Dear Member,
Spoilt with the occurrence of an extra/Blue moon, ringing out 2009, we continue the spirit of the unusual with ringing in the New Year for the Second time this Year. February marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year and we capture the spirit with befitting cuisine, music and films here at Habitat in collaboration with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.
We begin and close the month of February in a whirl of dance and colour that put the grey, foggy days of January, conclusively behind us. While Shivam Sundaram, Hari Madaram by Nrityaranjani promises a visual treat in group choreography on the 2nd, Holi celebrations on the 28th with Thumri, Dadra, Hori, Chaiti and Geet by Vidya Shah followed by the enchanting traditional Phoolon Ki Holi by artistes from Vrindavan, bring the month to an exhilarating close. In between is a packed and diverse calendar.
Dances From The Banks Of Brahmaputra on the 12th gives a diverse presentation of Sattriya, Bangrumba & Bihu recitals by Sharodi Saikia's Ranga Mandali & Ranju Saikia's Sangeet Sattra from Guwahati. Kishore Gangani and senior disciples of Shovana Narayan catch our eye with an evening of Kathak on 26th.
On the 3rd, panelists Bishan Singh Bedi, Satish Jacob and other eminent sportspersons and journalists take over to investigate What Ails Indian Sports? 4th proffers a book release of Cultural, Intellectual And Maritime History Of India. Prof. Rajni Kanepalli Kanth, visiting Scholar, Harvard elucidates The Crisis Of Modernism: Metaphysical Reflections on the 7th. 13th offers an intellectual feast with Rajeev Lochan, Director, NGMA and professors of DU contending upon Word, Image, Text: Studies In Literary And Visual Culture. Our Turning Point initiative this month, on the 24th looks at Changing Perceptions Of National Security: Relevance For State And Civil Society with Admiral Raja Menon & Dipankar Gupta in conversation, the session being moderated by Manoj Joshi.
The nuances of music take on varied notes as usual. A Hindustani Vocal recital by Sarathi Chatterjee followed by a Kathak recital by Rajendra Gangani engage the audience on the 19th. Raag Rang brings to the stage a Sarangi recital by Suhail Yusuf Khan, grandson and disciple of Ustad Sabri Khan and Tabla accompaniment by Shubh Maharaj, grandson and disciple of Pt. Kishan Maharaj on the 20th. Gandhi Hindustani Sahitya Sabha proffers a wholesome musical delight with Hindustani Vocal recital by Suresh Gandharva, Tabla - Pakhawaz duet by Pt. Sheetal Prasad Mishra & Bharat Mishra, Sitar recital by Dr. Rajeev Verma followed by Hindustani Vocal recital by Pt. Sangeet Kumar Nahar, on the 26th & 27th respectively.
Out Of Cocoon Theatre Co. London & Cathaayatra present the timeless classic of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, directed by Jarka Heller on the 7th, while an interesting proposition faces the audience as the Anyadesh Group Theatre Of The Sightless, Kolkata holds fort on the 27th presenting Kaliya Daman, an opera based on Krishna Leela.
The Programme Team |
