PROGRAMME GUIDE

JUNE 2011

A Tribute to “The King”

Remembering Elvis Presley

Women of Power
Showcasing Shakti through dance

Stage to Screen
National Theatre London brings
Frankenstein to NCPA’s stages

Frankenstein
Danny Boyle’s
1
On Stage June 2011

chairman’s
A facility that members, as well as col-
laborators and supporters have been
constantly requesting, is a proper theatre
restaurant and café that would cater,
not only to young visitors to the NCPA
and members before and after perfor-
mances, but also to the general public,
to spend time in pleasant surroundings
and enjoy culinary delights over a wide
range of cuisines. In accordance with
these requests, a new restaurant, chris-
tened Amadeus, will be opened around
mid-June.
One of the areas that need attention at
the NCPA, is the inability to provide suf-
ficient entertainment facilities for its mem-
bers during the day. `We are basically a
bunch of theatres that come alive in the
evenings and have hardly any activities
during the day. This is a situation we seek
to remedy by gradually creating pro-
grammes and facilities, which will make
the NCPA a desirable venue to visit from
from the
desk
breakfast to dinner time. Its vast spaces
should be filled with events that will make
it an attractive destination for people
from all walks of life.
An exciting event this month is the first ma-
jor collaboration the NCPA will have with
a prestigious foreign organisation, the Na-
tional Theatre in London. Although we are
offered direct broadcasts of their plays,
this would obviously be inconvenient due
to the time difference. We have therefore
decided to show these unique events
very soon after the actual performance
in London. The NCPA is equipping one of
its theatres to ensure a thrilling experience
and theatre goers will be surprised at
the quality of the presentation provided.
Watch out for the announcement in this
first series of performances with Danny
Boyle’s Frankenstein.
In the future, we hope to have many such
collaborations with prestigious organisa-
1
On Stage June 2011
tions abroad, so that the best interna-
tional offerings are available for viewing
by NCPA members and the public.
The NCPA will also embark on a new prop-
erty named NCPA Legends, where we
will ask current artistes in various genres
to pay tribute to legendary performers in
all spheres of music. The first concert will
feature the popular Gary Lawyer, paying
tribute to the King of Rock and Roll – Elvis
Presley. We will also screen Elvis films a
few days prior to the performance.
In Indian dance, we will be highlight-
ing the Devi, the female character of
Indian Dance.
We have also decided that we will be
highlighting future performances in each
issue of On Stage, so that members can
mark their calendars well in advance,
and also arrange for early openings at
the Box Office.
Khushroo N. Suntook
2
On Stage June 2011

J une 2 0 11

Letters
Frankenstein Danny Boyle’s

to the editor
Danny Boyle’s Frankenstein will send shiver’s down
Mumbai’s spine this summer!

NCPA – On Stage Magazine

Relationship Manager: Lily Shroff

Consulting Editor: Anushree Chatterjee It was indeed an ecstatic experience attending the Mudra Dance Week, 2011.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Jaideep VG
The entire range of performances, with such great dancers from various styles,
Editorial Co-ordinators: Divya Mishra, Priyanka Mathur
Hilda Darukhanawalla
was beautifully organised and presented. I thoroughly enjoyed the flavours of
Art Director: Rahul Das each of the genres and will look forward to the same in the forthcoming events.
National Photo Editor & Art Director: – Amrita Mukherjee
Chirodeep Chaudhuri
PR Manager: Rashmi Dhanwani NCPA’s Mudra Dance Week truly showcased some of the finest artistes who
Senior RM Sales (West): Vishwanath Shanbhag
are exploring the depths of Indian classical dance today. In particular, Margi
Designers: Brijesh Gajjar, Chittaranjan Modhave
Vijayakumar’s Poothana Moksham was a spectacular performance. One was
Digital Imaging: Devang H Makwana
left completely mesmerised, forgetting that the dancer was a male, in sthree
Published by Deepak Bajaj for vesham!
The National Centre for the Performing Arts,
Also, it was a rare treat for Mumbai’s dance lovers, for whom Kathakali perfor-
NCPA Marg, Nariman Point,
Mumbai 400 021.
mances in their home town is quite a rarity.
– Purnima Patni
Produced by

Please feel free to write in with your comments to Lily Shroff (Relationship
Manager – On Stage). We are committed to providing you with an enjoyable
Project Management Team
Editor in chief: Naresh Fernandes
magazine and look forward to your feedback after each issue. We’d
Chief Operating Officer: Rajnish Rawat like to know what you think about our programmes and our stories, and look
Chairperson: Smiti Kanodia forward to bringing you exciting events on an ongoing basis. You may send
Editorial Office
an email to lilyshroff.ncpa@gmail.com with your comments and feedback.
Essar House, 11 KK Marg,
PO Box No. 7964,
Mahalaxmi,
Mumbai 400 034.
E-mail: lettersonstage@gmail.com

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Head – Programming
Materials in On Stage cannot be International Music:
Marketing,
reproduced in part or whole without Farrahnaz Irani
the written permission of the publisher. Sales & Administration:
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Views and opinions expressed in this Deepak Bajaj,
magazine are not necessarily those
of the publisher. All rights reserved.
Director Theatre & Film:
Deepa Gahlot,
NCPA Booking Office
2282 4567 / 6654 8135 / 6622 3724 Head – Programming
www.ncpamumbai.com Jt. Executive Director:
Dance:
www.soimumbai.in D. B. Biswas
Amrita Lahiri,
We look forward to your feedback and Head – Programming
suggestions on the NCPA’s programmes, as well
as our magazine On Stage. Please do write in to Centre of Photography as
The Editor – On Stage,
an Art Form:
The National Centre for the Performing Arts,
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Fax (022) 6622 3830.
contents
10 A tribute to the
King of Rock ‘n’ Roll
The NCPA pays tribute to Elvis Presley. Lily Shroff
takes us through this musical journey.

12 On Stage Explores

04 14
– Shringar rasa
Isabel Putinja studies jewellery, one of the
prime aspects of an Indian dancer’s couture.

On Stage Global
Stage to Screen – World Views
A look around the world for the most exciting
Deepa Gahlot tells us why watching performing arts events in June.
the theatre broadcast of Danny Boyle’s
Frankenstein is a must-do this month.
15 Programme
Guide
All of June’s events at the NCPA.

29 Glimpses of
April and May 2011
All that was memorable in the last
two months.

08 30 July 2011
Highlights
What to look forward to in the coming month.

Women of Power
Odissi and Bharata Natyam dancers pay
homage to the eternal Shakti through their
performances. Karanjeet Kaur tells us more.
32 NCPA
News
New developments at the NCPA.
4
On Stage June 2011

Stage t
Screen
A collaboration between the
NCPA and London’s National
Theatre allows Mumbai
audiences to experience
the best of British Theatre.
Deepa Gahlot tells us more

T
he NCPA always endeavours to bring
its audiences the best theatre proj-
ects from across the world. For the first
time in India, a collaboration with the UK’s
National Theatre will enable audiences in
Mumbai to see what the world is watch-
ing — not on stage, but through high qual-
ity digital recordings shot live. The National
Theatre Live (NT Live) is a ground breaking
initiative to broadcast the best of live British
theatre around the world. The first NT Live
production, which will be showcased only
at the NCPA, is Danny Boyle’s smash hit,
Frankenstein. This grand stage version of
the Mary Shelley classic, adapted by Nick
Dear, has a cast led by Benedict Cum-
berbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating
the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the
Creature. Audiences will have the
chance to see both combina-
tions. Described as “visionary,”
“mesmerising,” “stunning” and
“brilliant,” the production by the
Oscar-winning Slumdog Million-
aire director, has garnered rave
reviews in the press.

Danny Boyle's Frankenstein comes to send chills down Mumbai's spine
In this gothic horror story, a scientist makes
a human creature out of separate body
parts and brings him to life. Then, horrified
at the sight of the monster he has cre-
ated, he casts it away. The ugly innocent
creature encounters hostility and cruelty
wherever he goes and in desperation,
then sets out to track down his creator…
“Urgent concerns of scientific responsibil-
ity, parental neglect, cognitive develop-
ment and the nature of good and evil are
embedded within this thrilling and deeply
disturbing classic gothic tale,” reads the NT
Live release.
The first ten weeks of Frankenstein were
sold out in advance; after its resound-
ing success, the production run was ex-
tended. The performance of the play has
been broadcast to 375 screens around
the world so far. According to estimates,
over 100,000 people worldwide watched
the shows. Upto eight cameras were
employed to capture the broadcast the
same and make it dynamic and visually
exciting. In an interview with The Times,
London, Boyle said, “I haven’t directed
plays for 15 years but Frankenstein has
been on my mind for a long time. I first
talked to the playwright Nick Dear about
the idea of doing an adaptation of Mary
Shelley’s novel when we worked on The
Last Days of Don Juan at the Royal Shake-
speare Company. Nick’s first drafts were
faithful to the novel until we came up with
this idea of opening the play from the
Creature’s point of view. Doing so gave
the Creature his voice back; Shelley gave
him a voice, but so many manifestations
of the story have denied it to him. Start-
ing from the Creature’s point of view was
the key to unlocking the adaptation. The
key to then getting the production up and
running was to rebalance the story. Once
you don’t start with Victor Frankenstein, it’s
fantastically refreshing because it means
that you have to rethink everything. Once
you get going, you need to balance the
Creature with his obsession, his creator. So
we rebalanced our approach by coming
up with the idea of double casting the
actors. If you are going to do that, Victor
ultimately has to be an equal. So the first
half of the play, the first 20 or 30 minutes,
is very much from the Creature’s point
of view. And then it shifts to being this
great debate between the two of them.
We wanted to get away from movie im-
ages of the Creature and also the idea
that he is a stitched-together series of
parts, he’s a whole body that has been
operated on internally. You’ll see evi-
dence of his internal organs in the play.
Shelley clearly based Frankenstein on
Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron, the
extraordinary men in her life. They were
egotistical romantics who were obsessed
with science. Of course, the play em-
phasises that by putting two men at the
heart of creation, women are excluded.
And in reality, there was Mary Shelley con-
stantly going through pregnancies, losing
children and writing this incredible book.
Whenever she got pregnant, she fell ill!
He couldn’t stand her having all the at-
tention. And so Frankenstein became a
brilliant depiction of the self-importance
of men.”
5
On Stage June 2011
"Once you get going,
you need to balance
the Creature with his
obsession, his creator.
So we rebalanced our
approach by
coming up with the
idea of double
casting the actors."
David Sabel, Head of Digital Media and
Producer, NT Live, says, “The concept be-
hind Danny Boyle’s Frankenstein is that the
two lead actors are alternating the roles
of the Creature and Victor Frankenstein.
The concept is to look at the duality and
fusion of these two characters – the rela-
tionship of master/servant and creator/
creation, how they affect each other and
what they learn from each other. It’s a re-
ally fascinating approach and many peo-
ple are booking to see both versions here
at the theatre – the scripts are the same,
but the staging and performances vary.”
Now Mumbai audiences will see this
breathtaking production on screen, mark-
ing the start of high quality screenings of
National Theatre's productions at the NCPA.
Frankenstein is on June 17, 18 and 19.
For more information see page 24 of
the Programme Guide.
6
On Stage June 2011

Reviews of Frankenstein
***** The Times
‘This taut, thrilling play runs with hardly a moment for breath.’
‘Lee Miller is physically wild, free of the slightest self consciousness...’
‘To see (Cumberbatch) hurling himself into the agile physicality and awkward strangeness of the Creature is
revelatory, a quantum leap for his reputation.’
‘... they’re both teriffic...‘It is a theatrical coup.’
‘Mark Tildesley’s stunning design and Bruno Poet’s remarkable lighting effects use the Olivier’s vastness with
controlled, imaginative strength.’
‘The music, by Underworld, is perfect.’
‘... it is rather wonderful: thoughtful, exciting, moving.’

