BroadwayWorld.com India Stories

National Centre for Performing Arts Gala Celebrates Legendary Female Jazz Vocalists Tonight

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:30:00 PST

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, India's premiere arts and culture institution, presents the 2013 edition of NCPA Legends: Celebrating Legendary Women Jazz Vocalists tonight 15th June 2013 at the Tata Theatre; 7 pm.

This comes on the heels of the previous editions of NCPA Legends which paid tribute to Elvis Presley and Whitney Houston in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

The NCPA will bring to life the incredible works of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Betty Carter and many more. Vocalist Samantha Edwards, backed by superb jazz rhythmic section will re-create music from the great art storehouse of jazz vocals.

The 1930s was a period for big bands in jazz. The 1940s was an era when smaller groups evolved with emphasis on individual instrumentalists. Then followed the 1950s, a period when jazz vocalists created a special place for the art form. These were mainly talented ladies with their own individual styles, who brought to life the great music of master composers such as Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Monk, Mingus etc. Samantha will be recreating the magic of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae and Betty Carter among others who have created a masterful niche for vocal jazz.

This year's "NCPA Legends" is special as it is being curated by NCPA-Jazz Addicts comprising of jazz enthusiasts like Sunil Sampat, Farrahnaz Irani, Pradeep Bhatia and Sudhir Nagpal who will bring to the NCPA exciting jazz events throughout the year. Currently NCPA-Jazz Addicts are also preparing for their annual jazz festival "Just Jazz: 2013" which will be held from 8th - 10th November2013.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Khushroo Suntook, Chairman NCPA said, "Decades may have passed since the era of old jazz vocal classics but they still continue to fascinate jazz enthusiasts. We are very happy with the development of NCPA-Jazz Addicts and are hopeful of having a great line-up of jazz programming at the NCPA."

Samantha Edwards, a vocalist, composer, conductor and educator will re-create the magic of 1950's jazz music. Through her energy and intellectual curiosity she brings a freshness and riotous joy to music. She holds a Level 8 performer's certificate with distinction from Rock School - Trinity Guild Hall, UK in modern music. She has worked with maestros like Mani Ratnam, Zakir Hussain and A.R. Rahman and has sung for Hindi films and television commercials.

Join us for a great musical night at NCPA Legends: Celebrating Legendary Women Jazz Vocalists.

Call 66223724/ 66223754 to book tickets. To use the online booking facility, visit www.ncpamumbai.com/buy-tickets

NCPA Presents the Premiere of Shekhar Sen's SOORDAS Tonight

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:30:00 PST

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, India's premiere arts and culture institution presents the premiere of the much-awaited mono-act musical play 'Soordas' by renowned singer, music composer, lyricist and actor Shekhar Sen tonight, 14th June 2013 at the Tata Theatre; 6.30 pm.

Shekhar Sen, a music composer, lyricist and actor is internationally known for his unique mono-act musical plays. His previous plays include the hugely successful 'Kabeer', 'Tulsi', 'Vivekanand', 'Sanmati' & 'Saahab'. 'Soordas', is a tale of the legendary blind poet who was said to have composed more than 10000 bhajans in the praise of Lord Krishna. Soordas (1478-1581) is regarded as the foremost among the eight disciples (Ashta-chhap) of Vallabhacharya, a proponent of the Shuddhadvaita school of Vaishnavism, also known as Pushtimarg. During his life, Soordas witnessed the darkest period of religious fanaticism and countered it by spreading love with his lyrical compositions. His poems on the 'bAl Leela' of Krishna are immortal treasures of our devotional heritage.

In this presentation, he reveals the life, works and philosophy of the blind saint poet musician who went on to write Sur Sagar, a vast collection of compositions dedicated to Krishna.

The play covers 105 years of the saint's life, touching very interesting tales of becoming the lead figure of Ashta-chhap poets, meeting with Swami Haridas, Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, Tulsidas, Meerabai, Akbar and Tansen.

This two hour long play will have 36 melodious song sequences with a mix of common & rare ragas and is being presented in association with Sahachari Foundation.

