February 2011
Kindred Spirits UK Tour 2012 - Zoe Rahman

January 2012
Small Fish Big Fish Cheese@ Unicorn Theatre: 10 - 14 January 2012
Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam @ British Museum: Until April 2012
Tagore's Women: Kali Theatre: 17-21 January 2011
Rabindranath Tagore: Poet and Painter @ V&A: until 4 March 2012

December 2011
Photographic Exhibition: Project MINA: Migration, Nutrition and Ageing across the Lifecourse in Bangladeshi Families
Repositioning Bangladesh in the Western imagination: 5 December 2011

November 2011
Paraa: All Silks Yard of the Benarasi: 24 November 2011
A Season of Banlga Drama 2011

October 2011
Charity Bollywood Quiz Night: 21 October 2011

September 2011
Two films of Punjab after the 1947 bloody partition @ Watermans: 11 Septembers 2011

July 2011
S H U B B A K: London's First Festival of Contemporary Arab Culture: 4 – 24 July 2011

June 2011
Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World @ British Museum: Until 17 July 2011
Rabrindranath Tagore’s 150th Anniversary: 16 July 2011
Dartington and Tagore 150 Celebrations: July 2nd - July 10th
Season of Bangla Drama 2011: Expressions of interest
The London Indian Film Festival & The Satyajit Ray Foundation's: Short Film Competition

May 2011
Gandhi in Noakhali: 21st May 2011

January 2011
KCL Bangladesh Society:THE BANGLADESH DEBATES
Dhaka - Disorganised City: Photographic Exhibition by Ruhul Abdin
BONBIBI - ASIA HOUSE: 21 January 2011

December 2010
Bangladesh Victory Day @ Rich Mix: 16 December

November 2010
Raft Network Launch: 1 November 2010
Ethical Fashion Show in aid of The Sacred Childhoods Foundation: 3 November 2010
Islamic History of Bengal: 13 November 2010
Enter 10 South Asian Art Exhibiton @Watermans: 1–30 November 2010
A Season of Bangla Drama: 1-30 November 2010
Bengalis in East End: Swadhinata Trust
South Asian Season: Rich Mix: November - December 2010
Meet Bangladesh- Asia's Next Big Opportunity: 26- 27 November 2010

October 2010
Baasher Ghor/ Bamboo House Project: Call for Submission
In The Future Soil: Dance & Music Production: 22 -28 October 2010
The People's Romeo @ Watermans: 6 - 16 October 2010
Bengal History Week: 2-10 October 2010
'No suprises' Play: Charity Fundraiser: 16 October 2010
ARA: A New Face of the Old World: 01 October – 20 November 2010
Climate Justice Seminar @ GLA: 18 October 2010
Exploring Banglatown and the Bengali East End: 28 October 201

September 2010
The Anti-Object by Siaf Osmani: 1 - 28 September 2010
Zoe Rahman's Solo Piana Gig: 24 September 2010

August 2010
Art Exhibition: Hamja Ahsan - until 2 September
Wanted Actors Musicians Dancer: Tamarind Theatre Company
The House of Bilquis Bibi:22 July - 14 August 2010

July 2010
Camden Bangladesh Mela: Regents Park
World City Music Village
Akram Khan and Nitin Sawhney: Confluence at Sadler's Wells

June 2010
Greenwich & Docklands International Festival: 24, 25 & 26 June 2010
Zoe Rahman & Idris Rahman: Music gigs
Bangladesh Cricket Tour in UK
Summer Science Exhibition 2010
11th Rainbow Film Festival
The Merchants of Bollywood: Peacock Theatre

May 2010
Baishakhi Mela Brick Lane: 23rd May 2010

Rabindranath Tagore: Poet and Painter @ V&A: until 4 March 2012

Victoria and Albert Museum
Room 38A
Free admission

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), the V&A will hold a display of about 50 of his paintings from the period 1928 to 1939, never before displayed outside India.

Tagore is best known as a poet and in 1913 was the first non-European writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Highly prolific, Tagore was also a composer and wrote the national anthems for both India and Bangladesh, as well as an educator, social reformer, philosopher and painter. In India, he is regarded as a national figure whose achievements are as important as those of Gandhi.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/r/rabindranath-tagore-poet-and-painter/

Back to Top

Tagore's Women: Kali Theatre: 17-21 January 2012

BritBangla has 2 tickets to give away for Wed 18 or Thurs 19 January at 7.30pm. Drop an email with your preferred date & full name for a chance to win tickets: britbangla@britbangla@net

Kali Theatre presents Tagore's Women. Two plays inspired by 'The Shakespeare of India', Rabindranath Tagore

Two intriguing new plays revealing personal lives amidst global political struggles, inspired by the female characters in the works of Rabindranath Tagore, the celebrated Bengali poet, playwright and early anti-British rule activist.

Tagore's Women continues Kali Theatre's twenty year record of championing new writing by women writers from a South Asian background.

Tagore's Women, 17-21 January, 7.30pm
The Vault, Southwark Playhouse
Shipwright Yard, Corner of Tooley St & Bermondsey St
London SE1 2TF (five min walk from London Bridge tube/overground)
020 7407 0234, www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
All Tickets £12

Tagore's Women is a double bill of: Purnjanam/Born Again by Sharmila Chauhan, directed by Kali Theatre's Artistic Director Janet Steel and Endless Light by Sayan Kent, directed by Elizabeth Freestone. They will be presented in the atmospheric Vault venue at Southwark Playhouse, 17-21 January 2012.

Both plays feature the same cast: Rebecca Grant (Holby City) Manjeet Mann (DCI Banks, EastEnders), Robert Mountford (RSC), Goldy Notay (Sex and The City 2, It's a Wonderful Afterlife), Dharmesh Patel (RSC), Gary Pillai (RSC).

Purnjanam/Born Again weaves three stories in which three liars, two lovers and a reluctant leader all desperately search for truth. Using a burning Mumbai as a microcosm in which to examine global politics, Purnjanam questions destiny, love and power to ask what has to be destroyed for
something new to be created.

Purnjanam/Born Again weaves three stories in which three liars, two lovers and a reluctant leader all desperately search for truth. Using a burning Mumbai as a microcosm in which to examine global politics, Purnjanam questions destiny, love and power to ask what has to be destroyed for
something new to be created.

The three stories of Purnajanam each have a different theme: The Lovers examines the consequences of the deification of women, The Liars finds three Mumbai-ites faced with death, while The Leaders questions the responsibilities of activism.

In Endless Light an activist protesting against an opencast coal mine on top of a sacred mountain and the mine's owner discover they share a secret they can no longer avoid. Set against the backdrop of environmental havoc, Endless Light explores how individuals try to live in a harmonious place in themselves while also struggling to find a place in the world.

Both plays were developed from a series of workshops by Kali exploring the works of Tagore. Janet Steel, Artistic Director of Kali Theatre: “Tagore was writing strong female characters at a time when the emancipation of women in India was almost non-existent. We wanted to explore what some of
those characters might do in a modern India. These writers have used this as a starting point for a their own wonderfully creative response to Tagore’s writing.”

Other recent productions Janet Steel has directed for Kali include Behna, in 2010/2011. Set in the kitchen of a British Punjabi household, this production was presented in real kitchens in houses in the Midlands and London.

‘The most enjoyable and inventive theatre I’ve seen this year’ The Guardian on Behna

For more information see www.kalitheatre.co.uk

Back to Top

Kindred Spirits UK Tour 2012 - Zoe Rahman

Ahead of her UK tour, you can hear Zoe on the following radio programmes (unfortunately, the BBC's listen-again facility is not available in some countries):

3rd Jan: Live studio session and interviews with Sean Rafferty on BBC Radio 3's In Tune. Available for the next five days to listen to on-line: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018ntfn
10th Jan: 6pm Jazz Travels with Sarah Ward on Jazz FM
11th Jan: 11pm. BBC Radio 3's Late Junction - hear one of the more unusual tracks, "Outside In", from Zoe's new album on Max Reinhardt's show.
15th Jan: 7-10pm Helen Mayhew's Dinner Jazz on Jazz FM
17th Jan: 7pm Live studio session/interview on Jamie Cullum's BBC Radio 2 show.

Musicians: Zoe Rahman (piano); Idris Rahman (clarinet); Gene Calderazzo (drums) and Alec Dankworth (Jan gigs only)/Davide Mantovani (bass)

19 Jan Dorking, WatermillJazz 07415 815 784

20 Jan WakefieldJazz at Wakefield Sports Club 01977 680 542

27 Jan Chichester, MinervaTheatre 01243 781 312

28 Jan Much Wenlock TheEdgeArtsCentre 01952 728 911

2 Feb Leeds, Seven Jazz at Seven Arts 0113 262 6777

3 Feb Sheffield Jazz, Millennium Hall www.wegottickets.com

4 Feb Liverpool, TheCapstoneTheatre 0151 709 3789

6 Feb London, PizzaExpress Jazz Club 08456 027017

7 Feb London, PizzaExpress Jazz Club 08456 027017

3 March Bradford on Avon, WiltshireMusicCentre 01225 860 100

6 March StIvesJazz, Cornwall, Western Hotel 01736 796 082

7 March Barnstaple, TheQueen’sTheatre 01271 324 242

10 March New Milton, Hampshire, ForestArts Centre 01425 612 393

15 March Coventry, Warwick Arts Centre 024 7652 4524

25 March Gateshead, TheSageGateshead 0191 443 4661

More info at www.zoerahman.com

Back to Top

PESHKAR PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS SMALL FISH BIG CHEESE: 10 - 14 January 2012

By Sudha Bhuchar
Directed by Jim Johnson
For ages 10+ | 10 - 14 Jan

A Chinese whisper starts that the world is going to end in 2012…
A group of British Bangladeshi kids gather at the building site of the Olympic stadium and begin to feel their lives will end before they have begun…
They dream of becoming rock stars, famous footballers and saving the polar bear before time runs out…

On a trip to the site of the Olympic Stadium, Aqil and his friends feel their lives will end before they have begun. How will they realise their dreams of becoming rock stars and famous footballers? Their mission is to change the future and they need your help...

http://unicorntheatre.com/small-fish-big-cheese/book-now

Small Fish Big Cheese
Tickets
Full Price: £9.00
Concessions: £5.00
School Groups: £5.00 (with 1 free for every 10 purchased)
Please note that school groups and concessions (except child tickets) cannot be booked online. Please call the Box Office on 020 7645 0560. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted into the auditorium unless accompanied by an adult.

Select a performance
10 January 2012 19:00
Book Now!
11 January 2012 14:00
Book Now!
11 January 2012 17:30
Book Now!
12 January 2012 11:00
Book Now!
12 January 2012 17:30
Book Now!
13 January 2012 19:00
Book Now!
14 January 2012 11:00
Book Now!
14 January 2012 17:30
Book Now!

Developed with young people from Tower Hamlets as part of the Unicorn Theatre’s ‘Class Acts’ programme, ‘Small Fish Big Cheese’ is written by Sudha Bhuchar and is produced by innovative digital theatre company, Peshkar Productions as part of their ‘FutureDesh’ climate change project.

Go online at www.wearepeshkar.co.uk and complete the following sentence…
“The world cannot end until…”

Be as creative and imaginative as you want. Upload video, poetry, spoken word, visual art, anything. Anything you think that gets across the message about the sort of world you want to live in, in the future. The most imaginative and creative ideas will be included in the live production.

Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam @ British Museum: Until April 2012

One of the five pillars of Islam central to Muslim belief, Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime if they are able. This major exhibition charts the history of this deeply personal journey.

Examining the extraordinary travel logistics involved and how the wider operation of the event has changed over time, the exhibition compares how pilgrims over the centuries negotiated this often monumental undertaking and how it continues to be experienced by people from all corners of the globe today.

Beautiful objects, including historical and contemporary art, textiles and manuscripts, bring to life the profound spiritual significance of the sacred rituals that have remained unchanged since the Prophet Muhammad’s time in the 7th century AD.

Weblink: http://www.britishmuseum.org

Back to Top

Project MINA: Migration, Nutrition and Ageing across the Lifecourse in Bangladeshi Families: A Transnational Perspective (or simply MINA)

15 November - 15 December 2011

The Bangladeshi community is one of the UK’s most disadvantaged, suffering from high rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The burdens of ill health and social exclusion fall most heavily on older women – who often bear the responsibility for taking care of large families – but little is known about how their health, nutritional status and diet are affected by the experience
of migration.

Using a visual ethnography approach, the photographs in this exhibition explore the complicated interplay between migration, nutrition and ageing in a cross-section of Bengali women in the UK and in Bangladesh. Taken mostly in Cardiff, London and Sylhet – the region in north-east Bangladesh where the majority of the UK’s Bangladeshi community originates – some are observational portraits exploring the lives and situations of the women who took part, while others touch upon
wider cultural issues, such as the position of women in society.

The photographs are an outcome of Project MINA: Migration, Nutrition and Ageing across the Lifecourse in Bangladeshi Families: A Transnational Perspective – a three-year (2008 - 2011) research project funded by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) under the
New Dynamics of Ageing (NDA) programme. The project aims to aid the development of culturally sensitive interventions to improve the health of the UK’s growing Bangladeshi population.

The exhibition is divided between two venues, with several photographs on display in the Senedd, the National Assembly for Wales, and the majority in the Cardiff Story, the new museum of Cardiff’s history. The voices of Bengali women – both in their motherland and in their adopted home – often go unheard. These photographs tell their stories.

15 - 22 November 2011
Senedd
The National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF99 1N

15 November - 15 December 2011
The Cardiff Story
Venue:
The new museum of Cardiff’s history
The Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1BH


3) Contact: Professor Janice Thompson, Bristol university, janice.thompson@bristol.ac.uk | 0117 331 1119

4) For more information see weblink: www.projectmina.org and http://www.bris.ac.uk/mina/

Back to Top

Repositioning Bangladesh in the Western imagination: 5 December 2011

Asia Research Centre and Social Policy book launch

Date: Monday 5 December 2011
Time: 6.30-8pm
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Professor David Lewis
Discussants: Professor Ramachandra Guha, Professor Naila Kabeer
Chair: Professor Stuart Corbridge

This event celebrates the publication of David Lewis new book Bangladesh: Politics, Economy and Civil Society. In his new book Lewis sets out the main elements of Bangladesh's politics, economy and civil society in the years since the country gained its independence from Pakistan in 1971.

At this event David Lewis will talk about his new book and then discuss it further with contributions from Professors Guha and Kabeer, followed by a chance for the audience to get involved. Copies of the book will be on sale at the event.

Professor Lewis explores the idea that the international community needs to pay more attention to Bangladesh as a place of great interest and importance, and argues that the country has been unwisely neglected in the Western imagination compared with India and Pakistan. Bangladesh is important because (i) it is a majority Muslim country that is making good progress building a stable democratic system; (ii) it is achieving increased economic growth and human development; (ii) the country has long served as an incubator for many key development ideas that have emerged over the past 40 years, (iii) it is a useful portal into understanding the way globalization affects people in the world's poorer countries, and (v) it is a country on the front-line of climate change.

