Last week, Sri Lanka’s underground music and art scene witnessed the debut of KAHLAJ, weaving eclectic fragments into a new narrative that celebrates the beauty of contrast, spontaneity, and imagination. Held at the cozy Lunuu at Kittoz, KAHLAJ delivered an experience that was thought provoking and dynamic.
At the heart of KAHLAJ is DJ Kahli, a recognized female presence in the island’s DJ community known for her wide repertoire of genres and performances in alternative events across Sri Lanka and Asia.
Her vision for KAHLAJ began as an intimate series among close friends and has now evolved into a public offering, while still deliberately maintaining its core intimacy with a strict capacity of just 60 attendees. This limited size fostered a genuinely personal atmosphere, allowing for deeper connections among those present.
DIY creative atmosphere
The name “KAHLAJ” itself is a nod to the art form of ‘collage’, which “honours difference and spontaneity, taking the power of our imagination to make something out of what could even be scrap.” This philosophy seamlessly extended to the musical curation, with Kahli viewing DJing as the “audio version of a visual collage” – a seamless blend of diverse sonic elements. Beyond the music, KAHLAJ championed a D.I.Y. creative atmosphere, encouraging attendees to bring their own art supplies and engage in their artistic mediums.
Guests took turns assembling a puzzle, filling in colouring book pages and some even brought their own drums to play alongside the DJs! This innovative approach successfully broadened the typical party experience beyond just dancing and drinking, creating a space that felt stimulating, healthy and helpful for creating art.
Metaphorically, KAHLAJ is a testament to open-mindedness, uniting diverse individuals to create beauty. Kahli passionately described the event as a much-needed “gift for the artistic, queer, and counterculture communities on the island.”
In a nation grappling with the aftershocks of crisis, resilient and inclusive spaces for expression are vital. KAHLAJ serves as a crucial anchor, a sanctuary where peaceful and creative individuals can explore new sounds, engage in their art, and connect with like-minded people.
This ethos draws directly from the rich history of underground music scenes worldwide, which have historically served as crucial havens for marginalized groups, offering a sense of belonging and freedom of expression often denied in mainstream society.
The inaugural musical journey at KAHLAJ featured a compelling lineup with DJs Dayaja, Kahli, and the veteran Shannon Davin, who seamlessly navigated through dub, breakbeats, techno, and hip hop. A standout principle was the experimental approach of combining non-electronic and electronic styles within the same lineup, a testament to KAHLAJ’s ambition to be genre-agnostic.
Plastic-free policy
This pioneering fusion offered a rich auditory experience, permitting these talented artists to delve into broader musical tastes beyond their usual performances.
Perhaps one of KAHLAJ’s most impactful contributions is its unwavering “ethic of care”. Attendees were subtly encouraged to care for themselves, for each other (with a strict zero-tolerance policy for homophobia, racism, or sexism), for the physical space, and, critically, for the Earth. KAHLAJ proudly adopted a plastic-free policy, a bold move in Sri Lanka where plastic pollution remains a pressing issue.
“There’s no reason why listening to good music and enjoying a party should generate so much pollution,” Kahli said, and the event truly embodied this. The absence of single-use plastic drinking cups (replaced by glass) and plastic water bottles, coupled with the use of recycled or reusable decorative elements, set a precedent for other events on the island.
KAHLAJ was more than a music event; it was a creative vision brought to life. Through its carefully curated soundscape, strong commitment to sustainability, and deep dedication to fostering connection and creativity, Kahli and her team of curators, Minza, Sohani, and Wasim, have crafted a truly distinctive experience.
Prioritizing “cosiness and elegance” alongside a safe and inclusive dance floor, KAHLAJ has successfully laid the groundwork for a series that promises to be a vital and inspiring force in Sri Lanka’s underground music scene.
