28-4-08 |
Choreographer Pratap Shetty returns from Mumbai to Glasgow in May to continue his dance work with local young people. Pratap will be in residency from 11 to 21 May. Dance pieces produced are to be seen from June to September in melas in the UK. Others interested in booking further classes (central Scotland only) during this visit or wishing to meet him to plan future collaborations should contact Pratap here.
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| 24-4-08 |
Get to Amsterdam where Yangchin and Saxophone Concerts are being given by the Chinese yangchin player and composer Kimho Ip of Melange Network and Dutch saxophonist Filip Davidse. This is a compelling and melodious introduction to some re-interpretations of traditional Chinese music. The duet will play music which is recorded on their latest CD "Runaway Horses".
Saturday April 26th: Theatre de Cameleon, 3e Kostverlorenkade 35, 1054 TS Amsterdam. Start concert 20.00h. Admission €10. Website: http://www.decameleon.nl/
Sunday April 27th: 15.00h in the Vincentiuskerk, Jacob van Lennepkade 211, 1054 ZP Amsterdam, admission €8,50.
Runaway Horses- a metaphor illustrating the spirit of departing from home, making a step beyond tradition; towards the idea of re-interpretation and the search for new grounds in music. In addition it also means that while travelling one gets many new and fresh impressions, which happened in making the voyage of recording this album. With pieces ranging from the Mongolian folk tune Galloping Horse, to the silk and bamboo tune from the south-east China, San Liu, it does feel like being taken by the musicians all through China, and beyond. |
| 12-4-08 |
Speaking at the British Asian Theatre Conference at Exeter University yesterday, Melange Associate Alan Tweedie explored the situation for Asian theatre workers in Scotand. Sharing a 'Regional Perspectives' panel with Scots theatre worker Faroque Khan of Theatre Insaan and Claire Cochrane from Worcester University, Alan hardly needed to speak to the lack of interest in the Scottish sector - only one delegate came to the conference from North of the Border, and she from HM Inspectorate. Alan's contribution will be published later by University of Exeter but it will not make pleasant reading - a story of lack of any significant progress in tackling intitutional racism over the last quarter of a century, with Scotland showing a decided backwardness in theatre compared with some limited progress south of the border. The key difference he attributed to the lack of gate openers in the theatre sector in Scotland. |
| 14-1-08 |
Fresh from his great success in Nach Baliye, Pratap Shetty is rushing around India from Baroda to Bangalore choreographing stage shows while choreographing each week the young people involved in Star Voice of India's TV show 'Chote Ustad'. In February Pratap moves west to Glasgow where he is again working with young people in the lead up to the World Sufi Festival which starts on 22 February. |
| 12-1-08 |
A group of Mela organisers are to visit in India in a programe arranged and coordinated by Melange's Alan Tweedie. Mela organisers from Belfast, Bradford, Croydon, Glasgow, Kirklees, Manchester, Nottingham, Rochdale and Swindon are in the group that is taking in Mumbai Festival, Republic Day Folk Festival Delhi, Surajkund Mela and a visit to the Taj Mahal. The visit starts on 22 January and ends on 3 February and is part of the UK Cultural Leadership Programme. It is supported by the Arts Council and Visiting Arts. |
| 12-1-08 |
The INSTITUTO SACATAR operates a residency programme for creative individuals in all disciplines at its estate on the Island of Itaparica in the Bay of All Saints, across from the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Rahul Das, one of Melange's associates in Dhaka has been awarded a Fellowship at Sacatar for 2008. |
| 11-1-08 |
Melange's Bansi Kaul has been in Mumbai with the Rang Vidushak Theatre production of Aranyadhipati Tantiya, the story or a rebel tribal who died fighting during the 1857 revolt against colonial rule. Many indigenous tribal communities fought the colonial power but their experience is largely eliminated from the written histories of the period. The common man of the Malwa and Nimad regions of Madhya Pradesh referred to Tantiya as Tantiya Mama, a mark of great respect. His heoric deeds so impressed Bansi that he has brought this latest production by Rang Vidushak to the stage of the National School of Drama's 10th Theatre Utsav. |
