Tuesday, 6 April 2010

Asian Alchemy in London

I'm back. Lots to write about - might tell you about Centre Parcs another time - but for now....

Talking about the Indian sub-continent being en vogue at the moment, there is a cracking festival just starting at the South Bank Centre in London. In it's own words: "Alchemy explores the culture of India, its diaspora and its relationship to the UK today in over 30 events spanning dance, music, literature, debates, fashion and food. 

Over five packed days discover classical masters of the sub-continent alongside emerging British Asian talent; folk traditions alongside contemporary experimentation."

The line-up looks fantastic, there just so much here - you can check up the programme here.

In the meantime, here below are some goodies I've picked out - the free showing of Sholay looks fun (orginally pointed out to me by Plummy Mummy) and the Southall Story events sound interesting. I'd be interested to hear about what you thought about any of it:

Credit: Jonah RamballLevel 5 Function Room
India: Global Powerhouse?
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Is India the new America?



A.R. RahmanRoyal Festival Hall
Wednesday 7 April 2010
The London Philharmonic Orchestra performs the works of the celebrated Indian film composer AR Rahman.

Southall Storytellers
Yellow Room, Spirit Level
Tuesday 6 April 2010 - Sunday 11 April 2010
Visit stalls, watch performances and meet local storytellers reminisce about Southall.

Southall StorySpirit Level
Wednesday 7 April 2010 - Tuesday 11 May 2010
The Southall Story explores the recent history of a place that has come to be affectionately known as Little India, but for many it is much more than that.

A Golden Age
Sunley Pavilion
Thursday 8 April 2010
Tahmima Anam's novel 'A Golden Age' is our first book club choice of the new season, and is part of the Alchemy Festival.


H-DhamiQueen Elizabeth Hall
Thursday 8 April 2010
Hosted and curated by Nihal from BBC Radio 1 and BBC Asian Network, this event marks the first time three of the biggest names in UK Bhangra - H-Dhami, Jaz Dhami and Juggy D - perform together

NihalThe Clore Ballroom
Thursday 8 April 2010
BBC Radio 1 DJ, Nihal hosts his BBC Asian Network show live at Southbank Centre. Join a discussion on the ingredients that make up Indian culture today.


Gauri Sharma TripathiPurcell Room
Thursday 8 April 2010
Gauri Sharma Tripathi is a key exponent of the north Indian classical dance form of Kathak.



SamayQueen Elizabeth Hall
Friday 9 April 2010
This evening brings together innovators of Indian dance and music from two different perspectives.



MilunFoyer Bar - level 2
Friday 9 April 2010
By combining the notes found in the standard minor scale in Irish music with well-known ragas in Indian music, Milun conjure musical conversations that exchange traditional motifs

The Teak ProjectThe Front Room at QEH
Friday 9 April 2010
The Teak Project represents a collaboration between three of Britain's finest young improvisers.


Sonia SabriThe Clore Ballroom
Friday 9 April 2010
Hosted and performed by Sonia Sabri and featuring special guest Mavin Khoo this event explores the roots of Indian classical dance.


Alchemy Market - A Taste of IndiaSouthbank Centre Square
Friday 9 April 2010 - Sunday 11 April 2010
During the Alchemy Festival, Southbank Centre Square offers a variety of Indian foods and crafts for you to enjoy, including hot dishes and chai. Come and try the tastes and smells of India.


A Golden AgeBlue Room, Spirit Level
Saturday 10 April 2010
Set amidst the Bangladeshi War of Independence of 1971, 'A Golden Age' is a novel about a country and a family at war.



Aakash Odedra & Sanjukta Sinha/ Seeta Patel & Kamala Devam/ Hetain PatelPurcell Room
Saturday 10 April 2010
This evening brings together several British born-artists investigating their Indian cultural heritage, together with dancers who share this line of enquiry from America and India.

The Southall Story
Yellow Room, Spirit Level
Saturday 10 April 2010
Including performances by Kuljit Bhamra and Mohinder Kaur Bhamra.


Sufi ZenQueen Elizabeth Hall Roof (free)
Saturday 10 April 2010
Highlighting the contrasts between the spiritual stillness of Zen and all-encompassing motion of Sufism

Nathan 'Flutebox' LeeQueen Elizabeth Hall
Saturday 10 April 2010
One ticket buys you a brilliant mini festival line-up of the most innovative artists from UK and India, with live bands and film soundtrack performances, VJs, DJs, spoken word and comedy

The Clore Ballroom (free)
Sunday 11 April 2010
Modern democracies are increasingly concerned about young people disengaging from conventional politics. Youth culture in India is said to be driving a wedge between old and young.

SholayThe Clore Ballroom (free)
Sholay
Sunday 11 April 2010
Southbank Centre marks the close of the Alchemy Festival with a screening of the classic Bollywood film 'Sholay'.

The Grewal FamilyQueen Elizabeth Hall
Sunday 11 April 2010
Southbank Centre brings the stars of the popular Channel 4 series 'The Family' to the stage for the first time.

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