So if you’ve seen our latest newsletter (sign up is at the bottom of our homepage if you haven’t) you’ll know that we’re a bit breathless with anticipation over at Funoon HQ with everything South Asian and brilliant that’s going on in London at the moment.
Things are really kicking off this Saturday, so here’s hoping you don’t have (ill-informed) plans already. Check it out.
Photo © Abhijit Banerjee, Winner, India, National Award,2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Sony World Photography Awards
This year’s shortlist included some beautiful photographs by Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani photographers (see here for more on the Indian photographers). The exhibition opens on Friday and will showcase these, along with 500 of the best photographs taken by the winning and shortlisted photographers from the past year.
Where: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
When: 10am-1pm. On until 8th May
Website: The Sony World Photography Awards
Ikat Exhibition
After the lusciousness of the V&A’s ‘Fabric of India’ exhibition (which we reviewed here), you can now immerse yourself in the wonders of the ancient technique of Ikat weaving. The exhibition has over 200 items of unique Ikat textiles from countries such as Indonesia, Cambodia, India, China, Japan, Tajikistan), Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Iran, Yemen, Spain and Italy.
Where: Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Thornhaugh Street, London WC1H 0XG
When: 10.30am-5pm. On until 25th June
Tickets: FREE
Website: SOAS
Shakespeare on Film: The Vishal Bhardwaj Trilogy
It’s the first showings of Omkara, Haider and Maqbool as part of the BFI’s Shakespeare on Film festival. These are director Vishal Bhardwaj’s takes on Shakespeare’s Othello, Hamlet and Macbeth respectively, and some of the finest films to come out of Bollywood ever. We rave about the them in our post here.
Where: BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XT
When: Maqbool – 1.30pm/ Omkara – 4.30pm/ Haider – 7.50pm. Second showings on 30th April
Tickets: £8.35 – £11.75
Website: BFI Omkara/ BFI Haider/ BFI Maqbool
Nahid Siddiqui
The Sama Arts Network’s ongoing Women in Music Festival (see the full programme here) features LEGEND Nahid Siddiqui, dancing a new piece ‘Mirage’. We went to see it last year when it was a work in progress, and can highly recommend – it’s an earthy, mystical, transporting experience.
Where: Tileyard Studios, Tileyard Road, London N7 9AH
When: 7.30pm
Tickets: £15
Website: Women in Music Festival
The House of In Between
A boundary-breaking, thought-provoking play about the trials and tribulations of a clan of hijras in modern-day India. Doesn’t deliver on its potential as a window into the lives of a much marginalised and misunderstood community, but it’s a visual delight – with a beautiful set, lovely dances and some great performances. And some Bollywood-esque drama too!
Where: Stratford East Theatre, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN
When: 3pm (matinee) & 7.30pm. On until 30th April
Tickets: £10-£23.50
Website: Stratford East
Nitin Sawhney and Akala on BBC 2’s ‘Shakespeare Live’
If you’re not planning on venturing out, then obviously you’ll be watching BBC 2’s Shakespeare Live! celebration of a little over 400 years of the Bard – lucky thing! Watch out for that other legend Nitin Sawhney performing with ‘Hip Hop Shakespeare’ Akala. Also Dame Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Benedict Cumberbatch, Joseph Fiennes, The Royal Ballet, and the English National Opera!
Starts at 8.30pm. There’s more info here.
DJ Ritu
Back to the Women in Music Festival, and there’s more legend action – this time on the decks. Get your dancing shoes on for DJ Ritu – presenter of the seminal ‘A World in London’ – who this year celebrates 30 years in music.
Where: Tileyard Studios, Tileyard Rd, London N7 9AH
When: 9.30pm
Tickets: £15
Website: Women in Music Festival
If none of that tickles your fancy (weirdo) – then there’s always the movies. There’s a veritable smorgasbord of cinematic South Asian-ness out there – top tips are talk-of-the-town brilliant Jungle Book, the very sweet but unambitious The Man who Knew Infinity and the heart-shattering Dheepan. All playing now at a cinema near you.
Here’s a little Dheepan:
Posted by SK on 21 April 2016
