Habitat World Calendar April-2010

THEATRE

On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti
Asmita Theatre Group
presents
Ambedkar Aur Gandhi
(Hindi/90mins)
April 9; 7:00pm
Dir: Arvind Gaur
Wri: Rajesh Kumar
Music: Dr. Sangeeta Gaur
The play portrays the great debate between Gandhi and Ambedkar
which led to the Poona pact and also the benefits highlighted by Ambedkar
and the fears of Gandhi regarding the eradication of division between
the savarna and the avarna Hindus.
Tickets at Rs.200, Rs.150 & Rs.100 available at the Programme desk
from April 2 for IHC members only. Open to all from April 5.

An Old World Culture presentation.
 1947
(Hindi/95mins)
April 24; 7:00pm
Dir. M. Sayeed Alam
Cast: Saleem Shah
Prod. Pierrot’s Troupe

The story unfolds in the form of an 85 year old man as well as an Alzheimer’s patient, Ghazanfar Hussein, recalling the partition. The old man’s non-academic, non-descript, and also factually incorrect, personal memoirs of the Partition question a range of stereotypes about the incident – its genesis, causes, worth and effects. Wit, humor and satire describe this journey of pain and pathos.

Tickets at Rs.300, Rs.200, Rs.100 & Rs.50 available at the Programme desk
from April 17 for IHC members only. Open to all from April 20.

An Old World Culture presentation.
 Same Time Next Year
(Hindi/90mins)
April 25; 7:00pm
Dir. & Acted by Saleem Shah

A romantic comic tale of an adventurous housewife, Doris, and a henpecked
husband, George, both of whom are not married to each other. George,
an accountant by profession, happens to be in Goa and meets Doris.
They happen to meet by chance, and then decide to meet every year,
Same Time, Same Place! The play progresses further and traces their lives
for the next 25 years. It unveils their individual personalities
and their never ending attachment with each other.

Tickets at Rs.300, Rs.200, Rs.100 & Rs.50 available at the Programme desk
from April 17 for IHC members only. Open to all from April 20.

SWEDISH CRIME FICTION

Collab: Embassy of Sweden
The Renewal And Redefining Of A Literary Genre
April 19 – 22

LECTURE on Swedish crime fiction by best-selling author Hakan Nesser.

WORKSHOP on modern crime fiction writing, lead by Hakan Nesser.

THEATRICAL READING of Swedish crime fiction works, including Stieg Larsson’s Millenium Triology & Heken Nesser’s Woman With Birthmark.

INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION on modern crime fiction
Moderator: Zac O’Yeah
Panelists: Dr. Anjana Neira Dev, Avijit Dutt, Hakan Nesser, Dr. Alok Sarin, Aditya Sudarshan

SCREENING of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (A)
(Swedish/2009/152mins).
A dark and violent thriller based on the first novel of Stieg Larsson’s 
crime fiction triology from 2004.

 HAPPENINGS AT HABITAT WORLD IN APRIL 2010

DATE & DAY    EVENT DETAILS
1st   Thurs    7:00pm|MUSIC|Jagat Mein Prem Hi Prem Bhara Hai A recital of some of the memorable songs of legendary singer K. L. Saigal by Ninan Koshi

2nd Fri    7:00pm|DANCE|A Tribute To Guru Surendranath Jena Odissi recital by Radhika Jha
7:00pm|MUSIC|Hindustani Classical Vocal recital by Padmaja Chakraborty & Suchishmita Chakraborty, senior disciples of Sumitra Guha followed by a Flute recital by Rajesh Prasanna

3rd Sat    7:00pm|FILM CLUB SCREENING|The Great Indian Butterfly (English/2008/110mins) Dir. Sarthak Dasgupta. Krish and Meera, form a young Indian couple climbing the ladder of the corporate rat race. Stressed, frustrated and unable to come to terms with the sacrifice required for success, they go in search of a legendary magical insect - The Great Indian Butterfly. Last seen by the unknown Portuguese explorer Carodiguez, in a remote valley located in erstwhile colonial Goa, the butterfly possesses a magical aura, granting immense happiness to the person who catches it. In the journey, the couple loses more than what they want to rediscover. It becomes a passage, which seems to travel with a metaphor of its own and an insect as elusive as happiness itself. Collab: Enlighten Film Society

4th Sun    8:00am|IHC WALK|Historian Kanika Singh leads a heritage walk at Mehrauli Village. Please contact the Programme desk for registration and details.