***** Sunday Express

‘Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller lend both gravitas and a frightening physical immediacy’

**** Independent
‘Boyle’s role-reversal twist a shocking, haunting success.’
‘Danny Boyle’s extraordinarily haunting production.’
‘Johnny Lee Miller’s astonishing Creature.’
‘Lee Miller gives a whole new lease of life to the term “shock to the system”...’
‘Cumberbatch is brilliant at conveying the blackly ridiculous aspects of the hubristic scientist.’
‘These are imaginative productions that pack a devastating cumulative punch and score a singular success.’

**** Evening Standard

‘The National Theatre has a hit on its hands.’
‘The opening 10 minutes are stunning. They are as atmospheric as theatre ever gets.’
‘The scenes that concentrate on Cumberbatch and Miller are powerful. There is a compelling chemistry
between them...’

**** Guardian
‘Cumberbatch’s Creature is unforgettable... It is an astonishing performance.’
‘The actors complement each other perfectly.’
‘Boyle’s production is a bravura triumph in which Mark Tildesley’s design provides a whole series of visual coups.’
‘A stunning evening.’

**** Daily Telegraph

‘Boyle... pulls off something truly spectacular here.’

**** Daily Mail

‘Boyle draws terrifically gutsy performances from his two leads.’
‘The visceral nature of the performances is tremendously impressive...’
‘... this is a memorable production and will doubtless be spoken of for years to come.’ 
 Womenpower
8
On Stage June 2011

of
The spirit of Shakti,
the feminine force,
is celebrated in the
performances of
Priya Venkataraman
and sisters Leena
and Leesa Mohanty,
writes Karanjeet Kaur

F
or a country with such a de-
pressing gender ratio and a his-
tory of violence against women,
our present belies our collective past.
Our traditional arts and culture, inextri-
cable from our spiritual beliefs, has al-
ways valourised Shakti, or the feminine
force. Classical dancers have referred
to the epics and ancient Indian texts
to illustrate this – and two upcoming
performances at the NCPA this month,
offer fresh perspectives on the same.
Bharatanatyam dancer Priya Venkata-
raman presents Devi, with episodes
culled from Ananda Lahiri and Kalida-
sa’s Kumarasambhavam, while sisters
Leena and Leesa Mohanty perform
a portmanteau Odissi recital Ambaa,
inspired by the Mahabharata. 

Priya Venkataraman, born and raised in
Delhi, was expected to take lessons in
classical music and dance like any good
South Indian girl. “I hated my music les-
sons and tried to run away from them all
the time,” she quips. But she gradually
discovered it was in solely dance that her
interest and her heart lay – she took a brief
break during Class 12th to focus on her
studies, and decided she never wanted
to give it up. During her early years, she
trained with Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan.
Now, even as she juggles teaching young
disciples in Gurgaon, she keeps shuttling
to Chennai to train with A. Lakshman and
Bragha Bessell.
After her marriage, Priya moved to Illi-
nois, USA, where she established a dance
school named Kalakriti. At Kalakriti, she
trained over seventy childern, of Indian
diaspora parents, as well as Americans.
She straddled teaching with performing all
across the country and abroad, in places
as diverse as Canada, Colombia and
Trinidad and Tobago. She also conducted
residencies in American schools, where
she choreographed pieces for children’s
performances, and even collaborated
with the Tony- and Emmy-winning play-
wright Terence McNally on A Perfect Ga-
nesh in 1993, where she had to “teach a
pot-bellied man some dance moves”.
Priya’s repertoire is primarily traditional and
rarely includes any contemporary stylis-
tic influences. In her latest performance
as well, the dancer has a rather modern
thematic consideration, but her choreog-
raphy and the flow of the performance re-
main traditional. The recital is a combina-
tion of heterogeneous set pieces in praise
of the Devi as the mother, as the protector
and as Shiva’s consort. She commences
with verses from the scripture Ananda La-
hiri by Adishankara, followed by a varnam
in praise of the Devi wherein Parvati is re-
ferred to as Vishnu’s sister, composed in
Raga Todi. The latter half, or the abhinaya
part of the performance has been culled
from Kalidasa’s Kumarsambhavam and
was especially composed for the recital.
“This was the only sringara text I could find,
where the Devi is also a lover,” she says.
The evening concludes with a thillana in
Raga Nalinakanthi, composed by mridan-
gam maestro Karaikudi Krishnamurthy.
If Priya had trouble finding a conceptual
text, the Mohanty sisters had basic logis-
tical problems – younger sister Leesa is
based in Mumbai, while Leena is based
“Kumarsambhavam was
the only sringara text I
could find, where the
Devi is also a lover.”
(Priya Venkataraman)
Page 8: Priya Venkataraman; Page 9
Leesa Mohanty and Leena Mohanty
in the USA. The two will have only a few
days ahead of the final performance to
rehearse together, but mercifully, technol-
ogy has come to their rescue. The sisters
have been rehearsing and exchanging
notes over Skype. Distance is but a minor
quibble when you’ve spent your childhood
dedicated to the arts.
Born in Bhubaneshwar to industrialist and
Krishna devotee Rabi Narayan Mohanty,
the sisters inherited their father’s zeal to be
involved in and promote traditional arts.
They recall being taken to Vrindavan at
a young age, following an incident when
9
On Stage June 2011
their father took note of a shloka in the
Bhagavatam, which enjoined devotees to
enact the Krishna Leela, as the only way
of reaching God in Kalyug. This was also
the philosophy behind the creation of the
cultural organisation Bansi Bilas, a non-
profit organisation, which was established
in 1984 by their father, with the mandate to
preserve and propagate Odissi.
The organisation engendered several
productions – including Basanta Raas,
choreographed by the legendary Guru
Debaprasad Das, who also taught the
girls – which travelled from one village to
the next. The troupe then graduated to
performing in temples across Vrindavan,
especially during the Dussehra holidays.
Meanwhile, Basanta Raas was also pro-
duced as a film that went on to win several
State awards, including a best child artiste
trophy for Leesa.
Now, after graduating from the presti-
gious IRMA (Insitute of Rural Managament
Anand) in Gujarat, Leesa straddles a ca-
reer in HR by training youngsters, while
Leena trains professional dancers. Along
with their individual practice around the
world, together they run Bansi Bilas, orga-
nising festivals, such as the First Interna-
tional Odissi Festival, held in the capital at
the Habitat Centre in 1999. Simultaneously,
Leesa also runs the Powai-based Nirguna
Centre for Excellence, which trains children
in Odissi and Hindustani music.
The sisters say that most of their perfor-
mances are oriented around Krishna, often
highlighting the ‘Shyam-Shyama’ dichoto-
my inherent in the character. “But we had
never explored the ‘she’ part in detail, so
we decided to dedicate this performance
to Ambaa, the feminine force,” says Lee-
sa. The recital begins with a traditional in-
vocatory mangalacharan, dedicated to
Kali – the rest of the performance follows
her in her numerous avatars. Pallavi, set to
Raga Basanta, explores the sensuous and
lyrical side of Odissi. As Leesa puts it, as
sensuality rises, one loses the ability to take
objective decisions – this part segues into
the abhinaya bit, where Kunti’s dilemma is
focused on. The second part of abhinaya
is the Dasamahavidya, or “the ten forms
of primordial creative female energy”. The
performance fittingly concludes with
Moksha, a dance of release.
Ambaa is on June 9 and Devi is on June
16. For more details see page 20 and
23 of the Programme Guide.
A tribute
to the
King of Rock and Roll
The NCPA presents a tribute to this iconic artiste, whose
immortalised vocals have transcended generations
together. Lily Shroff takes us through this
musical journey.
Famous Quotes on Elvis
Bob Dylan
When I first heard Elvis’ voice I just knew that I wasn’t going
to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss.
Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.
Johnny Cash
Elvis was so good. Every show I did with him, I never missed
the chance to stand in the wings and watch. We all did.
He was that charismatic.
Mick Jagger
He was a unique artist-an original in an area of imitators.
George Klein
Let’s not think of how Elvis died, but how he lived…
the man wasn’t just a star he was a damn galaxy!!’…
Elton John
It was Elvis that got me interested in music. I’ve been an
Elvis fan since I was a kid.

W
hen you have a legendary per-
former’s music and songs, cou-
pled with a rocking band where
in the lead you have Mumbai’s premier
pop-rock artist paying a tribute to this im-
mortalized star you can’t help but want
to be a part of the action. Add a dash of
the best performance location in Mum-
bai, couple it up with some fine American
cuisine, rocking music and you can’t ex-
pect anything less than a glorious evening
of fun and endless entertainment. That’s
whats in store this 11th of June , 2011 at
the Tata Theatre, NCPA where we
have live in concert Gary Lawyer
performing a Tribute to the
‘King of Rock and Roll- Elvis
Aaron Presely!’
Theres not much that
can be written about El-
vis that people are not
already aware of, his fan
following is unmatched even
today. In his 42 years (January 8,
1935 – August 16, 1977) he man-
aged to create glorious musical
and fashion trends and completely
changed the face of American and
world music. Born in Mississippi, Presley
moved to Memphis, Tennessee, with his
family at the young age of 13. He began
his career there in 1954 when Sam Phillips,
(the then owner of a company called Sun
Records) was eager to bring the sound of
African American music to a wider audi-
ence and saw in Presley a way to fulfill his
vision. There was no limit to the sponta-
niety and moves of this creative genius,
outrageous dress codes, long side-locks,
puffed up tresses ( his secret was a combi-
nation of Vaseline and rosewater) and an
ever so handsome face
could easily give
any Hollywood
icon a run for
his money,
add to it
a voice
that
could
drive millions crazy. In an attempt to find
privacy post his enormous success, Presley
bought Graceland in Memphis his home,
which was a 23-room, two storey mansion
in 13.8 acres of ground at 3764, South Bel-
levue Boulevard in the Memphis suburb
Whitehaven. Today Graceland is the most
famous address in modern music history.
The famous music gates of Graceland
were installed in April of that year.  It was
open to the public only after Elvis’s death,
and an estimated 1 million people still visit
it yearly.
This was just the beginning of an icon that
exceeded mortality. The vast expanse of
his musical works from rock, blues, and
pop to gospel tunes captured the hearts
and minds of millions. Elvis created waves
with his first single Heartbreak Hotel in the
year 1956, and later that same year also
made his film debut in the English film,
Love me Tender. Some of his greatest hits
included Jailhouse rock, Let me be your
Teddy Bear, Hound Dog, and Are you
Lonesome Tonight, among many others.
It becomes difficult to attempt to ape this
great artist, and only a humble effort can
be made, many artists over the years have
paid their tribute through performances to
this icon one such artist is Mumbai’s very
own Gary Lawyer.
When asked, ‘why Elvis?’ Gary replies
quite promptly ‘there can be no other;
he was the most influential entertainer of
mankind’ Going on he adds, ‘His music
exceeds genres and having performed
twice in Pune to the similar theme, he
knows the fan following in Mumbai will love
to hear his tunes’ With the expanse and
over powered support for Bollywood within
the Indian media, Gary feels the need to
create a space for Western Music across
genres is a must. With the finest indoor set
up for performances at the NCPA (Nation-
al Centre for Performing Arts), an Indian
artist along with many international ones
can create high quality live performances
to enthrall audiences.
This initiative is part of a new property cre-
ated at the NCPA called, ‘NCPA Legends’
where recent artists will perform tributes to
great musical legends. The first one in its
series is the Elvis tribute and may be fol-
lowed by tribute performances of Frank
Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Mohammed
Rafi among many others in the years to
come. This initiative by the creative de-
partment at the NCPA has commenced
to expose and reignite the fan following
11
On Stage June 2011
of these evergreen composers and sing-
ers to create new waves of entertainment
among the Indian audiences. In fact the
whole first week of June starting with the
6th, 7th and 8th, will involve Elvis themed
events at the NCPA, one of them are the
3 film screenings at the Little Theatre within
the NCPA.
The 6th will screen the 1957 hit film, Jail-
house Rock which showcases Elvis’s leg-
endary portrayal of Vince Everett a pris-
oner who turns his life over to become a
superstar. On the 7th the renowned film
‘This is Elvis’ will be premiered in the Little
Theatre. In this biography concert movie
rare behind the scenes footage will be
shown covering the life and story of this
great icon. The highlights will further in-
clude Elvis’ first TV appearance in 1956,
scenes from his most popular movies,
“Love Me Tender” and “Loving You”, plus
concert scenes from his 1968 show, That’s
the way it is, Aloha from Hawaii, and from
his last filmed show in 1977 as well.
Fans get to see him perform live with all
the essential hits – from the early rock n
roll tracks (Hound Dog, Don’t Be Cruel) to
the soulful ballads (Love Me Tender, Can’t
Help Falling in Love) right down to his per-
sonal favorites (Heartbreak Hotel and Blue
Suede Shows). Finally on the 8th will be a
documentary screening of ‘ Elvis by the
Presleys’ where for the first time his wife
Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie offer an
intimate look at Elvis’s life.
Over the years artists have shaped differ-
ent aspects of civilization and vice versa,
but few have managed to transcend gen-
erations with their popularity and talent.
The magic of stardom and a fan following
is addictive and limitless. The Elvis fan club
started online, is one such example of this
and is run in India by 107.1 FM, RJ and a
die-hard Elvis fan, Fali Singara who gathers
information from across India, connects
with fans and gives a thorough account of
Elvis’s life, films, songs and memorabilia.
Of all the performers across generations
inspired by Elvis and those bowed down to
his talent , attitude and music one quote
sums it up as aptly as it could: Before Elvis
there was nothing! – John Lennon
The NCPA Legends – A Tribute to
The King of Rock and Roll concert
by Gary Lawyer is on June 11. For
more information see page 22 of the
Programme Guide.
12
On Stage June 2011
On Stage Explores