Dr. Suvarnalata Rao, Musicologist and Head-Programming (Indian Music), NCPA, says, "Shekhar is a remarkable actor, lyricist, music composer, highly creative and innovative in his presentation of monoact plays and we at the NCPA are delighted to have him present his new work for our audiences. His previous plays have received a thumping response from the audiences and we are sure he will create the same magic on stage this time around as well."

Be the first one to experience divinity in this musical extravaganza only at the NCPA.

About Shekhar Sen:

Shekhar Sen is a well-known singer, music composer, lyricist and actor. Born and brought up in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, he learnt music from his parents, late Dr. Arun Kumar Sen & late Dr. Aneeta Sen, musicologists and renowned classical singers of Gwalior Gharana. His monoact musical plays "Tulsi", "Kabeer", "Vivekanand" & "Saahab" created history with more than 750 shows in India and all over the world. He has received several awards including the Sangeet Natak Academi Puraskaar.

About the NCPA:

Opening its doors to the world in 1969, the NCPA became the first multi-venue and multi-purpose cultural centre to be built in South Asia. Vibrant and diverse, the NCPA today is recognized by artistes, patrons and media alike as India's premier performing arts institution. The Centre provides a fine showcase for India's rich performing arts traditions, all thanks to the institution's training and research initiatives.

The NCPA presents over 600 events each year across all major art forms, most notably Indian Music, International Music, Theatre and Film, Dance, and Literature, Visual Arts and Photography. There are Heads of Programming for each of these art forms who curate innovative events and festivals; representative of everything from classical to contemporary throughout the year. The NCPA produces its own programmes as well as collaborates with leading cultural promoters from around the world.

For further information please log on to www.ncpamumbai.com

Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at CHEER! Comedy Festival, Coming to NCPA Today

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:30:00 PST

Mumbai gets set to welcome the second edition of the Cheer! Comedy Festival this June, at The National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), India's premier institution for arts and culture. After it's hugely appreciated debut last year, Cheer! will include a bunch of funny premiering plays, stand-up comedy, workshops and a lot more from this genre. While humour has always been an important part of theatre in India, Cheer! looks to pay tribute to the wave of irreverent, satirical and often topical wit that has laced the rise of the stand-up comedy genre over the past few years. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the show!

The festival opens with Balancing ACT Productions' 2+2, a collection of four short plays and goes on to Silly Point's Couple of Fools, and Akvarious's My Romantic History. The stand-up comedy segments feature Anuvab Pal's brand-new act, The Nation Still Wants to Know and comic gigs by East India Co.medy and Improv by The Ministry of Schtick. The programme also includes two highly interactive workshops by East India Co.medy and The Ministry of Schtick on June 15th and 16th.

Conceptualized by Deepa Gahlot, Head - Programming (Theatre & Films), NCPA, the three-day festival attempts to introduce audiences and participants to various aspects of comedy. She says, "After the super response to last year's festival, this year we have taken the programming up a notch, with humour always at the core of this storm of comic delights."

Cheer! Comedy Festival: June 14-16, 2013

PLAYS

2+2 (Duration 90 min)

Friday, June 14th @ 6.30 pm

Experimental Theatre

A hilarious collection of four short plays involving seemingly normal situations that have outrageous outcomes! In 'Surprise!', two parents are in for an interesting turn of events when their daughter comes visiting! 'Daddy Diaries' captures the awkward moment when a Dad meets his daughter's beau! 'Therapy Anyone?' is about a confused bunch of patients with an even more confusing doctor. And 'Till Death' is gravestone comedy (if that's even a thing!) at its best!

A Balancing Act Production

Written & Directed by Divya Palat

Cast: Denzil Smith, Aditya Hitkari, Vivan Bhathena, Michael Nazareth, Sanket Mhatre, Rashi Mal, Nitasha Malhotra, Gaurav Soni, Divya Palat, Abhishek Krishnan, Vikram Shah, Amar Gupta, Neha Chahar and others

Couple of Fools (Duration: 90 min with Interval)

Experimental Theatre

Saturday, June 15, 6.30 pm

(For Adults only)

The play is set in modern times and revolves around a group of couples who give their account and interpretations of what a relationship is meant to be.

