India’s culture has enthralled people from all around the world for years. It is the only country that can boast of a thousand languages, traditions and art forms. Ancient Indian art forms from classical music and dance to architecture have proven to be colossal in their expression, profound in their knowledge and vibrant in their history. Due to their impact in the modern world, not much of it has been fully garnered and assimilated.
Parallelly in the last few years, various cultural platforms and collaborations have cropped up in an attempt to revive and globalise these dying art forms. Thanks to constant efforts made by individuals trying to revive the lost culture and art styles that originated in India, a few have not only managed to survive but have also gained popularity globally. Traditional Indian music, dance, handicrafts, clothes and paintings have been given a new lease of life and are now evolving into contemporary spaces. We list down some of these for you.
THEATRE: ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
The Royal Opera House at Charni Road, Mumbai stands tall as India’s only surviving opera house today. The heritage site reopened its gates after 23 years in October 2016 with the curtain raiser of MAMI (Mumbai Academy of Moving Images) Film Festival. The plush 574-seat-three-tier auditorium has hosted premiere shows of big Bollywood classics in the past. The structure is resuscitated with a vision to be an accessible and affordable cultural venue as it anchors the representation of art in Mumbai. The century-old structure has been one of the most significant institutions in the history of cinema and art and has lived a glorious history since the 1900s and will likewise stage a platform to showcase new talents in the old school authentic Bombay way.
FOOD: BOMBAY CANTEEN
Bombay Canteen at Kamala Mills, Mumbai welcomes you with an appetising aroma that instantly gets you nostalgic about the traditional delicacies of your hometown. The place serves a special menu inspired by the local hero dishes and cuisine of India at the cult colonial bungalow boasting of high ceilings and tiled floor. The Sindhi favourite arbi tuk,
Sikkimese special shrimp and fish momos, Kerelan style duck curry and punchy cocktails prepped with Indian spices are the most-coveted specialities to try here. In a nutshell, the menu is a rendition of pure ethnic food and a tribute to the versatility of homegrown spices and traditional cooking styles that are rarely seen in modern mundane cafes.
MUSIC: ALIF
The Kashmiri band Alif crafts music through contemporary Urdu and Kashmiri poetry. Kashmiri music had been undervalued and neglected, but in the past few years, Alif has bought back the heavenly magic. The band produces versatile sounds with an amalgamation of ethnic sounds and soft rock that transcends all languages. Through their words, they dig deeper into the dissent, politics and dark side of the state yet blended with the lively beats, their audience is seen swaying and dancing to the notes. This band can truly be called the golden voice of Kashmir!
Discover more Indie Musicians here.
ART: KOCHI BIENNALE
Kochi Biennale is a non-profit charitable trust that promotes dynamic art and culture in India. The art exhibition and festival is the largest of its kind in the country and works to encourage contemporary art and broaden art access to the public across India. While featuring diverse artists of various genres and practices from all around the world, it has infused life into the art and culture scene of Kochi and is creating a new map to an old world. Artists and painters get the opportunity to showcase their creations and promote our rich tradition of arts. Powerful and inclusive, the festival clings on to old memories and preserves age-old narratives.
