Bangalore
Around town
Talk on the Question Hour in India: Some Diagnostics
16 March
In one of the first systematic analyses of its kind, Srikrishna Ayyangar from the University of Hartford, US, studied data from Question Hour sessions in the Lok Sabha between 1980 and 1999 to examine how the legislature functions. At this talk, Ayyangar will share insights about how caste, gender, education, age and other aspects appear to affect the manner in which legislators participate in Question Hour, and on the “floor strategies” used by the political parties.
6.30pm. Bangalore International Centre, Teri Complex, 4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlur 2nd Stage. For details, call 9886599675 or email pronab@teri.res.in
Film
Europe in Love
19–22 March
The following screenings of films (with English subtitles) at the Bangalore International Centre (BIC) will be hosted as part of the 17th edition of the European Union Film Festival.
Matrimoni E Altri Disastri (Weddings and Other Disasters)
19 March
Nina Di Majo’s 2010 Italian film is about 40-year-old Nanà, who runs a small book store in Florence, and despite the nagging of her well-to-do family, seems content with her life as a spinster. 1 hour, 42 minutes.
Osebna Prtljaga (Personal Baggage)
20 March
Janez Lapajne’s 2011 Slovenian film is about Vid, a talented but bratty young man who falls in love with a girl coming to terms with her dysfunctional family. 2 hours, 4 minutes.
Politiki Kouzina (A Touch of Spice)
Film festival: A still from Tassos Boulmetis’ Politiki Kouzina.
This 2003 Greek and Turkish film by Tassos Boulmetis is the story of a professor (George Corraface) who prepares a lavish last-minute meal for his visiting grandfather. Upon hearing that his beloved relative can’t make the trip, the man travels to see the ailing elder and revisits a lifetime of shared epicurean memories. 1 hour, 48 minutes.
Tadas Blinda, Pradžia (Tadas Blinda, The Legend Is Born)
22 March
Donatas Ulvydas’ 2011 Lithuanian film is a historical romantic adventure set on the outskirts of the Russian empire of the 19th century. 1 hour, 50 minutes.
6pm. Bangalore International Centre (25359680). Entry on first-come, first-served basis. For passes, contact the Suchitra Film Society. For details about the BIC screenings and memberships, call 9886599675.
Master Artists on Film
17–25 March
A new series of screenings at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) focuses on the life and works of Amrita Sher-Gil and M.F. Husain, among other artists. Amrita Sher-Gil, the 1969 Hindi 18-minute documentary of B.D. Garga, charts the life of the late painter, beginning with scenes from 1913 by the Danube river in Budapest, where Sher-Gil was born, through her early inspirations, her tour of south India in the late 1930s and meteoric rise to fame before her death, aged 28, in Lahore.
Santi P. Choudhury’s 28-minute film Husain finds Husain immersed in a year-long project to illustrate the Ramayan and translate the epic into contemporary images. In between shots of the artist filming local enactments of the Ramayan, the film sheds light on the artist’s attempt at infusing his own cultural readings into his renditions. The film moves on to explore the origins of Husain’s fascination with horses, inspired in some part by the stylized equestrian statues of Italian artist Marino Marini, to his predilection for pop culture, his paintings on Mother Teresa, and a series he created in memory of Pablo Picasso after the Spanish artist’s death in 1973.
10am-5pm. (Monday closed). National Gallery of Modern Art, Manikyavelu Mansion, 49, Palace Road (22201027, 22342338). Entry, Rs 10 for Indians, Rs 150 for non-Indians, Rs 1 for children and students. Schedules are subject to change. For confirmations, contact the venue.
Music
Gewandhaus Choir Leipzig
17 March
A Western classical concert of compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach presented by the Gewandhaus Choir from Leipzig. As one of Germany’s leading semi-professional concert choirs, which has been active for close to 150 years, the group will include about 50 singers in the city, performing under the artistic director Gregor Meyer. Besides their Bach repertoire, the choir is expected to perform a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore.
7pm. Christ University, Hosur Road (40129100). Invites may be collected from the venue and Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan (from 9am-5.30pm on Friday and 11am-6pm on Saturday).
