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Category: Arts & Culture

  • TRAVEL: 24 hours in Calais by Reza Amirinia

    TRAVEL: 24 hours in Calais by Reza Amirinia

    Calais is not just a place to purchase cheap cigarettes and alcohol in its hyper-markets. I have passed through Calais many times while on my way to Paris or French Riviera … writes Mohammed Reza Amirinia

    Calais is one of the most frequently used gateway to Europe for British travellers. A city which has often been ignored by tourists. Calais, unlike Dover, its equivalent on the other side of the channel, is a serious travel destination with many hidden treasures.

    Calais is not just a place to purchase cheap cigarettes and alcohol in its hyper-markets. I have passed through Calais many times while on my way to Paris or French Riviera. This was the first time that I could experience Calais for 24 hours. I was surprised to learn what I have missed and it’s really not very far from London. Calais has a lot to offer to visitors including golden sandy beaches, beautiful landscapes, fine restaurants and historical settings.

    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

    Standing at the Cap Blanc Nez, 15 Km from Calais port near Sangatte in the Pas-de-Calais, you would be in the shortest distance across the strait of Dover between England and France. The distance is only 34 Km. On a clear day, you can see the white cliffs of Dover from the hilltop of Cap Blanc Nez. Since ancient times, the headland of Cap Blanc Nez has been known as an important site of observation for sailors and border patrol. The landmark also played an important task during the two world wars.

    On the top of Cap Blanc Nez, a granite pillar monument in the memory of Dover Patrol during the First World War has been erected in 1921. Two other similar obelisks are standing in Dover and Brooklyn, New York.  The Cap Blanc Nez at the 134-meter high is the most northerly cliff in France. The landscape is a great place for a day trip, hiking and gazing at the sea.  You can also discover on the cliff side German bunkers that remain from the second World War.

    I checked in to the Metropol Hotel and then started my exploration of Calais with a visit to the Town hall. This 20th Century building has a 75-meter high belfry that has been designed in a renaissance revival style and looks like a historical structure. The building was designed in the memory of municipal merger of Calais and Saint-Pierre in 1885 and placed between the two towns.

    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

    Inside Town Hall there is a large ceremonial hall, wedding reception room, meeting room and the mayor’s office, which is on the second floor. As you climb the stairs to the second floor, a large stained-glass window depicts the story of the liberation of Calais from the English. The guide explained it in detail. The belfry, a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major landmark in Calais. Climbing to the observation platform via stairs or a lift to the top of the tower would give you a panoramic view of the city. There are also working models of the port of Calais on display.

    I had a snack and coffee at L’authentic Joe café restaurant at Rue Neuve located in Centre Commercial Coeur De Vie in Calais, before strolling in the city. It was a short walk opposite the commercial centre to the pedestrian street of Rue Charost. The balloon installation by the Portuguese artist Patricia Cunha has created a multi-colour design hanging over Rue Charost. I reach Boulevard la Fayette looking at the same colourful balloon installation decorating the sky of the main street of Calais. The Grand Theater de Calais stands at the crossing of Bd la Fayette and Bd Pasteur.

    A tour of the seafront and sandy beaches of Calais is not to be missed. As I walked along the beach, enjoying the calm view of the sea, I was amazed to see a giant creature moving along the beach front. La Compagnie du Dragon represents the majestic mechanical beastiary of a dragon. This mechanical animal is 12 meters high and 25 meters long and made of steel and wood. It has been innovated by François Delaroziere. The gigantic model of the Dragon looks so real, as it moves its ears, eyelids and tongue. It sprays water and fire now and then. You can step into the tail of this giant machine, climb the stairs to sit onboard for a forty-five minutes adventure along the promenade. As the dragon starts moving a guide explains the story behind its design. A team of 6 people control and drives the dragon. I found it an interesting experience to relax onboard viewing the glory of the sea.

    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

    I ended my day by having dinner at Aquaraile restaurant near Calais port. I enjoyed my dinner while watching a panoramic view of the sea from large windows from the fourth floor of the building, looking at ships embarking from the port. There are many restaurants in Calais offering excellent seafood. I ordered a vegetable soup made with parsley for my starter. I followed this with the main course, cod fish with potatoes and broccoli. Aquaraile also offers an excellent cheese board to meet most tastes. I ended my dinner with dessert and mint tea while watching the sunset. The scenery was a colourful explosion of light and tint as the sun faded away on the horizon.