David Lewis is Professor of Social Policy and Development at LSE. Professor Lewis specialises in development policy and management, with particular expertise on NGOs and civil society. His other interests include rural development, organisational issues in development agencies, and anthropological approaches to development. An anthropologist by training, he has undertaken extensive field research in South Asia (particularly Bangladesh) and has advised and consulted for a wide range of international development agencies, NGOs and private sector organisations.

Ramachandra Guha is the Philippe Roman Chair in History and International Affairs for the 2011-2012 academic year at LSE. Ramachandra Guha is a historian and biographer. He has taught at the universities of Yale and Stanford, held the Arné Naess Chair at the University of Oslo, and been the Indo-American Community Visiting Professor at the University of California at Berkeley. His books include a pioneering environmental history, The Unquiet Woods (University of California Press, 1989), and an award-winning social history of cricket, A Corner of a Foreign Field (Picador, 2002). India after Gandhi (Macmillan/Ecco Press, 2007) was chosen as a book of the year by the Economist, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle, Time Out, and Outlook, and as a book of the decade in the Times of India, the Times of London, and The Hindu. Guha's books and essays have been translated into more than twenty languages. The New York Times has referred to him as 'perhaps the best among India's non fiction writers'; Time Magazine has called him 'Indian democracy's preeminent chronicler'. In 2008, Prospect and Foreign Policy magazines nominated Guha as one of the world's one hundred most influential intellectuals.

Naila Kabeer is Professor of Development Studies at SOAS. Professor Kabeer is a social economist and works primarily on poverty, gender, and social policy issues. She is the author of Reversed Realities: Gender Hierarchies in Development Thought (1994) and The Power to Choose: Bangladeshi Women and Labour Market Decisions in London and Dhaka (2000).

This event is free and open to all with no ticket required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis. For any queries email events@lse.ac.uk| or call 020 7955 6043.

Back to Top

A Season of Bangla Drama 2011

Mainstreaming Bengali drama and playwrights: challenges and opportunities
explored: Thursday 17 November 2011, 7-9pm

By Valerie Doulton and Mukul Ahmed

Duration of Seminar: 90 mins (Free event))

The seminar will include a short read performance from Tagore's 'The Post
Office' by Valerie Doulton's Live Literature Company, history of Bangla
Drama and question and answer session.

Brick lane Circles Seminar:*
Brady Arts & Community Centre, 192 - 196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU

For details please contact Brick Lane Circle by phone 07574224891 or email
bricklanecircle@gmail.com.

Saturday 5 November 2011:

Dakshinee-Kolkata/Dakshinayan UK presents Panchadeepmala - Five Lamps to
Light: Lyrics and original text by Rabindranath Tagore

Duration: 100mins

The Five Lamps (Panchadeepmala) examines the lives of five heroines in the
rare dance-theatres of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. They all travel with a
lamp in hand and each has a story to tell. Shyama - The Seductress who has
lost everything she has loved and has deceived. Kamalika- The Beautiful
Princess of Madra - reborn after a curse from heaven and waiting to be
reunited with her ugly disfigured lover. Kalmrigaya- The Wood Nymphs who
warn the lonely hermit child of the impending perils in the forest. Karuna-
The Queen of Kashi who burns down every hut around the river to give her
warmth after a cold dip in the river. Shrimati - The Buddha Follower - who
sacrifices her life at the stupa of Buddha defying all orders of the Ruler!

Friday 11 November 2011:

SRJB52 presents Rokter Dakk – Called for Blood
Written by Proshenjit Dutta

Duration 60 mins + 15 minutes Q & A

Since 1950, the East Pakistani people were divided into two groups on the
state language of Pakistan ; most students, progressive political parties
and activists were of one voice on the state language of East Pakistan –
that it should Bangla. This unity created fear, paranoia and uncertainty
with the Pakistani Government. An illiterate mother sends her son to be
educated, she refuses to talk or learn Urdu; her values and ideology were
passed on to her son who is studying at Dhaka University . With independence
from the British still fresh in the memories of people, students vocalised
and protested to keep their mother language and made a historic movement to
keep Bangla language anyhow. Political leaders took the stance not to break
Section 144 at 20 February 1952… but students refused and revolted the
decision by sacrificing their lives - 21 February symbolises Martyr’s Day
and the language movement was born. The play looks into the struggle of the
students and their desire for recognition and identity through language.

Saturday 12 November 2011

Onusheelon presents Koto Rang –The Colours of Life
Written and directed by Dr Mukid Choudhury

Duration of play: 90mins

Presented in the classical Indian style, Koto Rang is a compact tale of
Bengali Hindu middle-class marriage, and the blurred line between
vigilantism and empowerment. What begins as simple spirals out of control in
this village tale of betrayal, pride, and vengeance? The risks involved pit
father against daughter, friend against friend, and young love against the
forces of society.

Koto-rang explores the many images that exist of Hindu Bengali in Bangladesh
. In the media forced marriage is perpetuated by presenting stereotypical
images over and over. And in social situations forced marriages are thought
acceptable if made with the addition of "Family cannot accept love marriage
and you are condemned forever conceiving the idea” Koto-rang presents five
interrelated acts that portray the face of love, forgiveness, and oppression
of a Bengali Hindu family with elements of Shakespeare’s star crossed lovers
tale at the outset.

Sunday 13 November 2011

Monchoshoilee drama wing of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro presents The Wrath of
God: Adaptation of poems by Rabindranath Tagore

Duration of play: 50 mins

An affluent man, preparing for a pilgrimage across the sea. A large number
of people are included in the voyage. As the voyagers set for the journey, a
young widow, Mokkhoda, begs Moitra to take her along. Moitra agrees, but
points out that she has a child. Mokkhoda assures Moitra that her son,
Rakhal, is very fond of his aunt Annada and can live with her. But young
Rakhal is fascinated by the idea of a sea voyage, and refuses to get off the
boat when it sets off. Failing to control the persistent boy, Mokkhoda
angrily utters, "well then, let me sacrifice you to the sea."

Upon return from the pilgrimage, the boat is stricken by a violent storm.
The superstitious and self-centred passengers of the boat remind Mokkhoda
that she had promised the sea god her son, and the god has raised the storm
to make his claim.

The drama helps unmask those of the honourable society and depicts a
primeval side of human nature when protecting own interest becomes a
priority. ‘The Wrath of God’ will be presented with theatrical dance
illustrations and dramatic atmospheric live music.

Friday 18 November & Saturday 19 November 2011

The Rokeya Project presents A Poem Hersel: Adaptation by Claudia Haley

Duration of performance: 60 mins

Published in 1924, Padmarag (the ruby with the lotus hue) is a tale still
relevant to today about a young woman, of an unknown tragic past, and her
quest for something better with her fellow female comrades. A wonderful
celebration of Rokeya’s faith in a universalistic society; where women
reject the tyrannical patriarchal society for a life devoted to improving
their destiny. With biographical undertones relating to Rokeya Sakhawat
Hossain, The Rokeya Project wish to present a hopeful yet realistic fiction
using different storytelling methods such as puppetry, movement, dance and
theatre. With specially composed music, the use Tagore’s work will be
present as a source of inspiration, celebrating 150 years of Tagore.

Sunday 20 November 2011

Theatre Folks, Oxford presents Tale of Two Friends
Written by Masum Reza
Tickets £8.00 and £5.00 concs.

Duration of play: 60 mins

Tale of Two Friends is a story about two childhood friends, Amir and Salman.
They aspire to become cricketers and decide to apply for a training
scholarship at the Cricket Academy of India. Although both receive the
scholarship, Salman’s family does not allow him to go to India – leaving him
frustrated and angry after his friend leaves for the training. Within a
short while, he falls prey to a circle of religious extremists. Can he
escape this trap?

Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November 2011

Soulfire Theatre presents Wishing On A Star: Written by Hussain Ismail

Duration of play: 90mins

Once a year a new star is born in our galaxy, the Milky Way. And, they say,
if you make a wish at the very moment of its birth it will come true. Around
this moment three stories explore tensions and anxieties about the future of
three modern Bangladeshi British couples.

Shirin and Jamal have sailed across the sea to a beautiful but isolated
island deep in the Bay of Bengal . Shirin prepares herself to make a wish
under the light of the newborn star. But she can never tell Jamal.

Shadia and Akthar are set to move into their new house in Redbridge leaving
behind a leaky council flat in Whitechapel. But Akthar is too obsessed with
world events to think about moving anywhere. In sudden anger Shadia makes a
wish.

Selina and Kamal are locked in a furious battle of will in a cell deep
underground somewhere in the rapidly changing landscape of the Middle East .
Selina offers Kamal one wish.

Can their destinies be changed by just one wish?

Saturday 26 November 2011

Tamarind Theatre Company presents ‘Purnima’s Travels’ (free event)

*Interactive Theatre at the Whitechapel Idea Store, Whitechapel Rd , London
E1 2.15pm (Children’s Library)*

*Adapted by Rezaul Kabir*

Duration: 30mins

A mother and daughter set out to change their lives. On their journey they
make friends, enemies and meet a sleeping prince.... but who will save them
from the spells of the witch and her enchanted necklace?

Sunday 27 September 2011

Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshti UK presents ‘Khoab Shah Ekhon Bilethe’: Written by Sayeem Chowdhury

Duration of play: 75mins

In a village called Lohabhanga, a Zamindar (Landlord) challenged that a
cleric cannot be granted special power from God, that only people give them
the power by believing in them. Eventually the power created by the Zamindar
turns out to be more powerful than him and the people of Lohabhanga tie
themselves in the belief that ‘Khoab Shah’ holds the religious miracle and
he is the man of fortune. Khoab Shah now has made a journey to UK ....

The story continues with the confrontation between Khoab Shah’s supernatural
power as a safeguard for the sufferers and those who believes there is no
such power other than exploitation.

Exhibition

11 November–2 December 2011

Nation-Stage: Bangladeshi Theatre, Archives & Performance Art: Curated by Hamja Ahsan

In conjunction with the theatre season, artist and curator Hamja Ahsan has
curated a special exhibition built around his archive of theatre posters,
performance art and other related material. Participants include include
Prachayanat - a theatre collective based in Dhaka consisting of over 100
people, early graphics from artists and musician Harold Rasheed, DRIK based
photographers, and contemporary artists-run space Porapara performance art
workshops. The designs also reinterpret the Western theatrical canon such as
Ionesco's *Rhinoceros* and Moliere's *Tartuffe* in a Bangladeshi context.

The exhibitions also features photographs from Wasfia Nazreen - a
Bangladeshi mountaineer who recently conquered Kilimanjiro as part of Seven
Summits. Shlok - Bengali poetry magazine from Dhaka printed entirely on a
T-shirt is also exhibition. Ahsan explore other patterns of Bangladeshi
migration such as the migrant artists network based in Seoul , Korea led by
film director Mahbub Alam. A number of emergent artists have also been
selected to engage with issues around contemporary culture wars in
Bangladesh and other flows cross-cultural exchanges.

This exhibition is part of a wider project called Bangladesh curatorial
conversations - critically engaging with questions around nationalism and
performance, and working with different disciplines - see website for
details: www.otherasias.com

Film Screening

*I Do Form To Be Deformed** (Gothito Hoi Shunne Milai) by Fauzia Khan
Date, time and venue to be confirmed (Free event)*

Duration: 47 mins

Since its establishment in 1972 Dhaka Theatre had been mostly staging
original scripts. Later on, this group took the initiative of reconstructing
the national theatre form based on the script of traditional forms and
styles and began a long struggle. Keeping in line with this effort Dhaka
Theatre has broken out of the theatre style based on European form and
proscenium and continues to depict the Bengali life in a narrative, musical
epic format. The members of this theatre group vowed to rediscover the
tradition of Bangla theatre and the lost link of history. Shimul Yusuf, the
main character of this documentary is one of them.

Shimul is an artist-a singer, a music director, a dancer, a choreographer,
a costume designer. Combining all these she is an actress. Perhaps this is
why she has become an ideal inheritance of oriental school of acting. She is
conscious of history and tradition while she is modern too. She has applied
the technique and philosophy of traditional Bangla acting blending it with
modern taste and creativity. Her acting in modern Bangla theatre has been
very popular with the audience and at the same time received huge
appreciation from the critics. Here lies the rationale behind making this
film.

*Seminar*

*Thursday 17 November 2011*

*Brick lane Circles Seminar:* *Mainstreaming Bengali drama and playwrights:
challenges and opportunities explored by Valerie Doulton and Mukul Ahmed*

Duration of Seminar: 90 mins (Free event))

The seminar will include a short read performance from Tagore's 'The Post
Office' by Valerie Doulton's Live Literature Company, history of Bangla
Drama and question and answer session.

Unless otherwise stated all performances are at the Brady Centre, tickets
cost: £5.00 and £3.00 concs.

To book tickets please email: festivalsandevents@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Box Office 020 7364 7900

Back to Top

Bollywood Quiz Night: 21 October 2011

Fundraising event that is raising awareness about the works being carried out by ASTI (Acid Survivors Trust International), they are a global charity for whom Princess Anne is a Patron and they support victims of acid violence from around the world. For further information about the charity and the cause please go to: http://www.acidviolence.org/index.php/news/bollywood-quiz-night/.

A fun Bollywood themed quiz night with prizes to be won (top 3 teams), there will also be a raffle prize and as well as there being a 3 course Indian meal for all guests there will also be entertainment.

TICKETS BOOKINGS:
Tel: 07813018076
Email: zefa1400@yahoo.co.uk
Alternatively contact:
Shabina on:
Tel: 07779835598
Email: shabz.begum@gmail.com

All donation s are well come to:http://www.justgiving.com/Shabina-Begum0

Back to Top

Two films of Punjab after the 1947 bloody partition @ Watermans: 11 Septembers 2011

Sunday 11 September
4pm - 6.30pm followed by a Q&A
Ticket price: £10

Kitte Mil Ve Mahi Where The Twain Shall Meet (2005) 70 mins
Two films of Punjab after the 1947 bloody partition
Sunday 11 September
4pm - 6.30pm followed by a Q&A

Kitte Mil Ve Mahi Where The Twain Shall Meet (2005) 70 mins
Language: Punjabi with English Subtitles
Director/ Producer Ajay Bhardwaj

Rabba Hun Kee Kariye Thus Departed Our Neighbours (2007) 65 mins
Language: Punjabi with English Subtitles
Director/ Producer Ajay Bhardwaj

A double bill of two seminal documentaries, from the Delhi based Indian Film maker Ajay Bhardwaj, on contesting perceptions of Punjab, a state partitioned on religious lines amidst widespread bloodshed in 1947.
In “Kitte Mil Ve Mahi” the director journeys through the Doaba region to explore the unique bond between Dalits and Sufism in an unfolding a spiritual universe that is both healing and emancipatory and hinting at the economic, religious and idealogical marginalisation of Dalits.
“Rabba Hun Kee Kariye” captures feelings of guilt and remorse about the genocidal violence on the Indian side of Punjab in 1947.These stories, almost like folklore, are part of the memory - scape of rural Punjab. In this documentary these long suppressed experiences become accessible in public domain for the first time.