| 10-1-08 |
With a week to go to Mumbai Festival 2008, Melange's Alan Tweedie is working with the Mumbai team to produce the most international Mumbai Festival yet. With contributions from Japan, Australia, USA, Scotland, Mauritius, Canada and Germany the festival is taking on a real international flavour this year. Th eopening event is at The Gateway to India on 17 January and runs until 3 February. |
22-12-07
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The final of Nach Baliye has seen Rakhi Sawant and partner Abhishek come second. The result doesn't detract from Pratap Shetty's great success in being awarded 'choreographer of the week' on 6 occasions during the series, 3 ahead of the nearest rival. Although disappointed with the perverse final result which attracted surprise and criticism from the general public, Pratap felt proud of the judges verdict on his couple - clear winners on the judges' scoring! |
| 9-11-07 |
November's Nach Baliye series in India continues to be a great experience for Melange's Pratap as his choreography sees Rakhi Sawant and partner Abhishek steaming ahead in the judges estimation. Guest judge on the Diwali-transmitted edition, Shahrukh Khan said 'I'd like to make it 11, it's never been done before'. Regular judge Vaibhavi Merchant said 'Pratap, outstanding talent. You are making very good choreography but this is the best yet'. A maximum possible top score of four 10s took 'Jodi 3', Pratap's duo to a 20-point lead in judges scoring after 8 weeks. Now there are 4 couples left in the contest, Rakhi and Abhishek are 41 ahead of the 3rd placed and 70 ahead of the 4th placed in judges voting. Pratap was again named 'choreographer of the week', for the third time in the last four weeks. Nach Baliye 3 continues to attract weekly a 20 million plus audience. |
| 1-11-07 |
Melange Network has co-ordinated the production of an interesting new publication for the European Mela Network. Titled 'Re-inventing Mela' the publication features a prominent and stimulating report on Melange's Bansi Kaul talk earlier this year exploring the challenges facing melas in the new global situation. 'Re-inventing Mela' is designed by Melange's Lindsay Snedden of Lunaria Design and edited by Alan Tweedie. It can be viewed or down loaded from the EMN website. |
| 14-10-07 |
Although Star Plus are not yet showing Nach Baliye 3 outside India, Melange associate, Pratap has been seen on Star Plus news as word of the series goes round the world. For a video of Rakhi and Abhishek's dance in the third programme click here. Snippets: 'Both of them are brilliant (dancers)' - host, Hussain Kuwajerwala ...'it's down to our choreographer' - Rakhi Sawant; 'excellent, extraordinary, outstanding' - judge, David Dhawan; 'beautifully choreographed, very seldom a man would want to choose based on a classical form of dance for this, such versatility' - judge, Vaibhavi Merchant; '7 points, plus I think, 3 for Pratap Shetty' - judge, Isha Koppikar, giving maximum 10. For an update on judges' scoring click here. Pratap's choreography has helped earn the duo the lead in the contest with 116 out of a possible 120 judges' points over the first 4 weeks. The series ends early December. |
| 16-09-07 |
Pratap Shetty's choreography for Rakhi Sawant and her partner Abishek in Star Plus TV's Nach Baliye 3 starts its run on Friday 21 September. The series runs to early December and Rakhi and Abishek should do well. Mumbai Mirror quotes Rakhi 'I am having a great time as I have an awesome choreographer, Pratap.' Click for a photo report. |
| 10-09-07 |
The Glasgow residency by Melange's Pratap has been a resounding success with performances at two events, on ZEE TV and enquiries for 2008 melas. Click for a photo report. |
| 15-08-07 |
With the launching of their new CD album, Runaway Horses, Kimho Ip and Filip Davidse are performing live in Edinburgh, showcasing their yangchin and saxophone duo in a debut CD album. This is an absolute unmissable event during Edinburgh Festival 2007! 28 August at 5:00pm in Chai Teahouse, 3a Merchant Street Details |
| 13-08-07 |
