DIYA - Light It Up Festival 2022
Kala created and organised two outdoor exciting and interesting DIYA - Light It Up Festival in two different town centres - Reading and Basingstoke. We worked with 52 partners organisations and 39 artists to deliver the projects. This is one of the largest festivals KTA has delivered.
Shatranj Outdoor performance piece at Diya by Kala The Arts
Shatranj game of chess is our Outdoor performance created as part of Diya light it up 2022.
6 strong professional South Asian dance artists from different styles Kathak, Odissi, Folk, Yakshagana, Bharatnatyam, Chhau establish the game of chess through powerful dance and theatrical movements. They are joined by young dancers from Contemporary, modern, Ballet background. They introduce the Chess Characters and game begins. They are joined by participatory audiences keeping time whilst the story of Chess unfolds. The king is captured at the end.
The tour started at Reading Town Hall square and finished at Basingstoke Festival place Amphitheatre. The show was so popular that the space was full of spectators.
6 strong professional South Asian dance artists from different styles Kathak, Odissi, Folk, Yakshagana, Bharatnatyam, Chhau establish the game of chess through powerful dance and theatrical movements. They are joined by young dancers from Contemporary, modern, Ballet background. They introduce the Chess Characters and game begins. They are joined by participatory audiences keeping time whilst the story of Chess unfolds. The king is captured at the end.
The tour started at Reading Town Hall square and finished at Basingstoke Festival place Amphitheatre. The show was so popular that the space was full of spectators.
Story, concept and artistic Direction - Sushmita Pati
Music direction legendary – Vidushi Sarojini Pati
Music composer - Pablo Sonnaillon
Singer- Mehboob Nadeem
Tabla and rhythm - Hiren Chate
Choreography Sushmita, Showmi, Kali, Amelia and Darcy
Dancers Senjuti, Ratul, Kathrin, Yogendra, Kali, Sushmita, Amelia, Darcy and Showmi
Filming and editing – Helen Pritchard
"For me the highlight was the mesmerising dance performance Shatranj, such skilled artists and amazingly innovative concept. Congratulations for bringing such a diversity festival representing the best in arts and culture to all communities and wider public in Basingstoke for them to enjoy and get involved in as audiences." Bharti Dove
"It was a marvellous occasion. Well done, It was lovely to see so many people with smiles on faces and such detailed performances." Reading Museum
Music direction legendary – Vidushi Sarojini Pati
Music composer - Pablo Sonnaillon
Singer- Mehboob Nadeem
Tabla and rhythm - Hiren Chate
Choreography Sushmita, Showmi, Kali, Amelia and Darcy
Dancers Senjuti, Ratul, Kathrin, Yogendra, Kali, Sushmita, Amelia, Darcy and Showmi
Filming and editing – Helen Pritchard
"For me the highlight was the mesmerising dance performance Shatranj, such skilled artists and amazingly innovative concept. Congratulations for bringing such a diversity festival representing the best in arts and culture to all communities and wider public in Basingstoke for them to enjoy and get involved in as audiences." Bharti Dove
"It was a marvellous occasion. Well done, It was lovely to see so many people with smiles on faces and such detailed performances." Reading Museum
DIYA Light It Up Participatory Programmes
There were many workshops in advance of the days of the parades and performances
DIYA Light It Up Festival In Basingstoke
Some photographs of the exciting parade through town and one of the performances
"Great to celebrate #Diwali2022 with @KalaTheArts, a fantastic crowd of #Basingstoke residents, local community groups, & some of our amazing local councillors." Maria Miller, MP.
"The parade was brilliant! Congratulations on another successful event." Sian Fisher, Festival Place.
"The parade was brilliant! Congratulations on another successful event." Sian Fisher, Festival Place.
DIYA Light It Up Festival In Reading
A short 2 minute clip giving just a taste of our exciting programme in Reading High Street 2022.