The screening of Rabba Hun Kee Kariye will be followed by a Q&A with Dr Meena Dhanda, Amarjit Chandan and Amin Mughal.

Showing at:
Watermans
40 High Street
Brentford
TW8 0DS
Box Office: +44 (0)20 8323 1010
www.watermans.org.uk
Ticket price: £10 for both films and Q&A

About Ajay Bhardwaj
Ajay Bhardwaj (b. 1964) is a documentary filmmaker based in Delhi. He holds two Master’s degrees, in the fields of Political Studies and Mass Communications, and has worked in media for the past two decades. His documentaries have been screened at international film festivals, academic conferences, and community and activist events.

For further information visit http://www.popsamiti.com/ajaybhardwaj.html

Presented by pop samiti

Back to Top

S H U B B A K: London's First Festival of Contemporary Arab Culture: 4 – 24 July 2011

Shubbak: A Window on Contemporary Arab Culture, will encompass over seventy events in more than thirty key cultural venues throughout the city for three weeks from 4 – 24 July 2011, organised by the Mayor of London and sponsored by HSBC.

Shubbak (the Arabic word for ‘window’) will feature a wide-ranging programme of visual arts, film, music, theatre, dance, literature, architecture, lectures and discussion, many of them free, hosted by leading London cultural organisations.
Highlights of the programme include:

Literature, Poetry, Debate and Discussion
4, 14 & 18 July: Contemporary Arab Culture. Three evening talks with leading writers and thinkers, programmed by the London Review of Books, The British Museum.
5 July: Hisham Matar, reading from latest novel, Anatomy of a Disappearance, Southbank Centre
6 July: London’s Historic Connections to the Arab World. Lecture by Jack Lohman, Director of the Museum of London. Weston Theatre, Museum of London
6 July: Inauguration. Conference by the new Brunel Institute of Contemporary Middle-Eastern Music, Brunel University
6, 12, 13 & 20 July: Contemporary Arab Poetry. Four evening events by Poet in the City, the Chamber, City Hall
9 July: Moroccan author Mohammed Achaari & Saudi Arabian author Raja Alem, winners of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction read together for the first time. Southbank Centre
12, 13, 14 July Talks at Freeword. Al Sha’ab Yurid (The People Demand) Yasmine El Rashidi on Revolution in Egypt (12 July); Brian Whitaker with Nesrine Malik on Sex and Power: Seeds of Change in the Arab World (13 July), and Lebanese novelist and journalist Hassan Daoud in Conversation (14 July).
13 July: The Arabs: A History, a talk by Eugene Rogan, Foyles Bookshop, in partnership with Arab British Centre
14 July: Being Young in the Arab World. Launch of a new, year-long project. Mosaic Rooms
16 & 23 July: The Bidoun Library Saturday Seminars, Serpentine Gallery
18-22 July: A week of debates and specialist talks around arts and the Arab world broadcast on Resonance FM
16 July: A Day of Contemporary Arab Culture, Land in Focus at Rich Mix
20 July: Little Atoms: Comedy in the Middle East. Radio broadcast on Resonance 104.4fm
21 July: The Arab Spring: A Literary Perspective. Three Arab writers in conversation with journalist Brian Whitaker, SOAS, a collaboration of Arab British Centre, Banipal, SOAS and Caabu
23 July: Celebrating the Jameel Prize 2011: Jameel Prize 2009 artist, Hassan Hajjaj in discussion and Performance storyteller Xanthe Graham, the V&A

Visual Arts
4-8 July: Majed Shala: Breathing the Air, Arab British Centre
4 July – 18 September: From Facebook to Nassbook: A showcase of contemporary Egyptian art, culture and thought, MICA Gallery
4-24 July : Abraaj Capital Art Prize Winner 2010 Hala Elkoussy: Myths and Legends Room: The Mural, City Hall.
4 July-24 August : Shopopolis: creative interventions by Emirati and British artists, Westfield London.
5 – 14 July: Degree Show, The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts.
7 July: Global launch of Footnote to a Project* the 2011 Abraaj Capital Art Prize book project, followed by a panel discussion focusing on opportunities for artists in the Arab World, Mosaic Rooms.
8 – 10 July: Interference. A three-day exploration of art, agency and agitation in the Arab world and beyond. Presented by the ICA in partnership with Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha.
9 – 21 July: Al Bab: A Gateway to Contemporary Art, Sotheby’s.
12 – 30 July: Public Domain: Public and Civic Spaces in the Arab World. Curated by Nous, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
12 July – 11 September: The Bidoun Library in Residence. Serpentine Gallery, part of the Edgware Road Project.
13, 14, 22 July: Free Gallery talks by Ladan Akbarnia, Curator of Islamic Collection, Venetia Porter, Curator of Islamic and Contemporary Middle East Department: Alexandra Porter on Pre-Islamic Yemen, The British Museum.
Until 23 July: Wael Shawky: Larvae Channel exhibition, Delfina Foundation.
Until 23 July: The Knowledge: Stop 3 – Alexandria (Egypt), Delfina Foundation.
To 22 July: Rania Matar: A Girl and her Room, Mosaic Rooms.
To 23 July: KHATT, An exhibition by Moroccan calligrapher, Noureddine Daifallah, Selma Feriani Gallery.
21 July onwards: The Jameel Prize 2011, The Jameel Galleries, V&A.

Music
4 July: A Musical 360 Degree Revolution into the Arab World: Zeid Hamdan, Tamer Abu Ghazaleh and Myriam Saleh, Scoop, MORE London.
6 July: The Dash Café Arabic Series: a night of live music and film, Rich Mix
6 July: Inauguration, opening of the new Brunel Institute for Contemporary Middle-Eastern Music, Brunel University
12 July: Lyrical Easternisms, lyrical rap, Ginglik
15 July: Easternisms, acoustic and electronic sonic arts from the Middle East, Café Oto
21 July: Hassan Hajjaj and Leighton House Museum present.. Amina Annabi, Leighton House Museum
22 July: El Tanbura: A Night on Tahrir Square, Barbican Centre
22 July: Bidoun Library Park Night, Serpentine
22 July: Concert for the Children of Egypt by the English Chamber Orchestra with Egyptian pianist, Amira Fouad, Cadogan Hall
Dance
22, 23 July: A Glimpse at Arab Contemporary Choreography. Two performances by leading Arab dancers, programmed by Arab New Trends, Sadler’s Wells Theatre
23 July: Preconceptions and Identity in the Arab World: A Debate and Q&As Between Arab Choreographers, Sadler’s Wells

Theatre
11 – 23 July: In the Penal Colony by Franz Kafka. Presented by the ShiberHur Theatre Company of Palestine, Young Vic Theatre
13, 14, 15 July: Jarideh, A Secret Encounter by Tania El Khoury presented by the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) in collaboration with Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival, ICA
15 July: Culture Now, a discussion on new trends in Arab performance. LIFT at ICA
14, 15 July: On the importance of Being an Arab presented by LIFT and Orient Productions in collaboration with the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival
15 July Gulf Stage: UK premiere of digital theatre project, You….Me…The Human… from the National Theatre, Qatar, a partnership with the British Council, Digital Theatre, the Ministry of Culture, Arts & Heritage Qatar and the Qatar Foundation
Architecture
12 July – 30 September Exhibition: Public Domain: Public and Civic Spaces in the Arab World RIBA
12 July Public Domain: Public and Civic Spaces in the Arab World: Discussion moderated by Edwin Heathcote, Architecture & Design Critic, Financial Times presented by Nous at RIBA
19 July: Forward Thinking: Discussions on the Future of Architecture in the Arab World. Presented by Nous at RIBA
23 July: The Artist’s Place in Kensington, Leighton House Tour. London Walks

Film
5, 14 July: Take 1/Take 2: Yesterday and Today in the Middle East. Two evenings of film and debate. Iniva
8 July: Zenith Foundation presents an evening of shorts from across the Arab region. The Idler
11 July: El Problema: Testimony of the Saharawi People. Screening, Freeword
15, 16 July Egyptian Cinema – Youssef Chahine: Screenings and discussions, Freeword
18 July: Rania Stephan: The Three Disappearances of Suad Hosni. Serpentine Gallery’s Edgware Road Project, The Gate Cinema
19 – 23 July: A Short Season of New Arab Films Mosaic Rooms in partnership with the Dubai International Film Festival
21, 22 July: Ahmed Bouanani. Two nights of screenings by the Moroccan filmmaker. Tate Modern

Full details of the Festival are available on a new website at www.london.gov.uk/shubbak
Shubbak Facebook, twitter and flickr conacts provide opportunities for dialogue and information sharing during the Festival.

Back to Top

Season of Bangla Drama 2011: Expressions of interest

Tower Hamlets Arts & Events service is now calling organisations to submit expressions of interest in participating in the upcoming 'A Season of Bangla Drama 2011' that will take place every weekend from 5-27 November 2011.

Expression of interest must be submitted via email by 22 July 2011 to kazi.begum@towerhamlets.gov.uk – you will need to provide the play name, writer’s name, director’s name and CV, organisation name, a short synopsis of the play and duration of production. Organisations selected will be informed by 29 July 2011.

Criteria for selection:
Originality and innovation in the themes of the production
New writing by local writers
Highlight different genres of storytelling e.g. dance dramas, musicals and multi media
Priority will be given to local organisations based in Tower Hamlets.

Further information: contact: Kazi Ruksana Begum Tel: 020 7364 7906

Back to Top

Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World @ British Museum: Until 17 July 2011

Surviving treasures from the National Museum of Afghanistan.

Nearly lost during the years of civil war and Taliban rule, these surviving treasures reveal Afghanistan’s ancient culture, its immense fragility and its remarkable place in world history.
Due to popular demand, this major exhibition has been extended until 17 July. It is highly recommended that you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

The exhibition is open late until 20.30 on Friday.

Info/Booking: http://www.britishmuseum.org

Back to Top

The London Indian Film Festival & The Satyajit Ray Foundation's Short Film Competition

The London Indian Film Festival (30 June-12 July) has once again teamed up with the Satyajit Ray Foundation to present its prestigious annual short film competition.

It invites film entries that show imagination and creativity, which also reflect the cultural diversity and experiences of South Asians within their own countries or the Diaspora. Shortlisted films will be screened at The Nehru Centre.

Full info: http://www.nehrucentre.org.uk

Back to Top

Dartington and Tagore part of TAGORE 150 CELEBRATIONS: July 2nd - July 10th

This exhibition explores the huge influence that the Indian polymath Rabindranath Tagore had (and continues to have) throughout the world. When he first came to Britain in the early part of the 20th Century, Tagore met and stayed with the owners of Dartington Hall a magnificent old manor house in Devon. A timeline charts the lives of Dartington Halls then owners, Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst, and the close relationship they had with Tagore. In collaboration with Dartington Hall, UK.

Full info at: http://www.dartington.org

Back to Top

Rabrindranath Tagore’s 150th Anniversary: Saturday 16 July 2011

An evening of celebration, with an entertaining evening of song & dance. To mark this occasion, the following artists from Dhaka will be performing:

• Mita Huq
• Laisa Ahmed Lisa
• Sharmin Islam Moina
• Prema Husain ( Dance )

The evening begins at 6:30 sharp til 9:00 pm. There will be a break with refreshments in between.

Venue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 4a Castletown Road , West Kensington,
London W14 9HE

Tickets:£ 15.00 & £20.00
Please call 07590547697 or 07957332720 to arrange delivery / collection of tickets.

Back to Top

Gandhi in Noakhali: 21st May 2011

Saturday 21st May 2011, 3-5pm
Kingsley Hall, Powis Road, Bow, London E3 3HG

Film screening: rare footage of Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Noakhali during the 1946 riots
Testimonials from Gandhi's visit: Shaheen Choudhury Westcombe MBE talks about her father's archive
Poetry readings and speeches
Tour to Gandhi's room at Kingsley Hall
Mid-season exhibition: resident artist Saif Osmani examines the spaces inhabited by Gandhi

This event is FREE to attend but there are limited places.

To book, please email s.osmani@ymail.com or call/ text 0915 234404. 'Gandhi in Noakhali' will be preceded by the Gandhi Foundation's Annual General Meeting starting from 2pm, which you are also welcome to attend. For further information please see: www.gandhifoundation.org


Back to Top

BONBIBI - ASIA HOUSE: 21 January 2011

Asia House, London - a Culturepot Global R&D production

Bonbibi: A Bengali Tale
Performance presented by Culturepot Global Directed by Filiz Ozcan Produced by Runi Khan

When: Friday 21 Jan, 2011 6:45 PM
Where: Asia House, Cavendish St, London
Tickets: £10/6/5

About Bonbibi:

Bonbibi is an innovative retelling of an ancient Bengali folktale told through dramatised reading, puppetry, physical theatre and music.

This legendary folk is set in the 'Sundarbans', the largest mangrove forest of the world situated in Bengal. It is also the natural habitat of the last remaining Royal Bengal Tigers. The greater part of this mangrove forest is within the geographical boundaries of Bangladesh and now faces grave ecological danger.

This celebrates 40 years Bangladesh, and draws attention to what the country may face 40 years from now and raise awareness to the effects of climate change thorough this multicultural sketch production. This age old story in its entirety touches on pertinent issues relating to conservation and climate change - a phenomenon the world is currently grappling with. It may be noted that the Sundarbans, has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/798).

Full info: http://www.asiahouse.org/net/Events.aspx

Culturepot Global brings together emerging and established artists in literature, dance, theatre, film, art, photography and music. Drawing from a wealth of experience of individuals and artists to create cultural recipes that work, Culturepot Global aims to provide a platform for collaboration that is the signature of London - allowing artists from the city and around the world to work together. The driving team are Bangladeshi Londoners who have a long tack-record in the arts - having produced and performed in the world's top stages to small indie venues. Culturepot events, whilst purely artistic in their making, also raise awareness of social and political issues within the art form itself or by association with advocacy partners.

Patron: Sir Fazle Hasan Abed - Founder and Chairperson - BRAC
Advisers : Dr Shahidul Alam - Founder and CEO - DRIK
Dr Saleemul Huq - Senior Fellow, Climate Change Group - International Institute for Enviornment and Development ( IIED)

Back to Top

Dsorganised City: Photographic Exhibition by Ruhul Abdin: 20 January 2011

First exhibition of photographs by BritBangla member Ruhul Abdin and a small workshop themed on Dhaka city. Workshop led by Nazmus Saquib Chowdhury.

WHEN: THURSDAY 20th January 2011
TIME: 6:00pm (workshop starts at 6.30pm)
WHERE: BROMLEY BY BOW CENTRE, LONDON E3 3BT

For directions: http://www.bbbc.org.uk/pages/contact-us.html

Please join them for some tea, samosa's and bhaji's, and there will also be a video screening by Hamja Ahsan, presentations by Restless Beings and RESET Development as well as an opportunity to have conversations about the city.

