The Jaipur Navras 2018 Arts Festival comes to an end

31-03-2018

The third edition of the annual performing arts fetival of Jawahar Kala Kendra, NAVRAS has come to an end on the evening of last Sunday with a stunning performance by Rajasthan Roots Caravan, a band based in Jaipur. The swansong by the Jaipuri band was an exploration into Rajasthan's rich folklore.

The artists of Rajasthan Roots Caravan had rendered popular song numbers such as Radhe Radhe and Pallo Pallo and many more. These were reported as being specially picked up by them through their travels. The performance included everything in it ranging from fire breathers, khurtals and a drum circle of nagras to dhol beats and kalbeliya dance.

Along with the Jaipuri band, a play titled Mahadev Bhai presented by Ramu Ramanathan was also staged. The play was an attempt by the writer to comprehend Mahathma Gandhi's principles and thoughts, as based on a daily diary maintained by Mahadev Bhai, the protagonist of the play. Bhai had jotted down in his diary a great number of letters to and by the Mahathma, as well as banter, conversations, discourses and lectures. A style of lively narration interspersed with humour was assumed by the playwright.

The festival had presented a diverse and rich treat of theatre, dance forms of classical and contemporary styles, and classical, sufi and fusion music. The festival had commenced on 17 March alongside Dhamaal, an Indian traditional drumming celebration, with a heartwarming performance curated as well as directed by Aneesh Pradhan, a renowned percussionist.

Other outstanding performances that highlighted the event included a movement and digital art combination, Thari - The Loom by Bhina Vinyasa of Attakalari and Padma shree Malavika Sarukkai, Naseeruddeen Shah's Ismat Apa Ke Nam, Manav Kaul's Shakkar Ke Paanch Daane, Yuki Elias' Elephant in the Room and Vivek Kenkre's Ek Madhav Baug (all theatre performances), Jaytheerth Mevundi-Niladri Kumar team's morning ragas and Sonam Kalra's innovative presentation Partition: The Stories of Separation.