20th Bharat Rang Mahotsav – DESAPARECIDOS

DESAPARECIDOS#43

Director: Anna Dora Dorno
Playwright: Nicola Pianzola
Group: Instabili Vaganti
Language: English & Spanish
Duration: 55 mins

The Play

Desaparecidos#43 aims to give voice to the dramatic event of the 43 Mexican students of Ayotzinapa who disappeared on 26th September 2014. It is a strong performance of great emotional impact, an artistic Re-Action to a tragic reality: the en-forced disappearances afflicting Mexico, and an original dramaturgy, made not only of words but also of physical actions, sounds, songs and projected images.

Director’s Note

Desaparecidos#43 is not only a performance but also an authentic act of rebellion, a work exalting freedom of opinion, expression and demonstration, which are being worldwide threatened. It is an artistic example of the international influence of mass media and globalization and how they can sensitise the public opinion and help to ask for justice. It is a hope hymn, able to let red flowers grow from a stack of bloody clothes – ‘They wanted to bury us but they didn’t know we were seeds’.

The Director

Anna Dora Dorno was born in 1976 in Italy. She graduated at the University of Bologna – Department of Music and Performance. In 2004 she founded the experimental theatre company Instabili Vaganti. She has directed and acting in – Avan-lulu, which received the special award of the Jury at the 6th International Festival of Theatre and Visual Arts, Zdarzenia (Poland), The Ritual, the result of a 10-year research project all around the world and performed at the 18 Bharat Rang Mahostav in Delhi, Ausencia – Alone in the crowd, premiered at the 32nd Fadjr International festival of Teheran (Iran), Made In Ilva, which received a nomination at the Total Theatre Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2014 and was the winner of 10 national awards for the best performance, Desparecidos#43 based on the true story of the missing students in Mexico and winner of the patronage of Amnesty International. She holds workshops for performers in universities and academies all over the world including: Grotowski Institute in Poland, Shanghai Theatre Academy in China, National School of Drama in India, and UNAM in Mexico.

The Playwright

Born in 1977 in Italy, Nicola Pianzola graduated at the University of Bologna – Department of Music and Performance. He graduated in physical theatre at the Nouveau Cirque school of Bologna and at the Grotowski Institute of Wroclaw (Poland). He is currently a performer and playwright in all the productions of Instabili Vaganti Theatre Company. He has won several national and international awards as a performer of the solo show Made in Ilva including the nomination at the Total Theatre Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe 2014. He collaborates with the University of Bologna, Department of Music And Performance where he gives workshops, work demonstrations, lectures and film screenings about physical theatre. He won the DAMS award for his research and experience in theatre with actors with handicaps. He writes for Hystrio theatre magazine and fattiditeatro theatre webzine.

The Group

Founded in 2004 by Anna Dora Dorno and Nicola Pianzola, the company focuses on an experimental ongoing research in physical theatre and performing arts. Anna Dora Dorno works worldwide, producing performances and directing projects, collaborating with international artists, performers, musicians and video makers. Their poetic work is able to overcome the labels and the divisions between theatre, dance, visual arts, and to communicate strong, emotional, impacting messages. Their performances have been translated in 3 languages and presented in more than 20 countries in Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Latin America and Asia, winning several awards, including the nomination to the Total Theatre awards at the Edinburgh Fringe, and premiering in important festivals such as FIDAE in Uruguay, NLGX in Beijing, and 8th Theatre Olympics in India. Their methodology is valued and requested in many universities and academies all over the world.

Cast & Credits

Main Performers Anna Dora Dorno

Nicola Pianzola

Armida Pieretti

Original dramaturgy Nicola Pianzola

Production Instabili Vaganti

With the patronage of Amnesty International Italy

Playwright Nicola Pianzola

Design & Direction Anna Dora Dorno

For More Information: https://20brm.nsd.gov.in/desaparecidos43/

For complete schedule: https://20brm.nsd.gov.in/delhi-brm-schedule.pdf 

For Tickets: https://20brm.nsd.gov.in/

Screening of the Italian Movie ‘Le notti di Cabiria’

Le notti di Cabiria (English: Nights of Cabiria) is a 1957 Italian drama film directed by Federico Fellini and starring Giulietta Masina, François Périer, and Amedeo Nazzari. Based on a story by Fellini, the film is about a prostitute in Rome who searches for true love in vain.

Nights of Cabiria won the 1957 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This was the second straight year Italy and Fellini won this Academy Award, having won for 1956’s La Strada, which also starred Giulietta Masina.

