A weekend with comic capers and musical evenings

Some recommendations to enliven your weekend

DELHI

Art

The significance of private collectors: A selection of artifacts, paintings and textiles will be showcased at the National Museum. Titled ‘A Passionate Eye: Textiles, Paintings and Sculptures, the exhibition will feature a selection of items donated by C L Bharany to the Museum in 1976 along with some objects from his private collection. Curated by Giles Tillotson, Pramod Kumar KG and Mrinalini Venkateswaran and designed by Siddhartha Chatterjee, the event will explore the role played by private collectors in enriching India’s public museums.

Where: National Museum, Janpath, New Delhi
When: August 14

Theatre and stand up comedy

Ancient epic revisited: Actor Factor Theatre Company presents Bali - The Sacrifice, an English play written by Girish Karnad. Taking inspiration from an ancient Kannada epic, the play explores the intricacy of man-woman relationship. The play attempts to introspect what the term bali means to us in today's times. Thus, by comparing and contrasting, the play questions why such acts of violence find validation in the name of religion, tradition and culture. Loaded with riveting, absorbing performances, the play forces you to have a rethink about the fundamental idea of sacrifice.

Where: Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon
When: July 13, 4:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Info: Tickets priced at Rs 250-350

Comic capers: After enthralling audiences abroad, Dubai-based stand up comedian Nitin Mirani is back with his popular show Komic Sutra in India. One of the best upcoming entertainers around, Mirani combines sharp wit with a smart sense of humour. A laugh riot not to be missed.

Where: Blue Frog, Mehrauli, Delhi
When: July 12, 8:30 pm
Info: Entry Rs 600 (Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis)




Dance

Classic collaborations: Aatish-E-Ishq is a dance production by Sneha Chakradhar and Dhruv Sangari. An exponent of Bharatanatyam for a number of years now, Sneha Chakradhar regularly performs all over India and the world. In the last three years, she has had solo recitals in London, New York and Sydney. Dhruv Sangari is a sufi singer based in Delhi. A pupil of the late maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sangari has collaborated with artists from more than 15 countries.

Where: India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, Delhi
When: July 10, 7 pm
Info: Free (Seating on first-come, first-served basis)

Right foot forward: Those who are hooked to reality TV shows would be familiar with the names MJ5 and Big Dance Centre. The former are winners of the first edition of the show India’s Dancing Superstars and are known for their vibrant, Michael-Jackson inspired pieces. Big Dance Centre, on the other hand, is a platform that focuses on the growth of budding dancers. Artists from both the groups will come together for a an eclectic dance performance.

Where: Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi
When: July 17
Info: Tickets are priced at Rs 300, 400 and 500

MUMBAI

Theatre

An award-winning creation: A screening of the play A Small Family Business, which was performed at the National Theatre, London, will be held at NCPA Mumbai. The play tells the story of Jack McCracken, a man of principle in a corrupt world. Shortly after taking over his father-in-law’s business he is approached by a private detective armed with some damning information. Jack’s integrity suffers a blow as he realises his extended family is full of thieves and adulterers, looting the business from their suburban homes. Rampant self-interest takes over and comic hysteria is said to build up to a macabre climax. Directed by Adam Penford, the cast includes Tony Boncza, Mike Aherne, Rosie Armstrong, Neal Barry, Stephen Beckett and others. The playwright Alan Ayckbourn, who has also written Bedroom Farce and A Chorus of Disapproval, is a recipient of the Olivier award.

Where: Godrej Dance Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: July 12 & 13, at 3 &  7 pm
Ticket: Rs 500

Comedy of epic proportions: Simla Coffee House is a Hindi play about an argument between a writer and his ardent follower. In Simla, Anupchander, a best-selling author visits a coffee house often to write his novels. There, he encounters Rahul, a fan who has problems with the main character of Anupchander's series Tere Chhall. A conversation which starts on a cordial note later takes on violent proportions. Written, designed and directed by Rakesh Bedi, the play features Asif Shaikh, Rakesh Bedi, Nivedita Baunthiyal, Ridhima Bedi and others.

Where: Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: July 12 & 13, 7 pm
Tickets: Rs 270-360

Art

Interpreting immortality through art: Through her collection titled 'The many colours of life', Swati Pasari has been exploring the world of spirituality and self-cognition for a number of years. Her latest exhibition explores the sheer joy of existence and attempts to understand life and herself. Her paintings talk about immortality, timelessness, inner stillness and peace.

Where: The Point of View gallery, Colaba, Mumbai
When: July 18-28

Moods of nature: In an exhibition of works titled ‘Capturing Lights’, watercolour artist Sahebrao Hare attempts to capture the moods of nature and its lights which make this world look beautiful. The realistic paintings depict famous places from Mumbai and Maharashtra like Pagoda from Gorai, the Wai temple near Satara and the famous Ganpatipule Ratnagiri scene. “The realistic artists are very rare nowadays. To attain excellence and prominence in the water-colour is very challenging because it does not allow any correction,” says the artist.

When: July 10-19, 11am to 7pm
Where: Art Gate Gallery, Satyam Collection, Churchgate, Mumbai


BANGALORE

Theatre

Cocktail: Alliance Francaise De Bangalore and We Move Theatre present Cocktail, a collection of nine short plays, each expressing a different emotion and genre. Written and directed by Abhishek Iyengar, Cocktail is an experiment which seeks to find out how different genres play out on a single stage. The play explores a variety of different emotions -- the feeling of being in love, the frustrations and petty jealousies of everyday life, the regrets in a person's life and the naivety of a young mind.

Where: Alliance Francaise De Bangalore
When: July 12, 7:30 pm
Info: Tickets priced at Rs 250

Travel and photography

Bitten by the travel bug: For all you travel and photography enthusiasts, Atta Galatta presents 'Just Go Series'. The event will focus on creating special photo journeys from one's travel across the globe. For some, travelling acts as a means for change and tranquility, while for others it is about capturing and bringing home memories. The series was conceptualised keeping these trends in mind. Some of the speakers at the event include travel photographer Jyothy Karat and Amoghavarsha, a wildlife photographer and film maker.

Where: Atta Galatta, KHB Colony, Bangalore
When: July 13
Info: Entry free

KOLKATA

Art

Back in time: 'Orientalism Revisited', an art exhibition presenting the works of noted artist Asit Kumar Haldar between the period 1890-1964, will be showcased at the Victoria Memorial Hall. The exhibition will be inaugurated by artist Shubhaprasanna, followed by a brief illustrated introduction of Asit Kumar Halder by Rajesh Kumar Purohit, director of the Allahabad Museum.

Where: Victoria Memorial Hall, Elgin Road, Kolkata
When: Till July 27

INTERNATIONAL

Vintage jewellery designs: Sotheby’s presents two centuries of jewellery design through a selection of period and signed pieces. Titled ‘Fine Jewels’, the auction will include three pieces formerly in the collection of Maharani Sita Devi Sahib of Baroda besides pieces signed by leading makers such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Giuliano. The 476-lot auction will also feature replicas of the Crown Jewels.

Where: Sotheby’s, London
When: July 16