BackThe Time Out-Mint Planner
The Time Out-Mint Planner
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BANGALORE
Art
Instillations
18-20 May
Raghavendra Rao, a faculty member of the Srishti School of Art,
Design and Technology, will conduct this activity in which children will paint corrugated boxes given to them. The results will be assembled and suspended from a tree at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) campus, as an installation. For ages 12-16.
10.30am-1.30pm. NGMA, Manikyavelu Mansion, 49, Palace Road. Prior registration required. For details, contact the British Council at 22489220.
Film
Tanvir ka Safarnama
14 May
Habib Tanvir got through most of his life with a pipe, rations of rum, a pen and a few committed companions. By the time his 85-year-old heart finally decided to call it quits, on 8 June last year, it had run itself hard and long enough to give post-independence Indian theatre one of its most seminal and respected masters. Of those years, he had unreservedly surrendered 64 to the stage. Much ink has flowed on the subject of Tanvir and Naya Theatre, the company he established with his wife and fellow theatre practitioner Moneeka Mishra in 1959, and his band of Chhattisgarhi actors and musicians. But few accounts managed to get behind the curtains and encounter the hidden life and struggles of one of modern Indian’s most interesting theatrical experiments. That is the attempt filmmaker and theatre instructor Ranjan Kamath makes with his documentary. The film, shot between 2004 and 2007, deepens Tanvir’s legacy with a rare portrait of the man in his twilight years.
6.30pm. Bangalore International Centre, Teri Complex, 4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage (9886599675).
Sonnenallee (Sun Alley)
20 May
This is part of the Goethe-Institut’s monthly Schüler Stammtisch get-togethers, followed by discussions at the institute’s rooftop Café Max. Director Leander Haussmann’s 1999 teen movie is set in the 1970s, and follows the lives of a gang of 17-year-old boys in East Berlin—falling in love, trying to buy rock ’n’ roll records, and avoiding getting enlisted. The sinister absurdities of the regime provide ample opportunities for jokes—good, bad and indifferent—but it’s a lightweight offering, buoyed chiefly by a great music track.
6.15pm. Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, 716, CMH Road, Indira Nagar, 1st Stage (25205305).
Bez konca (No End)
20 May
Krzysztof Kieslowski’s 1984 film was not seen outside Poland until 1986 because of its pro-Solidarity stance. It opens with its hero, a lawyer, explaining that he is already dead; he spends his time, unseen, patiently observing his family and colleagues, and occasionally intervening from the spirit world. He specialized in representing victims of Poland’s martial law, but now he watches as one of his clients is persuaded by his survivors to renounce his principles in exchange for freedom. Interwoven with the debates on law, freedom and realpolitik is his wife’s growing despair at having lost him.
6.45pm. Suchitra Film Society, 36, 9th Main, BV Karanth Road, Banashankari, 2nd Stage (26711785). Only for members; annual membership fee, Rs500.
Around town
Aharya Abhinaya
15 May
In this seminar, dancer Poornima Gururaja, folk dance artiste B.S. Talwadi, Yakshagan artist Krishnamurthi Tunga and lighting designer Shrish Mohan Rao will speak on costume and make-up in Bharatanatyam, folk dances and Yakshagan, and lighting design, respectively.
4-7pm. Padmini Rao Parampara Art and Culture Resource Development Centre, 8, 8th Cross, 3rd Main, Banashankari, 3rd Stage (26670013).
Music
Lamb of God
15 May
Over 15 hard-fought years in the American metal underground, the band Lamb of God has steadily muscled its way into becoming one of the iconic entities. With a neck-snapping amalgam of groove-based metal, technical songwriting, savage live shows and punk-rock authenticity, these thrashers from Richmond, Virginia, have crafted a distinctively American sonic signature. The American heavy metal band will headline Summer Storm, a festival that will also feature Indian acts Scribe, Boomarang, Bhoomi and Extinct Reflections.
2.30pm. Palace Grounds, Gayatri Vihar, Bellary Road. Tickets, Rs1,300, available on www.kyazoonga.com and at the venue.
