Mumbai Theatre
An Anarchist Faces The Audience
A treat for theatre lovers, the Pratibimb Marathi Natya Utsav is back in its seventh edition. The five-day festival, which showcases the best of contemporary works, will present new plays by renowned dramatists. The programme is a mix of themes and styles, each performance followed by a discussion with the cast and crew. This year, the Utsav will open with a play by Mihir Rajda, Don’t Worry Be Happy—a story of an urban couple and their marital strife, served with a hint of humour. Scheduled day two is Tarkachya Khunteevaroon Nisatlele Rahasya, the story of a boy obsessed with finishing a mystery story left incomplete by his uncle; Tichya Aaichi Goshta, Arthat Mazya Athavanincha Phad, the story of a lavani dancer; and Me, Pandurang Sangavikar, a representation of Dr Bhalchandra Nemade’s Kosla and Dekhani. The following days will have Vipul Mahagaonkar’s play Khidki, based on Dario Fo’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist, followed by a dramatic retelling of Ram Ganesh Gadkari’s Ekach Pyala, a famous early 20th century Marathi play, as Sindhu Sudhakar Rum Ani Itar. It all ends with a Marathi adaptation of a Gujarati play written by Madhu Ray—Ha Shekhar Khosla Kon Aahe? Aug 5-9, Experimental Theatre & Godrej Dance Theatre
Ahmedabad Film
The Illusion Shall Not Vanish
The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) is completing its tour in Ahmedabad. With 24 award-winning movies, the ten-day long festival celebrates a heady mix of romance, comedy, drama, animation, action and more. Up front is Coriolanus, a 2011 adaptation of Shakespeare’s play. Directed by Ralph Fiennes, it presents a contemporary version of riot-stricken Rome. Other highlights include L’illusionniste, the tale of an out-of-work illusionist who has a life-changing experience when he finds love in Scotland. Jack is the story of an abandoned ten-year-old who with his six-year-old brother copes with living on his own. Urban Family is a musical about a woman whose life changes when the son she abandoned comes back, and the Spanish film Flamenco From the Roots, the story of a street-cleaner who is also an authentic flamenco master. Finally, there is Block 12, Afterlife, The Irish Rebellion, Silent Heart, Three Brothers, Wild Duck, and others unlikely to be seen elsewhere. Aug 4-14, Alliance Francaise
This Too
Calcutta Art Galerie 88 brings Perspecta—an annual group exhibition, with 17 young artists, including Alakananda Nag, Buddhadev Mukherjee, Mausumi Roy, Khageswar Rout, Partha Protim Gayen and Rudranil Das. Till Aug 20
And Also
Delhi Art
Devotee’s Journey
A solo show by contemporary artist Ritu Gupta, A Hue of Devotion is an exploration of inner peace—a display of the artist’s traditional art style, with intricate design, layered colour, rich tone and signature texture and imagery. Gupta got her Masters in fine arts from D.G. College in Kanpur University and has since delved into the country’s diversity, its people, history, religion, customs and culture for inspiration. Awed by Lord Krishna, most of Gupta’s works tell tales from the love of Radha and Krishna, a mix of approachable art and traditional iconography, which has brought the artist’s learning curve to a stable plane. Till Aug 3, IHC
Pune Music
Pouring Ragas
The monsoons are here and what better way to usher them in than through musical celebrations with the masters Anand Bhate and Ustad Shujaat Khan in Barkha Ritu, a festival of the seasonal ragas. The 15th edition of one of India’s top monsoon music festivals is a tribute to the legendary Pt Bhimsen Joshi. There are melodies that call on the rain gods requesting for a long stay of the season, praise for good rains, and happy tunes to swing to. Aug 5, Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir
