FLO FEST 2023 : Shades of the Soul

FLO Fest: Shades of the Soul took place on October 26-27, 2023, at the IILM Centre for Arts and Ideas, marking a significant occasion as it celebrated the 40th anniversary of FLO.

Under the leadership of Sudha Shivkumar, the 40th National President of FLO, the FLO Fest Organizing Committee, comprised of Malvika Rai,  Past President; Ritu Vadehra,  GB Member; Rekha Lahoti, GB Member; Sabina Sanghvi, GB Member; Neelam Seolekar,  GB Member; and Dr. Aarti Gupta,  GB Member, meticulously curated the event.

FLO endeavours to create holistic ecosystem that empowers women by helping them showcase their artistic talents, gain recognition, and develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed, personally and professionally.

The FLO Fest was an initiative designed to provide a unique platform for artists from diverse backgrounds to display their creativity and talent, while also fostering meaningful connections and interactions among the members of our esteemed organization. The festival featured a wide array of artistic expressions, including captivating performances in the realms of dance, literature, and music.

The FLO Fest kicked off with a opening ceremony featuring notable personalities such as Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy, the renowned Kuchipudi dancing couple, gurus, and choreographers; Raghu Rai, one of India’s most eminent and legendary photographers and photojournalists; and Ina Puri, a celebrated writer, art curator, documentarian, and collector.

Day 1 unfolded with enchanting presentations, encompassing dance, poetry, and singing by talented members from FLO Chapters across India, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, and Mumbai.

The highlights of the day included an engaging conversation with Karen Anand, a food writer, television personality, and restaurant consultant; Ikebana demonstrations by FLO members Saveena Gadhoke and Ritika Sarna; and the spectacular finale, a mesmerizing monologue performance by Anjana Chandak that left the audience captivated.

The second day began with devotional Kabir Dohas, followed by folk music, poetry, storytelling, classical dances like Bharatnatyam and Kathak, piano recitals, and concluded with a powerful live band performance and energetic Bhangra dance by members from Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Kanpur, J&K, Pune, Chennai, Northeast, Uttarakhand, Jaipur, Mumbai and Ludhiana.

The highlight of the day was a conversation with contemporary interdisciplinary artists Jagannath Panda and Pranati Panda, with a captivating display of visual art pieces and photography by FLO members providing an appropriate backdrop for the discussion.

Over the course of these two days at the FLO Fest, members from FLO chapters in Delhi and across India came together, facilitating connections, networking, and sharing joyful moments while enjoying food and music. It was a two-day celebration filled with art, culture, and the strengthening of community bonds.