From cool music festivals and new venues to eclectic cultural experiences, the city can expect a rejuvenated arts calendar in 2023
Saba Azad at the Delhi edition in December 2022
By Tanishka D’Lyma, Shriram Iyengar, Sukanya Datta and Sammohinee Ghosh
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Drive time spectacle
Coming in: January
The first BMW Joytown at the MMRDA Grounds in BKC will witness a mix of automobiles, performances and music. Vikram Pawah, president, BMW Group India, says, “It is India’s first-ever music and driving festival specially designed for automotive enthusiasts.” The festival will feature a lineup of events including go-karting, automotive releases, motorrad riders and some of the best indie musicians in town.
Pic Courtesy/Instagram
Lolla up for a grand debut
Coming in: January
Last year, Lollapalooza announced its debut on Indian shores. One of the biggest musical events this month, the Mumbai edition at Mahalaxmi Race Course will be headlined by Imagine Dragons (in pic, below) and The Strokes. International names such as Greta Van Fleet, Zhu and Japanese Breakfast will add a touch of exclusivity to the two-day experience.
Wowed by Van Gogh
Coming in: January
One of the most awaited art exhibitions comes to the city on January 20 — Van Gogh 360. Experience the details and nuances of the impasto technique in Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings including the iconic Starry Night, Sunflowers and the Dutch painter’s self-portrait on larger-than-life screens. Viewers can dip into this immersive and interactive experience at The Arcade Shopping Centre, World Trade Centre in Nariman Point, where paintings will be projected, accompanied by music, cutting-edge technology and various other multimedia formats. The show will be open till February 17, 2023.
(From left) Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, John McLaughlin, Ganesh Rajagopalan and V Selvaganesh
Shakti returns
Coming in: January
The magic quartet of Ustad Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, V Selvaganesh and Shankar Mahadevan sent fusion fans into a tizzy with their announcement of a reunion late last year. Founded in 1974, the fusion band will make its 50th anniversary India tour with a stop at NSCI, Worli in January. With the addition of Ganesh Rajagopalan (of the Ganesh Kumaresh duo), the hybrid group will bring back the sounds that inspired a generation of musicians.
Spider-Man cosplay at a previous edition
’Cos we play
Coming in: February
Comic Con returns to the city with its 10th edition to celebrate your favourite characters and series from across comics, television, movies, anime, and gaming. Slated to be held on February 11 and 12 at the Jio World Centre, it will offer fans a chance to interact with India’s best cosplayers and creators, buy merchandise and play games. Jatin Varma, founder, Comic Con India, says, “The main motto is to unite the Indian pop culture community and give all aficionados a stage to share their enthusiasm.”
A woman from the fisherfolk community in Chimbai Village
Meet the Bandra buggers
Coming in: February
The first edition of Living Villages Festival begins with a two-day Bandra edition on February 25 and 26. Founder Shormistha Mukherjee shares, “The festival aims to showcase communities and suburbs, not in the way they’re mapped for tourists but through the people and their culture.” To be held at venues across Bandra, here, participants can interact with communities from localities like Chimbai, Ranwar and Chuim with shared meals, guided tours, art installations and a boat ride with fishermen.
An artist’s vision of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre
Cultural invasion in BKC
Coming in: March
The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) at BKC will open with a series of events including a dramatic narrative of Indian culture by Feroz Abbas Khan at the Grand Theatre. Ranjit Hoskote and Jeffrey Deitch, former director of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), will curate Sangam Conference; alongside an exhibition on Indian fashion by Hamish Bowles.
Mindful of words
Coming in: March
Ballard Estate’s IF.BE has a contemporary literature festival, Litmus in the pipeline, scheduled for June. It will focus on the scope of spoken word performances, film screenings, workshops and music.
In the creative lab
Coming in: March
Harkat Studios is offering filmmakers and creators with a public lab and theatre space through memberships and residencies. Co-founder Michaela Talwar shares that they are also planning a photochemical exhibition, as well as a pan-India festival. “It will celebrate contemporary and fusion dance performances as well as classical dance,” she adds.
Young and the curious
Coming in: TBA
Led by Tanvi Jindal Shete, The Museum of Solutions in Lower Parel is a children’s museum that will encourage kids to be curious and mindful through interactive experiences. The curation will tackle diverse themes from well-being to sustainability.
Bombay meri jaan
Coming in: Post June
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya will expand to include a new gallery that will pay tribute to the city’s identities and people. Opening later this year, the gallery will house mementos and artefacts that invoke the narrative of the individuals and communities who helped to build the grand metropolis.
Lillete Dubey
An epic return
Coming in: TBA
Back in 1998, JAYA, a musical on The Mahabharata, ran housefull for 40 shows. Directed by Lillete Dubey, the musical production blended Western music, Indian classical forms to bring alive the epic. “From Shyam Benegal to Yash Chopra, people were blown away when it opened. It’s a big production and needs time and patience as it includes ballads, blues, choreography, kalaripayattu and folk dance. I’m trying to revive it,” she confirmed.
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