FEAST is a unique Chinese intercultural event to encourage greater understanding between Chinese and Scottish communities through a creative exploration of food, film and music. Edinburgh-based band Found and Melange Associate Kimho Ip will be giving a special performance at Eating Place on Castle Terrace, Edinburgh on Thursday 30 August at 6 pm. They will also present other performances earlier that afternoon. Details
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| 6-08-07 |
A Bollywood dance residency opened in Glasgow today. Led by Melange's Mumbai-based choreographer, Pratap Shetty, the residency involves young Indian and Pakistani dancers in a project leading into the Indian 60th Independence Day celebrations in Glasgow on Sunday 19 July. |
| 24-06-07 |
TEA WITH MAHLER. In the summer of 1907 German composer Gustav Mahler received the book Die chinesische Flöte by Hans Bethge as a present . It became the inspiration for his symphonic masterpiece, Das Lied von der Erde. With the reflections of elements of Tang Dynasty Chinese poetry, aesthetics in Chinese calligraphy and tea culture, Tea with Mahler presents the re-interpretation of some of Mahler’s music by the Chinese composer, Kimho Ip, working together with two other fellow composers, Jean David Caillouet and Anothai Nitibhon, as well as the vocalist, Tamsin Mendelsohn. Date: 7th July 2007. Venue: CHAI Teahouse, 3a Merchant Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2QD Time: 4:00pm Free admission |
| 21-05-07 |
Mahabharata - India’s greatest epic comes to the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh - Tuesday 5 June to Saturday 9 June
“Visually stunning, with luxuriant sets and costumes...you can almost taste the heat and colour” (London Evening Standard)
Mahabharata is a brand new piece of theatre and a contemporary vision of the epic ancient Indian poem. Direct from Sadler’s Wells, this powerful production features an international ensemble of 26 dancers, singers and musicians, and a new score by Nitin Sawhney.
“Splendid Indian rhythms and lovely haunting melodies encapsulate the energy and emotion of this epic drama” (The Times)
Mahabharata is told as seen through the eyes of Draupadi; a woman who defies her destiny to become wife to five brothers and who, when lost in a game of dice, becomes the catalyst for the world's most terrible war. This epic story of a colourful, chaotic mythic world is told through a fusion of dance, song, spoken verse, Sanskrit prayer, puppetry, chant and choric storytelling, reflecting the classic Indian tradition with a contemporary twist. Choreographer Gauri Sharma Tripathi is one of the country’s leading Kathak exponents. In Mahabharata she combines the sculptural beauty and passion of the story telling dance tradition of India with contemporary dance, mixing traditions in a unique and thrilling style.
“A compelling version of modern Kathak dance-theatre, bending traditional rhythms and steps into ravishing contemporary forms to dramatise whirling battle scenes and glittering palaces” (The Guardian)
More info
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| 22-04-07 |
In Dubai this week Pratap Shetty is choreographing the stage show of Bollywood stars Neha Dhupia, Celina Jaitley and Rimi Sen. Neha starred with Kumar Sanu in Utthaan and Abhishek Bachchan in Rakht.
Celina Jaitley is currently extending her knowledge of Indian classical dancing and coupling this with jazz-ballet.
Rimi Sen played Amitabh Bachchan's and Hema Malini's granddaughter in the hit film Baghhban. Her next big hit was the Yashraj produced Dhoom. Pratap will be conducting workshops in the UK this summer (see 14-04-07 item) and also plans a short tour with his dance troupe. Booking enquiries for the tour in late August to pratap@melange.org.uk |
| 15-04-07 |
Dance Base, Edinburgh have announced a week of June workshops by Melange associate choreographer Pratap Shetty. Pratap will lead dancers in a Bollywood workshop leading to performance at Glasgow Mela. Click for further information on the Edinburgh workshops. For enquiries about later workshops in Hudderfield, Bradford, Glasgow and Edinburgh contact pratap@melange.org.uk |
| 15-04-07 |
Fresh from a festival in Jammu, Bansi Kaul and his compnay Rang Vidushak (Bhopal) are presenting Kahan Kabir on Saturday 21 April at the Panj Pani Theatre Festival in Lahore Pakistan.