Dance
Ballet
19 March
Students from the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography will present three historical dance ballets—Kaumudi Mahotsav, Charumitra and Salim-Anarkali. These ballets have been choreographed using techniques from classical dance (Kathak) idioms.
5.30pm. Seva Sadan, 14th Cross, West Park Road, Malleswaram (23347830).
Top Pick
Music
EOL Trio
16 March
This jazz, post-rock and electro trio from France comprises Denis Girard on hammond organ, Fender Rhodes on electric piano, Xavier Girard on drums and Laurent David on bass.
8-11pm. B-Flat, 776, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar (25278361). For the entry charge, contact the venue.
Mumbai
Around town
Wassup Andheri
16-18 March
The city’s biggest suburb kicks off its first local art and entertainment festival with a host of events —a tribute to Pink Floyd by the band Para Vayu, a performance by guitarist Ravi Iyer, a lecture and audio-video book-reading session on the late actor-director Guru Dutt by journalist Sathya Saran, a discussion with photographer Subi Samuel, a show by stand-up comic Vipul Goyal, a live tattoo demonstration by Savio D’Silva and a short film-making session with directors Anurag Kashyap and Imtiaz Ali. There will also be a nature walk for children and workshops on puppet-making, cooking, clay art and painting.
Timings vary. Garden No. 2, Lokhandwala Complex, opposite Celebration Sports Club, Andheri (West). For the schedule, visit
www.wassupandheri.com
WSD Sale
21 March
The Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD) NGO is holding a charity sale of collected second-hand books, CDs, DVDs, clothes, cutlery and glassware. The proceeds will be used to sterilize and immunize stray dogs in Mumbai. The dog-eared paperback you pick up might just save a dog somewhere.
10am-7pm. Laxmi Baug Hall, Avantikabai Gokhale Road, Auto Spare Parts Market Lane, off Lamington Road, near Opera House, Girgaum.
Dance
Contemporary: Kentaro at the NGMA.
20 March
One of the rising stars of Japan’s contemporary dance, Kentaro is performing in India for the first time. The dancer and choreographer is presenting After Raining, It Will Be Sunny. The event is being organized by the Asia Society India Centre.
7pm. National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Sir Cowasji Jehangir Hall, near Regal Cinema, MG Road, Colaba (22881969). Entry by registration at 6.30pm.
Art
Seismic—Haikus in Paper
Till 17 March
Sachin Tekade’s debut exhibition showcases the artist’s grasp over sculpting paper. Tekade uses glue and a paper cutter to fashion delicate sculptures inspired by present-day architecture. Drawn to the colour white, the intricate works—meant to hint at the possibilities of man-made structures —throw up a subtle play of light and shade.
11am-7pm. The Loft at Lower Parel, New Mahalaxmi Silk Mills, Mathuradas Mills Compound, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel (30400166).
Music
Living Traditions—Goa Gala
21-22 March
The Cotta family from Margao will perform traditional Goan folk songs, such as fugddeo, dekhni, dulpod and mando. Miguel and Lisette Cotta have been performing with their children Chantale and Franz Schubert since the 1980s. Miguel plays the ghumott and Schubert plays the Portuguese guitar, mandolin and violin. They will be joined by dancers Carlos Bruto da Costa and Telma Gracias.
7pm. Experimental Theatre, National Centre for the Performing Arts, NCPA Marg, near Hilton Towers, Nariman Point (66223737). Tickets, Rs 150 and Rs 200, available at the venue.
Top Pick
Around town
Cool Japan
16-18 March
The Japanese government is organizing this festival celebrating 60 years of Indo-Japanese diplomatic relations. There will be geisha dance performances, robot shows, Japanese comedy acts and a lot more.
11am-10pm. Phoenix Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (43485000, 24964307/ 08).
Delhi
Around town
Spring Fever
16-25 March
Penguin is bringing back the annual Spring Fever literary festival. This fest includes an open-air library during the day followed by book discussions, poetry readings and music in the evenings. The events are open to all, but most require registration. While Vikram Seth will open the fest discussing his new book with Aveek Sen, three authors—Rahul Bhattacharya, Anjum Hasan and Anjan Sundaram—will talk about the joys and pains of writing. There will be a preview of three non-fiction works by Amit Chaudhuri, Gurcharan Das and Shashi Tharoor, and a session for young writers where Madhuri Banerjee, Nistula Hebbar, Chanchal Deep Singh Sandhu and Ravinder Singh will discuss romance and sex. This will be followed by a concert.
