Mill Mela

Amidst this transformation,the various occupants of the Mathuradas Mill Compound,in an effort to preserve what soon might be lost and at the same time celebrate what remains,is organising a three-day festival — the Mathuradas Mill Culture Crawl.

Says art gallery owner Anupa Mehta whose grandfather Hargovindas Jivandas Mehta owned the Mathuradas Mill: “A range of establishments now reside inside this mill compound — design college WLC,a product design firm Red Lion,Zenzi Bar and Blue Frog,the ad agency Mudra,artiste Krsna Mehta’s studio and outlet Zeba and my gallery The Loft are a few names. It has come to be a cultural hub amidst all the bustle of the neighbourhood. The festival is our way of appreciating the chaotic culture.”

The Crawl,a visual arts festival,kicks off on December 4 is a self-guided tour of community-initiated events such as music shows by Blue Frog,film screenings by Highlight Films,dance performances and fashion show by WLC College,Light and Fabric Installation by Krsna,Heritage Exhibition by Red Lion,web workshops by IdeaLake,visual arts,culinary arts,community art walks and much more. There are various artists living and working in Mathuradas Mills and the surrounding area,many are well-known and on display in galleries,and more are hidden in nooks and crannies,waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.

The germ of the idea,however,came from a young designer who works with Red Lion,Priti Rodericks. “Every day,to get to my workplace,I walk the stretch from the Lower Parel station to the Mill Compound and come across the fisher-folk,a hooch shop,the grocers. They are as much a part of this mill culture as the urban population that works,lives or shops here is. This inspired me to create a series of postcards and accessories with Mathuradas Mill Compound as the theme. Over a casual coffee,I suggested Anupa display these at her gallery but eventually,we came up with the idea of celebrating our surroundings through a festival instead,” narrates Rodericks.

The fisher-folk are going to be a part of this festival too. “A special counter will be set up where they can sell some of their fish preparations,” Mehta says. For those tempted for more,Blue Frog and the local café EXT 202 will have special discounts till 8 pm.

Mehta insists this is an informal event with the occupants contributing whatever resources they can. “There are no sponsors involved since financial gain is not the intention or hope. We will be happy if people come,enjoy and familiarise themselves with the dichotomy that this neighbourhood offers.”

December 4
6 pm: Art workshop at Zeba
7 pm-9.30 pm: Acoustic celebration
December 5
7pm-9.30 pm: Karaoke night
December 6
7 pm-9.30 pm: Percussion Fest
Daily
Textile installation by Krsna Mehta at Kenil’s studio Photo exhibition by Mudra