‘Kala Ka Karwaan’ Showcases Talent of Municipal School Students

Mumbai : “I was always fascinated by photography, but I never thought I would get the chance to pursue it. However, the Salaam Bombay Foundation started training programs in our school to nurture students’ artistic talents. Those interested in singing, dance, acting, media, and photography benefitted greatly from these initiatives. Thanks to this, I was able to build a career in photography,” said Kushal Mahale, a former student of Vidya Vikas School in Andheri. Today, he not only runs a photography business but also trains students in municipal schools.

The Salaam Bombay Foundation organized the ‘Kala Ka Karwaan’ event at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, which was inaugurated by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. The event was attended by the Foundation’s Senior Vice President Rajashree Kadam, CEO Nandina Ramachandran, Kadambari Kadam, Assistant Manager Deepak Patil, and Hridaygandha Mistry.

Commissioner Gagrani emphasized that students possess immense potential, and organizations like Salaam Bombay Foundation provide them with platforms to showcase their talents. With the right opportunities, these students can excel beyond conventional education and achieve success in various fields.

Salaam Bombay Foundation offers technical and structured training to students from municipal and government schools in Mumbai, allowing them to explore their creative abilities. Through its Art Academy, students receive guidance in painting, dance, theater, and media skills. The ‘Kala Ka Karwaan’ program serves as a platform for these young talents, with students from various Mumbai schools undergoing specialized training.

The event featured a vibrant lineup of classical dance performances, plays, and folk dances such as Rajasthan’s Ghoomar, Gujarat’s Bhavai, Maharashtra’s Koli dance, and Chhattisgarh’s Morpankhi. Students also performed folk dramas and plays addressing women’s rights, spirituality, and socio-political themes.

As part of the program, Anshu Mishra and Kamini Vishwakarma launched a student-led magazine with the help of their peers. They shared their experience of learning about magazine content creation, writing, and printing. Additionally, Mayur Ingle from Sadhana College collaborated with students to produce a documentary on traditional folk artist Vasudev.

To help students explore career opportunities in the media industry, they receive training in TV, print, and digital media. The Art Academy also assists students in securing placements, providing them with career paths in creative fields.