BackThe Mint mini planner
The Mint mini planner
Premium
MUMBAI
Art
Ongoing (Feb 9-15)
Shree Khakhar Prasanna
Back in 1963 when the now-legendary Gallery Chemould opened its doors, its inaugural show was by Bhupen Khakhar. Now, in 2007, it is opening a much larger branch on Prescott Road with Shree Khakhar Prasanna, Atul Dodiya’s ode to Khakhar, his mentor and friend. Gallery owner Shireen Gandhy calls it “an exorcism of sorts" for Dodiya to hold this exhibition in the new premises of one of Mumbai’s oldest, most prestigious galleries.
Dodiya has created busts of Bhupen Khakhar, wall sculptures of Manorama the crocodile, whom Khakhar visited at the zoo in Vadodara, and portraits of Khakhar, among other things. It’s kitschy, tongue-in-cheek, yet rather emotional.
Chemould Prescott Road, Queen’s Mansion, Third Floor, AK Naik Marg, Fort (2200-0212). Mon-Sat 11am-7pm.
Film
Releasing Fri Feb 9
Black Friday
This amazing maze of a movie, based on S. Hussain Zaidi’s book, Black Friday, recreates the conspiracy that resulted in the 12 March 1993 bomb blasts in Mumbai.
The film begins with the first of 12 blasts, moves on to the investigation, introduces us to mastermind Tiger Memon and his accomplices, and ends where it began—on Dalal Street.
The screenplay is divided into chapters. But these aren’t chronological and chapter four may have its seed in chapter one. So concentrate and don’t talk into your mobile phone while watching this movie.
Metro Adlabs, Dhobitalao (3027-2842); Imax Adlabs, Wadala (2403-6606); R Adlabs, Mulund (5555-0400); Huma Adlabs; Kanjurmarg (2579-5123).
Music
Fri Feb 9
Patricia Rozario
Unwind after a long week to strains of Western classical music. Mumbai-born, London-based soprano Patricia Rozario returns to the stage in her native city after a long absence. She’s considered one of the world’s leading sopranos and her voice has been described by British composer John Tavener as possessing “a unique spiritual and primordial quality". Her performance includes works by Mendelssohn, Schumann, Strauss, Debussy, Duparc and De Falla and contemporary British composers Jonathan Dove and Benjamin Britten. Organized by National Centre for Performing Arts, in collaboration with Association Sargam and EuroIndia, and supported by the chief minister of Goa.
Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point (2283-3838), 7pm. Tickets Rs80, Rs120.
Feb 18
Roger Waters
After years of settling for covers of our favourite Pink Floyd numbers, it’s time for the real McCoy. Legendary former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters drops into town for the Mumbai leg of his Dark Side of the Moon tour.
MMRDA Grounds, near Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East). Gates open at 5.30pm. Tickets available at Rhythm House (2284-2835). Call 2670-6641 to book tickets by telephone.
Out & About
Till Feb 28
Portraits of Princes
See how former Maharani of Cooch Behar Siniti Devi and other regally-attired Indian royals posed for the Irish photographer, James Lafayette, at the turn of the last century. The exhibition is jointly organized by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
Curator’s Gallery, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralaya, MG Road, near Regal Cinema (2284-4519). Tue-Sunday 11am-5.30pm. Rs15 for adults, Rs300 for foreigners, Rs5 for children 5-12 years.
Poetry
Feb 17
John Hegley
Very few people in the world, apart from farmers, vets and opticians, have devoted the kind of attention John Hegley has to vegetables, dogs and spectacles.
The British performance poet and stand-up comic has a lot to say about these seemingly mundane things. Consider his succinct Quick Potato Poem: The Spud/Sped. Hegley, whose trademark look involves thick-rimmed glasses, raised brows and head cocked at 60 degrees, talks about all the simple things of life.
Mocha, 67, Juhu Tara Road, opposite Ramada Palm Grove, Juhu (2617-5495), 7pm. Free.
DELHI
Art
Ongoing (Fri Feb 3 to Wed Feb 28)
Lush bronze sculptures by artist Mrinalinee Mukherjee, the daughter of Benodebehari Mukherjee, an established artist in her own right.