On Sunday 22 April another facinating and comical theatrical display by Rang Vidushak should leave the audience rolling over in laughter and begging for more. Bansi is the second Melange Associate crossing from India to Pakistan for the festival, following in the footsteps of Pratap Shetty a few weeks ago. |
| 9-03-07 |
If in Edinburgh this weekend, head down to the Filmhouse on Saturday for the screening of Shen Nu's silent film of the 1930s, Goddess, with the World Premiere of a brand new, specially commissioned score composed by Melange's Kimho Ip. This is Chinese realist filmmaking featuring Chinese superstar Ruan Lingyu as a struggling mother in Shanghai who is driven to prostitution. Ravishingly beautiful and full of bravura sequences and astonishing detail, the film draws its power from Ruan's subtle performance, and is the first film ever to portray a prostitute sympathetically. Tragically, hounded by the tabloids. Barely remembered now, this landmark film, about motherhood, scapegoating and social esteem, remains a glorious tribute to her. Click for further details:
http://www.filmhousecinema.com/ |
| 7-02-07 |
April 10 1621 saw a major meteorite hit at Jalandhar in the Punjab. March 24 2007 sees Melange Associate Pratap Shetty land in the former Punjab capital for the ETC Channel Punjabi Music Awards 2007. The city is the media and mass communication hub of the region having the regional headquarters of the national television and radio channels. Every Punjabi’s answer to the Grammys is back with a bang. Televised live across Asia, UK & USA the event includes the gathering of a galaxy of Punjabi music stars at a glittering ceremony. ETC Channel Punjabi Music Awards is an industry benchmark for excellence in the Punjabi Music Industry – perhaps the most vibrant music industry in the country. The evening will have a lavish set coupled with special effects, computerized lighting and hi-fidelity acoustics creating a breathtaking audio and visual impact. Into this programme comes Pratap, choreographing a large dance troupe and Bollywood star Yana Gupta. |
| 16-02-07 |
It's Chinese New Year and Melange Associate Kimho Ip is celebrating! The New Year festival holds a significant place in China. There, Chinese New Year is one of the most popular festivals. It is also known as the spring festival or the Lunar New Year. This year Chinese New Year is on Sunday February 18th. Join Kimho at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday from 13.00 to 16.00 and enjoy the music of this innovative composer/musician and his associates from iMAP, the Intercultural Music and Arts Project |
| 16-02-07 |
Bansi Kaul is back in India after a flying visit to Berlin preparing for India's participation in the ITB Convention in Berlin. The ITB Convention Market Trends & Innovations plans to sustain its position as a leading Think Tank of the global tourism industry. In four parallel halls, at five exhibition days the key issues in tourism will be addressed in speeches and panel discussions. Melange Associate, Bansi is producing a cultural spectacle from India for the opening ceremony in the International Conference Centre. On his return to India, Bansi will be swiftly meeting up with his theatre group Rang Vidushak and then off to Pakistan for Ajoka Theatre's
Panj Pani Theatre Festival in Lahore. |
| 29-01-07 |
Shilpa Shetty win celebrated in India
click here for Melange associate Pratap Shetty story with pics |
| 19-01-07 |
1857 to Subhash
Bansi Kaul opened India's 150th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Mutiny with this spectacle in Ahmedabad. The theme was the people who were influenced by the 1857 events and the unknown people of Gujarat who struggled for independence. Gandhi himself a Gujarati couldn't be missed from the story but prominent focus was given to the largely unknown struggles of the tribals. The colonisers even thought that melas were being used for subversion and as a result people died in one attack at a mela. The multi-media spectacle involved 120 actors and dancers from Gujarat. Melange associate Bansi was designer of the event and show director. |
| 18-01-07 |
Mumbai Festival - Photo News
click here for more details |
| 18-01-07 |
