Japanese cinema, miniature art and a comic show to enliven your weekend

Some recommendations for this weekend

Mumbai

Films

Japanese cinema showcase: As part of The Japanese Film Festival India, 11 movies will be screened including "Budo No Namida", "Chronicles of Mother", "Woman Dream of Amasaka", "Fly Dakota Fly" and "Water Boys". The event will be presented by the Japan Indian Film Committee in partnership with Thati Media Corporation.
Where: Little Theatre and Sunken Garden, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: April 3-11, 2.30 pm

The American dream: As part of NCPA-National Theatre Live, watch a filmed version of “A View from the Bridge”, in which Arthur Miller reflects on the American dream. Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman in Brooklyn, welcomes his Sicilian cousins to the “land of freedom” but when one of them falls for his niece, Eddie’s jealousy and mistrust result in the revelation of a secret which drives him to commit the biggest betrayal. Directed by Ivo van Hove, the cast includes Mark Strong, Emun Elliott, Phoebe Fox, Michael Gould and Richard Hansell.
Where: Godrej Dance Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: April 9 and 12, 3 pm and 7 pm

The comedy of administration: French comedy film “Quai d’Orsay”, directed by Bertrand Tavernier tells the story of Arthur Vlaminck, a French yuppie who joins the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs soon after graduating. His ambitious colleagues try to bring him down, while his superior Claude Maupas acts indifferent. Yet somehow, Vlaminck’s career only gains ground. The film screening is in partnership with Institut Français.
Where: Alliance Française Auditorium, New Marine Lines, Mumbai
When: April 6, 6.30 pm 

Music

The splendour of instruments: Saz-e-Bahar, a festival of Indian instrumental music will be presented by the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai. It will include Anupama Bhagwat on the sitar, Rimpa Siva on the tabla, Dhaka-based Rajrupa Chowdhury on the sarod and Sangeeta Shankar on the violin. The idea of the festival is to promote women instrumentalists. It will also showcase the style and personality of individual instruments rather than presenting them as mere accompaniments to vocal talent. This edition features bowed string, plucked string and percussion instruments.
Where: Godrej Dance Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: April 10-11, 6.30 pm 

Delhi

Dance

The best of Indian classical dance: Kamani Auditorium is hosting the 25th edition of the “Spirit Of Dance Festival”, a dance festival featuring Indian traditional dance forms. The performances lined up include a tribute to Pandit Birju Maharaj by Deepak and Tribhuvan Maharaj and a Kathak performance by Nrityashri Alaknanda & Sanskriti Dance Troupe on poetry by Nrityashri Alaknanda. This will be followed by a Baroque dance performance by Romana Agnel & Cracovia Dance Troupe from Poland, a Mayurbhanj Chau performance by Rajesh Sai Babu & Troupe from Odisha and a Sattriya dance by Anwesa Mahanta from Assam.The event has been conceptualised by Alaknanda Institute For Performing Arts.
Where: Kamani Auditorium, Connaught Place, New Delhi
When: Till April 10

Films

Spanish comedy: As a part of its regular film screenings, Instituto Cervantes will be showing “The Dog in the Manger”, a Spanish film based on a play by Lope de Vega. The film is about a 17th-century noblewoman who falls in love with her secretary Teodoro. When she discovers that he is engaged to one of her maids, she manipulates her to love someone else. But at the same time she is not ready to marry Teodoro herself. It is directed by Pilar Miro and stars Emma Suarez, Carmelo Gomez and Fernando Conde.
Where: Instituto Cervantes. Connaught Place, New Delhi
When: April 5, 4:30 pm

Art

Miniature art: Shridharani Art Gallery presents “Inner Universe”, a collection of recent paintings by artist Satish Chauhan. On display are a collection of miniatures that can be characterised as academic art made with historical and pragmatic detail. The paintings gleam like little jewels, they are notable for painstakingly accurate realism of character and setting, particularly natural elements and materials in service of mood and figural representation of excellence and emotional poignancy.
Where: Shridharani Art Gallery, Connaught Place, New Delhi
When: Till April 9, 11 am-7 pm

Confluence of colours: All India Fine Arts And Crafts Society is hosting “Kala Deep”, group exhibition featuring the works of artists such as Archna Gupta, Abha Sharma, Anuradha, Deepa Aggarwal, Dilraj Kaur, Preeti Sinha, Renuka Aggarwal and Nutan. On display are a blend of contemporary and abstract concepts, paintings on acrylic and oils on canvas, watercolour and sketches on paper. The sculptures are done in glass, fibre and wood.The themes include women, nature and motherhood, people and emotions, religion and mythology among others.
Where: All India Fine Arts And Crafts Society, Rafi Marg, New Delhi
When: Till April 7, 11 am-7 pm 

Bengaluru

Art

Put on your capes and masks: It’s the weekend every graphic novel / superhero / comic lover in the city is waiting for. Comic Con 2015 will be hosting Daniel Portman and Natalia Tena of the Game of Thrones series, among others, as well as a host of exhibitors and the launch of more titles. There will also be a Cosplay Contest, so put on your capes and masks and head to the convention.
Where: White Orchid Convention Centre, next to Manyata Tech Park, Hebbal, Bengaluru
When: April 3-5, 11 am 

Music

Classical notes: As part of its “Living Legends & Budding Masters” series, Sursagar and Alliance Francaise will be organising a Hindustani vocal recital by Pandit Channulal Mishra from Varanasi. He will be accompanied by Pandit Ramkumar Mishra on the tabla and Ravindra Katoti on the harmonium
Where: Alliance Francaise, Millers Tank Bund Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru
When: April 4, 6.30 pm

Info: Entry is free

Comedy

Laugh along: Laugh OK Please promises an evening with some of the well-known faces of Indian stand-up comedy, with Sorabh Pant from East India Comedy, Mumbai’s Aditi Mittal and Karthik Kumar and S Aravind from Evam Stand-Up Tamasha. Nothing will be safe, from relationships to break-ups, being single to being married, from small towns to big cities.
Where: Phoenix Marketcity, Whitefield Road, Bengaluru
When: April 3, 7.30 pm