Amphitheatre, Habitat World, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road (24682222). Library open daily, 11 am-7pm. For registration, email springfever@in.penguingroup.com
Theatre
On stage: The Seed Giver brings Bharatanatyam to a French story.
16 March
The Seed Giver is a play with elements of Bharatanatyam based on Violette Ailhaud’s novella L’Hommes Semence, set in 1852. It explores life in a village in the Basses-Alpes region of France where, after all the men are killed by Napoleon’s forces in brutal repression of a republican uprising, the women decide to take the next man who comes to their village as their common husband.
6.30pm. ML Bhartia Auditorium, Alliance Française, 72, Max Mueller Marg, (43500200).
Film
Yasuzo Masumura Retrospective
19-22 March
A retrospective of Japanese director Yasuzo Masumura will allow cinephiles a chance to explore and revisit his singular brand of cinema —sexy and provocative. His characters were mostly conflicted and non-heroic, like the girl in the 1969 film Blind Beast who starts developing complicated feelings for her sadistic abductor. This retrospective of 18 films will include Blind Beast, A Wife Confesses (1961), the arty lesbian drama Manji (1964) and the anti-war film Hoodlum Soldier (1965).
Timings vary. India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road (24682222). India International Centre, 40, Max Mueller Marg (24619431). Japan Foundation, 5-A, Lajpat Nagar-IV (26442967).
Long Takes: A Cine Essay
Till 20 March
Cine Darbaar and the Japan Foundation are presenting “Long Takes: A Cine Essay”, a video exhibition on nine film-makers, each of whom made the tool of long takes an extension of their directorial personalities. The repertory of film-makers includes Max Ophüls, Andrei Tarkovsky, Béla Tarr, Theo Angelopoulos, Chantal Akerman and Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
11.30am-7pm (Sunday closed). 13, Basement Cine Darbaar, Hauz Khas Village.
Top Pick
Around town
Restaurant Week Delhi
Till 19 March
Restaurant Week lets you sample set three-course meals at a surprising price. The participating restaurants include Magique (Garden of Five Senses), Kainoosh (DLF Promenade), Olive Bar and Kitchen, Olive Beach, Sakura (The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa), Smoke House Room, Varq (The Taj Mahal), Indian Accent (The Manor), Pomodoro (Hilton, Janakpuri) and Circa 1193. The fixed menu includes dishes from the à la carte menu at specific restaurants.
Timings and venues vary. For reservations, visit www.restaurantweekindia.com. Meal price,Rs 1,000 per person, plus taxes.
Chennai
Art
Blind Poet and the Butterflies
Till 30 March
This exhibition of paintings by C. Douglas, Blind Poet and the Butterflies, is part of the Art Chennai initiative. The paintings represent the artist’s long-standing commitment to poetry and philosophy. This series sees a return to Cubist-inspired spaces, with several layers adding to the depth and density of the compositions. This internationally recognized artist has lived and worked in the Cholamandal Artists’ Village, an artists’ commune on the outskirts of Chennai.
11am-7pm (Sundays closed). Focus art Gallery, 11, Bishop Wallers Avenue (South), CIT Colony, Alwarpet (24986611). For details, visit
focusartgallery.co.in
Around town
Standup Tamasha
18 March
Evam presents a series of stand-up comedy acts derived from stories of urban dilemma. The subjects range from a first-time US visit to the anguish of a visa being declined, first kisses and finding apartments to film shoots and south Indian arranged marriages.
8pm. Star Rock, The Spring Hotel, 11, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam (40509999). Tickets, Rs 350, available on
in.bookmyshow.com; entry strictly for adults.
Plantation House
Till 18 March
Amethyst presents a collection of silhouettes by Plantation House, known for its handcrafted clothing inspired by folk traditions.
11am-8pm. Amethyst, Whites Road, Royapettah (45991630).
Top Pick
Artwork: By Paresh Maity.