F
rom the rakkodi on the crown of her
head, to the nupura adorning her
feet, the classical dancer is literally
bejewelled from head to toe. Jewellery is
an essential part of the dance costume.
It adds sparkle to a dancer’s appearance
and enhances the visual effect and aes-
thetic appeal of her dance, invoking rasa
in the observer.
South Indian temple jewellery has a very
long tradition dating back over 5,000
years. It was traditionally made for temple
idols by master craftsmen who worked
within the precincts of these temples.
Nagercoil, a temple town in Tamil Nadu,
is famous for its jewellery, that is used to
adorn the deities during important festi-
vals. It was also worn by the resident tem-
ple dancers, a tradition which is continued
to the stage, today. Traditional jewellery
was made of pure gold and embedded
with uncut diamonds, rubies, emeralds
and pearls. Today replicas are made in sil-
ver, then coated in gold leaf and embed-
ded with semi-precious stones.
“I find that the quality and craftsmanship
of temple jewellery has declined over the
years,” reveals actress and dancer Hema
Malini. “Of course, real jewellery is too ex-
pensive to wear, so dancers wear artificial
jewellery. But after a few shows, it loses its
shine and charm. For my dance ballets
I get special jewellery made. It’s artificial
but very beautifully done, with an antique
finish. Jewellery is very important for a
dancer. The belt enhances the waistline
and the nose ring makes the dancer look
very feminine and beautiful. I have a few
pieces of temple jewellery which are my
favourites: I have a long necklace made of
gold and diamonds with mango shapes.
Many traditional pieces are inspired by na-
ture. Also, during my initial dance perfor-
mances, I would wear my mother’s gold
belt. This piece is very special for me and I
still have it and cherish it.”
Temple jewellery not only adorns and em-
bellishes a dancer; it is also believed to
have a deeper significance. Pure gold is
believed to promote well-being. The surya
worn on the right side of the head and the

Isabel Putinja explores the

history of jewellery traditionally
worn by Indian dancers of the
past and present

chandra on the left, are believed to impart
a positive energy to the dancer, allowing
her art to flourish. The rokkodi worn on the
crown of the head protects the brain.
For leading Bharatanatyam dancer Rama
Vaidyanathan, the sheer resplendence of
South Indian temple jewellery is a good
reason not to wear too much of it. “I love
temple jewellery because its vibrant co-
lours are very striking. It’s the ideal jewellery
to wear with Kanchivaram saris because it
matches so well. But because it’s so strik-
ing, I don’t want to clutter myself. The less I
wear, the more it stands out.” Rama gives
much thought and importance to her jew-
ellery: “I choose my jewellery to match the
costume I’m wearing, but also according
to the theme of the performance,” she
explains. “For example, one of my recent
productions, Akhilam Madhuram, is based
on Krishna and the symbolism of Mathura
and Vrindavan, and explores the theme of
bhakti. I used Rudraksha beads, which are
significant for their healing powers, and
matched it with a Tanjore pendant. I like
old, traditional pieces and I often come
up with my own designs. My inspiration
comes from temple sculptures, old Tanjore
paintings and Ravi Varma paintings.”
In contrast to the opulent temple jewellery
of South India, the silver jewellery used by
Odissi dancers is elegantly understated.
Cuttack in the state of Orissa is famous for
its silver filigree work. Oriya tribal jewellery
is also made of silver. “Odissi jewellery has
a distinct style,” explains celebrated Odissi
dancer Sujata Mohapatra. “It adds beauty
and elegance to the dance. The tahia
(crown) is unique to this dance style and
resembles a temple spire. The bengapa-
tia (silver belt) is also unique to Odissi. The
maharis, who had danced in the temples,
had worn many necklaces around the
neck and several chains around the waist.
The leading gurus had come together and
decided on the aesthetics of the Odissi
costume and jewellery. It should not be
too heavy. The beauty of the body has to
be seen.”
Inspiration for the Odissi costume came
from temple sculptures, as well as the Ab-
hinaya Chandrika, written in the 15th cen-
tury by Maheswara Mohapatra. This text
mentions the costume, ornaments and
make-up to be used for Odissi and de-
scribes a silver belt to be worn around the
waist. In her biography of Guru Kelucharan
Mohapatra, The Making of a Guru, Odissi
dancer Ileana Citaristi recounts when the
bengapatia was first introduced. A bro-
ken and discoloured bengapatia was
found in an old box of jewellery belong-
ing to the mother of a Brahmin from Puri.
Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra painstak-
ingly rethreaded the belt and meticulously
cleaned it with tamarind. It was first worn
by legendary dancer Sanjukta Panigrahi at
the All-India Dance Seminar held in Hyder-
abad in 1963. Now it has become a hall-
mark of the Odissi costume.
The use of costume and jewellery is called
aharya abhinaya, one of the four types of
abhinaya described in the Natya Shastra,
Bharata Muni’s classical treatise on the per-
forming arts. It mentions the different types
of jewellery or ornaments to be worn by a
Page 10 & 11: Hema Malini displays
jewellery worn for her traditional and ballet
Bharata Natyam performances
The surya worn on the
right side of the head
and the chandra on
the left, are believed
to impart a positive
energy to the dancer,
allowing her art to
flourish.
dancer, which “if used properly and with
understanding, add beauty to the body.”
It then illustrates in detail the specific or-
naments to be worn by male and female
performers. While these number to 16 for
13
On Stage June 2011
men, there are over 38 for women, includ-
ing six for the hair and head, eight for the
ear, six for the neck, at least two garlands
of jewels and pearls for the breast, eight
for the hands and fingers, five for the hips,
and three for the ankles and feet!
Bedecked and bejewelled in this way, it
is difficult to imagine how a dancer can
attempt even the simplest dance move-
ment! However, after this detailed descrip-
tion, the ancient text does concede that
too much jewellery can restrict movement
and defeat its very purpose: “Too many or-
naments are not to be used lest the artists
feel tired or hindered in free movements.
Weighed down with heavy ornaments one
cannot move much and one is likely to
feel exhausted.”
It is no surprise that many dancers prefer
a minimal use of jewellery. Real jewellery
made of pure gold and precious stones is
heavy and cumbersome – and exceed-
ingly expensive. “I don’t wear any jewel-
lery when I’m performing contemporary
dance,” explains renowned danseuse and
choreographer, Aditi Mangaldas. “But I
like to wear jewellery when I’m doing tra-
ditional Kathak. Traditional Kathak jewellery
is made of gold, uncut diamonds, emer-
alds and rubies. Most of the jewellery I use
is Jadau jewellery which I find in Ahmed-
abad, Hyderabad and Lucknow. When I
wear a beautiful piece of jewellery, it gives
me a sense of grandeur, even if it’s just a
small piece.”
“I think jewellery adds embellishment to
a dancer: the tikka frames the face and
bangles bring attention to the wrists be-
cause we use a lot of mudras and wrist
movements. I like to keep the look minimal
but classy. I don’t like heavy, overbearing
jewellery. For me, jewellery has to be as
light as possible but it also has to look real. I
wear only a tikka, earrings and slightly thick
bangles on each wrist. I don’t wear long
necklaces anymore. I don’t like wearing
rings or anything on my feet.”
For practical and aesthetic reasons, there
seems to be a trend among dancers to-
wards reducing the ‘covered from head-
to-toe’ look to one of minimal elegance
which responds to the dictat that less
is certainly more. Dancers agree that
jewellery should embellish the dancer
but not hamper the dance. After all, as
Bharata Muni cautions in the Natya
Shastra: “Decoration not done properly is
no decoration at all.”
14
On Stage June 2011
World
Israel Opera Festival
June 1 – 9
The base of the Masada Mountain, near
the Dead Sea, transforms into an epic
stage for glorious theatrical productions by
the Israeli Opera this June, for the yearly
Israeli Opera Festival. This year, the Israeli
Opera will join hands with Italy’s Arena di
Verona Orchestra as they take the stage
at Sultan’s Pool in Jerusalem, to perform
Verdi’s famous Messa da Requiem. Thou-
sands of visitors, both local and interna-
tional, will get the opportunity to witness
acclaimed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli
performing. The Israel Symphony Orches-
tra Rishon LeZion will also be presenting
a rendition of  Aida  with the Israeli Opera,
and other highlights include the Jerusalem
Symphony Orchestra accompanying the
Opera for Verdi’s Jerusalem.
Auckland Festival of Photography
June 3 – 26
The trauma and suffering experienced by
New Zealand over the past year serves as
inspiration for this year’s Auckland Festival
of Photography, as the artists and man-
agement look to channelise the misery
towards a positive outcome through art.
Themes interpreted by the artists include
Culture, Identity, Participation, and Art.
Displays include works by international
photographers as well as established and
emerging artists from New Zealand for a
collection of exquisite images from across
the world. Highlights for this year include
works of the upcoming photographer Ro-
berta Thornley, which will be displayed for
the first time at the festival, having been
commissioned by the management itself.
Guernsey Festival of Comedy
June 3 – 11
A few laughs will always go a long way in
cheering up the most miserable state of
mind. And what better way to wish your
woes away than nine days of incessant,
roll-on-the-floor comedy? The Guernsey
Festival returns in its fifth year, with a line-up
promising to knock the socks off even the
On Stage Global
Views
A look at this most poker faced ones around, as Jarred
Christmas, Milton Jones, and Mitch Benn,
month’s most exciting among others, all take the stage. If that
weren’t enough, visitors even have the op-
peforming arts tion of registering for the Open Mic Night
events from around on June 6, giving them a maximum of
eight minutes to perform on stage.
the world
Saskatchewan Children’s Festival
June 5 – 8
Since 1988, the Saskatchewan Children’s
Festival has been attracting thousands of
visitors as it aims at involving children in ar-
tistic and creative endeavours, expanding
their horizons and promoting the perform-
ing arts. For this year’s edition, puppetry
has been singled out as the primary per-
forming art, so the festival will showcase
this art form in full vigour as performers
from across the world – including Australia,
Mexico, West Africa, and the US – will take
the stage to enthrall kids and adults alike.
Also featured, aside from puppetry, are
theatre performances, dance, storytelling,
circus acts, as well as music.
Glastonbury Festival of
Contemporary Performing Arts
June 24 – 26
This June will see thousands of hippies and
music lovers flock to Glastonbury for the
annual Glastonbury festival, one of the
most distinguished and easily recognised
music festivals in the world. This year’s edi-
tion is set to feature hundreds of prominent
artistes from across the world, playing on
several different stages. The headliners for
the three days are U2, Coldplay and Be-
yonce respectively. While close to 200,000
unkempt fans let loose in vast open fields
could well be a recipe for an environmen-
tal disaster, the Glastonbury management
remains keen on organising a ‘green’ fes-
tival with several provisions available, such
as solar panels, green tractors and the
presence of the Green Police. In fact, last
year, half of all waste generated at the fes-
Israel Opera Festival, Glastonbury tival was recycled, and the management
Festival, Saskatchewan Children’s Festival, is aiming at increasing the number to 60
Auckland Festival of Photography per cent this year.

