Devendra Fadnavis inaugurates the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival with a heartwarming speech

Day 2 of the coveted and iconic Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2016 marked yet another milestone with the book launch of ‘Flavours of Kala Ghoda’, by Nicole Mody ,a recipe book that includes chefs secrets from around the Art District of Kala Ghoda. The book was launched by one of India's most celebrated food critic and personalities, the debonair and sharp Vir Sanghvi on Feb 7th!

However, the highlight was sure to be the inauguration ceremony of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2016 which was done by the man of the hour, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis. The most unique aspect of KGAF 16 is the collaboration between the KGAF and the Make in India Festival. For the very first time in 17 editions, the programming of events at the 9-day Festival at Cross Maidan has been extended to 12 days of dance, music plus food stalls- every evening from 6-17 February- 5-10pm.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, a heartwarming speech was made by both Maneck Davar, Chairman of KGAF 16 and Mr. Devendra Fadnavis. Mr. Davar said that, "This is the very first time in 17 years that a Chief minister has inaugurated the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival and this is surely an iconic moment that will go down in history. The team of Kala Ghoda and the people of Mumbai are grateful to the government who considered Kala Ghoda as a correct platform and we are honoured to be a part of Make in India as that is what the festival is about, Indian arts, culture, food and celebration!"

Mr. Devendra Fadnavis said that, "Mr. Davar said that it is an honour that the Chief Minister inaugurated the festival for the first time in 17 years. But I would like to say that it is the other way round. Mr. Davar, the team of Kala Ghoda and Brinda Miller have started such a momentous festival that speaks for the culture and heritage of Mumbai and its people and I am grateful to them for inviting me. Everyone knows Mumbai is a city of dreams, city of festivities, and in all the colours, there is one colour that one cannot ignore and one that the whole city waits for, and that colour is the colour of Kala Ghoda Festival. It is also special because many times when we speak of festivals, there is a very limited focus on the same but here our entire culture and heritage of Mumbai is all a part of this festival and showcased for the people of the city.

 People of Mumbai eagerly wait for the festival to start in order to enjoy all that it has to offer. I believe that our history is very important and the people who forget their culture and history, they have a present but no future. Mumbai is an amalgamation of so many cultures and people and yet it is a city that gives hopes and dreams to everyone who comes here. The Aam mumbaikar to every person living here to people who have made Mumbai their home from across the nation, I believe the Kala Ghoda Festival is truly for them and I hope that every year, it is celebrated with the same gusto and I am always invited and I would love to be a part of it year after year. If I knew that Amjad Ali Khan was to perform here, then I would not have given any commitment to anyone else but sadly I must take your leave." Mr. Fadnavis then lit the diya and was welcomed with thunderous applause for his excellent speech! Also Present wereVinod Tawde, Minister Culture and Mr. Ashish Shelar, Mumbai President of BJP.

Also present on 7th feb were headliners Ustad Amjad Ali Khan with Ayaan and Amaan who mesmerised the audiences at Cross Maidan. Mr. Bharat Dabholkar also conducted a workshop at KGAF 2016 on 7th feb.