Mumbai Festival went global at its Gateway of India launch. On the ground and on top of 4-metre poles, Australian street act Strange Fruit provided a spectacular artistic contribution while Melange associate Alan Tweedie from Scotland was interviewed on stage. As a regular Mumbai visitor, Alan was being quizzed by presenter Naiya on what the festival should mean for Mumbai, his most enjoyable events from last year and his top priorities to see at this year’s event. The audience were especially interested to hear of Alan’s views on the Festival’s future as he surprised both himself and the audience with the Sanskrit phrase Vasu dhai va kutumbakam (the Universe is our family). Click for pics |
| 18-01-07 |
English, Hindi and Bhangra Music met Hip Hop, Latin, Samba and Pop as Ozzie, America’s hottest new desi star launched his debut album in Mumbai on 12 January. With choreography by Melange associate Pratap Shetty, Ozzie’s live performance from the album Journey West-2-East was covered by a swarm of media cameras. The swarm descended when India’s No. 1 film idol, Amitabh Bachchan helped get the album off to its resounding launch. Click for pics |
| 08-01-07 |
Poush Mela in Dhaka
click here for more details |
08-01-07 |
Melange in South East Melas Partnership
click here for more details |
12-12-06 |
Remember
the disappeared
click here for more details |
05-12-06 |
Melange associates Kimho Ip and Alan Tweedie are on their way later this week to Dhaka, Bangladesh. While Alan is working on a range of new Melange collaborations through arts-led international exchange, Kimho is doing a study visit to Dhaka supported by the Scottish Arts Council. A central part of both their visits is taking part in BanglaScot Foundation's Poush Mela, the organisation's launch event in Dhaka. BanglaScot has been set up to promote artist-led initiatives between both countries and Kimho will be working with local theatre director Emin (Toufikul) Islam on some innovatibe music/theatre collaboration. Poush Mela is at the British Council, Fuller Road, Dhaka from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on Friday 22 December. |
26-11-06 |
Mumbai-based Melange associate Pratap Shetty is now in the final week of rehearsals for the opening of the Asian Games next Friday. The Doha opening is expected to be watched by a global TV audience of more than 1 billion. Pratap is choreographing the Indian dancers who are among the 8,000 performers and artistes from 20 countries putting in around 1,000 hours of rehearsal time. He will also appear in the event. Pratap reports amazing logistical arrangements with the performers and artistes consuming 400,000 lunch boxes and 800,000 bottles or 400,000 litres of water. More interesting for Pratap is the huge variety of skills and dances to which he is being exposed and the chance to meet dancers in one place from so many cultures. The opening ceremony has a staggering technical infrastructure and an even more staggering price tag of $120 billion. |
18-11-06 |
Melange Network's Kimho Ip, working for In2national has produced a resoundingly successful performance event at the National Museum of Scotland. With performers of all ages and across cultural boundaries this was an exiting musical experiment that succesfully linked heritage and modern approaches. Click here for pics and more of the story. |
03-11-06 |
Lisa Kapur, Project Manager for the European Mela Network, is leaving at the end of next week to have her baby. During her absence which may be up to 6 months, the project management will be by Melange Network. Melange associates Morag Neil, Naseema Sher and Alan Tweedie are sharing the various tasks involved. |
02-11-06 |
Following their success of the World Sufi Festival and with continuing support from Melange Network, Association of Music and Poetry Glasgow are holding an EID FESTIVAL at Cooper Institute, Clarkson Road, Glasgow on Sunday 12 November from
12 noon to 11.00 p.m. Headline act Najma Akhtar, renowned for her ghazals and for the blend of East meets West, modern jazz with south Asian vocals, appears with Naeem Solaria, the popular UK Asian singer. There are other performances including a Mushaira. Creative activity for children at the event is led by Rashid Mukhtar, leading Pakistani artist. |
02-11-06 |
Melange associate, Pratap Shetty from Mumbai has arrived in Doha, Qatar where he is commencing choreography for the Indian dance contribution to the Opening Ceremony of the 15th Asian Games on 1 December. 'This will be the best Opening Ceremony of any Asian Games,' says Sharif Hashisho, Director of Ceremonies and Cultural Events. 'We believe it will be on par with the Sydney and Athens Olympics, if not better.' The Doha Ceremonies are designed to convey key concepts and messages unique to Qatar and the 15th Games. |
29-10-06 |