Programme guide
Adhe Adhure
Hindi play (120 mins)
Experimental Theatre
Wednesday, 1st to Sunday, 5th
– 7.30 pm
An Artistic Exclusive Event
A tragic comedy  about mar-
riage, this brilliant classic that broke
the bounds of Hindi theatre in the
‘60s, remains an incisive portrayal,
even today,  of contemporary so-
ciety and a middle class family on
the brink of collapse.
  
Savitri, a middle-aged woman, is
dissatisfied with her circumstanc-
es – an unemployed son, an  un-
settled newly married daughter, a
rebellious teenager, and above
all, a husband who has failed to
provide her emotional and financial
security. She seeks to fulfill herself in re-
lationships outside marriage, only to re-
alise that  men are the same beneath
different faces.  The play explores the
The Sound of Music Workshop
Children’s theatre workshop
Sea View Room
Wednesday, 1st to Sunday, 5th –
11.00 am to 1.00 pm
As one of the best acting academies in
Mumbai, Raëll Padamsee’s Academy for
Creative Expression (ACE) for children be-
tween four and twelve years of age, has
been committed to developing children’s
acting skills for over 15 years. ACE uses in-
novative techniques in developing their
speaking skills, creative thinking, self-es-
teem, confidence and social interaction.
BOX OFFICE
Tel: +91 (0)22 2282 4567, 6654 8135, 6622 3724
National Centre for the Performing Arts, N.C.P.A. Marg, Nariman Point,
Mumbai 400 021. Tel: +91 (0)22 6622 3737
www.ncpamumbai.com www.soimumbai.in
themes of incompleteness at the indi-
vidual and social level with humour and
uncanny insight.
What makes Mohan Rakesh’s portrait of
Savitri (one of Hindi theatre’s first feminist
After the immensely successful The Sound
of Music presented at the NCPA this year,
parents expressed a strong desire to have
their children attend a workshop based on
15
On Stage June 2011
icons)  so gripping, is that one is
never sure whether he admires
her rage to get a grip on her life,
or whether he suggests that she
is a woman caught in her own
destiny and circumstances in the
manner of a tragic Greek heroine.
Starring:  Rajendra Gupta, Lillete
Dubey, Ira Dubey, Rajeev Sid-
dhartha and Anuschka Sawhney
Original music by Gandhaar
Sangoram
Sets designed by Bhola Sharma   
Lights designed by Pradeep
Vaidya
A Primetime Theatre Co.
Production
Tickets (on weekdays): `300, 250 &
200/-
Tickets (on weekends): `400, 300 &
200/-
Box Office: May 26 for Members and May
29 for the Public
this much-loved musical. This will encour-
age children to engage with the songs
and story of a young postulant and her
love for music.
Through this workshop, children will dis-
cover themselves through improvisations,
climb out of their shells through theatre
games, stretch their vocal cords through
song and perform like never before,
through acting.
 
Registration Fees: `3,000/- per child. Please
contact Ace Productions on 2284 2845 – 8 or
Email: productions.ace@gmail.com
Dance
Exhibitions – Art, Photography
Film Screenings
Indian Music
Theatre
Presentations & Discussions
International Music
16
On Stage June 2011
Japan Tsunami Benefit Concert
Western music concert
Symphony Orchestra of India
Tata Theatre
Thursday, 2nd – 7.00 pm
An NCPA Presentation
This benefit concert will be held for the
relief of victims of the devastating earth-
quake and tsunami that struck the north-
east coast of Japan on March 11 this
year. Proceeds will go to the Indian Red
Cross Society. There will also be an op-
portunity to make additional donations.
 
Programme:  Allegretto
Karl Jenkins – Passacaglia from Palladio
Edward Elgar – Salut D’Amour
Henryk Wieniawski – Valse caprice (piano)
David Popper – Requiem for three cellos
and piano
Two English Girls
French film with English subtitles
(Col – 108 mins – 1971)
Dance Theatre Godrej
Friday, 3rd – 6.30 pm
In collaboration with Taj Enlighten
Film Society
Truffaut's classic adaptation of the novel
of the same name by Henri Pierre Roche
is set in early 20th century France. Claude
Roc, a young middle-class Frenchman,
meets in Paris Ann Brown, a young Eng-
lishwoman. They become friends and
Ann invites him to spend the holidays at
the house where she lives with her mother
Rainsong
Hindustani music recital
Janhavi Phansalkar (Vocal)
Kaushik Mukherjee (Sarod)
NCPA Umang Series
Little Theatre
Friday, 3rd – 6.30 pm
Supported by Narotam Sekhsaria
Foundation
Janhavi Phansalkar trained under Dr.
Usha Parkhi and Veena Sahasrabuddhe,
both of whom rank among the most dis-
tinguished and talented artistes of India.
She has many public performances and
awards to her credit.
Nicolai von Wilm – String Nonet, Op.150
Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Interval
 
W.A. Mozart – Symphony No. 29
Allegro moderato
Andante
Menuetto: Allegretto
Allegro con spirito
Edward Elgar – Serenade for strings
Allegro piacevole
Larghetto
Dag Wiren-- Serenade for Strings
Op 11
                           
Tickets: `1000, 800 & 600/-
Box Office: May 14 for SOI Members,
May 17 for NCPA Members and May 20
for the Public.
he gradually falls in love with Muriel. But
both families lay down a one-year-long
separation without any contact before
agreeing to the marriage. So Claude
goes back to Paris where he has many
love affairs before sending Muriel a break-
off letter.
Directed by Francois Truffaut
Cast: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Kika Markham
and Stacey Tendeter
and her sister Muriel, for whom she intends Admission on a first-come-first-served basis
Claude. During these holidays, Claude, (NCPA and Taj Enlighten Film Society
Ann and Muriel become very close and members will get preferential seating)
Kaushik Mukherjee has trained under Dilip Both artistes will include in their presenta-
Patra and Tejendra Narayan Majumdar. tion, a special repertoire to welcome the
He has won the National Scholarship for much-awaited rains.
Outstanding Artists and has also per-
formed at a number of prestigious music Admission on a first-come-first-served basis
festivals. (NCPA members will get preferential seating)

Apples and Walnuts
Dinner with Friends
English play (105 mins)
Tata Theatre
Sunday, 5th – 7.00 pm
An Artistic Exclusive Event
This Pulitzer Prize-winning play is about four
friends: two married couples. Both couples
are at different stages of their lives. We wit-
ness the effects of the break-up of one
couple on the other, who first feel com-
pelled to choose sides, and then begin to
question the strength of their own seem-
ingly tranquil marriage.
Korat
Gujarati play (135 mins)
Dance Theatre Godrej
Sunday, 5th – 7.00 pm
An Artistic Exclusive Event
Korat, that’s the way he pronounced
the word "court". His inability for the cor-
rect pronunciation for the law house
matched his scepticism for what was
going on there…in the court!
What the law labels as a brutal murder,
for him was just a rational way to end
an individual’s agony. He had killed his
father, rather a patient of carcinoma of
lungs in his last stage pleading for death
every day. His poor house awaited the
uninvited guest by the name of death,
which was already on its way.
Poverty and the label of being an anti-
social element from the society is what
he got with the grief of his family for the
so called murder of his father. Locked
behind those rigid iron bars of law, he
English play (80 mins)
Dance Theatre Godrej
Saturday, 4th – 5.00 pm and 7.30 pm
An Artistic Exclusive Event
This play, set in Mumbai with a backdrop
of Kashmir, portrays the catharsis of two
mothers who have lost their sons to a
meaningless war.
Through the four characters, Apples and
Walnuts encapsulates the state of af-
fairs in Kashmir and how it has changed
their lives. It ends on a positive note with
Written by Donald Marguiles
Directed by Feroz Khan
now awaits death just like his father
did and watches the gallows’ structure
through the hopeless window.
So how do we exactly define a murder?
It can’t just be the act of taking another
individual’s life. There should be certain
peculiarities of the act that deems it a
murder. Euthanasia can never be com-
pared with a murder. No one wants to
suffer, no one wants to feel pain and
misery, and no one wants to see their
loved ones suffering. On the contrary, we
dedicate our lives just to be away from
it, all of our efforts are directed only to
relieve ourselves of any sort of pain and
end the suffering of our loved ones.
The arguers will want one to consider the
mental makeup of our country, and will
quote that acceptance of euthanasia
for people who are tired of life, will further
put a social and domestic pressure on
those who feel themselves to be a bur-
den to others, and to ask for euthanasia.
In India, where abuse of the law is the
17
On Stage June 2011
a mantra of how to bring about change
during troubled times.
Written and directed by Troy Ribeiro
Cast: Madhuri Bhatia, Ashish Chawla,
Mini Ribeiro and Akshay Dogra
A Litmus production
Tickets: `200/- (for Members)
`225/- (for the Public)
Box Office: May 26 for Members and
May 29 for the Public
Production design and costumes:
Sonya Khan
Music composer: Piyush Kanojia
Cast: Tisca Chopra, Vinay Jain,
Joy Sengupta and
Perizaad Zorabian Irani
A Moving Platform Production
STRICTLY FOR ADULTS ONLY
Tickets: `1,000, 750, 500, 300 & 200/-
Box Office: May 26 for Members and
the Public
rule rather than the exception, the mis-
use of euthanasia is very likely, since we
have a large number of illiterate popu-
lace and rampant unethical medical
practitioners. But can this helplessness
and corruption of our existence deny us
a life devoid of pain?
The play is a hope to have the above
questions echo in the huge rooms
of ‘Korat’.
Written by Dr. Shankar Sesh
Gujarati Adaptation by Paresh Vora
Directed by Pritesh Sodha
Produced by Kamlesh Mota
Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Mihir Trivedi and
Paresh Vora
A Utopia Communications Production
Tickets: `225/- (for Members)
`250/- (for the Public)
Box Office: May 26 for Members and
May 29 for the Public
events
18
On Stage June 2011

at a glance
Day Date Time Programme Theatre

Adhe Adhure
Wed. to Sun. 1st to 5th 7.30 pm
Hindi Play

The Sound of Music

Wed. to Sun. 1st to 5th 11.00 am to 1.00 pm Sea View Room
Children’s theatre workshop

Japan Tsunami Benefit Concert

Thu. 2nd 7.00 pm
Western music concert by the SOI

Two English Girls

Fri. 3rd 6.30 pm
French film with English subtitles

Rainsong
Fri. 3rd 6.30 pm
Hindustani music recital

Apples & Walnuts

Sat. 4th 5.00 pm and 7.30 pm
English Play

Dinner with Friends

Sun. 5th 7.00 pm
English play

Korat
Sun. 5th 7.00 pm
Gujarati play

Tree’ppreciation!
Sun. to Tue. 5th to 14th 12.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Photo exhibition by Sham Manchekar

The King in Cinemascope

Mon. to Wed. 6th to 8th 6.30 pm
Film screenings

Casa de Goa’s Ekvat Group from Portugal

Thu. 9th 7.00 pm
Traditional Goan music and dance

Thu. 9th 6.30 pm Rain Raga by Subhra Guha

Ambaa - The Feminine Force

Thu. 9th 7.00 pm
Odissi duet by Leesa Mohanty and Leena Mohanty

Nilesh Singha
Fri. 10th 6.30 pm
Bharata Natyam recital

NCPA Legends - A Tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll by

Sat. 11th 7.00 pm Gary Lawyer
Western music concert

Sat. 11th 7.30 pm Famous Last Words

Sun. 12th 4.00 pm and 7.30 pm English play

Chhandam - A Journey
Sat. 11th 7.00 pm
Kathak recital by Seema Mehta

Tumhari Amrita
Sun. 12th 7.00 pm
Hindi Play
 June 2011
Dance
Exhibitions – Art, Photography
Film Screenings
Indian Music
Theatre
Presentations & Discussions
International Music

