Ever imagined a musical performance echoed by the backdrop of India’s stunning, ancient monuments? Or perhaps a heritage festival that delves into the finest details, bringing art, music, and craft to life at the heart of these historical sites? Relive India’s history like never before at the ‘Water Festival’, set to captivate audiences at the breathtaking Adalaj Ni Vav in Ahmedabad on November 24th 2024.
With a core purpose of reintroducing monuments, Crraft of Art’s ‘Water Festival’ is taking place at the pristine 15th-Century Stepwell ‘Adalaj Ni Vav’, immersing you in the depths of this architectural marvel’s beauty and showcasing its intricate details through innovative lighting and captivating performances. The festival aims to inspire a generation of heritage enthusiasts, especially the youth, and promote the preservation of India’s cultural legacy. Read further to know more.
BeatCurry Team
CRRAFT OF ART
Crraft of Art aims to rekindle interest in India’s rich monument heritage, particularly among younger generations. Recognizing the growing disconnect and receding interest in our monuments, the initiative blends iconic monuments with music, art, craft, history, and culture to create immersive experiences that bridge the gap between the past and the present.
Great Tank, Sarkhej Roza. Picture Courtesy of Crraft Of Art
Founded by Birwa Qureshi, Crraft Of Art has organized heritage festivals at iconic monuments like Sarkhej Roza, Adalaj Ni Vav, Bhadra Fort, Teen Darwaja, Rani Ki Vav, Khan Masjid, Sun Temple, Champaner, Ellora Caves, Dada Hari Ni Vav, and the ancient excavated site of 5000 years old Dholavira. These festivals have garnered critical acclaim for their high-quality events, curated selection of music and musicians, and innovative use of lighting to highlight the monuments’ architectural grandeur.
Rani Ki Vav, Patan. Picture Courtesy of Crraft Of Art
Celebrating 15 years of curating high-quality heritage festivals, Crraft Of Art is renowned for showcasing national and international artists and uniquely presenting India’s monuments through top-notch production and immersive lighting. By featuring diverse musical genres like folk, classical, Sufi, jazz, fusion, and experimental, Crraft Of Art offers unforgettable cultural experiences.
ADALAJ NI VAV
A world-renowned architectural marvel, Adalaj Ni Vav is a 15th-century stepwell located in the small village of Adalaj, 20KMs north of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Patronized by Rudabai, the wife of the Vaghela dynasty’s chief Virsinh, this stunning stepwell was built in 1499. Laid on a North-South axis, with the well in the North and the entrance in the South, the step well measures 75.3 meters. It is a five storey structure, mostly underground, with three entrances opening into a square platform leading to the stepped corridor at the end of which is the well.
Water Festival at Adalaj Ni Vav. Picture Courtesy of Crraft Of Art
The entrance platform rests on 16 pillars and the built-in shrines with carved balconies form its four corners. The stepped corridor leading to the well, built directly into the water table to ensure water year around, originates at the square platform. The walls of the ‘Vav’ showcase sculptures and ornamentation.
The stepwells served as both a vital water source and a refuge from the harsh sun, providing respite to weary travelers. They were particularly crucial during droughts and periods of water scarcity. As a centrally protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India, Adalaj Ni Vav remains a major tourist attraction in Gujarat.
WATER FESTIVAL
One of Crraft of Art’s signature events over the years has been the ‘Water Festival’, held at monuments such as Adalaj Ni Vav, Rani Ki Vav, and Dada Hari Ni Vav. Blending music and monuments, this year’s theme for Water Festival is set to showcase the rich heritage of the Drums Of India, set to take place at the pristine Adalaj Ni Vav on Sunday, 24th November 2024.
