CrraftOf Art’s much-celebrated Water Festival transformed the magnificent Adalaj ni Vav into a breathtaking stage of music and culture. The evening drew an enthusiastic audience, reaffirming the festival’s standing as one of the most anticipated cultural events in the city.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the 15th-century stepwell, the Water Festival presented a remarkable line-up of some of India’s finest artists. Ustad Fazal Qureshi’s tabla, Ambi Subramaniam’s violin, and Stephen Devassy’s keyboard performances enthralled the gathering, while Mir Mukhtiyar Ali’s soul-stirring rendition of Kabir Vani resonated beautifully. Giridhar Udupa on ghatam, Arun Kumar on drums, Navin Sharma on dholak, Prithvi Samuel on bass, and Ilyas Khan on sarangi also left the audience spellbound.
A special performance by the Kathakali School from Kerala brought a vivid display of classical dance traditions coupled with expressive storytelling. The evening was gracefully anchored by well-known actor and presenter Suchitra Pillai.
As always, the festival’s lighting design played a pivotal role in bringing Adalaj ni Vav alive. The intricate play of light and shadow highlighted the monument’s carvings and architectural brilliance, enabling the audience to experience the stepwell in an entirely new light.
Continuing its mission of facilitating greater engagement between people and heritage across India, the legacy of Crraft Of Art will travel beyond Gujarat with the Golconda Fort Festival in Hyderabad on December 12.
Founded by Bharatanatyam and folk dancer Birwa Qureshi, Crraft of Art has spent over a decade and a half reconnecting audiences, particularly younger generations, to India’s historic monuments through immersive experiences that highlight the beauty of these structures.