The Kalakriti Arts Festival, a first-of-its-kind community event, was entirely conceptualised with the participation of children from 10 government schools in Ambedkar Nagar, Tigri and Khanpur areas of New Delhi. This two-day visual extravaganza features art installations, exhibitions, interactive spaces and performances by students, offering the community a firsthand experience of the power of art, according to an official release.
Organised by the NalandaWay Foundation, the festival brings together artworks, theatre, music and dance performances for the wider community. Over the past year, children from various schools collaborated with 15 artists from NalandaWay to create large art installations and expressive performances. While the festival marks the culmination of these artistic endeavours, the foundation aims to establish a continuous tradition of celebrating community arts festivals, emphasising engagement with, for, and within the community, the release mentioned.
During the two-day festival, audiences and the community can witness children’s artworks across various installations, engage in interactive spaces and experience arts up close through productions and performances. The festival is open to all community members, especially parents, encouraging them to immerse themselves, appreciate, and indulge in the creative freedom that art offers.
“Children of Ambedkar Nagar area are very talented. I saw the artwork around today at the exhibition, showing what these children have been learning from the NalandaWay Foundation. It is commendable that NalandaWay Foundation has been taking this initiative in the 10 schools in this area and training the children on arts. Who knows, some of these children can also become wonderful artists of tomorrow.” Rita Sharma, additional director, DoE and Director SCERT, said.