Please RSVP if you wish to attend the workshop to:

Ruhul Abdin
ruhul.abdin@hotmail.co.uk / Mob: 07794968658

Back to Top

KCL Bangladesh Society presents:THE BANGLADESH DEBATES

The Bangladesh Debates is a seven-part series of monthly lectures focussing on different aspects of Bangladesh in relation to the wider global context.
All lectures are to be held at the Harris Lecture Theatre, Hodgkins Building, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, London Bridge.

Time: 5.15pm

Venue: Harris Lecture Theatre, Hodgkin Building, King's College London,
Guy's Campus, London Bridge

Future sessions of The Bangladesh Debates are:

1. Dec 16th 2010:“Ground Zero: The Impact of Climate Change on Bangladesh”

with Dr Saleemul Huq, Inernational Institute for Environment and
Development and with documentary video screening of “Unreported World: Bangladesh, the
Drowning Country”

2. Jan 13th 2011:“The Nature of Secularism in Bangladesh”

with Prof Abdul Momin Chowdhury, University College London

3. Feb 3rd 2011:“Human Rights in Bangladesh”

with Dr KMA Malik, Cardiff University

4. Feb 21st 2011:“Struggling to Speak: The Bengali Language Movement”

with Dr Hanna-Ruth Thompson, SOAS and Prof William Radice, SOAS (TBC)

5. March 3rd 2011:“The Right to Report: Media Freedom in Bangladesh”

with Mr Micheal Harris, Index on Censorship

6. March 31st:“Geo-Strategic Implications for Bangladesh”

with Mr Rumman Ahmed

For info Email: shanur.khan@klc.ac.uk / zakir.hussain@kcl.ac.uk

Back to Top

Bangladesh Victory Day

Thu 16 Dec / 8pm / Bar / Free

On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh achieved its long awaited victory over the Pakistani occupation forces after the historic nine months’ liberation war. The people of Bangladesh observe the day as the 'Victory Day’. In 1971, this month marked the victory of Bengali nationalism. The valiant freedom fighters of Bangladesh gave the nation an independent country and Bmusic celebrates the event in collaboration with Rich Mix on December 16 with a line-up that includes Zoe Rahman, Sanchita Farruque, Ershad, Debipriya Sircar, Naga and Deshi Movement.

Let this day be a source of inspiration for everyone throughout the world.

Line-up:

Zoe Rahman described in The Observer as "a remarkable pianist by any standard”; she has firmly established herself as one of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene. A vibrant and highly individual pianist/composer, her style is deeply rooted in jazz yet it reflects her classical background, British/Bengali heritage and broad musical taste.
Sanchita Farruque first entered the musical arena as producer and songwriter and her amazing vocal talents were recognized purely by chance! One of the unique things about Sanchita is her seemingly boundless adaptability with her natural and heartfelt performances. She is a truly passionate and genuine singer-songwriter that personifies a new millennium of musicality.

Ershad Alamgir is a versatile singer who combines eastern sounds and traditional Bangla music with Western popular genres of music. This fusion of music explores the melodic interrelation, similarities of each genres thought and moods. Alongside being a singer and session musician, he is a prolific songwriter and lyricist and so far has written and composed numerous songs for different projects at home and abroad including title tracks for popular dramas and short films in Bangladesh and in the UK.

Londoner Debipriya Sircar (née Das) began learning sitar from the age of 4 and now her repertoire on the sitar includes classical ragas, traditional melodies and modern Hindi/Bengali film songs.

Naga produces his own beats to go with strong and conscious lyrics outlining his life in the east End of London, and spits from an Asian perspective.

Rich Mix, 35 -47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA

Back to Top

South Asian Season: Rich Mix: November - December 2010

Musical theatre and performances by the very best UK British Music Talent including Radio 1’s Bobby Friction, Hip Hop Star Sarah Sayeed, Musicians Arun Ghosh and Susheela Raman.

Bobby Friction Presents a night of eclectic South Asian vibes from Pakistani Punks and Punjabi Dubstep through to Bangladeshi Bass, the night is a celebration of a definitive UK sound with an emphasis on LIVE performance (Fri 17 Dec / 8pm / Bar / £7 adv / £10 door).

Susheela Raman announces the trailblazing OuterIndia residency at Rich Mix on the last Tuesday of each month. OuterIndia celebrates intense connections between London, the Subcontinent and the world, showcasing visionary artists in the musical, visual and written arts, topped off by Keralan Cuisine (Tue 30 Nov / 6pm / Bar / £8 adv / £11 door).

Arun Ghosh’s musical vision and vocabulary reflects his rich geographical heritage. His Indo-Jazz Sextet play original music of South Asian origin with a contemporary jazz attitude, rocking urban beats and the passion of punk (Sun 19 Dec / 6pm / Bar / Free).

Acts include Sarah Sayeed, Sanchita Farruque and Moushumi Bhowmik with a visual performance from Poulomi Desai (Fri 3 Dec / 7pm / Bar / £5 adv / £7 door) in an all-star eclectic female line up of vocalists, soul divas, DJ's and artists presented by South Asian Women’s Creative Collective. Bangladesh Victory Day is celebrated on Thu 16 Dec (Bar / £5 adv / £7 door).

http://www.richmix.org.uk/sawcc.htm

Rich Mix-35-47 Bethnal Green Road-London-E1 6LA www.richmix.org.uk

Back to Top

A Season of Bangla Drama: 1-30 November 2010

Saturday 6 November: Chicken Tikka Massala presented by Sottyen Sen School of Performing Arts and Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshti, UK
Sunday 7 November: Operation Searchlight presented by SRJB52
Saturday 13 November: Mayar Khela - The Maze of Illusion presented by Dakshinayan UK
Sunday 14 November: Shesh Onker Shuru presented by Creative Vision
Friday 19 and Saturday 20 November: Sounds of Silence presented by the Rokeya Project
Sunday 21 November: Ora Kodom Ali presented by Rhythm Performing Arts
Friday 26 and Saturday 27 November: Street Seduction presented by Soulfire Theatre
Saturday Saturday 27 November: The Legend of the Black Lotus presented by Tamarind Theatre Company (Whitechapel Idea Store 2.15pm)
Sunday 28: Bashon (The Salver) presented by Monchoshaylee (drama wing of Bisho Shahitto Kendro)

Below is the synopsis of each play.

Exhibition at the Brady Art and Community Centre

1-30 November: Bengali in London's East End curated by Swadhinata Trust
6 -7 November: Live Mural Art by Maraz Ahmed

All tickets cost £5.00 and £3.00 concessions (senior citizens/OAP, unemployed, students etc) Times: doors open 6.30 show starts 7.00pm

All performances are at the Brady Arts & Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU
You can reserve tickets on email artsandevents@towerhamlets.gov.uk or call 020 7364 7906

Saturday 6 November: Chicken Tikka Massala Written by Saiyem Chowdhury - During the last century, a large number of enterprising Bangladeshi people established successful catering businesses in the UK. It is not an exaggeration to say that this influx of Bangladeshi cuisine has had a huge impact on the eating habits of the British populace, and London’s Bangla Town is now regarded as the Curry Capital of Europe. This play is about the seductive influence to the younger generation of other professions and ways of life and a clash of values and business ethics between the generations. The ‘guvnor’ of one such restaurant faces a personal and professional crisis as his senior years approach and his sons abandon his restaurant for greener pastures. But a ray of hope comes from an unexpected source……

Sunday 7 November: Operation Searchlight written by Proshenjit Dutta - An informative story of morality based on the liberation war of 1971. Operation Searchlight was a planned military operation carried out by the Pakistani Army to curb the Bengali nationalist movement in the erstwhile East Pakistan in March 1971. Pakistani planners assumed that if the political leadership was captured, the Bengali armed units disarmed, and the civilians sufficiently terrorised, after a month no organised resistance would remain in East Pakistan. Their assumptions were proven wrong in the long run. Therefore Operation Searchlight included no follow up plan.

Saturday 13 November: Mayar Khela - The Maze of Illusion (Musical Dance Drama) written by Rabindranath Tagore. The Chorus of Dream Maidens recounts the contrasting tale of Shanta (sacrificial love) and Promoda (love as an art). Three male suitors, make a journey of discovery as they enter a confusing maze of feminine illusion and reality. The concept of the eternal season of spring provides the backdrop for a complex musical interplay in which the dream maidens remain the narrators as well as the manipulators of the plot, conspiring to entrap men and women in search of love. The Dream Maidens sing……They seek love for happiness but happiness eludes them.........

Sunday 14 November: Shesh Onker Shuru written by Azizus Samad - A retired ships captain looks back on the wonderful life he had sailing the high seas but now his children have left home, his wife has died and he is all alone. Despite inviting his sons and daughter to celebrate his birthday with him, no-one came. One evening while playing music, there is a knock at the door. A woman visiting his neighbour is disturbed by the volume of the music. But when the captain opens the door, he discovers that this woman is not a stranger. This play touches on the extraordinary coincidences of life stories intersecting in the most magical and unexpected ways.
Friday 19 and Saturday 20 November: Sounds of Silence Written by Rae Leaver - The Rokeya Project's are pleased to present Sounds of Silence”, based on one of Rokeya's final works, “Behind Seclusion”. In “Behind Seclusion” Rokeya explores different stories of women suffering under extreme persecution under the guise of Purdah, which has inspired The Rokeya Project to develop a brand-new dance theatre exploring these persecutions in relation to our contemporary society. Using original music in order to compliment a fusion of Bengali Folk, Indian Classical, Hip Hop and South Asian Contemporary dancers, Sounds of Silence explores our united duty to stand up to oppression wherever we may find it.

Sunday 21 November: Ora Kodom Ali written by Mamunur Rashid - Ora Kodom Ali reflects the true plight of orphans and abandoned homeless children in Bangladesh and beyond. Street children are being increasingly exploited for illegal child labour throughout Bangladesh and other poor countries worldwide. This story is about an impoverished family who move to the city from a rural area in search of better job opportunities and prosperity. As the family become separated from one another in this strange new environment, the young boy Taju gets taken under the wing of seasoned street dweller Kodom Ali who tries to protect him by standing up to the advances of one such unscrupulous ‘business man’ who deals in this mistreatment of orphans and poor street boys.

Friday 26 and Saturday 27 November: Street Seduction written by Hussain Ismail - Street Seduction tells the story of a tough streetwise young man and the battle for his soul between his girl-next-door, a seductive beauty and an avenging fury. Only his estranged father's love can redeem him and give him peace. (In English).

Saturday 27 November: The Legend of the Black Lotus Adapted by Rez Kabir - Come along with two siblings sent on a epic journey of danger and discovery to find the legendary Black Lotus. To a world beyond their dreams and imagination, encounter magical beasts, strange monsters of illusion and trickery. Will they overcome their challenge to save their family from the evil clutches of their uncle. An interactive story to amuse, enchant and excite the senses. Great family fun! Whitechapel Idea Store

Sunday 28: Bashon (The Salver) written by Selim Al-Din - Ashek is a poor farmer from a formerly wealthy family who, in their zenith, were mighty landowners of the village. Now reduced to poverty, his one treasured possession and heirloom from more prosperous times is the salver, the great dish which still symbolises the lost status of aristocracy. Ashek is thinking of selling the Salver, the prospective buyer of the salver is the village’s new landowner, Ajajil, who has coveted this treasure for some time. Ashek’s daughter asks Ashek not to sell the dish as it is the only link to their glorious past. The drama unfolds to confront issues of retribution and exposes the darker sides of human nature, but with flashes of humour and insight.

Exhibition
1-30 November: Bengalis in London’s East End curated by Swadhinata Trust

The Swadhinata Trust is delighted to present the touring panel exhibition ‘Bengalis in London’s East End’

http://www.swadhinata.org.uk

The exhibition ‘Bengalis in London’s East End’ comprising of 10 panels mobile exhibition unlocks the history of Britain’s first Bengali settlers, seamen known as Lascars, and connects key landmarks and buildings associated with the Bengali community in East London. In addition to the exhibition an accompanying book is available, and on request seminar around the local Bengali history can be organised.

The exhibition focuses on a wide range of themes of Bengali community including: Beginnings, Settlements of sailors, Settlements in the 1950s, Settlements in the 1950s and The community now - Banglatown. www.swadhinata.org.uk

6-7 November Live Mural Art by Maraz Ahmed Inspired by the the themes of the various productions in this year's Season of Bangla Drama, come, watch and take part as the mural comes to life over two days.

Back to Top

Meet Bangladesh- Asia's Next Big Opportunity: 26- 27 November 2010

Queen Elizabeth Conference Center II, Westminster, London on Friday 26th- Saturday 27th November

Bangladesh Brand Forum is organizing a 2 day Conference and Business Showcasing in London during 26-27 November to highlight and showcase the business and investment opportunity in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's geographic position gives it every opportunity to be a leveraged play to participate in the "Asian Century". We believe it is this potential that will increase the focus, interest and opportunities for global investors. The image of Bangladesh for the rest of the world, what one might define as "Brand Bangladesh", is likely to be one of natural disasters, grinding poverty, overpopulation and corruption. A more positive impression we believe is appropriate, is a young population of 160mn people with very favourable demographics resulting in one of the fastest rates of growth of labour supply in the world; a country in the heart of Asia and juxtaposed strategically between India and China; a very entrepreneurial culture as evidenced both by the resilience of the textile sector to the end of MFA quotas.

Through the conference we are trying to highlight the opportunity to investors and business institutions. CEOs of Leading 15-20 companies ( Beximco, Square, Rahimafrooz, Otobi, Gemcon Group, Grameenphone, AB Bank, Brac Bank, Rehab, Energy Pac, Pacific Jeans, BASIS, Ascent Group, Ibrahim textile, Seamark) will be attending in this conference.

E-brochure link: ww.bangladeshbrandforum.com or PDF version

To attend complete REGISTRATION FORM (download) and E-mail to bbflondon@btinternet.com

Conference:

Day 1 of the conference is targeted to British Business and Investors in the following sectors:

• Power, Energy & Infrastructure
• ICT & Business Services
• Manufacturing (Garments & Textile, Ceramics, Agro & Food Processing, Furniture)
• Pharmaceutical

Day 2 is for British Bangladeshi Professionals and Investors for British Bangladeshi professionals and will focus on the following areas:

• Infrastructure Fund
• ICT & Business Services
• Education & Knowledge Development
• Tourism
• Diaspora
  

The summit is supported by UKTI, British Council, London Chamber of Commerce, Canargy Wharf Group, Saatchi & Saatchi, Asia House, European Bangladesh Federation of Commerce & Industry, BOB Network, Fyshnet and BritBangla.

Engage with Asia's Next Big Investment Opportunity before the rest of the world does!

