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PremiumMe and I: (from left) Art works Breathing Lesson, Paper Necklace and Falling Glass are all self-portraits of artist Anju Dodiya, each with a set of different props.
DELHI
Art
Necklace of Echoes
Till 15 February
A solo exhibition by artist Anju Dodiya. The works are ostensibly a series of self-portraits, though Dodiya describes them as being “not really about me—they are an abstraction of pain". The recurring motif in all the pieces is a necklace, which travels and unravels across the body of Dodiya’s canvases as a versatile metaphor. There is a marked theatricality about the works and, in addition to the necklaces, numerous props figure in the portraits, such as scissors and a rifle. Because the mise en scènes vary so greatly from one portrait to the next, walking through the exhibition gives you the uncanny impression of meeting the same face over and over in different costumes and masks, like watching an actor star in a multitude of roles and productions.
11am-7pm (Sunday closed). Vadehra Art Gallery, D-178, Phase I, Okhla (65474005).
The Perfumed Garden
Till 17 February
Canadian artist Andrée Pouliot’s miniature paintings teasingly investigate classical romance in modern urban Indian contexts.
10am-7pm (Sunday closed). Triveni Kala Sangam, 305, Tansen Marg, Mandi House (23718833).
Around town
Cartoons for Climate
15 February
Guardian cartoonist Martin Rowson comes to Delhi to judge the British Council’s “Cartoons for Climate" contest and will also give a talk while here. Speaking about his work, Rowson said, “The American journalist H.L. Mencken defined journalism as comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. That sums up my attitude as a satirist. Not only should you only attack people more powerful than you are, but you should also probably always attack people to keep them in their place and to stop them doing too much harm to the rest of us."
6pm. British Council Division, 17, Kasturba Gandhi Marg (23710717).
Children’s Commonwealth Games 2010
16-19 February
This is one Commonwealth Games event that won’t give the Delhi government last-minute jitters. Conceptualized by Butterflies, a non-governmental organization (NGO) working with street and working children, this sports meet aims to make the authorities rethink parts of the Delhi Master Plan, which will see street children ejected from key locations in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games. “Instead of lodging a formal complaint, we thought of a different way to get ourselves heard," said Vaibhav Tandon, programme officer of the games.
There are 20 teams—13 from NGO-run schools and shelters, five from government schools and five from mainstream private schools. The results from the qualifying rounds, held in January, stunned everybody. In the senior group, not a single team from the private schools qualified.
Sports Complex, East Vinod Nagar, near Mayur Vihar Phase-II. Click here for the schedule and other details or call Vaibhav Tandon (9999628378).
Theatre
Zoya Khan... Jawaab Do
13 February
An acting workshop is disrupted when there is news of a terrorist attack in the vicinity. A bisexual, a young model, a businessman, an astrologer, a patriotic punter and a struggling actor are trapped in an auditorium while police search the nearby area. Proceedings heat up when they begin discussing terrorism. Directed by Saleem Shah.
7.30pm. Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon (0124-2715000). Tickets, Rs350, Rs250 and Rs150 (available at the programme desk).
Animals from Brazil
16 and 18 February
Using inflatable puppets, music and choreography, the production attempts to show the variety of Brazilian fauna. The play also has an important message on global warming and the need to change our way of living.
7.30pm. Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon (0124-2715000). Tickets, Rs250 (available at The Pastry Shop, Epicentre).
Music
Sarathi Chatterjee
18 February
Vocalist Sarathi Chatterjee’s first guru was his father Pandit Arun Chatterjee, a veteran of the Kirana gharana. Since he has been learning from stalwarts Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra, his recitals now incorporate elements of the Banaras gharana.
7pm. Habitat World, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road (43663333).
Junkyard Groove
18 February
Led by the gregarious Ameeth Thomas, Chennai’s Junkyard Groove plays alternative rock in the vein of Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews.
9pm. Hard Rock Café, M-110, Multiplex Building, First floor, DLF Place, District Centre, Saket (47158888). Call the venue for entry charges.
MUMBAI
Art
Organic/Abstract
Till 13 February
To most people, ceramic evokes images of teapots, plates, vases and the odd sculpture of a girl or an animal. Ceramist Madhavi Subrahmanian’s work is a superb reminder of how artistic the medium can be.
11am-7pm, Monday-Saturday. Chemould Prescott Road, Queens Mansion, Third floor, Ghanashyam Talwatkar Marg, Fort (22000212).
Theatre
Krunk
15 February
Swiss group Les Bamboches follows Krunk, a grey chick hatched from an egg laid by a goat, on his journey of self-discovery. The play is part of the Ishara Puppet Festival, India’s only annual international puppet festival, hosted by veteran puppeteer Dadi Pudumjee.
6.30-7.30pm. Experimental Theatre, National Centre for the Performing Arts, Nariman Point (66223737). Collect passes from the NCPA box office.