7:00pm|FILM CLUB SCREENING|Well Done Abba (Hindi/2009/144mins) Dir. Shyam Benegal. Cast: Ila Arun, Sammir Dattani, Boman Irani, Rajit Kapoor. The film tells the story of Armaan Ali, a driver working in Mumbai. He takes leave for a month to find a husband for his teenage daughter. However, when Armaan returns to work after 3 months, his young employer threatens to sack him. But, Armaan Ali has a story to tell and the story he tells is a humorous and often hilarious account of the events and happenings that delayed him from returning after a month. He avails a government scheme to dig a well in his agricultural patch. Things spiral out of control so much so that the Government is about to collapse! The question remains, how true is this compelling story! Collab: Enlighten Film Society

7:00pm|MUSIC|Sitar recital by Biswajit Panda, disciple of Biswajeet Roy Chaudhary
5th Mon    6.30pm|DOC FILM|Public Service Broadcasting Trust continues with its monthly series Chilika Banks: Stories From India's Largest Coastal Lake (1970-2007) Dir. Akanksha Joshi

7:00pm|FILM CLUB SCREENING|The Last Lear (English/2008/130mins) Dir. Rituparno Ghosh. Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal. Veteran thespian Harish Mishra is gravely ill. The punishments of a film shoot have left the old man in a coma. His co-star, Shabnam, is wracked with worry, but their director, Siddharth, keeps strangely distant and refuses to visit his ailing star. In flashbacks, their story emerges. Collab: Enlighten Film Society

7:00pm|BOOK LAUNCH|Vulnerable India: A Geographical Study of Disasters by Anu Kapur. Collab: SAGE Publications

6th Tue    7:00pm|DANCE|IMAGES Akanandun to… In memory of victims of war & injustice. Contemporary dance-drama theatre choreographed by Sangeeta Sharma, Anveshana Dance Theatre

7th Wed    7:00pm|FILM CLUB SCREENING|Frozen (Hindi/Ladakhi/2007/109mins) Dir. Shivajee Chandrabhushan. Cast: Danny Denzongpa The touching and somber journey of Lasya, who lives with her father Karma and younger brother Chomo in a remote village in the Himalayas. When the army moves in to settle a hundred yards across their doorstep, the last bit of comfort the family draws from their familiar surroundings changes into a harsh ceaseless irreversible conflict. The director will be present for an interaction post-screening. Collab: Enlighten Film Society

7:00pm|TALK|Prof. Nadia Fusini, Professor, English Literature, Italian Institute of Human Sciences, Florence & columnist, La Repubblica, speaks on Shakespeare, The Tempest And The Invention Of America Collab: Embassy of Italy and British Council

8th Thur    7:00pm|FILM CLUB SCREENING|Ocean Of An Old Man (Hindi/2008) Dir. Rajesh Shera. Cast: Tom Alter The film succeeds in bringing on screen the physical and emotional devastation wrought by the 2004 tsunami. Having been shot on location in the Andaman Islands, it narrates the story of the oceanic concern of an archetypal school teacher, for his young students who come every day to attend the school from the nearby islands. Until one day the ocean unfurls its fury on these islands in the form of a tsunami. After few months when the school reopens, five students become conspicuous by their absence. The teacher goes out in search of the missing children but strange experiences and emotions await him in those devastated islands. Collab: Enlighten Film Society

7:00pm|MUSIC|Hindustani Classical Vocal recital by Suman Ghosh, disciple of Pt. Jasraj HCL Concert Series

7:00pm|TALK|Anuradha Rajivan, Economist, Asia Pacific Human Development Report, speaks on, Power, Voice And Rights: Are We At A Turning Point For Gender Equality In Asia Pacific? Collab: United Nations Development Programme

9th Fri
6:30pm|TALK|Dr. Nikolas Kazanas, eminent scholar of Vedas from Athens speaks on Is The Aryan Invasion Theory Really Dead?

