The Indian Experience in South Africa 2011 The High Commission of India in South Africa and Teamwork Productions is proud to present the Shared History, The Indian Experience festival 2011. This is a celebration of contemporary and classical music, dance, literature, theatre, and food from 3 September to 24 September 2011 in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. The Festival, part of the annual international Arts Alive 2011 Festival, showcases the finest and most exceptional that the Indian culture has to offer, and provides an avenue for dialogue and collaborative work exchange between India and South Africa. The High Commissioner of India, Virendra Gupta, says, “The Shared History Festival is a unique celebration of plurality and the common heritage of India and South Africa. Over the years it has become a platform to showcase the best music, theatre, dance, and food from India." Now celebrating its fifth year in South Africa the Shared History 2011 festival will again delight, amaze, entertain and enthral audiences. A great variety of events and performances are on offer: from the aromatic cuisine of Bengal to the evergreen Words on Water literature festival; from the Primetime Theatre Company’s Dance like a Man to contemporary dance by Rhythm Divine; and from the rocking Rajasthan Josh to the family orientated Wellbeing Experience (Yoga & Ayurveda), both at the Zoo Lake; a surfeit of things to see, to do, to experience, to taste, and to enjoy. Highlights of the 2011 Shared History Festival include for music-lovers: a mesmerising performance combining the folk traditions of Rajasthan, Rajasthan Josh, opens the festival. Kutla Khan, Nathoo Solanki, Chuggee Khan and the enchanting Patricia, use instruments like the Morchang, Bhapang Khartaal, Double flute, Nagara and Bamboo Flute and incorporate vocal styles ranging from the mystic Sufi traditions, bhajans and popular folk songs of Rajasthan. The performance will be interspersed with captivating dances like the Chari Dance, Kalbelia (Snake charmers’ dance) and Terah Taali. Catch them at the Rendezvous, State Theatre, Pretoria on Saturday 3 September at 8pm; Zoo Lake on Sunday 4 September at the Arts Alive Festival’s annual Jazz on the Lake, and on Tuesday 6 September at the Mandela, Joburg Theatre at 8pm. They will also appear in Durban at the Blue Lagoon on 10 September. A highlight of the Music programme is the not-to-be-missed Shubha Mudgal – In Concert - Music of the Mystics: Mystic poetry from India rendered in song, at the Linder Auditorium on Friday 9 September at 8.00pm. One of India’s most versatile singers, Shubha Mudgal is an exponent of Hindustani classical music who is equally at ease experimenting with diverse genres of music, such as fusion and cross cultural collaborations, music and devotional music. She is also a composer and a teacher, in addition to being involved with many projects related to music education, and the dissemination of Indian music. Accompanying her for this presentation are three accomplished musicians - Dr Aneesh Pradhan (tabla), Sudhir Nayak (harmonium) and Pratap Rath (percussion). For theatre-lovers, Mahesh Dattani’s Dance like a Man will be presented in Johannesburg at The Fringe, Joburg Theatre from 8 to 10 September and in Durban at The Playhouse Company on 13 and 14 September. The story of Jairaj and Ratna, two Bharatnatyam dancers past their prime, is contrasted with that of their daughter Lata, who is on the brink of establishing herself as a brilliant dancer. Her imminent success creates tension and jealousy, and the audience is drawn into the dark secrets of family relationships and conflicts between generations. The play probes the surface of the characters to question their deeper motivations, but the mode is comic rather than tragic, even though the concerns are serious, and you are never sure whether to laugh or cry. It is produced and directed by Lillete Dubey. Playwright Dattani is also one of the featured authors of the Words on Water Literature festival. Dance-lovers can enjoy the world-renowned Astad Deboo’s Rhythm Divine at The Playhouse Company, Durban from 15 to 17 September and at the Dance Factory, Newtown, Johannesburg, from 20 to 22 September. Rhythm Divine believes dance is a system of ideas and together with music can enrich the moral, the material and the intellectual. Deboo walks the perimeter with eight Manipuri Thang -Ta dancers to create a universe. The result is a work that records the traces and clues of things to come. Thang-Ta, The Art of the Sword and Spear, is an exciting dance form that has been adapted from the ancient martial arts form of Manipur, in North East India. Deboo belongs to the honourable company of Ruth St. Denis, Lester Horton, and Astad Daforan who have combed through world cultures for material they could fruitfully combine with tradition. A festival within the Festival is the Literary Festival, “Words on Water – India and South Africa in Conversation”. Presented in association with the Centre for Indian Studies in Africa at the University of the Witwatersrand it will conversations between Indian and South African authors, some readings and performances. Featured authors will include Jaishree