CARNIVAL spirit

Like The previous outings, this year too floats by Government College of Art students are the main attraction

Mona

Popular Japanese cartoon Doraemon perched on MIG Bison jet, GSLV-Mk III-M1 with the face of Wing Commander Abhinandan on the side, Santa Claus trailing behind Vallabhbhai Patel… Chandigarh Carnival 2019, which opened on Friday, is an eclectic mix of the old and new. Like its previous outings, this year too, floats by Government College of Art students are the main attraction.

Solve it

Let Us Free by Paramveer Singh and Anil Sindhu, an installation at Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi arena, attracted huge numbers. Done with bricks and steel, locks and keys, it invited observers to become part of it by unlocking the locks on the bar, which the artist duo labelled ‘social evils’, by picking up one from among the hundreds of keys. “Things might look complicated, but it only takes a few tries to unlock it,” beams Paramveer. “Ours is also a sound installation – aiming at freedom of speech,” pitches in Anil.

Write note

If the performance area was dominated by Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi’s colourful presentations – yog, dhol, folk songs and dances, ITBP All-Women Pipe Band had its own share of audience requesting Bhedu pako bara masa – a folk tune from Uttarakhand.

Performers dressed as Hanuman, Shiva and Krishna, to folk artists in their colourful attire, there is a lot to cherish. Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi has roped-in author Kaana Singh. She’s not only there with her books in Hindi and Punjabi, but will also be conducting writing workshops. Writing for the last three decades, she says, “Main bachchon ke liye nahi likhti, bachchi ban kar likhti hoon (I don’t like for children, I like a little girl).”

Musical note

Artists were lined up for visitors who fancy a temporary tattoo or painting. There are stalls to cater to different choices. One can pick up a few art pieces or do a quick workshop in crafts. Inderjeet Gorkha’s stall has old gramophones and records. Listening to Bhanwara Bada Naadaan Haay from the film Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Madhu Kashyap shares, “These are original studio recordings, as one can listen to each instrument clear and distinct, which is something missing from modern technology-assisted music.” Since its Chandigarh Carnival, one can sure pick up city memorabilia from the Chandigarh Tourism’s stall.

All in all looks like an old world meets new; a kid sharing cotton candy with granny to a father-son taking turns to throw a ring to win a juice carton and much more.

mona@tribunemail.com