A specially curated online marketplace by the Kala Ghoda Association, the aim is to bridge the gap between communities and small-scale craftsmen producing authentic art spread across India. “Our endeavour through the Art Kart, is to bring the unique stories and creations of the craftspeople to the fore. The Kala Ghoda Art Kart will run through the year, and will not limit itself to just the nine days of February when the art precinct converts into a vibrant artistic haven,” says Brinda Miller, Hon Chairperson, Kala Ghoda Association.

Kala Ghoda Art Kart will have a range of stalls offer everything from cloth jewellery to pet scarves, Shirts and knickknacks for the home, made by India’s skilled yet oft-forgotten craftsmen. From the total of 500+ applicants, a rich group of gifted, eclectic folk artists from across the country, the selected 50+ will showcase their work at Kala Ghoda Art Kart. “Many of the stalls exhibitors on the site are exclusive and from different states of India. We incline toward craftsmans and designers over enormous retailers, and look for eco-friendliness and contemporary utility value in the collections, with a focus on traditional Indian art styles,” avers Brinda Miller.

So all the visitors will have intricately hand-embroidered footwear from Hisar in Haryana, sarees print made from dry leaves, bags from plastic waste in Ahmedabad, and wind chimes and lamps made from dried bottle gourd and paper in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh to name a few.
Som this year, we get to see on a global platform, individuals and collectives that still retain the traditional weave and utilize conventional expressions, plans and artwork in more current utilitarian organizations that are made more appropriate for present day metropolitan living.
“Green and climate/animal amicable associations are additionally urged to display. We at KGAK are continually able to help the individuals who help we all in improving this world a spot,” concludes Brinda Miller.