1710, 2013

Celebrate Afghanaid’s 30th Anniversary

By Farzana Whitfield|October 17, 2013|Art and Archaeology, Development Studies, Middle East, Central Asia & Islamica, South Asia|0 comments

Afghanaid started working in Afghanistan in 1983. This year they are celebrating 30 years of continuous work through a photographic exhibition – bringing to life the resilience of the Afghan people and the way in which their lives have been transformed. The exhibition will be held at Gallery Different (14 Percy Street, London W1T 1DR) and open to the public from Tuesday, 5th November to Saturday, 9th November. The exhibition will also include a 30-year timeline of

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0409, 2013

Faiz Ahmed Faiz Mela in London

By Farzana Whitfield|September 4, 2013|Literature, Music, Media and Film Studies, Politics and International Relations, South Asia|0 comments

Image taken from the UrduWallahs: http://urduwallahs.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/intesaab-by-faiz-ahmed-faiz/ Faiz Ahmed Faiz was one of the most prolific Urdu writers to live, he was also an active member of the Progressive Writers Movement in India. To celebrate his life and work, the Faiz Cultural Foundation are organising a one day ‘mela’ (gathering) inviting renouned intellectuals and writers to speak about politics, culture and peace. In addition to this, Pakistani and Indian artists will get the audience moving

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3007, 2013

Unsung: a new play reworking Rabindranath Tagore’s Short Story

By Farzana Whitfield|July 30, 2013|Literature, Music, Media and Film Studies, South Asia|0 comments

Unsung is a new play based on the short story Punishment, written by Rabindranath Tagore, the most famous Bengali writer. It has been given a modern interpretation set in London, looking at the lives of 2 married brothers, their relationships with their wives and an innocent meeting that has devastating consequences. It examines the themes of love, sacrifice and family. The play is running from August 30th until 8th September 2013

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0401, 2013

A Pictorial Story of a Tamil Community in North London

By Farzana Whitfield|January 4, 2013|Anthropology and Sociology, Art and Archaeology, South Asia|0 comments

Chiara Contrino has worked closely with the Hindu Sri Lankan Tamil communities in North London since 2006 to produce an exhibition that documents aspects of their culture and religious rituals, and to explore their significance for the participants. According to an old Tamil proverb, there cannot be a place called home without a Temple. Wherever in the world a Tamil community establishes itself, statues of the Gods will follow the

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2610, 2012

South-Asian Fiction: Contemporary Transformations

By Farzana Whitfield|October 26, 2012|Literature, South Asia|0 comments

A one-day symposium organised by The Open University’s Postcolonial Literatures Research Group in collaboration with the Institute for English Studies, University of London, Senate House. Taking place on Saturday 3rd November and focusing on South Asian fiction. Confirmed speakers include Priyamvada Gopal, Elleke Boehmer, Susheila Nasta and Suman Gupta. For further details please click here:  http://www.ies.sas.ac.uk/events/ies-conferences/SouthAsianFiction

0110, 2012

Calling all Shakespeare lovers- ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ set in India

By Farzana Whitfield|October 1, 2012|Music, Media and Film Studies, South Asia|0 comments

  I caught this play on Saturday in London and it was marvellous, colourful, rich and witty while accompanied with a beautiful lavish set! It stars Meera Syal, Paul Battacharjee and Kulvinder Ghir, alongside a complete line up of other famous South Asian members. Much Ado has been transported to New Delhi, for only 4 more weeks at the Noel Coward Theatre, near Leicester Square. I highly recommend it, if you are looking for a sultry

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