FLO Fest 2024: Empowering Through Creativity

The second edition of FLO Fest, themed “Empowering Through Creativity,” was held on October 16-17, 2024, under the leadership of National President Ms. Joyshree Das Verma. The two-day event celebrated the transformative power of creativity, showcasing talents across art, music, fashion, literature, and entrepreneurship.

The festival began with an inspiring inauguration by Padma Bhushan awardee Rajeev Sethi, who challenged conventional views on creativity, stressing the importance of inner experience, or “Anubhuti.”

The day continued with a panel discussion moderated by Kalyani Saha Chawla, featuring successful entrepreneurs like fashion designer Nainika Karan, musician Sonam Kalra, art promoter Roshini Vadehra, and COVID-era entrepreneur Karishma Manga Bedi. They shared personal journeys of overcoming setbacks, the value of financial independence, and the empowering process of taking creative risks.

Afternoon performances included a musical tribute by Tannya Khanna to Amir Khusro and a contemporary dance by Arpita Joshi on Ganesh Stuti. In the art gallery, curated by sculptor Gigi Scaria, attendees engaged with diverse visual works, while Shibani Dutta from RoseBuck led an interactive workshop on “Table Décor – The Art of Hosting.” Another panel discussion featured successful author Ritu Soni Bhagat, the author of “ English Hinglish”, Ridhi Bahl, Lata Kadambari, Aishwarya Jha, and Preeti Agarwal. Their narratives provided a glimpse of the diverse realm of literature.

As evening approached, artistic performances continued with Priti Jain’s vocal rendition, followed by musical performances from Smita Agnihotri and Mamta Bhatia, a dance by Priyanka Malani, and a heartfelt poetry recital by Lakshmi Ishwar from FLO Bangalore. The day concluded on a high note with an encore singing performance by Indian Idol famed Menuka Poudel.

Day two opened with a soulful musical performance by Gayatri Rao and a reflective session led by spiritual author and Past President Surekha Kothari on “Dharma by Design,” which began with a meditation. She discussed the four pillars of Dharma—Vidya, Dana, Tapas, and Satya—sharing insights on spiritual and mindful living.

Further cultural showcases included Rashi Garg’s Tandav dance and a group Garba performance by FLO Ahmedabad members, where attendees joined in, creating a festive ambiance. Vijayalakshmi Suvariya’s classical vocals and other musical performances added depth and diversity to the day.

Experiential highlights included a coffee-tasting session with Manila and Paritosh Birla from Cohoma Coffee and Aditi Jhunjhunwala’s “CanvaSize Your Dreams” workshop, where participants explored digital design skills.

A fashion show curated by designer Anju Modi filled the space with color and vibrancy, featuring live music by Anushree. The festival closed with an enchanting piano recital by Vidushi Jain, leaving a memorable impression on attendees.

FLO Fest 2024 succeeded in bringing together art, business, and culture, empowering members and attendees through creative and professional expression. This celebration of talent and empowerment embodied FLO’s mission to inspire and elevate women across diverse fields.