| Untitled Document | Untitled Document | CURRENT ISSUE NOVEMBER 27, 2006 | | | | YOUR WEEK: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT |  | | SUFI FESTIVAL | | Mystic Melodies | | | | MUMBAI/DELHI Sufi music always provides a kind of spiritual balm, a sacred fusion which is as emotionally moving as it is satisfying. True Sufis have always encouraged local dialects, and have thus been successful in reaching out to all sections of society. From high-brow classical forms like Khayal and Tarana to the popular geet and Qawwali, the gifts of Sufis have been many and varied. Over the years, Ruhaniyat: The Sufi and Mystic Music Festival organised by Banyan Tree Events has evolved into one of the most prestigious Sufi festivals. It does not have that usual line-up of imported artistes or overnight celebrities. "Sufi saints and mystics knew the secret of blissful existence amidst all kinds of turmoil. Their works abound in wisdom and unconditional love," says Mahesh Babu, Director of Banyan Tree Events. The festival will be held between November 2006 and February 2007 in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune. The Mumbai festival will feature Gugga Peer Katha from Himachal Pradesh. Suknani Ojhapali will perform a mystic form of worship from Dadarang district in Assam and a group called Basdeva Gyan will sing songs of the nomads of Chhattisgarh in the festival. Also, listen to the traditional songs of Kalbeliya women of Rajasthan and of Rumi and Hafiz by Ghoogha Group from Iran. Another feature of the festival will be Sufi qawwalis by Shameem-Nayeem Ajmeri and Party and Baul songs by Parvathy Baul, Vishwanath Das and Kanai Das Baul. In Mumbai on November 25 and 26 at Horniman Circle, Fort. In Delhi on December 10 at the Garden of Five Senses. -By S. Sahaya Ranjit |
| | ART EXHIBITION | | Second Innings | | |  | | PICTURE SPEAK | |  | | NEW IN TOWN: Gallery Sumukha in Chennai | | CHENNAI Ten years after it was launched in Bangalore, Gallery Sumukha has now opened its Chennai chapter with an exhibition of paintings and sculptures titled Take Two. Bringing together the works of 60 top names in the art world, including those of K.G. Subramaniam, Jogen Chowdhury, Arpana Caur and Adimoolam, the exhibition will have the best of contemporary Indian art. "We want to provide a platform for senior and established as well as young artists in Chennai, as we have done in Bangalore," says Premilla Baid, Sumukha founder and opthalmologist. One of the highlights of the exhibition is a poster by Laxma Goud, which will be signed by all the participating artists and serve as a memento. Sumukha has also been involved in promoting several art events, including hosting experimental installation art shows, and even those which include performing arts. Spread over 2,000 sq ft, the gallery is expected to give a fillip to the art scene. On till December 5. -By S. S. Jeevan |
| | MUSIC FESTIVAL | | Classical Touch | | | BANGALORE Flights of Fantasy is an annual event by Ganjam. Since its inception 10 years ago, it has brought the best of classical talent in both Carnatic and Hindustani styles to the city. The Hindustani segment in the four-day event will feature Shahid Parvez, Parveen Sultana and Ulhas Kashalkar while Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma will perform on the santoor. Starting on November 25, the weekend will feature renditions by Bombay Jayashri. At Chowdaiah Memorial Hall.
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| | FILM REVIEW | | Happy Forever | VIVAH
Director: Sooraj Barjatya
Starring: Shahid Kapur, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher Sooraj Barjatya's fantasy world is as carefully constructed as that of the Yash-Aditya Chopra/Karan Johar combine. But instead of chiffon, Switzerland and designer labels, here we have, as a song in the film tells us, a divya vatavaran. That translates into homely small town folk with permanently etched beatific smiles (think Arun Govil in Ramayan), educated boys and girls who never have sex on their minds (even if they are educated abroad), and extended families which seem to be nourishing their unblemished souls by near-constant eating-pakodas, jalebis, kesar ka doodh. The men might be business tycoons but they will retain a simplicity. The women will serve food and kheer between being demure and banal-here the heroine refuses to chat with her fiancée on the cell phone or computer because it isn't proper. Barjatya genuinely believes in this unsophisticated utopia and he unashamedly propagates it in his films. His conviction infuses his films with an emotional heft. So even viewers gagging on Vivah's regressive piousness-the fair and lovely heroine gets a rich husband but her darker cousin can't find a suitor-will be moved by its earnest emphasis on goodness, and the power of self-sacrifice. Circumstances play villain but as per Barjatya prescription, all finally ends in saat pheras and happiness. In this world, how could it possibly be otherwise? -By Anupama Chopra |
| | FILM REVIEW | | Silly Melee | APNA SAPNA MONEY MONEY..? Director: Sangeeth Sivan Starring: Riteish Deshmukh, Koena Mitra Riteish Deshmukh is an unlikely star. Personable and low key, he has managed to steal several scenes and sometimes entire movies from more heralded co-stars. In this film though, the director gives him so many co-stars (among them Rajpal Yadav spoofing Amitabh Bachchan's Sarkar and Jackie Shroff playing a joke) that he doesn't get enough screen time, which is a pity because despite an unfortunate glimpse of a hairy leg, Deshmukh, especially in scenes where he is playing a rather attractive woman, is by far the best thing here. Otherwise, the film is the usual combination of cheap item songs from interchangeable semi-clad women and cheaper humour which revolves around several bodily functions. When the success of Lage Raho Munnabhai has proved that clean comedies work, why do filmmakers still insist on thrusting nonsense down audience's throats? -By Kaveree Bamzai |
| | MUSIC | | Foot-tapping | LAO MEHNDIYAN 2
The folk music of India has its roots in its customs, festivals and rituals. One such celebration is marriage. In North India there are specific songs for marriage ceremonies during the wedding. The joy of the coming together of two families and the pain of separation from the daughter-all such emotions have been captured by Minu Bakshi, in a sequel to her earlier album. The second volume is a collection of foot-tapping Punjabi bhangra dhol. Dhol baje raho. KOI BAAT CHALE
This album brings together two musical legends-ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh and poet Gulzar-once again after Marasim. It features eight tracks ranging from ghazals to geets. Gulzar, who has lately been testing the boundaries of the Hindi film lyric with his use of English, has used traditional concepts and experimented with imagery, as in the line, "Kissne raste mein chand rakha tha mujko thokar lagi kaise" from the ghazal Kya Batayen Ki Jaan Gayi Kaise. "We've tried to make the form and content in the album as progressive as possible," says Gulzar. Some may find Singh's voice monotonous but the poetry elevates it. The tracks are sprinkled with recitation by Gulzar, in his inimitable voice. Soul stirring stuff. By S. Sahaya Ranjit | | |
Index | | Untitled Document 
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