Avid Learning @ Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024

Avid Learning @ Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024

Avid Learning continues its enduring partnership with the country’s largest multicultural spectacle with the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2024 (20th January - 28th January). Starting from 2011, Avid Learning has been a longstanding collaborator and supporter of the KGAF.

Under the leadership of CEO, Avid Learning and Member, Kala Ghoda Association’s Executive Committee Asad Lalljee, Avid Learning has curated a diverse array of programs under different verticals creating unique experiences for festivalgoers.

Under this year’s theme, UDAAN, signifying progress and limitless aspirations, we will curate the Workshops vertical bringing together some of the biggest national and international filmmakers, visual artists, authors, creative consultants, and multi-instrumentalists leading specially designed workshops for both young adults and adults. Under the verticals of Literature and Urban Design & Architecture, Avid Learning will present two intriguing conversations to be moderated by Asad Lalljee.

Join us for an extraordinary journey of creativity and discovery as we soar together reaching new heights.

Origin of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

Established on October 30th, 1998, the Kala Ghoda Association aims to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the art district in Southern Mumbai known as Kala Ghoda. Renowned for its concentration of heritage buildings, museums, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and educational institutions, the district is a hub of artistic expression. In 1999, the Association introduced the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF), a pioneering nine-day multi-disciplinary street art festival, the first of its kind in Mumbai. The festival's primary goal is to foster arts, crafts, and cultural heritage, with funds raised contributing to the restoration of historical buildings and landmarks. Today, KGAF has become a significant event on Mumbai's cultural calendar, drawing artists, performers, and visitors from far and wide. KGAF 2024 eagerly anticipates celebrating the theme 'Udaan' in collaboration with the Mumbai Festival, a cultural extravaganza by the Government of Maharashtra.

Story of the Kala Ghoda Sculpture

The iconic sculpture that lent its name to the Kala Ghoda precinct dates back to the mid-19th century when the Prince of Wales visited this area during his Mumbai visit. Philanthropist Albert Abdullah David Sassoon and a Jewish businessman collaborated to build the sculpture, portraying the Prince in military attire, mounted on a horse with a sword. Originally situated at the junction of DN Road, MG Road, and Rampart Row, the accumulation of black patina on the original bronze sculpture led to its popular name, 'Kala Ghoda,' meaning the black horse.

However, in 1965, the original sculpture was relocated to Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan in Byculla. The current statue in Mumbai's bustling art district was installed in 2017, redefining the symbol that once characterized the area.

Avid Learning’s Association with KGAF

Avid Learning has been a proud collaborator with KGAF for over a decade. Avid's association with KGAF commenced in 2011 with 'Avid Spectrum,' an engaging program that explored and shared various aspects of art, culture, heritage, and literature through both theoretical and practical presentations. The next collaborative project was Multipolis Mumbai, which brought together industry experts to discuss and reflect upon the changing landscape of Mumbai across sectors such as architecture, music, food, theatre, fashion, environment, literature, innovation, and film. Avid has also curated numerous engaging literary discussions at KGAF over the years, and it continues its programming through collaborations across various verticals.

Avid Learning at KGAF 2024

Voyage of Learning - Workshops Curated by Avid Learning

A diverse range of meticulously curated, hands-on immersive workshops, spanning from traditional to modern techniques, as an integral part of this year's KGAF Workshop series. These engaging sessions are scheduled from the 21st to the 28th of January, taking place across locations

All Work and No Play - Panel Discussion

An intriguing discussion under Literature Vertical  that sheds light on the contemporary landscape of fostering creativity, emphasizing the integration of playfulness as an inherent quality within modern corporate environments.

The Making of the Museum - Panel Discussion

A dynamic discussion unravelling the intricacies of museum design, exploring elements such as space planning, accessibility, circulation, restoration, lighting, security, and the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into creating a museum space that is both engaging and functional.