The Nehru Centre is administered Indian Council for Cultural Relations
Tue 02 Feb 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Photographs : The World of CINI
Stuart Mackay
A photographic journey to the villages and backstreets of West Bengal. illustrating the lives and times of the people of CINI, the work they do and the people they work with – inspiring examples of practical humanism in practice, and lessons the West could benefit from.
Stuart Mackay is an international documentary photographer, who has worked across Africa and Asia. He is best known for his documentary exhibition of the island of St Helena, which was opened by HRH Prince Andrew and endorsed by Don McCullin. His photos have appeared in a number of publications, including the Times, the Guardian and the Illustrated London News.
Open until 5 February during office hours
Tue 02 Feb 7.15 pm
Music : Carnatic Classical Veena Recital
Vidushi Divya Avinash
Learning Carnatic Classical music from the age of six from the world renowned Kalaimamani Dr Suma Sudhindra, Divya Avinash is a gold medallist in the Vidwat examination. She has rendered solo concerts at Chennai Music Festival, Gayana Samaj, Sangeet Sabha and Sangeet Natak Akademi, to name a few, that won her critical acclaim. She has played for several All India Radio and TV programs. Honoured with the Ananya Yuva Puraskar, she has recently performed at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. She has actively participated in several group productions, i,e., Veena and Dance ensemble and fusion concerts. She has recorded a few audio cassettes and CD's along with her Guru, including Thillanas, Imagination (Kalpana) and Strings of Ecstasy (Veena duet).
Accompanists : Vidwan R N Prakash (Mridangam) and Vidwan R R Prathap (Ghatam), disciples of Vidwan K N Krishanmurthy of Banglore, who have performed extensively in the U.K and Europe. Prakash has specialized in Mridangam, Ghatam, and Khanjira. Pratap has regularly performed on Radio and Television and has accompanied renowned artists inluding Kadari Gopalnath, Mandolin Srinivas, Balmurali Krishna and Sudharagunathan. He also plays with reputed fusion groups and has composed for music and dance groups all over Europe.
Thu 04 Feb 6.30 pm
Film : Krishna History or Myth
Dr Manish Pandit
Indians have long believed in scriptures such as the Mahabharata. However, the question which has occupied many educated rational Indian minds is whether Krishna did actually exist in flesh and blood.It is to find the scientific background behind the faith that the film was made. It juxtaposes the beliefs of Krishna worshippers to the scientific facts which are based around the archaeology, the living and oral traditions of India and most importantly the astronomy of the Mahabharata to come to the conclusion that Krishna did really exist. The film interviews world experts in their respective fields to find their views.
A consultant in Nuclear Medicine and a Hon. Senior Clinical Lecturer with the University working at the City hospital in Birmingham in the UK, Dr Manish Pandit never held a camera in my life before making this film. He studied cinematography and digital film editing on his own before buying a HD broadcast camera and venturing to start filming in 2008 in India. He shot the entire film on hisannual leave. The film took 18 months to make in 8 major Indian cities, Cambodia, the USA and in England. Film professionals from Adelphi house edited the film, the Manchester School of Sound recording provided the final sound mixdown, Mike Henfield, BBC newscaster provided the voice over.
Fri 05 Feb 6.30 pm
Dance : Kathak
Sanjukta Wagh
Honoured with the Charles Wallace India Trust Award 2009-10 from the British Council to pursue a year-long diploma in dance studies at the Laban Centre for Dance, Sanjukta Wagh has trained under Rajashree Shirke for twenty two years. She has conceptualized and directed several dance and dance theatre productions which have won her critical acclaim including Akath Katha; interpretations of Kabir's verse and Let Her Be Born, a tribute to women artists through poetry, music and dance. Curator of the Kala Ghoda Arts' Festival-2009 and assistant curator of Chauraha, an intractive arts forum at the National Centre for performing Arts Mumbai, Sanjukta has worked at Lasya, her teacher’s organisation, for several years as a leading performer, assistant choreographer and teacher. She has also been rigorously training in Hindustani music under Pandit Murli Manohar Shukla. She has also trained in theatre with the renowned director of Marathi and Hindi Theatre, Chetan Datar. She strives to cultivate an interdisciplinary approach in her work.