    I was lucky to witness Fête de la Musique in Calais which happens every year on the 21st of June, the symbolic day of the summer solstice. The annual event is a music celebration throughout the territory of Hauts-de-France with free performances of all kinds. I went to the city centre. There were many stands with DJs playing hip hop, pop and jazz outside shops and restaurants across Rue Royale. The celebration was extended to Place d’Armes, a large square at the centre of the town where the 13th-century watch tower of Tour du Guet stands. A monument of Yvonne and Charles De Gaulle has also been erected in the square. The festival was going to continue till morning, but I needed my sleep and could not stay longer.

    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

    In the morning after breakfast, I checked out of the hotel and headed to visit La Coupole. I was interested in learning more about the history of World War II in France and German remains around Calais. Calais was a very strategic place for Germans to launch an attack on Britain. In 1943 the Germans built La Coupole, an impressive bunker to launch the V2 missiles against Britain. This historic site was built in the Pas-de-Calais department, about 5 kilometres from Saint-Omer, and 40 Kilometres from Calais Port. This innovative centre was never used because Germans could not complete it on time as the site was heavily bombarded by Allied forces. The site was renovated in 1997 and turned into a museum to tell the story of the German occupation of France including the V weapons, various missiles and space exploration. Arriving at the museum and before entering the tunnel, the view of the grey dome of La Coupole is a solemn reminder of this mighty destructive military site. 

    I entered a huge dark tunnel with high ceiling leading to winding smaller tunnels. There are smaller inner sections displaying the exhibits about La Couple and certain machinery which was used in building the bunker. Going through the tunnels reminds me of war movies. I highly recommend it to those who like to get in-depth information about World War II.

    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

    My exploration of Calais wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Calais Museum of Lace and Fashion. It was a great educational experience to learn about the origins of lace-making in Calais. The museum is housed in an old lace factory. The story of lace in Calais goes back to the early nineteenth century when a group of tulle makers immigrated from Nottingham (famous for its lace making) to Calais. They smuggled machinery from England and set up their lace-making business. Their business flourished and soon become an important trade on the continent. Old machines are still in operation. The visitor can observe lace making and hear the musical sound of machines. 

    The museum illustrates the history of lace making with displays of handmade examples through to products made by machine. There are also fashion exhibits of various clothes using lace.     

    I enjoyed my 24 hours visit to Calais. I hope to return in the future and explore more of this amazing city. I took the DFDS ferry back to Dover enjoying the benefits of their premium lounge.

    More Information:

    • For information about Calais visit Calais Tourist office.
    • DFDS Ferries has frequent daily sailings from Dover to Calais and offers prices from £70 each way for a car including four people. You can upgrade for the premium lounge at a price of £12 per person each way.

    Images and story © Mohammad Reza Amirinia

    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
    A still from Calais – Images © Mohammad Reza Amirinia
  • Restoring realism through Bikash Bhattacharjee art

    Restoring realism through Bikash Bhattacharjee art

    The Arts Trust website hosts a specially curated online retrospective that pays homage to the influential artist and showcases a selection of works from the years 1950 to 2000…reports Asian Lite News

    Bikash Bhattacharjee, one of the greatest artists to come out of India, is recognised with restoring realism through his exquisite oil paintings and expressing the hopes, fears, and dualities of the people of Bengal in his work. His development as an artist happened in line with his ongoing commitment to finding his characters.

    Celebrating Bikash Bhattacharjee’s Art Practice from 1950-2000.(photo:IANSLIFE)
    Celebrating Bikash Bhattacharjee’s Art Practice from 1950-2000.(photo:IANSLIFE)

    He was admired for his talent for bringing the emotions of his adopted subjects to life. He created an impression by using intricate technical procedures to convey the empathy he felt for them.

    The Arts Trust website hosts a specially curated online retrospective that pays homage to the influential artist and showcases a selection of works from the years 1950 to 2000.

    ALSO READ-‘Threading the Horizon’

  • ‘Threading the Horizon’

    ‘Threading the Horizon’

    The practices suggest worldmaking inside itself, where encounters, engagements, acts, and actions build new cosmologies. Restitution, tranquility, and the vigor of collective effort all point to a brighter future…reports N. LOTHUNGBENI HUMTSOE

    ‘Threading the Horizon: Propositions on Worldmaking through Socially Engaged Art Practice,’ a new exhibition from Khoj, brings together socially engaged creative practitioners to reflect on quotidian experiences of gender-based violence and thread together propositions on and imaginings of equitable futures across social and cultural horizons.