You don't need a counselor, a sexpert or even your best friend to give you advice about your relationship. All you need is a 'Couple of Fools' to advice you on love, lust, fetish, dating and romance. The play unravels the cornered-undisclosed whacky desires of this woman and her two men. The side-splitting comedy is proof that opposites really do attract, but can't seem to fathom how!

A Silly Point Production

Directed by: Meherzad Patel

Cast: Danesh Irani, Maanvi Gagroo, Sajeel Parakh

My Romantic History

Experimental Theatre

Sunday, 16th June, 6.30 pm

"If you haven't met someone by the time you graduate, you're going to marry some idiot from your work. Do you know how they get animals to breed in captivity? They put them in the same cage."

When Sid starts a new job, he doesn't expect that after-work drinks will lead to a drunken and clumsy one-night stand with his new workmate Rhea. But suddenly Sid and Rhea find themselves locked into a relationship neither wants. Hovering in the background are the ghosts and regrets of their romantic pasts. My Romantic History is a sharp, sassy and hilarious comedy about how awful we can be to each other, especially when we're together.

An Akvarious Production

Written by: DC Jackson

Adapted by Adhir Bhat and Bobby Nagra

Directed by Adhaar Khurana

Cast: Hussain Dalal, Priyanshu Painyuli, Shikha Talsania and others

An Akvarious Production

STAND UP COMEDY

The Nation Still Wants To Know (Duration 90 min)

Godrej Dance Theatre

Friday 14th June, 8 pm

Playwright Anuvab Pal's new stand-up comedy show has jokes on the inherent pitfalls of being Bengali, and how that means a different thing from other Indian communities. He compares the world of old India with hilarious insights on Doordarshan, British accents and Indian Airlines with the world of new India with its tweets, fashion designers, fancy new two BHKs and Arnab Goswami.

In The Nation Still Wants To Know, he is joined by Delhi comedian and cartoonist Rajneesh Kapoor. Together, they come up with very funny observations about what makes us uniquely Indian. Like how we are a country of negotiation, how we behave at nightclubs, how we pay the bill, how we deal with money, how The British Empire happened to us, how we say one thing and mean another and many other uproarious observations about little everyday Indian things.

Virgin Pants: "Plucking the Cherry of new jokes and comedians!" (Duration: 90 min)

Godrej Dance Theatre

Saturday 15th June, 8 pm

"Friends, Romans, Countrymen. Lend me your ears" - Marc Anthony's opening line at the first Virgin Pants Open Mike. He never got selected and stabbed the judge instead.

The East India Co.medy brings to you Virgin Pants - a Pro/Am open mike night like no other. It features 10 new comedians who have been trained at EIC's comedy workshop and been selected to face up against each other. The winner of this night gets a paid slot at one of EIC's numerous shows across the country and gets to buy samosas in celebration of their grand win.

Along with this, it will also feature some of India's top comics (Sorabh Pant, Kunal Rao, Azeem Banatwalla, Atul Khatri) try out brand new jokes. With their reputations at stake, it's a test to the finish to see who are the true amateurs and the true comedians! The show will be anchored by Sahil Shah and Sapan Verma.

The Ministry Of Schtick Improv (Duration 110 min with Interval)

Godrej Dance Theatre

Sunday 16th June, 8 pm

The show is written and performed by a veritable cast of comedy superstars. At the helm is Ash Chandler, who besides being one of India's first and most popular English language stand-up comedians is also a popular singer, actor and a composer -- in short, a complete entertainer.

The Ministry of Schtick is a group of comedians who perform standup comedy, sketch comedy and improvised comedy. Presenting their own brand of comedy, they leave every show with a bloody trail of busted guts and teary eyes in their wake.

The Ministry of Schtick has performed over a 100 shows all over India. The group includes Karan Talwar, Brij Bhakta, Varun Thakur and Aadar Malik and Neville Shah.

The brainchild of Ash Chandler, The Ministry of Schtick is a comedy collective and a compilation of some of the country's the best comedians, writers, performers, musicians and just straight-up goofy people!