Mon 08 Feb 6.15 pm
The Himalayan Film & Culture Festival
Exhibition of Paintings/Photograph
An internationally-renowned artist, Gonkar Gyatso’s work has been exhibited widely in Asia, Europe and North America, and he is founder and director of the contemporary art gallery, The Sweet Tea House in East London. Gongkar was born in 1961 in Lhasa and studied Fine Art in Beijing and London. Having lived in Tibet, China, India and the West, his art negotiates the uncertain space between Tibetan artistic traditions and modern, globalised culture. (http://gonkargyatso.com)
Sam Kang Li is a freelance photographer born and bred in Singapore. In 2008 he spent six months working for Nepal’s top English-language weekly, Nepali Times. His striking photographs were feted in Kathmandu and were published in many other magazines and papers. Kang Li’s photographs combine flawless composition with social themes and real engagement with human subjects. They also encompass a full sweep of the Himalayan Region, as he carried his camera with him throughout his travels in Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. (http://www.samkangliphotos.com)
Tashi Norbu was born in Bhutan, but his early artistic talent took him first to Dharamsala, where he studied traditional Tibetan art, and then to Europe, where he studied visual arts and imbibed the many influences of contemporary developments in the art world. With such a background, his art is cosmopolitan and traditional, and strives for tranquility and harmony. Tashi has a permanent collection exhibited in the Temple Gallery in Amsterdam, and we are delighted to bring his work to London. (http://www.tashinorbu.be/)
Tashi Mannox was born in England, and for the past 30 years he has practiced both Eastern and Western artistic traditions as a painter and calligrapher. Shortly after finishing his degree in Fine Art he became a Buddhist monk of the Tibetan Kagyu order, and studied calligraphy for many years with Akong Tulku Rinpoche in the seclusion of a monastery. Tashi laid down his monk’s robes in 2000, and has since used his rigorous training as the basis for a unique style of ornamental and calligraphic art. (http://www.tashimannox.com/)
Born in Southern Nepal, Govinda Sah ‘Azad’ was always fascinated by drawing and sculpture, and as a teenager ran away to Delhi to become an artist. He worked for several years as a wall painter, before moving back to Nepal to study at the Fine Art College in Kathmandu. Since then he spent periods in Dhaka and London. His work investigates spirituality and contemporary social and environmental issues, and has been widely exhibited in his native Nepal, as well as India, the UK and several other European countries. (http://www.govindasahazad.com/about.html)
Chandra Garbuja ‘Tene’ is a self-taught artist from Kathmandu who entered Nepal's independent establishment of the Young Artists' Group, which has produced some of the country's finest artists. Having moved to the UK eight years ago, he draws on both the images from his village roots and country's symbols cutting nostalgia through the window of contemporary urban art in London.
Open until 12 February during office hours
Mon 8 Feb 7:30 pm
Film : The Little Terrorist
Ashvin Kumar (2004, 15mins)
Indian director Ashvin Kumar’s first film, which won him an Oscar nomination, The Little Terrorist is a reminder that humanity and compassion can shine even in the most inhumane circumstances. In the deserts of Rajasthan, 10-year-old Jamal mistakenly crosses the border into India after chasing the ball in a cricket match. As a stray Pakistani in India, even at his tender age he is suspected as a terrorist, and is hunted by the army. An aged Brahmin takes Jamal in and shelters him, at great risk to himself, and doing so is forced to re-examine his opinion of Pakistanis, who, prior to 1947, were his own countrymen.
Tue 9 Feb 6.30 pm
Road To Ladakh (15)
Ashvin Kumar (2009, 88mins)
Chance brings together two travellers on the windswept roads of Ladakh, where India borders with China and Central Asia – one a highly-strung American reporter and the other an inscrutable jeep driver who has come up from the plains. Both feel lost amongst the mixed bag of the characters traversing the lonely landscape – shepherds, roadworkers, extreme sports enthusiasts, monks. And as events take a turn for the unexpected, the two are drawn closer out of the mutual need for tenderness and shelter.