Storyline: Rome, 1957. A woman, Cabiria, is robbed and left to drown by her boyfriend, Giorgio. Rescued, she resumes her life and tries her best to find happiness in a cynical world. Even when she thinks her struggles are over and she has found happiness and contentment, things may not be what they seem.

Directed by: Federico Fellini

Stars: Giulietta Masina, François Périer, Franca Marzi
Year: 1957

Duration: 118 Minutes
Genres: Drama

Certificates/ classification : The main character is a prostitute. Neither sex nor nudity are ever explicitly shown, however.

Some mild cursing. Casual smoking and drinking throughout the film.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nights_of_Cabiria

Chalo lal Qila – Artists Unite

Entry : Registration at : goo.gl/wcxxYf

Venue : Red Fort (Lal Qila), Netaji Subhash Marg, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi – 110006
Venue Info : Map | Nearest Metro Stations – ‘Lal Qila(Violet Line)’ & ‘Chandni Chowk(Yellow Line)’

Event Description : FEST : Artists Unite, Delhi – Chalo Laal Qila!

On March 2 & 3 over a hundred artists, writers and poets will gather at the Red Fort, Delhi, on multiple stages at the historic 15 August Park  to speak of democracy, togetherness and of an India that belongs to all its citizens. They will speak through the language of music, theatre, poetry, films and performances. Similar events are being organized by artists in other cities and towns including Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Chandigarh, Dharwad, Pune and Patna.

Join us as we celebrate the culture of love, togetherness and the rejection of hatred. A large number of artists including Shubha Mudgal, Rabbi Shergill, Astad Deboo, Aditi Mangaldas, Jasbir Jassi, Maya Rao, Madan Gopal Singh, Dhruv Sangari, Surjit Nongmeikapam Bon, Sheetal Sathe, Harpreet, Askari Naqvi, Sonam Kalra, Inder Salim, Delhi Sultanate + Begum X, Azadi Records, Vedanth Bharadwaj,  Prabh Deep, Sanjay Rajoura, Ahmer, Seedhe Maut, Swadesi, Dopeadelics, Daniel Langthasa – Mr. India, Rasika Agashe, Lokesh Jain,  JANAM, Fouzia Dastango, Syed Sahil Agha, Patna Choir  are performing at the two day event. There will be poetry sessions, a mushaira/kavi sammelan with some of the most respected poets in Urdu and Hindi including Ashok Vajpeyi, Gauhar Raza, Asad Zaidi, Mangalesh Dabral, Nouman Shauq, Azhar Iqbal, Waseem Rashid, Akhil Katyal, Sabika Abbas,  theatre performances, film screenings, visual art exhibitions, hip hop and reggae music and a celebration of Delhi’s diverse food cultures.  The event is free and open to all.

Why should Artists Unite ? This is a time when cultural and social life in India is being torn asunder by a toxic cocktail of propaganda, violence, censorship and distorted histories. The right to life, the right to love, food choices, language and histories, cultural expression, all are under assault by a politics of hate which is at war with the people of India and their diverse cultures.

As artists and cultural practitioners we re-dedicate ourselves at this critical moment to defend a culture that speaks of love, equality and solidarity. We will fight hate with love. We will counter violence with peace. Through our images, speech, words, music and bodies we will resist the cultural destruction of India.
Artists and writers are witness to and participants in the evolution of a culture that acquires its strength from diverse influences that together transform into the promise of Indian democracy, a promise that finds its echo in the Indian constitution. Democracy is not a majoritarian project to identify enemies and enforce uniformity of language, behaviour and culture. Democracy is the celebration of a collective will for peace, of living together with dignity and equality.

Website : artistsunite.home.blog

THEATRE “Jashn-E-Qalam” Hindustani Play

Event Description : THEATRE “Jashn-E-Qalam” Hindustani Play

An Old World Culture Presentation

Does beauty lie in the eyes of the beholder? What happens when an internal monologue is stuck on loop in your mind? To what extent will you push the boundaries of a frenemy? Unwrap these questions through scintillating Solo Performances of timeless Hindustani Short Stories.

Rajendra Yadav | KINARE SE KINARE TAK | Rajesh Kumar
A Husband battles the gnawing pangs of Doubt & Deceit. What demons lie lurking in the depths of our mind? How do you keep them at bay before this madness & mayhem wreaks havoc?

Rajinder Singh Bedi | CHECHAK KE DAAG | Shashwita Sharma
A beautiful bride-to-be sees the groom for the first time on her wedding day. Her dreams turn into a nightmare; the prince’s face is not so charming. Is beauty in the eyes of the beholder?

