A three-day festival reminds us that Kabir's 600-year old teachings are still relevant in modern cosmopolitan society
A three-day festival reminds us that Kabir's 600-year old teachings are still relevant in modern cosmopolitan society
If you have always loved Kabir's simple yet profound dohas, attending this event is a must. The three-day Kabir Festival will include poetry, music and discussions on the secular 15th century saint-poet Kabir. This three-day event organised by Open Space, Either Or and Symbiosis Law College will explore ideas of inclusion, pluralism, and cultural diversity in today's context using Kabir's dohas. 
It will feature The Kabir Project, an initiative by Shabnam Virmani to document the spiritual and socio-political impact of Kabir's poetry, through songs, images and conversations. They have come out with four documentary films, 10 audio CDs and poetry books. Initiated in 2003, it has travelled all over the country. You can also look forward to music concerts that will present folk, classical and Sufi singers, such as Mukhtiar Ali, Mahesha Ram and Pandit Vijay Sardesmukh followed by group discussions with Virmani.
Rakesh Ganguli, Cultural Coordinator, Open Space, says, "At Open Space, we explore various themes and issues through the creative medium. As Kabir always challenged thinkers and compelled individuals to think, his writings had an instant connect with us."u00a0
"The concert will include Sufi and folk songs as well as bhajans inspired by the poetry of Kabir," adds Pandit Sardesmukh, who will be performing at the event.u00a0
The films and music are an attempt to reach out to a younger generation who can identify with the broad-minded thoughts of the saint. Shabnam Virmani explains, "People from different generations and even the urban crowd can relate to what he had said. These films are a musical travelogue put together by various singers on how they discovered his teachings through their music."
The project is now growing in different ways as cultural groups and individuals are organising festivals, workshops and interactive events to talk about his writings. Even a store like Either Or, which displays eco-friendly products, could connect with the festival. Owner Ritika Narang adds, "After watching the film, I realised how much our mindset matched. We, too, believe in an alternative lifestyle. It is important to let the younger generation know that like rock music, even Kabir thought out-of-the-box and never believed in boundaries."
At: Symbiosis Vishwa Bhavan, Senapati Bapat Road and Film and Television Institute of India, Law College Road. FROM: November 14 to 16
CALL: 25457371.
Entry is free of cost on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Programme Schedule
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November 14u00a0
5.20 pm to 7 pm - Film screening of Chalo Hamara Des; Journeys with Kabir and Friends
7.10 pm to 8.45 pm - Koi Sunta Hai: Journeys with Kumar and Kabir
8.50 pm to 9.30 pm - Informal Q&A session with filmmaker Shabnam Virmani at Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)
November 15
10.15 am to 11.50 am - Film Screening: Kabira Khada Bazar Mein: Journeys with Sacred and Secular Kabiru00a0
12 pm to 1.45 pm - Had Anhad: Journeys with Ram and Kabir
1.50 pm to 2.15 pm - Informal discussions with filmmaker Shabnam Virmani, at National Film Archives of India (NFAI) Law College Road.
November 16
Marathon music concert presenting Kabir's verses in diverse styles
5 pm to 6.30 pm - Introduction, followed by Music Concert by Mahesha Ramji
6.45 pm to 9 pm - Pandit Vijay Sardeshmukh and Mukhtiar Ali at Symbiosis Vishwa Bhawan, Senapati Bapat Road.
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