7:00pm|THEATRE|On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, Asmita Theatre Group presents Ambedkar Aur Gandhi (Hindi/90mins) Dir. Arvind Gaur. Wri. Rajesh Kumar. Music. Dr. Sangeeta Gaur. The play portrays the great debate between Gandhi and Ambedkar which led to the Poona pact and also the benefits highlighted by Ambedkar and the fears of Gandhi regarding the eradication of division between the savarna and the avarna Hindus. Tickets at Rs.200, Rs.150 & Rs.100 available at the Programme desk available at the Programme desk from April 2 for IHC members only. Open to all from April 5. An Old World Culture Presentation

10th Sat    9:30am – 11:30am|HABITAT CHILDREN'S BOOK FORUM features Rani Lakshmibai, The Valiant Queen Of Jhansi, a biography by Deepa Agarwal. Pub. Puffin Books. Readings, 1857 quiz and other activities. Age group 10+

7:00pm|PANEL DISCUSSION|Should India Be Divided Into More States Panelists: N. K. Singh, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Boobli George Varghese, Visiting Professor, Centre for Policy Research; Mohan Guruswamy, Chairman & founder of Centre for Policy Alternatives; Laveesh Bhandari, Director, Indicus Analytics; Shankkar Aiyar, Managing Editor, India Today. Chair: Bibek Debroy, Research Professor, Centre for Policy Research

11th Sun    8:00am|IHC WALK|Freelance writer and editor Aradhana Sinha leads a walk around the ruins of Hauz Khas. Please contact the Programme desk for registration and details.

7:00pm|FILM CLUB SCREENING|What’s Cooking Stella (Eng/Hindi/2009/103mins) Dir. Dilip Mehta. A warmhearted social satire about a Canadian diplomat and her chef husband Michael who are posted to New Delhi. Upon arrival they inherit a household of Indian servants headed by the charming, totally inspiring – and wily – cook, Stella. When Stella agrees to become Michael’s cooking guru and to teach him traditional Indian dishes, little does he know that she’s cooking up a scheme of her own.

7:00pm|PANEL DISCUSSION|The Narrative Of Art An exploration of the diverse riches and forms of storytelling as depicted in the different art mediums. Panelists: Pooja Sood, Director, Khoj and curator of Apeejay Art Gallery & the regional winners of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 2010 - Albert Wendt, Samoan novelist, poet and educator & Shandi Mitchell, Canadian writer and film maker. Collab: Siyahi

12th Mon    7:00pm|DANCE|Unbound Beats Of India, 2010 - International Festival of Indian Classical Dances. Kathakali recital by Shima Madhavi (Iran), Odissi duet by Ashok & Bandita (Bhubaneswar), Bharatanatyam recital by Sushma Ranganathan (Chennai), Bharatanatyam recital by Saroja Vaidyanathan’s foreign disciples (Delhi), Kathak duet by Vidha & Abhimanyu Lal (Delhi) Collab: Ranjana Gauhar’s Academy of Dance, UTSAV

7:00pm|ILLUSTRATED TALK|To The South Pole And Back Tom Davenport, polar adventurer, talks about his 2400 km, three-month expedition from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole...and then back. First, by cross-country ski and then return, by kite ski. Collab: The Himalayan Club

13th Tue    7:00pm|DANCE|Unbound Beats Of India, 2010 - International Festival of Indian Classical Dances. Manipuri Dance by Guru Singhajit's disciples (Delhi), Kuchipudi recital by Pratiksha Kashi, Odissi recital by Sanchita Banerjee (Kolkata), Mohiniattam recital by Bharti Shivaji’s disciples (Delhi), Kathak duet by Anna Pattens (Mauritius) Collab: Ranjana Gauhar’s Academy of Dance, UTSAV       &nb sp;         ;        & nbsp;       &nb sp;         ; 
14th Wed    7:00pm|MUSIC|Tabla solo by Rimpa Siva (Kolkata) followed by Sarod recital by Pt. Buddhadev Dasgupta (Kolkata) Collab: Sangeetam

7:00pm|TALK|Poetry readings in Hindi, Urdu & English. Chair: Sameer Kakkar. Collab: Universal Poetry
15th Thur    7:00pm|MUSIC|Hindustani Vocal recital by Pt. Sarathi Chatterjee followed by Kathak recital by Pt. Rajendra Gangani. Collab: Sangeetam
 

16th Fri    7:00pm|MUSIC|Saaz Sang Aawaz In awareness of female foeticide. Rajasthani Folk recital by Rukma Manganiyar and Violin recital by Anupriya Deotale. Collab: Suman Art Cultural And Social Organization

