Short story: “Clean”
The cabin in the woods was spotlessly clean. It had always been that way, ever since the day it was built. The clean aroma of the stew wafted out of the kitchen chimney and was lost in the trees somewhere in the distance. Cleanliness was her passion, her mission, her life. She had adopted it in early childhood, a reactive...
Lockdown Diaries: Baithak UK brings artists virtually together for music video celebrating togetherness
Despite the logistical issues posed by COVID-19, Baithak UK has managed to bring together artists virtually in order to make a music video which celebrates togetherness. "Those were the days" celebrates the power of music and memory, beautifully melding the globally popular folk song by Robert Burns "Auld Lang Syne", its Bengali adaptation by Rabindranath Tagore, and the recent translation (written exclusively...
Too Desi Too Queer: a special section of films at the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival
The 10th Edition of the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) will be showcasing a refreshing new section this year named “Too Desi Too Queer” as part of its special tenth anniversary and celebrations for India's 'decriminalisation' of its LGBTQ+ and transgender population. Sponsored by Thrive LDN / GLA, Brixton Reel Film Festival, Queer Asia, University of Westminster, Club Kali...
Gaurav Bakshi’s “#Gadhvi” brings a new flavour to London Indian Film Festival during it’s world premiere at the Barbican
The 10th Edition of the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) showcased an extraordinary social and political satire about a man who could be Mahatma Gandhi's reincarnation, in the film strand Film, Power & Politics at the Barbican and Cineworld Wembley, in June. It is the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year and director Gaurav Bakshi really wanted his...
LIFF 2019 – Roobha
Roobha is a touching movie about one young Tamil woman's journey to understanding and embracing her sexuality, in the face of opposition from her family. That may sound like a million other films that deal with trans-gender characters but what makes this one special is that it's a love story told from two sides. On one side we have the...
Assamese movie ‘Bulbul can sing’ set to be screened in London
Bulbul Can Sing, a film by critically acclaimed Assamese director Rima Das is a powerful and thought-provoking film about three teenage buddies growing up in a small village in rural Assam, in the remote northeast state of India. Set in the village that Rima Das grew up in, the film is about three teenagers and their journey of self-exploration. Starring...
U Ushacha: back stories from the directors desk for LIFF
The London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) this year has a 21-minute short film in Marathi, the only one to be covered in two sections of the festival, including the famed Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition. What's interesting is that the Director, Rohan Kandwale has had no formal education in filmmaking. The film, U Ushacha, will be also be shown in the...
From the Ghats to the coasts: a unique collection of Marathi films and filmmakers to shine in LIFF 2019
The 10th Edition of the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) has some very special programming lined up with regional films. This year, the Marathi bouquet is strong with films by Marathi filmmakers and subjects based out of Maharashtra taking the centre stage. All screenings will be followed by Q&A opportunities with special guests, allowing better understanding of the film,...
An ode to coronavirus
Hey there! I'm Corona Well, Corona means 'a crown' I'm now crowned king of social media And have become talk of the town. In less than a month I shot to fame And haunted every dream And managed to go from person to person Faster than a viral meme But I'm not as scary as it seems My mortality rate is low But one simple sneeze could infect 10...
Freedom
Freedom is to fly like a bird upon the sky. Freedom is to climb the mountain so high. Freedom is to be free and do whatever you want, Freedom is to write freely, using any desired font. Freedom is to fight courageously for your nation, Freedom is to provide every unlettered education. Freedom is here to free you after being trapped for all those...
