Kuala Lumpur Navarathiri Dance Festival… 9 days celebrating Durga

Asthana Arts and Central Market Management will be organizing Kuala Lumpur Navarathiri Dance Festival commencing from 1st – 9th October 2008. The period of nine days and nights when Goddess Durga fought the Asura is celebrated as Navarathiri in worldwide.

The Goddess is worshipped during these nine days and nights as it signifies the fight of the good over evil. Goddess Durga is considered as the personification of courage, strength, and power and praying to the goddess, helps one to be blessed with all these qualities especially during Navarathiri. [more]

(Organizer: Asthana Arts & Central Market Management – Kuala Lumpur)

Unity In Diversity… Interviews from Middle East and South Asia (globaloneness, Sept 2008)

(Extract | News 29th September 2008 | Globalonenessproject.org)

New Interviews from the Middle East and South Asia

Unity In Diversity

…

A View from India
Filmed last year on our trip to India, our interview with Arabinda Basu, a philosopher and scholar of the yoga of Sri Aurobindo, has recently been added to our online video library. In this interview, Basu describes the subtle but dynamic relationship between the inner consciousness of unity and the outer diversity of life.

New Living Library DVD Gets Subtitles… Unidad – Einheit – Unité – Oneness
Spreading New Ways of Thinking and Living Has Just Gotten Easier

We’re pleased to announce that our latest reprint of the Global Oneness Project: Living Library (Vol. 1) now includes subtitles in Spanish, German and French. Gather a dozen or more people – friends, neighbors, students – and share these films in your living room, classroom or community meeting place. Then, be sure to pass the DVD along to someone else who wants to share it too.

(Source: 09/29/2008 – Global Oneness Project : P.O. Box 151020 : San Rafael, CA 94915 : info@globalonenessproject.org)

Books of Arabinda Basu… (not complete)

• Anthropometric Variations in Assam, Bihar, and Orissaby
  Anthropological Survey of India, Arabinda Basu, J. Sreenath
  Hardcover, Anthropological Survey of India,
  ISBN 8185579296 (81-85579-29-6)

• Anthropometric Variations in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmirby Anthropological Survey of India, Arabinda Basu, J. Sreenath
  Hardcover, Anthropological Survey of India,
  ISBN 8185579423 (81-85579-42-3)

Short films of Arabinda Basu… (not complete)

• Addressing the Issue of Poverty
  http://dotsub.com/view/ad51c3c3-944d-4488-a42a-e6362984d436
• Finding Unity in Everyday Life
  http://dotsub.com/view/0f4b455f-0797-4ae9-94d7-db6c5b333ea
• Waking the Sleeping Soul of Humanity
  http://dotsub.com/view/6c76fb72-ebd4-4496-8598-66120baec14b
• Resistance to Change
  http://dotsub.com/view/c8d760a6-0ade-41a0-ad18-60f4d101104a

Rabindranath Sangeet – Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta on tour in Japan

Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta will be touring JAPAN from 12th Oct – 20th Oct 2008…

World Friendship Program – Dream of India

Swagata Lakshmi’s Official Website | MySpace.com

“3 masters and 1 night” presented by Friend of DAMAT

3 masters and 1 night presented by Friend of DAMAT

Anurekkha Ghosh and her musicians will perform ‘TASLIM’ – the pure tradition of Kathak dance. Salil Shankar – the sitar maestro will perform with Pritam Singh on Tabla.

Time & Place…

Date: Sunday, November 9, 2008
Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Adrian Boult Hall – Birmingham, UK
Street: Birmingham Conservatoire, University of Birmingham
City/Town: Birmingham, United Kingdom

Contact Info…

Phone: 01216050290
Email: admin@anurekhaghoshcompany.com

Ali Akbar College of Music: Film Night and Celebration of Ragas (October 2008)

On Friday, October 3rd the Ali Akbar College of Music will be showing a concert featuring Maestros Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri filmed in Kolkata on 12-30-1996. The ragas played were Hem Bihag, Hindol Hem, and Zilla Kafi with Ragmala. The concert was given by ITC for their Sangeet Sammelan.

