Mumbai/Jamshedpur: The 26th Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) has officially transformed South Mumbai’s heritage precinct into a vibrant canvas, prominently featuring a heavy Jharkhand influence through its third annual collaboration with Samvaad.
Running from January 31 to February 8, 2026, the partnership brings the indigenous soul of Jharkhand and Eastern India to the urban heart of Mumbai, showcasing the state’s master artisans, tribal music, and climate-resilient wisdom to a global audience.
A key highlight of this year’s collaboration is a striking installation of 50 handcrafted lampshades inspired by traditional art forms such as Saura, Sohrai, Jadupatiya, and Paitkar. These illuminated artworks are displayed at Rampart Row and Horniman Circle Gardens, transforming the festival skyline over nine days. The installation is being created by three eminent tribal artists—Dinabandhu Soren of the Ho tribe, Lakhimoni Sardar of the Bhumij tribe, and Sunita Hembram of the Santhal tribe—bringing together stories, symbols, and ancestral aesthetics through light and form.
Throughout the festival, tribal artisans and changemakers from across eastern India will engage with urban audiences, fostering dialogue around indigenous art forms, crafts, music, and culture. From January 31 to February 4, five artisan groups from West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha showcase Saura, Sohrai, and Paitkar art, alongside traditional crafts such as tussar silk weaving and jewellery made from natural seeds and dates.
The event features another set of artisan groups from West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, presenting dokra metal craft, beaded jewellery, and contemporary merchandise such as t-shirts and tote bags that creatively incorporate indigenous symbols, words, and narratives.
Adding a musical dimension to the collaboration, Rhythms of the Earth, Samvaad’s musical cohort, will perform on February 5 & 6. After a powerful reception at the Hornbill Festival in December 2025, the cohort, featuring artists from Samvaad’s first and second albums, will reconnect with urban audiences through music rooted in traditional instruments, rhythms, and lived experiences.
Another significant highlight was a panel discussion titled “Conversations with Those Who Understand the Earth Best”, held on February 1, 2026, at the David Sassoon Library, opposite Kala Ghoda. The discussion brought together leading tribal voices, including Malti Majhi, a prominent advocate for climate-resilient solutions and a participant in India Today’s climate change forum; Manoj Kujur, known for his work in urban governance, child welfare, and cultural documentation; and Kingchum Lepcha, who is actively engaged in the restoration and conservation of traditional Lepcha folk music.