Bangladesh Now

As Asia emerges from the global economic crisis faster than the rest of the world, it is increasingly clear that the world's centre of gravity is shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Within the Asian Century debate, there is a great deal of focus and analysis on the opportunities in "Chindia" (China and India). However, we believe that there may be more undiscovered and less crowded, opportunities in some of the next most populous countries in Asia such as Bangladesh with 160mn people. It is included in the Goldman Sachs "Next 11" (N11), a term Chief Economist Jim O Neill has coined to refer to the countries after the BRICs that will likely have the largest impact on the future shape of the global economy. It is also included in the JP Morgan "Frontier Five".

Bangladesh's geographic position gives it every opportunity to be a leveraged player and to participate in the "Asian Century". We believe it is this potential that will increase the focus, interest and opportunities for global investors. The image of Bangladesh for the rest of the world, what one might define as "Brand Bangladesh", is likely to be one of natural disasters, grinding poverty, overpopulation and corruption. A more positive impression we believe is relevant of Bangladesh. It has a young population of 160mn people with very favourable demographics resulting in one of the fastest rates of growth of labour supply in the world; a country in the heart of Asia and juxtaposed strategically between India and China; a very entrepreneurial culture as evidenced both by the resilience of the textile sector to the end of MFA quotas.

The resilience of Bangladesh's economy and financial markets so far from 2008 to the global financial crisis must be commended. Indeed, the country has a history of exceeding expectations. Bangladesh emerged from the 1971 War of Independence a free nation, but one whose economy and infrastructure was shattered. It was notably described by US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as "an international basket case". It's achievements over the past 37 years has been impressive, most notably in its emergence as a major textile and RMG exporter. More broadly, the low volatility and consistency of growth in the past decade, despite political instability and natural disasters is a testament to a dynamic and entrepreneurial private sector.

Bangladesh has three key attractions for global investors and multinationals: 1) a large base of low-cost and easily trainable labour; 2) a large domestic market of 160mn people; 3) Nearly 3bn people in the Asian region that it has market access to. We believe it is credible for Bangladesh to emulate Vietnam's FDI performance of a tenfold increase over seven years.

Key Facts about Bangladesh

· The Most Resilient in economy in the world to the global crisis with GDP growth in 2009 only slowing to 5.8% from 6.1% in 2008. It is expected to grow by 6.3% in 2010.

· A young dynamic population of 160mn people with a median age of 23.3 years and 65% of the population under the age of 25.

· The Bangladesh Garments industry has grown from $340 Million in 1973 to $15.5 Billion dollars in 2009 and is now the 3rd largest exporter in the world.

· The Bangladesh Stock market has been the best performing equities market in the last 3 years with a return of 145 % since Oct 2007 and an annual growth rate over that period of 35%.

· Bangladesh has been the fastest appreciating real estate market in the world last year

· In 12 Years Telenor's investment in Grameenphone has grown by 140 % with GP the largest company on the stock market valued at almost $ 5.5 billion and 63 million mobile subscribers.

· Products made by Shinepukur ceramics are now used in the 1st Class cabins of British Airways and Singapore Airlines.

While Bangladesh offers major untapped business opportunities, it is also a unique country which operates in its own complex way.

Back to Top

Enter 10 South Asian Art Exhibiton: 1– 30 November 2010

Enter 10 is Watermans annual exhibition of the year's finest work by South Asian New Media Graduates.

Hosted by Watermans New Media Gallery, this show provides a platform to showcase the emerging talent in the field of digital art and media production. This year’s exhibition comprises of a wide range of works including photography, film, interactive sculpture and graphic and communication design.

The exhibiting artists have been handpicked from some of the country’s leading Institutes that offer unique opportunities in exploring new media. The artists were chosen on their ability to utilise new technologies and apply them in creative practice in order to articulate their responses to contemporary issues in an innovative manner.

Enter 10 at Watermans Theatre: 40 High Street, Brenford, Middx TW8 ODS

Artists’ biographies

Back to Top

Selected artists

Nabil Ahmed
What is the Weight of the Moon?

What is the Weight of the Moon? is taken from ‘The Middleman’ a film by Satyajit Rai which is part of a cycle of films on what is political about being a student in 1970’s Calcutta. The project is a response to the situation of 50,000+ Bengali students whose colleges are under investigation by the government as being potentially bogus. Often seen as ambiguous signboards around East London, the visibility of the college signboards and the invisibility of the students are questioned using video as an apparatus. By placing the interviewed students outside the frame, the viewer is invited to become an active listener using field recordings, simultaneous translations of the interview audio in Bengali and English and control of a 3-channel mixer. The English version of the interview is re-enacted by the interviewer that seeks to explicate the performativity of speech and its relationship to power.

Biography:
Nabil Ahmed, b. 1978 Dhaka, recently completed an MA in Interactive Media Critical Theory and Practice at Goldsmiths. His emerging practice involves working with people, software, video, the voice, and text to form critical responses to relevant, political questions. He has worked with various galleries, project spaces and institutions such as ISEA, the Victoria & Albert museum, no.w.here, Wet Sounds, Waterside Project Space, the Showroom, openvizor and others. He is the co-founder of Call & Response, London's multi-channel sound art gallery and project space. He is currently a PhD student at the Centre for Research Architecture at Goldsmiths.

Diana Ali

Defamiliarization

"The purpose of art is to force us to notice" according to Viktor Shklovsky, a Russian Formalist who explored the technique of 'defamiliarization'. Through this technique one can step back from the habitual way of thinking to make the familiar become more interesting by promoting an awareness of ones perception. Defamiliarization allows us to engage more with art and re-enhance the world around us. The notion is taken form his1917 essay ‘Art as Technique.’

As part of this exploration the instructions below were given to artists locally and globally.
An artist responds in 10 words to the word ‘defamiliarization’
This response is passed onto another artist in a different location
The second artist alters/ changes/ adapts the words
The second artist displays the interpreted words in a setting which represents their city/ country; a place which is familiar to them.
They then take a photograph/s of the new words in their new place
The photographs are then returned to the original artists who are re-introduced to their defamiliarized words in an unfamiliar location.

Post-Authorship

Artists, writers and thinkers from opposite parts of the world translate and exchange the verbal into the visual, the local to the global in an exploration of collaborative postcard collecting and interchanging. The transmission and retrieval of these responses will create the emergence of new narratives that will be shared and reacted upon through hybrid texts, images and temporary ownership. The authors will be a global network of artists.

The participants are asked to write down a quote on a blank postcard. A quote can be something they heard a passer-by say or it could be from an inspirational iconic figure.

This postcard is then passed onto someone in a different country who interprets the quote visually on the same postcard but on the reverse side.

Eventually all postcards will be sent to the original place of distribution and collected as a mass piece of collaborative work.

This project explores language and visual interchange and transmission from one person to another and our interpretations of fragments of different cultures as it is passed on globally. All correspondence is recorded on the objects (postcards) which have been battered; manipulated, over-written but simultaneously will carry the mutual physical handlings of the written into the visual.
http://www.post-authorship.blogspot.com/

Biography:
Diana was born and raised in Rusholme, Manchester in 1979 to Bangladeshi parents. She moved in 2001 to do her BA (Hons) in Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University and a Masters in Contemporary Fine Art Curating and Practice from Sheffield Hallam University.

Since graduating Diana has primarily been a visual artist. She has exhibited regionally in Nottingham at the Surface Gallery and View From Top Gallery. Nationally she has had work in the TINAG festival in London and The Site Gallery in Sheffield and a solo show at the Airspace Gallery in Hanley. Recently, she has exhibited work as part of the Roaming Biennial in Tehran and the Other Asia’s exhibition ‘ReDo Pakistan’ in Karachi, Pakistan.

Her medium involves painting, drawing, installation and text based work. She is interested in correspondence, networking and connectivity in her practice. Her text based work has featured in The Disarmory Newspaper in New York. Her work also plays with the subversion of the material and in her 2001 degree show her work, a table covered in jam entitled ‘Aftermath’ was featured on the BBC arts website. Most recently her line of investigation has steered towards working with artists from different countries in mass exchange and re-interpretation projects.

Her co-curatorial projects includes ‘Up & Coming’ at the Contemporary Urban Centre in Liverpool and the Defamiliarization touring exhibition in London and Sheffield. Her recent solo curatorial work is an extension of her art practice exploring correspondence and international collaboration, the most recent being the touring ‘Subversive Correspondence’ in Bristol and London and 'Dialoges: A Fake Romance?' in South Wales. She is also the assistant curator for ’Pop Samiti’, based in London which is an arts magazine exploring South Asian narratives.
www.dianaali.com

Geetika Alok

Englishes

English is the universal language of our world, but it is not the same everywhere. English is interwoven into the vernacular languages of ‘others’ who speak it but make it different. South Asia presents a unique case of language contact, convergence and assimilation: the voices of ordinary people in India betray a tension between the indigenous language of identity and authoritative English, the language of the economy.
The project involved interviews of people residing in India – unemployed, journalists, teachers, customer service executives, students and so on. While my series of typographic works attempts to amplify the voice, it draws inspiration from the Indian decorative arts exploring the love/hate relationship with English.

Biography:
Geetika Alok has her interests in influences and relationships between typography and culture. She attempts to explore the abstract entity of the alphabet and its ability to embrace culture through type design. She finds her constant inspiration from the Indian decorative arts while exploring the issues involved with recent globalisation.
www.geetikaalok.com/

Sara Choudhrey
Reflect

Reflect is the outcome of an MA Digital Arts project resulting in an installation presenting illuminated pattern-work in the form of an interactive sculpture. Utilising digital technologies to enhance Islamic patterns has allowed for the traditionally 2D format to be bought forth into the 3D world.
The results of user interaction provide real-time manipulation of lighting, where the physical activity represents the emotional encounter with feelings of confusion and understanding which evolve upon further exploration.
An altering display of structured patterns and distorted shapes alludes to theories of how our environment provides a reflection of divine creation.

Biography:
My artistic practice comes from a combination of two very different arts – that of Islamic art and that of digital arts. My research has led me to treat both as cultures as well as practices and has resulted in my producing a contemporary take on traditional art forms – the key focus being on Islamic pattern-making and its symbolic significance.
By combining techniques such as photography, lighting, metal-work sculpture and open-source programming with the latest in digital technologies enables the presentation of dynamic visuals with projection and user-manipulation.
Using a variety of mediums allows me to take this geometric pattern-work further by bringing the traditionally 2D art form into the 3D realm helping to emphasise both the shapes and spaces they consist of. My aim is to create engaging installations allowing for a deep exploration of ideas around symbolism of structure and dis/order.
The viewer’s exploration and engagement of my work may lead them to question how the digital presentation of shapes and spaces could be a reflection of the natural world and its origins.
http://sarachoudhrey.com/

Hafizur Rahman

GAMERTAG
2 minutes 49 Seconds

GamerTag is a short movie attempting to show the ugliness of gaming addiction. The perspective of GamerTag is supposed to be that of a person watching the guy playing, rather than the perspective of the player himself. It is supposed to be a non-gamer, who is trying to imagine what the player is feeling while playing these games, as well as show what one sees when looking at the gamer.

I love filmmaking for many reasons, but most important of them all is, therapy. After becoming very addicted to gaming, from night to sunrise on the playstation, sleeping through most of the day feeling horrible when I eventually woke up I decided to finally take action and cure it by locking the problem away within a movie. I initially wanted to make GamerTag as a way to cure this, but usually when I make a movie with therapy as a purpose, I have to wait to finish the movie and watch it before it takes effect; GamerTag however worked for me during production, which was a nice little plus.

CHERRYADE
1 minute

Cherryade is the movie I consider my first. After two years of what could be described as a filmmakers block, two years of attempting to make a short movie only to fail, I finally decided to use a new technique. Dismissing my usual source of inspiration I decided to try and make a short movie following a set of rules provided by my teacher.

The task was to take a photo from a well known photographer and try to achieve the same look of the photo onto a one minute piece, as well as have great composition to the point where if you were to pause the piece at any point, that frame should work as a photo too. The photo I picked was A Ventriloquist by Jeff Wall.

Biography:
Hafizur Rahman, a Bangladeshi born in London in the year of 1986, is currently studying filmmaking and working as a freelance video editor and graphic designer. After exploring different art forms such as poetry, painting and graphic design in 2002, after watching David Fincher's Fight Club being immensely inspired by the attention to detail in every shot of the film, he finally decided to become a filmmaker and has been making short movies since.
Hafizur enjoys filmmaking as he sees it as the ultimate therapy, making very personal short movies dealing with his own current predicaments he sees filmmaking as a way to vent out and also document parts of his life. As well as working on his own personal projects Hafizur makes advertisements and promotional videos too.
vimeo.com/stickhrk
vimeo.com/channels/going

Rekha Sameer

Round Hole

Round Hole is a self-portrait that became a social experiment. It involved asking strangers especially women to take part in a video project without actually revealing any details. When the women did agree to particpate, they were blindfolded and asked to sit at a table and feel the objects around them. They were unaware of being videoed and their vulnerability at being in a strange space with a stranger is evident in the video. The work is titled in order to reflect a hint of eroticism evident in the video but hopefully also leaves the work open to contemplation and conjecture.

Platform - 2
My memories of travelling in an Indian train in the rush hour, packed like sardines into the compartments with 100s of other commuters, the heat, the humidity, the sweat, the smell of fish coming from the clothes and the baskets of fishmongers, the smell of slums on both sides of the platform, still fresh in my mind, inspired me to create this installation. I decided to project the video image of the evening commuters in a train in Mumbai in a rubbish bin. It was a challenging installation and I could successfully realise my intention to focus on not just the content of the work but to contextually represent its meaning.

C True

Technology such as CCTV cameras and video projectors are not just a device but are an enabling structure that seamlessly merges into the fabric of modern urban space. C True is an art installation that uses CCTV and video projection in order to explore the seeming disparity between the viewers’ reception of a subject and its mediated image.

Biography:

Rekha Sameer was born in Bombay and studied Fine Art in Singapore and London. She is a recent post graduate from Central St Martins College of Art and Design, London and is currently based and working in London. She has exhibited in galleries and art centres such as The Hat Factory, Luton; B-Fest, Luton Arts Festival; The Andrew Burton Gallery in Leeds; Camden Arts Centre and the World of Tea exhibition at Departure Centre, London. She was also commissioned to do a video diary for the GX Fun Run, 2010.

Having lived in India, Singapore and London, Rekha’s art proposes an insightful statement of the status of the individual in an urban city context and the effect that the landscape, architecture and culture of the Metropolis has on social relationships.

The artist works with multi mediums such as CCTV cameras, sound, video projections and installations as well as plaster and clay to realise her conceptual concerns.

www.rekhasameer.com

Nishant Shukla

Kanwarias, Varanasi 2009

(Series of 6 C-Type Lambda Prints)

On the banks of the holy river Ganges, these Saffron-clad devotees of Shiva known as Kanwarias have completed the annual journey that approximately 3 million people make over a two week period. This journey, undertaken bare foot from all over India to the Ganges every year in the auspicious month of Shravan (the first month of the Indian Monsoon), is completed by dipping into the Ganges and collecting holy water.