17th Sat    6:00pm|IHC MEMBER’S MEET
7:00pm|MUSIC|Group Tabla Lahara followed by Hindustani Vocal recital by Pt. Bholanath Mishra, Santoor recital by Raj Kumar Majumdar, disciple of Pt. Bhajan Sopori Collab: Classic
7:00pm|IIM CALCUTTA LECTURE SERIES|Debu Bhatnagar, former Marketing Manager, Hindustan Lever Ltd., and currently Promoter – Director, Y Factor, speaks on Domestic FMCG Players – Emerging Giants

18th Sun
    7:00pm|MUSIC|Performance by Austrian Gypsy and Jazz musician Harri Stojka. Collab: Austrian Embassy & Earth Matters Foundation

7:00pm|MUSIC|Sitar recital by Pt. Amalendu Chowdhury, disciple of Lt. Pt. Shyam Ganguly, followed by Tabla Solo recital by Pt. Sanjay Mukherjee, disciple of Pt. Jnanprakash Ghosh & Hindustani Vocal recital by Pt. Dinanath Mishra. Collab: Classic

7:00pm|DOC FILM|Child Birth Film Festival - The Business Of Being Born (English/2007/83mins) Dir. Abby Epstein. Key in every birth is a commitment to doing what's best for mother and baby. However, hospitals and doctors often too quickly advocate medical intervention in the interest of saving time and avoiding potential litigation. While unquestionably advocating midwifery over hospital birthing, this documentary explores expert opinions, and anecdotal experiences of both mothers and midwives that are crucial in making an informed decision about the use of midwifery in birthing. Collab: Kriti team & Delhi Birth Network
19th Mon    10:00am|TALK|Swedish Crime Fiction - The Renewal And Redefining Of A Literary Genre. Lecture on Swedish Crime Fiction by Swedish author Håkan Nesser, followed by an interactive Q&A session. Collab: Embassy of Sweden

1:00pm|WORKSHOP|Swedish Crime Fiction - The Renewal And Redefining Of A Literary Genre. Modern Crime Fiction Writing by Swedish author Håkan Nesser. The workshop will feature an interactive lecture on writing techniques, and focus on honing the skills of the participants in the art of crime fiction writing. (Pre-registration required. Limited seats based on first come, first serve) Collab: Embassy of Sweden

7:00pm|DOC FILM|Child Birth Film Festival - Birth As We Know It (English/2006/75mins) Dir. Elena Tonetti-Vladimirova. The way we procreate defines our ability to thrive. It's a matter of utmost urgency as everyday babies are born into unnecessary suffering, with easily avoidable, harmful complications, which limbically imprint their nervous system with suffering as the 'norm' and diminishes their capacity for intimacy and kindness. The documentary shows an alternative: it shows women who approached the art of people-making consciously and with dignity. Collab: Kriti team & Delhi Birth Network

20th Tue    7:00pm|MUSIC|Ustad Ahmad Jan Thirakwa Memorial Festival. Tabla Solo recital by Rashid Mustafa Thirakwa & Shariq Mustafa, accompanied by Ahsan Ali Khan (Sarangi). Followed by Flute Recital by Rajendra Prasanna & Rajesh Prasanna (Flute), accompanied by Arshad Khan (Tabla)

7:00pm|THEATRICAL READING|Swedish Crime Fiction - The Renewal And Redefining Of A Literary Genre. Theatrical reading of parts of Stieg Larsson's The Millinnium Triology by Avijit Dutt, theatre director & Håkan Nesser's Woman With Birthmark by the author himself.

7:30pm|PANEL DISCUSSION|Swedish Crime Fiction - The Renewal And Redefining Of A Literary Genre. Discussion on modern crime fiction. Panelists: Håkan Nesser, Swedish author; Avijit Dutt, theatre director; Alok Sarin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sitaram Bhartia Institute; Aditya Sudarshan, author of horror and sci-fi genres; Dr. Anjana Neira Dev, Associate Prof., English Dept., Gargi College. Moderator: Zac O'Yeah, Swedish crime fiction writer. Collab: Embassy of Sweden

7:00pm|TALK|Interactive Workshop: Personality Re-Engineering Series - VIMHANS continues with its monthly series highlighting issues affecting our everyday lives. The session focuses on Psychology Of Winning & Achieving – Let’s Take A Fresh Perspective

21st Wed    7:00pm|MUSIC|Ustad Ahmad Jan Thirakwa Memorial Festival concludes. Taal Vadya Kachehri presented by Layashakti Group - Rashid Mustafa Thirakwa on Tabla, Arunachalam Prem Kumar on Mridangam, Fatehsingh Gangani on Pakhawaj & Ahsan Ali Khan on Sarangi. Followed by Sarod Recital by Ayaan Ali Khan

