Block printing, charcoal art and C-grade cinema to enliven the weekened

Here is a guide to what is in store for you this weekend if you are in Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore

DELHI

Art

Fine art meets pop culture: Nature Morte will be showcasing the exhibition of new works by the artistic duo of Thukral & Tagra, comprised of Jiten Thukral and Samir Tagra, which continues the development of the film entitled “Q,” the first scene from which served as the centerpiece of the artists’ exhibition at the Famous Studios in Mumbai in November 2013 and will be part of this exhibition. It starts with an akhara (a traditional Indian wrestling club) and employs the artists’ paintings as backdrops for a performance event to develop themes of competition, longing, community, and growing-up. A second scene of “Q” has also been finished for this exhibition, which will be rounded out by new paintings and sculptures. With these, Thukral & Tagra continue their exploration of middle class Indian values through such icons as the dream home, festive decorations, consumer affluence, and fantasy escapism.

Where: Nature Morte, Neeti Bagh
When: January 18-February 28, 10 am to 8 pm

Music

Musical mixes: Catch a live gig by the band One Nite Stand at popular modern Indian bistro Farzi Café this weekend. One Night Stand is known for lively performances of their own breed of ‘dance-rock’ music -- a mix of soft rock, reggae, blues, pop and rock ‘n’ roll. The band comprises of Behram, the lead vocalist and bassist, lead guitarist Hemanth, keyboardist Neville and drummer Abhilash.

Where: Farzi Café, Cyber Hub, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon
When: January 23, 9 pm onwards

Folktronica night: An evening of folk and electronic music is awaited at Depot 29, which is hosting a performance by Barmer Boys and Audio Pervert. Led by Mangey Khan on vocals and harmonium and including Rais Khan on morchang and khartaal and Tarif Khan on dholak, Barmer Boys are seasoned performers continuing the folk music traditions of the Manganiyars from Rajasthan. For this performance, they will be joined by Audio Pervert, the solo electronic music project of Samrat Bharadwaj, who is also one half of the electronic music duo Teddy Boy Kill.

Where: Depot 29, Safdarjung Enclave,
When: January 23, 9 pm onwards

Film

Remembering past favourites: The American Centre has hosted various screening of Robin Williams’ most popular films since he passed away last year.  This Friday, there is a screening of Bicentennial Man, directed by Chris Columbus and starring Williams along with Embeth Davidtz and Same Neill. The film is a futuristic fantasy about an android that tries to become human as it gradually acquires emotions. Richard buys a gift, a new NDR-114 robot that is named Andrew by the family. It is programmed to perform small household tasks, but strangely starts experiencing emotions. The family eventually discovers this, as Andrew refuses to take orders and demands freedom. Even though it is set free, there is a lot that Andrew learns, discovers and goes through over the years.

Where: American Center, Kasturba Gandhi Marg
When: January 23, 6 pm

MUMBAI

Art

Pencil and Charcoal: As part of its 16th anniversary, Jamaat art gallery will host a show of drawings, an art form which is not so prevalent anymore. It will display sketches by Krishen Khanna depicting the trauma and tragedy of the exiles during partition in 1947 as well as Sudhir Patwardhan’s rendition of common people in their usual environs. Further the exhibition will include works by Satish Gujral, Sunil Das and Rini Dhumal and Bairu Raghuram.

Where: Jamaat Art Gallery, Apollo Bunder
When: Until Feb 28

Museum as muse: Artist Atul Dodiya presents 7000 Museums: A project for the republic of India at the Bhau Daji Lad museum. This is as part of the curatorial series ‘Engaging Traditions’, which invites contemporary artists to engage with and respond to the museum’s history and collection. Dodiya addresses the complexity of various simultaneous happenings in history (of politics, art and culture) through playful interventions in his watercolour, oil and vitrine works.

Where: Bhau Daji Lad museum, Byculla
When: Until Feb 28

Identity Crisis: Migrating Histories of Molecular Identities is a show of works by Mumbai-based Valay Shende. The artist often uses symbols within everyday Indian identities – from trucks, buffalos and tiffin-carriers to Buddha, Marx, grenades and scooters – to explore the issue of identities in society. One such work is Transit, which includes a life-size truck with migrant men, women and children who are timelessly stuck inside, while the vehicle of development seemingly labours forward. In another piece, he depicts the head of a bull -- the sole representative and support of the farmer -- mounted on the wall in the form of a hunted trophy.

