Odissi, the Japanese connection

Odissi, the Japanese connection

The beauteous Odissi dance has admirers and exponents not only in India but also beyond. In Japan, for example, there are disciples and schools to teach the art. Why does this classical dance from the shores of the Bay of Bengal attract dancers from far-off Japan? Amrita Singh from Kobe, meets three exponents to find out

by Trans World Features February 01, 2022

Her Turn On Stage

Her Turn On Stage

Solo acting by women performers has its own appeal and relevance which go beyond the scope just as a theatre format. Ranjita Biswas ponders on what makes it tick following the recent demise of veteran in the field, Saoli Mitra

by Trans World Features January 25, 2022

Muskaans fresh approach to promote Indias literary and cultural heritage among students

Muskaans fresh approach to promote Indias literary and cultural heritage among students

Kolkata: Project `Muskaan an initiative of Prabha Khaitan Foundation and Education for All Trust and supported by Shree Cement - will reach out to thousands of students across India to popularise heritage literature and culture by engaging them in cultural programmes, story-telling, dance, music, puppetry, theatre and art.

by Trans World Features December 31, 2021

Thats the way a story is told

Thats the way a story is told

Telling folk tales or stories from the epics to children is a part of our oral history, as across the world. But it is also an art and challenge too, how to retain their interest, particularly with a multitude of channels open to them today. Deepa Kiran of Hyderabad is a modern storyteller who brings old stories alive with lan - dancing, acting, playing the flute or tambourine. Mesmerised by her act at a recent event, Ranjita Biswas chats with the artist to discover what makes her tick

by Trans World Features December 04, 2021

Vienna in audacious campaign strips on OnlyFans social network to showcase historical nude art

Vienna in audacious campaign strips on OnlyFans social network to showcase historical nude art

The Vienna Tourist Board is once again putting artistic freedom at the centre of social debate in its latest audacious marketing initiative with high-profile social network OnlyFans.

by Trans World Features November 03, 2021

Kumartuli Walk: Where the Mother Goddess is a 'Deltasur' slayer

Kumartuli Walk: Where the Mother Goddess is a 'Deltasur' slayer

by Trans World Features October 06, 2021

Once Upon a Time In Mumbai: Through the Eyes of the Kolis

Once Upon a Time In Mumbai: Through the Eyes of the Kolis

Despite its stellar development, Mumbai cannot ignore the knowledge that resides with its earliest inhabitants, the Koli community. A digital exhibition launched on World Indigenous People's Day on Aug 9 now explores Mumbai through the lens of these first residents of a fishing community. Uttara Ganguly reports

by Trans World Features August 14, 2021

Canada will witness the first drive-thru Indian cultural parade on Aug 15 in Mississauga:  Panorama India

Canada will witness the first drive-thru Indian cultural parade on Aug 15 in Mississauga: Panorama India

Panorama India has been celebrating India Day for the last 21 years. During a Zoom meeting on July 7 hosted by IBNS Correspondent Asha Bajaj, its Chairperson Sumeeta Kohli, President & Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank Sandeep Goel and Director and CEO of Tourism Mississauga Victoria Clarke share about India Day 2021 celebrations.

by Trans World Features July 11, 2021

India doesn't require Information and Broadcasting Ministry: Congress leader Manish Tewari

India doesn't require Information and Broadcasting Ministry: Congress leader Manish Tewari

Former Information and Broadcasting Minister and Congress leader Manish Tewari feels there is no need to have the portfolio which he once had served under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In an exclusive chat with Archana Dalmia in another session of Ek Mulakat Vishesh, organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation and presented by Shree Cement, Tewari, a lawyer by profession, also spoke on crime and law. IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh brings more

by Trans World Features July 09, 2021

Mughal Art: A blending and a flowering

Mughal Art: A blending and a flowering

Mughal art, as it branched into many areas of creativity, blended seamlessly with local socio-cultural ethos of the adopted country. It is a fascinating journey of discovery for Ranjita Biswas as revealed through the pages of a recently published book, Reflections on Mughal Art & Culture

by Trans World Features July 05, 2021

Life and struggle are synonymous: Laxmi Narayan Tripathi

Life and struggle are synonymous: Laxmi Narayan Tripathi

Transgender/Hijra rights activist, actor, dancer and choreographer Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi was the guest at Kalam Vishesh organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation and presented by Shree Cement. In an exclusive chat with entrepreneur Apra Kucchal of Ehsaas Women of Jaipur, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi spoke about her struggle in life and rise to the rank now she holds. IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh brings highlights

by Trans World Features June 28, 2021

Doordarshan brings a new show on Hindustani classical music featuring legendary artists