Like the first drops of the rains, the pilgrimages of these devotees mark the onset of the great Indian monsoon. How will the fluctuations in the onset of the monsoon affect cultural traditions, which are integrally linked with the arrival of the rain?

Biography:
Nishant Shukla, a British-born artist spent his formative years living between India, Saudi Arabia and the U.K. He has exhibited forfreshfacedandwildeyed09at The Photographers Gallery, Nikon Discovery Awards and various group shows in London and Delhi. Nishant was the recipient of the Vice Chancellors Award from TVU to pursue an MA in Photography. He continues to produce work based in the U.K. and India and will be showing an extended version of this series at Photomonth, 2010.
www.nishantshukla.com

Hamja Ahsan, co-curator

Hamja Ahsan (b. 1981) is an artist and independent curator of the Bengali-Islamic diaspora, based in London.

Ahsan’s practice encompasses the entire span of media: drawing, sound, painting, appropriated text work, sculpture, photography, performance, video, directing exhibitions and critical writing. His thematic concerns as an artist revolves around post-colonial history, diaspora politics, indexing time, the prison system and new formations of Imperialism.

He has previously presented projects at Tate Britain, The Guild Gallery (New York), Deptford X, Shanaakht Festival (Pakistan), Shiplakala Academy (Bangladesh) and across artist-run spaces.

He is the co-director of Other Asias – an artists-run organ of 10 interweaving curatorial currents, exploring national and regional representation, unthinking Eurocentrism, the language of officialdom and public access, and the politics of exclusion and inclusion. He is the co-curator with Fatima Hussain of the REDO Pakistan project – a nomadic art project that circulates through the UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

He is currently working on a collaborative archival project with the jazz musician Zoe Rahman, exploring Bangladeshi nationhood as performative identity. His recent work included producing video installation as commissioned media artist for Bangladesh Independence Day and performative art writing around Other Asias keywords lexicon for Resonance FM.

Hamja is a Chelsea (MA Critical Writing & Curatorial Practice) and Central St Martins (BA Fine Art) alumnus. www.hamjaahsan.com/ www.otherasias.com

Back to Top

THE ISLAMIC HISTORY OF BENGAL: 13 November 2010

by Muhammad Mojlum Khan (Author of The Muslim Heritage of Bengal)

Date: Saturday 13th November 2010
Time: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Venue: Birkbeck College, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7H

DEADLINE FOR BOOKING: MONDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

Given its distance from Delhi, Bengal was always seen as a frontierregion of Muslim India. However, not only was it the richest statein Hindustan, but at one time the number of Muslims in Bengal was
higher than any other part of the Muslim world. Being so far fromthe traditional centres of Islamic learning and history, how andwhy did such a large Muslim population emerge there?

This one-day intensive course will provide an overview of the following subjects: Bengal before Islam; The Early Sultanate; Bengal under the Mughals until the Battle of Plessey; Conversion
to Islam and Establishment of Islam in Bengal; Economy, Society and Culture; and more.

*Muhammad Mojlum Khan is an award-winning writer, literary critic and research scholar, he has published more than 100 essays and articles worldwide. He is the author of several books and research papers including the widely acclaimed The Muslim 100: The Lives, Thoughts and Achievements of the Most Influential Muslims in History (2008, reprinted 2009, 2010) and The Muslim Heritage of Bengal. Hailed as having “filled a gap in modern Islamic authorship”, The Publishers Weekly also considered The Muslim 100 to be of “immeasurable value…with innovative insights” and
recommended the book to all the public libraries in the United States. He is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain, a Member of English PEN, and a Founding Director of the Bengal Muslim Research Institute UK (BMRI).

This course is open to all but spaces are limited. Entry is through prior registration only.

Cost (excluding lunch but slide notes provided)
Online - £20 until Monday 8th November & thereafter £30
Offline / On the day: £30 CASH

For bookings and further information please contact:
Tel: 07956 983 609
E-mail: info@islamiccourses.org
Website: www.islamiccourses.org

Back to Top

Ethical Fashion Show in aid of The Sacred Childhoods Foundation: 3 November 2010

Time: 7pm at Vanilla, W1
131 Titchfield Street, London W1W 5BB

Venue: www.vanillalondon.co.uk


Showcasing stunning outfits from leading UK and International ethical fashion designers.
All outfits on show are for sale, via silent auction on the night, with proceeds going to Sacred Childhoods.

Tickets: £65 inc. 3 course meal & drinks, catwalk show & auction, live entertainment & goodie bag.

Contact: hannah-jane@sacredchildhoods.org or Natalia Perry, director & founder of Sacred Childhoods Foundation, natalia@sacredchildhoods.org if you would like to join them for the evening.

Sacred Childhoods Foundation

Back to Top

RAFT-NETWORK LAUNCH: 1 November 2010

MONDAY 1ST, NOVEMBER, 7 - 9PM
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, 17-25 NEW INN YARD, LONDON, UK

An evening exhibition and presentation from Sheffield University Architectural Programme, Live Project Student team, to launch the new RESET web resource RAFT Network - An on-line platform to support collaborative knowledge sharing within the SW region of Bangladesh on approaches to climate change adaptation, within the shelter sector and beyond.

The RAFT Network aims to provide a platform for aid workers and specialists, from community to international level. This web resource aims to establish effective management of current and future affordable housing construction in the Sundarban region of Bangladesh. This knowledge network aims to become a rich resource, supporting
adaptive disaster relief and the development of resilient communities.

RSVP ESSENTIAL: Please e-mail Kaissa to register -
kaissa.tait@reset-development.org

Back to Top

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Baasher Ghor/ Bamboo House Project

Call for submissions

"Baasher Ghor" translates as Bamboo House in Bengali.

This is a call for architects, designers, artists, craftspeople and writers to submit projects and artwork involving bamboo as a material in the context of space, an interior or narrative journey with an attached significance to a place, either in the country you reside in or an east/ south-east Asian country.

In the UK we mostly find bamboo in garden centres, used simply for growing runner beans. In Japan national museums are made of bamboo and in honour of its evolving history. In Bangladesh mud and bamboo huts remain the vernacular of village areas as the city encroaches into the countryside. In Indonesia traditional basket making is disappearing in exchange for plastic reproductions.
· Bamboo wood is synonymously linked with Asia and inextricably connects people with a place.

Aims
· To explore the multiple meanings given to bamboo in different cultures and diverse ways it has been used.
· To consider how it is used in an everyday settings.
· To consider how bamboo is used in connecting people in different countries and exchanging ideas and methodologies of communication.

Responses to Brief

If you are interested in applying please provide the following written information:-
Introduction and background to your practice
How you have used bamboo
An outline of what you wish to submit (size, medium)

Submissions should be no more than 1000 words, or two sides of A4 - with up to five images attached for consideration.
There are no restrictions on the medium you choose to use.

Projects will be selected and successful applicants notified by 21st December 2010

Project starts: beginning January 2011
Project completed by October 2011

www.baasherghor.wordpress.com

This site is a means of information exchange and will be updated regularly as the project unfolds.

For further information email Saif Osmani at s.osmani@ymail.com or call +44(0)7915 234404

Back to Top

ARA: A New Face of the Old World / SUNARA BEGUM: 1 October – 20 November 2010

Private View and Book Launch will be on Thursday 30th September 2010
from 18:30 till 21:00 with a performance by the legendary Kora maestro, Tunde Jegede.
www.sunarabegum.com

Gallery Opening Hours
Monday - Friday 11-5pm
Saturdays 16th October, 6th & 20th November 12-5pm

at : 198 CONTEMPORARY ARTS & LEARNING

“Ara is a composite of innocence, rebellion and trauma of childhood. My role as a visual
artist and filmmaker is the survival and sustenance of self. The Ara mythology is my
attempt to transform lived experience into everyday folklore”. Sunara Begum 2010

Sunara Begum draws her influences from the natural world, figurative painting, religious iconography, mystical philosophies and the cultures in which she was raised. Combining cinematography and storytelling, Begum’s work explores themes of identity and gender as seen in myth, divinity, both historical and contemporary. Her own personal experience is one of profound self-exploration and search for identity as she is interested in mapping connections between the human condition and the environments we inhabit. Using the body as a metaphor for landscape and the earth, her work investigates the politics of creation and transgression.

198
Contemporary Arts and Learning,
198 Railton Road,
London SE24 0JT
Between Railton Road and Hurst Street
+44(0)207 978 8309

Contact:

info@198.org.uk
www.198.org.uk

Back to Top

Exploring Banglatown and the Bengali East End: 28 October 2011

Thursday,28 October at 11am – 1pm

Meeting at Aldgate Station
Walk and talk starting at St Botolph’s,
Aldgate. Finishing at Truman
Brewery. Estimated time 1.5 hours.

Swadhinata Trust
07908 376 252
julie@swadhinata.org.uk

Free: Families and children

Exploring Brick Lane and the East End

Thursday 28 October
2pm – 4pm

St Hilda’s East Community Centre
Photography workshop exploring Brick Lane and the East End. Please bring your own photos to discuss.
Swadhinata Trust

07908 376 252
julie@swadhinata.org.uk
www.swadhinata.org.uk

Free: Families and children

Back to Top

Bengalis in London’s East End: Swadhinata Trust

Exhibition
1-30 November: Bengalis in London’s East End curated by Swadhinata Trust

The Swadhinata Trust is delighted to present the touring panel exhibition ‘Bengalis in London’s East End’

http://www.swadhinata.org.uk

The exhibition ‘Bengalis in London’s East End’ comprising of 10 panels mobile exhibition unlocks the history of Britain’s first Bengali settlers, seamen known as Lascars, and connects key landmarks and buildings associated with the Bengali community in East London. In addition to the exhibition an accompanying book is available, and on request seminar around the local Bengali history can be organised.

The exhibition focuses on a wide range of themes of Bengali community including: Beginnings, Settlements of sailors, Settlements in the 1950s, Settlements in the 1950s and The community now - Banglatown. www.swadhinata.org.uk

Back to Top

In The Future Soil: Dance & Music Production Tour in UK

Renowned Bengalis Poet Rabindranath Tagore inspires new dance theatre production which Tours UK in October 2010.

UK Tour 2010
22 Oct Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton | 01902 321321
24 Oct mac, Birmingham | 0121 446 3232
26 Oct Northumbria University, Newcastle | 0191 274 3030
27 Oct Rich Mix, London | 020 7613 7498
28 Oct The Nehru Centre, London | 020 7491 3567

A new dance and music theatre production from Birmingham-based sampad, in partnership with Indian company Teamworks Productions will tour cities in the UK. The UK tour will go to Arena Theatre (Wolverhampton), mac (Birmingham), Northumbria University (Newcastle), Rich Mix (London) and The Nehru Centre (London) between 22nd-28th October.

IN THE FURTHER SOIL tells the story of the urban landscapes of India and the UK bringing together the old and new. Atmospheric Jazz and Afro-beats mix with Bengali Baul songs, rhythms fire up Bharatanatyam dance with urban moves, spoken word and human stories bring out the fast-changing globalised identities of young people through the interplay of music, dance and spoken word.

The show is inspired by the text of Rabindranath Tagore, the Bengali poet and philosopher once commented on the Indian diaspora; "To study a banyan tree, you not only must know its main stem in its own soil, but also must trace the growth of its greatness in the further soil, for then you can know the true nature of its vitality."

The international cast includes Director Harmage Singh Kalirai, musicians, dancers and actors, Shelley King, Soweto Kinch, Anusha Subramanyam, Ratul Shankar Ghosh, Dibyendu Mukherjee and Sanjukta Ray.

Website: http://www.sampad.org.uk/events/

Back to Top

Seminar on Climate Change: 18 October 2010

A seminar "Mobilising the British-Bangladeshi Community for Action on Climate Justice" will be
held at GLA (City Hall) on 18th October.

Date: Monday 18th October 2010 18.00-21.15
Venue: Committee Room 2, GLA, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London, SE1 2AA

Hosted by: Murad Qureshi AM Labour Group Spokesperson on Environment
Speakers from: Bangladeshi High Commission, European Action Group on Climate Change in Bangladesh, Christian Aid, Oxfam, World Development Movement, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

Bangladesh is one of the countries least responsible for causing climate change in terms of its historical and current emissions,
yet it will be one of the countries that will be worst-affected by climate change. Bangladeshi community organisations have already started taking action on climate change but their resources are quite limited and they are not yet linked up with broad based climate change campaigns in the UK (for example activities organised by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition and UK based NGOs). This event is an opportunity to strengthen dialogue between Bangladeshi community leaders/development activists and campaigners/advocacy staff of the environmental and development NGOs. The goals for the meeting will be:
1. Highlighting the role of the GLA in responding to environmental challenges faced by world cities and to encourage the
deeper involvement of British-Bangladeshis in broad-based campaigns on climate change in the UK
2. For the Development and Environment NGOs to better understand the scale and nature of climate change campaign
work and activities undertaken by Bangladeshi communities
3. To provide Bangladeshi community organisations with the knowledge to undertake effective outreach work on climate change, thereby helping to build momentum for political change

This seminar is organised by the Bond Development and Environment sub group on Bangladesh and Climate Change – whose purpose is to facilitate UK NGO campaigning, advocacy and programme learning on the issue of climate change as it affects Bangladesh.

Registration:
Registration is required for this meeting as space will be limited.

Please RSVP latest by 12th October 2010 - state "BritBangla"
Register your interest by emailing Sheeba Härmä: SHarma@oxfam.org.uk stating your name and professional affiliation.

You will receive confirmation of your registration and please take a print out on the day for GLA entry & security reasons

Seminar Agenda:

17.30-18.00: Registrations and tea/coffee (Please allow an extra 10-15mins for City Hall security clearance)

18.00: Welcome: Murad Qureshi AM Labour Group Spokesperson on Environment providing overview of the GLA’s response to climate change issues.

Session 1: Presentations

“Exploring the issues” 18.05-18.45
Climate change in Bangladesh- impacts and responses- Saleemul Huq, IIED
Short film on climate change in Bangladesh – By Hazuan Hashim & Phil Maxwell
Climate Justice: The politics of climate change funding – Tim Jones, World Development Movement
Short Q&A covering presentations and film

“Mobilising for Climate Justice” 18.45-19.20
Overview of UK Bangladeshi community’s work on climate change- Syed Enamul Islam, European Action Group Opportunities for community involvement in public campaigning on climate change- William Tucker, Oxfam
Short Q&A covering presentations

19.20pm: Break/Tea and coffee (10 mins)

Session 2: Panel discussion: 19.30 – 20.15
Chair: Murad Qureshi
Panelists:
1. Allama Siddique - Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner
3. Ben Hobbs, Chair of Bond Sub-group on Bangladesh and Climate Change & Senior Advocacy Officer for Christian Aid
4. Ansar Ahmed Ullah- European Action Group
Followed by a Q&A session and vote of thanks from Murad Qureshi

Session 3: Reception and networking: 20.15pm – 21.15pm
21.15: Close.
* The agenda may be subject to change in relation to speakers

Back to Top

Bengali poetry & Shakespeare meet in Mukul Ahmed's production of The People's Romeo

Love comes to Watermans in Tara Arts inventive re-imaging of Shakespeare's greatest tale of Romantic Love.....

