Open Space Activities in November 2005

    

LITERATURE

Talking Poetry with Keki Daruwalla at Open Space
(presented by Open Space for the Word and the British Library)  

Talking Poetry invites you to its poetry reading with Keki Daruwalla, short story writer, poet, board member, Sahitya Akademi for English Publications and Awards.

His collections of poetry include Under Orion, (1970), Apparition in April (1971), Winter Poems (1970) and The Map-maker (2002) among others. While his poems are imbued with a somber sense of history and a tone questioning inequities, his short stories present a cultural kaleidoscope intensified by a wry sense of humour and irony. He has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1984 and the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1987.  

Talking Poetry is also a space where your poems could be discussed. Your work could be published in the poetry section titled 'New Voices' on the Open Space website (http://www.openspaceindia.org) that seeks to foster change through the innovative and strategic use of media and the arts.

Talking Poetry is led by Priyaa Sarukkai Chabria, poet and novelist. She has been awarded the Senior Fellowship to Outstanding Artists for Literature by the Indian government.
Open Space, Saturday, November 5, 5.30pm      

BOOK LAUNCH

Open Space invites you to the launch of Meher Pestonji's novel ' Sadak Chhaap' published by Penguin Books India, which evokes the brutal existence of street children with unrelenting realism and sympathy. The author will be reading out selections from her book followed by an interactive session with the audience.  

A freelance journalist, Meher Pestonji has actively participated in issues related to child rights, anti-communalism and was involved in the campaign to reform the Indian rape law in the 1970s. She has also reported extensively on the proceedings of the Shrikrishna Commission that investigated the Mumbai riots of 1992-93.  

Meher Pestonji is also the author of Mixed Marriage and other Parsi Stories and Pervez: A Novel , and a play, Piano for Sale.

Entry free on a first come first served basis only.  
Monday, November 7, 5.30pm to 8.00pm at Open Space


 
 
 
 
LECTURE SERIES

The Pune we want
The Pune we have
The Open Space Friday Evening Lecture Series
Centre for Communication and Development Studies/Open Space has initiated a programme of citizen's participation in the governance of Pune.  

As a first step we have started the Pune Lecture Series where noted experts will speak on topics of importance to the future of the city. These experts will not just be well versed in their chosen fields and mapped the growth of this city in that field, but who also consider Pune home and have seen how their city has transformed over the years.

Topics the invited experts will speak on are

  • Water and sanitation
  • Biodiversity
  • Urban poverty
  • Heritage
  • Energy
  • Industry
  • Transport/ Traffic/ roads,
  • Finance /budgets, taxes, etc
  • Citizen's participation.

The lectures series starting from November 11th will be held every Friday at 5:30pm (forthcoming lectures are scheduled for the 11 th , 18 th and 25 th November) 
Friday, November 11, 5.30pm to 7.30pm at Open Space

 
CAMPAIGNS WORKSHOP

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNING:
DEVELOPING STRATEGY, FORGING SOLIDARITY
A Centre for Communication and Development Studies - Open Space Workshop

Open Space will run a 10-day campaigns workshop that will bring human rights activists and development workers together on a common platform to discuss how they can surmount the ethical and human rights obstacles encountered in their endeavours, by employing and advocating a rights-based approach to development.

The workshop will provide a forum to explore concepts related to social justice, human rights and law in development, in which the participants can locate their work, explore challenges and share strategies.

The workshop will be an opportunity to discuss approaches and methodologies to develop campaign strategies and discuss their strengths and limitations.
November 15 - 25, daily 4.00pm to 8.00pm at Open Space

 
Open Space outreach programmes
1. Art and story telling: weekly sessions at the Door Step School study centre, Shivaji Housing Society
2. Open Space – Fergusson College film club resumes its weekly film screenings at Open Space