AAW #159

Over the coming few days, look out for a performance of Kalaripayattu, as well as a host of Gujarati plays. Literature lovers can look forward to thinking about Dickens and Tagore, while kids can watch a delightful musical.

Ahmedabad’s palette is vibrant with many creative events over this week and the next. It starts with Art in Conversation, a discussion with art proponent Umang Hutheesing, and leaps towards the performance Bhu that will depict one of the world’s most ancient martial arts called Kalaripayattu.

Theatre lovers of the city can attend a Gujarati play based on Lord Rama’s stepmother Kaikeyi, or take their kids along to watch a musical called La-La Land about a child’s fantasies. If feminine themes resonate with you, check out the self-exploratory Gujarati play Because I Was Not Guilty, written and directed by Archana Chauhan. Likewise, the Rangotsav art show at the Gufa may intrigue you as it displays works made by a group of women artists.

If you happen to be a Charles Dickens fan, do not miss a literature gathering organised at British Council. If you are looking for something more along the lines of regional literature, however, then a discourse by Dr Anand Lal on the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore is a must-go.

Our creative inspiration for the 159th Ahmedabad Art Weekly is Vijaygupta Maurya, a pioneer in science journalism in Gujarati. The Porbandar-born author wrote abundant articles and books on science over four decades. Although a lawyer by profession, Maurya frequently wrote academic articles on bird-gazing in the nature magazine Prakruti and later contributed to the regional daily Janmabhumi on topics of flora and fauna, oceanography, space and science. After adopting freelance journalism as his career, Maurya wrote books which conveyed factual information through storytelling, often based on real incidents. Two sons survive the author and one of them, Nagendra Vijay, is also a renowned Gujarati science journalist who initiated the Safari magazine.