Tara Arts present:
The People's Romeo
Directed by Mukul Ahmed

Wednesday 6 - Sat 16 October @ 7.45pm
Tickets: £12.50 (£10 conc.) Wed 6, Thurs 7, Wed 13, Thurs 14 October @ 7.45pm

Wed 13 October matinee 1.30pm Tickets: £8
Tickets: £15.00 (£12.50) Fri 8, Sat 9, Fri 15 & Sat 16 October @ 7.45pm

Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's greatest tale of Romantic Love, is given an inventive reimagining in this new production of The People's Romeo, by Tara arts, a company that has pioneered cross-cultural theatre for over three decades.

Blending Shakespeare's text with Bengali poetry five talented performers take us through the greatest love story of our times. Sohini Alam sings beautifully while narrator, Dilu engages the audience with his flirtatious style and ability to transform himself into a range of characters, from the hero, Romeo, to Lady Capulet.

Leesa Gazi plays Juliet's Nurse and mother at alternate moments, with Caitlin Thorburn as the wilful Juliet. Percussionist, Swagata Biswas, provides us with a live musical score, creating a range of atmosphere from romantic to fearful. The party scene is great fun while the marquee set created by Sophie Jump, evokes the glamour of the shamianas at Indian weddings. The production is lit by Howard Hudson.

The People's Romeo is a dynamic cross-cultural performance made for our time that uses Pala Gaan, a popular Bengali folk theatre style that combines music, dance and storytelling to re-invent this classic of English theatre.

Pala Gaan was originally performed in the market squares of Bangladesh in the 16th century, at the same time that Shakespeare was staging his plays before London audiences at the Globe Theatre. It is an energetic and highly engaging style of performance designed to draw in the crowds and breathes new life into one of the world's greatest love stories.
Mukul Ahmed's directing credits include: Prints of Denmark (TARA Studio/ Edinburgh); The Girl and the Oil Pipeline; The Rape of Lucrece; Sonata; The Golden Age (Southbank Centre) and three short plays (Theatre 503).

Come with your loved ones and be loved up at Watermans this autumn.

What the reviewers said:

Director Mukul Ahmed may have taken several liberties with Shakespeare's original but the important elements remain and his cast of five performers, including a percussionist and vocalist create an utterly absorbing piece of theatre, The Stage


Both charming and moving, People's Romeo is a brave attempt to try something genuinely new and makes for a culturally enriching and entertaining two hours.
Newshopper.co.uk

People's Romeo is energetic and entertaining with moments that are exciting, moving, and humorous. The Public Reviews

For press tickets, information and images contact: Angela Hinds on 020 8232 1037 or e: angela@watermans.org.uk or Suman Bhuchar on 07930 101894 e:suman@watermans.org.uk

Back to Top

'No suprises' - a Play: Charity Fundraiser - 16 October 2010

Date of Event: 16th October 2010

The Venue: Oxford House Theatre, Derbyshire St, London E2 6HG

An initiative to provide medical care to women and their families in Dhaka and are working in conjunction with an NGO called Tarango (http://www.tarango-bd.org/) who do some excellent work taking destitute women and giving them a safe place to work, salary and independence.

To raise funds a performance will be held of a new play which is a dark comedy set in No.10 Downing Street where Britain's first muslim Prime Minister is facing an international crisis while facing a younger version of himself.

Ticket / Online booking information

Paypal - please use the following link

Please note that this link has been created as a donation rather than a ticket purchase and the website charges a 75p booking fee which has been added to the figure.

Tickets can also be reserved in advance by email or purchased on the door.

Contact Name
Farzana Rahman or Mikail Chowdhury
farzus@yahoo.com or mikailchowdhury@hotmail

Bengal History Week: 2-10 October 2010

EAST INDIA COMPANY WALKS
(Advance booking only)
Saturday 2 October 2010, 3-5pm
City of London and West End by Nick Robins (The Corporation that Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational)

Sunday 3 October 2010, 2-4pm
Invisible Empire and East India Company Dockside by Dr Georgie Wemyss (The Invisible Empire: White Discourse, Tolerance and Belonging)

PLASSEY’S LEGACY: EAST INDIA COMPANY EXHIBITION
Monday 4 – Sunday 10 October 2010
Mile End Arts Pavilion, Ashcroft Rd, E3 5TW
The exhibition is based on the book Plassey’s Legacy: young Londoners explore the hidden story of the East India Company. The book has been written by eight young people (18-25) who explored the London heritage of the East India Company and the city’s historical links with Bengal.

Exhibition Opening hours 9.30am-5.30pm
The exhibition is open to all and Brick Lane Circle particularly welcomes school visits, which can be arranged during weekdays: 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm, starting from Monday afternoon, 4 October 2010.

Monday 4 October 2010, 4.30pm – 8.30pm
Private viewing, special guest speaker, networking and entertainment
More details will be provided in due course

Friday 8 October 2010, 9.30am-2.00pm
Young people’s conference
Half day conference, including lunch, aimed at young people from secondary schools and colleges. The conference will have presentations from a number of young authors of the Plassey’s Legacy book, workshops, refreshment / lunch and informal discussion. Teachers and youth organizations are encouraged to bring their students to participate in this unique conference.
There will be an opportunity for students and young people to learn about shared history, exchange knowledge and experiences with each other and contribute ideas for making heritage learning more interesting and valuable.

DAILY SEMINARS
Tuesday 5 October 2010
Muslim Rule in Bengal (1204-1757) by Mojlum Khan, who was born in Habiganj, Bangladesh and brought up and educated in the UK. He is the author of several publications and research papers including the acclaimed book The Muslim 100: The Lives, Thoughts and Achievements of the Most Influential Muslims in History (2008, reprinted 2009, 2010) and The Muslim Heritage of Bengal (forthcoming). Idea Store Whitechapel, 321 Whitechapel Rd, E1 1BU

Wednesday 6 October 2010, 7-9pm
Bengal Muslim Identity: Mapping Changing Perspectives by Dr Ferhana Hashem, a Research Fellow at the University of Kent. She recently completed two research projects: ‘What kind of language service should public authorities provide to minority groups: the case of Bangladeshis in London’ and 'Ethnic Options of Mixed Race Identity' in Britain’. Ferhana completed her doctorate in political sociology in 2003, which examined Bengal Muslim identity in the Indian subcontinent. Idea Store Chrisp Street, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road, E14 6BT

Thursday 7 October 2010
The beginnings of British rule in Bengal by Dr Jon E. Wilson, who teaches history of South Asia at King's College London, and recently completed a book on the colonial regime in Bengal entitled The Domination of Strangers. He studied History and Anthropology at Oxford University and the New School for Social Research. Idea Store Chrisp Street, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road, E14 6BT

Friday 8 October 2010
The establishment of the Hindu College in Calcutta in 1817 and the 19th Century Bengal Renaissance
Details of speaker and venue to be confirmed

Saturday 9 October 2010, 3.00-5.00pm
Bangladesh: Partitions, Nationalisms and Legacies for State-Building by Professor Mushtaq Khan, who teaches economics at SOAS. He completed his first degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford and then studied PhD in Economics at Cambridge. Previously he taught at the universities of both Oxford and Cambridge. Information on his research interests are available on http://mercury.soas.ac.uk/users/mk17/
Mile End Arts Pavilion, Ashcroft Rd, E3 5TW

Sunday 10 October 2010, 2.00-4.00pm
The ethno-nationalist conflict in Chittagong Hill Tracts: A tale of partition 1947 by Rumana Hashem, who teaches sociology, culture and gender in University of East London. She is finishing her PhD on Gender and Armed Conflict: The case of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Prior to joining UEL she taught sociology and gender in BRAC University.

Sunday 10 October 2010, 4.00-6.00pm
Cultural event
Details to be confirmed
Mile End Arts Pavilion, Ashcroft Rd, E3 5TW

All welcome! Free Entry!
For further details please call 07574224891 or email bricklanecircle@yahoo.co.uk www.bricklanecircle.org

Back to Top

The Anti-Object by Siaf Osmani: 1 - 28 September 2010

Oxford House, Derbyshire Rd, Bethnal Green, London E1
Opening Times: Mon - Fri 9am to 9:30pm Sat 10am to 2pm
Tel: 0207 739 9001

What lies beyond our fixation with corporeal representation and objectification of everyday articles?

With a practice that overlaps architecture and interiors, painting and written script, Saif Osmani's latest exhibition explores the notion of The Anti-Object through a sequence of 'found' objects, creating cross-cultural semiotic links between London (UK), Mecca (Saudi Arabia) and Sylhet (north-east Bangladesh).

By drawing meaning from pre-existing narratives in space, a reality of continuous dimensional experiences becomes possible, beyond concretised religious settings and iconography.

Paintings of Jesus Christ and the crucifix are re-attributing to an Islamic aesthetic, symbolic buildings and spatial environments are materially examined, from the constructs of a stall at a street market to an exploding Kaaba, reconstructed.

Back to Top

Zoe Rahman's Solo Piana Gig: 24 September 2010

Come and hear Zoe at King's Place,
90 York Way, London, N1 9AG.

7.30pm, Hall One

Box Office: 020 7520 1490
Info: www.kingsplace.co.uk

Other upcoming events:

Zoe will be holding a piano workshop and individual lessons alongside other judges at the Nottingham International Piano Competition, from 1st - 3rd October. To book, please go to www.nijpc.com

Upcoming Trio Gigs:

19th October St. Ives Jazz Club
20th October Barnstaple, Devon

More info at: www.zoerahman.com

Back to Top

Art Exhibition: Hamja Ahsan

CURRENT & FORTHCOMING ART PROJECTS
29th June - 23th August
Solo Exhibition: Nation-building
Video Installations & interview series shot in Dhaka and Chittagong
Watermans Arts Centre (Riverside gallery downstairs)
http://www.watermans.org.uk/exhibitions/nation_building_by_hamja_ahsan/
Open 12pm - 11pm daily.

REDO PAKISTAN 2010: DECLARATION OPERATIONS 2010
24th August - 12th September (UK, London & Midlands)
To stay in touch with all events email info@otherasias.com
with SUBCRIBE REDO2 LONDON in the subject header
All events are FREE.

PROLOGUE: DECLARATION
15 minute radio play broadcast on Resonance FM and NMUL
Listen online:
http://ia360705.us.archive.org/14/items/DeclarationOfWar_801/Show15min.mp3

LAUNCH: Tuesday 24th August 2010
Redo Pakistan Edition 2 :
Declaration of War Against the Present Times -
Launch event at Aicon Gallery - 6pm - 9pm
http://www.aicongallery.com/
RSVP (if attending): london@aicongallery.com

Thursday 26th August
REDO PAKISTAN: Films and talks event
Khaldoon Ahmed PakMountain Archive, Hammad Khan (Slackistan) shorts
& more...
Ramadan break: Iftar served
DEPARTURE, 649 Commercial Road. Travel: Limehouse DLR/ train
(2 stops from Bank then 1 minute walk)

Thursday 2nd September - Sohuil G1 Gallery, Midlands. Pop-up exhibition 1pm - 6pm.
Evening talk with Fatima Hussain & Hamja Ahsan: 6.15pm.
http://www.solihull.gov.uk/gallery/21247.htm

Back to Top

Wanted - Actors Musicians Dancer: Tamarind Theatre Company

If interested then send an up to date CV and a supporting statement by 31 August 2010 to Email tamarindtheatre@hotmail.co.uk

Further info call Rokshana Khan on 020 7364 7906

Short listing on 3 September 2010 Interviews 7 September 2010

They are looking for storytellers/actors who are, ideally, multi-disciplined artists. e.g.:

Storyteller/singer
Storyteller/musician (drummer/percussion)
Storyteller/dancer

Essential

· Attend open auditions/specially invited auditions/ and casting calls, interviews.

· Attend ALL training sessions and accompanying workshops special Master classes on and off site, possible hands on visits to schools, including current study of the National Curriculum (KS1/2). Storytelling, performing in schools, theatres & community venues.

· Be prepared to learn, develop, train about how Tamarind Theatre Company work in schools and theatres and community venues. Working with artists, actors and members/professionals of other organisations.
· Have an up to date enhanced CRB check or be prepared to take one.

· Have some basic awareness/knowledge of the skills required in performing in public, to families and other diverse audiences. This will include interacting with audience members during specific parts of the show, including some with special needs.

Desirable:
· Be able to speak one or more community language from the Indian Sub-continent.

· Have the ability to assist in other areas of production if called to do and take other responsibilities/look after costumes, props, administrative, advertising & marketing, research, evaluation, assessments etc

Back to Top

The House of Bilquis Bibi

Tamasha and Harrogate Theatre present

Play by Sudha Bhuchar
adapted from The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca

22 July - 14 August 2010
Hampstead Theatre
020 7722 9301
www.hampsteadtheatre.com

Ila Arun and Indira Joshi lead an all-female cast as Lorca's domestic drama is retold in present-day Pakistan

Bilquis Bibi rules over her household with a rod of iron and a stifling love which cages her five daughters. Like butterflies forever cocooned, they long to shimmer and show their true colours.

When her husband dies suddenly, Bilquis agrees for eldest girl Abida to become engaged to her nephew Pappo. He brings with him the hope of love and the American dream.

Bilquis turns a blind eye to the illicit nightly visits Pappo pays to his fiancée's balcony. But what will happen when she realises that more than one daughter is staying awake for him?

Tamasha celebrates its 21st year with a passionate new interpretation of Federico García Lorca's masterpiece, The House of Bernarda Alba. Set in the Punjabi town of Jhang - a town steeped in the tragedy and romance of the Heer Ranjha legend - The House of Bilquis Bibi tells a personal yet subtly political story of small town lives with global ties.

Ila Arun - star of Bollywood blockbuster Jodhaa Akbar and hit TV show Fame Gurukul - plays the domineering matriarch Bilquis. She leads an all-female cast of nine, which also includes Indira Joshi (The Kumars at No. 42, Grumpy Old Women).

Directed by Kristine Landon-Smith
Designed by Sue Mayes
Lighting design by Natasha Chivers
Sound design by Mike Furness
Cast: Ila Arun, Ghizala Avan, Rina Fatania, Mariam Haque, Indira Joshi, Youkti Patel, Shalini Peiris, Vineeta Rishi and Balvinder Sopal

TICKETS
£15 previews and Monday
£20 Tues - Fri evenings and matinees
£25 Sat evenings
£10 Under 26s, students, jobseekers and disabled people (excludng Sat evenings)

Back to Top

Akram Khan and Nitin Sawhney: Confluence at Sadler's Wells: 20 - 24 July 2010

Two of the UK's most exciting artists, the multi award-winning composer Nitin Sawhney and Sadler's Wells Associate Artist, dancer-choreographer Akram Khan, return to the Sadler's Wells stage with Confluence, following its sell-out run at the Svapnagata festival at Sadler's Wells in November 2009.
Both Khan and Sawhney are long-time collaborators and the highly acclaimed Confluence fuses Sawhney's bewitching music with Khan's unique blend of classical kathak and contemporary dance and offers the opportunity to celebrate their history and personal journey together.
Previous collaborations by the two artists for Sadler's Wells include the critically acclaimed bahok and the universally celebrated zero degrees.

