Festivals

FESTIVALS: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ARTISTIC SPLENDOUR

by Vinta Nanda February 1 2025, 12:00 am Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins, 17 secs

Salim Asgarally, Deepa Gahlot and I experienced Mumbai's vibrant heartbeat at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2025—where heritage meets creativity across 300 events, 15 verticals, and dazzling installations in a grand silver-themed celebration. Vinta Nanda writes…

Photography: Vinta Nanda

The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2025, Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street arts festival, celebrates its 25th anniversary with a silver-themed edition from January 25th to February 2nd. Held in South Mumbai's iconic Kala Ghoda precinct, this free-entry festival features over 300 events spanning visual arts, heritage walks, theatre, music, dance, and workshops across 15 verticals. Visitors can explore unique art installations, indulge in handcrafted goods, and savour culinary delights from local vendors. As a cornerstone of Mumbai's cultural calendar, KGAF attracts art lovers, tourists, and families eager to immerse themselves in a dynamic celebration of creativity. Don't miss the chance to be part of this unmissable arts extravaganza.

Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street arts festival, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF), is back for its 25th edition, transforming Mumbai’s iconic heritage precinct into a vibrant canvas of arts, crafts, and creativity. Running from January 25th to February 2nd, 2025, this year’s theme is fittingly titled ‘Silver’, commemorating a quarter-century of unparalleled artistic celebration. Organized by the Kala Ghoda Association, KGAF has evolved into an annual pilgrimage for art lovers, performers, and curious minds from across the globe.

With over 300 events spread across 15 verticals and 25 venues, the festival offers an incredible array of experiences. From heritage walks through South Mumbai’s historic streets to live performances of dance, theatre, and music, KGAF showcases the richness of India's cultural heritage alongside modern, cutting-edge creativity. Visitors can also explore workshops, cinema screenings, visual arts exhibitions, food stalls, and urban design installations that reflect the festival’s ever-expanding artistic vision.

But let’s face it—KGAF isn’t something you can absorb in a single visit. Even if you spend all nine days, the festival’s magic refuses to be exhausted. Every visit is a sensory overload of colour, creativity, and humanity. It’s a tapestry of experiences woven together by art and community, an energy that keeps both artists and audiences coming back for more each year.

A Day in Kala Ghoda: Art, Food, and Discovery

To truly immerse ourselves in the festival’s atmosphere, we decided to spend a day savouring all that Kala Ghoda has to offer. We arrived in South Mumbai under the cool, crisp January sun. First on our itinerary was a leisurely lunch on the Radio Club veranda, where we gazed at the anchored boats dotting the Arabian Sea. The gentle sea breeze, mingled with the excitement of festival-goers filling the streets nearby, was the perfect prelude to a day filled with artistic discovery.

After lunch, we strolled over to Flurys, a cherished spot for pastries and coffee. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and buttery confections was comforting, grounding us before we plunged into the sensory overload of Rampart Row, the festival’s main artery. This stretch transforms each year into a carnival of stalls and installations, with artists showcasing a kaleidoscope of works—handcrafted jewellery, painted pottery, textiles, and more.

This year, the installations took inspiration from the festival’s theme, ‘Silver,’ and were centred around one recurring motif: horses. These stunning models, creatively reimagined in various forms and materials, paid homage to Kala Ghoda’s iconic equestrian statue.

Some installations dazzled with intricate metallic detailing, while others embraced playful, avant-garde aesthetics. Each piece invited contemplation and wonder, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers eager to capture the magic through their camera lenses.

As we wandered through the stalls, we couldn’t resist indulging in a bit of retail therapy. I found myself marvelling at the ingenuity of local artisans whose works reflected a blend of tradition and modernity—a hallmark of the festival’s ethos. From handcrafted sarees and quirky home decor to contemporary art prints, the stalls offered treasures for every taste.

A Festival of Connection and Creativity

What makes Kala Ghoda Arts Festival special isn’t just the art itself; it’s the people who bring it to life under the leadership of the director Brinda Miller. The festival creates a unique space where artists, audiences, and communities converge to celebrate creative expression. The streets buzz with conversations—artists sharing stories behind their work, visitors exchanging festival tips, and performers like Geetu Hinduja taking a moment to mingle with their audience.

In a world that often feels fractured, KGAF serves as a reminder of art’s power to unite. With each passing year, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival continues to redefine what a street arts festival can be. Its 25th edition is a silver jubilee of stories, colours, and imagination—a tribute to the artists, dreamers, and visionaries who have made it a cornerstone of Mumbai’s cultural landscape. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned festival-goer, KGAF makes you lose yourself in the magic of art.