Wed 10 Feb 6.30 pm
One Crazy Ride (15)
Director: Gaurav Jani
A new film from madcap Bombay roadrunner Gaurav Jani, One Crazy Ride takes us to the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, on India’s remote Northeastern border with China. To this day, few roads have penetrated the knot of hills and ravines, and the valleys are cut with rivers rushing down from Tibet to the plains of Assam. Five riders are on a mission to traverse the state on motorbike. Shot by the protagonists themselves, the film documents their journey in all its beauty, hardship and camaraderie. and is an exhilarating look into one of the most pristine and spectacular parts of India.
Thu 11 Feb 6.30 pm
Music : Hindustani Classical Recital
Dr Sapna Raina Kachru
Assistant Professor of Music at Daulat Ram College, Delhi University, Dr Sapna Raina Kachru did her M.Phil in Music from Delhi University and the subject for her PhD was The Place of Culture in the Traditional Music of Kashmir. Disciple of Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, she is the recipient of Sahitya Kala Parishad scholarship for academic training and the national scholarship by Govt of India’s HRD Ministry for advanced training in Vocal Music. Declared the best singer by the Sangam Kala Group, her cassettes and CDs have been released in Kashmiri and Urdu. She has performed with famous artists including Pt Jasraj and Ustad Sultan Khan. She has also sung for the Tele serials. She has written articles on music of Kashmir and has participated in international conferences and seminars.
In association with the Kashmir Bhawan Centre
Fri 12 Feb 3.00 pm
Film : Kashmir Ki Kali
Shakti Samanta (1964, 168 min)
This classic Hindi film recalls a bygone time in Kashmir, when the beautiful valley was still the favoured destination of holidaymakers from the plains. An untypical tourist, wealthy and spoilt Rajivlal runs away to his family’s bungalow in Kashmir to escape from his mother’s machinations for his marriage. After taking charge of his estate, which has gone its own way in his absence, he meets a beautiful flowerseller and vows that he will marry her. Apart from parental opposition, Rajivlal has to face the revelation that his mother is not his real mother at all, and embarks on a quest to discover his true identity.
Tue 16 Feb 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Mosaics : Story of Stones
Chander Kanta Bhasin
Having been brought up in Chandigarh, a city famous for the mosaic work of Nek Chand Saini, Kanta Bhasin developed a love for art and textiles at a very young age. She achieved exceptional recognition in the State of Punjab for her intricate embroidery pieces. She regularly exhibits her work, in and around the London. Her exhibitions have been received extremely well amongst both artists and art connoisseurs.
Kanta is a very active mosaic artist, who puts a great deal of energy into sharing the joy of mosaic art with her community, and teaching aspiring mosaic artists. She leads a mosaic workshop hosted by Age Concern Hounslow, this has proved extremely enjoyable for both her and her students. Rhobena West, one of Kanta’s many talented students; won a mosaic competition sponsored by Topps Tiles; Rhobena was one of 14 regional winners, chosen from 150 hopefuls. The competition generated a great deal of interest amongst local press, this served as great promotion for the wonderful charity Age Concern, and Kanta’s impressive mosaic work
Open until 19 February during office hours
Tue 16 Feb 6.45 pm
Dance : Bharatantyam : Shyamasundara : Krishna, the Dark, Beautiful One
Aranyani Bhargav
Learning from Leela Samson for the last 18 years, Aranyani Bhargav first started performing when she was nine. She has since performed professionally all over the world - including in the cities of Jerusalem, Honolulu, Paris, Berlin, London, Istanbul, Washington and New York. She was part of her guru's dance troupe, 'Spanda' for 8 years (1998-2004) and performed in India and Japan, China and Inner Mongolia.
Also trained in Ballet, Kalaripayattu, and Contemporary Dance from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, Bangalore, she was a student of Philosophy at Delhi University and is currently pursuing her masters in Contemporary India at the University of Oxford.