    The show, which is a collaboration of fourteen community-based projects from around India, highlights acts of resilience that develop through artistic techniques of placemaking, creating voice, bearing witness, negotiating visibility and leisure, healing, and catharsis. The practices suggest worldmaking inside itself, where encounters, engagements, acts, and actions build new cosmologies. Restitution, tranquility, and the vigor of collective effort all point to a brighter future.

    Featuring works by Aravani Art Project, Aryakrishnan R, Baaraan Ijlal, Divya Chopra and Rwitee Mandal, Jasmeen Patheja, Padmini Ray Murray, Princess Pea, Saleha Sapra and Riddhi Batra, Sanyukta Saha, Shweta Bhattad, Sumedha Garg and Nitin Bathla, Sumona Chakravarty and Nilanjan Das, Swati Janu and Stuti Pradhan, the projects pry open the everydayness of gender-based violence to make way for an alternate framing of this experience through an artist’s lens in the public realm.

    The opening event will include a performance by the ‘Gram Art Project’ from 6.30 pm onwards. The women of Gram Art Project will be showcasing a collection of clothes made from organic cotton, sourced in part from their own fields. The individual iterations of clothing will unpack the stories of violence and unjust practices faced by the women.

    Threading the Horizon exhibition opens on November 5, 2022 (6 pm onwards) and will be on view until December 30 from 11 am to 7 pm | Monday to Saturday at Khoj Studios, S-17 Khirkee Extension, New Delhi.

    ALSO READ-‘Solaris’: ‘Pertaining to the sun’

  • ‘Tora’s Husband’ receives overwhelming response at Toronto Int’l Film Festival

    ‘Tora’s Husband’ receives overwhelming response at Toronto Int’l Film Festival

    She would start shooting after every lockdown over a period of three years and recalls that the state of my mind would change constantly. “It was natural that everything around would affect us,” Das recalls…writes Sukant Deepak

    Scenes unfold in a waltz, the audience is delicately guided into the lives of complete strangers. Situations emerge at their own pace, and subtlety in each frame is the force of her cinema.

    In a typical Rima Das film, several things are left unsaid for she trusts the audience. In her cinema, enigma is seldom lost and every new work calls for celebration, and not just because all her previous three films did the rounds of some of the most prestigious film festivals, and the latest, “Tora’s Husband” received an overwhelming response at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival held recently.

    Her third feature to premiere at TIFF in a row and the first Indian film to be selected in the Platform section, Das tells it has been her most challenging film.

    “It is also different from my other films, longer as well. Shooting during the pandemic took a toll on the cast and crew emotionally. Even at the edit table, I was struggling because the film reflected the same restless state of mind,” she says.

    The Assamese language film, which will have its Asia Premiere at the 27 Busan International Film Festival is a story of a loving father and a kind neighbour, who struggles to keep his small-town business afloat while his relationships deteriorate, amidst loss and lockdowns. Shot during the lockdown, the film depicts life in a small town during the pandemic.

    During the first lockdown, Das, best known for her 2017 film ‘Village Rockstars’, which won several National and international awards and was India’s official entry for the 90th Academy Awards, went to Assam from Mumbai and felt she “needed to do her part”, and started work on the movie. “Initially the film was supposed to be a family drama, but it slowly incorporated other themes.”

    She would start shooting after every lockdown over a period of three years and recalls that the state of my mind would change constantly. “It was natural that everything around would affect us,” Das recalls.

    For someone who lives in Mumbai but makes films in Assam, it is the metropolis that helps her see her home state from a different perspective. “It also helps me to understand the value of my roots. When I go there from Mumbai, I see it differently. And that holds true for Mumbai too when I make my way back. Also, logistically, Assam is more convenient,” says Das who initially moved to Mumbai to become an actor.

    When she started her career in filmmaking, Das thought that her films would do well only in festivals abroad, but when her movies were screened at the Mumbai film festival, the filmmaker was surprised by the audience’s response. “I was overwhelmed. Not just in Mumbai, the films were received extremely well in Assam too. I get a lot of emails, some people insist that I inspire them to make movies, which I find really touching.”

    Known as a one-woman crew — writing, directing, producing, editing, and shooting a film, besides handling art direction and costume designing, Das who is not trained in any aspect of filmmaking does miss the formal training now.

    “I have never worked on a big set and would love to know how they negotiate things there. Whatever I have learned is from watching movies, thus sometimes I feel my knowledge is limited. Frankly, I want to acquaint myself with the technical aspects. Learning cinematography really fascinates me.”