Ravi Kiran and more
14-15 May
As part of Sangati, the annual youth music festival organized by the Ananya GML Cultural Academy, Kiran will lead a Carnatic vocal recital, accompanied by Amrita Murali on violin, V. Krishna on mridangam and D.V. Prasanna Kumar on morsing. The festival will wind up with a Carnatic vocal concert led by Kalavathy Avadhoot, accompanied by Mattur Srinidhi on violin, Tumkur B. Ravishankar on mridangam and Bharadwaj Sathavalli on morsing.
6.30pm. Ananya Sabhangana, 92/2, 4th Main, Malleswaram (23345069).
Theatre
Treadmill
20 May
With its fresh local writing, the concerns of Sandeep Shikhar’s play are drawn out of our diurnal experience of relentless and often harsh change in a centre of commerce and desire—Bangalore. Treadmill observes how we seem to unwittingly surrender ourselves to the proverbial race of rodents. The autobiographically inspired experiences in Treadmill ring true of any Indian metro, burgeoning satellite city, or smaller town.
7.30pm. Ranga Shankara, 36/2, 8th Cross, JP Nagar, 2nd Phase (26592777). Tickets, Rs100.
Chocolate Krishna
16 May
Maadhu is a sales executive at a chocolate-manufacturing company. His hard work doesn’t fetch him appropriate rewards. He has several problems at home—a father who is an aspiring flautist, an unmarried sister and a grandmother who involves herself in petty theft. A staunch devotee of the Hindu god Krishna, Maadhu waits patiently for divine intervention. What he gets isn’t quite what he expects.
7pm. Ambedkar Bhavan, Millers Road, Vasanth Nagar (9880393343). Tickets, Rs150, Rs250, Rs500 and Rs750.
MUMBAI
Theatre
Some Girl(s)
16 May
Neil LaBute’s play follows a casanova on a multi-city rendezvous with old lovers. The nameless protagonist, a Kanpur-bred Londoner, is out to repay his karmic debts before he gets hitched. There’s dominatrix Arunima, who had an extramarital affair with him. Demure Ritu from Kanpur, now a mother of two, has never quite recovered from being dumped, while Delhi sexpot Natasha tantalizes him with memories of adventures past.
7pm. St Andrew’s Auditorium, St Andrew’s College, St Dominic Road, Bandra, West (26459667). Tickets, Rs200, Rs300, Rs400 and Rs500, available at the venue, and online on www.bookmyshow.com
Music
Jaleo Real
19 May
Barcelona band Jaleo Real speaks only Spanish. But you’ll have no trouble following their Flamenco rumba beat. The six-piece band, led by the Barbero brothers, Flamenco guitarist Kike and vocalist and flautist Sito, visits with only two other members, dreadlocked drummer and Cajon-Flamenco player Daniel Bianchi and bassist and keyboard player Tito Bonacera. Jaleo Real’s music fuses folk tunes with funk and reggae to arrive at what they call street rumba or rumba callejera.
10pm. Blue Frog, New Mahalaxmi Silk Mills, Mathuradas Mills Compound, opposite Kamala Mills, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel (40332300). Entry, Rs300.
Film
Mallikarjun Mansur
14 May
Prajna Parimita Parasher’s documentary on Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur marks the birth centenary of the legendary Hindustani vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana founded by Alladiya Khan. Mansur specialized in Mukhbandi taans, sung with a closed mouth.
6.30pm. Dance Theatre Godrej, National Centre for the Performing Arts, NCPA Marg, near Hilton Towers, Nariman Point (66223737).
Lilkee
17 May
Part of the Children’s Film Society, India’s summer bonanza, Batul Mukhtiar’s film is about a 10-year-old Lilkee, who comes from Nainital to work in Mumbai. She takes care of her employer’s baby, but misses the mountains where she grew up. Four young girls befriend Lilkee and try to send her home. Mukhtiar makes a poignant film about child labour and manages to entertain at the same time.
4pm. Films Division Preview Auditorium, 10th floor, Films Division Complex, 24, Peddar Road (23522610).
Art
Categorical Imperatives
20-31 May
Featuring video art by artists from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Palestine, ‘Categorical Imperatives’ refers to German philosopher Immanuel Kant’s argument that all human beings should act in accordance with what they would want to see as a universal law. The works by Raed Yassin, Ayman Ramadan, Khaled Hafez, Lena Merhej and other artists look at social, political and religious issues in West Asia.
11am-7pm (Sundays closed). The Guild, 02/32, Kamal Mansion, Second floor, Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba (22880116).
