The Water Festival will take place at ‘Adalaj ni Vav’ on Sunday, November 24, 2024
16th November 2024, Ahmedabad: This year, Crraft of Art celebrates 15 years of reviving India’s heritage through its unique initiatives. The much-awaited Water Festival at the historic Adalaj Ni Vav stands as a testament to this enduring legacy. The festival, having a broader theme of “Drums of India”, will come alive with the harmony of traditional rhythms and the dazzling ambience of this architectural marvel, once again highlighting Crraft of Art’s commitment to “Celebrating Monuments with Music”. Founded by Bharatanatyam and folk dancer Birwa Qureshi, Crraft of Art has spent the past 15 years reintroducing India’s historic landmarks to a modern audience, particularly engaging younger generations.
Through its unique blend of music, lighting, and ambience, Crraft of Art breathes new life into historic monuments, allowing visitors to experience them in their pristine grandeur, reminiscent of their glorious past. The festival is designed to evoke the essence of India’s rich heritage of art, architecture, and folklore. Birwa Qureshi, Founder, and Artistic Director of Crraft of Art, said, “We are delighted to be back with the Water Festival at Adalaj Ni Vav for a joyous celebration of music, heritage, and history. Crraft of Art has dedicated the last 15 years to bringing historic monuments to life through music festivals, allowing the audience to experience their beauty and culture amid soulful performances by celebrated artists. As always, the essence and the flavour of the evening will be in the rhythmic sync of the audience with the performing artists and the glowing monument.”
The Water Festival is set to enchant audiences with captivating performances from a star-studded lineup of national and international artists against the backdrop of the stunning Adalaj Ni Vav. Tabla Maestro Ustad Fazal Qureshi will lead the music ensemble with his table mastery, carrying forth his family’s legacy in the world of Indian classical percussion. Adding to the rhythm will be Vijay Prakash on vocals, known for his soulful renditions and award-winning performances, alongside Dilshad Khan on the sarangi, Sridar Parthasarathy on mridangam, and Uma Shankar on ghatam. Other featured artists include Navin Sharma on the dholak, Vijay Chavan on the dholki, Khete Khan on khartal, Sangeet Haldipur on keyboard, Gino Banks on drums, Sheldon D’Silva on bass and Rhythm Shaw on guitar. The evening will also feature performances by the Veergarjana Dhol Tashe Pathak and the Purulia Chhau Dance Academy. Sandhya Mridul, celebrated for her presence across television, film, and theatre, will host the event, adding her unique charm to the festival.
The evening will not only showcase breathtaking performances but also present Adalaj Ni Vav in an entirely new light. Through creative lighting design, Crraft of Art will highlight the intricate architecture of the vav, adding to its grandeur and mystique. Entry to the Water Festival is by invite/registration only on a first-come, first-served basis. Music lovers can register for the Water Festival for free on bookmyshow.com. With a background in interior design and dance, and married to Tabla Maestro Ustad Fazal Qureshi, Crraft of Art’s Founder and Artistic Director, Birwa Qureshi, has spearheaded Crraft of Art. Her background and music in the family, in a creative synthesis, gave birth to Crraft of Art, through which for the past 15 years she has been blazing a new trail in taking historical monuments to the people. Crraft of Art remains steadfast in its mission to reconnect people, especially the younger generation, to monuments, and through them the essence of the country’s rich heritage in the form of art, architecture, craft, history, and culture.
This initiative has the blessings and support of the Archaeological Survey of India, ASI, the iconic institution that preserves, conserves, and curates the monumental heritage of the country. Over the past 15 years, Crraft Of Art has presented 35 heritage festivals, mainly at heritage sites in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The festivals have received critical acclaim for the quality of events, selection of artists, richness of lighting experience, overall form of presentation of the monuments, and a new awareness of societal participation in heritage education and conservation. Tens of thousands have been reached and included in this celebration of India’s glory.