Paresh Maity Project
Till 31 March
Gallery Sumukha presents an exhibition of drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations by Paresh Maity. Through his artworks—watercolours on board, sketches in ink on paper, oil on fibreglass and bronze sculptures—Maity endeavours to show the myriad emotions two people share—love, proximity, happiness, sorrow, disappointment, failure and triumph.
11am–6pm. Gallery Sumukha. 187, St Mary’s Road, Alwarpet (42112545).
By Nandini Reddy
Hyderabad
Theatre
Moghul Bachhe
17 March
A solo performance by actor and theatreperson Ratna Pathak Shah, Moghul Bachhe brings out the dark undertones of a love story set against the backdrop of a declining Mughal empire. The act makes a wry comment on the social set-up by talking about the so-called successors of the Mughals, the landed gentry of Uttar Pradesh, who are unable to come to terms with the decline in their fortunes.
6.30pm. Secunderabad Club, near Jubilee Bus Station, Picket, Secunderabad (27804840). Entry by invitation, contact Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad at 65526443.
Art
The Lore of Belief
Till 20 March
The Lore of Belief is an initiative by Truffles Café to promote art appreciation. The calligraphic works of Parameshwar Raju are displayed throughout the property. Raju’s celebration of iconography highlights his impression of viewers’ memories of a shared tradition. In this exhibition of personalized pictorial calligraphy, the artist tries to depict incidents, motifs and images in reference to traditional Indian lore. His works have been displayed earlier in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.
11am-7pm. Truffles Café, Plot No. 376, Road No. 10 , Jubilee Hills (23550105).
Top Pick
Film
Die Fremde (When We Leave)
16 March
Written, directed and produced by Feo Aladag, the 2010 German film ‘Die Fremde’ is the story of Umay, a young woman of Turkish descent fighting her family for an independent and self-determined life in Germany. In her debut film, the director has managed to create a multi-layered and poignant portrait of a family far removed from clichés. 2 hours.
6pm. Oxford Book Store, The Park Hotel, Somajiguda, (65526443).
Viswanath Pilla
Kolkata
Art
Time Past is Present
Till 20 March
Vast range: Roy’s work is reminiscent of the Bengal School masters.
Noon-7pm (Sunday closed). Aakriti Art Gallery, Orbit Enclave, First floor, 12/3A, Hungerford Street (22893027/5041). For details, visit
www.aakritiartgallery.com
Photography
Moment Um…
16-18 March
Photography club ChhobiWala presents works by amateur photographers Atish Sen, Bijit Bose, Soumya Bandhopadhyay, Debarshi Duttagupta and Arijit Talukder. Sen shoots street scenes, portraits and cultural events, while Bose likes to create something new out of common subjects like people, events and abstracts. Bandhopadhyay works on cultural events and festivals, and Duttagupta likes to showcase landscapes. Talukder works with wildlife, people and travel.
4-8pm. Gaganendra Pradarshanshala, near Nandan, Calcutta Information Centre, AJC Bose Road. For details, call 9830167506.
Music
An Evening of Aesthetic Melody
18 March
The Society for Educational and Benevolent Activities (Seba) Foundation and Alchemy Leadership School present a musical evening featuring Hariharan, percussionist Sivamani and tabla maestro Pandit Gobinda Bose. The evening will start with a jugalbandi by Sivamani and Bose and will be followed by a solo performance by Hariharan.
5pm. Nazrul Mancha, Rabindra Sarobar. Tickets, Rs 500, Rs 700, Rs 1,000, Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000. For details and tickets, call 9679676878, 9051037079 or 9331802697.
Around town
Mughal-e-Roast and Oriental Steamers
Till 31 March
ITC Sonar presents food festivals at its Dum Pukht and Pan Asian restaurants. The Oriental Steamers at Pan Asian will features dishes like Pla Nung Manoa (steamed fish with chilli, lemon and coriander) and Sake Nitsuki (steamed salmon with assorted bell pepper). At Dum Pukht, chefs have worked on a chicken dish, Mughal-e-Roast, with combinations of jaggery, tamarind and pickled chillies to create a rich gravy.
7-11.45pm. ITC Sonar (23454545). Meal per person, Rs 1,450, plus taxes (Dum Pukht), and à la carte for approximately Rs 1,400, plus taxes (Pan Asian).
By Indranil Bhoumik
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