DELHI
Dance
Walk Once More
20-21 May
This bilingual dance drama is the story of dancer Alicetacia, whose aspirations are cut short by a crippling accident on the eve of her debut as a lead dancer. Her childhood friend and secret admirer Chintamani, a brilliant skater, takes her to a park every day, where she sits and watches him skate. Alicetacia struggles with anger, until they meet Raseeli the gypsy and Raghav the tramp.
7.30pm. Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon (0124-2715000). Tickets, Rs200, available at the venue.
Theatre
Same Time Next Year
19 May
Doris, a housewife, and George, an accountant, are married to other people. They have a one-night stand at an inn, and decide to meet every year—same time, same place. The play, adapted from Bernard Slade and directed by Ravneet Kler, traces their lives over the next 24 years.
7pm. Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, 4, Safdar Hashmi Marg (23714307). Tickets, Rs150, Rs200 and Rs300, available at the venue.
Massage
15 May
Comedian Rakesh Bedi plays over two dozen roles in this adaptation of Vijay Tendulkar’s Marathi original. Happy Kumar comes to Mumbai to be a film star. After considerable struggle, he achieves fame—as a masseuse.
7.30pm. Epicentre, Sector 44, Gurgaon (0124-2715000). Tickets, Rs150-350, available at the venue.
Ambedkar aur Gandhi
15 May
Playwright Rajesh Kumar’s script seems to hit a raw nerve every time it is staged. Director Arvind Gaur’s interpretation shows rarely seen sides of two leading figures of modern Indian history. Gandhi and Ambedkar come across as normal men with flaws, rather than as deified statesmen.
7pm. Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, 4, Safdar Hashmi Marg (23714307). Tickets, Rs50, Rs100 and Rs200, available at the venue.
Around town
Robomania
18-21 May
In this robotics workshop for ages 8-15, children will create a soccer robot, battle tank, robotic crane and push box. For ages 8-15.
9.30-11.30am and 3.30-5.30pm (two batches). Various venues in the National Capital Region. For details, call 9818403093. Cost, Rs3,250 (inclusive of kit).
Music
Think Floyd
20 May
This Pink Floyd tribute band features members of well-known groups Parikrama, Them Clones and Advaita. The core group of Abhishek Mathur (guitar, vocals), Anindo Bose (keyboards, vocals), Chintan Kalra (bass, vocals) and Surojit Dev (drums) is joined by Annette Philip (vocals), Chayan Adhikari (vocals, guitar) and Gaurav Chintamani (guitar).
10pm. Hard Rock Café, M-110, Multiplex Building, First floor, DLF Place, District Centre, Saket (47158888). Entry, Rs250.
CHENNAI
Photography
A Glimpse of France
Till 31 May
City-based photographer Vinoth Vijayaragavan captures the French in their everyday lives through his black and white images. This digital photography exhibition showcases Vijayaragavan’s keen eye for capturing the nuances and shifts of emotion in still images.
11am-6pm. AFM Auditorium, Alliance Française de Madras, New No. 24, Old No. 40, College Road, Nungambakkam (28271477/9803).
Art
Avinash Thaker
Till 20 May
Gujarat-based veteran artist
Avinash Thaker presents his latest paintings, showcasing his flair for traditional landscapes as well as abstract and figurative art in a contemporary mode, with a focus on imaginative imagery.
11am-6pm (Sundays closed). Art World, 1/12, Ganeshpuram, 3rd Street, off Cenotaph Road Flyover (24338691).
Around town
Terracotta mask-making
15 and 22 May
The Madras Craft Foundation (MCF) will conduct a terracotta mask-making workshop for children over two days. On the first day, children will be taught how to prepare the clay for moulding and then mould it into an actual mask. On Day 2, they will be taught to colour and varnish the mask. The workshop is being conducted by Jane de Baecke of Gapguru.com, a website that helps youth travel and work overseas. The cost includes material and transport to and from the venue (pick up from MCF, Adyar). For ages 7-14.
10am-4pm. DakshinaChitra, East Coast Road, Muttukadu (9841777779). Charges, Rs500 per child.
