In India, the calendar of public arts and culture events starts filling up in October, rises to a peak during the coolest months, and then tails off in March as the northern hemisphere\u2019s summer equinox marks longer daylight hours. This article explores the unique nature of India\u2019s culture season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a tropical country where summers can be uncomfortably hot, that fewer events happen then seems logical. And several rainy months after that make outdoor events \u2014 and in some places, commuting \u2014 uncertain enterprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo festival wants to take a risk during the monsoons,\u201d says Quasar Thakore-Padamsee, Mumbai-based theatre-maker, \u201cand this finds historical roots in the \u2018current booking\u2019 phenomenon of the past. Advance booking was not so popular and you could never tell how many people will show up.\u201d His company, QTP, has been hosting Thespo, a youth theatre festival, in December each year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He says it\u2019s not just the weather; it\u2019s also the academic cycle, with school and college year-end exams, for the most part, in the summer months. \u201cBesides, all our religious festivals, starting with Ganesh Chaturthi all the way to Easter, fall in this period. It has something to do with the festivity in the air.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another factor, he says, is calendars abroad. \u201cIn the West, summer is the month for cultural festivals, since their winter months are of extreme weather. This also enables Indian artists to travel to other countries and vice versa for performance.\u201d Plus there is merit, Thakore-Padamsee says, in finding a niche in the public mind. \u201cEveryone, including performers and audiences know that the Prithvi Festival falls in November and plans accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n