Day Date Time Programme Theatre

Devi
Thu. 16th 7.00 pm
Bharata Natyam recital by Priya Venkataraman

Fri., Sat. and 17th, 18th 7.00 pm The Class Act

Sun. and 19th 4.00 pm and 7.00 pm English play

Fri. and Sat. 17th and 18th 7.00 pm Frankenstein

Sun. 19th 4.00 pm and 7.00 pm Theatre broadcast

Khargosh
Fri 17th 6.30 pm
Hindi Film

Kalpana
Sat. 18th 6.30 pm
Short film screenings

Little Leaders
Sat. 18th 10.00 am to 2.00 pm Sea View Room
Children’s theatre workshop

History of India: VIRitten

Sun. 19th 6.30 pm
Stand-up comedy in English

The Child Prodigy

Wed. 22nd 8.30 pm French film with English subtitles

Thu to Sat. 23rd to 25th 7.30 pm The Sound of Music

Sun. 26th 4.00 pm and 7.30 pm English musical

Nad Ninad
Fri. 24th 6.30 pm
Guided Listening session on Shobha Gurtu

Bed and Board

Fri. 24th 6.30 pm
French film with English subtitles

Sat. 25th 7.00 pm Miss Beautiful

Sun. 26th 6.30 pm Hindi play

Past Forward
Sat. and Sun. 25th and 26th 7.00 pm
English plays

The Dualities of Liszt - Saint or Sinner?

Tue. 28th 7.00 pm
A lecture-recital by Karl Lutchmayer

Pant on Fire
Wed. 29.6.2011 7.30 pm
Stand-up comedy

Vision of Forever
Thu. 30.6.2011 7.00 pm
Odissi recital by Ramli Ibrahim and troupe
20
On Stage June 2011

‘Tree’ppreciation!
Photo-exhibition by Sham Manchekar tree in India – located in the botanical
Piramal Art Gallery garden at Kolkata. These photographs are
Sunday, 5th to Tuesday, 14th -- 12.00 pm
not about scientific shooting, but rather
to 8.00 pm
the revelation of beauty. He appreciates

Tree’ppreciation, the forthcoming exhibi-
tion of internationally renowned photog-
rapher Sham Manchekar, is a celebration
of the beauty of trees around us. The tree,
which is an integral part of our life, is often
neglected by mankind. Manchekar takes
us through different places and sights,
such as the branching of a coconut tree
on the Sindhudurg Fort, to the oldest ficus
the aesthetics of a tree through his lens.
The exhibition is not the first of its kind to
be organised. Manchekar has many to
his credit, such as Moss-scapes, Ladakhs-
capes, Land and Water and Auto-graphs.
His love for the abstract is clear in his
latest exhibition.

The King in Cinemascope

Film screenings
Little Theatre
Monday, 6th to Wednesday,
8th – 7.00 pm
June 6
The King At The Movies – Jailhouse Rock
Filmed in black-and-white, it’s the first
movie that comes to mind when “Elvis”
and “movies” are mentioned in the same
sentence. Elvis plays bad boy Vince Ev-
erett who’s in jail and turns his life over
to become a rock ‘n’ roll superstar. This
1957 flick became one of the most suc-
cessful films of The King’s career – thanks
to classic songs like Jailhouse Rock, Treat
Me Nice and (You’re So Square) Baby I
Don’t Care.
 
June 7
The King In Concert – This Is Elvis
Fantastic and dazzling – this biography
concert movie and rare behind-the-
scenes footage finds Elvis at the peak of
his powers. The highlights: Elvis’ first TV ap-
pearances in 1956, scenes from his most
popular movies, Love Me Tender, Loving
You and Jailhouse Rock, plus concert
scenes from his 1968 show, That's the
way it is, Aloha from Hawaii, and from his
last filmed show in 1977 are here as well.
Fans get to see him perform live all the
essential hits – from the early rock ‘n’ roll
(Hound Dog, Don’t Be Cruel) to the bal-
lads (Love Me Tender, Can’t Help Falling
In Love) to his personal favourites (Heart-
break Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes).
  insight that only his family can bring. His
career ups and downs, his kindness and
June 8
generosity and his human frailties are all
The King Revealed! – Elvis By The
brought to light as well as a reflection on
Presleys
his place in entertainment history and his
enduring legacy as the world’s greatest
For the first time, The King’s wife Priscilla
entertainer.
and daughter Lisa Marie offer an inti-
mate look at Elvis’ life in this riveting doc-
umentary. Different aspects of Elvis’s life, Admission on a first-come-first-served basis
including his tours, his time in Hollywood (NCPA members will get
and his home life, are depicted with the preferential seating)

Casa de Goa’s Ekvat Group from Portugal

Traditional Goan music and dances
Tata Theatre
Thursday, 9th – 7.00 pm
In collaboration with Indian Council for
Cultural Relations
Casa de Goa’s Ekvat Group of Traditional
Goan Music and Dances founded in 1989,
in Lisbon (Portugal), has the objective of
making the traditional music and dances
of Goa known to a wider audience.
In the concert tour to be held in India in
June 2011, covering Goa, Bengaluru,
Mumbai and New Delhi, Ekvat will be pre-
senting in each concert a programme of
around one hour, with traditional harvest
dances, Deknnis and Mandos and also
songs and dances of Ekvat´s own creation
inspired on the traditional ones. A Bharata
Natyam dance is also included, from whi-
ch some of the Goan dances originated.
A limited number of admission passes can be
collected by Members from the Box Office
from June 6 onwards.

Rain Raga
Hindustani vocal music recital
Subhra Guha
Dance Theatre Godrej
Thursday, 9th – 6.30 pm
In collaboration with ITC-Sangeet
Research Academy (Western Region)
Subhra Guha is regarded as one of the
finest female exponents of the Agra gha-
rana. Hailing from a music loving family,
she received her early training from the
Late Satish Bhowmick and subsequently
trained under Pandit Sunil Bose, a vet-
eran of the Agra gharana.
Today, Guha has gained recognition
for her exemplary gayaki with her open-
throated akar, her taans, her bol-bants
Ambaa – The Feminine Force
Odissi Duet
Leena and Leesa Mohanty
Little Theatre
Thursday, 9th – 7.00 p.m.
The Mohanty sisters, Leena and Leesa,
are internationally acclaimed artistes
and disciples of the late Deba Prasad
Das and Durga Charan Ranbir. Together,
they run Bansi Bilas, an NGO dedicated
to the development and dissemination of
Oriya Culture.
Leena, the Artistic Director of Bansi Bilas, is
a dancer with an impeccable command
of technique; her greatest asset is her joy
which she transmits to her art. A versatile
dancer with a vision, she is known for the
graceful intricacy of her gestures and
eloquent expressions. Leesa is a multi-
faceted personality. She has worked as an
actor and a dancer, and today juggles
her time as a choreographer, a manage-
ment consultant, a writer and an entrepre-
neur. She is known for her footwork of clar-
ity and precision.
Programme:
Mangalacharan – An invocation to
Goddess Kali
Mangalacharan is an invocatory item
paying salutations to a diety and finally
concluding with three salutations – to the
Mother Earth, to the Guru and to the au-
gust audience.
Pallavi – Raag Basanta
“Pallavi” means “blossoming”. It begins
with a slow pace and gradually gains
momentum. Based on raag Kedar Ka-
modi, this is a pure dance piece that ex-
plores the softer side of Shakti. It gives us
a glimpse of the secular and sacred im-
ages of the female energy.
Abhinaya – Bibasaa Kunti
This piece captures the state of mind of
Kunti, widely known for her beauty and dy-
namism. Saint Durbasa, pleased with her
devotion, blessed her with the boon that
she could invoke any god and would be
blessed with his child.
On seeing the Sun God, Kunti is attracted
to him, invokes him and conceives Karna.
The virgin mother, afraid of society, wants
to hide the child and secretly sets him
afloat in the Ganges.
Abhinaya – Dasa Mahavidya
Dasa Mahavidya are the ten forms of the
primordial creative female energy, also
21
On Stage June 2011
and especially her thumri renditions in
the Poorab Ang.
The Benares Poorab Ang style she
follows is that of Siddheshwari Devi, Ra-
soolan Bai, Badi Motibai and Girija Devi.
Her collection of rare thumris, dadras,
kajris and chaitis in pure Benares tradition
is impressive, as is her exhaustive collec-
tion of rare ragas and compositions.
A regular artiste on AIR and Doordarshan,
Guha has been performing regularly at
prestigious events and festivals both in
India and abroad.
Admission on a first-come-first-served basis
(NCPA Members will get
preferential seating)
called the Divine Mother. The Mahavidyas
reveal a tantric world that is different,
awakening in us the understanding of the
world as it really is. The Dasa Mahavidya
are  Kali, Tara, Sodashi, Bhuvaneswari,
Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Ba-
gala, Maatangi and Kamala.
Moksha
This is a pure dance, one of joyful release,
with a verse dedicated to Shakti, the fe-
male creative energy.
Admission on a first-come-first-served basis
(NCPA Members will get
preferential seating)
22
On Stage June 2011
Nilesh Singha
Bharata Natyam recital
Horizon Series
Little Theatre
Friday, 10th – 6.30 pm
In collaboration with the Indian Council
for Cultural Relations
Nilesh Singha, an accomplished Bharata
Natyam dancer from Mumbai, has been
currently undergoing advance training in
dance and also studying the intricacies of
Nattuvangam under Padmini Radhakrish-
nan. He has been awarded the National
Cultural Scholarship by the Government of
India in the field of Bharata Natyam and
NCPA Legends - A Tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll
by Gary Lawyer
Western music concert
NCPA Legends – A tribute to the king
of rock ‘n’ roll by Gary Lawyer
Tata Theatre
Saturday, 11th – 7.00 p.m.
In collaboration with the Bombay So-
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (BSPCA) and supported by Tata
Sons Limited
Gary Lawyer needs no introduction.
Often called the ‘man with the golden
voice’, he is regarded as the finest In-
dian artiste in the field of Western popu-
Famous Last Words
English play (105 mins)
Experimental Theatre
Saturday, 11th – 7.30 pm and Sunday,
12th – 4.00 pm and 7.30 pm
An Artistic Exclusive Event
A new comedy from the creators of Still
Single and One Small Day
is also the recipient of the Vishnu Digam-
bar Paluskar award, for the best dancer
by Sharda Sangeet Vidyalaya. He is an
empanelled artiste of the I.C.C.R. He has
Anil Shah is a critically acclaimed writer.
The problem is, he hasn’t written a word
in five years. Instead, living off his fading
fame, he’s cutting a swathe through so-
ciety with a glass in one hand and a girl
on each arm. Faced with an unexpect-
ed turn of events, he finds his only help
comes from his ex-wife, Sandy. But the
help comes with a catch: to clean up his
act and finish the novel he promised his
publishers five years ago.
Shah does write, finding along the way
that it’s true about the path to hell, since
he’s unlikely to go to heaven, being paved
with good intentions. The people who say
also been titled Nritya Shivali by the Shivali
Cultural Society of India.
He is the recipient of the SRI Saurabha
award for his outstanding contribution in
the field of art and culture. He has present-
ed several duets as well as group perfor-
mances at festivals like Natyanjali, Maha
Shivaratri Mahotsav, Shri Durga Parmesh-
wari music and dance festival at Kateel,
Mangalore. He has also produced several
dance ballets like KrishnaLeela, Dashava-
taram, Ramayanam, etc.
Admission on a first-come-first-served basis
(NCPA members will get preferential seating)
lar music. A bass baritone, who sings
just as easily in the tenor range, Gary is
equally comfortable across Western mu-
sic genres – be it rock, pop, jazz, country
or folk.
With his varied musical influences and
classically trained voice, Gary began
his singing career in New York in the 80's,
and is now one of India's finest musi-
cians.
Tickets: `1000, 750 & 550/-
Box office: May 26 for Members and May
29 for the Public
they care about him might just be the
ones who lead him to his doom. Which
leaves him wondering just who will be the
one to stab him in the back? Literally.
Written by Anish Trivedi
Story and direction by Dipika Roy
Cast: Anish Trivedi, Sahil Jaffrey, Amrita
Puri/ Nandita Dubey and Dipika Roy
A Banyan Tree Production
Tickets: `300, 250 & 200/-
Box Office: May 26 for Members and
the Public

