Second edition of “18 Degrees Festival 2014” commences in Shillong from October 9-11

New Delhi/ Shillong, October 8, 2014:

Amidst much gusto and excitement, the Government of Meghalaya and the Department of Arts and Culture present the second edition of 18 Degrees Festival 2014 this October at the State Central Library premises, Shillong. The event is a three-day affair slated for October 9-11 duration.

The inaugural function will be held on October 9 at 11:00am. The Honourable Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr.MukulSangma, has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest at the official opening.

With 18 Degrees representing the average temperature of Shillong throughout the year, the festival aims at:
o Strengthening cultural diversity
o Provide an outlet for young people to express their artistic talent
o Help young people of all backgrounds to engage in confidence building exercises and social based efficacy
o Raise awareness of community issues and the wide range of activities available within and outside Meghalaya
o Combine urban influences with contemporary arts on a multi-cultural axis to provide a strong pro-community theme for the event
o Deliver a message of unity, anti-discrimination and freedom of expression

Programmes include: State Level Cultural Competitions, North East Cultural Performances, Cartooning, Painting, Literature, Films, Art Installations, Fashion Show, Cosplay, B-Boying, Paintball, Live National and International Music, International Acrobats, Walk Through Museum among many other competitions and exhibitions. The events will run each day from 10:00am to 7:30pm. All are welcome and entry is FREE.

Aware of the recent tragedy brought on by floods and landslides in Garo Hills a special counter will also be set up where attendees and public can voluntarily contribute cash and/or kind for the victims of the calamity. All the funds would be donated to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Talking about the line-up, 18 degrees has managed to get an impressive list involving a myriad mix of prominent personalities from different aspects of art, music and life.

Some of the popular names include:
Jayant Kripalani
Jayant Kripalani is an Indian film, television and stage actor, director and trainer. He has worked at JWT, Grant Kenyon &Eckhardt and as Senior Creative Director with RK Swamy BBDO. Most known for TV series, like Khandaan, Mr. Mrs and JiMantriji (2003). He also wrote the screenplay for ShyamBenegal’s film, Well Done Abba (2009).Jayant has directed and produced a number of films for multi nationals and is actively involved with theatre. Jayant has written the scripts for the original GharJamai which was aired in the old TV days of Doordarshan. He has also written and produced PC aurMausi – a mini TV series which explored the prejudices a ‘Mausi’ (maternal aunt) which had with the advent of the ‘dreaded’ “PC” or Personal Computer in the mid-eighties in India.His first book of short stories NEW MARKET TALES was published by Macmillan in 2012 and was much acclaimed critically and commercially.

OrijitSen
OrijitSen studied graphic design at the National Institute of Design. He has worked on several exhibition and museum design projects in India, the UK and Russia. He also works as a freelance graphic designer, comics creator and illustrator in addition to functioning as the Creative Director of People Tree, which he co-founded with wife Gurpreet in 1990. His published works include The River of Stories, Imung and the award-winning collaboration Trash.

Ritu Beri& Daniel Syiem
Ritu Beri is a name in fashion industry that doesn’t need an introduction. From international applause to designing for some of the most popular Hindi Film industry, she’s been there among the pioneer trendsetters in the industry. Daniel Syiem, an upcoming fashion designer from Shillong, who rose to fame with his unique design and impeccable craftsmanship, has now a number of international fashion weeks to his credit and is soon going to showcase his collection at Paris Fashion Week.

Geetu Hinduja
Geetu Hinduja is a noted songwriter/singer for over 2 decades. Experimenting with different kinds of music while giving a contemporary feel to them, she’s also a part of popular Geetu& Brown band.

Yantr, Anpu&Boka (street artists)
Street art symbolises a new voice – a voice that echoes revolution which germinates from the youth. Being a form of art outside the gallery spaces, it is accessible to all and it penetrates more into the minds of the masses. Yantr is an Indian street artist with a vision to make socio-political issues accessible to the general public through the medium of street art. Yantr’s work revolves around the complexity of machines and organic forms, mixed together in his signature eclectic style.

Anpu has been doing street art projects for over 3 years now. Based out of Delhi, she was involved in the Extension Khirkee Festival 2012, where she did her first large scale mural. This initiated her into being more involved in doing different street art projects around India. She has created a 158 feet profile of Mahatma Gandhi mural at the Delhi Police Head Quarter which is officially the tallest mural of the country with German artist HendrickBeikirch.

Boka is a curator, artist and scenographer. Armed with firm foundations in various schools of thought, he has created a niche for himself in fields like new media, interactive art and film making. He engages himself by exploring different cultures and their corresponding art forms. Through several years of practice, he has gathered an extensive experience working with the mainstream Indian art world along with several communities and cultures of North East India.

Northsyde
Founded in 2005, the four-piece Northsyde began life as Funky dory. Their debut album “Still” was released in 2006 to fine reviews. With a grooving combination of rock, funk and a serious nod to the blues – their follow up album “Mercy’s Medicine” was released independently in 2009, again to strong acclaim. The band is fronted by vocalist Lorna Fothergill, who is also the main lyricist and songwriter. Playing guitar for the band is her husband, Jules Fothergill. The Fothergills first met as band members of the erstwhile UK blues scene mainstay, Roadhouse, but soon decided to branch out on their own. Jules called on old friends Ian Mauricio on Bass and Hayden Doyle on drums (represented by Liam Gray on India Tours) to join on Bass and Drums respectively, as they had played together in several London based bands and forged a strong relationship.

Tracy Lee Stum
An American 3-D street painting/chalk drawing artist, Tracy has been featured in blog posts, TV, film and print coverage worldwide including the likes of New York Times, Hindustan Times, Boston Globe, and San Francisco Chronicle. Also holds the Guinness World Record for the largest chalk painting by an individual.

For the complete list of the line-up with more details, you can always check here (http://18degreesfestival.com/category/blog/).