The Kabir Festival, Mumbai
Inspired by the Kabir Project, the Kabir Festival in Mumbai is spearheaded by a documentary film maker Shabnam Virmani who has traveled a great deal with folk singers who sing the great poet and Saint Kabir’s composition. After traveling with such legendary folk singers for six years, there were four documentary films that were made by him. There are many other renditions of other musicians who have shown the works of Kabir with the help of music, art and other forms.
The Kabir Festival is a festival that is held across Indian cities and also internationally. The festivals are held with a common link of screening of the documentary films made by this erstwhile famous director. There are talks, discussions, and debates by many important speakers across the country. Live music concerts and other such perfomances by classical as well as folk singers are the main features of the festival. There are works of local artistes, opinions and views of other artists, fresh ideas by such performers and there are the collaborative efforts of innumerable organizations that are seen here in this festival.
The Kabir Festival, Mumbai tries to introduce Kabir’s message in society and focus on how it is very important to apply these teachings of the great saint today. Even though he has given these teachings much earlier, the principles are well applied in today’s life. By screening his films, we are able to make a connection with the poet and then the discussions that are had later become a more interchange of views and ideas. There are story telling sessions for the young children. So the whole ideal is to understand the message and awareness of Kabir’s principles. The festival is open for all and is usually had on a first come first serve basis.
This year too, the function is going to be held in the month of February. Starting from 17th February, the festival showcases a lot of works of all kinds of artists. On the 17th February from 10 to 12 in the morning, you would have Shabnam Virmani, Bhavari Devi and Namrata Kartik in discussion at the Shishuvan School Auditorium and this is being organized in conjunction with the Shishuvan School at King’s Circle in Mumbai.
The same day between 7 to 9 in the evening a discussion is scheduled between Mooralal Marwada, Namrata Kartik and Shabnam Virmani at the Yeshwant Chavan Auditorium and this is being organized in conjunction with the YBChavan Auditorium and the “Inner Courtyard”.
On the 18th February between 10 to 12 in the morning, there is a Satsang with Folk musicians at the IDC at IIT Bombay in Powai and this is in conjunction with the IDC Department of the IIT Bombay. The same day from 6 to 10 in the evening there is a performance by Prahladji Tipanya Moorlala Marwada, Mukhtiar Ali, Krishna Kumar and Bhawari Devi. The venue is the Gyan Sagar Amphitheatre at Borivali.
On the 19th February there is another performance at the D G Khetan International School from 10 to 12 in the morning. The artists are Prahladji Tipanya and Mukhtiar Ali. They would be performing at 7 to 8 in the Carter Road Amphitheatre too.
Then Krishan Kant Kumar, Bhawari Devi and Mooralala Marwada would be having a performance from 10 to 11.30 in the morning at the Village, at Raghuleela Mall, at Vashi.
Then at 6 in the evening till 10 at night at Carter Road Amphitheatre in Bandra West and in conjunction with other artists there is a performance. You have Prahaladji Tipanya, Mooralala Marwada, Mukhtiar Ali, Krishna Kumar and Bhawari Devi on this day.