Performances at 7.30pm
Tickets: £10 - £35
Ticket office: 0844 412 4300

www.sadlerswells.com

Back to Top

World City Music Village: 30 June to 11 July 2010

FREE FESTIVAL WEEKENDS: 1 – 9pm each day

A glittering showcase of world artists all over London
Featuring over 60 world class London groups and soloists at venues across
the city, including: Bengali arias, Pakistani qawaali, Irish Folk,
Afro-beat, Romany violins, Cuban timba, Transylvanian jazz-rock, Voodoo
R&B, Ethio trad, Steelband & calypso and Zimbabwean jit-jive.

Victoria Park: Sat 3 & Sun 4 July 2010
Some of the highlights include Ghouri Choudhury Bangladeshi folk diva
sings Tagore and Nazrul; and Poetic Pilgrimage (female muslim rappers from
Jamaica)& London's top qawali singer Amir Khan.

Hyde Park: Sat 10 & 11 Sun July 2010

More Info:
http://www.culturalco-operation.org

Back to Top

Camden Bangladesh Mela 2010: 4th July 2010 @ Regents Park

Organised by the Mela Committee in association with British Museum.

Venue: Regent's Park, Cumberland Green, London
Date & Time: Sunday 4th July 2010
Time: 12 noon and 6.30pm

You are all welcome to join.

The Event is Free for all to attend. 20,000 visitors is expected this year, there will be a massive show and a spectacular audience.

Back to Top

A Summer of Melas 2010: BBC Asian Network

BBC Asian Network is gearing up for its biggest and best summer of Melas ever. This years run of 12 events starts on Sunday 6th June, at Preston Mela. Check out this page for more mela announcements over the coming weeks, including artists and which Asian Network presenters and DJs you can catch.

www.bbc.co.uk


Back to Top

Summer Science Exhibition 2010: 25 June 2010 - 04 July 2010

Meet the minds behind some of the UK's most exciting scientific advances. From machine intelligence to green energy, try out the interactive exhibits and question the scientists themselves.
The Royal Society's annual Summer Science Exhibition offers a fantastic opportunity to discover the best science and technology research from across the UK.
Free entry for all

Start Time: 6.00pm - 8.30pm
Date: 25 June 2010 to 04 July 2010
Venue: Southbank Centre's The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall, London

Weblink: http://royalsociety.org

Back to Top

Greenwich & Docklands International Festival: 24, 25 & 26 June 2010

GRAVITY National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, Thurs 24 June 10pm

FREE (no ticket required) Runs approx 25 mins
Opening night spectacle including fireworks launching The Greenwich Festivals
Presented in association with Greenwich Dance

This opening night dance extravaganza will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief as Catalan choreographer Toni Mira, creates gravity-defying magic in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum. For one night only, Greenwich’s iconic Queen’s House will be transformed into a giant playhouse for 10 local dancers, accompanied by original music from composer Jules Maxwell and exquisite imagery from film maker Roswitha Chesher. Previously only seen in Barcelona and Granada, Toni Mira’s innovative concept receives its UK premiere at GDIF, in a brand new production created specially for the Festival’s opening night.
Part of Big Dance 2010

Commissioned by GDIF in association with Greenwich Dance

SUFI:ZEN Greenwich Park, Greenwich, SE10, Fri 25 - Sat 26 June 10pm

FREE (no ticket required) Runs approx 25 mins
Akademi South Asian Dance UK and Red Earth
Presented in association with Greenwich Dance
The elemental landscape of Greenwich Park provides the setting for this ritualistic fusion of Asian dance and environmental art. In a timeless setting, the intensity of Sufi mysticism encounters the stillness of the Zen monks, framed by art installations created from locally sourced natural materials and fire effects. Sufi:Zen will transform a familiar wooded glade into a sacred grove, connecting audiences with global cultures in an experience which promises to both enlighten and inspire.

Please note Sufi:Zen contains fire and smoke effects
Part of Big Dance 2010
Commissioned by Without Walls and Lakes Alive

Red Earth installations commissioned by GDIF

Join them for some amazing international theatre spectacle alongside new commissions and London premieres from a whole host of outstanding companies. Nowhere else in the capital this summer can you time travel 20 years from now, encounter wolves in the heart of the city, cheer on commuters as they abandon their briefcases to take to the skies or observe an archipelago of islands emerging from the water!

“An event whose annual contribution to the happiness of the people of London is unrivalled” THE GUARDIAN

More info www.festival.org

Back to Top

11th Rainbow Film Festival: Until 3 June 2010

After successfully running ten consecutive festivals The Rainbow Film Festival continues for its 11th year. The main festival will take place at Rich Mix and other venues including Brady Arts Centre and five different schools in Tower Hamlets. The festival will screen films from Asian countries including short, documentary and features.

www.richmix.org.uk

Back to Top

Zoe Rahman & Idris Rahman: 29 May 2010 - 19 June 2010

Saturday 29th May 2010
Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG

Part of the Sound & Silent series from Birds Eye View
DOUBLE BILL: "I DON’T WANT TO BE A MAN!" SILENT FILM WITH ORIGINAL LIVE SCORE FROM ZOE RAHMAN and PATRICK ILLINGWORTH + "THE DANGER GIRL" WITH ORIGINAL LIVE SCORE FROM JUICE

Tel: 020 7014 2840
19:30, Hall One

http://www.kingsplace.co.uk

Wednesday 2nd June 2010
Hideaway, 2 EMPIRE MEWS, STREATHAM, LONDON SW16 2ED

Quartet with Pat Illingworth, drums, Oli Hayhurst, bass and Idris Rahman, clarinet

Time: 7pm
Ticket: £8

TEL: 0208 835 7070

www.hideawaylive.co.uk

Friday 18th June 2010
Vortex, 11 Gillett Street, London N16 8JH. Tel: 020 7254 4097

Trio with Davide Mantovani on bass and Gene Calderazzo on drums
Double bill opposite Stan Tracey Trio

www.vortexjazz.co.uk


Saturday 19th June 2010
All Saints Church, Putney Common, Putney SW15 1BH

A special one-off acoustic gig.

Trio with Idris Rahman, clarinet, and Kuljit Bhamra, percussion, playing music from their highly acclaimed album "Where Rivers Meet" in an acoustic trio setting.

8pm, £12/8
Ticket hotline 07983 151 441
or email richard.morley@mceuk.com

Back to Top

BANGLADESH TOUR OF ENGLAND 2010: 06 May to 13 July 2010

Venue:

Lord’s: 27 to 31 May 2010 Bangladesh Vs England 1st Test (Day 1-5)

Old Trafford: 4 June to 08 June 2010 Bangladesh Vs England 2nd Test (Day1-5)

Hove: 03 July 2010 1 Day Warm up Vs. Sussex

TBC: 05 July 2010 1 Day Warm up Vs. Middlesex

Trent Bridge: 08 July 201 1st ODI Bangladesh Vs England

Bristol: 10 July 2010 2nd ODI Bangladesh Vs England

Edgbaston: 13 July 2010 3rd ODI Bangladesh Vs England

Back to Top

The Merchants of Bollywood: Peacock Theatre - 18 May to 15 June 2010

A theatrical dance spectacular, The Merchants of Bollywood charts the history of the world's largest and most prolific film industry, and the dynasty of stars that have lit its way over generations. Featuring a cast of 40 performers and an extravagant array of over 1,000 glittering costumes, this turbo-charged, joyfully uplifting show is a riot of swirling colours, high-energy music and sensational dance scenes choreographed by one of Bollywood's top young choreographers, Vaibhavi Merchant.

The Merchants of Bollywood
Peacock Theatre
Portugal Street, London WC2

Weblink: www.sadlerswells.com

Back to Top

Baishakhi Mela Brick Lane: 23rd May 2010

Brick Lane, Shoreditch, London, E1 6PU
Telephone: 020 7364 7909

The annual Baishakhi Mela in London Brick Lane will feature food stalls, colourful parades and rickshaw rides to celebrate the Bengali New Year. Join the festivities in May 2010 as the Bengali world rejoices and bring your friends and family.

London Brick Lane is famous for its curry houses so it shouldn't be hard to find a great meal while enjoying the festivities; although you should expect restaurants to be busy! Conventional costumes, tigers and rituals will be plentiful. Elephants will be the highlights of this annual celebration parade in London. The festivities generally start with a long parade from London Allen Gardens to Weavers Fields, along Brick Lane in London, led by neighbouring children in stunning customary dress. You should sample the renowned hot birianis, baltis and vindaloos from the several restaurants and popular stalls which put Brick Lane in London on the map.

Attend the annual Baishakhi Mela celebration in London's Brick Lane and see some traditional rituals, taste delicious food and celebrate the exciting Bengali New Year!

For more information on the Baishakhi Mela in London, please phone 020 7364 7909 and general enquires to: mela@baishakhimela.org.uk.

Visiting Baishakhi Mela in London:

Time: 11:00 - 19:00

Age Restrictions: N/A

Nearest Underground Stations: Aldgate East

Back to Top

Victoria and Abdul The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant: 26 March 2010

To be launched by the eminent film-maker
Gurinder Chadha
Chair Dr. Amin Jaffar
Guests of Honour Sir Alexander and Lady Michaela Reid
Monday 29 March 2010 at 6.30 pm
The Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF

RSVP: sudeept@nehrucentre.org.uk

In June 1887 two Indian servants were sent to Queen Victoria as a present for her Golden Jubilee. One was the 24-year-old Abdul Karim. Young Karim immediately caught the Queen's eye and was rapidly promoted to become her Indian Secretary. He cooked her curries, became her Hindustani tutor and delighted the elderly Queen with his stories about India. She honoured him with titles, gave him houses in Windsor, Balmoral and Osborne and extensive land in Agra. He advised her on Indian politics and soon became the lonely monarch's closest companion. Despite the objections of her family and courtiers, who even threatened to overthrow her on grounds of 'insanity', the Queen stood by Karim till her last days, and refused to let him go. Victoria & Abdul is the story of an unusual relationship between the Empress of India and a humble servant which flourished at a time when the British Empire was at its height. At its heart, it is a story of love and friendship.
Shrabani Basu is the correspondent for the Kolkata-based Ananda Bazar Patrika Group, and writes for The Telegraph and other publications. She is the author of Curry: The Story of the Nation's Favourite Dish and the critically acclaimed Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan, a compelling biography of the exotic Second World War heroine executed by the Gestapo, soon to be made into a film.

Back to Top

My Golden Bangla: 26 March 2010

Fri 26 Mar / 8pm / £12 / £10 concs
Click to book tickets online or call our Box Office on 020 7613 7498

To mark Bangladesh Independence day, Rich Mix will be launching Cuts, a photography exhibition by Robert Streeter. Hosting a stellar line up of live music, spoken word, dance, visuals and exclusive sets celebrating the best of British talent. The Original ADF line up come together to perform their tribute to the revolutionary poet Nasrul Islam.
Check out details of the line up below.

State Of Bengal & Paban Das Baul Live
Arun Ghosh (Clarinet) / Idris Rahman (Sax) / Kishon Khan (Piano)
Asian Dub Foundation - Rebel Warrior / Exclusive
Deeder Zaman & Dr Das (bass)
Amina Khayyam / Dance Commission
A Golden Age
Sarah Sayeed
Naga / BBC Blast & SLAMbassadors winning lyricist
Sh8s
DJ Badeshi

Curator and Artistic Direction: Sweety Kapoor
Commissioned Media Artist: Hamja Ashan


http://www.richmix.org.uk/aandc_bangladesh.htm

Back to Top

'Where River Meets' Album - Zoe Rahman & Idris Rahman: 12 March 2010

Duo with Idris Rahman on clarinet playing music from their 'Where Rivers Meet' album
Alongside photographic exhibition: "Where Three Dreams Cross": 150 years of Photography from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7QX
info: +44 (0)20 7522 7878
Other enquiries: +44 (0)20 7522 7888
8pm, tickets £10

www.whitechapelgallery.org

Back to Top

Rana Begum New Works: February to March 2010

Solo Exhibition:
Dealing with architectural propositions as much as with the formal possibilities of Minimalism, No.207 is an attempt to condense the urban experience to its most significant elements, to abstract analogous visual stimuli and subsequently articulate them into concrete forms and lights. Feeding on the architecture of a space, cutting lines across and reorganising it according to abstract cartographies, No.207 draws powerful associations between culture, architecture and design, and reinvents our relationship to artificial spaces.

Date: 5 February - 02 March 2010
Monday - Saturday , 10:00 – 18:00
Venue: 29 Catherine Place, Westminster, London SW1E

Artist Talk: Rana Begum in conversation with Charles Danby 17 February 2010, 19:00 - 20:00
Charles Danby is a writer and curator based in London. He is a co-founder of PROJECKT, a curatorial research partnership that considers new media technologies through broadcast and live event. He is a guest curator at the Siobhan Davies Studios, London, and is the 2010 curator at Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium in Norway. Charles has written for international arts publications including Flash Art, Frieze, Art Issue and Art Review.

Limited seats available, early rsvp essential: rsvp@delfinafoundation.com

Website: http://www.ranabegum.com

Back to Top

150 Years of Photography From India, Pakistan & Bangladesh: January to April 2010

Photo Exhibition:
Where Three Dreams Cross: 150 Years of Photography from India, Pakistan
and Bangladesh

Venue: Whitechapel Gallery London E1
From: 21 January - 11 April 2010

More details: Telephone 0207 522 7878

See article link:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/jan/06/bangladesh-pakistan-india-photography

Back to Top

1,000 Years of Science From the Muslim World: Science Museum: January to April 2010

An exhibition that has just opened at the Science Museum is celebrating
1,000 years of science from the Muslim world.
The free exhibition runs from 21 January to 25 April with a break between
25 February and 12 March.

Science Musuem, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
Open: 10am – 6pm every day
Entry: FREE

Website: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Guardian Article : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8472111.stm

Back to Top

Empire Strikes Back - Indian Art Today: January to May 2010

SAATCHI GALLERY EXHIBITION
Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, London, SW3 4SQ
From: 29th January - 7th May 2010
Entry: FREE

Weblink: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/the-new-india.htm

Back to Top

State of Bengal: Friday 22 January 2010, 8pm

An innovator in the Asian Underground scene, British DJ and producer Sam Zaman (State Of Bengal) will be performing a unique mixture of Bengali folk and Western dance music.

Venue: Whitechapel Gallery
Tickets: £8.00
For info

If you are an Associate, Patron or Exhibition Patron of the Whitechapel Gallery please e-mail supporters@whitechapelgallery.org to reserve your free tickets to this event (subject to availability). Please click here to find out more about the benefits of joining the Whitechapel Gallery.

Back to Top