Patras Bokhari | MARHOOM KI YAAD MEIN | KC Shankar

Ride this roller-coaster of laughs that delves into the strange connections between friendship and honesty, humour and pain, comedy and tragedy.

Written by Rajinder Singh Bedi, Patras Bokhari & Rajendra Yadav

14th Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards & Festival

NOMINATIONS

BEST PLAY:

• Agarbatti directed by Swati Dubey and produced by Samagam Rangmandal (Jabalpur [Madhya Pradesh], 1 Hr 20 Min, Hindi & Bundeli)
• Andha Yug (Gujarati Adaptation) directed by Dr. Chavan Pramod R. and produced by Rang Prayog (Vadodara [Gujarat], 1 Hr 35 Min, Gujarati)
• Andha Yug (Hindi Adaptation) directed by Joy Maisnam and produced by TAAM, Manipur(Imphal [Manipur], 1 Hr 10 Min, Hindi)
• Bhagi Hui Ladkiyan directed by Dhwani Vij and produced by Aagaaz Theatre Trust (Delhi, 1 Hr, Hindustani)
• Chandâla, Impure directed by Koumarane Valavane and produced by Indianostrum Théâtre (Pondicherry, 3 Hr (20 Min interval), Tamil)
• Chillara Samaram directed by Arun Lal and produced by Little Earth School Of Theatre Kerala (Malappuram [Kerala], 1 Hr 5 Min, Malayalam)
• Kola directed by Achutha Kumar and produced by Theatre Tatkal (Bengaluru [Karnataka], 2 Hr 15 Min (10 Min interval), Kannada)
• Loose Woman directed by Maya Krishna Rao and produced by Vismayah (Delhi, 1 Hr, English)
• Pulijanmam directed by Bineesh K and produced by Dravida Entertainments (Kochi [Kerala], 1 Hr 5 Min, Malayalam)

BEST DIRECTOR:

• Swati Dubey (Agarbatti)
• Dr. Chavan Pramod R. (Andha Yug, Gujarati Adaptation)
• Joy Maisnam (Andha Yug , Hindi Adaptation)
• Dhwani Vij (Bhagi Hui Ladkiyan)
• Koumarane Valavane (Chandâla, Impure)
• Arun Lal (Chillara Samaram )
• Achutha Kumar (Kola)
• Maya Krishna Rao (Loose Woman)
• Bineesh K (Pulijanmam)

BEST STAGE DESIGN:

• Joseph Bernard Lourdumarianathan – Chandâla, Impure
• Vaishak Krishnaprasad – Pulijanmam

BEST LIGHT DESIGN:

• Avtar Shahni – Andha Yug (Hindi Adaptation)
• Sajas Rahman – Chillara Samaram
• Suresh Kuttyraman and Sajas Rahman – Pulijanmam

BEST INNOVATIVE SOUND DESIGN:

• Vivek Sivadasan – Chillara Samaram

• Sumant Balakrishnan & Sudheer Rikhari – Loose Woman

• Sanal Dev – Pulijanmam  

BEST COSTUME DESIGN:

• Dr. Chavan Pramod R. – Andha Yug (Gujarati Adaptation)
• Nandini Patwardhan and Apeksha Ghaligi – Kola
• Ramya Suvi – Pulijanmam

BEST ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE (MALE):

• Mohd. Shahnawaj for Ashwathama – Andha Yug (Hindi Adaptation)
• Vasanth Selvam for Jack – Chandâla, Impure
• Manikandan Rajan for Kari Gurukkal – Pulijanmam

BEST ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE (FEMALE):

• Rukmini Sircar (Thakurain) – Agarbatti
• Maya Krishna Rao – Loose Woman
• Garggi Ananthan – Pulijanmam

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (MALE):

• Ranganath Gopalarathnam for Dhrutarashtra – Andha Yug (Gujarati Adaptation)
• Akhil K P – Chillara Samaram
• Sreejith Sundar for Pottan Theyyam – Pulijanmam

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (FEMALE):

• Monika Panwar for Damyanti  – Agarbatti

BEST ORIGINAL SCRIPT:

• Ashish Pathak – Agarbatti
• Jasmine, Nagina, Nagma and Zainab – Bhagi Hui Ladkiyan
• MP Rajesh – Chillara Samaram

BEST ENSEMBLE:

• Andha Yug (Gujarati Adaptation)
• Agarbatti
• Bhagi Hui Ladkiyan
• Chillara Samaram

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY:

• Joy Maisnam – Andha Yug (Hindi Adaptation)
• Dr. Chavan Pramod R. – Andha Yug (Gujarati Adaptation)
• Arun Lal – Chillara Samaram
• Maya Krishna Rao – Loose Woman
• Bineesh K – Pulijanmam

PLAYS SCHEDULE

The Company Theatre has taken a decision to withdraw their entry from META 2019.

