CLASSICAL ARTS A House-full IAA Audience Enjoys Kaushiki Chakraborty Concert

By Jyoti KulKarni and radhiKa day

houston: Houstonians enjoyed a very special treat for Mother’s Day. On Saturday May 13th, IAA-Houston, Houston’s leading arts organization for three decades, presented acclaimed Indian classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty at the Wortham Center.

One of the finest classical vocalists of the modern era, who has been hailed as the” torchbearer of the Patiala tradition, Kaushiki’s ability to capture emotions and express them though her fluid vocal style mesmerized the audience.

Kaushiki enthralled the audience with her scintillating performance, powerful stage presence and humility. She was accompanied on stage at the sold-out show by Ustad Murad Ali Khan of the Moradabad gha- rana on sarangi, Sandip Gosh of Farukhabad gharana on tabla, and Tanmay Deochake of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya on harmonium. Each of these accompanists being highly accomplished artistes, the interludes they provided during the performance were very liked and enjoyed by the listeners. Divya Rath and Krisha Rath provided the taanpura accompaniment.

With her beautiful and evocative voice, Kaushiki opened with a Khayal followed by Drut Bandish in Raag Rageshri. Kaushiki effortlessly rendered vigorous, complicated and rhythmic taans with intricate patterns with razor sharp clarity, which charecterises this Gayaki (musical style).

Especially electrifying was Kaushiki’s rendition of the saragam (musical phrases), its aakar, and boltans, which the audience enjoyed immensely.

In the second half of the concert, Kaushiki beautifully emoted the longing of a lover in the rainy season (it had been raining in Houston) as she sang the Kajri -- “Sawan ke ritu aaye sajaniya, pritam nahi aaye”, followed by “Barasan laage badariya zum zum ke”. Kaushiki also sang “Aaji dev mahadev he dayani”, a devotional bhajan in praise of Lord Shiva.

Kaushiki, whose voice simply glides through all the three octaves, concluded the evening with the famous signature thumri. “Yaad piya ki aaye.” This thumri has been sung by many legendary artistes and Kaushiki’s rendition, in her open throated voice, was a sublime musical experience, which you wished would never end.

IAA is a 501 (C)(3) non profit organization bringing the best of Indian arts and entertainment to Houston through it’s annual season. IAA’s goal is to promote and preserve Indian performing arts.

The next not-to-be missed event is “Dil Se”, a multi-media tribute to AR Rahman by Milind Oak and Niche Productions from Pune on June 02 at the Stafford Center. For tickets and information contact IAA at 832.315.6586 or by email at info@iaahouston. org

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‘The Kerala Story’ : Supreme Court Lifts West Bengal’s Ban on Islamic State Film

KolKota: India's Supreme Court has stayed a ban imposed by West Bengal state on a controversial film that shows three women from the country joining the Islamic State group.

The court also asked the film's makers to add a disclaimer that the film is "a fictionalised version of events".

The Kerala Story was banned in West Bengal last week. The state government said the decision was in the interests of maintaining peace.

The film's makers say The Kerala Story is based on years of research, but critics have called it propaganda.

In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, an association of multiplex owners had also said they would stop screening the film, citing protests and low audiences.

The film's makers approached the Supreme Court against the ban in West Bengal and the move by multiplex owners, which they called a "de facto ban" against their work.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court asked authorities in Tamil Nadu to provide adequate security at theatres for people to see the film safely.

It also directed authorities in West Bengal not to take any steps to prevent screenings of the film.

The Kerala Story - based in the southern state of Kerala - had sparked controversy months before its release.

In its teaser, released in November, an actress had claimed that her character was one among 32,000 women from the state who had joined Islamic terror groups.

But after criticism and legal challenges, the makers updated the film's description on YouTube to the "compilation of the true stories of three young girls from different parts of Kerala".

In its Thursday's order, the Supreme Court asked the makers to add two disclaimers to the film as well - one which said that the was "a fictionalised version of events" and another saying that "there is no authentic data to back up the suggestion that the figure of converted people is 32,000 or any other figure".

The court said that it will watch the film before hearing other petitions against it in July.

After West Bengal had announced the ban, some filmmakers and several leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had criticised the move. The BJP is in power nationally but is in the opposition in West Bengal, which is governed by the Trinamool Congress.

Two state governments - Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, both governed by the BJP - have made the film tax-free. -- BBC

Film Released in Over 200 Theaters in US, Canada

The Kerala Story, a national blockbuster caught up in controversies, was released in more than 200 screens in the United States and Canada on Friday.

The film, which has been vociferously championed by the Hindu right, including the BJP, has been boycotted by cinemas across Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The movie’s director Sudipto Sen said that the movie is a mission which is beyond the creative boundaries of cinema.

“The country was in denial of the long existing issue in the state of Kerala. The Kerala Story is a mission which is beyond the creative boundaries of cinema, a movement that should reach the masses all over the world and raise awareness,” Sen told a group of Indian American reporters dur- ing a virtual news conference.

“The film’s subject was hidden from the masses and deserved to be told. We made the film in order to initiate deliberation worldwide,” said the producer of the film, Vipul Shah.

“This is a very bold, honest and true film which in the beginning got no support, today stands at the point of releasing worldwide with a spectacular box office success in just 6 days,” Shah said in response to a question at the virtual news conference organised by its Impact Advisor Priya Sawant and community leader Vijay Pallod.

The film had been banned by the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee, but Supreme Court has stayed the ban.

The film stars Adah Sharma in leading role. -- India Today

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