Indian Newslink July 15 Digital Edition

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JULY 15, 2016 28 ARTLINK-Ratna Venkat The pasture is not always green the other side Ratna Venkat ratna@indiannewslink.co.nz New Zealanders are regularly treated to quality shows presented by local and international artistes and Auckland continues to attract visitors and inspire its residents alike. ‘Love N Stuff’ was one such show presented by Prayas Theatre Company that could be seen as an example to highlight the city’s growing population and changing demography. A play written by Londonbased Bengali playwright Tanika Gupta and directed by Auckland resident Sananda Chatterjee, this was Prayas’ first full-length comedy that ran from June 23 to July 3, 2016 at The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC) in Western Springs. Diverse Cast Though the original play featured only two actors playing 16 characters, debutante director Sananda and her team featured a talented cast of 16 individuals from diverse backgrounds, with the story having a New Zealand perspective set at Auckland International Airport. Bindi (played by Sudeepta Vyas) and Mansoor (Mustaq Missouri), a childless couple Anisha Bhattacharya, Prateek Vadgaonkar and others on a ‘four-wheeler’ who reside in the Auckland suburb of Sandringham, are happily married until Mansoor decides to go back to his hometown of New Delhi. Worried that her husband may walk out of their 35-year bond, Bindi and her friends put forth an array of tactics at Auckland Airport’s Departure lounge in an attempt to convince him not to leave. Some of them include Bindi recollecting memories of her time in India and with Mansoor as a young man going through triumphs and trials (played respectively by Divya Hariharan and Rishabh Kapoor), while the rest include their friends and acquaintances trying to help ‘seal back’ the couple’s relationship; incidents which were seriously funny (or funnily serious) causing the audience to break into moments of awe and laughter. Eventually, Mansoor leaves for New Delhi but returns to his wife and the sanctity of his Sandringham home, realising that true happiness is not where one lives but who one lives with. Brilliant backdrop Set designer Tim Booth created scenarios laden with sofas and with light designer Sam Mence, uniquely transformed scenes from an airport departure lounge to a movie theatre to a Temple, the clever use of setting and lighting giving an overall 3D effect. The live orchestra comprising Alin John (Guitar and Bass), Karen Plimmer (Piano), Ritesh Vaghela (Octopad, Bass and Guitar), Sayanti Chatterjee (Vocal) and Vipul Dev (Tabla and Cajon), provided background score (literally) to the cast, appearing as though they Sudeepta Vyas and Mustaq Missouri at 'Auckland Airport' too are witnessing the characters unfold from behind. It is hard to believe that ‘Love N Stuff’ is Sananda’s first stint as a director. She brought reality into many scenes, without the actual backdrops. One such was a number of people crisscrossing the stage, seemingly passengers and visitors at the ‘Auckland Airport,’ bringing the scenic and thematic effect. It was an enjoyable story with likeable and relatable characters presented by Prayas this season. Migration issues On a serious note, the play was successful in bringing out a number of issues that could help in educating the public the perks and perils of migration and the psychological concept of ‘grass being greener on the other side.’ Migrating to a known country includes trying to assimilate into an unknown society, and that can only happen with time and experience. There is also fantasy versus reality, portrayed by the young Bindi and Mansoor who dream and discuss of a luxurious lifestyle together with high-paying jobs, but soon reality is exposed when day-to-day affairs and responsibilities creep in, prompting the aging Mansoor to leave everything behind and go back to the place he once called ‘home.’ Bindi and Mansoor are just examples of the reality of today’s migrants, but whosoever thinks that they can follow suit by migrating to a foreign land, the advice is better to be prepared for the unexpected than become disappointed. We are making another important move. For the past 21 years, we have brought you moving stories, events, entertainment programmes and more because all of us belong to afamily. Now in that same family spirit, we have just made another important move. The Offices, Studios, and other facilities of Radio Tarana have moved to anew location at 155, New North Road (next to Mahatma Gandhi Centre). This also gives us anew opportunity to move to state-of- the-art technology, and welcome you in abetter environment. We call it an Important Move. Because it will make usserve you more, serve you better. Radio Tarana 155 New North Road, Eden Terrace Auckland 1023 |Phone: (09) 3032286 Email: info@tarana.co.nz Website: www.tarana.co.nz