Aranyani will present Alarippu, Shabdam, Javali and a Tillana, all relating to the childhood 'pranks' of Krishna - the stealing of gopis clothes while they bathed in the river, and the stealing of butter from earthen pots; adult phase of Krishna's life where an elder friend tells a younger gopi that she saw her looking at Krishna from under her veil, and though Krishna looked back at her repeatedly, she must not fall in love with the beautiful Krishna as he is charming, but crafty and loves the attention of all the gopis. Aranyani will conclude her performance with a Tillana in Ragam Madhuvanti, dedicated to Lord Krishna.
In association with the London Chapter of Vaishnava Professionals Network (www.vpnglobal.org)
Thu 18 Feb 6.45 pm
Book Reading : Kipling Abroad: Traffics and Discoveries from Burma to Brazil
Andrew Lycett
Rudyard Kipling had a genius for evoking place – whether in India or elsewhere in the world; whether in his fiction or in his voluminous and uncollected travel writing. Andrew Lycett, one of Britain’s best known biographers, who has written a much acclaimed life of Kipling, has put together a fascinating collection of Kipling’s writings on travel.
The largest part is devoted to Kipling’s pieces about various places in the Indian sub-continent, from Mumbai, his birthplace, through Lahore, where he worked, to Rajasthan and Bengal. There are also evocative writings from other parts of the world, including Burma, South Africa, Brazil, the USA and Britain. On this night Andrew Lycett will introduce and discuss this collection. After his talk and questions, he and his publisher I.B. Tauris invite members of the audience to join them in a glass of wine.
As a former foreign correspondent, Andrew Lycett has travelled and worked in most places written about by Kipling. His other books include lives of Ian Fleming, Dylan Thomas and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He is a member of the Council of the Kipling Society and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Fri 19 Feb 6.45 pm
Music : Tabla Jugalbandi
Pritpal Singh Rai and Narinderjit Singh Lallie
Two leading musicians from the younger generation present a mesmerising tabla recital in the Benares tradition. Their Guru is the legendary tabla virtuouso Pandit Sharda Sahai. In Tabla Jugalbandi Narinderjit and Pritpal will take you on a journey through the ancient city of Benares, ably demonstrating the richness, complexity and beauty of Benares' melodious rhythmic traditions. Both have performed with reputed artists and their playing has attracted many plaudits with performances that display their wide knowledge of Indian music.
Pritpal Singh Rai is currently working for the Birmingham Music Services and, together with Narinderjit Singh Lallie, has been under the guidance of Pandit Sharda Sahai since 1999. This event forms part of the ‘Jalsa 2010’ series, Accompanist : Gurpal Singh (harmonium) In association with Pandit Sharda Sahai Foundation (www.sahai.org)
Tue 23 Feb 6.15 pm
Exhibition : Frames of Freedom: A Tricolour Reverence to the Wilderness of India
Saleel Tambe
Endowed with a rich natural wealth of forests and spectacular treasure of flora-n-fauna, Indian is an amazing habitat and always been a nature lover’s paradise. A multi award winning photographer, Saleel Tambe’s lens brings out some splendid glimpses from the tropical habitat – an exciting tete-a tete with the astonishing biodiversity of Indian subcontinent. Displayed in a unique three coloured theme belonging to the flag of India, Tiranga, conveying a characteristic notion (Saffron stands for strength and sacrifice; White stands for peace and freedom and Green depicts the prosperity, growth and auspiciousness). With a dual message of conservation and creativity, this exhibition is an attempt to contribute towards the protection of natural wealth and pay a reverence to this wonderful asset that needs to be preserved.
An ardent nature lover and a wildlife author-photographer, Saleel has been observing, admiring, studying and photographing Nature and Wildlife for last 15 years.Committed to conservation, he has led some significant conservation initiatives. Author/contributer of five prestigious books, he has also co-authored a unique publication, Birds of Western Ghats. A popular columnist of the Times of India, his solo exhibitions have been organised in reputed art galleries.
