Niche Entertainment’s ‘Dil Se’

houston: The Indo-American Association, Houston (IAA) is delighted to present Kaushiki Chakraborty, internationally recognized singer, and composer of Hindustani music at the Wortham Center, Houston on May 13, 2023 at 7:30pm.

Kaushiki Chakraborty, widely regarded as one of the finest classical vocalists of the modern era, has been hailed as the” torchbearer of the Patiala tradition”. As an exponent of the Patiala gharana, known for its Islamic influence and elaborate melodic ornamentation, Kaushiki has become one of the first female singers from this tradition to receive international acclaim. The daughter of renowned Indian classical vocalist, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Kaushiki began her musical journey under his tutelage, before the age of two. Kaushiki’s astonishing vocal technique was subsequently honed under the guidance of her guru, Pt. Jnan Prakash Ghosh, and at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy. While her repertoire covers an array of Hindustani musical forms, Kaushiki draws influences from Carnatic music, and frequently incorporates elements of contemporary Indian pop music. Kaushiki also leads an all-female ensemble called Sakhi that brings together exemplary artists in a stylistically expansive exploration of womanhood in Indian culture.

Kaushiki’s ability to capture emotions and express them though her fluid vocal style has mesmerized audiences the world over. But above all, the one quality that resonates the most is Kaushiki’s deep connection with her music which is best described in her own words: “One has to mentally align oneself to the form ... My training has taught me two approaches to music - to do music or to become it. The latter gives you the fluidity to transcend form and become one with it:’ The recipient of numerous awards, Kaushiki also received the 2005 BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in the Asia-Pacific category and the Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2020.

Accompanying Kaushiki on May 13th in Houston will be Ust. Murad Ali Khan on Sarangi, Sandip Gosh on Tabla and Tanmay Deochake on Harmonium.

The Indo-American Association (IAA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1993 with a mission to promote cultural arts of the Indian subcontinent. Now in its 30th season, it provides a platform for world-renowned artists as well as emerging artists in the finest Houston venues. IAA has built a reputation of fostering the appreciation of performing arts within the diverse Houston community.

Legendary Indian music director, singer and music producer A.R.Rahman recently completed his 25 years in musical industry.

To celebrate this grand ocassion a tribute to the music maestro with 'Dil Se.. Rubaroo with A.R.Rahman’ was held in the city. Dil Se..is an audio-visual infotainment program with a confluence of Music, Drama, Dance, AVs and experience to revisit ARRs gems.

Directed by Milind Oak and written by Ashay Walambe the protagonist of this story will be Nachiket Devsthali. The musical score shall be rendered by Mrunmayee Tirodkar along with Chaitanya Kulkarni, Ashutosh Joshi, Pranjali Barve and Rasika Ganoo. Indo-American Association’s Dil Se ... Rubaru with AR Rahman performance will take place Friday, June 2 @ Stafford Center at 7:30 pm.

For additional information on how to become a sponsor, call: 832-315-6586 or E-Mail: info@ iaahouston.org. Sponsorship levels range from Platinum to Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Houston’s Indian-American Debuts His First Sci-Fi Film on May 19th Mandala: The UFO Incident

houston: Ajay Sarpeshkar's directorial debut, Mandala: The UFO Incident, marks an exciting new chapter in his artistic journey. With a graduate degree in engineering and over a decade experience in technology, Ajay's creative itch led him to explore photography and filmmaking as a hobby, which eventually paved the way for his first feature-length film.

Over the past couple of years, Ajay has been actively involved in raising funds, writing the screenplay, directing, and producing Mandala, pouring in tremendous effort and patience, especially navigating through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the obstacles, Ajay's passion and determination have driven him to bring his artistic vision to life on the big screen.

"Mandala" is a groundbreaking experiment in the science fiction genre, representing a unique and unexplored approach in the Indian film industry. It aims to inspire young minds to the possibilities of space, science, and technology as humanity gears up to become a space-faring species. It stars great actors such as Anant Nag and Prakash Belawadi.

One of the key messages of the film is the importance of culture and heritage conservation. It highlights how our cultural roots and traditions can provide a solid foundation as we venture into the unknown realms of space, providing us with a sense of identity and belonging.

Another significant aspect of the film is its focus on gender-equal education. It highlights the importance of representation of both genders in important character roles, breaking the stereotype of traditional gender roles and pro- moting the idea that anyone, regardless of gender, can contribute to science, technology, and space exploration. Despite budget constraints and limited resources, the film pushes

Alia Bhatt Makes Stunning Debut at Met Gala

new yorK: Alia Bhatt made her Met Gala debut in the 2023 edition of the gala as she walked the red carpet in a dreamy white dress adorned with pearls. Alia kept in sync with this year’s theme ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’ as she stuck to a white outfit and wore fingerless gloves in Karl’s honour. Alia had a princess moment at the red carpet as she waved to the photographers with a beaming smile. She also posed with designer Prabal Gurung.

Alia shared photos from her Met Gala debut on social media and a part of her caption read, “A girl can never have too many pearls… and the right accessories to complement the look which in our case translated to the bow of pearls on my hair. Oh, and it’s white, for my Choup.

Alia shared that she “wanted to do something that felt authentic” and “proudly made in India.” Her caption added, “The embroidery, made with a 100,000 pearls is a labour of love by @prabalgurung.

I’m so proud to wear you for my first Met.” boundaries in production and storytelling to make a lasting impact on the audience. The film brings together multiple teams from around the world, including VFX teams from India, Singapore, France, and the US, to create world-class visual effects that enhance the storytelling.

As the first installment in the Mandala franchise, this film serves as a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. It showcases how a creative vision can be brought to life with determination and collaboration, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in Indian cinema.

"Mandala" promises to be a thought-provoking film that captivates audiences with unique blend of science fiction, cultural heritage, and gender equality themes.

Based in Houston, Texas, USA, Ajay frequently travels to Bangalore, India, where he grew up, showcasing his deep connection and appreciation for both cultures.

As he takes his first steps as a director, Ajay is eagerly anticipating the impact that the sci-fi genre and Mandala will have on the Indian film industry and most importantly on the curious young minds.

The film releases across the US on May 19, 2023. More info at www.AsxFilms.com