7:00pm|MUSIC|Raag Rang Flute recital by Ajay Prasanna. Collab: SPANDAN Communications
 

22nd Thur    7:00pm|FILM CLUB SCREENING|Swedish Crime Fiction - The Renewal And Redefining Of A Literary Genre. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (A) (Swedish/2009/152mins) Dir. Niels Arden Oplev. A dark and violent Swedish thriller based on Stieg Larsson's crime fiction novel from 2004. Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger, member of the powerful Vanger clan, disappeared from a family gathering. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, ruthless computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. The pair links Harriet's disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago and begins to unravel a dark and appalling family history of gender suppression and disrespect for human lives. Collab: Embassy of Sweden
23rd Fri

    6:30pm|TALK|Importance Of Music In Old Age Under the series of Symposiums on Needs & Rights of Older Persons Collab: Agewell Foundation

7:00pm|FILM CLUB SCREENING|Leaving Home: The Life And Music Of Indian Ocean (English/Hindi/2008/114mins) Dir. Jaideep Varma. The documentary traces the story of four men who came together to make music as Indian Ocean. It takes us through the life and times of the four individuals who made personal sacrifices, took risks and eschewed commercial considerations to form one of the greatest Indian music bands of all times.

6:30pm|WORDS OF WOMEN with Aruna Chakravarti, well-known writer, translator and author of Secret Spaces: A Collection of Stories Collab: Zubaan

7:00pm|MUSIC|Spring Recital 2010 Solo recitals by students of Bridge Music Academy featuring European classical music to blues, rock and jazz

24th Sat    7:00pm|THEATRE|1947 (Hindi/95mins) Dir. M. Sayeed Alam. Cast: Saleem Shah. Prod. Pierrot’s Troupe. The story unfolds in the form of an 85 year old man as well as an Alzheimer’s patient, Ghazanfar Hussein, recalling the partition. The old man’s non-academic, non-descript, and also factually incorrect, personal memoirs of the Partition question a range of stereotypes about the incident – its genesis, causes, worth and effects. Wit, humor and satire describe this journey of pain and pathos. Tickets at Rs.300, Rs.200, Rs.100 & Rs.50 available at the Programme desk from April 17 for IHC members only. Open to all from April 20. An Old World Culture Presentation

25th Sun    7:00pm|THEATRE|Same Time Next Year (Hindi/90mins) Dir. & Acted by Saleem Shah. A romantic comic tale of an adventurous housewife, Doris, and a henpecked husband, George, both of whom are not married to each other. George, an accountant by profession, happens to be in Goa and meets Doris. They happen to meet by chance, and then decide to meet every year, Same Time, Same Place! The play progresses further and traces their lives for the next 25 years. It unveils their individual personalities and their never ending attachment with each other. Tickets at Rs.300, Rs.200, Rs.100 & Rs.50 available at the Programme desk from April 17 for IHC members only. Open to all from April 20. An Old World Culture Presentation

7:00pm|MUSIC|Rabindra Sangeet by Sunanda Ghosh (Kolkata), Palli Geeti & Adhunik Bangla Gaan by Probal & Srabani Goswami (Delhi) Collab: Impressario India

26th Mon    7:00pm|MUSIC|Santoor recital by Abhay Rustom Sopori, accompanied on the Tabla by Mithlesh Jha. Tabla solo by Kedar Nath. Hindustani Vocal recital by Ritesh-Rajnish Mishra, accompanied on the Tabla by Vinod Lele & Harmonium by Paromita Mukherjee. Collab: Baba Vishwanath Society For Music And Performing Arts   

   &nb sp; 
7:00pm|MUSIC|Vrindvadan An evening of Indian Classical Instrumental music. Orchestra composed by Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury. Participants: Bandhan Adak, Abhishikta Bandyopadhyay, Sreetama Dey, Saloni Roy, Deborshee Mukherjee, Anirban Banerjee on Sarod; Pragati Adak & Iman Chatterjee on Sitar; Soumitra Dasgupta & Prabir Rakshit on Tabla, Deborshee Mukherjee on Synthesizer. Followed by Sitar recital by Pragati Adak, Tabla solo by Soumitra Dasgupta, Sarod Duet by Deborshee Mukherjee & Anirban Banerjee. Collab: Vistar, Kolkata

