Edition 4
2022
We live in a universe of possibilities that is constantly evolving. Encapsulated within this universe is an abundance of creativity, and spheres of ideas that are waiting to be explored. Each idea represents society and through an artist's creative imagination, we explore the extent of the interdisciplinary art forms. Abhivyakti's goal over the previous three editions had been to find and convey original ideas to the audience, to sculpt and mould notions that broadened perspectives and to bridge the gap between an artist's spirit and the hearts of the audience. In Abhivyakti Edition 4 we wanted to explore the possibilities and curate unique concepts that mesmerized the audience and demonstrated the vastness of art and art forms. Our goal was to show that art isn't one-dimensional. It cannot be contained within the confines of human comprehension. Art is ever-changing, ever-evolving, and it has the potential to change people's ideas as well. It is a tool to promote the thoughts and ideas of its witnesses, as well as a vehicle to express what words cannot. With this thought in mind, Abhivyakti also evolved. In Edition 4, we introduced a new category- Humor, where artists demonstrated their funny side and left the audience in tickles. We provided a platform to the voices, unique ideas and indigenous creativity! Dance, Music, Art, Theatre, and Humor came together to #Expressitloud
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Days of
Preparation
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Artists Spoken to
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Artists Showcased
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Projects During
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Performances
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Visual Arts
Installations
All
Dance
Music
Theatre
Visual Arts
Literature
Mentors
Maulik and Ishira
Maulik Shah and Ishira Parikh are two of India's most celebrated Kathak dancers, renowned not only for their technical mastery but also for their distinctive approach to choreography. They have drawn new audiences to classical dance through productions that balance deep tradition with creative intelligence. Recognised by the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi with the prestigious Akademi Puraskar and designated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, they have performed in over 40 countries and received numerous prestigious honours.
Rajat Dholakia
A National Film Award-winning music composer and sound designer, Rajat Dholakia — known as Juku — has shaped Indian music across genres for decades. Self-taught yet deeply rooted in Indian classical, Western classical and film music traditions, he received the National Award for Dharavi (1991) and Sunday (1992). His introduction of Chhattisgarhi music into Bollywood, including his collaboration with A.R. Rahman on Genda Phool, remains a landmark. He has contributed to over 8,000 films and commercial productions worldwide.
Saumya Joshi
Saumya Joshi is an award-winning playwright, director, actor and poet who has left a profound mark on Indian theatre, film and screenwriting. His iconic play Welcome Zindagi has completed over 1,000 shows in Gujarati and a successful run in Hindi. He also crafted the lyrics for the chart-breaking song Khalasi. His most celebrated work, 102 Not Out, has toured across India and abroad over 600 times and was adapted into a film starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor.
Sharmila Sagara
Sharmila Sagara holds a master's degree in sculpture from the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Vadodara, and brings over 25 years of teaching experience at graduate and post-graduate levels. She has taught at CEPT University and Ahmedabad University, where she helped develop liberal arts programmes. Her research and writing have appeared in art magazines and vernacular publications, and she has curated exhibitions and hosted international art shows in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. She is currently an Associate Professor at Anant National University.
Curators
Bhargav Purohit
Bhargav Purohit is a singer, composer, writer and director whose musical journey is rooted in the belief that quality of lived experience elevates art. From composing jingles and performing live music to film composition and screenwriting, he has received awards that affirm his exceptional talent. At Abhivyakti, he aims to foster genuine dialogue between artists and audiences, creating a space where collaborations push music into unexpected, innovative territory and where new sounds emerge from the intersection of tradition and imagination.
Jaimil Joshi
Jaimil Joshi is an established dancer, fashion choreographer, line producer and creative director who has mastered the art of expression on stage. He believes dance is a power unlike any other, capable of communicating what words cannot. His thought process extends beyond everyday experience, striving to expose audiences to realities they rarely confront. With a keen eye for spotting talent, Jaimil approaches his role as curator at Abhivyakti with a mission to bring something genuinely revolutionary to the city.
Abhinay Banker
Abhinay Banker is a theatre curator and practitioner based in Ahmedabad with a deep commitment to bringing compelling, relevant work to the stage. His curatorial sensibility is shaped by years of engagement with the Gujarati theatre scene, understanding both its possibilities and the hunger for new voices. At Abhivyakti Edition 4, he brought focus and rigour to the Theatre department, championing work that challenges convention and connects with contemporary audiences on matters that truly count.
Shikha Gala
Shikha Gala is a visual arts curator based in Ahmedabad with a nuanced understanding of contemporary art practice. Her curatorial eye is drawn to work that questions, provokes and opens new ways of seeing. At Abhivyakti Edition 4, she channelled her vision into the Visual Arts department, seeking out artists whose work reflects the times we live in and creates genuine moments of encounter between art and the people who experience it.
Amit Khuva
Amit Khuva is a stand-up comedian recognised by the India Book of Records as the youngest comedian in the country. He has mastered 38 forms of comedy and is currently researching his 39th. Featured on numerous TV shows and globally acclaimed for his craft, he is the founder of India's First Comedy Training Academy. His humour spans from five-year-olds to octogenarians, a testament to his versatile insight into the human condition. At Abhivyakti, he brings comedy into the fold as a legitimate art form.
