Delhi
Dance
Hum Kadam
25 May
Hum Kadam is the annual performance by students of the Rachana Yadav Kathak Dance Studio. This year’s presentation, Aaraadhya, centres on the depiction of four gods/goddesses of the Hindu pantheon—Shiva, Krishna, Ganesha and Durga. The younger students “introduce” the god through a sloka, and the older ones take it forward through a full piece. The students perform a Shiva tandav stotram combined with a tarana, a Krishna bandish and a Ganesha bhajan. Two guest performers, Rajendra Gangani’s disciples Preeti Sharma and Piyush Chauhan, will also perform at the finale.
7.30pm. Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon (2715000).
Film
A Screaming Man
25 May
Tensions between fathers and sons, with war as a background, rear their ugly heads again in this film from Chad. Director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun’s simple framing and meditative, chat-free storytelling offer a wise parable about ageing, pride and conflict in modern Africa. Here, economics and war disrupt the routine of Adam (Youssouf Djaoro), a former swimming champion who now spends his days guarding a hotel pool. There’s news on the radio of an escalation in war, and financial pressures force the hotel’s bosses to order Adam to guard the hotel gate and replace him with his son, Abdel (Dioucounda Koma). The film is in French and Arabic, with English subtitles. 1 hour, 32 minutes.
5.30pm/7.30pm. Alliance Française, 72, Lodhi Estate (43500200).
Music
Mob Marley Inc
31 May
The Delhi band, formed in 2010 as a tribute to the late Bob Marley, includes Chintan Kalra (vocals), Nikhil Vasudevan (drums), Raghav Dang (guitar, vocals), Rohit Kulkarni (guitar) and Sid Mathur (bass).
10pm. Hard Rock Café, DLF Place, First floor, District Centre, Saket. For details, call 47158888.
Buffa Pirate, Nucleya & Reggae Rajahs
25 May
Delhi band Reggae Rajahs, comprising Diggy Dang, Mr Herbalist and DJ Mocity, will play at Shroom along with Udyan Sagar’s Nucleya and Buffa Pirate.
10.30pm. Shroom, The Crescent At The Qutub, Third floor, Lado Sarai , Mehrauli (29523737). Cover charge, Rs 2,000 per couple, for entry after 11pm.
Theatre
Old Town
25-30 May
Folk and fusion: Roysten Abel’s latest production, Old Town, uses elements of nautanki, folk and puppetry.
And Roysten Abel has called on a formidable array of experts. There’s Ram Dayal Sharma, whom Abel described as “the greatest living nautanki exponent in India”. Ammannur Rajaneesh Chakyar helped train the actors in Koodiyattam. Santosh Bhatt, from Kathputli Colony, contributed gigantic Rajasthani puppets. Adil Hussain, who’s appeared in films like Agent Vinod and Ishqiya, and who also holds a teaching post at the National School of Drama (NSD), was brought in as acting coach. Viewers will be allowed to roam around the carnival (which is complete with sudarshan chakras and erotic nautanki performances set to Hindi film song Chikni Chameli) during the first half, and interact with the performers.
7.30pm. NSD Open Lawns, National School of Drama, Bahawalpur House, 1, Bhagwan Das Road (23384531/ 23383420). Tickets, Rs 50, available at the venue.
Art
Costumes of Hindostan: An exhibition of 18th century engravings.
Till 31 May
An exhibition of 18th century coloured engravings by Flemish artist François Balthazar Solvyns, based on his Costumes of Hindostan—the book is being reprinted by Aryan Books International. Born in Antwerp, Solvyns came to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1791. In 1794, he began work on a collection of etchings in which he documented the manners, styles of dress and customs of the Bengali-Hindu community. Accompanied by descriptive text, these plates depict the different castes and various aspects of social and cultural life: means of transport, musical instruments and festivals.
11am-7pm. Art Gallery, India International Centre (Annexe), 40, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate (24619431).
Top Pick
Music
Angelo Daimari Band
26 May
This acoustic quartet from Delhi comprises Angelo Daimari (guitar and vocals), Romong Lepcha (bass and vocals), Joshua John (drums) and Christina Dzuvichu (vocals). Apart from the preference for acoustic sounds, what binds the band members is their love of folk, blues and jazz. The band will perform a wide range of covers and some originals.