7:00pm|TALK|NMF Eminent Persons Lecture Series. Consequences Of The Global Economic Crisis: A Reassessment After One Year Speaker: Amb. Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary & PM’s Special Envoy. Chair: Adm. Arun Prakash, former Chief of the Naval Staff & Chairman, National Maritime Foundation
 

27th Tue    7:00pm|DANCE|Bharatanatyam recital by Padmaja Suresh. HCL Concert Series

7:00pm|MUSIC|Carnatic Vocal recital by Poornima Krishnan, disciple of Meena Krishnan. Accompanists: Sridhar on Violin & Sudhir on Mridangam
6:30pm|TALK|Music seminar on Odissi Music And The Allied Forms: Pala, DasKathia & Raas Panelists: Ustad Asad Ali Khan, Dr. Shanno Khurana & Prof. Ramhari Das. Collab: UTSAV

28th Wed    7:00pm|MUSIC|Summer Sonata Piano recital by Ankita Kumar, disciple of piano maestro Brian Silas. An evening of soulful renditions and pulsating numbers from Hindi films and timeless western pieces on the piano. A Brian Silas School of Instrumental Music Presentation

29th Thur    7:00pm|DOC FILM|The Groundwater Up Project (English & Hindi with subtitles/2010/36mins) Dirs. Tarini Manchanda, Katie Gillett & Moriah Mason. In this upbeat documentary, meet Dolly, who has to be resourceful for water, Deya, who says that even posh Delhi colonies don’t get reliable water supply, and Maya, who is embarrassed to go fetch the water she needs for daily life. The film doesn’t solve Delhi’s “water crises”, but it explores current solutions like dams and sewage treatment plants. It discovers ideas in unexpected places and highlights people who are pursuing creative solutions. The screening will be followed by an interaction with the directors. Collab: Kriti team

30th Fri    7:00pm|TALK|Launch of Souvenir - Celebrating ten years of Community Service by Amba Foundation. Followed by Dance-drama by the Children of the Foundation.

7:00pm|MUSIC|Hindustani Vocal recital by Partha Pratim Das, disciple of  Shyamal Dasgupta, Pt. Prasun Banerjee, Pt. A. Kanan & Pt. Kumar Prasad Mukherjee HCL Concert Series

7:00pm|FILM CLUB DISCUSSION Group meets to discuss Caro Diario (Dear Diary) (Italian/1993/101mins) Dir. Nanni Moretti. Travelling on his scooter through Rome, Nanni Moretti explores the connections between history of cinema and the millennial city. Cruising with his friend around a set of remote islands in search of peace to finish his new film and consulting doctor after doctor to cure his annoying rash, he casts a humorous look at his life and those around him. In some of the most touching scenes, the Italian director enacts traumatic events of his own life to debate on the contradictory spaces of the modern citizen and the relevance of the imaginary in everyday's life. Carlos Izquierdo Tobias, Research Scholar at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU, will introduce the film and facilitate the discussion.
7:00pm|CANVAS ASKEW|Panel discussion on Awakening From Bedlam: Towards Progressive Mental Health Legislation. Chair: Dr. Alok Sarin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sitaram Bhartia Institute. Check with the Programme Desk for details on the panelists.
 
FILM SCREENINGS IN APRIL 2010

DATE & TIME    FILM DETAILS
Apr 3

7:00pm    The Great Indian Butterfly (English/2008/110mins) Dir. Sarthak Dasgupta
Krish and Meera, form a young Indian couple climbing the ladder of the corporate rat race. Stressed, frustrated and unable to come to terms with the sacrifice required for success, they go in search of a legendary magical insect - The Great Indian Butterfly. Last seen by the unknown Portuguese explorer Carodiguez, in a remote valley located in erstwhile colonial Goa, the butterfly possesses a magical aura, granting immense happiness to the person who catches it. In the journey, the couple lose more than what they want to rediscover. It becomes a passage, which seems to travel with a metaphor of its own and an insect as elusive as a fossil trapped in prehistoric resin. Collab: Enlighten Film Society

Apr 4
7:00pm    Well Done Abba (Hindi/2009/144mins) Dir. Shyam Benegal. Cast: Ila Arun, Sammir Dattani, Boman Irani, Rajit Kapoor
The film tells the story of Armaan Ali, a driver working in Mumbai. He takes leave for a month to find a husband for his teenage daughter. However, when Armaan returns to work after 3 months, his young employer threatens to sack him. But, Armaan Ali has a story to tell and the story he tells is a humorous and often hilarious account of the events and happenings that delayed him from returning after a month. He avails a government scheme to dig a well in his agricultural patch. Things spiral out of control so much so that the Government is about to collapse! The question remains, how true is this compelling story! Collab: Enlighten Film Society