'A party affiliated president, now has the triple roles of president, head of the military and head of the ‘neutral’ caretaker government. While rumours of a military takeover abound, and the prime minister’s son threatens that they will not go to the streets ‘empty handed’, the news that the leader of the opposition has not threatened immediate protests, but has rather opted to see how the new head of the caretaker government conducts himself,
is a healthy sign. Too many lives have already been lost'. This is part of photojournalist Shahidul Alam's report from Dhaka. Click for photo and story http://www.shahidul.wordpress.com |
19-10-06 |
Melange associate Kimho Ip's latest artistic work with In2national can be seen on 18 November at the National Museum Scotland. Cathay House Blend offers the choice to indulge in the aromas of refined Chinese tea or to join in the sumptuous atmosphere at the Teahouse with mahjong playing, calligraphy and children games. Click for details. |
18-10-06 |
Relatives back in Bangladesh are this week celebrating the great success of young US YouTube wizard
Jawed Karim. Jawed was central to the massive success of YouTube, now bought by Google. For arts workers and educationist interested in evidence for experiential exposure to stimuli while young, there is a very good article on Jawed's upbringing in the StarTribune, Minneapolis. |
13-10-06 |
Dr. Muhammad Yunus has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006, the fairly unique situation where an economist earns the award for combating poverty. Yunus is the Bangladeshi architect of 'microlending', an innovative banking loan programme that helps the poor afford everyday tools such as mobile phones or sewing machines to help them develop sustainable lives. Grameen Bank, formed by Muhammad Yunis, is truly serving the people. Read more in the photo-journalism at
http://www.shahidul.wordpress.com |
12-10-06 |
Catch up on news of the Shilpgram Utsav - a great fair in Udaipur in late December. Click here |
04-10-06 |
The flavour was distinctly Indian in ‘Alter Oper Frankfurt’ as Melange Network’s Bansi Kaul led a cultural extravaganza showcasing music and dance at the inauguration of the Frankfurt Book Festival yesterday. Conceived by art critic Sadanand Menon, singer Madan Gopal Singh and theatre director and designer Bansi Kaul, the concert was titled `Dhwani -- The Resonance of India'. Bansi directed a theatrical journey through Indian music and dance showcasing Buddhist chantings, Sufi music, and both classical and folk music and dance. Among those on stage were contemporary dancers Chandralekha and Asta Debu, Bharatnatyam dancer Navtej Johar, singers Mundeja Brothers, Madan Gopal Singh, and Rabbi Shergil. Among many folk contributors, drummers from Kerala presented a traditional 'taalavadyam' using `chenda', `timila' and other percussion. The prolonged blowing of a conch started the 120-minute event. Over 40 Indian book publishers and distributors are participating in the book festival. |
28-9-06 |
At their annual meeting held in Bradford yesterday, the European Mela Network launched its website as a tool for communication within the sector and as a link to the wider world. Melas from Glasgow to Swindon and from Belfast to Oslo attended the meeting. There was a good wishes message from a Toronto Nepali Mela. Arts Council North West and Arts Council Yorkshire contributed to the discussions. Bradford Council, the host, played a big part. In welcoming delegates, Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Choudhary Rangzeb, acknowledged that 'melas have become very popular in the UK which is excellent news'. He went on to say that 'melas are real opportunities for people to enjoy themselves whether the event is large or small'. He emphasised that 'melas are greatly enjoyable experiences'. In her opening comments, Bradford's Head of Theatres, Arts & Festivals, Sheena Wrigley declared that 'melas are well placed to play a larger role in regeneration' and in Bradford 'we want to bring mela into the centre of the Council's thinking in how it approaches events'. The website is at www.melanet.eu. See the 5 September news item to access a Melange Network artistic policy paper on the web site. |
25-9-06 |
Bengali Scot, Bashabi Fraser launches her new book at the Edinburgh Radical Book Fair at Out of the Blue, 30-38 Dalmeny Street on 12 October at 6 pm. 'Bengal Partition Stories: An Unclosed Chapter', recovers the experiences of those affected by partition through oral histories, interviews and short fiction. At the same event Mridu Shailaj and Jyoti Dhingra launch 'Our Lives and Hopes: Beyond Statistics and Reports' unveiling the life experiences and views of children in poverty in urban Bangladesh. See 13 September news item for further Book Fair items and to connect to the Fair website. |