Doordarshan brings a new show on Hindustani classical music featuring legendary artists

Kolkata: Classical music lovers are in for a treat with the telecast of Doordarshan Delhi Kendras new show "My Favourite Raaga" on DD Bharati. The show features the who's who of Hindustani Classical music such as Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt Rajan & Sajan Mishra, Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhat, Ustad Shahid Parvez amongst other stalwarts.

by Trans World Features June 11, 2021

 India gives bigger perspective of life than Norway: Himanshu Gulati

India gives bigger perspective of life than Norway: Himanshu Gulati

Himanshu Gulati, the Indian-origin youngest MP of Norway, had also served as a Deputy Minister of Justice at the age of 25. He is one of the youngest politicians of the Scandinavian country to have assumed such a high profile post. Besides working for his party (Progress Party), Gulati, whose parents are from India, has a keen interest in travelling and has been to more than 160 countries. In an exclusive chat with Ehsaas Woman of Chandigarh, Rishma Gill, Gulati spoke about his political journey as a Norwegian and much more at a session in Ek Mulakat Vishesh, hosted by Prabha Khaitan Foundation and presented by Shree Cement. IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh tracks the event

by Trans World Features May 22, 2021

Pronam senior citizens attend `Ek Mancha Ek Jiban theatre show in Kolkata

Pronam senior citizens attend `Ek Mancha Ek Jiban theatre show in Kolkata

Kolkata: Dr Vinay Prabhakar Sahasrabuddhe, MP and President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), recently witnessed leading theatre group Purba Paschims very acclaimed production Ek Mancha Ek Jiban staged at the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata.

by Trans World Features April 22, 2021

Cultural melange on Holi eve mesmerizes Kolkata audience

Cultural melange on Holi eve mesmerizes Kolkata audience

Kolkata: It was a mesmerising evening where the participants soaked in the explosion of colours, songs and dance that symbolise Holi, the festival of multi-hued love marking the advent of spring.

by Trans World Features April 01, 2021

Where walls breathe art

Where walls breathe art

Indian cities are not known for the walls of buildings transformed into art galleries as in the West. There is no Bansky yet in India where city walls are mostly usurped by politicians for flaunting their election posters. But one Kolkata neighbourhood recently showed the way, turning it into a graffiti hotspot. Photo journalist Avishek Mitra captures the change

by Trans World Features March 14, 2021

Flautist cops rendition wins hearts at Dover Lane Music Conference 2021 in Kolkata

Flautist cops rendition wins hearts at Dover Lane Music Conference 2021 in Kolkata

Kolkata: A cop by profession, flautist Indrajit Basu won the hearts of Indian classical music connoisseurs with his performance at the prestigious Dover Lane Music Conference 2021.

by Trans World Features March 01, 2021

Sunil Gangopadhyay Memorial Award conferred on Buddhadev Guha and Sanjib Chattopadhyay

Sunil Gangopadhyay Memorial Award conferred on Buddhadev Guha and Sanjib Chattopadhyay

Kolkata: The Sunil Gangopadhyay Memorial Award, initiated by The Bengal in 2013, was recently conferred on Buddhadev Guha and Sanjib Chattopadhyay for the years 2018 and 2019 respectively.

by Trans World Features February 25, 2021

Devotion in every stroke

Devotion in every stroke

The famous Nathdwara paintings of Rajasthan have at their core bhakti ras expressing devotion to Lord Krishna, Ranjita Biswas finds

by Trans World Features February 19, 2021

Museum sector in India needs to understand what the audience want: Vinod Daniel

Museum sector in India needs to understand what the audience want: Vinod Daniel

Vinod Daniel, who spearheads the not-for-profit India Vision Institute (IVI), which promotes excellence in vision care delivery, is also a Member, International Council of Museums (ICOM), Paris. During his recent Kolkata visit IBNS-TWF correspondent Supriyo Hazra caught up with him to discuss his project and the challenges museums are facing amid the pandemic. Excerpts:

by Trans World Features February 09, 2021

Infant Jesus Church at Santiniketan installs Stations of The Cross; draws people of all faiths

