Art, films and plays flow this monsoon weekend in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is brimming with music, theatre, art, films and talks. From powerful stage performances to thought-provoking conversations, rare exhibitions and timeless cinema. Dive into stories, creativity and culture across the city till Aug 24. 

1. Kalasmruti Monsoon Festival

• Music: Moj-E Shankara (Aug 22, 7 pm)

Kalasmruti Monsoon Festival 2024 brings you ‘Moj-E-Shankara’, a semi-classical music experience from ‘The Shankara’. 

Artists : Aman, Deep, Purnima, Vandana, Priyanshi, Hiren, Vedant, Niraj, Anand, Arjun, Pathik

• Varsad: Virah Ane Vhal Ni Rutu (Aug 23, 9.30 pm)

It is a talk show by Gujarati writer Jay Vasavda.

• Play: Astoma Sadgamay  (Aug 23, 7 pm)

Theatre Peoples Jamnagar will present a special play ‘Astoma Sadgamaya’, written by Mihir Rajda and directed by Jay Vitthalani.

• Talk: Hyaday Ma Ram Ane Kalam Ma Krushna (Aug 24, 6.30 pm)

This is a talk show with well-known Gujarati author and national award winner scriptwriter Raam Mori and Head of Digital at GSTV Tushar Dave.

When: Until Aug 24

Where: Kalasmruti, GSTV campus, beside Iskcon temple, Bodakdev

2. Exhibition: Santhal Heritage Stories

This exhibition showcases a compelling body of paintings that have emerged from “Preserving the Untold,” a year-long collaborative project by Bridging Culture and Arts Foundation (B-CAF) with Artisans. Focused on endangered oral traditions of the Santhal community, this project breathes new life into rarely documented stories through the lens of Patachitra painting and natural pigment-based practices.

The works on display result from immersive residencies, where Santhal storytellers, traditional Patachitra artists, contemporary visual practitioners and ethnographers came together in co-creation. Rooted in extensive fieldwork and supported by the Botanical Survey of India, the project revived organic pigments and traditional colour-making techniques, reconnecting Santhal art to its ecological and cultural origins. This includes the birth story of Pilchu Haram and Pilchu Buri, seasonal songs, oral histories, and traditional ecological knowledge passed down through generations.

When: Aug 22 (10-11am, 11-12 pm, 12-1pm)

Where: L D Museum, opposite L D Engineering hostel, Navrangpura

3. Film: Matisse from MoMA and Tate Modern by Phil Grabsky

Matisse from MoMA and Tate Modern is a documentary capturing an exhibition of Henri Matisse’s works at the Museum of Modern Art and the Tate Modern. The film offers insight into Matisse’s life with the help of actors Simon Russell Beale and Rupert Young. The footage features behind the scenes clips and special guests including gallery directors Nicholas Serota and Glenn Lowry, musician Courtney Pine and ballet dancer Zenaida Yanowsky.

When: Aug 22 (5 pm)

Where: Arthshila Ahmedabad, 2G, opp AMA, Ambawadi

4. Play: Return to Filastin

Scrapyard-The Theatre & Freedom Theater in association with The Freedom Theatre and Rhaen Basera is presenting a powerful play that explores Palestinian resilience amidst decades of occupation, displacement, and human rights struggles.  

Originally created by Micaela Miranda and adapted by Savan Zalariya, this production stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people, shedding light on their enduring spirit in the face of ongoing adversity.

When: Aug 23 (8.30 to 9.30 pm)

Where: Rhaen Basera, Mumatpura, Billionaire Street,

5. Play: Humare Ram

Humare Ram is a monumental theatrical production that has captivated audiences across India with its innovative portrayal of the epic Ramayana. Since its premiere, the play has successfully staged over 200 performances in more than 20 cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, attracting an audience exceeding 500,000 attendees. 

Prestigious venues such as the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), Siri Fort Auditorium, Kamani Auditorium, Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA have hosted this grand spectacle, underscoring its widespread acclaim.

The production features a stellar ensemble cast, with Ashutosh Rana portraying the iconic role of Ravan, Rahull R Bhuchar as Prabhu Shree Ram, Danish Akhtar as Lord Hanuman, Tarun Khanna as Lord Shiva, Harleen Kaur Rekhi as Mata Sita, and Karan Sharma as Surya Deva. The original soundtrack is enriched by compositions from celebrated artists such as Ashutosh Rana, Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam, and Kailash Kher, elevating the theatrical experience to a grand musical spectacle.

When: Aug 23 & 24 (3.30 pm or 8 pm)

Where: Auda Auditorium, Shela

6. Play: Manav Kaul’s Park

Written by acclaimed playwright Manav Kaul, Park is a thought-provoking and symbolic Hindi drama set entirely on three benches in a public park. 

The play explores the conflicts and conversations among three distinct characters — Uday, a mentally unstable man; Madan, a strict, idealistic school teacher; and Nawab, a man burdened by his past and personal tragedies. What begins as a trivial fight over a place to sit slowly unfolds into a deeper reflection on identity, territory, loneliness and the human condition. With minimal set and maximum emotion, Park becomes a metaphor for life — where everyone is looking for their own space, their peace and their bench.

This play is directed by Nirav Vegda, an accomplished theatre practitioner, actor, director, and founder of Karnavati Kala Kendra in Ahmedabad.

When: Aug 24 (8.30 pm)

Where:  Prayogshala, Ashram Road

7. Exhibition: Illusion 2.0

Illusion 2.0 is a Solo Art Exhibition by Hemali Parmar. Experience a captivating journey of textures, colours, and emotions through her latest works.

When: Until Aug 24 (4 to 8 pm)

Where: The Art Gallery, Amdavad ni Gufa, near CEPT University

8. Film screening: Howl’s Moving Castle

Ahmedabad Anime Screenings brings to you Howl’s Moving Castle.

It is Hayao Miyazaki’s animated journey where fantasy meets heart . Whether it’s Howl’s quiet charm, Calcifer’s fiery spirit, or the spellbinding story that draws you in, this is an experience made for dreamers of all ages.

When: Aug 24 (4.30 pm)

Where: Prayogshala, Ashram Road