Celebrating the legacy of Zohra Sehgal

The Zohra Segal Festival of the Arts will let the audience come together to enjoy a screening of Sehgal’s film, excerpts of some of her interviews, and a dance performance dedicated to the late actress, theatre personality, dancer, and choreographer. 

Zohra Sehgal was an Indian actress, dancer, and choreographer who died on July 10, 2014. Sehgal began her career as a dancer in Uday Shankar’s ensemble, touring the United States and Japan. She went on to participate in countless Bollywood films as a character actor throughout the course of her 60-year career.

She received the Padma Shri in 1998, the Kalidas Samman in 2001, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2004. The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for lifetime achievement was bestowed upon her by India’s National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama. In 2010, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour. She died of heart arrest on July 10, 2014, in a hospital in New Delhi.

The festival includes the following segments:

On and Off the Records
(57 min; 2014; English)
Directed by Pratik Biswas

The film is a recipient of the Tareque Masud Award for Best Debut, Film Southasia, Nepal. The history of 20th century Hindustani classical music and the travelogue of recordings in India are inseparable. How does this constant and continuous interplay affect the aesthetics of one of the oldest musical traditions in the world? What is the impact of this influence on the overall musical experience of both – the musician and the audience? The film, On and Off the Records understands this equation through intimate discussions, even as it celebrates the music and art of some of the most beautiful musicians the world has ever known. 

Screening of excerpt from Zohra Segal interviews

The audience will be able to enjoy some of Sehgal’s memorable interviews. Sehgal had a lively, unapologetic personality that made her interviews unforgettable. She made statements about acting and women in cinema that have the value of contemporary truth and lasting relatability. 

Screening of Tilism i-Hoshruba
(40 min).
Dastangoi, performed by Nusrat Ansari and Poonam Girdhani, adapted and directed by Mahmood Farooqui

Tilism i-Hoshruba literally means “The enchantment that takes away the senses’. It is a magical realm created by the Emperor of sorcerers, Afrasiyab Jadu who represents evil. He rules over Tilism-e-Hoshruba with his empress Malika Heart and fights with the leader of tricksters (Ayyars) Amar Ayyar, who stands for truth.

Apart from these segments, the festival will also feature a Qawali performance by the Nizami brothers. 

Where: C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium, IIC
When: 17 and 18 September, 3:30 pm onwards

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