    Even as the last 15 years have seen a large number of independent filmmakers come up, Das feels that if producers take an initiative, many movies by such directors can see a theatrical release. “India is a huge consumer-driven country and the kind of feedback these films receive is proof enough that a sizeable audience wanting to consume them exists. Also, it is important that the government takes proactive measures. In festivals abroad, I see so many school-children volunteering, interviewing filmmakers, making their own short films…This is how an audience develops for such cinema. What is stopping our education system from taking such initiatives?”

    Already shooting her next movie, Das is also looking forward to collaborating with someone. “And there is a short film coming on the OTT platforms — with a larger cast and different languages. I am quite looking forward to that.”

    ALSO READ-Tabu To Take Part in Toronto Film Fest

  • ‘Then Came the River’

    ‘Then Came the River’

    The author who started work on her next book during the process of publishing ‘Then Came the River’, concludes, “It still needs a lot of work…writes Sukant Deepak

    The idea of writing a book with Assam as the locale started soon after she moved from the state to Delhi, and that was when Debapriya Roy was in high school. “Because I experienced the Assam agitation, it formed the framework of the story. I had been ruminating about the storyline for the book for several years before I started writing the actual draft,” she tells.

    Roy’s ‘Then Came the River’ (Bloomsbury), set against the backdrop of the militant secessionism in Assam is about friendship and intimacy, the thin line between love and friendship, and the agony of loving and losing a friend.

    The author says growing up in Assam influenced the setting of the book completely. “I spent my formative years there and carried it in my heart when I left. It is an extraordinarily beautiful place and childhood is a special time in one’s life. I have vivid memories of my time there. All of this stays with you even when you have moved far away, and many years have gone by.”

    Adding that she did not really have to research extensively for the book as most of what she has written is based on my memories of Assam, Roy says she did read about the Assam agitation to ensure that the details of the agitation and its settlement were accurate. “As a tea aficionado, I was aware of the process of tea production that is depicted in the book but did read up about the process to ensure that what I thought I knew was correct,” she adds.

    While the story revolves around Roop and Vikranta, she feels that both characters are much different from her. ” What I do have in common with these characters is their love for the state and the river Brahmaputra.”

    She started with a skeletal framework of the story; a chronicle of an unusual friendship in the isolated tea plantations of Asam, in the time of the insurgency, and wrote it in bits and parts- not necessarily in the order of beginning, middle and end. “I would redact segments that did not seem right on review. The narrative fell into place as I went along. I also tried to keep the narrative free-flowing and succinct, and avoid verbosity.”

    Stressing that travelling is essential for the writer in her, Roy feels new experiences, sights, and people one encounters during travelling spark new ideas that one incorporates into his/her narrative, something that is instrumental in enhancing the writing.

    The author who started work on her next book during the process of publishing ‘Then Came the River’, concludes, “It still needs a lot of work.

    ALSO READ-Regular routines quintessential for healthy development

  • Barakat Trust to launch digital exhibit on Gaza strip in Palestine

    Barakat Trust to launch digital exhibit on Gaza strip in Palestine

    Seif El Rashidi, Director of Barakat Trust said  “The Barakat Trust is very happy to showcase the stories of heritage and community in Gaza on the Google Arts & Culture platform…reports Asian Lite News

    Google Arts & Culture announced today the launch of a digital exhibit by the Barakat Trust about the Gaza strip in Palestine. The project, which is Barakat Trust’s inaugural collection on Google Arts & Culture will help more people around the world learn about Palestinian culture and heritage.

    To produce the digital exhibit, the Barakat Trust, a charity organization that focuses on the Islamic world’s education and heritage, worked with professionals and experts in Gaza to document a range of the city’s architectural and cultural facets through firsthand accounts from the city’s residents available in Arabic and English.

    People can hear from Gazan engineers, academics and journalists about their experience growing up in the city, their history and shared memories of living through war. It also features a series of videos and stories about preservation efforts in the Gaza strip and the difficulties facing local preservation experts who are working to restore and maintain local heritage sites.

    “We all need to support Gaza in a different way[s]. Not only [with] food and medicine, but also to safeguard its identity and cultural heritage. This project funded by the Barakat Trust is very important to us – to help make our voices reach outside of Gaza” said Muneer Elbaz, a participant in Barkat’s Trust’s project, Architect, Urban Planner and  Lecturer at UCAS.

    One of the main heritage sites in Gaza is Palestine’s oldest mosque – the Omari mosque. Established in 1277 A.D, the mosque has a history similar to that of Turkey’s Aya Sofia, where it was used for different religious purposes over the years – from temple, to church, to mosque, to church then to mosque again.  The collection also delves into local conservation efforts in the city, including efforts to digitally preserve religious manuscripts found in the Omari mosque and historical buildings.

