Events

The Ramayana: Love and Valour in India's Great Epic

Date: 16 May - 14 September 2008

Location: Pearson Gallery, The British Library, London NW1 2DB
Admission: free

 

Discover the epic story of the Ramayana, and follow Prince Rama's quest to rescue his beloved wife Sita with the help of an army of monkeys.
Over 100 gorgeous 17th-century Indian manuscript paintings are on display in this major exhibition. The brightly-coloured scenes are packed with incident: battle scenes with 10-headed Ravana, the monkey kingdom of Kishkindha, white elephants and exotic flora, and finally the moment when Rama and Sita are reunited.

The Folio Society Gallery - From East to West: Traditional Asian and Contemporary European Printing

Date: 29 April - 17 August 2008
Admission: free

 

White flowers and grasses. From Shasei Kusabana Moyo, an album of Rimpa-style flower designs, 1907.

The British Library's collections of fine printing from East Asia are amongst the best in the world, with the earliest examples of woodblock illustration dating back to 9th century China. Coloured woodblock illustration developed most spectacularly in 18th century Japan and the continuing tradition of exquisite printing in Korea, Japan and China is reflected in the Library's most recent acquisitions of artist's books, which includes works by European artists inspired by East Asian woodblock prints.

An Evening with Paul Chowdhry - Watermans Theatre

Date: Sunday 8 June 2008

Location: Watermans Theatre, 40 Hight Street, Brentford

 

Paul Chowdhry has distinguished himself over the past few years as one of the most talented and popular Asian comedians alive.
He is one of the few comics with the ability and diversity to effortlessly straddle the urban and white stand-up circuits as an international headline act. Constantly challenging and relentlessly inventive, his highly charged dry observational humour taps into the multicultural diversity of contemporary Britain.
Last year he made a definitive mark at the Edinburgh Festival, selling out his debut solo show followed with a further sell out at the prestigious Soho Theatre in the West End of London.

Nikita Dance Company presents their first SUMMER DANCE PRODUCTION - London

Date: Sunday 8 June 2008

Times: 18:00 - 21:30
Location: Beck Theatre, Hayes, Middlesex

 

This colourful and vibrant dance show presented by Nikita and her students is one not to be missed!
Nikita Dance Company presents the first ever Summer Production.
Nikita presents 50 students performing a variety of Classical and Bollywood Dance Performances... As well as the performances from Nikita the Artistic Director.

Exhibition of Paintings: Tanjorem Lalit Gupta and Indian Arts Corner Nehru Centre

Date: Mon 9 June 6.15 pm

Location: 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF

 

Tanjore painting is an important form of classical South Indian painting native to the town of Thanjavur (anglicized as Tanjore) in Tamil Nadu. The art form dates back to about 1600CE, a period when Nayakas of Tanjavur encouraged art- chiefly, classical dance and music as well as literature both in Telugu and Tamil. Tanjore Paintings are known for their surface richness, vivid colours and compact composition. Essentially serving as devotional icons, the themes of most of these paintings are Hindu gods and goddesses, and saints as well.

Episodes from Hindu tradition are drawn upon as elaboration to the main figure / figures placed in the central section of the picture. Tanjore paintings are in fact panel paintings (done on solid wood planks ) and hence were also referred to as 'palagai padam'( palagai - wooden plank ; padam- picture) in local parlance. In modern times, these paintings have become a much sought after as souvenir during festive occasions in South India; or as pieces to decorate the walls; or as collectors' items by art lovers.

 

Open until 20 June, except at weekends

Dramatic presentation of story Abhishapt

Mon 9 June 6.15 pm
Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London

 

ABHISHAPT (written by Tejendra Sharma) is a story of conflict between logic and emotions; an altercation between the comforts of city and soil of motherland. Compelled by his circumstances, Mahesh comes to settle in London. His brother-in-law exploits him to the hilt. Forced to lead the life of a bonded labourer, he gets married to a British Indian, Anju, who is all logic when it comes to sending money to his family back home. Manoj, another immigrant, has his own problems. He is the third husband of his wife and feels sick at the very thought of it.
Artists: Hina Baxi, Krishan Kant Tandon and Inayat Patel. In collaboration with Jay Jay Wanti Theatre.