Workshops

Finding The Funny: A Stand-Up Comedy Workshop

Godrej Dance Theatre

June 15, 2-5 pm

After its phenomenal success last year, we're bringing back The East India Co.medy's popular stand-up comedy workshop, Finding The Funny! , that has toured a number of colleges and corporates. In the workshop Sorabh Pant, Kunal Rao and co. introduce you to stand-up comedy and help write and perform your first ever set for stage. Maybe Sorabh and Kunal will learn something as well! Some of the participants will also be chosen to perform at the show in the evening and stand to win paid slots with The East India Co.medy!

Registration Fee: Rs. 1500/- (Rs 1000/- for Students)

Registrations open on May 1

The Ministry Of Schtick Improv Workshop

Godrej Dance Theatre

June 16, 11am to 4pm (With a break)

Improv is an organic form of theatre where there are no scripts and The Players act out scenes on the spot, sometimes based on audience suggestions. The workshops will be aimed enhancing the awareness of the participants with regard to the basic and most fundamental principles of Improvisation. The workshop focuses on helping the participants with the key elements that are implicitly required to create an improve scene. This is achieved through various Improv exercises that are specifically designed to target each of the elements. The participants learn the basic and elementary steps to be taken while starting an Improv scene.

This introductory workshop is aimed at helping the participants let go of their inhibitions about making mistakes on stage, in fact to enhance the fact that a mistake has occurred and to work around it and include it in the scene. Exercises are also used to help them use their physicality while creating the characters for the scenes, also to differentiate between characters in case they end up playing multiple characters in a scene. Such exercises are used as an effective tool to make the participants let their imagination run wild and ground even the most absurd ideas into the most believable universe and real characters.

Registrations open on May 1. To use the online booking facility, simply log on to the NCPA official website: http://www.ncpamumbai.com/buy-tickets or visit www.bookmyshow.com.

For further information log on to www.ncpamumbai.com.

CHEER!

NCPA Presents the Premiere of Shekhar Sen's SOORDAS, 6/14

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:57:44 PST

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, India's premiere arts and culture institution presents the premiere of the much-awaited mono-act musical play 'Soordas' by renowned singer, music composer, lyricist and actor Shekhar Sen on Friday 14th June 2013 at the Tata Theatre; 6.30 pm.

In this presentation, he reveals the life, works and philosophy of the blind saint poet musician who went on to write Sur Sagar, a vast collection of compositions dedicated to Krishna.

This two hour long play will have 36 melodious song sequences with a mix of common & rare ragas and is being presented in association with Sahachari Foundation.

Be the first one to experience divinity in this musical extravaganza only at the NCPA.

About Shekhar Sen:

About the NCPA:

For further information please log on to www.ncpamumbai.com

NCPA Welcomes Ability Unlimited's MIRACLE ON WHEELS Tonight

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:30:00 PST

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, India's premiere arts and culture institution, has always appreciated and welcomed artists from across genres to perform and showcase their talent. This June, the NCPA extends this platform to a unique group of differently-abled artistes who have made their wheelchairs an icon of liberation. This pioneering initiative by the NCPA pays tribute to this immense talent with an exciting show Miracle on Wheels tonight, June 7th, 2013 and a lecture-demonstration on June 8th, 2013 in association with Ability Unlimited.

Miracle on Wheels is an attempt to challenge the notions of what is often referred to as a disability and steer the ground towards being able to understand it as much more fluid concept. The main objective of the event is to endorse accessibility for all and also initiate conversations that help the differently-abled integrate better.

The show will include a number of elements from Bharatanatyam, Yoga, the Bhagawad Gita and Sufism, all performed on wheelchairs. Miracle on Wheels promises to transport the audience to a different high, beyond the regular performances in the city. Ability Unlimited's innovative and aesthetically crafted dance-theatre recitals are educative, motivating and entertaining.