JULY 15, 2016 ENTERTAINMENTLINK 29 MISS INDIANZ Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 730 pm Aotea Centre, Auckland Tickets from August 1, 2016 www.aucklandlive.com Now in its 14th year Miss Indianz 2006 Gagan Kaur with Surinder Manak and Kurisha Naidu, the Second and First Runners-Up Variety adds value to cultural unity Dharmesh Parikh Ankita Sharma This young woman is a maverick and literally aims to reach the stars, with her ambition to become an astronaut – an ambition lifted perhaps by her father’s career as a Pilot at Indian Air Force. Leaving home when she was just 18, Ankita Sharma found herself resilient and adaptable in New Zealand. “As a visionary on a journey of self-discovery, I am today a software Test Analyst. I partake in multitudinous activities ranging from quizzes and hiking to abseiling. I love travelling and pursuing fine arts including singing and dancing,” she said. “Miss Indianz will help get the best out of me to become a future ambassador, a messenger of peace and goodwill and make both India and New Zealand proud,” she said. (Pictures by Andrew Bignall) One of the most fascinating aspects of India is its unique combination of the traditional and the modern, offering ‘The Best of All Worlds’ to people of varied tastes, vicissitudes and of course ethical extraction. From cuisine, culture, costumes and festivities to language and living style, the Indian Diaspora offers a different and exciting experience to the rest of the world. From its ancient temples, mosques, churches and other places of worship to the modern skyscrapers and property developers, India remains an enigma to most historians and writers. Unity in Diversity While Indians from India subscribe to the concept of ‘Unity in Diversity’ projecting a single portrait despite their differences in language, approach to religion and lifestyle, the diversity is even more pronounced in New Zealand which brings together Indians from four continents across the world. They come together at work and more importantly at events such as Miss Indianz. Ever since it began, Miss Indianz has flown the flag of cultural diversity in New Zealand. The name Kiwi-Indian has been used widely over the years at this event. It is an accurate reflection of the people who participate in it. Colourful Diaspora Our unique identity has become widely accepted and over the past ten years, we have seen a mix of Kiwi-Indians, Tongan Indians, Maori Indians, South African Indians, Fiji Indians the list goes on. In fact, I believe that Miss Indianz attracts the widest range of ethnic participation than any other event in New Zealand. You can witness beauty, brains, smartness, elegance and humour at our annual event which will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 730 pm at Aotea Centre in Auckland’s Central Business District. Tickets will be available from August 1, 2016 from www.aucklandlive.com For further details, please visit www.rhythmhouse.co.nz or call Dharmesh Parikh on 021-2727454; Email: events@ rhythmhouse.co.nz Here are the profiles of the next set of three Miss Indianz contestants – part of a journey that we began in our April 15, 2016. This is therefore our Eighth Instalment. We will profile more Indianz 2016 participants in our next issue. Sunaina Chand Hailing from the picturesque Kashmir Valley that is an integral part of India, Sunaina Chand is an international flight attendant and hence “sees life from a high point.’ “When I return to the ground, my mind is still on Cloud Nine, thinking about the many things I plan to achieve in this lifetime. I am an outgoing and motivated woman who thrives to get the most from life,” she said. This Hamiltonian believes in being a successful Kiwi Indian woman representing her culture to the world. “I believe that being a Kiwi Indian woman gives me the advantage of living with two amazing cultures and it excites me to be able to represent that at Miss Indianz 2016,” Sunaina said. (Pictures by Tony McKay Commercial) Jagdeep Kaur Proud of her Punjabi roots, Jasdeep Kaur Basra believes that her birth, education in New Zealand accord her a unique opportunity to promote both cultures and that Miss Indianz is a great platform to do so. “I currently teach Punjabi dance to young children at Virsa Academy and have been doing this for over four years as a hobby. I thoroughly enjoy it as I feel I get to reconnect with my Punjabi roots and love the fact that I get to pass on my knowledge and wisdom to my students. I am looking forward to Miss Indianz as I love getting into my Indian community and the event will allow to experience more Indian culture and grow as a person,” Jasdeep said. (Pictures by Miguel Ilagan Photography)
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