Dance: Bharatanatyam : Bhakti : Devotional Traditions in Dance and Poetry

Mon 9 June 6.15 pm
Nehru Centre, South Audley Street, London

 

Monica de la Fuente presents a journey in dance and theatre through diverse devotional poetic traditions from India, Persia and Spain, using Bharata Natyam and western dance-theatre as techniques to communicate the intangible -yet universal- essence of the poetic language of the mystics. She thus weaves different mystical poetries, in time and space (Nammalvar, Akkamahadevi, Basavanna, Rumi, Tagore, St. John of the Cross, and others) into an intercultural aesthetic experience of Bhakti (devotion).
An experienced dancer-actress from Spain, Monica studied Bharata Natyam at Kalakshetra, Chennai, and under Meena Raman. Trained in Kathakali at Kerala Kalamandalam and Margi in Trivandrum, she was awarded scholarships by ICCR, Spanish Ministry of External Affairs and from the Valladolid City Council to study in South India from 1993-2000. Since then Monica has specialised in adapting classical Indian mythology and medieval Indian themes to a Western audience in dance and theatre productions performed in Europe and USA. At present she teaches performing arts at Casa de la India in Valladolid, Spain.

The National Centre for Early Music

Tuesday 10 June
The Dying Song, NCEM/York
The National Centre for Early Music
B/o Tel: 01904 658338
www.latemusicfestival.org.uk

Matribhoomi Theatre Company presents Pendu Peo London Wich

Date: Thursday 12 June 2008

Location: Watermans Theatre, 40 Hight Street, Brentford

 

This is the story of an old man Hawaldar Pyara Singh who comes to London to live with his son and family.
He finds himself in a very funny situation because he cant communicate with his grandchildren because they dont know Punjabi and he cant speak English. He brings Makki Di Roti and Gudd which they dont eat. He sings them Heer which they dont understand. Then he tries to learn English and teach them Punjabi which doesnt work. Suddenly one fine day Hwaldar Pyara singh disappears to teach them a good lesson and comes back a different person.
Pendu Peo london Wich is a story of people whose roots are the same but branches are different.... whose culture is the same but whose difference is culture...its a comedy play that tells us a story of people who cant speak to their dear ones because of language barriers.

The Rise and Fall of Chugenlal Joshi - The Drum, Birmingham

Date: Friday 13 June 2008

Times: 7.30pm


Noted as the Alf and Silly Old Moo Garnet of the British Asian community, The Rise and Fall of Chugenlal Joshi is a vibrant, hilarious and poignant view of the lives of the increasingly elderly community in this country. Dissolution fights with aspiration, begrudging love with outspoken feelings as Mr and Mrs Joshi face their twilights years together. Follow their journey as they both attempt to fulfil very different dreams, will they make it? Or will they fake it?
A bi-lingual production (Gujarati and English)

On Thumri and Abhinaya Bireshwar Gautam Workshop

Date: Tuesday 17 June

Location: Watermans Theatre, 40 Hight Street, Brentford

 

Venue: Asian Music Centre
Tel: 020 8749 9584 / 020 8742 9911/

Email: info@amc.org.uk

Mohammed Rafi Resurrected
Launch of the album by Rizwan Rafi (grandson of Mohd. Rafi)

Date: Tuesday 17 June 6.15 pm
Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London

 

Mohammed Rafi (1931-80), the popular Indian playback singer, sang in many Indian languages, but he is primarily remembered for his songs from Hindi cinema. Along with Mukesh and Kishore Kumar, he was one of the three leading male playback singers from the 1950s to the 1970s.
In a first of its kind of recording in the world, the city of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, an elite 80 member outfit, has joined hands with one of India’s leading vocalists, Sonu Nigam, to create a unique album. “Rafi Resurrected - A Tribute to Mohammad Rafi” is an 18 song extravaganza that for the first time combines a symphonic interpretation of Indian film music. The songs include such gems as the 1963 “Yaad Na Jaaye Beete DinoN Ki” from the film “Dil Ek Mandir”, the ever popular “Tareef KarooN Kya Uski” from the film “Kashmir Ki Kali”, “Pathar Ke Sanam” from the film of the same name to the absolutely brilliant “Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho” from the film “Hanste Zakhm” which was composed by Madan Mohan and written by Kaifi Azmi.
Speakers Dr. Hilal Fareed, Mr. Raza Ali Abdi, Amar Pal Gaind, Tim Pottier. In collaboration with SAREGAMA and Aligarh Muslim University Alumni.