Dream On Theatre Festival

DreamOnTheatreFestival is a celebration of diversity & uniqueness of each genre of emotion and the courage to dream.

There are a vivid set of genres with strong characters from plays ranging from 1970 classic ‘Ashadh Ka Ek Din’ to the sufi journey of Sahir Ludhianvi in ‘Wo Afsaana’, along with a comedy drama on India’s partition ‘Tranzistor Untuned’, with a take on women defamation remembering the viral gone Rs.10 note stating ‘Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai’ and the 35 year old rib tickling comedy Out Of Order adapted to hindi play ‘Sweet Suite’.

If all the stories have something in common it’s the emotions & powerful characters & actors.

About the production/organizers : Dreaming Stage is a theatre production company established to provide real entertainment to the audience and change the theatre trend.

Schedule : 

5th April :
1-3pm Ashadh Ka Ek Din
4-6pm Ashadh Ka Ek Din
8-9pm Tranzistor Untuned

6th April :
2-3.30pm Wo Afsaana
5-6pm Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai
7.30-8.30pm Tranzistor Untuned

7th April :
1-3pm Sweet Suite
4-6pm Sweet Suite
7-9pm Sweet Suite

Unicorn Actors’ Studio presents “Blue Whale and Saffron Sand” Hindi Play

Event Description : THEATRE : Unicorn Actors’ Studio presents “Blue Whale and Saffron Sand” Hindi Play as part of Popular Theatre Festival.

Parindey Storytellers presents “`Story`FIC” Hinglish Play

Event Description : THEATRE : Parindey Storytellers presents “`Story`FIC” Hinglish Play

A mature tale of relationships and the issues that eventually creep up in various relationships over time. The story of Dr. Mita, Dr. Manhar and Manoj which represents the multiple stages of relationships.

Cast – Aishik Acharya, Rani Maheshwari, Mayank Beejawat

Writer and Director : Prakhar Gautam

Dastangoi Summer Festival in Urdu/Hindustani

Entry : Tickets: Rs. 300, Rs. 350, Rs. 500, Available at :
Online : BookMyShow
Offline : At the venue if not sold out

Venue : Akshara Theatre, 11-12 B, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi – 110001
Landmark : Next to RML Hospital Emergency Gate 5Venue Info :
Events | About | Map | Nearest Metro Stations – ‘Shivaji Stadium (Airport Line)’, ‘Patel Chowk(Yellow Line)Exit Gate – 3’ & ‘R. K. Ashram Marg(Blue Line)’ Exit Gate – 4
Parking : Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital public parking or Inside Akshara Theatre

Event Description : THEATRE : Dastangoi Summer Festival in Urdu/Hindustani

Poem of an Ending

POEM OF AN ENDING is a stage adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Shesher Kobita’, a classic revered by many. The novel has been adapted as radio plays and into a film in Bengali. However, this is for the first time ‘Shesher Kobita’ is adapted for the stage in English for a wider audience. This literary piece is considered as one of the best works of Tagore.

The play recounts the iconic love story of Amit Ray, a barrister educated at Oxford, whose virulent intellectualism reveals itself in its opposition to all forms of tradition. He meets Labonyo in a car accident and the romance builds up in the misty hills of Shillong. Amit’s iconoclasm meets Labonyo’s sincere simplicity through a series of dialogues and poems. But will these two worlds finally meet? The novel explores the realities of love as romance and marriage through a meeting of two mature minds. The story is also supported by Ketaki, Shovon, and Yogomaya who have critical roles in this story of love and conflict.

The play is presented in a unique format where each lead character is represented by an actor and a dancer/movement expert. The unique combination represents love as genderless and universal. The format brings in the contemporary element to the play and makes the production engaging for a young audience. The core idea behind the production is to present Tagore in a new age format, which has not been done yet on stage. With POEM OF AN ENDING, we have attempted to bring Tagore closer to the audience of this new generation and introduce them to the global genius in a new format.

“Dastan-e-Mahabharata” A presentation of the Mahabharata in Dastangoi

Entry : Free (Seating on First-Come First-Served Basis)

Event Description : THEATRE “Dastan-e-Mahabharata” A presentation of the Mahabharata in Dastangoi form. Using poetry from various Urdu versions of the epic, and alternating this poetry with narration of the great battle

Performed by Fouzia Dastango and Firoz Khan

Written and directed by Danish Iqbal

Old World Theatre Festival 2019

Event Description : THEATRE : Old World Theatre Festival 2019

WORKSHOPS, MASTER CLASSES & PANELS AT THE OLD WORLD THEATRE FESTIVAL 2019 will also be held.

