It’s that time of the year again when art lovers from all over the country visit their favourite festivals which showcase brilliant and original art and its forms. 2017 saw some really memorable art festivals and 2018 will continue the legacy. Moreover, the year promises to unveil new artists from all over the world, which were not seen before.

India Art Fair

India Art Fair is the leading platform to discover modern and contemporary art from South Asia and a portal to the region's cultural landscape. Taking place annually in the capital city of New Delhi, India Art Fair reflects the fast-developing arts scene in the country, while offering curated insights into the cultural landscapes of neighbouring states. The fair's programme - which draws together galleries and artists, private foundations and arts charities, artists' collectives, national institutions, cultural events, and festivals - enables international audiences to engage in innovative ways with the cultural history and development of the region.

India Art Fair attracts visitors with an interest in the arts, from curators, artists, collectors, journalists, gallerists, and critics. While some visit to acquire art, others view the fair as an exhibition or an enjoyable cultural outing.

Date: 9 — 12 February 2018
Venue: NSIC Exhibition Grounds, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi
For more information: http://indiaartfair.in

^{Source: Youtube}
Sensorium

Sensorium is an annual arts festival founded by Dattaraj V. Salgaocar and Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi and produced by the Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts. It brings art from various disciplines under a single roof that allows for exchange, creativity, and innovation. In their first edition, they looked into the intersection of photography, art, and literature. In the second edition, Sensorium celebrates theatre, music, and art, partnering with seven of India’s premier galleries and showing works from the likes of A. Ramachandran, Mithu Sen, Anju Dodiya, Roger Ballen, Rana Begum, Anita Dube among other artistic greats.

“The festival is different from the last edition because the present theme looks at how conclusions begin commencements, and how what we perceive as the end actually are starting points for us,” says Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi. “To help us realize this idea we have the support and vision of over 30 national and international artists who have come to us thanks to the participation of blue-chip galleries. Plus, we have always envisioned being ‘small but serious’. So, ours is definitely not a tamasha".

Date: 12 — 14 February 2018
Venue: Panaji, Goa
For more information: http://www.sgcfa.org/sensorium.php#event

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

February is also the month for the legendary Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai which will be held from 3rd to 11th February. From its inception in 1999, the Festival has grown in stature and popularity, attracting visitors and participants from other parts of the country, and the world. The Festival is organized by the Kala Ghoda Association (a non-profit organization that states its objectives as ‘physically upgrading the Kala Ghoda sub-precinct and making it the Art District of Mumbai’ and curated by teams handling each of the 12 sections of the festival.

The festival sections are visual arts, dance, music, theatre, cinema, literature including children's literature as a subsection, workshops, heritage walks, urban design and architecture, food, a dedicated section for children, and a vibrant street section including stalls selling eco-friendly, handmade arts and crafts wares. Entry to all events is free to all (only restricted by the size of the venues) and costs are met through corporate sponsorship.

Date: 3 — 11 February 2018
Venue: Fort, Mumbai
For more information: http://www.kalaghodaassociation.com

While major festivals occur in the month of February, there will be more festivals coming in the following months such as The IPF Hyderabad, which is an initiative of the Light Craft Foundation, a photography festival to begin from 30th August and a biennial exhibition on the best of contemporary international art, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) to be held in Hyderabad in December.