DANCEKonark Dance and Music Festival
(Konark Natya Mandap, Konark)
The Konark Dance Festival is now hot on the heels of its
better-known counterpart at Khajuraho. Packaged earlier more as a tourist attraction with
liberal doses of food and even an adventurous coast-to-coast 175 km long trek thrown in,
the frills are out at last. While established names like Madhavi Menon and G. Vidya were
there last week, Konark is also fast becoming a launching pad for talented newcomers.
Flamenco Natyam
(India Habitat Centre, Delhi; March 9)
As the name suggests, Flamenco Natyam will juxtapose the
basic elements of Spanish Flamenco with those of Indian classical dance. This
collaboration between the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Spanish Embassy
will see a teaming up between Flamenco dancer-singer La Conja and Bharatnatyam and Odissi
exponent Rajika Puri.
MUSIC
Dear Ella-Dee Dee Bridge Water
(Polygram; Rs 95)
Ella Fitzgerald is known the world over for her electrifying
jazz performances. This album is a tribute to the first lady of jazz, saluting some of her
most memorable concerts. A great collection of tunes. If you're into this kind of music,
you're also likely to freak out on the trumpet (Byron Stripling) and trombone (Bob
Trowers). Go buy it.
ART
An Exhibition of Paintings -- Eleena Banik
(Apollo Apparao Galleries, Mumbai; February 26 to March 30)
Eleena Banik, trained at Shantiniketan and based in Calcutta,
shows her work at the spanking new Apollo Apparao Galleries. Largely a collection of
abstracts, Banik's canvases are shorn of all ostentation and human form. Part of the
proceeds from these exhibitions are channelled to the Apollo Cancer Foundation. Good show.
A Tribute to G R Santosh
(Dhoomimal Art Centre, Delhi; March 10-24)
This one's a tribute to Gulam Rasool Santosh on the occasion
of his first death anniversary. Santosh, who was known for his Tantra art, worked
predominantly in oils, so this exhibition of his watercolours is an interesting diversion.
Here, the master dwells on the union of Shiv and Shakti. |