Apr 5
7:00pm        The Last Lear (English/2008/130mins) Dir. Rituparno Ghosh. Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal
Veteran thespian Harish Mishra is gravely ill. The punishments of a film shoot have left the old man in a coma. His co-star, Shabnam, is wracked with worry, but their director, Siddharth, keeps strangely distant and refuses to visit his ailing star. In flashbacks, their story emerges. Collab: Enlighten Film Society

Apr 7
7:00pm    Frozen (Hindi & Ladakhi/2007/109mins) Dir. Shivajee Chandrabhushan. Cast: Danny Denzongpa
The touching and somber journey of Lasya, who lives with her father Karma and younger brother Chomo in a remote village in the Himalayas. When the army moves in to settle a hundred yards across their doorstep, the last bit of comfort the family draws from their familiar surroundings changes into a harsh ceaseless irreversible conflict. The director will be present for an interaction post-screening. Collab: Enlighten Film Society

Apr 8
7:00pm    Ocean Of An Old Man (Hindi/2008) Dir. Rajesh Shera. Cast: Tom Alter
The film succeeds in bringing on screen the physical and emotional devastation wrought by the 2004 tsunami. Having been shot on location in the Andaman Islands, it narrates the story of the oceanic concern of an archetypal school teacher, for his young students who come every day to attend the school from the nearby islands. Until one day the ocean unfurls its fury on these islands in the form of a tsunami. After few months when the school reopens, five students become conspicuous by their absence. The teacher goes out in search of the missing children but strange experiences and emotions await him in those devastated islands. Collab: Enlighten Film Society

OTHER FILMS
Apr 11
7:00pm    What’s Cooking Stella (Eng/Hindi/2009/103mins) Dir. Dilip Mehta
A warmhearted social satire about a Canadian diplomat and her chef husband Michael who are posted to New Delhi. Upon arrival they inherit a household of Indian servants headed by the charming, totally inspiring – and wily – cook, Stella. When Stella agrees to become Michael’s cooking guru and to teach him traditional Indian dishes, little does he know that she’s cooking up a scheme of her own.
 

Apr 22
7:00pm    Swedish Crime Fiction - The Renewal And Redefining Of A Literary Genre. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (A) (Swedish/2009/152mins) Dir. Niels Arden Oplev
A dark and violent Swedish thriller based on Stieg Larsson's crime fiction novel from 2004. Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger, member of the powerful Vanger clan, disappeared from a family gathering. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, ruthless computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. The pair links Harriet's disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago and begins to unravel a dark and appalling family history of gender suppression and disrespect for human lives. Collab: Embassy of Sweden

Apr 23
7:00pm    Leaving Home: The Life And Music Of Indian Ocean (English/Hindi/2008/114mins) Dir. Jaideep Varma
The documentary traces the story of four men who came together to make music as Indian Ocean. It takes us through the life and times of the four individuals who made personal sacrifices, took risks and eschewed commercial considerations to form one of the greatest Indian music bands of all times.

Apr 30
7:00pm    FILM CLUB DISCUSSION Group meets to discuss Caro Diario (Dear Diary) (Italian/1993/101mins) Dir. Nanni Moretti
Travelling on his scooter through Rome, Nanni Moretti explores the connections between history of cinema and the millennial city. Cruising with his friend around a set of remote islands in search of peace to finish his new film and consulting doctor after doctor to cure his annoying rash, he casts a humorous look at his life and those around him. In some of the most touching scenes, the Italian director enacts traumatic events of his own life to debate on the contradictory spaces of the modern citizen and the relevance of the imaginary in everyday's life. Carlos Izquierdo Tobias, Research Scholar at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU, will introduce the film and facilitate the discussion.

FILM PREVIEW
Apr 6
8:30pm    Legion (English/104mins)
Dir. Scott Charles Stewart; Cast: Paul Bettany & Lucas Black
Armed and united by the Archangel Michael, a group of strangers become soldiers on the frontlines of the Apocalypse, to protect a waitress and her sacred unborn child from the siege of the demonic legion.
Film schedules are subject to last minute changes.
 