Saturday, October 18th & Sunday, October 19th:

Ali Akbar College of Music Presents:
A Celebration of Ragas
Morning, Afternoon and Evening

These performances are offered Free of Charge, seating is limited.

Saturday, October 18th & Sunday, October 19th
Featuring: Aashish Khan, Swapan Chaudhuri, Alam Khan
Presenting: Bruce Hamm, Tim Witter, Brad Van Cleave, Wallace Harvey, Rachel Unterseher, Javad Butah, Arjun Verma, Javad Butah, Neil Bhalerao, Shaunak Adkar, Nilan Chaudhuri, and Gaayatri Kaundinya

Saturday, 5 PM
Wallace Harvey – violin
Rachel Unterseher – viola
Javad Butah – tabla

Saturday, 6 PM
Gaayatri Kaundinya
Nikhil Pandya – tabla
Accompanied by Rachel Unterseher
And Wallace Harvey

Dinner Break with Lotus Restaurant

Saturday, 7:30 PM
Neil Bhalerao – tabla
Shaunak Adkar – tabla
Nilan Chaudhuri – tabla

Saturday, 8:30 PM
Alam Khan – sarode
Swapan Chaudhuri – tabla

Sunday, 11 AM
Bruce Hamm – sarode
Arjun Verma – sitar
Javad Butah – tabla

Sunday, 12:30 PM
Tim Witter – tabla
Brad Van Cleave – tabla

Sunday, 1:30 PM
Aashish Khan – sarode
Swapan Chaudhuri – tabla

All performances will be held at the AACM Campus, 215 West End Avenue, San Rafael
Suggested Donation $5 – $10

(Source: © 2008 Ali Akbar College of Music | Newsletter 25th September)

Promoting Social Cohesion – The Role of Community Media (09/24/2008)

(24 Sep 08) Peter Lewis’ study on social cohesion and community media for the Council of Europe has been published on the Council of Europe’s website [download].

The brief

This report was prepared following guidelines provided by the Group of Specialists on Media Diversity (MC-S-MD) which are as follows:

1. Identify the most important issues concerning the relationship between media and social cohesion.
2. Summarise existing definitions (including legal ones) of “third sector media”, eundrstood as media which are neither public nor commercial, and taking into account that “third sector media” are also loosely referred to as community, local, minority, non-profit and social media. The classification of “third sector media” should include, among others, the following aspects: ownership, structure, funding, content/programming, audience involvement and different platforms, including new media.
3. Provide an outline of the discussion on the positive and negative aspects of the role of “third sector media” in society. Efforts should be aimed at summing up the controversies raised by “third sector media”, especially debates as to whether “third sector media” contribute to social cohesion and integration or threaten it. The summary should be illustrated with a number of case studies focused on different countries. (N.B. These could include non-member states such as USA and Canada)
4. Describe existing measures to support third sector media (including financial and technical measures) either by governmental or non-governmental bodies/organisations. An outline for the report was provided by the consultant (31 August 2007) for circulation to the group of specialists and consideration at the group’s meeting on 10 September 2007 in Strasbourg. The consultant’s presentation was followed by a discussion that identified a number of additional points for inclusion in the report, for further research, or where additional sources could be investigated.