In this show—a continuation of her Natural History 12 series—the artist casts fluid subjects in a solid medium with arresting results. In a move away from her previous work with sculpture and textiles, Mukherjee evokes feathers, leaves and other living forms that have been stilled by bronze. Her works shimmer with an organic energy, despite the inorganic nature of the material of which they are made.
Vadhera Art Gallery. D-178 Okhla Phase I (6547-4005). Mon-Sat 11am-7pm.
Film
Fri Feb 9-Sat Feb 10
Ecomove
Ecomove International, a network of environmental film festivals, has tied up with Toxics Link and Max Mueller Bhavan to present a festival of Indian and international documentaries on environmental issues. The films take a hard look at the costs and challenges of economic globalization. 100% Cotton: Made in India, for instance, looks at the health and environmental impact of the cheap cotton India exports to Europe.
Surplus: Terrorised into Being Consumers—shot in eight countries over three years—explores why consumerism is the global mantra today.
Bullshit looks at globalization and patenting through activist Vandana Shiva’s work and a criticism of her stance.
Siddhartha Hall, Max Mueller Bhavan, 3 Kasturba Gandhi Marg (2332-9506). Fri Feb 9, 3pm onwards, Sat Feb 10, 10am-7.30pm. Free.
Music
Sat Feb 10- Sun Feb 11
ITC Sangeet Sammelan
A regular on the Capital’s cultural calendar, over the years, the ITC Sangeet Sammelan has turned out gripping performances by some of the stalwarts of Hindustani and Carnatic music, and also promoted promising young talent.
This year, the Sammelan will have two evenings of Hindustani classical music and one morning of Carnatic music. Tabla maestro Pandit Kishan Maharaj will perform solo on the first evening after receiving the annual ITC Award.
The Sammelan will also feature, among others, Malini Rajurkar (vocal), Ulhas Kashalkar (vocal), Aruna Sairam (vocal) and Abir Hussain (sarod).
Kamani Auditorium 1 Copernicus Marg, Mandi House (2338-8084). For invitations, contact venue. Free.
Thur Feb 15
Wadaiko
A wadaiko or Japanese drum performance by one of Japan’s oldest drum ensembles. Founded by Seido Kobayashi in 1959, the Oedo Sukeroku taiko group takes its name from the lead character in the kabuki play, Sukeroku Yukari Edo Zakura. According to Japanese folk art researcher Masahiro Nishitsunoi, it embodies “the perfect harmony of the vigour and sensitivity of the Edokko [people of Edo, old Tokyo]".
Since making his presence felt among the numerous taiko groups in Japan, Kobayashi has played in the former Soviet Union, USA, Belgium, France, Germany, Indonesia and Denmark, besides playing with bebop legend Art Blakey.
Shri Ram Centre For Performing Arts 4 Safdar Hashmi Memorial Marg, Mandi House (2371-4307). 7pm. Free. Entry on first-come first-served basis.
Theatre
Fri Feb 9
The Golden Fish
This lively production by Khilona is based on a poem, titled A Tale of the Fisherman and the Golden Fish, by the well-known Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin.
An old fisherman happens to catch a golden fish that speaks to him in a human voice. The grateful fish requests the old man to spare her life, promising to grant him anything he wants in return. Since he’s content, he doesn’t ask for anything, and drops her back into the sea.
When the old woman learns what her husband has done, she is very annoyed and asks him to go back to the fish and ask her for a new wash-trough.
Russian Centre of Science and Culture, 24 Ferozeshah Road (2332-9100), 5.30pm. For invitations, call Mr Nair at the Russian Centre.
Mon Feb 12
Hello! India: The Takarazuka Revue
Japan’s traditional stage arts, such as noh and kabuki, which date back hundreds of years, are performed solely by men.
The Takarazuka Revue is unique: an all-female acting troupe created in 1914 in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, whose performances soon became a staple of Japanese pop culture.
The super-popular Takarazuka repertoire has two parts: on the one hand, there are musical dramas adapted from well-known novels and films and on the other hand, song and dance performances.
Catch 16 troupe members on their first visit to Delhi, as they present Japanese folk songs and dances, jazz standards and picks from American musicals.
Kamani Auditorium, 1 Copernicus Marg (2338-8084), 6.30pm. Free.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