On June 8th, 2013, the NCPA also presents a unique opportunity to Mumbaikars where the founder-choreographer of Ability Unlimited, Sallauddin Pasha, will conduct a lecture demonstration, addressing aspiring individuals to teach dance to the differently-abled. The man behind the extraordinary performances of Ability Unlimited will demonstrate his inspiring teaching techniques and talk about his interdisciplinary approach. This session is free to attend for everyone, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Swapnokalpa Dasgupta, Head - Programming (Dance), NCPA says, "This is our endeavor to take forward our commitment towards promoting dance and to include the exceptionally talented differently abled performers into the mainstream. We are proud to kick-start this initiative with a performance by Ability Unlimited. Also, the workshop by Sallauddin Pasha will help understand the processes employed to teach dance to the differently-abled. Also, this is an extension of the NCPA's emphasis on making public spaces accessible to the differently-abled. Our own premises too, have been built in a way to facilitate this."

The events will begin on 7th June, Friday, 2013 at 7pm, with Miracle On Wheels, Dance Performance on wheel chairs by Ability Unlimited, performing at the Tata Theatre. Rs.500, 400 & 200/- (Members & Public). On 8th June, Saturday 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm, there will be a Lecture Demonstration by Ability Unlimited founder-choreographer Sallauddin Pasha in the Little Theatre. Admission on a first-come-first-served basis. Register in advance by emailing Binaifar Bhesania on bbhesania@ncpamumbai.com or calling her on 9869112010.

Call the Box Office at 66223724/ 66223754 to book tickets To use the online booking facility: visit the official NCPA website www.ncpamumbai.com/buy-tickets OR http://in.bookmyshow.com/ncpa/Miracle-on-Wheels/ET00015014.

For more information, go to: Facebook: www.facebook.com/NCPAMumbai and Twitter: www.twitter.com/NCPAMumbai.

Ability Unlimited is a voluntary, non-profit organisation established for the benefit of persons with and without disabilities. Since its inception in 1988, Ability Unlimited has strived to create a holistic and dynamic programme aimed at recognising, nurturing, and enabling the hidden potential and talents within differently-abled youngsters. It is committed to changing the apathy, negativity and fear that surrounds the education, employment and arts for the differently-abled through the specially designed professional dance-theatre performances and innovative methodology. It gives the message of equality, dignity and equal opportunities for the differently-abled. More details are available on this website http://abilityunlimited.com/

For further information, log on to www.ncpamumbai.com

The National Centre for Performing Arts to Celebrate Legendary Female Jazz Vocalists, 6/15

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:26:09 PST

This comes on the heels of the previous editions of NCPA Legends which paid tribute to Elvis Presley and Whitney Houston in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Join us for a great musical night at NCPA Legends: Celebrating Legendary Women Jazz Vocalists.

Call 66223724/ 66223754 to book tickets. To use the online booking facility, visit www.ncpamumbai.com/buy-tickets

Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at CHEER! Comedy Festival, Coming to NCPA June 14

Fri, 31 May 2013 21:07:38 PST

Cheer! Comedy Festival: June 14-16, 2013

PLAYS

2+2 (Duration 90 min)

Friday, June 14th @ 6.30 pm

Experimental Theatre

A Balancing Act Production

Written & Directed by Divya Palat

Couple of Fools (Duration: 90 min with Interval)

Experimental Theatre

Saturday, June 15, 6.30 pm

(For Adults only)

The play is set in modern times and revolves around a group of couples who give their account and interpretations of what a relationship is meant to be.

A Silly Point Production

Directed by: Meherzad Patel

Cast: Danesh Irani, Maanvi Gagroo, Sajeel Parakh

My Romantic History

Experimental Theatre

Sunday, 16th June, 6.30 pm

"If you haven't met someone by the time you graduate, you're going to marry some idiot from your work. Do you know how they get animals to breed in captivity? They put them in the same cage."

An Akvarious Production

Written by: DC Jackson

Adapted by Adhir Bhat and Bobby Nagra

Directed by Adhaar Khurana

Cast: Hussain Dalal, Priyanshu Painyuli, Shikha Talsania and others

An Akvarious Production

STAND UP COMEDY

The Nation Still Wants To Know (Duration 90 min)

Godrej Dance Theatre

Friday 14th June, 8 pm

Virgin Pants: "Plucking the Cherry of new jokes and comedians!" (Duration: 90 min)

Godrej Dance Theatre

Saturday 15th June, 8 pm

"Friends, Romans, Countrymen. Lend me your ears" - Marc Anthony's opening line at the first Virgin Pants Open Mike. He never got selected and stabbed the judge instead.

