The Shankaraa Foundation, an open art space on Kanakapura Main Road, is organising its third edition of Soma-The Festival of Arts from September 30 to October 2. The three-day celebration will bring in classical dance forms, folk idioms, music concerts, theatre, visual arts and utilitarian crafts along with gardening and pottery workshops. “Our art fest is the weft-and-warp of our spiritual tapestry to celebrate Navrathri,” said dance choreographer Rashme Hegde of the Shankaraa Foundation.
On September 30, during the Durga procession, youth from the Jeevanotsava team will perform folk forms of Karnataka. The Jeevanotsava team, selected by the Association for Voluntary Action and Services (AVAS) led by Anita Reddy, are from the urban poor communities who have shown an inclination for art.
“While AVAS is constantly on the look out for talented children who need encouragement in art, the Shankaraa Foundation trains them in the folk idioms of Karnataka in its special Summer course, Rashmi comments.
“The Jeevanotsava youth are professional performers today and they are all trained in North and South Karnataka folk forms such as dollu kunita, pooje kunita, nandikol, kamsale, suggi, soma, tamate and hulivesha to help them be connected to their heritage. This is a win-win situation, as the art survives as the children learn and the earn and learn scheme of the AVAS trust supports them financially for their education,” she adds
On October 1, classical dance forms such as yakshagana and kalaripayattu will merge for an ensemble “Parashakthi” choreographed by Rashme. Sand artist Raghavendra Hegde will simultaneously be creating his interpretative patterns.
Talking about the festival Rashmi, who took to choreography 20 years ago says, “I am trying to bring in Devi or Shakthi in all her forms from dawn to dusk. While the exercise will take off with mohiniyattam and would bring in Ardhanarishwara or Bhuvaneshwari. The martial art form kalaripayattu would be used to depict Karnataka’s exemplary women of shakthi such as Onake Obavva of Chitradurga or Kittur’s Rani Chennamma. The spiritual fervour of Akkamahadevi’s vachanas in Odissi musical form will be another feature while the finale will showcase Chamundi in yakshagana to suit her vibrant temperament.”
There would be stalls that selling fresh produce, hand made collectibles and many experiences that invite people from all walks of life to congregate and celebrate the diversity and the richness of the State.
The evening activities will include ‘Buffalo Back’s collective’ a compassionately-curated farmers market supporting the concept of family farmers. The farmers’ co-operative will bring in organic and millet recipes apart from tracing where your food comes from, cooking tips and meal ideas.
In My Dream Garden, expert Manikanth will conduct sessions on natural farming, organic pest management, composting and natural farming techniques to grow vegetables, herbs and fruits. If terrace gardens are more your cup of tea, you could attend Shankaraa and Manikanth’s special workshops.