Musicians Set To Perform: Featuring some of the music stalwarts from across India, the event shall have performances by Ustad Fazal Qureshi on Tabla, Vijay Prakash on Vocals, Sridar Parthasarathy on Mridangam, Dilshad Khan on Sarangi, Uma Shankar on Ghatam, Navin Sharma on Dholak, Vijay Chavan on Dholki, Khete Khan on Khartal, Gino Banks on Drums, Sheldon D’Silva on Bass, Sangeet Haldipur on Keyboards, Rhythm Shaw on Guitar, also featuring Veergarjana Dhol Tashe Pathak and Purulia Chhau Dance Academy. The event shall be hosted by Sandhya Mridul.
FOUNDER’S PERSPECTIVE: A SHORT INTERACTION WITH BIRWA QURESHI
Birwa Qureshi, Founder & Artistic Director, Crraft Of Art. Picture Courtesy: COA
1. How have audiences, particularly those accustomed to traditional music venues, responded to the “Music by the Monuments” concept? How does Crraft Of Art differentiate this experience from conventional open-air concerts? What role do the monuments play in enhancing the overall experience?
“The idea behind Crraft Of Art is to reintroduce monuments. These monuments are presented in a unique and engaging way, particularly to younger generations, in a way people haven’t seen before. Our goal is to engage the younger generation, the youth, and encourage them to visit these monuments.
This approach significantly differs from traditional open-air concerts, as it elevates the monument from a mere venue to the focal point of the event. We’re talking about monuments and creating a festival centered around them, drawing people to these sites. It’s an immersive experience that combines music with the architectural legacy of the monument.
I believe this concept has been a unique, unusual and refreshing experience for audiences. As we celebrate our 15th year, Crraft Of Art has successfully executed festivals at over 12 to 13 historical monuments, with the event seeing thousands of people in attendance. This significant turnout is a testament to the fact that people really love and enjoy it, and that they take the effort to visit these monuments, which in most cases are not closer to the city. It takes effort to be there. It’s almost like a movement we have created, that encourages people to explore these historical landmarks, ensuring their continued relevance. The positive reception of this concept speaks for itself.”
2. What are the potential opportunities for scaling this concept? What new avenues, opportunities, and prospects does Crraft Of Art envision exploring while staying true to its core purpose?
“The core purpose of Crraft Of Art is to reintroduce monuments. We have worked with many monuments that have not been so large in scale, that haven’t really been in the public eye. The point here is, our festivals act as catalysts, for everything to come together for the monument, breathing new life into these historic sites. Regarding scaling this concept, there is definitely potential. However, the approach would vary depending on the specific monument you’re thinking about, visualizing and conceptualizing.
I believe that none of the Crraft Of Art festivals were conceived with the intention of becoming large-scale events. We never intend to host festivals at some of the largest monuments, attracting tens of thousands of people. That was never the case. We’ve grown organically, seizing opportunities to work with various monuments as they arose. As and when we got the chance to work with various monuments, we let things progress naturally. I don’t harbor any such ambitions. As long as our work raises awareness and younger generations associate festivals with monuments like Adalaj Ni Vav, that’s the kind of impact that matters to us.”
GETTING THERE
-The shortest route from the nearest airport, Ahmedabad Airport, to Adalaj Ni Vav is nearly 15.3 KMs
-The distance from nearest railway station, Sabarmati railway station, to Adalaj Ni Vav is nearly 11.3 KMs
-The shortest distance from Ahmedabad Railway station to Adalaj Ni Vav is nearly 19.5 KMs.
-The nearest major city is Gandhinagar, which is 10KMs away.
EVENT DETAILS
Day & Date: Sunday, 24th November 2024
Venue: Adalaj Ni Vav, Adalaj, Gujarat 382421
Time: Gates open at 6:30PM. Event starts at 7PM
Registration Link: CLICK HERE to register for the event
In closing, as the sun sets over the historic Adalaj Ni Vav, the ‘Water Festival’ promises to illuminate the night with its enchanting blend of music, art, and heritage. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in a truly unforgettable experience. For more information and to book your tickets, visit the CrraftOfArt website and follow their social media for more.
Courtesy of Crraft Of Art, all information sourced purely for factual reporting purposes only.
Photo Courtesy: Crraft of Art and various platforms sourced purely for factual reporting purposes only.
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