Events of the week

Celebrating classics

What: Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra presents the 65th chapter of their legendary portrayal of Ramlila – ‘Shri Ram‘. Created by Padamshri Mrs Shobha Deepak Singh, ‘Shri Ram‘ is the most celebrated version of Ramlila since 1967. Carrying on the legacy that her mother spearheaded, Mrs Singh endears the dance drama as a heritage that needs to propel and perforate through generations. The two-hour-long production involves dance styles ranging from Bharatanatyam and Kalariyapattu to Mayurbhanj Chau and folk dances of North India, with rhythmic music based on Hindustani classical ragas. The presentation is an experience that has only improvised upon itself over the past four generations. 

When: October 7 – 20

Where: Open Air of the Kendra Lawns, 1, Copernicus Marg

Abstract expressions

What: Triveni Kala Sangam presents ‘Soulscapes’ , a solo art exhibition by Dr Prithipal Singh Sethi. An abstract expressionist whose preferred media is oil on canvas or acrylics on canvas, he has been painting for the last forty years and has also experimented with realistic, figurative and conceptual art. Being a medical doctor, he has experimented with the instruments available to him for the development of art. Particularly, Sethi finds that a surgical scalpel blade is far superior to a palette knife and allows him to mix colours and create a magical effect with greater precision and ease. Collectively, my paintings have a central theme of Soulscapes, wherein I have experimented in giving speech and life to mute landscapes, waterscapes, mindscapes and skyscapes, he believes. Their inner music carries a narrative which conveys poignant somber and cheerful messages to sensitive ears and a vivid visual experience to the seeing eyes.

When: October 11 – 20

Where: Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam

Ancient India

What: The photographs exhibited in William Dalrymple’s ‘In Search of Ancient India’ record the first stage of the travels and research for his new project, The Golden Road. This aims to record the artistic and cultural achievements of ancient India and show how their influence diffused out over first Asia and then the rest of the world. This first glimpse shows his travels around India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. From the gorgeous Bodhisattvas of Gandhara through the Kushan and  Gupta masterpieces of Northern India to the great Chalukya temples of Karnataka, the Pallava sculptures of Tamil Nadu and the stupas of Sri Lanka – In Search of Ancient India gives a glimpse of one of the world’s greatest civilisations at its most creative and self confident.

When: October 8 – November 3

Where: Vadehra Art Gallery