Ahmedabad to host Bhadra Festival on November 19, followed by a Water Heritage Series across three historic stepwells on November 25
Ahmedabad: Crraft Of Art is bringing its cultural celebration back to Ahmedabad’s historic Bhadra precinct after 12 years, with the Bhadra Festival scheduled for November 19. Supported by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), the initiative will be followed by the Water Heritage Series on November 25, celebrating the city’s architectural and cultural legacy.
Bhadra Festival on November 19
Beginning at 4 pm, the festival will unfold across Bhadra Fort, Premabhai Hall precinct and Bhadra Plaza, culminating in a grand musical concert at Teen Darwaza at 7:15 pm.
The programme will feature traditional performances including Nagara by Nathulal Solanki and Troupe, Ravanhatta by Vijanand Turi and Troupe, Sidi Dhamal by the Sidi Goma Dance Group, Mallakhamb and Natya Sangeet by Nisarg Trivedi and Ensemble. Theatre and storytelling will include a giant puppet parade by Dadi Pudumjee’s Ishara Puppet Theatre, Dastan-e-Darwaza and Bhadrakhyan.
Three exhibitions—History of Bhadra, RANG SMRUTI: The Living Archives of Gujarati Theatre and Bhadra Unposed—will offer perspectives on the precinct’s history and cultural identity. Projection mapping, kinetic art and a visual presentation inspired by Mata ni Pachedi will add to the experience.
The Teen Darwaza concert will feature Ustad Fazal Qureshi with George Brooks, Sheldon D’Silva, Arun Kumar and Rahul Wadhwani, followed by a sitar performance by Ustad Shujaat Khan with tabla artists Amit Choubey and Sapan Anjaria. Manav Gohil will host the evening.
Birwa Qureshi, Founder and Artistic Director of Crraft Of Art, said, “Returning to Bhadra after twelve years is very special for us. We wanted to bring together the many layers of this historic precinct, its architecture, theatre, music, traditions and everyday life, and invite people to rediscover spaces they have known for years, but perhaps never experienced quite this way.”
Entry is free. Prior BookMyShow registration is mandatory for Bhadra Fort and the Teen Darwaza concert; other festival areas are freely accessible without registration.
Water Heritage Series on November 25
The Water Heritage Series will bring music, poetry and dance to three historic stepwells through the theme Three Stepwells. One Day. Dawn to Dusk.
- Vaav Sur – Jethabhai Ni Vav, 6:30 am: Hindustani classical vocal recital by Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi.
- Vaav Varta – Amrutvarshini Vav, 11 am: Poetry by Soumya Joshi and Anil Chavda, with a Bharatanatyam presentation by Prachi Saathi.
- Vaav Tarang – Dada Harir Ni Vav, 7 pm: Musical finale led by Ustad Fazal Qureshi, featuring leading instrumentalists and special guest vocalist Himali Vyas Naik.
Entry to all three programmes will be free with prior registration. Seating will be limited. The two events aim to reconnect audiences with Ahmedabad’s historic spaces through music, performing arts, storytelling and cultural experiences.