Dance
Odissi
16 February
Mumbaikars finally get to see the much-spoken-about work of the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, a company whose members have studied at Nrityagram—The Dance Village, set up by Protima Gauri in Bangalore. Two of the troupe’s leading dancers, Surupa Sen (also the choreographer of this production) and Bijayini Satpathy, will present an ensemble called Sacred Space. The last item in this ensemble, titled Vibhakta, was chosen by Joan Acocella, the dance critic of The New Yorker magazine, as one of the 10 best dance performances of 2008.
6.30pm. Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point (66223737). Tickets, Rs200 and Rs300 (available at the venue).
Film
Death Life Etc
17 February
Tourists visiting Sikkim usually come away with wooden masks, Tibetan prayer wheels and a few hundred photographs. When Arghya Basu visited in 1997, he came away with questions about history, geography and spirituality. The 37-year-old has returned to Sikkim several times since. His travels have produced two documentaries: A Listener’s Tale, made in 2007, and Death Life Etc. In the latter film, Basu finds a Sikkim where the timeless and the modern coexist even as the state prepares to embrace tourism.
6.30pm. Theosophy Hall, opposite American Centre, New Marine Lines, Churchgate (22036187).
Around town
Terracotta Art lecture series
17-19 February
Naman Ahuja, an associate professor with the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, will conduct three sessions on ancient Indian terracotta, discussing the use of the material as well as the discovery of artefacts.
6pm. Queens Mansion, Third floor, AK Nayak Marg, Fort (22072974/75). Registration, Rs250 for Mumbai university students, and Rs1,000 for others. Click here to download registration form.
BANGALORE
Theatre
Hedda Gabler
12-14 February
This Ibsen play is a darkly brilliant portrayal of the human psyche. ‘Hedda Gabler’, a headstrong young woman, finds herself stifled by the mores of Victorian society, yet unable to truly live in open opposition to it.
7.30pm (daily), and 3.30pm (Saturday and Sunday). Ranga Shankara, 36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar (26592777). Tickets, ₹ 100 (available at the venue).
Dance
Changing trends in classical dance choreography
13 February
Art critic Ashish Khokar will host this panel discussion on the changing trends in classical dance choreography, with dancers Vannadil Pudiyaveettil, Shanta Dhananjayan, Nirupama Rajendra, T.D. Rajendra, B. Bhanumathi, Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran. They will begin with reflections on their own work and then talk about the repertoire of other artists.
9.30am. Seva Sadan, 14th Cross, West Park Road, opposite MLA College, Malleswaram (23347830).
Around town
Batti Bandh
13 February
Turning off the lights for an hour and sitting at home in the dark may not make a difference. But turning them off and meeting other people to understand climate change will, say the organizers of Batti Bandh, an environmental initiative that began in 2007 in Mumbai.
7-8pm. Jaaga community space, 16/1, Rhenius Street, off Richmond Road, opposite Hockey Association Stadium, Shanthinagar. Click here for details
Art
Surya Prakash: A Retrospective
Till 20 February
An exhibition on the life and work of artist Surya Prakash, a leading figure in the country’s modern art circuit. This show, co-hosted by Ochre India, will also include the launch of the book Abstract Reality: The Art of Surya Prakash.
10am-6pm (Sunday closed). Galerie Sara Arakkal, 156, 4th Main Road, BEML Layout, ITPL Road (41162622).
Music
Pierre Dørge and New Jungle Orchestra
18 February
With a unique style of jazz and varied influences, Dørge and his orchestra challenge the norms in music and aesthetics. Carnatic flautist S. Shashank teams up with them for this crossover concert organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
7.30pm. Chowdiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, GD Park Extension, Vyalikaval (23443956). For passes, contact ICCR, 7/2, First floor, 2nd Main, Palace Cross Road (23462714-5).
Tatva Kundalini + Cheb i Sabbah
13 February
Cheb i Sabbah was born in Algeria, became a deejay in Paris, and gained cult status on the San Francisco nightclub circuit with his distinctive style of world electronica. He teams up with Tatva Kundalini, aka Aditya Anand, who owns Chill Om Records.
8pm. Kyra, 2001, Katti-Ma Centre, 100 Foot Road (43389292). Entry, Rs800 per person.
CHENNAI
— Karuna Amarnath
Around town
Butoh Body Movement
12-15 February
Butoh, which originated in Japan in the 1960s, literally translates to stomp or earth dance. This intensive three-and-a-half day workshop for dancers, actors, performing artistes, healers, bodywork practitioners and others will be conducted in India for the first time by renowned Butoh dancer and choreographer Atsushi Takenouchi, with live percussion music by Hiroko Komiya.
9am-6pm. Spaces, 1, Elliots Beach Road, Besant Nagar (66848506).