Teaching Sanskrit as Part of a School Curriculum

Date: Sunday 8 June 2008

Location: Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London

 

St James Schools in West London have been teaching Sanskrit as part of their school curriculum for over 30 years. Junior School boys and girls will perform recitations from ancient Sanskrit texts. A presentation will be given on teaching Sanskrit as part of a school curriculum

Music: Violin: Jugalbandi
Minoti Khaund and Sunita Bhuyan

Date: Thursday 26 June 6.15 pm
Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London

 

The mother and daughter duo of Minoti Khaund and Sunita Bhuyan impress as well-groomed amateur artists and the daughter as a promising debutant. While the mother impressed as a highly proficient musician, the daughter too seemed to be following the mother's footsteps closely. Minoti's tutelage under the late violin maestro Pandit V.G. Jog has added richer dimensions to her performing capabilities.
The mother and daughter have carved out a niche for themselves in the field of Hindustani classical music. Minoti continues to be the foremost violin player in Assam for the past four decades. She is a gold medallist from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, with a Master's degree in music and has trained a good number of students in her art and is a visiting faculty of a reputed music college in Guwahati. Although her daughter Sunita is an FIR professional, yet she passionately pursues music. Accompanist: (tabla – Yusuf Ali Khan)

Launch : InvAsian Festival

Date: Friday 27 June 6.15 pm

Location: Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London

 

InvAsian Festival (3-25 August) is dedicated to highlighting Asian culture, music, dance, comedy, drama, film and art. It will be part of the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and will showcase acts from Japan, Korea, India, Pakistan and China. This evening provides a sample of acts that will be performing at Edinburgh this summer, including acts as diverse as a Pakistani Elvis, Korean Beatboy performances, British Asian theatre by companies including Kali & Peshkar, dance performances by Akademi and storytelling from Vayu Naidu. The InvAsian Festival is the result of a partnership between clubWEST, an established production company whose shows are Fringe Festival regulars, and Tartan Silk Public Relations.


In collaboration with Club Asia Radio, (www.edfringe.com , Venue Info: 0131 527 1562). For further information, please contact: Kevin Williams on 07720285550 or Suman Bhuchar on 07930 101894, www.invasianfestival.com

Exhibition of Paintings: Kaleidoscopic Images

Date: Friday 27 June 6.15 pm
Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London

 

Ranjeeta KantPainting has always been a passion for Ranjeeta Kant since her childhood. She did her masters in Anthropology and had formal training in Art at Triveni Kala Sangam under the guidance of Rameshwar Broota. She has worked extensively in the field of designing in Delhi and Kerala. She had the experience of designing textiles for an interior project and got it executed at the Comtrust Handloom Centre at Calicut. She has also designed furniture using rubber wood, for the public library in Calicut and stain glass painting for a private project. Ranjeeta has several successful solo shows to her credit. She recently attended a workshop on Egg Tempara by the French artist Christian Purad held at Experimental Art Gallery at India Habitat Centre and has participated in a number of group shows and art camps. Her works are part of important private collections in India and abroad. Open until 4 July during office hours

A Dying Song

Date: Sunday 29 June 08

Location: South Bank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall

B/o 0871 663 2500
www.south.southbankcentre.co.uk

Dance-Drama: Parchhayiaan - A Reflection

Date: Monday 30 June 6.15 pm
Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London

 

Keka Sinha An established Kathak artist well-known as a Soloist as well as for Dance Ballets, Keka Sinha is a disciple of Nritya Shiromani Guru Bandana Sen and Guru Reba Vidyarthi, both of whom are direct disciples of Late Pt Shambhu Maharaj ji of Lucknow Gharana fame. She is Sangeet Prabhakar in Kathak from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, and is the recipient of Singar Mani award from Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai. A member of the regional selection committee of the Centre for Cultural Resources & Training ,Govt of India, she is engaged in giving lecture-demonstrations regularly in reputed colleges and imparts training to young aspirants. She has conceptualized and choreographed many dance-ballets independently and for Nehru Centre, Mumbai.