    Seif El Rashidi, Director of Barakat Trust said  “The Barakat Trust is very happy to showcase the stories of heritage and community in Gaza on the Google Arts & Culture platform. We have supported conservation and heritage education efforts in this historic city for several years and are delighted by the change these projects are bringing to the city. This collection of stories highlights both the history of Gaza and the dynamic people involved in preserving its diverse heritage. We see the platform [Google Arts & Culture]  as a great way to enable the discovery of overlooked places, and to spark interest.”

    People can also discover Gaza’s history as a port city and the role played by Souk Al Qissaariya as a hub for trade between east and west with products such as frankincense, myrrh, spices, precious stones and textiles all making their way through the city.

    Commenting on the importance of the collection, Chance Coughenour, Head of Preservation at Google Arts & Culture said “These stories illustrate the diversity of challenges local experts are facing to safeguard cultural heritage, ranging from the Great Omari Mosque Manuscripts to the Souk al-Qissariya, and how The Barakat Trust is supporting them. We’re proud that by offering a digital platform, Google Arts & Culture can help more people around the world to learn about the life and efforts of Gazans.”

    Google Arts & Culture helps put the treasures, stories and knowledge of over 2,900 cultural institutions from 80 countries into the hands of people around the world. Google Arts & Culture works as an innovation partner for cultural institutions by working on technologies that help preserve and share culture in new ways.

    The launch of the Barakat Trust’s digital exhibit is Google Arts & Culture’s most recent effort to help showcase and support the preservation of contemporary culture and ancient heritage of the Middle East. Previous digital exhibitions include the Dalloul Art Foundation in Lebanon, the National Library & Archives and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority in the United Arab Emirates, the Art & Soul of Mosul, Iraq, and Preserving Egypt’s Layered History in Egypt. The Gaza stories are available on the Google Arts & Culture website and its app (Android and iOS).

    ALSO READ-Curating a world of fantasy and surrealism

  • To design, build, and furnish the spaces

    To design, build, and furnish the spaces

    Imagine staying in a Kafal (Myrica esculenta) shaped bedroom located at a height of 6900 ft from sea level, in a quaint little village called Makkumath in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand…reports Asian Lite News

    Hundred aspiring designers, architects, do-it-yourselves, and makers from 23 nations were selected from tens of thousands of entries to realise their wild space ideas as part of the $10,000,000 OMG! Fund. Each winner will receive up to $100,000 USD to help them realise their fantastical creations.

    Five recipients from India were selected by the fund. The winning concepts stood out for their original and inspiring designs, attention to sustainability, and creative approaches to providing immersive guest experiences. Over the course of the next ten months, they will design, build, and furnish their spaces so that they are ready for guests by summer 2023, when you might be able to find them listed in Airbnb’s OMG! Category.

    Decided upon by the OMG! These elaborate plans are anticipated to win the OMG! Award from the fund’s judging panel, which includes design and fashion icon Iris Apfel, architect Koichi Takada, Airbnb Superhost Kristie Wolfe, and Airbnb VP of Experiential Bruce Vaughn. Once they become bookable on the platform, a category of homes become 100 times more extraordinary.

    The successful India applicants broaden the definition of what an Airbnb stay can be, from a sprout house farm stay in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra to a cheeky mango mansion close to Madurai in Tamil Nadu to a sustainable and livable giant molar tooth.

    The Wow! Fund recipients have the chance to benefit from the significant economic advantages of hosting on the platform, with which many are already familiar because more than 50 percent are already Hosts. In India, the number of nights reserved at distinctive properties has increased by more than 30% in just the last two years, from 2019 to 2021. As more visitors book unusual accommodations, hosts are also making money, with unique listings in India alone making close to INR 250 million just in 2021.

    Meet the five Indian OMG! recipients who made it to the top 100 list:

    Himalayan Fruit Shaped Bedrooms created by Arun M.

    Imagine staying in a Kafal (Myrica esculenta) shaped bedroom located at a height of 6900 ft from sea level, in a quaint little village called Makkumath in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.

    This home will have a ‘bunch’ of Kafal shaped valley view rooms, joined by a leaf solar bridge on top. Each room will be painted in a unique shade from green to dark maroon, to represent the varying shades of the local fruit. The rooms will have mud flooring, reflecting the local tradition to maintain natural cooling. All the bedrooms will come with a verandah that will merge into the endless views of the nearby forest.