The Ministry Of Schtick Improv (Duration 110 min with Interval)

Godrej Dance Theatre

Sunday 16th June, 8 pm

The Ministry of Schtick has performed over a 100 shows all over India. The group includes Karan Talwar, Brij Bhakta, Varun Thakur and Aadar Malik and Neville Shah.

Workshops

Finding The Funny: A Stand-Up Comedy Workshop

Godrej Dance Theatre

June 15, 2-5 pm

Registration Fee: Rs. 1500/- (Rs 1000/- for Students)

Registrations open on May 1

The Ministry Of Schtick Improv Workshop

Godrej Dance Theatre

June 16, 11am to 4pm (With a break)

Registrations open on May 1. To use the online booking facility, simply log on to the NCPA official website: http://www.ncpamumbai.com/buy-tickets or visit www.bookmyshow.com.

For further information log on to www.ncpamumbai.com.

CHEER!

NCPA to Welcome Ability Unlimited's MIRACLE ON WHEELS, June 7-8

Tue, 28 May 2013 19:48:27 PST

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, India's premiere arts and culture institution, has always appreciated and welcomed artists from across genres to perform and showcase their talent. This June, the NCPA extends this platform to a unique group of differently-abled artistes who have made their wheelchairs an icon of liberation. This pioneering initiative by the NCPA pays tribute to this immense talent with an exciting show Miracle on Wheels on June 7th, 2013 and a lecture-demonstration on June 8th, 2013 in association with Ability Unlimited.

For more information, go to: Facebook: www.facebook.com/NCPAMumbai and Twitter: www.twitter.com/NCPAMumbai.

For further information, log on to www.ncpamumbai.com

NCPA Mumbai Hosts ANANDA - HINDI NATYA UTSAV 2013, Now thru May 5

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

In Mumbai, Hindi theatre has evolved and developed some of the best talents found in the arts- from the socially relevant theatre of PrithviRaj Kapoor and the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and the memorable writings of Mohan Rakesh and Dharmvir Bharti, to the experimental works of Satyadev Dubey and Sunil Shanbag. Over the last 35 years, groups like Ank, Yatri, Ekjute, Ansh, Aaranya, Aarambh, have been working consistently to nurture Hindi theatre in the face of overpowering odds; namely Bollywood, satellite television and other mediums of popular culture. In light of all this, The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Mumbai, India's premiere arts and culture institution will host the third edition of its annual theatre festival Ananda - Hindi Natya Utsav 2013 from today, May 3 to 5.

With Ananda, a word which denotes happiness, the NCPA continues its efforts in service of the promotion of the performing arts. This year, the festival presents a selection of new, fresh and unique in form, style and content.

Opening with a play from Hyderabad - Quli-Dilon Ka Shahzaada, Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation, presents love-legend of the founder of Hyderabad, Poet-Prince Quli Qutub Shah and his danseuse, beloved Bhagmati in an interesting structure, choreographed shadow play, live qawwali with nazms and verses written by Prince Quli Qutub Shah himself in Urdu-Persian, period sets and costumes. Nadira Babbar's (Ekjute Productions) Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan is about a bunch of young people who come to Mumbai to try their fortune in films and Ank's Mitro Marjani, a fiery dramatization of Krishna Sobti's classic novel, directed by Devendra Ankur forms the fine trilogy of plays. Featuring three very different themes, from a timeless love story from Indian history to Mumbai, the city of dreams to a story of a revolutionary Punjabi woman, Ananda is indeed, as the name suggests a reason for joy, a taste of pleasure.

Ms. Deepa Gahlot, Head - Programming (Theatre and Film), NCPA, says, "The festival is a platform for original works. The idea is to be a catalyst and start something new for our audiences in keeping with the NCPA's role as a prime theatre destination in the city."

Quli-Dilon Ka Shahzaada

Experimental Theatre

May 3, 5 & 7 pm

Production: Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation, Hyderabad.

