Author: Sharmila Chauhan

Writer
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Tiny Steps…

Happy Brithday to Me:

I was really excited to hear about a new anthology of contemporary Asian fiction being put together by The Asian Writer editor Farhana Shaikh (http://theasianwriter.co.uk/) .

I was then thrilled to find out that my piece Tiny Steps was accepted into the collection!

It’s now out and reading it so far I have been impressed by the variety of topics and the quality of the writing. As usual there is the tapestry of  cultural experiences that we can all relate to, but there is also a simplicity that distills the diasporic experience into a purity that is no less complex than we might imagine.

Niven Govinden’s Writer’s Wife story is both honest and funny, while the beauty of Haiku (Yu Min (Claire) Chen) still resonates with me. And I’m only halfway through the book!

I hope that this is one of many anthologies that are finally recognising that ‘Asian’ writing has more than one voice. As they say – if its worth doing, you may as well do it yourself!

To get a copy go to:

http://theasianwriter.co.uk/2010/09/happy-birthday-to-me-a-collection-of-contemporary-asian-writing/

or

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Reading of my play FRANGIPANI HILL at Oval Theatre October 14th

14 October 7.45pm
Frangipani Hill By Sharmila Chauhan
Directed by Elizabeth Freestone

Escalating female infanticide has forced women to have multiple husbands. In this alternate matriarchal society, Aya has three       but now wants another. Declaration of her new engagement triggers turmoil as each man struggles for his place. As Aya cajoles and then coerces them, she makes a discovery that could destroy the men she loves…

Stay tuned for more details!

http://www.kalitheatre.co.uk/whatson/gv_festival.htm

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Britain’s Got Bhangra

Or has it?

Well I’m a great believer of sharing the love of all things Asian but I have to say I’d like to see some serious Asian theatre….

Something beyond Bollywood, arranged marriages and what’s the Trouble  with Asian Men?!

Like all things,  minority groups may find themselves most affected by changes in the general status quo. Theatre in the UK has become decidely more tabloid and ‘issue’ led. Old timers like Beckett may now seem out of place in our ‘theatrical reality’ which in itself is propogating a reality which may quickly become out of date….

Anyway, I digress, Britain’s Got Bhangra….

Stratford East 17 April – 16 May 2010

Britain’s Got Bhangra charts the rise of British Bhangra from the sequin clad 80s through to the RnB fusion of the current charts.

Twinkle arrives fresh from the fields of the Punjab with a song in his heart and no money in his pocket. Can his talent shine through or will the remixed bling of the 90’s DJ’s ruin his dreams?

Bring the family and move to the rhythm and Bhangra. Shake your shoulders, twist that lightbulb; this is the story of how Britain got Bhangra. A new musical guaranteed to lift you from the dhol drums!

It might be fun and it may certainly get you dancing!