Mishra, Jeet Thayil, Namita Devidayal, author of the critically acclaimed memoir, The Music Room, actor, director and writer Mahesh Dattani, and a leading journalist and author, M.J.Akbar. At Sci–Bono, Newtown on Saturday 10 September from 11.00am onwards. Entrance is free. The Wellbeing Experience takes place on Sunday 11 September at Zoo Lake, Johannesburg from 9am to 5pm. The Wellbeing Experience provides an opportunity to engage in the holistic practice of yoga and Ayurveda; participants in the comprehensive yoga experience will be empowered to be able to step away from day to day anxieties at this full fun-day getaway. Participants will learn to manage the stress of the modern age and experience valuable health-giving methods that will enhance their ability to lead a more alert and stress free lifestyle. Lectures on Indian Ayurvedic Practices, Organic and Ayurvedic Food Stalls, Yoga Workshops (Yoga disciplines will include, amongst others, Classical, Ishta, Iyenger, Satyananda, Sri Sri and yoga for Children, guided Meditations and Music Performances. A fun outing for the whole family. Entrance fee: R50. The Gastronomic “delight” of the Shared History Festival - the cuisine of Bengal - will complete the sublime experience of India at two premier Johannesburg venues, the Southern Sun, Grayston from September 15 to 17 and Le Canard, 163 Rivonia Road, Morningside, Sandton, from September 19 to September 24. Bookings at the respective venues. Three dancers from the Southern regions – India, Brazil and South Africa present a dance work that will explore personal and national identity framed by the sense of “emerging” cultural and creative identity. Choreographed, designed and directed by Anoushka Kurien, India; Micheline Torres, Brazil and Hector Thami Manekhla, South Africa, this Shared History collaboration, commissioned and presented by Arts Alive 2011 Johannesburg - The IBSA Performance Dialogue - will be presented at The Fringe, Joburg Theatre at 8pm on September 6 and 7 and again on September 20 and 21. Bookings tickets@joburgtheatre.com / 0861 670 670. The Shared History Festival has become a brand in its own right and is seen as an integral part of the Johannesburg and Arts Alive cultural calendar. Sanjoy Roy of Teamwork Productions, Festival director, says, “Now In its 5th year Shared History will be a unique celebration of ideas and content, presented in a spirit of collaboration between South African companies and those from India. Shared History is a platform for the arts which transcend language, social barriers and art forms.” The 2011 Shared History Festival’s main sponsors are First National Bank (FNB), Jet Airways, City of Johannesburg, and Incredible India. The associate sponsors are Airport Company South Africa (ACSA), Jindal, TaTa Africa, Rosy Blue and Bank of Baroda. Media partners are Zee TV, ETV- Sunrise and Rising Sun. The Festival’s official printer is Shereno Printers cc. Bookings at Computicket,: 0861 915 8000/ www.computicket.com <http://www.computicket.com> / outlets for all Shared History performances/events, with the exception of Rajasthan Josh and Dance Like a Man, at The Joburg Theatre – bookings for these two shows only at www.joburgtheatre.com <http://www.joburgtheatre.com> (purchase your print-at-home ticket on the internet) or call the theatre’s direct ticketing line on 0861 670 670. Notes for Editors: It currently produces 17 performing and visual arts festivals in 21 cities across 11 countries including Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, India, Israel, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, UK and USA. Teamwork produces Asia's biggest literary gathering the annual DSC Jaipur Literature Festival, and recently launched Hay Festival in Kerala and the Bookaroo festival for Children. The annual Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) and Festival, and the Ishara International Puppet Festival in New Delhi are produced by Teamwork. The recent musical extravaganza, Bollywood Love Story - A Musical, continues to tour the world and has had sold out shows in Austria, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Italy and Switzerland. The India Africa Forum Summit - Delhi 2008 featured A Tribute to Africa in which over 250 artistes from India and Africa came together in a musical extravaganza, conceived and produced by Teamwork. For the second Africa India Forum Summit 2011 in Ethiopia, an Exhibition on Shared Cultural Heritage on India and Africa was specially produced by Teamwork. With more than 200 events across 18 cities in India and featuring over 250 artists, designers, researchers and entrepreneurs, the Bonjour India! Festival, France's most significant rendezvous with India in 2009/2010 was produced by Teamwork for the Embassy of France - India. Celebrating India in Israel, Indian Summer, Canada and Eye on India, Chicago are three new performing and visual arts festivals that have been launched in 2011. For further information please visit www.teamworkproductions.in Also check out the Arts Alive website: www.artsalive.co.za For media accreditation, interviews and images and any other media queries, please contact:
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