Conceived & Directed by: Mohammad Ali Baig

Music Composed by: Kaarthik Illaiyaraja

Cast: Mohammad Ali Baig, Noor and live Qawwals of the traditional Warsi and Gwalior gharanas.

Based on the love-legend of the founder of Hyderabad, Poet-Prince Quli Qutub Shah and his danseuse beloved Bhagmati, this heritage production is a tale of two artistes, from diverse origins and cultures and how their feelings for each other transform and gave birth to a city and a distinct identity to its people. A tale of pure, unconditional love for each other and for their riyaaya (people in their kingdom). These characters, though historical, could be two individuals of today... timeless, universal. Their love, like theatre, transcends barriers and boundaries-- geographical, religious and cultural. The production has an interesting structure; a dialogue between Quli and Bhagmati, choreographed shadow play, live qawwali with nazms and verses written by Prince Quli Qutub Shah himself in Urdu/Persian, period sets and costumes.

Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan

Experimental Theatre

May 4, 7 pm

Production: Ekjute

Written & Directed by Nadira Zaheer Babbar

Cast: Hanif Patni, Mithilesh Singh, Rajeev Singh, Neha Sheikh, Manav Pande, Manali Rodhan and others

Two young people come to Mumbai to try their fortune in films, and go through the highs and lows, comedy and tragedy, dreams and nightmares of all those who embark on a journey without knowing where it will lead.

Mitro Marjani

Experimental Theatre

May 5, 7 pm

Cast: Preeta Mathur Thakur, Aman Gupta, Satyajit Sharma, Vijay Kumar, Atul Mathur, Anju Jatley, Rashi Singh, Rohit Choudhary, Keeya Khanna, Kanika Dang, Madhu Shrivastav

Shattering the image of the revolutionary and ideal-upholding women characters of great literature, Mitro is our controversial heroine of true Punjabi soil, embodied with love, grit, passion & fertility, unafraid to air her carnal desires in the face of conventional religion & society......yet...desperately seeking a...fulfillment.

Mitro, married into a conventional Punjabi house-hold, yet comes from an unconventional background where passions are unbridled and tongues express with aplomb the feelings of the flesh. Feeling trapped and suffocated in the straitjacketed role of woman who is a second class citizen of the household she nurtures, she can yet appreciate the love and caring of a family. But how does she reconcile herself as a caring homemaker with her bold instincts of individuality?

Peopled with characters we may find in our own homes who have an empathy, consideration and regard for each other but who yet set great store by doing what is righteous and expected in society, Krishna Sobti weaves a world quintessentially Indian. Krishna Sobti's rich Hindi text is a treat for Actors and audiences alike.

Apart from the plays, NCPA Ananda will also feature Chauraha sessions with the makers of the play at the end of each performance. Ensure you are a part of Ananda by blocking your dates for an exciting line up of Hindi theatre.

Call 66223724/ 66223754 to book tickets. To use the online booking facility, visit the NCPA official website: www.ncpamumbai.com/buy-tickets. For more about the festival, go to www.facebook.com/NCPAMumbai or www.twitter.com/NCPAMumbai.

Inaugurated in 1969, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, exists to provide leadership on a national level as India's premier performing arts, research and training centre through the presentation of Indian and international art forms, the promotion of excellence and the preservation of Indian & International cultural heritage.

The NCPA programmes and presents more than 600 events each year across all major art forms, notably Indian and Western Classical Music, Theatre, Film, Dance and Visual Arts. We have programming heads for each of these art verticals who curate innovative events and festivals, representative of everything from classical to contemporary, throughout the year. We produce our own programmes as well as collaborate with leading cultural promoters from around the world.

Voting Opens for the 2013 BroadwayWorld Awards! Vote Now for the Best of the 2012-13 Theatre Season...

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:39:40 PST

The Tony Awards nominators had their say earlier this week and now it's your turn! We're pleased to announce that voting has now opened for the 11th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards!

Once again last year, hundreds of thousands of theatregoers and fans weighed in, breaking site traffic records and further solidifying the BroadwayWorld.com Awards place as the largest and most popular online Broadway polling event of its kind, open to all and with fully visible and audited results. Voting is open through May 31, 2013.

Click Here to Vote Now!