Also a performing musician, Saleel has been playing Tabla in reputed concerts as a soloist and as an accompanist. He has also recorded CDs, DVDs and films including a couple of BBC productions. Saleel is into Telecom, Information Technology world. A Telecom engineer with a Masters in Business Management, he has worked with some major global conglomerates. (www.saleeltambe.com, www.naturewebindia.com)
Open until 26 February during office hours
Tue 23 Feb 6.45 pm
Music : Sitar
Baluji Shrivastav
Composer and Sitarist Shrivastav is probably the only musician with solo releases on sitar, diruba and Surbhar. His live performances are infused with a warmth and humour that connect with new and seasoned audiences alike. Following his 2008 national tour of his new composition ‘Song Celestial’ (based on chap. 13 of Bhagavadgita) he is now working on a number of projects, including a new album ‘Goddess’ 2009, a special mela percussion orchestra commission and a possible Urdu opera for the Cultural Olympiad. . His fourth solo classical album Shadow of the Lotus (2007 ARC Records) was described as ‘ ravishing and utterly fresh’ (Scotsman).
Baluji has also composed to commission and for television, theatre and dance. He has recently recorded a new composition for Orchestra, An Indian in London, with contemporary Spanish Orchestra Gernoa XXI with whom he toured Spain in 2008. All in all Baluj is one of the most active forward reaching Indian Classical musicians and composers based in the UK.
Wed 24 Feb 6.30 pm
Illustrated Talk : Around India in 25 Years
Michael Palin
Michael Palin will be talking about his experiences in India since he first visited with his friend and Monty Python colleague, Terry Gilliam, in 1982. With the help of photographs, he will show his travels from Mumbai in the west to Kolkata in the East, using his television series Around The World In Eighty Days and Himalaya as focus points for his own thoughts and feelings about India.
Michael Palin established his reputation with Monty Python’s Flying Circus. His work also includes several films with Monty Python, as well as The Missionary, A Private Function, an award-winning performance as the hapless Ken in A Fish Called Wanda, American Friends and Fierce Creatures. His television credits include the plays East of Ipswich and Number 27, and Alan Bleasdale’s GBH. He has written books to accompany his seven very successful BBC travel series. He is also the author of the play The Weekend and the novel Hemingway’s Chair. In 2006 the first volume of his diaries, 1969-1979: The Python Years, spent many weeks on the bestseller lists and in September 2009 the second volume 1980 -1988 Halfway to Hollywood was published.
In collaboration with TransIndus
This s event is by invitation only. To attend or for more details please contact Riddhima on enquiries@transindus.com or phone 020 8566 3739
Fri 26 Feb 6.30 pm
Illustrated Talk : A South Indian Journey
Michael Wood
In this lavishly illustrated talk Michael Wood looks back over 25 years of travels in the South and suggests that Dravidian India is the world's last surviving classical civilisation. Showing intensely evocative images of landscapes and sacred places, of great temples and tiny rural shrines, stone and bronze sculptures of unrivalled beauty,along with still vital living traditions, celebrations and pilgrimages, Michael Wood's talk will appeal to all who love India and especially the South.
In association with The Gopalapuram Educational Society which runs 4 schools providing free education for less privileged children in Chennai. For further information please e-mail at lakshmi_uk@yahoo.com
Tue 02 March 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Photographs : Fifteen Mantras for the Empowered Woman
Dr Abha Sharma Rodrigues
In 2009, Abha published Fifteen Mantras for the Empowered Woman. Drawing upon the careers, achievements and life stories of many distinguished women from all around the world - women like Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sophia Loren, JK Rowling, Princess Diana, Madame Curie, Oprah Winfrey, Aung San Sui, Sudha Murthy and Jehan Sadat - the book promotes reflection and self-actualisation, encouraging readers to look at their own belief systems with a view to implementing positive and fulfilling change.
Interspersed in the book are black and white pencil sketches of the women who feature as role models. Abha commissioned an award-winning artist from India, Chandra Prakash Gupta of Jaipur, to draw these images. These original drawings depict a myriad of facets and characteristics of some of the world’s most famous women. They exude energy, emotion, empathy, insight, courage and determination and serve as universal examples of supreme empowerment.