    Talking about the inspiration for this idea, OMG! Fund recipient Arun said, “The idea of this space is to give a tribute to the mysterious and sustainable life and culture of the Himalayas. I have really fond childhood memories of visiting our family home in Uttarakhand, and eating Kafal fruit during the summers. This project for me is a way to rebuild that childhood home. It would be a home to all those who yearn to return to the lap of nature.”

    Sustainable and Habitable Giant Molar Tooth created by Pewly D.

    Located in a small forest in the heart of Tripura, this Molar residence will look like a real tooth. Designed with organic shapes, and locally sourced sustainable materials, it will feel as if you’re living within a carved tooth.

    “I’m a nature inspired architect and children’s book author, who’s always aspired to bridge the gap between architecture in fantasy worlds and real life. My proposed project is a sustainable and habitable giant molar tooth, located in a private woodland in Northeast India. It was first conceptualized in a fantasy book I authored about teeth dwelling beings and I’m excited about turning this idea into an actual living space for Airbnb guests,” said Pewly.

    Sprout House Farm Stay created by Milind S.

    The Sprout House will be an organic living experience that goes beyond just providing a good stay and food. It is about embracing the basics – going back to the roots, to grow and thrive in the lap of nature. The Sprout House will be built at the banks of Krishna river, next to a thriving biodiversity spot of Maharashtra, located at a drivable distance from Pune. At the Sprout House, guests will wake up every day to the wonderful sights and sounds of nature and enjoy a peaceful getaway. The organic stay is quite fittingly inspired by sprout – in both its spirit and shape.

    Milind S, the brainchild behind the Sprout House Farm Stay said, “Sprout House is more than just a place to stay and eat. It’s about living in nature and getting back to the basics. The goal is to get more farmers to use organic farming methods, consider operating a farm-stay as one of their other consistent revenue streams, and get more people to live an organic lifestyle.”

    100 out-of-this-world ideas.(photo:IANSLIFE)
    100 out-of-this-world ideas.(photo:IANSLIFE)
    100 out-of-this-world ideas.(photo:IANSLIFE)
    100 out-of-this-world ideas.(photo:IANSLIFE)

    Mischievous Mango Mansion created by Rajan E.

    The mango mansion will be located in the southern part of India in Natham near Madurai Tamil Nadu. The mansion will be surrounded by beautiful mango trees consisting of various mango types native to India. The mango mansion will be unique with its mango shaped mansion from top view and front view illustrating the different mango size and shapes for style.

    Invisible Farmhouse at a Mango Orchard created by Ankur A.

    How about staying at an ‘Invisible’ farmhouse with fields on one side and an orchard on the other, located in an ancestral farm in Gabhana, Aligarh, close to Delhi. The idea is to cover the external walls of the house with seamless reflective glass and metal to reflect the branches, leaves, and the sky and therefore completely camouflage the presence of the house.

    “The inspiration for the idea came after visiting my friend’s family in Gabhana, Aligarh, who have been remarkable custodians of these Mango orchards for generations. The invisible house will be a place that encourages reconciling with nature by completely dissolving within the orchard. This is a design for people who like to escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life,” said Ankur.

    ALSO READ-‘Blooms of Paradise’

  • NCPA presents a complete cultural week of artistic vibes 

    NCPA presents a complete cultural week of artistic vibes 

    A line up of fun and frollic week ahead with NCPA’s specially curated events which includes International Music, Indian Music, Film & Screenings, Western Classical Music, Dance, and so much more.

    The events are scheduled from 12th October- 20th October 2022.

    Reality Check – Special Screening

    Documentary Film. An NCPA Presentation in collaboration with Cinema Collective. The NCPA has revived the Reality Check film series, which was started in 2014, to promote and encourage documentary filmmakers in India, whose work reflects life and culture in the country today in a provocative blend of creativity and integrity. The Master: Shyam Benegal9 (English Film) will be screened and the screening will be followed by a discussion.

    Where: Godrej Dance Theatre

    When: 13 October 2022 | 6:30 pm

    Duration: 90 mins

    SOI Autumn 2022: Die Fledermaus

    3 performances, 100 performers! A fully staged opera is back at the NCPA! The plot begins on New Year’s Eve when Eisenstein is sentenced to jail for punching a police officer. He decides to evade jail for one night so that he can go to Prince Orlofsky’s lavish party with his friend Falke, however without telling his wife, Rosalinde. Tipped off about her husband’s plan, Rosalinde follows him to the ball, disguised as a Hungarian countess. Adele, their maid, also feigns an excuse to be released from work that night so that she can also go to the ball, disguised as a Russian actress named Olga. Much fun and frivolity ensue, in what remains one of Strauss’ most beloved works and a favourite with audiences around the globe. Sung in German with English subtitles. An NCPA Presentation. This performance is a production of the Hungarian State Opera.

