IFA@Mumbai: Searching Cultures - Performing The Archive at Studio Tamaasha | September 23, 2017

India Foundation for the Arts
in collaboration with
Tamaasha Theatre
presents
Searching Cultures - Performing The Archive
A multi-media presentation by Rongili Biswas
Saturday, September 23, 2017 | 06:30 PM | Studio Tamaasha
Bungalow 76, Aram Nagar 2, Versova, Andheri(W), Mumbai

Join us for a multi-media presentation on Assam's leftist cultural movement, especially the activities of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) through the 1940s and 50s, by Rongili Biswas on Saturday, September 23, 2017, at Studio Tamaasha, Mumbai.

In this presentation, Rongili will talk about two crucially important organisers of the IPTA, the eminent singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika and political activist, poet and singer-composer Hemango Biswas, her father. It will touch upon their interventions in countering the linguistic riots of 1960 in Assam. She will attempt to reconstruct the urgency of the time and the significance of the peace squad formed by the celebrated duo and local artists, which travelled the length and breadth of the state.

The presentation will weave this journey through words and music, with rare photographs and journals from her father‘s personal archive, and snatches from the documentary A Song for Everyone, which captures moments from this period.

Rongili will perform some of the best-known songs from her father's repertoire, along with singer Dhrupad Jyoti Das.

Rongili Biswas is a singer and writer based in Kolkata. An economist by profession, she always had a passion for music. She has two music albums to her credit as well as several books including a novel and a collection of short stories. She has also published widely in reputed international/national journals. For the past few years she has been building up an archive of her father, the legendary musician Hemango Biswas.

Dhrupad Jyoti Das completed the Sangeet Visharad exam at Bhatkhande University, Lucknow, and is currently studying for a postgraduate degree in Vocal Music at Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata. He is presently studying music under the guidance of Pandit Santanu Bandopadhay.

Rongili Biswas received a fellowship from India Foundation for the Arts, under the Archival and Museum Fellowships initiative, with support from Tata Trusts.

Searching Cultures is a year-long collaboration between IFA and Tamaasha Theatre, presenting a selection of IFA grantee projects in Mumbai through 2017!

Please note that while entry to the event is free we do request you to RSVP for the event by writing to tamaashatheatre@gmail.com