Head to this Gen Z-focused music and art party in Bandra this Sunday

Moments from previous editions of the festival

Do you ever visit art galleries, and feel that the visual pieces sometimes have more to say than to display? Paradoxes after another are slapped on the face, until one is lost for words. On behalf of GenZers, this writer would like things to be simple, straight forward and accessible. Thinking along the same lines, a 25-year-old Romario Rodrigues founded Optikal Asylum in 2019.

"We started out as an experimental party," Rodrigues shares. "Our focus was on visual artists because I found that there was a dearth of opportunities for them. Yes, there were art galleries, but they have always been a gated platform for fine or formal artists. Patrons are also generally from the older generations and like things to be serious and disciplined. Keeping in mind the new generation, our set-ups are always in a club or a café. We provide a platform to graffiti artists and muralists, graphic designers, tattoo artists, and musicians."

The venture completes four successful years this month. To mark this milestone, they will host one of their biggest gatherings in Bengaluru and Mumbai this weekend. "Over four years, we have completed more than 800 bookings for local and international participants, with 63 editions in nine cities across India and Nepal. It hasn't been a smooth ride. The pandemic was one of our major hurdles, but we managed to sail through. There were floods at times, and other instances like the recent heat wave, when we had to cancel or reschedule our events. It is also difficult to ensure that every artist earns enough. We don't charge them rent for stalls or take commissions because we feel that it's unfair to ask them to pay money to showcase their art. We've had our share of ups and downs. And we may not be the first ones to have started a concept like this, but we have surely created a stir," beams the founder.

He further shares that the highlight of their celebration will be the launch of their own record label, AMNAP Records. "It stands for Always Make Noise and Party," Rodriques reveals. Among the line-up for this event are famous visual artists Santanu Hazarika and Mooz, tattoo artist Epoc, and musicians like Kidsquidy, Kaali Duniya, Oceantied, Yung.Raj, Polo Lilli to get the party going.

On: August 27; 4 pm to 1 am
At: Veranda, Pali Hill, Bandra West
Log on to: insider.in
Cost: Rs 499