A run-up to the annual Escape Festival, Escape to Zorba, Delhi, is a two-day mini festival (March 24-25) that will build up to the main festival that’s held in May in Naukuchiatal.
The festival will host a variety of musicians, potters, painters, photographers, graffiti artists. Besides music, the event will also feature a mini-film festival, a photography exhibition, a pottery showcase, a flea market and an exhibition by abstract artist Aakash Anand.
Festival director L. Mama Tochhawng informs that the festival was born in May 2009 when some musicians decided to get away from Delhi for a few days and parked themselves in the Himalayas next to a lake and that became their “escape”.
Warming up in Delhi for the main festival is a good idea, says Mama and adds, “Delhi drives to the hills to find an escape from the killing heat. Delhiites form around 60 to 70 per cent of the audience. So why not give other Delhiites a taste of what Naukuchiatal offers.”
The artistes here are not going to be as well-known, but Tochhawng explains, “The whole idea is to bring together various art forms under one roof and create a unique atmosphere for creative exchange by providing a platform to the immense talent that needs to be tapped.”
Day one will be opened by Amlan Datta’s film Bom aka One Day Ahead Of Democracy as part of the mini film festival that will see a screening of seven films by independent filmmakers from India.
Among the other highlights Kaushik Mukherjee (Q) of Gandu fame will present his film Love in India, The Barmer Boys (Rajasthan) will create sound with DJ Spincycle (Madison, USA), Shofar (Opera + live music) and a photography exhibition by Kamal Kansara.
At Zorba, The Greek, 166, MG Road.
The main festival will take place at Naukuchiatal, from May 18 to 19