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DELHI
Art
Early Years—Paintings by Viswanadhan
Ongoing
Artist Velu Viswanadhan is exhibiting in Delhi for the first time in four years, with paintings from the 1960s and the 1970s. These paintings are influenced by the three places in which Viswanadhan has lived: Kerala, Chennai and Paris. Besides paintings, the show will also include an archive of personal pictures and a documentary by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, inspired by Viswanadhan and titled Colour and Form. 11am-7pm (Mon-Sat). Delhi Art Gallery, 11, Hauz Khas Village (2656-8166).
Solo Show
From 13 May
Gallery Sumukha presents an exhibition of paintings and photographs by Vivek Vilasini. The exhibition is curated by Alka Pande. The medium used in his paintings is casein on canvas. 9.30am-1pm. Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road (2468-2001).
Film
Halfaouine—Boy of the Terraces
13 May
This Arabic film has won critical acclaim for its sensitive, intelligent portrayal of a young boy coming of age. Noura is an inquisitive 13-year-old whose eyes are opened to his own sexual desires when he visits the local Turkish bathhouse with his mother. Directed by Ferid Boughedir. 6.30pm (duration: 1 hour 38 minutes). Grey Zone Film Club, The Attic, 36, Regal Building, Connaught Place (2374-6050). One-day membership: Rs70.
Out and About
Building the Future
Until 15 May
This exhibition showcases the architecture of German firm von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (GMP) and is organized by the Goethe Institut. Over the last 40 years, GMP has designed projects in major cities across Europe and Asia. It’s focus is on sustainability and functionality and the works reflect concerns of ecology, topography, economy, society and politics. 11am-7pm (Mon-Sat). Galleries 1-4 and Foyer. Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, 35, Ferozeshah Road, Mandi Circle (2338-7241).
Theatre
Banabhatta ki Atmakatha
15- 17 May
Hazari Prasad Dwivedi’s celebrated Hindi novel Banabhatta ki Atmakatha is brought to the stage for the first time by the National School of Drama’s Repertory Company. Presented as an autobiographical account of a few months in the life of classical Sanskrit poet Banabhatta, the novel—and the play—offer a fascinating fictional glimpse into the complexities of Indian society and politics in the seventh century. 6.30pm. Abhimanch, National School of Drama, Bahawalpur House, 1, Bhagwan Das Road (2338-4531). Tickets: Rs10-100, available at the venue.
16 May
This is a take on the Mahabharata from the perspective of one of its most fascinating characters: Karna. The play has the advantage of having a storyline already known to almost everyone in the audience, which means that the actors are left free to explore the moral and psychological conflicts of their characters. 7pm. Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, 4, Safdar Hashmi Marg (2371-4307).
Music
Joseph Banowetz
17 May
A graduate of the Vienna Akademie für Musik, pianist Banowetz has, in a long and illustrious career, performed with the St Petersburg Philharmonic and the Moscow State Symphony, among others. Though his repertory includes Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Mendelssohn and Schumann, he is probably best known for his interpretation of Liszt. This event is organized in collaboration with the Delhi Music Society. 6.30pm. India International Centre Auditorium, 40, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate (2461-9431).
MUMBAI
Books
India After Gandhi
11 May
Eight years after eminent historian Ramachandra Guha started researching the book, India After Gandhi finally hit the stores this fortnight. Catch Guha holding forth on his work at the book launch on 11 May. Combining academic rigour with the readability of a thriller, India After Gandhi is a breathtaking survey of India’s attempts to stay united and democratic since 1947. Guha contends that in the face of such challenges as social stratification, extreme poverty and separatist insurgencies, we are 50% democratic and 80% united. He concludes, “So long as Hindi films are watched and their songs sung, India will survive." 6pm. British Council Auditorium, Mittal Tower, C Wing, Second Floor, Nariman Point (2282-3560).