8.30pm. Dzukoü, 13, Hauz Khas Village, Rooftop (8447703774/9873306174). Cover charge, Rs 599 (vegetarian buffet) and Rs 699 (non-vegetarian buffet), inclusive of taxes.
Mumbai
Music
Lou Majaw
31 May
With a guitar slung over his shoulder, long, unkempt ash-grey hair and hopelessly tight, frayed denim hot pants, Lou Majaw is often called “Shillong’s Dylan”. Majaw, who first organized the annual Bob Dylan festival 40 years ago, will be performing with his friends at this concert.
10-11.30pm. blueFROG, New Mahalaxmi Mills Compound, opposite Empire Mills, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (40332300). Tickets,Rs 300.
Paradigm Shift
27 May
City-based band Paradigm Shift’s music is an amalgamation of genres combining traditional
Indian classical music with contemporary progressive rock themes. The band comprises Kaushik Ramachandran (vocals), Chinmay Agharkar (guitar), Shrikant Sreenivasan (guitar),
Ariel Samson (bass), Aamir Ismail Shaikh (drums) and Nikhil Nandakumar (violin). They will launch their debut album at this concert.
9-11pm. blueFROG, Lower Parel (40332300). Tickets,Rs 150.
Bombay Bassment
31 May
The funky hip hop and reggae band Bombay Bassment will perform at this concert, a tribute to Bob Marley.
9.30pm. Hard Rock Café, Wadia International Centre, Bombay Dyeing Mills Compound, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli (24382888). Entry, Rs 150.
Around town
Fire spinning
25 May
This workshop will teach the art of spinning fire—it also happens to be a great workout.
6.30-8pm. H20 Water Sports Complex, Girgaum Chowpatty (23677546). Fee, Rs 800, all material will be provided. For details, call 9819066376.
Theatre
In the Cat House
29 May
A strange, magical but truculent cat creeps into a young boy’s room every night. The cat doesn’t seem friendly, but it has a soft spot. Once the child figures this out, a mysterious and magical journey awaits him. The play is in English and children aged 5 and above can watch it. 1 hour, 10 minutes.
4pm/7pm. Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Vile Parle—West (2614-9546). Tickets, Rs 250, available at the venue.
Art
The Caucus Race
Till 30 May
Mahesh Baliga borrows the title of his show from the reference to the illusory race in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The paintings allude to the futility of the desire for power and control. A concept note explains: “The paintings and sculptures in The Caucus Race portray Baliga’s notion that the urge for order actually leads to disorder and that there is ambiguous, yet obvious lack of control of the consciousness which leads to perpetual and sometimes arbitrary behaviours.” For instance, the painting Journey, which shows seven figures in a boat, with each displaying an identity or function while questioning the notion of order.
Noon-2pm/4-6pm (Sunday and Monday closed). Project 88, BMP Building, NA Sawant Marg, near Colaba Fire Station, Colaba (22810066).
Jungle Book: At Prithvi Theatre.
Theatre
The Jungle Book
25 May
Shivani Tanksale and Sumeet Vyas’ trilingual (Hindi, English and Marathi) adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling classic puts a madcap spin on familiar characters. It’s for children aged 4 and above.
4pm/7pm. Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Vile Parle—West (26149546). Tickets, Rs 250, available at the venue.
Bangalore
Art
Labyrinth of Abstraction
Till 31 May
This exhibition brings together a collection of works by amateur and established artists. The show focuses on the vibrancy, sensitivity and richness of Indian art. In our fast-paced world where life is full of stress and high on commercialism, a good piece of art can provide solace, peace and joy to the viewer.
10am-6pm (Sundays by appointment). Galerie Third Eye, F-2, Epsilon Villas, Yemlur Main Road (41640471). For details, visit
www.thirdeye-art.com
Dance
Kathak
25 May
Strike a pose: Kathak ki Kahani, Mujre ki Zubani by Ashish Khokar.
(Nartan Academy of Dance and Music) dance ensemble.
6.15pm. Alliance Française de Bangalore, 108, Thimmaiah Road (41231345).