Chhandam – A Journey
Kathak recital
Seema Mehta
NCPA Umang series
Little Theatre
Saturday, 11th – 7.00 pm
Supported by the Narotam Sekhsaria
Foundation
A student of Chitresh Das of the Chhan-
dam School of Kathak, Seema Mehta has
trained intensively for eleven years. While
Tumhari Amrita
Hindi play (90 mins)
Tata Theatre
Sunday, 12th – 7.00 pm
Inspired by A. R. Gurney’s English play, Love
Letters, Tumhari Amrita is a funny, poignant,
melancholic chronicle of two people
would not come together and could not
stay apart.
Theatre veterans Shabana Azmi and Fa-
rooque Shaikh read the love letters written
by their characters to each other, over a
span of 35 years. The two thespians man-
age, with consummate ease, to convey
friendship, love and heartbreak with mere
inflections of voice, tone and expression.
Devi
Bharata Natyam performance
Priya Venkataraman
Experimental Theatre
Thursday, 16th – 7.00 pm
Priya Venkataraman, currently training
with A. Lakshman and Bragha Bassell
of Chennai, has intensively trained in
Bharata Natyam from the age of five
and has been performing for the last two
decades. While based in Illinois, she trav-
elled all over the United States and per-
formed and was also actively engaged
in teaching students and training them in
the Bharata Natyam Margam repertoire.
Now settled in Delhi, she continues to
perform, choreograph, teach and takes
time out to travel to Chennai for her own
training. She has performed at many
prestigious venues all over the world and
has won several coveted accolades for
23
On Stage June 2011
she continues her training, she has also dancer will be singing a rhythmic cycle of
opened a Chhandam branch in Mumbai. seven beats; taal roopak, and perform-
ing various tihaais and chhands with her
Programme: feet. In this traditional Kathak solo, Mehta
Seema Mehta is intrigued with the phi- will share her journey as a kathaka and
losophy behind Sanatana Dharma. She her experience in developing the four ele-
shares, through her dance, the idea that ments; tayaari, layakaari, khoobsoorti and
beauty is not found in destinations, but it
nazakat. 
lies in the journey itself. In Kathak, the jour-
ney of playing with rhythm is eternal. Her
guru, Chitresh Das’ unique innovation of Admission on a first-come-first-served basis
Kathak yoga will be featured, where the (NCPA members will get preferential seating)
Written by Javed Siddiqui
Directed by Feroz Khan
Cast: Shabana Azmi and
Farooque Shaikh
A Platform Production
FOR ADULTS ONLY
Tickets: `750, 570, 375, 300, 240 &
150/- (for Members)
`1,000, 760, 500, 320 & 200/-
(for the Public)
Box Office: May 26 for Members and
May 29 for the Public
her contribution to the field of dance.
For her upcoming performance, Devi,
Venkataraman has specially choreo-
graphed selected verses from the
Ananda Lahiri by Adishankara, which is
in praise of Shakti, the consort of Shiva.
She will commence the evening’s recital
with an invocatory item followed by a
Swarajati which is the central piece of
her performance. Selected verses from
the Kumarasambhavam by Kalidasa to
highlight the Shiva and Shakti elements,
are also part of her repertoire this eve-
ning. The performance will conclude with
a thillana composed by Karaikudi Krish-
namurthy in raga Nalinakanti.
Tickets: `180 &   90/- (for Members)  
             `200 & 100/- (for the Public)
Box Office:  May 26 for Members and May
29 for the Public
24
On Stage June 2011

The Class Act

English play (110 mins) herzad Patel, Danesh Khambata, Lucky
Experimental Theatre Vakharia and Max Fernandes
Friday, 17th and Saturday, 18th- 7.00 pm
and Sunday, 19th – 4.00 and 7.00 pm A Silly Point Production

This play is based in an acting class
conducted by Mr William. The students
come from different religious, caste
and class backgrounds and have con-
flicting views on almost everything.
Through these “actors”, the play hopes to
depict the pitiful situation of how we still
don't know how to co-exist peacefully.
Original Script Written by Meherzad Patel
Directed by Meherzad Patel
Cast:   Sajeel Parakh, Danesh Irani, Me-
Tickets (on weekdays): `225, 180 & 150/-
(for Members)
`250, 200 & 150/- (for the Public)
Tickets (on weekends): `270, 225 & 200/-
(for Members)
`300, 250 & 200/- (for the Public)
Box Office: June 9 for Members and June 12
for the Public

Frankenstein
Theatre Broadcast (120 mins) mines to track down his creator and strike Directed by Danny Boyle
Dance Theatre Godrej a terrifying deal. Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Jonny
Friday, 17th and Saturday, 18th Lee Miller and others
– 7.00 pm Urgent concerns of scientific responsibil-
Sunday, 19th – 4.00 and 7.00 pm Suitable only for 15 years and above
ity, parental neglect, cognitive develop-
ment and the nature of good and evil Tickets: `300/-
For the first time in India, National
are embedded within this thrilling and Box Office: June 9 for Members and June
Theatre Live will broadcast the perfor-
mance of the production Frankenstein deeply disturbing classic Gothic tale. 12 for the Public
at the NCPA. Written by Nick Dear and
based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,
the play is directed by Oscar-winner
Danny Boyle (127 Hours, Slumdog Mil-
lionaire) and is a visionary new produc-
tion, with actors Benedict Cumberbatch
and Jonny Lee Miller alternating the
roles of Victor Frankenstein and the
grotesque being he creates.

Childlike in his innocence but monstrous

in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered crea-
ture is cast out into a hostile universe by
his maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever
he goes, the friendless creature, increas-
ingly desperate and vengeful, deter-

Khargosh
Hindi film - Fresh Pix Series An NCPA Presentation
(Col – 90 mins – 2009)
Little Theatre This film screening is a part of the NCPA
Friday, 17th – 6.30 pm Fresh Pix Series, started to create an
audience for regional and indie cinema
that does not reach the lay audience,
outside of film festivals.
In a listless town, ten-year-old Bantu goes
through the routine of cajoling his friend,
Avneesh to fly a kite with him. Instead,
Avneesh takes him to the bazaar where
they sit day after day. While Bantu savours
ice candy, Avneesh restlessly awaits his
‘mrityu’ (death). When Bantu realises that
this new routine is for Avneesh to catch a
glimpse of a girl, he is dismayed. Bantu
plays cupid for Avneesh and Mrityu but
soon tires of the candy that Mrityu rewards
him with. Something strange is afoot; he
begins to frequent the forest trying to out-
wit an unforeseen pursuer.
Directed by Paresh Kamdar
Cast: Arhan Wilson, Gauri, Sumit
Sharma, Garima Shrivastav and
Chittaranjan Giri
Admission on a first-come-first-served basis
(NCPA members will get preferential seating)

Kalpana
Short film screening (120 mins)
Little Theatre
Saturday, 18th – 6.30 pm
In collaboration with Friends of Cinema
Friends of Cinema (FoC) is a network of
people who like and love short and small
budget cinema. Kalpana, the brain-
child of Friends of Cinema is a venture
Little Leaders
Children’s theatre workshop
Sea View Room
Saturday, 18th – 10.00 am to 2.00 pm
As existing structures of leadership come
tumbling down around the world, and new
systems are set up in their place, the world
is redefining what it needs, wants and ex-
pects in a leader.  This workshop seeks to
imbibe lasting leadership values in chil-
dren that will mould them into tomorrow’s
History of India: VIRitten
Stand-up comedy in English (105 mins)
Tata Theatre
Sunday, 19th – 6.30 pm
Ashvin Gidwani’s History of India promises
to be the funniest, wittiest and most sen-
sational relook at India’s history. History is
hugely funny; we just haven’t read it right.
But this history so twisted, so funny, so out-
of-the-box, so completely unbelievable,
you can’t be sure it actually happened.
This delightful mix of fact, fiction, humour
and some good old patriotism, delivered
The Child Prodigy
French film with English subtitles
(Col – 99 mins – 2010)
Experimental Theatre
Wednesday, 22nd – 8:30 pm
In collaboration with Bureau du Québec
(Québec Office), Mumbai
Marking the occasion of the Fête Na-
tionale du Québec (Québec National
Day), The Child Prodigy (L’Enfant Prodige),
is one of Québec’s most celebrated
movies, based on the passionate and
tragic life and career of composer An-
dré Mathieu, who has been described
as the  little Mozart of the 20th century.
The movie is based on his fantastic origi-
nal music compositions and is produced
to provide exposure to short and small
budget filmmakers.
Many of us might have dreamt of making
a movie that would force the world stand
up and take notice. Few of us went one
step ahead and made it but due to sev-
eral constraints could not show it to an au-
dience. Kalpana, is for these filmmakers.
The objective of the group is simple – to
leaders.  Drawing on examples from fa-
mous personalities like Gautam Buddha,
Kabir, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa,
Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Ambedkar, Nelson
Mandela, Rabindranath Tagore, William
Shakespeare, Helen Keller, Joan of Arc
and Anne Frank among others, the work-
shop will introduce children to the chal-
lenges of being leaders in all contexts,
through a series of role-play and various
theatre games.
by Academy Award-winning produc-
ers, Denise Robert and Daniel Louis.
Young hands fly rapidly over a keyboard
creating hauntingly beautiful melodies.
These hands belong to six-year-old Andre
Mathieu who won his audiences and fired
up concert halls in London, New York, Paris
and around the world. Adulated, hailed,
praised, the child prodigy seemed to
have every ingredient to succeed. But an-
other destiny was awaiting him.
Directed by Luc Dionne
Cast: Patrick Drolet, Marc Labreche,
Macha Grenon, Karine Vanasse, Guil-
laume Lebon and Lothaire Bluteau
25
On Stage June 2011
screen little-known movies to a wider audi-
ence and initiate constructive discussions.
Everyone is invited irrespective of whether
you are a filmmaker or not. All you require
is a zest for cinema.
Admission on a first-come-first-served basis 
(NCPA Members will get preferential seating)
Children from 6-12 years of age are eligible for
participation.
Registration Fees: `2,500/- per child
(inclusive of lunch and materials)
Entry on Registration. Please contact Shivani
Tibrewala on 98201 27247 / 93202 91157
Or e mail: info@nolicenseyet.com. For
online registrations, log onto http://www.
nolicenseyet.com
with impeccable comic timing, makes for
a hilarious evening that warms your heart
as it gently pulls your leg.
Directed by Vir Das
Cast: Vir Das and Kavi Shastri
An Ashvin Gidwani Production
Tickets: `1,125, 750, 570, 375 & 225/-
(for Members)
`1,500, 1000, 760, 500 & 300/-
(for the Public)
Box Office: June 9 for Members and June 12
for the Public
Admission starts at 8.15 pm on a first-come-
first-served basis.
(NCPA members and Consulate invitees will
get preferential seating)
26
On Stage June 2011

The Sound of Music

English musical mainstream schools, Raell Padamsee’s Choreography: Karla Singh and Sandeep
Tata Theatre Academy for Creative Expression (ACE) Soparrkar
Thursday, 23rd to Saturday, 25th – 7.30 and eight NGO’s: Happy Home  and Set Design:  Fali Unwalla
pm and Sunday, 26th – 4.00 p.m. and School for the Blind, Central Society for Vocals Director: Marianne D’Cruz Aiman
7.30 pm the Education of the Deaf, Society for
 
the Education of the Crippled, Asee-
An Ace Production in aid of THE CREATE
An Artistic Exclusive Event ma, Salaam Bombay Foundation, Seva
Sadan, Muktangan and ADAPT. Foundation
The final collaboration between Rodgers    
& Hammerstein was destined to become Producer: Raell Padamsee Tickets: `1,000, 760, 500 & 260/-
the world’s most beloved musical. When a Technical Director: Alyque Padamsee Children below the age of 3 not permitted.
postulant proves too high-spirited for the Director: Advait Hazarat
Associate Director: Karla Singh Box Office: June 9 for Members and June12
religious life, she is dispatched to serve
as governess for the seven children of a Music Director: Merlyn D’Souza for the Public
widowed naval captain. Her growing rap-
port with the youngsters, coupled with her
generosity of spirit, gradually captures the
heart of the stern captain, and they marry.
Upon returning from their honeymoon they
discover that Austria has been invaded by
the Nazis, who demand the captain’s im-
mediate service in the navy.
 
