India's first drive-a-thon is here

Called Mahindra Open Drive, the festival will be held on November 8-9 at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Taleigao, Goa.

It aims to bring together people from diverse cultural backgrounds to form a tribe of goodness and celebration whilst also being able to contribute to a good cause.

Speaking about the event, Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group said, "While the automotive industry is seeing changing ownership models for personal mobility, it is our belief that vehicles used to enjoy drives and the open outdoors will always be in demand. Families, groups of friends or individuals will always want to take a break from their hectic lives and head out into the countryside. It is this aspect of mobility we had in mind while conceptualising Mahindra Open Drive."

According to Jay Shah, Vice President, Cultural Outreach, Mahindra Group: "It offers an opportunity to celebrate life with its newest festival. This has been conceived for the city goer who needs to break away from the humdrum for a weekend filled with adventure, music, and positive vibes. While the 'drive' refers to the suggested way to come to the festival, it also refers to the positive emotion of being motivated to do good, to be driven."

The festival will feature a mix of international and local artistes including headliners 'Chico and The Gypsies' who would accompany world and folk music sensations Raghu Dixit, Harouna Samake, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, and Nikhil Dsouza.

Brooklyn Funk Essentials, who will be performing in India for the first time said, "We just released a brand new album, from which we will be playing a selection of funky party jams at Mahindra Open Drive. But we will, of course, also be playing the old hits from our previous albums. We like to get straight into the party mode with happy dance tracks, and build up the show as we go along, including some improvisation and jamming, depending on the mood of the day/night."

"We really like artistes like Anoushka Shankar, Swarthy Korwar and Delhi Sultanate. It would be great to collaborate with people like them in the future," says Brooklyn Funk Essentials

It will also comprise of a souk - showcasing local artisan-crafted products, an exhibition of Goa's culture, performances by international artists, installation artists, and a local and international cuisine feast.

The trip would have pit stops along the way (from each of the 5 cities of origin) that contain stimulating activities to the final culmination at the two-day culture fest in Goa.

Entries are by invitation only.

( With inputs from IANS )