(Source: 09/2008 – CMFE – Community Media Forum Europe)

UTSAV2008: South Asian Performing Arts Festival (Seattle)

http://www.ragamala.org

presents

U t s a v 2 0 0 8

Seattle’s 5th Annual South Asian Performing Arts Festival
A feast of Music and Dance of India

Friday, Oct 4, 7:30 PM
South Indian Vocal Classical Concert by Maharajapuram Ramachandran
B. U. Ganesh Prasad (Violin)
Mannargudi Easwaran (Mridangam)
Brechemin Auditorium Music Building, UW Campus
Admission: Free*

Friday, Oct 10, 7:30 PM
Bharata Natyam Dance of India
Brechemin Auditorium Music Building, UW Campus
Admission: Free*

Saturday, Oct 11, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Music and Dance performances by talented community artists
Center House, Seattle Center
Admission: Free*

Sunday, Oct 12, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Music and Dance performances by talented community artists
Rousing Percussion Finale at 2:30 PM by
Tabla Maestro Tala Yogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkar
Center House, Seattle Center
Admission: Free*

Wednesday, Oct 15, 7:30 PM
Tabla workshop by
Tabla Maestro Pt Suresh Talwalkar
Brechemin Auditorium Music Building, UW Campus
Admission: Free*

Friday, Oct 17, 7:30 PM
Vocal and Percussion Performance by
Maestro Talwalkar and his troupe from India
Brechemin Auditorium Music Building, UW Campus
Admission: Free*

Saturday, Nov 1, 7:30 PM
North Indian Classical Vocal Concert by Hemant Pendse
Harshad Kanetkar (Tabla)
Sharad Gadre (Harmonium)
Brechemin Auditorium Music Building, UW Campus
Admission: Free*

....

(* These concerts are partially funded by a grant from City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods)

For more information, please visit www.ragamala.org or call 425-481-7729

Steven Spielberg jetzt mit indischem Geldgeber (dpa)

(dpa) Los Angeles – Starregisseur Steven Spielberg hat einen Millionendeal mit einem indischen Geldgeber und damit die Trennung vom Hollywood-Studio Paramount besiegelt. Die indische Investment-Firma Reliance ADA wird sich mit 500 Millionen bis 1,2 Milliarden Dollar an Spielbergs Produktionsfirma DreamWorks SKG beteiligen. Filmexperten rechnen damit, dass Dreamworks künftig rund sechs Filme pro Jahr herausbringen will.

(Quelle: 22. Sept. 2008 – Hamburger Abendblatt)

DreamWorks signs deal with Reliance ADA (REUTERS)

Los Angeles: The principals behind DreamWorks SKG on Friday signed a long-expected deal with Reliance ADA Group of India to start a new $1.2 billion film company, allowing the studio co-founded by director Steven Spielberg to part ways with Paramount Pictures.

The Hollywood-Bollywood linkup of DreamWorks and the Mumbai-based entertainment, financial and telecommunications giant caps two years of speculation and feuding between Spielberg and his DreamWorks co-founder David Geffen with executives from Paramount and its corporate parent, Viacom Inc.

DreamWorks had no immediate comment on formation of the new film company, which two sources close to the deal valued at $1.2 billion.

The transaction was confirmed in a statement by Paramount, saying it had waived “certain provisions” from its original deal with DreamWorks “to clear the way for the DreamWorks principals and their employees to join their new company without delay.”

Under the deal, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, Reliance will invest about $500 million in equity, while J.P. Morgan Chase & Co will provide $700 million in debt toward the new venture.

The basics of the pact first came to light in June, but the fine points of the agreement have been under negotiation until this week, sources told Reuters.

With the deal completed, it is expected the DreamWorks principals will turn their attention to finding a partner to distribute roughly six DreamWorks films a year.

Spielberg has long ties to General Electric Co’s Universal Pictures, which is widely regarded as a leading choice to release future DreamWorks movies. But no deal with Universal is known to have been reached.

Reliance is an Indian conglomerate with operations in telecommunications, financial services and energy, though it has more recently branched out into show business.

The deal between DreamWorks and Reliance comes as financing in Hollywood has become increasingly tight due to the credit crisis on Wall Street.

In turning to Reliance, DreamWorks wins access to a stable source of financing, while Reliance stands poised to use the partnership to expand its reach into the US movie market.