Around town
TCS World 10K Bangalore 2012
27 May
This year’s edition of the annual 10km marathon, hosted by Procam International (which also organizes the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon and the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon), will include categories of World 10K (10km, 18 years and above) Open 10K Run (10km, 15 years and above), Corporate Challenge (10km, 18 years and above), Majja Run (5.7km, 12 years and above), Senior Citizens’ Run (4km, 60 years and above) and Wheelchair Event (4km, 12 years and above).
The TCS World 10K Bangalore 2012 run starts and ends at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. For details, visit
www.procamrunning.in/tcsworld10k/abouttheevent/raceday_info.php
Tuesdays with the Bard
29 May
Mari Eva Mendes, an English language trainer and co-founder of WHaQ!, a support group for lesbian and bisexual women, will read a selection of her poems at this venue’s weekly poetry event, delineating her experiences of loving women.
7pm. Urban Solace, 32, Annaswamy Mudaliar Road, Ulsoor (25553656).
Music
Lamb of God
26 May
The American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia, will bring to the city their new album, Resolution.
4pm. Clarks Exotica, Swiss Town, Hollywood Junction, Sadahalli Post, Devanahalli Road (22044000). Tickets, Rs 1,000-2,650, available on
www.bookmyshow.com
Top Pick
Around town
The River Cauvery And Me
Till 26 May
A solo show of photographs, short videos and a 12-minute documentary, ‘Journey with River Cauvery’, by Bhavani G.S. The show is about the artist’s connection with the contested river running through the city she lives in, Bangalore. The images captured are from the traditional spaces of worship, of contamination, flooded roads, the rituals of bathing, and other activities.
10am-5pm. Venkatappa Art Gallery, Kasturba Road (22864483).
Chennai
Around town
Vani
Till 31 May
The latest collection from Varun and Nidhika Rehani of the label Vani has innovative designs with a rich palette of detailing and edgy silhouettes. They have used an interesting mix of soft colours with metallic accents on fabrics such as chiffon, georgette, lycra and cotton-silks. The collection includes tunics, kaftans and shift dresses and prices start from Rs 5,000.
11am–7pm. Evoluzione, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam (28333627).
Thappattam
27 May
DakshinaChitra will host a workshop on Thappattam, a Tamil Nadu folk dance. The workshop will focus on ways to promote the art and increase the number of opportunities for folk artistes. It will also teach the basics of handling and playing a thappu (a small, circular, one-headed drum hung from the shoulder) as well as appreciating rhythm and its importance in theatre.
10.30am-5.30pm. DakshinaChitra, Muthukadu, East Coast Road (9841777779). Fee, Rs 750, all inclusive.
Goan Food Fest
Till 3 June
Get a taste of Goan cuisine with chef Paul Noronha, who is using traditional techniques. Some of the specialities on the menu are prawn balchao, chicken cafreal, chicken xacuti, pork vindaloo, pork sorpotel, Goan fish curry and grilled-roast chicken. There will also be special performances by Roger and Angelo Fernandes, members of the band Two To Tango.
7.30-11pm (also 12.30-3pm on weekends). Mainstreet, Residency Towers, T Nagar (28156363). Meal prices, Rs 749, inclusive of taxes, per person, without alcohol.
Macro art: By Poochi Venkat.
Photography
Macro Art
Till 30 May
DakshinaChitra is exhibiting 70 photographs of Poochi Venkat—abstracts, themes of flora and fauna and, in particular, macro photographs of insects.
10.30am–5.30pm (Tuesdays closed). DakshinaChitra, Muthukadu, East Coast Road (962523204).
By Nandini Reddy
Hyderabad
Theatre
Blood Song
26-27 May
Five minutes into the play, all the elements of the “infernal machine” that will lead to a violent death are in place: a knife, and a blood feud that has already taken the lives of a husband and a first-born son. A second son bears the burden of this terrible heritage. All that is left, then, is to watch helplessly as the tragedy unfolds. The English play, directed by David Zinder, is an adaptation of Federico García Lorca’s Blood Wedding. 1 hour, 30 minutes.
7.30pm. Campus auditorium, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Madhapur main road. Tickets, Rs 250 and Rs 400, available on
www.bookmyshow. com. For details, call 9885288982.
Dance
International Kuchipudi Dance Festival
26-27 May
This year’s edition of the international festival of Kuchipudi, the classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh, will see participants from around the globe. Organized by the state department of culture, the festival will be interspersed with seminars, demonstration lectures and about 17 hours of dance performances.