The family’s narrow escape over the
mountains to Switzerland on the eve of
World War II provides one of the most thrill-
ing and inspirational finales ever present-
ed in theatre.
 
Starring: Dalip Tahil, Delna Mody,
Lucky Morani, Darius Shroff,
Marianne D’Cruz Aiman
and an integrated cast of children from

Nad Ninad: From Our Archives

Guided Listening Session on Shobha Gurtu
Dance Theatre Godrej
Friday, 24th – 6.30 pm
 
In collaboration with the Indian Musicological Society
 
This is a programme that makes available to lovers of Hin-
dustani classical music, some of NCPA's archival record-
ings.  This month, it's the music of the late Thumri Queen
Shobha Gurtu.
 
With equal command over pure classical and light classical
idiom, Shobha Gurtu created a new style of rendering
semi classical forms such as thumri, dadra, kajri and hori.
Influenced by the music of stalwarts like Begum Akhtar and
Bade Ghulam Ali, she created a niche for herself with her
full-throated effortless renditions in abhinaya ang.
  
This audio-visual session will be conducted by Tushar Bha-
tia, a senior disciple of Arvind Parikh, Dinkar Kaikini and Y. M.
Mahale.  The session will also include live demonstrations by
Sraboni Chaudhuri and Aditi Bannerjee, senior disciples of
Shobha Gurtu.

Admission on a first-come-first-served basis.

(NCPA members will get preferential seating)

Bed and Board
French film with English subtitles
(Col -100 mins -1970)
Little Theatre
Friday, 24th – 6.30 pm
Miss Beautiful
Hindi Play (135 mins)
Experimental Theatre
Saturday, 25th - 7.00 pm,
Sunday, 26th - 6.30 pm
An ailing mother and father ask their son
to find himself a beautiful girl. The son,
wanting his parents to die peacefully,
brings home Miss Beautiful.
With a theme that centres on ideas of fam-
ily, loyalty and identity, this play promises
to be a charming and thought-provoking
experience.
Past Forward
Two plays in English
Dance Theatre Godrej
Saturday, 25th and Sunday, 26th
– 7.00 p.m.
An Artistic Exclusive Event
Scarborough Fair
English Play (50 mins)
A young man has to choose between
his two first loves – his girl and his writ-
ing. Helping him make the choices are
his constant companions – the three
voices in his head. Set to the music of
Simon and Garfunkel, this play explores
the coming of age of a confused young
man as he discovers inspiration, happi-
ness and meaning in life.
Written and directed by Yudhisthir
Agrawal
Cast: Yudhisthir Agrawal, Rahul Prakash,
Rashi Mal, Preeti Vangani, Ashtiaq Dal-
ton and Biswamitra Ray
INTERVAL
27
On Stage June 2011
In collaboration with Taj Enlighten meeting, he meets a beautiful Japanese
Film Society woman named Kyoko (Mademoiselle Hi-
roko) and they have an affair. When Chris-
The fourth part of Truffaut’s Antoine Doinel tine accidentally discovers that Antoine
cycle is a curious entry in Truffaut’s oeuvre has a lover, they separate. Once sepa-
and a masterful study of Doinel’s entry into rated, they begin to miss each other and
adulthood. Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre realise that their love still exists.
Léaud in one of his best performances)
and Christine Darbon (Claude Jade) are Directed by Francois Truffaut
married and Antoine dyes flowers for a liv- Cast: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Claude Jade
and Hiroko Berghauer
ing, while Christine is pregnant and gives
private violin classes. With Christine in the
family way, Antoine decides to find a new Admission on a first-come-first-served basis
job, and he succeeds due to his em- (NCPA and Taj Enlighten Film Society
ployer's misunderstanding. In a business members will get preferential seating)
Directed by Makrand Deshpande
Cast: Nagesh Bhosle, Divya Jagdale,
Makrand Deshpande, Ahlam Khan, San-
jay Dadhich, Ananda Karak and Vineet
Sharma.
An Ansh Theatre Production
Tickets: `270, 225 & 200/- (for Members)
`300, 250 & 200/- (for the Public)
Box Office: June 9 for Members and June 12
for the Public
Roulette
English Play (60 mins)
An Indian adaptation of Douglas Hill's
supernatural comedy, Roulette is the
bizarre story of a young couple who are
stuck in a never-ending road trip from
Tuscon to Vegas. 
Adapted and directed by Spandan
Mishra
Cast: Spandan Mishra and Sohini Das
Last Minute Productions
Tickets: `150/- (for Members)  
             `200/- (for the Public)
Box Office: June 9 for Members and June
12 for the Public
28
On Stage June 2011
The Dualities of Liszt – Saint or Sinner?
A lecture-recital by Karl Lutchmayer
Experimental Theatre
Tuesday, 28th – 7.00 pm
An NCPA Presentation
Even in his own lifetime both friends and
critics debated the apparent dualities of
Liszt’s life and work – artiste or showman,
saint or sinner, prophet or charla tan,
friend or rival – and two hundred years
after his birth the arguments
still continue. Karl Lutchmayer
invites you to join the debate,
as he plays and talks his audi-
ence through the arguments in
an exciting lecture-recital. Mix-
ing the well-known with a gen-
erous helping of Lisztian rarities
almost never heard in concert,
and juxtaposing late and early
works and original conceptions
with stunning transcriptions, this
promises to be a fascinating
journey of discovery showing
how the young firebrand con-
quering all before him turned
into the gentle priest and musi-
cal visionary.
Pant on Fire
Stand-up comedy in English (105 mins)
Dance Theatre Godrej
Wednesday, 29th – 7.30 pm
An Artistic Exclusive Event
Stand-up comedian Sorabh Pant has
travelled across the country with his show
Vision of Forever
Odissi recital
Ramli Ibrahim and Sutra Dance Theatre
Tata Theatre
Thursday, 30th – 7.00 pm
 
In collaboration with VIDYA  with the repertoire of Ramli’s late guru.
NCPA in collaboration with VIDYA pres-
ents a spectacular evening to light up
the lives of many. In a show of both
warmth and fervour, watch Malaysia-
based Odissi exponent Ramli Ibrahim
perform his breathtaking production Vi-
sion of Forever, to raise funds for the edu-
cation and empowerment of less privi-
leged children across the country.
26 years ago, VIDYA was created on a
verandah at IIT Delhi with six children
from the nearby slums. Since then, it has
transformed the lives of over 2,00,000
families through its programmes.
Karl Lutchmayer enjoys an international
career as both a pianist and lecturer. He
has studied at the Royal College of Mu-
sic where he won numerous prizes and
scholarships, and later held the presti-
gious Constant & Kit Lambert Fellowship
awarded by the Worshipful Company
of Musicians – the first time in its history
that it was awarded to an instrumental-
ist. Karl has given recitals and played
concertos across the world, working with
Pant on Fire, which mixes stand-up com-
edy with one of a kind characters like
Pantjot Singh Sidhu and Sorabh Pun. The
show invites you to watch as  Pant  goes
through the challenges of being an Indian
Obama, why women need batteries and
how he would die happy if he could just
burn his girlfriend’s large purse.
The performance exemplifies the works
of the late Odissi pioneer Deba Prasad
Das. It unleashes powerful images from
the Shaivite and Tantric traditions, bring-
ing out the terrifying beauty associated
The work focuses on the spiritual awak-
enings of an acolyte who eventually en-
counters the vision of glory of the univer-
sal spirit through dance.
In Vision of Forever, Ibrahim has chosen
an Odissi repertoire from three major gu-
rus of this tradition: Durga Charan Ran-
bir, Gajendra Kumar Panda and Deba
Prasad Das.
Most of the works were commissioned by
Sutra over the past 25 years and will fea-
ture Sutra’s principal dancers: Rathima-
lar, Geethika Sree, Nishah Devi, Michelle
Chang, Thrisherna and Guna. The focal
conductors that include Lorin Maazel
and Andrew Davis, and performed at
all the major London concert halls. He
has broadcast on BBC Radio3 and Clas-
sic FM, and his regular recital series at
the Warehouse has been received with
critical acclaim. A regular chamber per-
former, particularly with his own ensem-
ble, Dialogos, he is also a passionate
advocate of contemporary music, and
has given numerous premieres and had
many works written for him.
Programme:
Liszt: Totentanz (Liszt’s own ar-
rangement for solo piano)
Liszt: Cypress aux Villa D’Este I
Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Berlioz-Liszt: March to the Scaf-
fold from Symphonie Fantastique
Liszt: Jeux D’eaux aux Villa D’Este
Mozart-Liszt: Fantasy on Mozart’s
Marriage of Figaro
Tickets: 500 & 300/-
Box Office: June 9 for Members
and June 12 for the Public
Written and directed by Sorabh Pant and
Kunal Rao
Starring: Sorabh Pant and Kunal Rao
Tickets: `250/- (for Members)
`300/- (for the Public)
Box Office: June 9 for Members and June 12
for the Public
point of Vision of Forever will be the Ar-
dhanariswara performed by Ramli and
Rathimalar.
Tickets: `1,000, 800, 600 and 400/-
Box Office: June 9 for Members and June
12 for the Public.
All proceeds will go to VIDYA.
 29
On Stage June 2011

Glimpses
of April and May 2011

April 11 and 12: The Kodaly Quartet giving a western music recital at the
Experimental Theatre.

NCPA Photo/ Harkiran Singh Bhasin

April 12: Anupam Kher performed his autobiographical one-act play April 22: Pandit Jasraj enthralled the audience during his Haveli Sangit
Kuch bhi Ho Sakta Hai at the Tata Theatre NCPA. performance at the Tata Theatre.
NCPA Photo/ Narendra Dangiya

NCPA Photo/ Narendra Dangiya

April 17: Classic Milds revisited famous English playwrights, at the May 2: Young participants at the NCPA Summer Fiesta dance work-
Experimental Theatre. shop at the West Room, Jamshed Bhabha Theatre.
30
On Stage June 2011

July 2011
highlights
NCPA Tata Capital Bandish: Festival of Legendary Composers
Festival of Indian Music
Tata Theatre
Thursday, 7th to Saturday, 9th – 7.00 pm

Indian music, be it art, semi-classical,

light, folk, devotional or popular music,
centers around well structured melodic
compositions known as bandish. A com-
poser (vaggeykar, nayak, rachnakar) as
the creator of both lyrics (sahitya) and
melodic or rhythmic content is a much re-
vered figure in the Indian tradition.

The second edition of this festival will show-

case some of the most treasured works of
the great composers, presented by emi-
nent artistes.
 
