Open Space Activities in July 2006

    

FILM
 

Monday, July 10, 5.30pm – 8.00pm, Open Space
Open Space invites you to a screening of the feature film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, (Dir: Jahnu Barua; Hindi with English subtitles; 90 mins). The film explores the complexities of the human psyche as it sets out to unveil the childhood trauma of an intelligent man who suffers from dementia.

The film depicts a middle-class family in present day Mumbai struggling to come to terms with the fact that the head of the family, Professor Uttam Chaudhary, a retired Hindi professor from Bombay University, is now suffering from early dementia.

In a parallel narrative the film deals with the assassination of, India's foremost political leader, Mahatma Gandhi. There are several issues that indirectly make their way into the audience's consciousness and raise questions on our responsibility as citizens. The professor's often repeated and exasperated denial ‘maine Gandhi ko nahin mara' is rooted back in an era when a truth-seeking individual became the father of a new nation.

The screening will be followed by a discussion. Entry free on a first come first served basis only.

 
BOOK TASTING
 

Wednesday, July 12, 6.00pm – 8.00pm, Open Space
Open Space invites readers to its monthly Book Tasting to read, exchange and discuss books that have touched them, changed them, validated or helped crystalise their thoughts. The books brought to the evening can range from fiction to non-fiction, children's books, poetry etc.

Book Tasting is like a wine-tasting. Unlike a book club, it gives people a chance to get a taste of what a book is about by listening to an extract from it. In one evening, readers would be introduced to about eight different books, whetting their appetite for more.

Each participant who brings along a book makes a brief introduction to the book and its context, and then reads out a few passages that best illustrate the book's qualities and why it has touched him/her.

Each reading will be followed by a short interaction.

Book Tastings are held once a month and are open to all. The sessions will be moderated by well-known columnist Gauri Dange.

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

YOUTH FESTIVAL
 

HIMMAT …Be the Change!
A 2-day youth festival of film, music, theatre, poetry, discussions & debate

Over the last two years Open Space has successfully used documentary and feature films, theatre, literature and music to introduce young people in schools and colleges in Pune to issues related to social justice and human rights. Our youth festival in July is designed to reach out to more young people, communicating to them the importance of speaking out and getting involved. The festival, titled ‘Himmat', brings together film, music and theatre as well as focussed discussion forums on issues that are closely related to the lives of young people.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

DAY 1: Thursday, July 27

Reservations in Education
Are you for or against? A discussion anchored by sociologist Rahul Srivastava
11am – 1pm
Symbiosis Society's Law College Auditorium, Senapati Bapat Road
Entry free on a forst come first served basis

All Poetry is Protest
Launch of Open Space's ‘All Poetry is Protest' a booklet featuring poems by some of India's leading poets.

Noted poets, Dilip Chitre, Priya Sarukkai Chabria, Jane Bhandari, C P Surendran, Vijay Nambisan and R Raj Rao will read select poems. A chance to read out the works of these poets, interact with them and discuss poems that have moved you.
2pm onwards
Café Mocha, Law College Road (Near HSBC Bank)
Entry free on a forst come first served basis

‘Be Young and Shut up!'
‘ Butter and Mashed Bananas' , a play on the freedom of speech by young Bangalore theatre persons (English, 55 mins) Written, directed and produced by Ajay Krishnan, Arjun Shankar, Anushka Rao and Nakul Krishna of Harami Theatre.
2pm onwards
Café Mocha, Law College Road (Near HSBC Bank)
Entry free on a forst come first served basis

‘The man who brought down an empire by making salt'
‘Mahadevbhai' , a play narrated from the point of view of Mahatma Gandhi's secretary Mahadev Desai, which explores the principles that Gandhiji stood for. Directed by Ramu Ramanathan, performed and produced by Jaimini Pathak. (In collaboration with the University of Pune, Lalit Kala Kendra)
6.30pm onwards
Namdeo Bhavan Auditorium, Arts Faculty, University of Pune
Entry free on a forst come first served basis

DAY 2: Friday, July 28

Freedom of expression
Can the moral police tell you how to dress, what to watch/read/think? A discussion anchored by actor Rahul Bose and sociologist Rahul Srivastava
11 am – 1 pm
ILS Law College, Hall No 11, Law College Road
Entry free on a forst come first served basis

‘Like a rolling stone'
Spanning Bob Dylan's life from 1961 and 1966, this is a chronicle of his evolution from folk singer to protest singer to "voice of a generation" to rock star. Directed by Martin Scorcese,208 mins,English
2pm onwards
Main Theatre, Film and Television Institute of India,Law College Road
Entry free on a forst come first served basis

‘Party for your right to fight' - Public Enemy
Live Unplugged Concert
Performing Bands: Strange Brew/Khadki Junction Blues/Derek & Roger
7pm onwards
Café Shisha, ABC Farms, Koregaon Park
Entry free for first 100 with student ID cards