The first edition of MAD (Music. Art. Dance) Festival in Ooty (April 5-7) aims to break away from the usual formula of headlining acts and ensures a mix of performances through the day. Spread over 44 acres, the event comprises 50 stalls, a paintball area, a bar in the woods, food stalls, a play area for kids and workshops too!
What to expect
The line up at the Fernhills Palace, Ooty, showcases close to 50 acts like Shiva Shakti by Isha Sharvani and Daksha Sheth Dance Company, No Blues (Amsterdam), The Krar Collective (London), God’s Robots (San Francisco), etc. Kabir Ahmed, artistic director, Cobalt, a Bangalore-based integrated marketing company, which is organising the event, says, “The festival has two stages in different zones. Despite that, fans can still catch events on both the stages, since there is a 30-minute gap between each performance.”
On the side
Apart from the music, there will be a flea market with 50 stalls. The bazaar will see hand illustrated helmets, organic cotton dresses and bags recycled from old clothes. Don’t miss the ‘Breath Work for Dancers and Actors - A Workshop 3’ by Navtej Johar, a Sikh dancer and choreographer, on April 7, at 11 am. The three-hour workshop will comprise a series of exercises derived from yoga. Fee: `500
Our pick
Performances by the six primary tribes of the Nilgiris (Todas and Irulas, among others). Festival goers will get to interact with the tribals and learn more about them and their skills, music, art and dance forms. A day pass costs `999 while the Palace Package (full festival pass and accommodation for two) is priced at `49,000. Details: themadfestival.com