25-9-06 |
Bansi Kaul is rehearsing this week in Delhi for the official opening of the Frankfurt Book Fair. India is the 'Guest of Honour' and the motto is 'Today's India', where the aim is to bring contemporary India and its culture into the limelight. Readings, music, dance and theatre events are part of the cultural programme in Frankfurt. Bansi is directing an ensemble of 60 musicians, dancers and performers drawn from India's classical, folk and popular traditions. Bansi's event, 'Dhawni - The Resonance of India' opens the Fair on 3 October. |
20-9-06 |
Shahidul Alam’s blog http://www.shahidul.wordpress.com is a good link for wonderful Drik photography, now it has a Bangladeshi take on the situation in Bangkok on the evening of the coup. |
13-9-06 |
Watch out for the strong south Asian presence at the 10th Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair - the alternative book festival. Organised by Edinburgh bookshop, Word Power, the fair will take place from Wednesday 11th to Sunday 15th of October 2006 at Out of the Blue, 30-38 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG, Scotland. Vandana Shiva opens the fair. Vandana is one of the world's most dynamic and provocative thinkers on the environment, women's rights and international affairs. A physicist, ecologist and activist, she won the Right Livelihood Award (also known as the alternative Nobel Prize) in 1993. She is Director of the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, India. Another highlight of the talks at the fair will be Achin Vanaik and Craig Murray speaking on Political Terrorism and the US Imperial Project. Achin is TNI Fellow and Professor of International Relations and Global Politics at Delhi University. Craig was the UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan until removed after exposing appalling human rights abuses. Aijaz Ahmad & Ilan Pappe speak on The Middle East Crisis: Iran, Iraq, Lebanon & Palestine. Aijaz is Professorial Fellow at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi, India, and Professor of Political Science at York University in Ontario, Canada. Ilan is senior lecturer in Political Science at Haifa University. And there’s a lot more. Check out the Word Power website for comprehensive information. |
9-09-06 |
Rahul in Cairo
Melange associate Rahul Das is part of Bangladesh’s theatre group representing the country at the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre. He is part of a Bangladesh government delegation of cultural exchange and the trip comes only a few weeks after Rahul's return to Dhaka after his highly successful tour of the UK with folk group ‘Joler Gaan’. Leaving today for this two-week visit to Cairo, Rahul is music arranger and actor in the production 'Nakshi Kathar Math'. This is a famous love story by poet Jasimuddin. Rahul is a key member of the new ‘BanglaScot’ cultural initiative between Bangladesh and Scotland.
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9-09-06 |
Nafees in London
Nafees Ahmed is a Pakistani colleague of Melange associates who was part of the adventurous Chinese-Pakistani-Scottish musical collaboration 'Soundings in Many Lands' sponsored by Cairn Energy and produced by associate, Alan Tweedie. His collaborators then were Melange associate Kimho Ip and Scots composer/musician Colin Blakey. Nafees arrives in London next week for more experimental work.
Sitar player, Nafees improvises to soundtracks from Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns. East meets West once more. Click here for more details:
www.artprojx.com/Dawood--Graham.html |
6-09-06 |
Singapore Biennale
Three bodies of work by Bangladesh’s Drik have just opened at the Singapore Biennale. 'Justice for Nurjahan' talks of a fatwa in rural Bangladesh and the suicide of a woman that followed. It also reminds of the powerful role played by organisations like Mohila Porishod and Ain O Shalish Kendra in the face of religious intolerance. Six bright rickshaws show the work of Bangladeshi rickshaw painters, in threat of extinction facing government bans on rickshaws on major roads. Massive wallzines talk of a world gone crazy through greed, but also speak of the wisdom of our ancestors who valued this earth. Shahidul Alam’s blog http://www.shahidul.wordpress.com is a good link for wonderful Drik photography.