Dance
Purush Festival
11 May
Kathak dancer Bireshwar Gautam brings back the Purush dance festival after a hiatus of two years. Male dancers will take centre stage, with performances by Bharatanatyam dancer and co-director of Lasya, Vaibhav Arekar, Puri-based Odissi dancer, Rahul Acharya, and Gautam himself. 6.45pm. Mini Theatre, P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Ravindra Natya Mandir, near Siddhivinayak Mandir, Sayani Road, Prabhadevi (2431-2956).
Film
Releasing 11 May
If 2006 was the year of mega-hits (Krrish, Lage Raho Munnabhai), 2007 is proving to be the year of movies with multiple plots. After Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd and Salaam-e-Ishq, Anurag Basu’s Metro is the next high-profile release to feature three interconnected stories. Metro has some Basu staples: blue-grey tones, striking urban landscapes and a soft rock-heavy soundtrack. “It’s about how the life of somebody affects somebody else," said Basu. “The story is based in Mumbai but it can be the story of any metro." Metro houses the stories of characters played by Kay Kay Menon, Shiney Ahuja, Shilpa Shetty, Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sharman Joshi and Kangana Ranaut. These interlinked characters grapple with issues related to love, money and sex. Major cinemas.
Paris, Je T’Aime
Releasing 11 May
Eighteen directors pay tribute to Paris. The short films are set in 18 neighbourhoods in Paris and the only common thread between them is of love. The list of directors includes Walter Salles, the Coen brothers, Gurinder Chadha, Gus Van Sant, Oliver Assayas, Christopher Doyle, Tom Tykwer and Alexander Payne. PVR cinemas in Mulund and Juhu.
Theatre
Hum Rahe Na Hum
15-17 May
An adaptation of J.B. Priestley’s Time and the Conways, Hum Rahe Na Hum charts the downfall of an upper-class family. The play follows a pendulous narrative, swinging between present and future. Inspired by scientist J.W. Dunne’s theories of time, Priestley raises doubts over whether we have any control over our future lives. 9pm. Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Juhu, Vile Parle (W) (2614-9546). Tickets: Rs100-150.
Art
Eye Peace
From 16 May
Ruchi Agarwal was going past a slum near Mahim one day when she realized that one of the ramshackle buildings could be a beautiful picture from a certain angle. This was the beginning of Eye Peace, Agarwal’s exhibition of abstract photographs taken in Mumbai’s slums. “It’s about seeing things in parts," says Agarwal. She didn’t want to fall into the trap of photographing slums for their exotic appeal. Instead, Agarwal tried to find ways of obscuring her subject while celebrating it. “If you can’t figure out what it really is and you see a piece of a whole just for what it is, it can be beautiful. That’s what my photographs are about," says Agarwal. 11am-7pm. Piramal Gallery, NCPA, near Hilton Towers, Nariman Point (6622-3737).
RECOMMENDED
Film
DELHI
12-15 May
The Public Service Broadcasting Trust’s annual film festival centres on issues of Gender and Sexuality this year. Among the international and Indian documentary films that will be screened are Who Can Speak of Men, an astonishing and intimate documentary about middle-class Muslim women in India who refuse to conform to feminine norms, and C.R.A.Z.Y., a richly nostalgic tale about a Montreal family. The festival features more than 40 films and an interesting line-up of panel discussions. Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road (4122-0000). Visit www.psbt.org/ifgs.htm for details.
Nightlife
MUMBAI
12 May
Groove to dance beats by the “biggest DJ in the world". A DJ, remixer and producer who’s done more for house music in Britain than anyone else, Paul Oakenfold is one of the most important names in modern club culture and his music is everywhere. Not just in clubs and bars around the world, but also on radio and television commercials for Coca-Cola, Toyota, Motorola and Saab and on soundtracks of films such as Swordfish, The Matrix Reloaded and Collateral. Oakenfold is the definitive dance DJ who has made the crossover from club culture to popular culture. 9pm. City Studio Kamala Mills, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel. Railway station: Lower Parel. Entry: Rs3,000.
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