Ballard Estate could be so much more than a busy commercial district. This weekend, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) and the Indian Heritage Society (IHS) will set out to show an eco-friendly ‘Kala Utsav’, at the Shoorji Vallabhdas Road. The daylong event, on December 16, is aimed at giving Mumbaikars a break from a shopping-multiplex-pubbing weekend, with activities like open-deck bus rides along the Fort area, a range of Indian food to pick from, exhibits by NGOs, art schools and differently-abled children, demonstrations by local artists, and performances by tribal groups, and students.
“Ballard Estate is one of the city’s most beautiful spots, but lies unused during weekends. We want to use the space for citizens to experience the different cultures of the city,” said Anita Garware, chairperson, IHS. “If we get a good response from the pilot event, we will think of making it an annual feature.” The IHS conducts the ‘Art in Park’ initiatives with the MCGM at various places across the city. The event, which will have free entry, has also been supported by the Ministry of Tourism.
In 2016, the MbPT had started the Ballard Estate Festival to turn the city’s oldest office patch into an entertainment zone during the weekends. However, the festival was discontinued after a few months.
Source: Hindustan Times
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