Open until 4 March during office hours
Tue 02 March 6.45 pm
Book Launch : Fifteen Mantras for the Empowered Woman
Dr Abha Sharma Rodrigues
In 2009, Abha published Fifteen Mantras for the Empowered Woman. Drawing upon the careers, achievements and life stories of many distinguished women from all around the world - women like Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sophia Loren, JK Rowling, Princess Diana, Madame Curie, Oprah Winfrey, Aung San Sui, Sudha Murthy and Jehan Sadat - the book promotes reflection and self-actualisation, encouraging readers to look at their own belief systems with a view to implementing positive and fulfilling change.
Interspersed in the book are black and white pencil sketches of the women who feature as role models. Abha commissioned an award-winning artist from India, Chandra Prakash Gupta of Jaipur, to draw these images. These original drawings depict a myriad of facets and characteristics of some of the world’s most famous women. They exude energy, emotion, empathy, insight, courage and determination and serve as universal examples of supreme empowerment.
Open until 4 March during office hours
Wed 03 March 6.30 pm
Music : Braj Mein Holi
Surendra Kumar
Holi (Festival of Colours, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi) is celebrated in India and other countries with large Hindu diaspora populations - Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, the UK, Mauritius, and Fiji, among others. The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj regions connected to Krishna - Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon and Barsana, where the festive season lasts up to sixteen days. People throw coloured powder and water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (death of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi) in memory of the miraculous escape that Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, who was burnt; Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped due to his unshakable devotion.
An accomplished versatile singer and renowned for his melodic expression, Surendra Kumar has received guidance from legendary Ustad Gulam Mustafa Khan of Rampur Gharana and sings Ghazal, Thumri, Purbi and Bhojpuri songs. His live performances are infused with warmth. His collection of Ghazals, Thumri and Bhojpuri Folk songs etc can be heard on the YouTube - Banauli's Channel.
Accompanists : Fida Husain Khan (Harmonium), Hanif Khan (tabla) and Nikhil George (Violin)
Thu 04 March 6.30 pm
An Evening with Yavar Abbas
As part of its 10th Anniversary Special Events, SACF pay tribute to the internationally acclaimed British Asian filmmaker Yavar Abbas whose films have been shown on national networks all over the world. A well known BBC Urdu broadcaster, columnist and filmmaker, Yavar Abbas is known for his seminal documentary India! My India (1967) which drew high acclaim from Satyajit Ray, It strikes you in its truth of observation and sincerity and I think it is very well shot. The film won several awards including the Marconi Award in Milan.
Yavar who turns 90 this year says, his ‘films reflect the pain of Partition and true spirit of India as well as the inner bond between Hindus and Muslims. Yavar will speak to documentary filmmaker and critic Lalit Mohan Joshi about his life and works. Yavar’s key films, India! My India, Faces of India (1968) and India Called Them (1968) will be screened at the Richmix, London E11 from Sun 7 – 28th March.
Speakers : Negede Assefa (Richmix) and Eric Liknaitzky (Contemporary Films) Chair : Derek Malcolm, international film critic In association with South Asian Cinema Foundation, Richmix and Cotemporary Films
Fri 05 March 6.30 pm
Dance : Kathak
Gauri Swakul
A first class postgraduate in Arts with Classical Kathak from the Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune, Gauri Swakul is a disciple of Guru Maneesha Sathe. She received a scholarship from Lila Poonawalla Foundation for her postgraduation and obtained the Nritya Visharad from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in 2003 and Nritya Alankar in 2005. Honoured by Gandharva Mahavidyalaya by inviting to perform in the convocation ceremony, she also received the National Scholarship from the Government of India for advanced studies and training in Kathak. Sur Singar Samsad awarded her Singarmani title in 2005.
Gauri is here on a short term workshop on Kathak with the Study Abroad Programme of the University of Pennsylvania, USA on India Cultural Society, affiliated to American Institute of Indian Studies, a consortium of American Universities. In the year of 2009, The Indian Embassy of Thailand and Indian Women Club, Bangkok, invited her for six months to teach Kathak. She has won various competitions and has participated in over 250 solo and groups performances at reputed venues.
