WELCOME to SALIDAA’s October newsletter.
Read the latest
SALIDAA News
. Check out the
Voicebox
and see the
Spotlight
on featured
artists. Get
In the Picture
about recent book, music and film
launches. Browse the extensive
October Events Listings
. View
information for students, researchers, academics and arts practitioners in
Calls for papers /Opportunities
.
A recent online article in The Guardian about women directing
film is one of the most frequently commented upon in this last week of
September. Natasha Walter writes about the First Weekenders Group, which
supports films directed by women in their first weekend at the box office and
suggests that this is a “pragmatic and enjoyable form of feminist activism”
because according to the First Weekenders, a US group, the number of people who
attend a film in its opening weekend makes a big difference to how long the
film stays on in the cinemas. Of course, the mere mention of “feminist
activism” is the cause of the large number of responses to the piece as
people’s sense of perspective is twisted by seemingly eternally-provoking
words. Nonetheless, the idea is fresh and intriguing – if you fancy seeing a
film this weekend, why not buy a ticket to Pratibha Parmar’s “Nina’s Heavenly
Delights” opening this weekend across the UK. Then judge for yourself the
validity of the First Weekenders’ calls to arms and in the process, enjoy
watching something new and relevant that is refreshingly not from the Hollywood
stables.
Do you have a review of a recent event, book or film that you’d
like to share with the SALIDAA community? We invite you to sound out the
Voicebox for yourself. Write in with around 200-300 words to
sharanya@salidaa.org and let us hear your voice. Please write in before the
21st October 2006 for November’s issue.
Acrobats, 1989 Juginder
Lamba (1948-) Copyright: Juginder
Lamba
This sculpture depicts two people; one lying on the ground
with his hands raised above his shoulders, and the other figure balancing on
his partner's hands. This position is a similar one to that used by performing
acrobats; hence the title. The sculpture measures 56x45x19 cm.
New Researcher’s Directory:
We’d like
to provide a forum for ongoing engagement with our collections, and invite all
those interested in South Asian diaspora literature and arts to contribute to a
new Researcher’s Directory that will appear on our website. The list may be
used as a point of contact for those interested in debate, discussion and
collaboration with others and it will foster a research community around the
SALIDAA digital archive. If you are interested in being included in the
directory, please send your name, affiliation, areas of research/interest, and
email address to sharanya@salidaa.org.uk.
Forthcoming Events:
If you would like
the SALIDAA Newsletter to list your forthcoming events please email
sharanya@salidaa.org with all details including Event Title, Dates and Times,
Location, Description (max. 200 words), Admission Fees. Please notify us about
your forthcoming event by the 21st of each preceding month, i.e. to have your
event listed in November’s newsletter, please send information by 21
October.
'Once Upon A Timezone' by Neelesh
Misra. (HarperCollins, India)
This romantic comedy is set in the heart of middle-class India,
where Neel Pandey, just out of college, dreams day and night of his first love,
America, and also an escape from his father’s grandiose plan to get him an
upper caste wife and a secure government job. Unable to go to the US, he
settles for second best – a job at a call centre where he assumes an American
identity. But he soon tumbles into a faraway romance that will transform his
life ... According to Mahesh Bhatt, Neelesh Misra is one of the best young
storytellers of the new India. He comes from the real India, and captures it
extremely well with the various tools he uses as a storyteller: in his work as
a journalist, a songwriter, and in his books. Neelesh has previously written
two non-fiction books, 173 Hours in Captivity: The Hijacking of IC 814 and End
of the Line: The Story of The Killing of The Royals in Nepal. He has covered
some of the biggest news stories in South Asia over the past decade, including
the Kargil conflict, the Gujarat earthquake and the Asian tsunami
etc
Event: Book launch Dates: 06
October 2006, 19:00 Location: Nehru Centre, 8 South
Audley Street, London
UKIERI PHD Scholarships.
Up to 10 PhD
Scholarships will be available over the period 2006-2007 for Indians who have
excellent academic backgrounds to carry out research leading to PhD, DPhil etc
in UK institutions. Applications are welcome from candidates in all disciplines
although the majority of the awards are likely to be in areas related to
science and technology. Deadline for application is 15 October 2006. Details
can be seen at http://www.ukieri.org/enews/
British Asian New Writing BANG!
Tamasha is pleased to announce its involvement in BANG! British
Asian New Generation - a scriptwriting competition for writers based in the
North of England. Run by the Oldham Coliseum, in collaboration with the BBC
Writers Room and Tamasha, BANG! will be seeking out the most compelling,
original and imaginative stories about the British Asian experience, with the
winner receiving a BBC bursary of up to £1000, and the chance to work with a
writing mentor to have their work produced for the Oldham Coliseum stage. In
advance of the competition deadline, BANG! will be offering a series of free
‘How To…’ workshops in Oldham, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Bolton, Preston,
Huddersfield & Burnley throughout October: for details of how to book,
click here.
Tamasha Developing Artists launches its new 3-year
programme
Tamasha Developing Artists, the Company’s programme of
professional development initiatives for emerging and established theatre
artists, launches its new three year programme in November with its first
"Taster Workshop". Aimed at six emerging or established theatre artists, the
workshop will offer a practical introduction to Tamasha's unique actor-centred
approach to direction, and research-based approach to writing, as well as
providing an overview of the collaborative relationship between the director
and designer. Application will be by invitation only. Working with a number of
partners, including Clean Break and the British Library, Tamasha Developing
Artists provides professional support, networking and training for directors,
designers, writers and performers throughout their careers. For more
information about joining the network email info@tamasha.org.uk
Please note: This archived version of the SALIDAA
newsletter does not contain the monthly events listings. If you would like to
be signed up to receive the full newsletter please email
sharanya@salidaa.org.uk
