Category: Events

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When Spring Comes

My play When Spring Comes was part of the South Asian Literature Festival in conjunction with Tamasha theatre in November 2012 as part of the Exodus Event commemorating 40 years since the Ugandan Exodus.

The reading was a real success – resonating with the audience whose experience has had little or no voice in the arts – especially in England. Perhaps the most notable being the film Mississippi Masala (Mira Nair) and the novel The InBetween World of Vikram Lal (MG Vassanji) – but there is a definite need to debate this issue of Twice-Migrants in the UK, who with our Swahili mix of food, language and music we bring a multitude of experiences that have been passed on, almost subliminally to the next generation.

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Directed by Dominc Hingorani

Cast:

Bhawana Bhawsara (Jaya)

Divian Ladwa (Mukesh)

Muzz Khan (Vinod)

Shaheen Khan (Urvashi and Ba)

 

 

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Purnjanam/Born Again – will be part of Tagore’s Women

My play Purnjanam/Born Again  will be part of a double pill called Tagore’s Women.

We did a workshop with a bunch of writers and the lovely Elizabeth Freestone exploring Tagore’s plays… I had never read Tagore – apart from a little poetry – and so these were an eye opener. His work is poetic and simple at the same time. He was very progressive in terms of social and even environmental issues. Of great interest was his use of the female protagonist – although many may talk of Tagore as a pro-Feminist I would perhaps not go that far. But his female characters are well formed and definitely step out of the thick lines of societies expectations. They were definitely progressive.  Even in his short stories (which are fantastic) and the beautiful Charu (dir bySatajit Ray) there is such a sense of place and beauty.. . Needless to say, I enjoyed reading his work and was particularly inspired by the magical and mystical elements.

Purnajanam is my tribute to this great writer…
In a city of transition and tradition, three liars, two lovers and a reluctant leader all desperately search for their own truth.  Exploring class, gender and sexuality, Purnjanam questions destiny, love and power. 

17-21 January 2012

The Vault at Southwark Playhouse      
Shipwright Yard
Corner of Tooley St & Bermondsey St
London SE1 2TF
020 7407 0234  
www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

http://www.kalitheatre.co.uk/whats-on/Tagore.html

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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!