Samsara fest brings global environmentalists, lawmakers to Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Hundreds of people including noted global environmentalists, legislators, scientists, artists took part in the week-long "Roundglass Samsara Festival 2017", that concluded on Sunday in the city, aiming to create a dialogue surrounding environmental issues.

Kenyan ecologist Mordecai Ogada, New Zealand conservationist Barbara Maas, former President of the south Pacific island nation of Kiribati Anote Tong, former Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh, Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar and several other industry leaders and musicians were part of the fest.

"The festival is to encourage inter-disciplinary dialogue between legislators, scientists, filmmakers, environmentalists, artists etc to find solutions to the ecological crises in the country and promote environmental conservation," said the festival president Ricky Kej, a Grammy Award winning musician and conservationist.

This year was the first edition of this global environment and sustainability fest. The organisers plan to make it an annual event.

Starting October 2, the festival hosted an art exhibition, presenting artworks by renowned nature photographers and animation film designers, an international film festival, and a conclave that had discussions from the noted ecologists and lawmakers.

The art exhibition with works of popular nature photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee, veteran artist Dhimant Vyas and others will be exhibited at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru till Tuesday.