5th Edition of AMI Arts Festival: A Vibrant Celebration of Art and Culture

The Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) is set to host the 5th edition of the AMI Arts Festival, a month-long cultural extravaganza that will transform Kolkata into a hub of creativity from November 21 to December 22, 2024. Spanning iconic venues like the Indian Museum, Victoria Memorial Hall, and GD Birla Sabhaghar, the festival brings together over 200 artists across disciplines, presenting 10 exhibitions, 15 workshops, and a variety of performances in music, theatre, and dance.

This year’s edition not only celebrates the diversity of Indian art but also reflects the leadership of Richa Agarwal, Chairperson of KCC and CEO of Emami Art.

A Vision for Cultural Transformation

Richa Agarwal’s journey into arts management is rooted in her family’s legacy of fostering creativity and giving back to society. Inspired by her father-in-law, R. S. Agarwal, and his business partner, R. S. Goenka, her foray into the art world emerged from a heartfelt desire to safeguard Bengal’s cultural heritage while embracing its contemporary evolution.

“We actually began with a very simple idea—a desire to give back to the city and the country at large,” she shares. “Over time, we realized it wasn’t just about opening a gallery. Art is multi-dimensional—spanning visual art, performances, music, culinary arts, and more.”

This vision led to the establishment of KCC in 2018, a 70,000-square-foot multidisciplinary art centre designed to integrate diverse creative practices with social responsibility. Among its innovative initiatives is India’s first Braille gallery, a testament to KCC’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

“Creating a safe, dynamic space for collaboration became our driving force,” Agarwal explains. “Art transcends economic, social, and political backgrounds. It is a universal unifier, and our goal is to make it accessible to everyone.”

Highlights of the AMI Arts Festival

This year’s festival features a dynamic lineup of events and performances:

• Opening Celebration: My Kolkata in Kolkata, a photography exhibition and competition, launches the festival, accompanied by performances from Parambrata Chatterjee and Piya Chakraborty.
• Key Events:
  • From Fields to Folk: An exploration of rural heritage at the Indian Museum (November 22–29).
  • Traasadi: A solo act by acclaimed actor Manav Kaul (December 15).
  • Musical performances by legends like Shujaat Khan (December 20) and Indian Ocean (December 22).
  • Good Girl, Bad Girl: The Never-ending Debate: A conversation between author Madhurima Vidyarthi and Priyadarshinee Guha during the launch of Vidyarthi’s latest novel, The School for Bad Girls. The book, published by Duckbill (Penguin Random House India), explores the women’s emancipation and education movement in India, featuring Kadambini Ganguly, the first woman doctor trained in India (December 15, KCC).
• Engaging Workshops and Talks: Events like a chemical painting workshop (December 8) encourage intellectual discourse and skill development.

Richa Agarwal’s dedication to inclusivity is evident in her approach to curating such diverse programming. She emphasizes the need to provide emerging artists, particularly from underrepresented regions, with platforms to showcase their talent.

“Focusing on regional art felt like a natural direction for us,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see younger talents, especially from Bengal and the Northeast, gain recognition through our platforms.”

A Champion of Regional Art

KCC’s initiatives prioritize the development and promotion of regional art, bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary practices. This year’s collaboration with the Indian Museum, featuring collections from lesser-known suburban museums, exemplifies KCC’s commitment to amplifying marginalized voices.

Agarwal elaborates: “Time and resources are limited, so we chose to concentrate on creating opportunities for regional artists. Supporting individuals like Debashish, a queer artist from Shantiniketan who has achieved international acclaim but faces challenges at home, feels deeply personal and vital.”

Expanding the Definition of Art

In addition to her work at KCC, Agarwal oversees Emami Art, a contemporary gallery housed within KCC’s green building. Emami Art is known for its innovative exhibitions and the Emami Art Experimental Film Festival, which has become a premier platform for experimental filmmaking.

“The film festival started as an experiment,” she recalls. “We expected 150–200 entries but received over 500, which was overwhelming but exhilarating. Supporting alternative forms like experimental filmmaking fosters creativity and builds collaborative networks.”

Her belief that “art is a way of life” extends to all forms of creativity, from traditional crafts to experimental cinema, ensuring that KCC remains a hub for innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Driving Philosophy

Under Agarwal’s leadership, KCC embodies a mission to integrate arts with social impact. Initiatives like capacity-building programs and heritage conservation projects reflect a commitment to fostering meaningful connections through art.

“These conversations emphasize that art isn’t just something you hang on a wall,” she notes. “It’s meant to inspire and provoke thought. We hope to continue fostering these connections and creating meaningful dialogues.”

This ethos of inclusivity and collaboration permeates KCC’s approach, making it a cornerstone of India’s contemporary art and cultural scene.

The Inspiration to Continue

For Richa Agarwal, the journey is both personal and profoundly rewarding.

“It’s hard to pinpoint one thing,” she reflects. “But the privilege of meeting incredible people and witnessing extraordinary works of art—whether visual, musical, or performative—is endlessly inspiring.”

Despite the challenges of managing large-scale events like the AMI Arts Festival, Agarwal’s drive to grow and improve remains steadfast.

“Every event feels like a labour of love. We often promise ourselves to slow down, but inevitably, we push ourselves to do even better the next time.”

A Festival for All

The 5th edition of the AMI Arts Festival is not just a celebration of art; it is a testament to the transformative power of creativity to unify, inspire, and push boundaries.

For schedules and tickets, visit Kolkata Centre for Creativity or follow @kccinkolkata on Instagram.