Kala Ghoda Art Festival in Mumbai

The largest art festival in India, the Kala Ghoda Art Festival Mumbai is the place where you feel the truest form of art and culture coming out alive. It is an annual festival that goes on for 9 days in February. Every year, the festival starts on the first Saturday of the month and runs through the second Sunday making a complete 9-day long event.

Quick History

This art festival started in 1999 and without a doubt, it is one of the most awaited festivals every year. The festival includes many events such as music concerts, panel discussions, art exhibitions, film screenings, heritage walks, workshops and more. Apart from these events celebrating the rich art and culture, the festival also provides a platform for artists to showcase their talents and creative potential.

The Kala Ghoda Art Festival in Mumbai has been evolving since the beginning. It has grown in stature and popularity, attracting visitors from all over the world. This festival is organized by the Kala Ghoda Association, an NGO that was formed with an idea of giving back to society. This iconic festival is the biggest in the thriving megapolis of Mumbai.

Organized to Protect Heritages

India is a manifold country in art and culture which can be seen across the festivals that the country celebrates. Kala Ghoda Art Festival is one such festival to preserve the heritages of South Mumbai. This festival has been organized by Kala Ghoda Association, an NGO that was formed with an idea of giving back to society. The money accumulated is sent for the restoration and maintenance of the area of South Mumbai.

Kala Ghoda Art District & Heritage Architecture

Within Kala Ghoda Art District, the festival takes place. The boundaries of the district can be outlined from Regal Circle at the southern end to Mumbai University in the northern end; from Oval Maidan to the west and Lion Gate to the east. In this art district, you can find rich architecture and a blend of Indo-Saracenic, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Classical styled heritage buildings.

The architectural wonders inside the Kala Ghoda Art district include the David Sassoon Library, Elphinstone College, Bombay University, Jehangir Art Gallery, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Prince of Wales Museum, and the Army and Navy buildings. In recent years, Kala Ghoda Art Festival has expanded beyond Kala Ghoda crescent, where the events are being held in the Cross Maidan and Horniman Circle as well.

Major Activities and Attractions

Kala Ghoda Art Festival features twelve sections as the visual arts, cinema, theatre, dance, workshops, literature, music, urban design and architecture, street section, food, heritage walks and a different section for children. Here you can witness the vibrant spectrum of culture, traditions, and colors. This is a compelling enchantment for every art connoisseur and from heated literary and social discussions, and from flawless visual art to the handmade crafts, this festival has it all.

Taste Different Cuisines

Notable artists and groups perform classical, contemporary and folk genre performances in the festival. One of the most popular sections in the festival is the culinary section where your taste buds will be teased with live food demonstrations on different types of cuisines by well-renowned chefs.

See about Top 10 Mumbai Street Food

Watch Street Performances

The street performance section in the art festival is also what draws the crowd where you can see India’s myriad genres attract all the eager spectators. You can witness shows like kachhi ghodi, nat kartab and bahuroopia performances at the Rampart Row and Cross Maidan.

Enjoy Cinema Events

Cinema-lovers also enjoy the line-up of events, screenings, and exhibitions at Kala Ghoda Art Festival. The events in art festivals are not only for adults but also for family and children. The lively spirit of the festival is the inclusivity and there are a number of activities for children also.

Funny Activities for Kids

Here the children are exposed to fun literature and there are workshops that teach everything from tribal music and dance, painting, writing, science-based activities, to making balloons and solving math puzzles. The themes of Kala Ghoda Art Festival change every year and unique sections are introduced every year at the festival.

This festival is quite inclusive and people from all walks of life, no matter what social or economic strata, are welcomed. This festival gives cultural exposure to people who do not have access or the opportunity to enjoy the vibrancy and diversity of art.

Kala Ghoda Art Festival is popular among the youth and during the festival, you can see almost everyone with selfie sticks, clicking pictures and having fun. One of the advantages of visiting this festival is that you will get a positive platform for the emerging talents or who are just starting out. The festival also beautifully preserves the heritages of Kala Ghoda area and spreads the culture to other parts of India.

Tickets & Timings

This festival has 150,000 visitors or beyond and one of the reasons for such popularity is that there is no entry fee for the festival. Sometimes the events are houseful and if you are not able to register, you can arrive sometime before the event at the venue. The timings of Kala Ghoda Art Festival are from 10 AM to 10 PM.

On the weekends, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is quite crowded, mostly in the evenings. Also, the security checks are quite strict. If you have bags with you, it will take longer to enter the festival venue.

These are some tips that can make it easier for people to visit the art festival:

1. If you are not a local from Mumbai, it is best to book accommodation early as the hotels and lodges can fill up soon.
2. Wear comfortable clothes as the weather during the time of Kala Ghoda Art Festival is springy and breezy.
3. Carry your cameras to capture all the colorful displays of art, culture, and food. You would not want to miss all the views around you.

How to reach there?

To reach Kala Ghoda, the closest local train station, if you’re planning to travel by train, there are two stations named the Churchgate and CST.

The distance from Churchgate Station to Kala Ghoda Fort is just 1.3 kilometers if you want to reach the place by walking. However, if you catch the bus number 137 from Ahilyabai Holkar Chowk, which is just 350 meters from Churchgate Station. The short 3-minute journey will end at Mumbai Vidyapeeth also known as Hutatma Chowk and from there, after another 350 meters walk, you’ll reach the venue.

When in Mumbai, take an auto rickshaw or a taxi for such a short distance. The bus fare is around Rs. 10 and an auto rickshaw or taxi will charge you nearly Rs. 50-100.