Mixed platter

The capital plays host to a three-day festival, which will have a comedy play, hip hop concert and dance performance

Mixed platter

The capital plays host to a three-day festival, which will have a comedy play, hip hop concert and dance performance

If the recent political activism that gripped the Capital imprinted a somewhat serious look on your face, then an interesting ensemble of innovative artists will definitely loosen your facial muscles with laughter and joy. A comedy play, a hip-hop concert and a contemporary dance performance by established and emerging artists will all be featured as part of The Park's New Festival, starting today. The three-day show is meant to promote emerging and new work.u00a0

Maya Krishna Rao

Now in its fifth edition, the festival will be inaugurated by Maya Krishna Rao, a veteran on the theatrical scene. Titled The Non Stop Car-Food-Clothes-Feel-Good-Show, her comedy play peeks into the urban life with a magnifying glass depicting obsessions and idiosyncrasies controlling the mind of a city dweller.

Performers of Parijat Desai Dance Company

"City life comprises many faces -- politics, food, clothing, typical lifestyle patterns -- all of which connect together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Our frantic lifestyle results in many obsessions and fears. I have merely exposed them, just like a surgeon opening up a man's skull and taking a look within," says Rao.

As Rao's performance is a one-man (or rather a one-woman) show, she will don many a hat while portraying lives of people living in metros in India within a short time span. "Today everyone desires results within seconds. Quick food recipes, instant political solutions and the like. That's the essence of my performance," she says.u00a0

Day Two will showcase DNOAX, a hip-hop band comprising 20 members with rappers from cities like Chennai and Kolkata. Drifting from the mainstream hip-hop culture which glorifies drugs, sex and rock 'n' roll, DNOAX likes to talk about issues faced by the aam aadmi.

Band member Meghraj says: "Our lyrics deal with everyday problems and that's how we connect with our fans. Music represents reality. Making only commercial music isn't right." While this style of hip-hop has earned its own genre, namely Conscious Rap, it has been doing rounds in the US for years courtesy famous faces like Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Common. DNOAX will be the pioneers of such music in India.

Parijat Desai's dance performance on the last day will be a mystical blend of Eastern classical traditions and Western contemporary dance. "The choreography is a meet of Bharatnatyam and Western dance and will be performed by American artists," she said. So pull your pants up and get ready for some fun!

At: the park hotel, 15 parliamentary street
Timings: 7.30 pm onwards
on till: september 3
For invites, Call: 23743000