Mon 08 March 2.30 pm
Jaya Bachchan Retrospective of Films
Film : Kora Kagaz (1974)
Jaya Bachchan in Conversation with Lady Kishwar Desai
A remake of a Bengali film Saat Pake Bandha (1963) starring Suchitra Sen, Kora Kagaz was directed by Anil Ganguly, starring Vijay Anand, Jaya Bhaduri, Achala Sachdev and Deven Verma. Jaya Bhaduri won the Filmfare Best Actress Award and the film also won the National Film Award for the Best Popular Film, Lata Mangeshkar won National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song, roothe roothe piya, Kalyanji Anandji won the Filmfare Best Music Director Award.
Mon 08 March 6.30 pm
Jaya Bachchan Retrospective of Films
Illustrated Talk : Women in Films
Shyam Benegal
With his first four feature films Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975) Manthan (1976) and Bhumika (1977) Shyam Benegal created a new genre, which has now come to be called the "middle cinema" in India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991. In 2007, he was awarded the highest award in Indian cinema for lifetime achievement, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2005. He has won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times.
Tue 09 March 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Paintings : A Woman with a Cause : Jeroo Roy
Whilst beautiful in form, the paintings of Jeroo Roy are never conventional and despite the nature of her subjects, you cannot fail to be drawn to the artist’s positive attitude that shines through her works such as hands smashing their way through oppression. Always there is a message of hope for change, and it is this style that has led to her being invited by New Scotland Yard and the Home Office to display paintings at their conferences on gender equality.
In recent years, Jeroo has enjoyed success through a number of exhibitions including at the National Portrait Gallery where 208 portraits were displayed for the launch of Zerbanoo Gifford's book, Confessions to a Serial Womaniser - Secrets of the World's Inspirational Women. She has also led a number of art classes for children belonging to a women’s shelter group, and has also run classes in art therapy for young people.
A Parsee from Mumbai, Jeroo Roy first studied Art at the JJ School of Art in Mumbai and continued training at the London College of Printing. She then worked as a designer for magazines and as an illustrator and writer of children’s books. In 1982, Jeroo became involved in the building trade and established herself as a female contractor. Since 2001, she has returned to painting with a renewed passion, inspired by the subjects she portrays with such power and beauty.
Inauguration : Baroness Cox of Queensbury, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords since 1985. Her work in the field of humanitarian aid has taken her on many missions to conflict zones. Open until 13 March during office hours
Wed 10 March 6.30 pm
Jaya Bachchan Retrospective of Films
Film : Abhimaan (1973, 122 min)
Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the film is perhaps best remembered for its songs, composed and arranged by the late S D Burman, written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, and sung by playback singers Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Mohammed Rafi. Jaya won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for Abhimaan.
Subir (Amitabh Bachchan) is a professional singer whose career is soaring. He does not plan to marry—until he meets Uma (Jaya Bhaduri), a sweet village girl who also sings. Subir falls in love with Uma and marries her. He fosters Uma's singing career. His career falters, however, just as Uma's singing career begins to thrive. Eventually, she becomes more famous than her husband, sparking jealousy from Subir. His pride and jealousy tear the marriage apart. The movie reaches a very sensitive situation when the couple separates and Uma has a miscarriage. In what is considered a masterpiece of direction by Mukherjee and scoring by Burman, the couple comes together again in an emotional reunion and they sing together.
Thu 11 March 6.30 pm
Jaya Bachchan Retrospective of Films
Film : Uphaar (1971)
Produced by Tarachand Barjatya for Rajshri Productions the film is based on Rabindranath Tagore’s story, Sampati. Anoop studies law in Calcutta, while his widowed mother lives in a small town in West Bengal. He has a sister, Sudha, who is married to Anil and lives in Calcutta. When Anoop returns home, his mother asks him to marry a girl she has approved but he wants to see the girl first. He goes to see Vidya, and also gets to meet another belle by the name of Minoo. His mother reluctantly agrees. Minoo has no household skills, neither is she educated, nor mature enough to understand her relationship with Anoop. Her only interests appear to be stealing mangoes and other fruit, and playing with children much younger than her. Once Anoop leaves her and heads back to Calcutta, Minoo starts realising she misses him.