9am. Ravindra Bharathi, opposite the state assembly, Saifabad (23214603). Entry, Rs 200 and Rs 300 for Indian delegates and $25 (around Rs 1,400) for foreigners. For details, visit
www.ikdf.org
Top Pick
Film
Head-on (Gegen die Wand)
25 May
Sibel, a 20-something woman from Hamburg, yearns for freedom, but cannot break her mother’s heart and run away. She unsuccessfully attempts suicide before meeting a 40-year-old drug addict, Cahit, and asking him to marry her—a way to leave home. The German film with English subtitles, directed by Fatih Akin, follows the story of Sibel and Cahit. 2 hours.
6pm. Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad, 20, Journalist’s Colony, Banjara Hills (23350040).
By Yogendra Kalavalapalli
Kolkata
Art
Installation: The 100 Pipers by Anita Gopal is on display.
Till 10 June
The group exhibition at the Ganges Art Gallery features the work of artists such as Anita Gopal, Avijit Mukherjee, Nandini Chirimar, Partha Shaw and Tapati Chowdhury. On display is a vivid spectrum of mediums—installations, watercolours, photography and mixed media.
11am-7pm (Sundays closed). Ganges Art Gallery, 33A, Jatin Das Road (24653212).
Theatre
Swapnasandhani 20 Years Celebration
25-29 May
The theatre group Swapnasandhani is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a festival featuring contemporary productions. Notir Pujo will be staged at Madhusudan Mancha on Friday; and Sei Sumouli at Tapan Theatre on Saturday. Caesar will be staged on 27 May at Tapan Theatre; Romeo Julie and Macbeth will be staged at the Academy of Fine Arts on 28 May and 29 May, respectively.
6.30pm. Tickets, Rs 50,Rs 60 and Rs 100, available on
www.indianstage.in. For details, call 9836524539.
Around town
Bite into the fruits of your labour@ ITC Sonar
Till 30 June
ITC Sonar is offering a special discount to class X and XII students who took the board exams this year. Students will get a concession—50% on their overall percentage in the examination—on food and beverages. The offer is applicable to a student and five others with him/her at the multicuisine restaurant Eden Pavilion, North-West Frontier cuisine restaurant Peshawri, East Asian cuisine restaurant Pan Asian and the Awadhi cuisine restaurant Dum Pukht. Students should take copies of their marksheets with them.
Timings vary. ITC Sonar, JBS Haldane Avenue, opposite Science City. For details and reservations, call 23454545.
Spargel Fest—White Asparagus Festival
Till 31 May
Hyatt Regency is holding the Spargel Fest—White Asparagus Festival at La Cucina. This is the time when Germany celebrates its king of vegetables: white asparagus. The menu includes asparagus with ham wraps, white asparagus soup with garlic croutons, white asparagus salad with gorgonzola sauce, white asparagus salad with hollandaise sauce and rocket, risotto with white asparagus, white wine and pears and open ravioli with smoked haddock and white asparagus.
6-11pm. La Cucina, Hyatt Regency, JA-1, Sector III, Salt Lake. Meal for two, approximately Rs 4,000, plus taxes. For reservations, call 25171661.
Top Pick
Film
Arsenal Shorts
25 May
Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, Kolkata, is hosting ‘Arsenal Shorts’—a series of films and videos presented by Stefanie Schulte Strathaus, co-director of Arsenal, the institute for film and video art in Berlin. Working at the intersection of theory and practice, the institute offers a space for thinking outside the box. The list of films being screened includes Dieter Hormel’s ‘A-B-City’ (1985) , Anne Quirynen’s ‘In a Landscape’ (2001), Ezgi Kilincaslan’s ‘Berlun’ (2008), Effie Wu’s ‘Super Smile’ (2007) and ‘Pau Pau Bau’ (2004), Judith Hopf’s and Katrin Pesch’s ‘The Uninvited’ (2005), Franziska Cordes’ ‘Advokat’ (2009) and Martin Ebner’s ‘Nullpanorama’ (2003).
6.30pm. Max Mueller Bhavan, 8, Ballygunge Circular Road (24866398/6424) . For details, visit
www.goethe.de/kolkata
By Indranil Bhowmik
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