An Old World Culture Presentation.

Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra presents ‘Krishna’

Event Description : Padmashri Shobha Deepak Singh (Director & Vice Chairperson – Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra) looks forward to your presence, at the presentation of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra’s epic 43rd edition of ‘KRISHNA’.

Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra presents the mesmerising dance drama of KRISHNA, depicting the fascinating persona’s life, abounding with legends, myths, miracles and adulation, over a span of three thousand years, portraying the fascinating journey of the playful icon from his adorable childhood and youthful antics, to the centre stage of human reverence. To enhance the visual appeal of the show, the Kendra is using the LED wall for the first time.

‘Krishna’ emotes the intrinsic truths of life, appealing in their fundamental simplicity, as enumerated by Lord Krishna. These lie within the folds of innumerable anecdotes, ensconced in His life’s tales, perpetually inspiring in their traditional or modern context. Padamshri Shobha Deepak Singh’s meticulous vision and execution presents all aspects of Lord Krishna’s persona, endowing a fascinating energy to the presentation. Brilliant choreography, lighting, costumes, sound, technical support and ambiance which create a suitable background, contribute to making all her productions heart warming. In the showcase of violence, despite all odds, there emerges hope for eventual peace, despite apparent chaos in the present.

Produced and directed by Mrs Shobha Deepak Singh

Opera at Habitat Series. Verdi’s “Rigoletto” sung in English with English subtitles

Event Description : MUSIC FILM : Opera at Habitat Series. Verdi’s “Rigoletto” sung in English with English subtitles.

Sunit Tandon introduces the highly-acclaimed production by Jonathan Miller of Verdi’s masterpiece, relocating the action to New York’s mafia-controlled Little Italy in the 1950’s. Rigoletto, a clowning bartender, keeps his beloved daughter, Gilda, well away from the mob he works for, but is cursed when he angers Don Monterone. A fatal chain of events is set in motion, as Gilda meets the philandering mafia boss (Duke), leading to a tragic conclusion..

Being Gandhi – A play based on the book by Paro Anand

Get your tickets here!

Insider: https://insider.in/being-gandhi-a-play-in-english-sep27-2019/event

BookMyShow: https://in.bookmyshow.com/plays/being-gandhi/ET00111736

Paytm: https://paytm.com/events/new-delhi/plays/being-gandhi-a-play-in-english/198748

Hey! So you’re 13 years old, Gandhi Jayanti is coming up and your class teacher has just given you a lame assignment where you have to behave like Gandhiji for a week. I mean…there are more important things a teenager has to worry about, right? Like pimples, and glasses, and cool clothes, and some things that can’t even be shared…But suddenly there is a cataclysmic event and your life is turned upside down.

Paro Anand’s new novel #BeingGandhi is a blend of fun, teenage angst, teenage rebellion, and all-too-soon coming of age, with Mahatma Gandhi at the epicenter. The play is a dramatization of the to-be-released novel.

Chandrashekhar – oh, how he wishes his parents had given him a cooler name – is cute, quirky, naughty and a little eccentric. His inner voice and mind are so active that it needs a whole character, known as C-In, to express itself, while his outer, nerdy, pimply self is C-Out. Even as he has fun and games with his school-friends and his family, little does Chandra know that the Queen of Boringsthan – Class Teacher, Preeti Ma’am’s Gandhi Jayanti assignment will change his life forever. It will probably change your too.

Performed by young Akshara Theatre, New Delhi actors Sharan Makhijani and Arjun Goel, as well as Lubhanshi Jain, Vidya Parthasarathy and the Akshara Repertory, Being Gandhi the play coincides with the release of Being Gandhi the book.

Tickets: Rs. 250 for 15 years and below and Rs. 350 for above-15 years, available on Insider.in, BookMyShow, and Paytm.

Tel: 01123742083

Sahitya Aaj Tak, India’s Biggest Literature Festival Is Back And We Can’t Keep Calm!

Plantology – Combating Air Pollution “Lets grow fresh air indoors”

In coversation with Radhika Anand (CEO Plantology)

Friday – 6th November 2020

3pm to 4pm via Zoom

(Invites to follow soon)

As promised my monthly talk is just round the corner…. The issue which is most pertaining and bothersome today is perhaps pollution… And since we are mostly at home because of Covid-19…the indoor pollution becomes are prime worry….

( There is no charges for the session)

LogIn details will follow soon…

Radhika Anand
CEO Plantology