Reliance, which is controlled by billionaire Anil Ambani, in May signed deals with eight Hollywood production houses run by A-list actors, including George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

Relations between the DreamWorks principals and Paramount have been strained since DreamWorks was acquired by the Viacom-owned studio in 2006. Last year, Viacom Chief Executive, Philippe Dauman, caused a stir when he told investors that if Spielberg left it would be “immaterial” to the company.

ADAG services to converge at Gameplex

Anil Ambani group plane faces seizure

More India business stories

(Source: 20th Sept 2008 (13:16) – Sifi.com – India News Portal)

Unglaubliches Indien – Braunschweig-Messe (27.09.-05.10.2008)

Eine Reise in das faszinierende Indien…

Mit einzigartigen Erlebniswelten entführt die Messe regelmäßig in faszinierende Länder und Regionen dieser Welt und begeistert damit die Besucher. Dieses Jahr geht es in das sagenhafte Land der Maharadschas.

..

Unter dem Titel „Unglaubliches Indien“ können Sie auf ihrer exotischen Reise eindrucksvolle indische Landschaften mit ihrer besonderen Flora und Fauna erleben. Dabei sehen Sie das weltberühmte Taj Mahal (Agra, Uttar Pradesh), das Shah Jahan im 17. Jahrhundert als Grabmal für seine Frau errichten ließ, als Hintergrundkulisse.

…

Buntes Markttreiben und kulinarische Erlebnisse

Auf einem bunten Markt bieten Händler ihre indische Waren feil, u. a. Schmuck aus verschiedenen Materialien, indisches Kunsthandwerk, Parfümöle, Duft- und Räucherstäbchen, Klangschalen, Accessoires, Taschen, Tischdecken, Bettüberwürfe, Wandbehänge, Bronzefiguren und edle Saris aus Seiden-, Baumwoll- oder Brokatstoffen. Der Sari ist das traditionelle Kleidungsstück indischer Frauen, das immer noch gerne getragen wird. Wer sich mit dem Gedanken trägt, Indien live zu erleben, der findet hier auch einen Spezialisten für Indien-Reisen.
Wer die Köstlichkeiten der indischen Küche kennen lernen möchte, sollte einen Besuch im indischen Spezialitätenrestaurant einplanen, wo man einen ersten Eindruck von der Vielfalt und Qualität der indischen Küche erhält.

Bühnenprogramm mit Tanz und Musik

Indiens Musik- und Tanzstile erleben die Messebesucher beim farbenprächtigen und unterhaltsamen Programm auf der Showbühne. Bei Auftritten verschiedener Gruppen bekommt man einen interessanten Einblick in die unterschiedlichen Varianten indischer Musik und Tänze.

Die Tänze, die das Kathak-Ensemble Ioanna Srinivasan mit rasanten Drehungen, rezitierenden Rhythmen und eleganten raumgreifenden Bewegungen zeigt, erwecken die alten Sagen und Geschichten Indiens zum Leben. Mit grazilen Finger-, Hand-, und Kopfbewegungen sowie präziser Fußarbeit, erzählt der klassische Tanzstil Bharatha Natyam, den die indische Choreografin Radha Sarma auf der Bühne mehrmals täglich präsentiert, die faszinierenden Geschichten aus der hinduistischen Mythologie.

Die klassisch ausgebildeten Musiker der Gruppe Yogendra präsentieren Ihnen Ragas und Ghazals – klassisch begleitet von Sitar, Tabla und Dilruba.

v.l.n.r.: Ioanna Srinivasan (Berlin) | Yogendra (Jens Eckert, Braunschweig) | Radha Sarma (Braunschweig)

....

• Flyer (Besucherinfo)
• Hallenplan
• aktueller Newsletter (update II)
• Presse (19.09.2008)

(Quelle: Braunschweig Messe – Highlights)

Kathak by Ioanna Srinivasan