Mara Collective is back with its October Jam Festival, inviting artists from across the country to perform and showcase their work with this year’s theme ‘Stone Flowers’, which blends the concepts of masculinity and femininity .

Mara was founded in 2008 by three friends who wanted to use spaces in Bengaluru for artistic expression as the city was on the cusp of massive infrastructural development, which was resulting in many people being displaced. “We wanted to represent voices that are not dominant, and challenge the status quo,” says Ekta Mittal, one of Mara’s co-founders.

This year, Mara is really challenging the status quo with its theme. “Mara has conducted a research study about masculinity over the past two years and we will be showcasing our report on November 1,” she says. “In addition to involving artists from across the country, we also launched a Mirrors Fellowship in March. also launched, which focused on research and projects challenging fixed ideas about masculinity and selected 12 fellows who will showcase their work at Bangalore International between 1 and 3 November. Center.”

There will be theater performances, dance, music, poetry readings, film screenings and painting exhibitions, which will not just be limited to the city centre, but spread across the city. “We decided to take some of the demonstrations to Anekal and Kolar,” says Ekta. “Artist Anushi Agarwal is going to perform envelopeA disturbing, autobiographical narrative of around 50 to 60 locations around Bangalore.

Mara is also organizing some demonstrations especially for the benefit of government college students and residents of rural Karnataka.

“There are many unresolved fears that stem from our childhood. kannada drama Kappeya KanasuWhich was staged at Samvada on October 19, highlights those unresolved fears. Other theatrical performances include Du Saraswati’s dramatic monologues, advice which she gives while traveling from one corner of Bengaluru to another in her performances. Prem Purana and Bird Purana,

Another upcoming performance to look forward to launda danceA Bhojpuri folk theater form which is a blend of drama, dance, music and dialogue. This year, one of the artists is Raju Kumar Ranjan, an ace dancer from Bihar who has toured across India.

“Masculinity and femininity exist in each of us, though it is not visible to the eye because of social expectations,” says Raju over the phone from Bihar. “We, as a community, want this to be recognised,” he will say as he performs at the BIC on November 3, and will later interact with writer Brahm Prakash.

From Mara’s October Jam Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Rumi Harish, a trans musician and painter, and one of the advisors of the Mirrors Fellowship, is also performing and exhibiting her paintings in an exhibition for October Jam. “I started painting in November 2021 to fight depression, and since then have been painting every evening between 5 pm and 11 pm, the way a singer practices Riyaz“Says Rumi.

Talking about his show at CIEDS Collective on October 27, he says, “My voice has changed from a female voice to a male voice, so I will showcase that in my performance.” Also displayed his paintings at Shanti Road Studio Gallery, as part of October Jam.

Dadapeer Jimman, a Kannadiga poet who wrote his biography of Rumi in close collaboration, is a Mirror’s Fellow this year, and is being mentored by Rumi. He will recite poetry on October 26 at a session organized by the Queer Poets Collective and Razai Collective, co-founded by him and Rumi. “Each poet will recite two of their own poems as well as two poems by other famous queers. Poet,” says Dadapir.

“Artistic expressions always prevail over what is limited,” says Ekta. “We keep changing the qualities of masculinity and femininity within us and this year, we are showcasing the same through our art.”

For details of October Jam event log on to maraa.in or their Instagram handle @maraacollective

From Mara’s October Jam Photo Credit: Special Arrangement