Crafted with love

Avanti Kalagram is an arts village, located in Mulshi valley, and overlooking the Khamboli dam. Spread over six acres of land, it lies in close vicinity of Rajeev Gandhi IT and Biotech Park at Hinjewadi. There are six art and craft studios and works by award winning artists are featured there.

A wooden artwork at Avanti Kalagram

The village was built for the state's artisans, dancers and theatre artistes. It is a government recognised project.

Deepak Bachal, who is the founder of this project, says, "Art is a journey towards rejuvenation. Avanti Kalagram is a concept transforming into reality.

Some of the artworks at Avanti Kalagram

We will be holding workshops/symposiums where national and international artists and sculptors, along with our member artists, will work together for a week.

A first of its kind Siporex carving workshop will be held in this village and will be conducted by sculpture maker
Dinkar Thopte."

An artist working on a sculpture in the village

The venue also boasts of a sculpture park that displays sculptures and murals and an art gallery to display the
works done by the members. There is also a well-equipped industrial workshop.

Bachal adds that they also have a free residential and studio facility for budding artists. In the open air theatre their plan to conduct live performances by traditional artistes, such as Dombari, magician and Folk dances.

Says sculpture artist Dinkar Thopte, "I'm happy to conduct a workshop here as this is a very interesting place. I will be teaching clay modelling, and cement molding, etc.

Artists at work

There will be four- five basic things that I will tell the people to do so that they can make basic sculptures, at least."

Bachal concludes that post this workshop, they will be conducting workshops every week to encourage artistes of all art forms from Maharshatra.

Transport facility from Pune and Mumbai is available from the junction at Wakad.