Infant Jesus Church at Santiniketan installs Stations of The Cross; draws people of all faiths

Bolpur, West Bengal: The Infant Jesus Church of Makrampur at Santiniketan in West Bengal has installed a Station of The Cross depicting the crucifixion of Christ - and a grotto in the shape of a conch shell dedicated to the Lady of Lourdes.

by Trans World Features February 04, 2021

A guru had asked me to do farming for my skin tone: Kuchipudi exponent Raja Reddy

A guru had asked me to do farming for my skin tone: Kuchipudi exponent Raja Reddy

Dancing couple, guru and choreographer Raja and Radha Reddy, who are exponents in Kuchipudi, a major Indian classical dance form originating in Andhra Pradesh, were the guests at Ek Mulakat Vishesh organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation and presented by Shree Cement in January. Souvik Ghosh brings excerpts of the Reddys in conversation with Shinjini Kulkarni

by Trans World Features January 26, 2021

Sahir Ludhianvi's songs have tinge of melancholy in the idea of romance: Author Nasreen Munni Kabir

Sahir Ludhianvi's songs have tinge of melancholy in the idea of romance: Author Nasreen Munni Kabir

Author Nasreen Munni Kabir was the guest at the "tte--tea" organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation. In the course of the conversation, Kabir spoke about her latest book In the Year of Sahir 2021 Diary which is based on poet-lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi. India Blooms correspondent Souvik Ghosh brings excerpts

by Trans World Features December 24, 2020

Spirituality not integral to an artist's journey: Geeta Chandran

Spirituality not integral to an artist's journey: Geeta Chandran

Bharatnatyam dancer Geeta Chandran was the guest at Ek Mulakat Visesh organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation and presented by Shree Cement in late November. In the course of interaction, Chandran spoke about her dance, career and more. India Blooms brings excerpts

by Trans World Features December 11, 2020

Short musical film on goddess Durga by Spagia Foundation brings together whos who of art and film world

Short musical film on goddess Durga by Spagia Foundation brings together whos who of art and film world

Jaipur: A short musical film Dashobhuja (the ten-armed Goddess) by Spagia Foundation has drawn the whos who of the performing arts and film world to highlight the ten astras (weapons) wielded by Maa Durga in each hand and its deep spiritual meaning and message.

by Trans World Features November 04, 2020

Feminism to me means each of us has the freedom of choice: Mallika Sarabhai

Feminism to me means each of us has the freedom of choice: Mallika Sarabhai

Indian classical dancer-actor-activist Mallika Sarabhai, who uses her art forms in bringing social change, was the guest at Ek Mulakat Vishesh organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with Shree Cement. India Blooms correspondent Souvik Ghosh brings excerpts of her virtual interaction with Sunita Shekhawat in October

by Trans World Features October 16, 2020

Theatre in the time of Corona: EZCC resumes live performance in Kolkata after months of Covid-19 lockdown

Theatre in the time of Corona: EZCC resumes live performance in Kolkata after months of Covid-19 lockdown

Kolkata: This was a stage fright of a different kind they overcame. As actors performed with masks and the audience sat with faces half covered as well in a socially distanced order, their message to the pandemic was clear: we are in this together and the show must go on.

by Trans World Features September 28, 2020

Looking at Indian masculinity through lenses

Looking at Indian masculinity through lenses

Harjant Gill, a Fulbright-Nehru Academic, aims to deconstruct the concept of masculinity in India through his films, writes Paromita Pain who teaches at Global Media Studies, University of Nevada

by Trans World Features September 11, 2020

Gharana is important for student of music: Shubha Mudgal

Gharana is important for student of music: Shubha Mudgal

Indian singer of Hindustani classical music, Shubha Mudgal, was the guest at 'Sur Aur Saaz' event organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with Ehsaas Women on Jul 27. In an interaction with Indian classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty, Mudgal spoke about her journey as a singer at length besides giving her take on the raging nepotism debate. India Blooms correspondent Souvik Ghosh brings excerpts

by Trans World Features August 06, 2020