Imaginative animation sensitively shares LGBTQ issues in KASHISH 2020’s QToons programme
Cartoons have had a long history, predating cinematography. Little flip books were around before the movies arrived. There have been the powerhouses of Disney and Warner Brothers who brought us Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny, right through to the modern computer generated animations of Pixar and others. Magical The magic, and core power, of animation is that it allows the director...
KASHISH 2021: Renuka Shahane and Onir join this year’s Advisory Board
KASHISH 2021 is scheduled to be held between May 20-30, 2021 under the theme ‘Unlock With Pride’ KASHISH is proud to announce that popular actress Renuka Shahane and national award winning filmmaker Onir have joined its Advisory Board, along with previous eminent board members like theatre personality Dolly Thakore, National award winning filmmaker Arunaraje Patil, president of Whistling Woods Meghna...
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...
Women of my billion (WOMB): An unequivocal film made while walking the length of India to champion equality and end violence against women
Walking 3,800 kilometers might seem like a vast task in itself, but that was only scratching the surface of what Srishti Bakshi aimed to achieve. Her astounding story is told in a new documentary called Women of My Billion (WOMB). The film is a pragmatic, heart-warming documentary about the movement that Srishti Bakshi started. As the Founder of CrossBow...
Vikram Hazra’s UK tour 2019: Taking Indian devotional music to the global platform
"See the world through the eyes of the Master" -- HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar The Indian devotional music tradition is centuries old and one of the most versatile, varied, and broad music formats that has been passed down through generations across all provinces of India. One artist, Vikram Hazra has, for nearly three decades now, experimented and succeeded in threading...
Debut novel depicts the challenges of a young Asian woman expelled from Uganda
Winter was just setting in when I first saw the images of Ugandan Asians disembarking at UK airports. The weather was foul and l’ll never forget the look on the faces of the new arrivals, as they started their new, diminished lives. The year was 1972 and I was a teenager leading a comfortable life in the English countryside....
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...
Death
Oh death Is it always on time Is it not a resultant crime When dignity is denied When a system fails the time Oh soul Why do you go away I Am a patient Be patient and stay My body is young not fray Oh breath The pulse is beating quite fast It’s slowing do try and last The huff and puff I gasp The support...
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...