EXHIBITIONS IN APRIL 2010

VENUE    DATES    DETAILS
Visual Arts Gallery    1 – 3    Streets Have No Name Fund raising event organized by Salaam Baalak Trust
    8 – 10    Dance Of The Rainbow Solo exhibition of paintings by Ranjeeta Kant presented by Gallery Alternatives

    11 – 15        Eggxotica An Egg Art exhibition by Farha Sayeed featuring beautifully decorated Eggshells, intricately cut, carved and ornamented by hand in the Faberge style
    16        Hello, India! Exhibition organized by Flickr, an online community for photographers for officially launching themselves in India & hence showcasing pictures clicked by the members of the community
    18 – 20    Annual Group Show 2010 Group exhibition of canvases & sculptures by Chawla Art Gallery
    21 – 30    Never Mind The Bullfish, Here's A Spot Of T Solo exhibition by Tarun Jung Rawat using mixed media combines
Open Palm Court Gallery    1 – 4    The Dawn Group show of paintings & drawings by Anita Kumar, Pallav Chander, Guneet Kumar & Nehmat Mongia
    11 – 18    Doors Of Perceptions Group exhibition of painting & sculptures
    19 – 23    In Conversation With Myself Exhibition by Suchit Sahni attempting to share how he wants to live and what he wants to achieve in this life
    24 – 28    The Artist. The Man. Exhibition of paintings by Vikash Kalra depicting various expressions & relationships that human beings share with each other in their lifetime
    29 – 30    As We Rise Exhibition of paintings by Ameeta Varma depicting some of the aspects of the journey called life using colors and forms
Lobbies
5A & 4B    Apr 1    - Jun 30    Tranquil Moments... Photo exhibition of tranquil moments by Sandeep Silas
FOR DETAILS ON ABOVE EXHIBITIONS, PLEASE CALL 4366 2024 / 25
 

Delhi ‘O’ Delhi Foyer    1 – 30        On the occasion of World Dance Day Celebrations, Kri Foundation presents One Year Later, an exhibition of photographs by Sunny Lamba
Convention Foyer    1 – 4    Trinity - An Art Experience by Swati, Sarang & Parul
    7 – 11    The Rhythm Of Colours Solo show of paintings by Saurabh Mohan
    12 – 14    Abstract Sojourns Exhibition of paintings by Nupur Chaube & photographs by Manish Nirwal
    21 – 23    Group Show of Madhubani & Warli paintings by Sangeetha G., Pratima, Sapna, Pinky & Pooja 
    24 – 27    Eternal duet - 2 Group show of paintings by Sangeeta Sharma, Rohit Sharma & Deepika Dhiman
    28 – 30            An exhibition of photographs by Amba Foundation
FOR DETAILS ON ABOVE EXHIBITIONS, PLEASE CALL 4366 3080 / 90


 
WORKSHOPS

Art Workshop by Rohit Kumar Sharma

The workshop’s new session has started from 20th Feb. 2010 - 20th May 2010
Classes every Saturday & Sunday
Venue: Palm Court Conference room
Timings: Saturdays - 2.30 pm - 5.00 pm
Sundays - 11.30 am – 2.00 pm
Fees: Rs 3500 for three months
The workshop is only for adult participants.


Paint your Canvas by Kavita Jaiswal

Every Friday the workshop aims to give a unique creative experience
in oil painting to the participants.
Timings: 9:30am – 1:00pm
Fee: IHC Members – Rs. 1500; Non Members: Rs. 2000


Zen of Photography by Achal Kumar

India Habitat Centre introduces photography workshop conducted by art-photographer Achal Kumar. Winner of National Academy Award, 1997, instituted by the Lalit Kala Academy, Delhi, Kumar trained under photographers like S. Paul, the Late T. Kashinath, and his father Santosh. He has been practicing photography for the past 25 years.
Kumar is conducting the workshop at the
Palm Court Conference Room

Every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Is only for IHC Members.
 
MAY 2010 ALERTS AT HABITAT WORLD

Watch out for the 2 annual summer events of Habitat World!

The Habitat Film Festival, from May 2-10, screens the year’s finest,
critically acclaimed and award winning Pan Indian films.

Kids’ Summer Workshops, from mid-May onwards, offer a whole range of
exciting hands-on-activities for little minds ‘n’ souls to forget their
holiday homework worries and to lose themselves
in a world of play ‘n’ knowledge.

For more details, contact the Programme Desk at 43663080/ 90.