Where: Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Byculla
When: Until Feb 28

Film

Sex and the City: The third part of Ashim Ahluwalia’s Bombay trilogy, Miss Lovely is set in the lower depths of the city’s “C” grade film industry. Miss Lovely tells the tragic story of two brothers who produce sex horror films in the mid-1980s. The film also explores the darker offshoots of Bollywood through this tale of betrayal and doomed love.

Where: Alliance Francaise Auditorium, New Marine Lines
When: Jan 27, 6.30 pm

Hamlet in Delhi: Directed by Paco Wiser, To be or not to be in India follows a young French actor, Elie, who is challenged by the filmmaker to play Hamlet in the streets of New Delhi. The task appears overwhelming as Elie faces language problems between Hindi, French and Shakespearian English. The realities of present day India and the existential truths that some travellers seek in the country are also addressed through the fiction of Shakespeare. The screening of the film will be followed by a discussion with the director and the Indian cast.

Where: Alliance Francaise Auditorium, New Marine Lines
Where: Jan 28, 6.30 pm

BANGALORE

Theatre

The illicit happiness of other people: Written by Vaclav Havel, ‘Unveiling’ is an absurd comedy about a seemingly happy couple who have put a lot of effort into redecorating their home. They have invited their friend for “unveiling” their new home but end up unveiling much more than that. This dark comedy is a satire on society’s hypocrisy and the gnawing need for approval. Directed by Sachin Gurjale, the play stars Ravindra Vijay, Rency Philip and Vaisakh Shankar.

Where: The Humming Tree, Indiranagar
When: January 28, 8.30 pm
Info: Tickets priced at Rs 200 available on BookMyShow

A conference on stage: Yours Truly Theatre is presenting Playback Theatre Festival and India Conference this weekend. The conference will focus on collaborative learning, understanding new perspectives, and interconnectedness. As we gear up for an exciting and informative conference program, which will include seminars, workshops and performances, we request your participation for this memorable event. We invite you to join us at the Playback Theatre India Conference 2015, where you will be sure to have a meaningful experience with Playback Theatre practitioners and artists from around the world. Playback veterans and trainers Karin Bettina Gisler from Switzerland and Joke Rood from Netherlands will be a part of the conference. The conference is open to students of theatre, therapists, teachers, trainers, NGOs, storytellers, and anyone interested to learn about theatre and its application in various fields.

Where: Yours Truly ALMA, 1st Floor, 17th E Cross, CMH Road
When: January 23-25, 5 pm
Info: Register on BookMyShow for Rs 3,500

Music

Classic rock covers - Redux: This weekend, B Flat Bar will be hosting ensemble cover band Classic Wild. Founded by verteran guitarist Sanjay Chandrakanth, Classic Wild is a collaboration of musicians from different bands and eras, who want to keep classic rock alive.  Classic Wild covers music primarily from the '70s to the '90s, which include an assortment of the rock genre including but not limited to soft-rock, glam-rock, prog-rock and hard rock. Some of the bands covered by Classic Wild include Bon Jovi, Damn Yankees, Deep Purple, Dio, Dream Theater, Europe, Firehouse, Journey, Kansas, Rush, Scorpions, Toto van Halen, Whitesnake and Winger. Band members apart from Chandrakanth include Jeoraj Stanly George (drums), Ranjit Abraham (vocals), Trinity D'Souza (guitar), Naresh Nathan (bass guitars), Joshua Costa (piano).

Where: B Flat Bar, Indiranagar,
When: January 24, 9 pm onwards
Info: Entry pass for Rs 400 available at the venue

Art

You’ve been blocked: The Kynkyny art and culture club is presenting ‘A History of Block Printing’, an expert talk and workshop on hand block printing to be conducted by artist and art educator, Pooja Gokul. Gokul will talk about the origins and process of hand block printing in India, including how the blocks are made and the social symbolism of different motifs. This will be followed by a hands-on workshop where participants will get to learn the technique of block printing on paper and cloth. Participants can bring their own own cotton fabric, in white or a light pastel shade. It can be anything, from a t-shirt or kurti to napkins and pillow cases. All other materials will be provided by the organisers.

Where: Kynkyny Art, #104, Embassy Square 148, Infantry Road
When: January 28, 11 am
Info: Register on BookMyShow for Rs 1800