Valentine’s Day
Pamper Hamper
14 February
Indulge in a 90-minute massage at Prana Spa with a glass of sparkling wine. Follow this up with a five-course candlelight set dinner at the Atrium restaurant, with more wine and live music.
10am-6pm (Prana Spa) and 7pm onwards (dinner). Asiana, 1/238, Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Semmencherry (67411000). Charges, Rs4,999 per couple for the spa package; and Rs3,999 per couple for dinner.
My Dancing Valentine
13-14 February
This 2-hour workshop for couples explores sensual Cuban rumba and partnering techniques, a fun way of learning to understand and trust each other. Singles can also seek a partner here.
4-6pm. Integrated Fitness Studio, 20/1, First floor, Chennai Corporation Trade Centre, Division 10, Ward 154, Indira Nagar, 3rd Avenue, Adyar (9566186905). Charges, Rs600 per couple and Rs400 per person.
Theatre
Heroes
13-14 February
The play is a take on a Mayan prophecy that says the world will come to an end in 2012. The only way to save it is to use the Time Extendinator, which is lost in Paris. Since world leaders can’t be bothered, one man from Chennai takes it upon himself to save the world, recruiting Superman, Shaktiman, James Bond, Harry Potter, Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and Red Riding Hood for his dream team.
7.15pm (13 February), 3.15pm and 7.15pm (14 February). Museum Theatre, Egmore (9884803668). Tickets, Rs500, Rs250 and Rs150 (available at the venue or call for free home delivery).
Art
India Documented
Till 16 February
This mix of prints, photographs and watercolours by Varun Gupta, Ramya Reddy, George K., Amit Jain, Raghu Rai, Jyothi Bhatt, Ketaki Seth and other well-known photographers and
artists documents India, past and present.
11am-7pm. Apparao Galleries, 7, Wallace Gardens, 3rd Street, Nungambakkam (28332226).
Photography
Télé-spectateurs (TV Viewers)
15-22 February
French photographer Olivier Culmann captures people hypnotized by their television sets in this series of photos.
11am-6pm. AFM Gallery, Alliance Française de Madras, New No. 24 (Old No. 40), College Road (28271477/9803).
KOLKATA
— Indranil Bhoumik
Theatre
Passions
13 February
Seagull Arts and Media’s gathering on the eve of Valentine’s Day explores passion— both personal/individual and collective. It’s meant to be an event of “like-minded people coming together and fuelling each other’s passions". The evening will also feature Anjan and Neel Dutt, well-known for both their music and their films, in conversation with Soumyak Kanti De Biswas, Tanmay Dhanania and other members of the theatre production company Tin Can.
6.30pm. Seagull Arts and Media Resource Centre, 36C, SP Mukherjee Road (24556942/43).
Ruddhasangeet
14 February
The star of this biographical play is popular singer Debabrata Biswas. The play follows his involvement and disillusionment with the Gananatya Sangha arts initiative, his political renunciation and his differences with a renowned university that has stewardship of Rabindranath Tagore’s works. It features familiar figures (Jyoti Basu, Suchitra Mitra, Ritwik Ghatak, Salil Chowdhuri, Manjushree Chaki Sarkar, among others).
3pm and 6.30pm. Academy of Fine Arts, 2, Cathedral Road. Tickets, Rs100, Rs60 and Rs50. For details, call 9830940172.
Valentine’s Day
Sunday brunch
14 February
Afraa lounge and restaurant’s Sunday brunch includes a Valentine’s Day special, predicting your fortune in love. Tarot card reader and numerologist Nilaanjana Chakraborty is an attraction this weekend, besides the live rösti counter, the cold spread of antipasti, salads, cheese and cold meats, and the popular
pizzas and main courses.
Noon onwards (brunch) and 1.30-3pm (fortune-telling). Afraa, Block G, City Centre, Block DC-1, Sector 1, Salt Lake (23581111). Brunch charges, Rs750 per head.
Grill by the Pool
14 February
The Poolside restaurant’s alfresco candlelight dinners include an a la carte selection of European and Indian dishes. Pick from organic blue salmon, Chilean sea bass, New Zealand lamb,
Serrano ham, Chilka prawns, fresh asparagus and porcini and shimeji mushrooms at the interactive counters.
7.30-11.30pm. Taj Bengal, Kolkata, 34B, Belvedere Road, Alipore (22233939). The three-course dinner is estimated to cost around Rs2,000 per head, depending on the items chosen.
Photography
Double Exposure
Till 14 February
This exhibition, presented by commercial photographer Suvomoy Mitra and hobby photographer (and practising orthopaedic surgeon) Gautam Basu, is simple in theme: an exploration of their different perspectives. The photos selected were shot on their travels, separately or together. At times they focus on the same subject, but manage to capture different moods.
11am-8pm. Starmark, G-202, City Centre, Salt Lake (40063301).
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