    Where: Jamshed Bhabha Theatre

    When: 14 October 2022 | 7:00 pm | 16 October 2022 | 5:00 pm

    Price: Member Price- Rs.6750, 5400, 4320, 2970, 2250 & 1350/- | Non-Member Price- Rs.7500, 6000, 4800, 3300, 2500 & 1500/-

    Duration: Approx 180 mins

    SOI Autumn 2022: Bank Ban

    Concert performance. Music by Ferenc Erkel. Sung in Hungarian with English subtitles. The performance is a production of the Hungarian State Opera. This program will run for approximately for120 mins with one intermission.

    Where: Jamshed Bhabha Theatre

    When: 15 October 2022 | 7:00 pm

    Duration: Approx 120 mins

    Best of World Music | Surya by Taufiq Qureshi

    Surya is a collaborative fusion of ethnic Indian classical and world music. Surya explores world music, taking inspiration primarily from Indian classical music, and also from other genres like jazz, folk music, and cultural elements of Afro, Latin, and contemporary music.

    Where: Tata Theatre

    When: 15 October 2022 | 6:30 pm

    Price: Member- Rs.1,080, 900, 720 & 450/- (Plus GST) | Non-Member Price- Rs.1,200, 1,000, 800 & 500/- (Plus GST)

    NCPA-HSBC Music Workshop Management Life skills from a perspective of a performer by Dr. Anand Nadkarni

    It is a free online workshop. This workshop aims at helping artists understand the importance of psychosocial life skills in the development of their careers.

    Where: Online Workshop on Zoom

    When: 15 October 2022 | 11:00 am-3:00 pm

    Short Film Corner

    White Wall Screenings (WWS) was founded in 2017 as a community to facilitate a conversation between short filmmakers and film connoisseurs. WWS has successfully showcased more than 300 short films and conducts workshops, masterclasses, and conversations around filmmaking and films. Three movies will be screened on this day.

    Where: Little Theatre

    When: 19 October 2022 | 6:30 pm

    Bon Voyage

    An NCPA and Korean Cultural Centre Presentation. The work Bon Voyage (Have a good trip!) expresses the cultural and musical inspiration that the ensemble ID received from their travels in Korea as well as outside of Korea, with music created by expanding the expression and framework of Korean traditional music. Ki Mun Nam, YoungBin Oh, HongSub Kim, SeungRyoul Jung & JinGyu Kim will be the artists for the evening.

    Where: Experimental Theatre

    When: 19 October 2022 | 7:00 pm

    Duration: 60 mins

    Movies Under the Stars- Notorious (1946)

    An NCPA & Film Heritage Foundation Presentation. Notorious is ranked as one of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpieces.

    Where: Little Theatre

    When: 20 October 2022 | 6:30 pm

    Duration: 101 mins

    ALSO READ-‘Traditional dance does not really need a choreographer’

  • Indian art festival to improve the quality of art

    Indian art festival to improve the quality of art

    Quality and trust are not only the keys to building an art gallery brand, but they ensure continual reputation and credibility among art buyers…reports Asian Lite News

    No matter how many digital platforms we create, art festivals are uniquely appealing due to the experience of actually being there, visually relishing artworks hanging on the walls, enjoying a chat with the artists, mingling with friends and enjoying a cup of coffee in a makeshift cafeteria! The India Art Festival, is a contemporary art fair hosted from 13th to 16th October 2022 at Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.

    Rajendra Patil, founder, and Managing Director, of the India Art festival, is all set to welcome and host the coming Art festival with full zeal and enthusiasm. He says that India Art Festival pays attention to improving the quality of art displayed at the art festival; though our directive principles germinated from our institutional backgrounds appeal to our conscience to be balanced and accommodative towards unrepresented sections like independent artists while judging their work on a set benchmark.

    Quality and trust are not only the keys to building an art gallery brand, but they ensure continual reputation and credibility among art buyers. The Curators Art, Pichwai by Beyond Square-Udaipur, Rhythm Art Gallery, Rabi Art Gallery, Gallery Pioneer, Pastel Tales, Artecious- New Delhi, and Artvista- Mumbai are some of the galleries that take meticulous care to create inspiring viewing ambiance in their booths forcing visitors to enter it.

    Indian Art Festival 2022.(photo:IANSLIFE)

    In this edition of IAF, 25 Art Galleries and 450 artists are displaying over 4500 artworks in 110 booths. IAF, known for its democratic presentation of art offers emerging, independent artists the opportunity to exhibit along with major and mid-level art galleries presenting established and master artists with thousands of innovative artworks.