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5-09-06 |
Melange Network has launched a new policy paper to promote debate within the mela network. On 27 September the European Mela Network is holding its annual get-together in Bradford. At that meeting the new Mela web site will be launched. To greet these new developments Melange Network is starting a debate on how melas should respect tradition, deal with the present and look to the future. For the policy paper click here. |
29-08-06 |
Ishara at the Mela. Melange-recommended Fringe company, Ishara from India are changing their costumes, changing their performance styles and getting into a different gear for the final weekend of the International Festival season in Edinburgh. Interacting with the children's installation at the Mela with Melange's Joanna Boyce in the lead, the Ishara contribution of puppettry and dance will be one of the main attractions of the Mela this year. |
26-08-06 |
Melange Associate Kimho Ip is conducting a workshop in Amsterdam for young composers leading to performance. Z I M A - composing for ensemble with non-western instruments. Ziggurat International Masterclass for composers (erhu | qanun | duduk | panflute | percussion | recorders | viola da gamba | double bass). The work 'Tactile', by Kimho will be played by Ziggurat in a concert during the Gaudemaus Week at 12.30 on Friday 8th of September 2006. This will take place in the Bimhuis, part of the famous Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ in Amsterdam. |
19-08-06 |
Arriving in Edinburgh today for the International Festival are
two giants of Indian classical dance. Each will be working in her own style: Madhavi Mudgal (Odissi) and Alarmel Valli (Bharata Natyam). Their performance of Samanvaya is another Melange Network recommended MUST SEE south Asian production - our third recommended production at this year's Festival. See the duo accompanied by an 11-member musical ensemble at Royal Lyceum Theatre on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 August at 8.00 p.m. |
18-08-06 |
Ishara are in Edinburgh until 3 September - you can see a different side of Ishara as they take to the field at Edinburgh Mela with their dancing and puppetry. See Ishara at Pilrig Park on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September - but see their stage production NOW. |
17-08-06 |
Melange Network recommended MUST SEE south Asian production at Edinburgh Festival: Transposition by Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust. Don't be misled by the the western view of 'puppetry'. This is a spectacular production from India with dance, martial arts and is a splendid piece of dance/physical theatre. It's a unique experience and deserves a good break from Festival audiences following their delayed opening as a result of London's recent airport baggage disaster. This saw Ishara's set disappear for days. 'Inspired', 'lyrical', 'rousing' and 'visually stunning' are among the descriptions of this not-to-be-missed experience. Zoo Southside, 117 Nicolson Street to 28 August. |
16-08-06 |
Melange Network recommended MUST SEE south Asian production at Edinburgh Festival: The Sound of Silence (extract) by Samudra from Kerela, India. 'a tremedous opener....two male dancers....(meld) stunningly synchronised athleticism with traditional percussive footwork and hand gestures. Grace, energy, precision - a joy that leaves you wanting more.' Mary Brennan, The Herald 'The charged male duo slap out rhythms on their bodies and with their feet to a pared down score of tabla rhythms and beats, slowing down into a series of powerful yogic movements. It's at once traditional, with a warrior-like, spiritual sensibility, and modern'. Chitra Ramaswamy, Scotland on Sunday. Dance Base, Grassmarket to 20 August. |
08-08-06 |
World Sufi Festival
click here for pics of the event |
30-07-07 |
Joanna creates artwork for Sufi Handbok
click here for more details |
29-07-07 |
Melange Network has grown.
click here for more details |
28-07-09 |
Workshop places still available at World Sufi Festival.
click here for more details
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28-07-09 |
Ajoka Theatre from Lahore, Pakistan present Bullha – a play on the life and times of Baba Bulleh Shah at the World Sufi Festival.
click here for more details |
7-06-06 |
Joler Gaan (Dhaka) Bring the Sound of Water to Scotland & London
29 July –11 August 2006. Joler Gaan (music of water) is a group of musicians from Dhaka. Their name means music of water and it is water that provides their inspiration, particularly from the rivers and streams inundating Bangladesh. click here for more details |
7-06-06 |
Glasgow Leads the Way with Peace in the City: World Sufi Festival
Tramway, Glasgow, Friday 4 – Sunday 6 August 2006. Melange Network is Event Manger for The World Sufi Festival in association with the Association of Poetry and Music Glasgow. The World Sufi Festival plans to be the biggest intercultural event in Scotland in 2006. It will be a family event showcasing performers, artists, crafts, fashion, poetry, theatre and film from the local area, the UK and abroad, encompassing both the traditional and modern around the Sufi theme. click here for more details |
22-05-06 |
BanglaScot launch in Edinburgh
BanglaScot is developing artist-led collaboration between Bangladesh and Scotland. It aims to connect with people working in areas such as social justice, development, anti-poverty, environment, education and human rights.
click here for more details |
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