If you think your life as a story, think of KAL Fest as a day in your story. Well truly, it was a story not to be missed. On 12th January, I went to Kolkata Arts Lane Festival 2020 (KAL Fest 2020). This was the third edition of street art festival by Art Rickshaw. The first year it was called Unicorn Art Festival and then it was renamed to KAL Fest last year. Its beautiful and mesmerizing what art can do to a street lane. I have been going there every year and I must tell you it is getting more arty and lively year on year. You have to be there to feel the energy.
I started with the right side and hopped from one stall to another, taking note of the different variety of artifacts and art installations. There were stalls for affordable art, accessories, merchandise, stationery, fun games, spray art, Instagram booth and more. One small house was setup to try hands on graffiti for free. Youngsters were waiting patiently for this one.
In the middle there was a stage for live music performances. I stopped by for Beatboxing showcase by Kunal and Fuchi. People from all ages were seen enjoying this unique performance. More stories went live on Instagram during this performance then any other proving it to be huge success.
Towards the end of the lane were food & beverage stalls keeping in mind everyone’s taste. There were healthy salads, nolen gur desserts, cold press juices, ice-lolly, chocolates, pizzas and famous Kolkata Share market chai and toast.
After some hot chai I took a turn and visited left side stalls. The creativity was next level. There was this stall, “You in a bottle” which was jam-packed since 11am. People of all age groups were so enthusiastic for this one. If you have ever wished that you were tiny enough to fit in a bottle, well this one was for you. All of us are incredibly complex human beings. We have our own preferences, the things we hold dear and things we completely dislike, but all of them end up making us the individual we are. You in a bottle gave a chance to take all of these things, and fit them inside a tiny bottle. A tiny bottle that is you. You had to answer simple questions and for every answer the bottle was filled with small things representing that answer. For example for this question, “what do you keep yourself occupied with? “ there were four options: music, reading, environmental issues and travel. And for each there was different symbol like for music: small pieces of broken CD, for reading: small newspaper crumbles, for environmental issues: small dried leaves and for travel: small sea shells. According to your answer respective symbol was picked and added into the bottle. In total there were 6 questions and 7 things were added into the bottle. For 5 questions, there was only one answer to be chosen and for sixth question you had to choose two options. The end product was simply eye catching. And people were delighted to take home themselves in a bottle.
The idea that you don’t always have someone to share or confide your secrets with was beautifully captured in the “Secret Booth”. It was a dim lighted booth with curtains to close. A young female was standing outside and explaining the inquirers about this concept. The booth was full of post-its with people’s confessions. There was a small queue again for this and people; well mostly teenagers were waiting for their turn. It is somehow agonizing to see that teenagers don’t have someone whom they can trust blindly with their secrets. So, it was actually good in that sense to confess and let go without someone judging you or using the secret in a wrong way.
On a lighter note, there was “What’s the craziest thing you have ever done” booth which again had a lot of interests amongst the crowd.
A big “letter of hope” was also mounted where people were actively participating and writing their wishes.
Then there was live art corner too, which was flooded with kids who were getting their name initials painted in a distinctive style.
One lane had it all. 700 feet of Kolkata asphalt with more than 250 creative collaborations made KAL Fest 2020 a daylong celebration of art spreading joy in people’s life. It was a perfect Sunday and I am already looking forward for next year’s KAL Fest.
Sonali Chandak 