Sunset Barbeque
14-15 May
Straying from its regular Italian menu, Italia will host a dinner buffet focused on grilled and barbequed finger foods and snacks. There’s teriyaki chicken, saffron and garlic lamb kebabs, Hoisin beef skewers, Thai barbeque prawns, Indian spiced fish, Indonesian pork satay, tofu skewers with sesame and coriander marinade, spicy polenta with pickle stuffing, hummus, wasabi and jalapeno dip, Greek rolls, and more. The price includes unlimited top-ups of Indian spirits.
8-11pm. Italia, The Park Pod, 23/13, Khader Nawaz Khan Road (42955555). Charges, Rs1,000 (plus taxes) per person.
Dance
Shobana
14 May
As part of the music, dance and theatre festival Navarasam, organized by the music school Lakshman Sruthi, actor and renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Shobana will showcase human emotions, moods and sentiments highlighted in classical Indian writings through a series of classical dance recitals infused with contemporary ideologies.
6.30pm. Kamaraj Memorial Hall, New No. 492, Old No. 574A, Anna Salai (42318343). Tickets, Rs200, Rs250, Rs500, Rs1,000 and Rs1,500, available at the venue.
--Karuna Amarnath
KOLKATA
Film
Tales from Planet Kolkata
19 May
In this 1993 documentary film, writer and film-maker Ruchir Joshi cocks a snook at colleagues who like to stereotype the City of Joy as a metaphor and example of urban decay. Spoofing various Western cinematic notions of the “exotic East" and “tragic" Kolkata, Joshi’s film moves from pastiche and the ironic to poetic markers of a more subtle, home-grown despair. A highlight is the Patachitra, a narrative scroll painting created especially for this film. Joshi will also present clips from his work in progress, a film provisionally titled My Rio My Tokio.
6.30pm. Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, 8, Ballygunge Circular Road (24866398).
Art
Solo show by Debasish Sengupta
Till 17 May
The forte of Kolkata-based artist Debasish Sengupta, popularly known as Deba, has always been watercolours, though he also works with acrylics, clay, mosaic tiles and woodcuts. In this collection, he works in a new stylistic idiom, of short, bright strokes that illustrate themes from fairy tales and fantasy.
On 24x7. Promenade Lounge, Taj Bengal, 34B, Belvedere Road, Alipore (9830127672).
Of Myth, Metaphor and Allegory
Till 29 May
Three of the four artists featured in this exhibition moved away from their home towns to settle in Vadodara, Gujarat. Consequently, their works bear a multitude of idioms that are homespun (regional and institutional practices) as well as those picked up from their second home (Vadodara). The works of Pappu Bardhan, Prithwiraj Mali and Sharmi Chowdhury fuse each one’s peculiar idiom with the already established visual language particular to Vadodara. Born in the 1970s, all four artists (the last being K. Prasun Roy) experienced the stupendous growth of electronic media and the gradual blurring of certain set notions and cultural limits during globalization. And so their allegories explore our national situation in a multinational, capitalistic Third World, addressing the urban myth from their traditional backgrounds, highlighting the solitude, detachment, sarcasm, demystification, utopian aspiration and even a
certain sentimentality underlying it. Fittingly, the young artists’ own techniques are also caught between new trends and tradition.
11am-7pm (Sundays closed). Mon Art Gallerie, Regency, Third floor, 6, Picasso Bithi (Hungerford Street), near the Albert Road crossing (22895438/9830083837).
Around town
A Fine-Dining Experience
15 May
Chef Agnimitra Sharma presents some of his finest dishes at Guchhi, the Indian restaurant at the Hyatt Regency. The meal will begin, fittingly, with a Guchhi Badam Shorba for the soup course; then go on to a starter of Afghani Murgh or Zafrani Paneer Tikka, followed by a sprout chaat with pomegranate seeds, in preparation for a main course of either Laal Maas or the chef’s special Khazani Lajjat Kofta, with Guchhi Pulao and Tawa Masala vegetables. The Alphonso Mango Kulfi promises a fine finish to a hot summer evening.
Though the recipes are authentic Indian, the presentation is in the European tradition—five courses, paired with an Albert Bichot 2008 Chablis.
7-11.30pm. Hyatt Regency Kolkata, JA-1, Sector III, Salt Lake City (23351234). Charges, Rs1,900 (plus taxes) per person, including umlimited wine.
--Indranil Bhoumik
Content for Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore provided by TimeOut
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