It’s all about art, drama, music and masti at the three-day Thane festival

THANE: The very congested and busy Kalwa Naka was transformed into a bright and colourful area on Friday morning as various artists and residents gathered to kick-start the first-of-its kind three-day street art festival.
The festival titled ‘Thane Festival, 2015’ was flagged off by kids from city orphanages. The event began with placing a garland around the statute of Shivaji.Multi-coloured balloons were released in the air to signify the various forms of art. Youngsters carrying placards with various social messages took out a procession earlier in the day. Various bands struck a chord with the audience who put their best step forward. Special students from Jidd school also performed a short skit.
The festival was thrown open to all those are passionate about music, painting, photography, etc. Half of Parsik Road has been transformed into a vibrant place with works of famous artists like Shashikant Dhotre and Jayram Gopale on display. Well known singers also sang some foot-tapping numbers. The first two days saw the outstanding performances of Roopkumar Rathod, Niladri Kumar, Suchmismita Das, Prahlad Tipanya and the likes.
To add to the glamour quotient, fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar held an interactive session with the audience on Friday. B-Boying competitions and performances by Marathi rock bands were some of the main attractions on Friday and Saturday.
“I plan to make it an annual event. This belt has always remained starved of such activity. However, from this year, residents are able to showcase their talent in the city itself,’’ said NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, the brain behind the event.
On Sunday, singers like Gauri Kavi, Varsha Jalani, Goving Mishra and many more will be performing. Besides, street plays and bhajans will also be a highlight of the finale.
Shashikant Dhotre, who is on a 18-month whirlwind tour of the nation exhibiting his best for the art lovers said, ‘‘I showcased my work at the festival as I want more people and budding artists from small towns and big cities to see and feel a real painting. It is just an exercise for the cause of art.’’