Programme:
Thursday, July 7, 7.00 pm
Composers: Faiyaz Khan,
Inayat Hussain Khan
Artistes: Ghulam Hussain Khan
(Raja Miyan), Rashid Khan
Genres: Bada & Chhota Khayal, Tarana

Friday, July 8, 7.00 pm

Composers: Kabir, Surdas, Tulsidas
Artistes: Shubha Mudgal, Anup Jalota
Genres: Doha, Pad, Bhajan

Saturday, July 9, 7.00 pm

Composers: Alladiya Khan,
Kumar Gandharva
Artistes: Ashwini Bhide Deshpande,
Vasundhara Komkali
Genres: Bada & Chhota Khayal, Pad

Daily Tickets: Rs.760, 500, 300 & 120/-

(Public); Rs.570, 375, 225 & 90/- (Members)
(Clockwise from top left: Faiyaz Khan, Inayat Husain Khan, Kumar Gandharva, Alladiya Khan) Box Office: June 9 (Members) and June 12 (Public)

The Real Tom Stoppard’s The Real Inspector Hound.

Nayantara Kotian directs the delightful

Inspector Hound comedy that twists, turns and somersaults

July 30th and 31st
Experimental Theatre
A Quaff Theatre production
Kalki Koechlin, whose film The Skeleton
Woman won rave reviews a while back,
returns to the stage with a production of
its way through all the conventions of
a murder mystery. The play is about the
police searching for a madman at large.
Inspector Hound, who is masterminding
the operation, has a secret plan...
Starring: Neil Bhoopalam, Ali Fazal,
Ratnabali Bhattacharjee, Tariq
Vasudeva, Suhaas Ahuja, Prerna
Chawla and Gulshan Devaiah.
 31
On Stage June 2011

New List of Books:

Arrivals
• Natya-mitra
By Dr. V.B.Deshpande
Pune, Continental Prakashan, 2010

• Ganucha Sadra
By Dr. Shriram Lagu

List of CDs Kankavali, Pandit Pub. 2003

• Marvels of sculptured sound:
Jaijaiwanti & Shudh Kedara
Dum Dum,
Gramophone Company
of India, 1980
• Himalayachi Sawli (Marathi play)
Mumbai, Rudra Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
• Surya Pahilela Manus (Marathi play)
Mumbai, Rudra Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
• Samarpan: Tribute to Jaipur-
Atrauli Gharana
Mumbai, Wamani, 2007
• Chit Anand: Pt. Chidanand Nagarkar
Ragas: Todi, Miyan Malhar, Kafi,
Thumri, Bhairavi- Bhajan and Tarana
Mumbai, Meera Music
• Chit Anand: Pt. Chidanand Nagarkar
Ragas: Bhairav, Bairagi, Ramkali
Mumbai, Meera Music
(The listed books and CDs are available at the NCPA Library.
For membership details call 66223715)
• Live Vocal Concert: Pt. Yashwantbuva
Joshi: Ragas: Shivmat Bhairav, Bibhas,
Komal Rishabh Aasavari, Shuddha
Sarang, Gavati
Mumbai, Meera Music
• Vocal: Pt. Balasaheb Poonchwale
Ragas: Devranjani, Kalingada,
Shankara Bhairavi
Mumbai, Meera Music
• Vocal: Tappa: Pt. Balasaheb
Poonchwale Ragas: Khamaj
(5 Tappas), Jhinjhoti, Kafi (3 Tappas),
Sindhu Kafi, Bhairavi (4 Tappas)
• Vocal: Shruti Sadolikar Katkar Ragas:
Marwa, Jayant Malhar, Shudh Nat
Mumbai, Meera Music
• Flute: Pt. Devendra Murdeshwar
Raga: Puriya Kalyan, Jhinjhoti, Pilu
Thumri
Mumbai, Meera Music,
• Char Ekankika
By Vasantrao Acharekar Pratishthan
Kankavali, Pandit Pub. 2008
• Natarang
By Manoj Kolhatkar
Kankavali, Pandit Pub. 2003
• Kalagi-Tura
By Dr. Dhondiram Wadkar
Pune, Padmagandha Prakashan,
2010
• Natak: Swarup Va Sameeksha
By D. B. Kulkarni
Pune, Padmagandha Prakashan,
2010
• Vedh Marathi Natya Sangeetacha
By Jayram Potdar
Pune, Diamond Pub. 2010
• Sarjanshil Shataki Pravas
By Leni Rifenshtal
Thane, Param Mitra Pub., 2010

• Wah Pahala Aadami

By Albert Camus
New Delhi, Wani Prakashan, 2009

• Awara Masiha
By Vishnu Prabhakar
Delhi, Rajpal & Sons, 2010
32
On Stage June 2011

NCPA News
Letters to Editor
Your feedback is important to us, please feel free to write in with your comments on On Stage and events at the NCPA to me,
Lily Shroff at lilyshroff.ncpa@gmail.com. Alternatively, if you’d like to advertise with us, you may email me at the same address
or contact me on 66223827. We look forward to your views to make this magazine more enjoyable and helpful.

Online booking for members

Online booking for members will be starting soon. Kindly look out for the step-by-step process from next issue onwards. We are
confident that this will facilitate greater ease and accessibility of ticket bookings.

New Library timings

The NCPA Library timings have been changed w.e.f. May 1, 2011. New timings are – 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

NCPA – CITI Scholarship

Applications are invited from students in the age group of 18 to 28 years, for a scholarship to pursue advance training in
Hindustani Music (Vocal). The selected candidates will appear for audition at the NCPA, Mumbai, at their own expense. The
value of the scholarship is `2,000/- per month for one year (2011-2012). With an application, sent in an envelope marked
NCPA – CITI’s Scholarship for Indian Music, containing details of training, background and other particulars should reach the
National Centre for the Performing Arts, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021 or mailed to nbharucha@ncpamumbai.com on or
before July 30, 2011.

Contacts at the NCPA

Advertising and Editorial in Lily Shroff 66223827 10am to 6pm
On Stage (Mon to Fri)

Box Office Chandrakant Jadhav 66548135 9am to 7pm

Yogesh Salvi 66223724 (Mon to Sun)

Administration Molly Chacko 66223737 10am to 6pm

Switchboard Shridhar Marathe (Mon to Fri)

Membership Deepti Bellad 22834500 10am to 6pm

Department Nitin Sawant 66223719 (Mon to Fri)

Venue Bookings Farah Ghadiali 66223731 10am to 6pm

Nooshin Kotwal 66223723 (Mon to Fri)

Sponsorship Sriram Emani 66223741 10am to 6pm

& Partnerships Supriya Gokarn 66223744 (Mon to Fri)

Membership queries
We sincerely hope that you avail and enjoy all your benefits as an NCPA member and be assured that we will work towards
providing you with the best facilities. We would be happy to assist you in case you require clarifications. To get in touch, please
contact us at – membership@ncpamumbai.com ( e-mail) or 022–66223719 (tel)
 33
On Stage May 2011

Changes in NCPA Membership rates

We would like to inform you of a few changes which have been implemented in the Membership rates, w.e.f May 15, 2011.

Please find below the revisions in rates:

Life Membership:
Life Membership will be converted from the current ‘life term’ to a period of 25 years. This will be effective for fresh applicants from
May 15, 2011 onwards. Kindly note, members who are already registered with the NCPA as Life Members, continue to enjoy the
same benefits and the ‘life term’.

Limited period Life Membership offer:

With reference to the above point, those wishing to avail of Life Membership for more than 25 years could do so before
May 15, 2011. Post this date, the Life Membership Conversion regulation will apply.

Revised fee Structure from May 15, 2011:

Category: Fee (`)

 Individual 5000

 Couple 8000

 Student (6 – 25 yrs) 2000

 Senior Citizen (60 yrs & above) 2000

 Couple Senior Citizen 2500

 Handicapped 500

 Life Member (for 25 yrs) – Individual 125000

 Life Members (for 25 yrs) – Couple 200000

Defence and armed forces personnel membership:

We have introduced a new package for the Indian armed forces – Army, Navy, Air Force and Police. Therefore we would urge
you to spread the word and avail of these special rates if you meet the relevant criteria.

Category: Fee (`)

 Individual 2500

 Couple 4000

 Student (6 – 25 yrs) 1000

 Senior Citizen (60 yrs & above) 1000

 Couple Senior Citizen 1300

 Handicapped 250

You may call us on 66223719 or email us at membership@ncpamumbai.com if you need any further clarifications.
Way to NCPA
We are at the southernmost tip of Marine Drive, adjacent to Hotel Oberoi.
The NCPA is easily accessible by bus or taxi. Share-a-taxi rides are available
from C.S.T. and Churchgate stations to Nariman Point, next to NCPA.

MAIN OFFICE

BOX PRIVATE & NCPA

OFFICE PARKING STAFF AREAS MAIN OFFICE
Theatre
seating
& floorplan
36
On Stage June 2011

MEMBERSHIP Membership Categories:

Category: Fees:(`)

APPLICATION FORM TT *Individual

TT *Couple
TT *Student
5000
8000
2000
Membership to the NCPA opens a window to an exciting world (6 yrs – 25 yrs)
of modern theatres, art galleries and attractive open spaces. TT *Senior Citizen 2000
The performing and visual arts can be a creative, enjoyable (60 yrs and above)
TT *Couple Senior Citizen 2500
and fun learning experience. TT *Differently Abled 500
TT Individual
Primary member name: ______________________________________________ Life Member (25 yrs) 125000
• Couple Life
Joint member name: __________________________ (in case of couple membership) Member 200000

Membership No. (in case of renewal): _________________________________ Call 66223719 for:
• Special rates for defence
Referred by: __________________________________________________________ personnel (Army/Navy/Air Force)
• Corporate Membership packages
Address: _____________________________________________________________
Membership Benefits:
___________________________________ Zip Code: _______________________ • Generous discounts on all tickets
for NCPA productions
Tel: _______________________________ Mobile: _________________________ • A copy of our monthly arts
magazine, On Stage
E-mail: ____________________________ Date of Birth: ____________________ • Priority booking up to 3 days in
advance
• Access to exclusive members’
Occupation: _______________________ Company:_______________________ only events
• Free use of NCPA library facilities
Date: ______________________________ Signature: _______________________ • Exclusive offers on select brands
*Annual membership from 1st April - 31st March

Your contribution of `10,000/- will be

Be a Friend eligible for income tax deduction

under Section 80G of the Income
Tax Act. Each friend of the SOI is also
One of the great pleasures of music is sharing the experience with entitled to the following benefits:
friends. Become a Friend of the Symphony Orchestra of India and • Acknowledgment in the brochure
of SOI Season concerts
join the NCPA on this exciting musical journey of developing the SOI
• Two complimentary tickets to any
as an outstanding cultural resource for Mumbai. one performance each Season
• Priority booking advantages
Membership to ‘The Friends of the Symphony Orchestra of India’ (6 days before the general public,
3 days before NCPA Members)
Dear Sir,
• Invitation to at least one private
I wish to become a friend of the Symphony Orchestra of India reception
• Opportunities to meet artistes
Name: _______________________________________________________________ after concerts
Membership No. (in case of renewal): _________________________________ • A copy of our monthly arts
magazine, On Stage
Referred by: __________________________________________________________
• Free access to the NCPA Library
Address: _____________________________________________________________ • Exclusive offers on select brands
___________________________________ Zip Code: _______________________ Cheques for both NCPA and SOI
should be drawn in favour of
Occupation: _______________________ Company: ______________________ ‘National Centre for the Performing
Tel: _______________________________ Mobile: _________________________ Arts’ and submitted along with
a stamp sized photograph to:
E-mail: ____________________________ Date of Birth: ____________________ The Membership Department,
Tata Theatre, NCPA, NCPA Marg,
Cheaue No.: _______________________ Date: ___________________________ Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.

Drawn On: _____________________________________________________________ E-mail:

membership@ncpamumbai.com
Date: ______________________________ Signature: _______________________ Tel: 022 - 66223719
37
On Stage June 2011
South Asia's
38
On Stage June 2011

finest
South multi-arts
Asia's
finest multi-arts and and
entertainment venue
entertainment venue

With a prime location in the

heart of Mumbai's downtown
business district, Nariman Point,
the NCPA houses an impressive
complex of structures, modern
facilities and outside spaces
suitable for all occasions.

For further details contact:

The National Centre for the
Performing Arts
Marketing Department, NCPA Marg,
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021.
Tel: +91 (0)22 66223737
Email: marketing@ncpamumbai.com
www.ncpamumbai.com