    The India Art Festival, New Delhi Edition program begins on Thursday, 13th October 2022 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at Constitution Club of India.

    ALSO READ-‘Traditional dance does not really need a choreographer’

  • Must read enjoyable books for kids

    Must read enjoyable books for kids

    My Big Book is a series of ‘big books’ that are not big in size but bug on ideas and inspiration. This includes My Big Book of Earth and My Big Book of Global Warming, edited by Geeta Dharmarajan…reports Asian Lite News

    Because India has such a diverse population, there are many possibilities to celebrate distinct holidays. For kids, the festive holiday break and all the excitement goes along with the festive emotions, with activities like pandal hopping and food festivals. However for older people it is all about decorating homes and entertaining. So how does one keep the kids busy through the entertaining and all the traveling. Young kids can use this time to develop the habit of reading books that not only provide them with knowledge but are also enjoyable to read. We’ve listed out 5 books for your Diwali break

    The Land Beyond The Moon by Merlinwand

    Written by Parvathy Raveendran and illustrated by Rajyasree Sarkar, The Land Beyond The Moon is a new book by Merlinwand that deals specifically with the loss of a pet. The story deals with fighting supervillains while spinning across asteroids and the moon to revive the pet. Along with choosing and naming the central character, the reader can choose which of the three worlds one wants to explore – Forest of Zee on a winged horse Peggy, the Kingdom of Zee on the friendly carpet Rasul, or the Planet of Zee on the futuristic spaceship Dhruva. The Land Beyond The Moon is the perfect book to teach kids about the importance of relationships, especially the relationship of humans and pets.

    Our Toxic World: A Guide to Hazardous Substances in Our Everyday Lives by SAGE Publications

    5 must buy books for your kids.(photo:IANSLIFE)

    Our Toxic World takes a close look at these hidden perils, and at what we can do to make our own lives, and the world around us, a little cleaner, a little safer. The Sachdeva family is like many others. A father with a government job; his wife a homemaker; a son starting a career; and a daughter in high school. And like most other families in a big city, the Sachdevas are surrounded in their everyday lives by a cocktail of toxic substances. From food toxins, waste, automobile and industrial pollutants, and green laws to chemicals, building construction every possible hazardous substance is in there. The book describes the impacts of harmful chemicals, and highlights alternate approaches to reduce their presence. It is a graphic novel by Aniruddha Sen Gupta and Priya Kuriyan and a keeper for all green bookshelves.

    “My Big Book” by Katha books

    My Big Book is a series of ‘big books’ that are not big in size but bug on ideas and inspiration. This includes My Big Book of Earth and My Big Book of Global Warming, edited by Geeta Dharmarajan. This series is a collection of poems, stories, stunning illustrations, and sketches about the globe. My Big Book of Earth explores the significant and current topic of environmental protection and conservation in a loving ode to our planet Earth. My Big Book of Global Warming is a book that explores how Global Warming affects people and shows young readers many easy ways to help make a difference. It is also a mix of fiction and non-fiction, with tips and trivia.

    P.S. What’s Up With the Climate by Pratham books

    5 must buy books for your kids.(photo:IANSLIFE)

    P.S. What’s Up With the Climate written by an award-winning author Vachharajani and illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan is a book that explores the theme of climate change and addresses the complex issue in a humorous, albeit thought-provoking style. This work of nonfiction is incredibly well-researched and has a paranormal understanding of the way things are headed. It’s set in a world where the lives of all animals has gone topsy-turvy as it’s suddenly too hot, too cold, no rain or too much rain. This book not only educates kids about environmental issues but also, forces them to be intrigued about the environment and question themselves. It is safe to say that this book actually helps kids to take the first step to conserving the environment from their own home!

    Ira The Little Dolphin and Lai-Lai the Baby Elephant By Tulika Publishers

    5 must buy books for your kids.(photo:IANSLIFE)

    Shekar Dattatri, a renowned wildlife and conservation filmmaker, is the author of these amazing books. Lai-Lai the Baby Elephant is bilingual, and introduces young readers to a playful baby elephant who is interested in his surroundings. To ensure that elephants like Lai-Lai have a pleasant life ahead of them. In the second book, Ira The Little Dolphin, one encounters a contented tiny dolphin performing backflips in Lake Chilika. She is unaware of the dangers Irrawaddy dolphins endure. Photos in the book make the subject more engaging for young readers, ages 3 to 6. Both the books emphasize the necessity to preserve the forests and jungles.

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