Down memory lane Committed to research, patronage and promotion of Bengali stage songs for over two decades, Academy Theatre has now expanded its cultural horizon to include activities of allied interest. This evening?s programme, dedicated to the memory of Surajlal Mukhopadhyay (picture left), marks a pioneering initiative towards sharing invaluable information and archival knowledge about Bengali songs of an era beginning more than 50 years ago. The first Suraj-Smarak-Baktrita, which promises to be a part of Academy Theatre?s annual calendar, will feature a lecture by Ashoke Mitra in which he will reminiscence about well-loved songs of the yesteryears. Sharing memories and anecdotes about songs heard on records, of singers and the impact they generated on the contemporary audience, the talk will also throw light on Surajlal Mukhopadhyay?s immense contribution in creating and maintaining a vast collection of Bengali songs. Rare recordings of old, forgotten songs from his private record collection will also be played, courtesy Sharmila Guha and Amit Guha. Inaugural song by Riddhi Bandyopadhyay. Event: A lecture in memory of Surajlal Mukhopadhyay When: Today at 6.30 pm Where: Bangla Academy Sabhagar

Art

Till March 6 at Academy of Fine Arts, West Gallery; 3 pm - 8 pm: Solo exhibition of the recent works of Suhas Hore. Till March 7 at Academy of Fine Arts, New South Gallery; 3 pm - 8 pm: An exhibition of the works by Sankar Mondal. Till March 10 at Chitrakoot Art Gallery; 3 pm - 8 pm: Recent works by Sarbari Roy Chowdhury and Saurav Roy Chowdhury. Till March 10 at Chemould Art Gallery, 12F Park Street; 2 pm - 8 pm: Open Eyes, an exhibition of paintings by Dipayan Ghosh. Till March 11 at CIMA Gallery; 3 pm - 7 pm (Monday) & 2 pm - 7 pm (Tuesday - Saturday): Graphics, drawings and paintings by Jogen Chowdhury. Till March 11 at Academy of Fine Arts, North Gallery; 3 pm - 8 pm: An exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Prof. Partha Pratim Deb, Sujit Kr. Karan, Subrata Biswas, Arunabha Ghosh, Pulak Kr. Das, Bijoy Basak, Pappu Bardhan and Soumen Das. Till March 11 at Seagull Arts and Media Resource Centre; 2 pm - 7 pm: A Daily Record, installations (including a video work: In Your Dreams) by Gisele Amantea. Till March 11 at Spandan Art Gallery, 87 Park Street, 1st floor; 10.30 am - 8 pm: Bronze sculptures by Late Suren De and other contemporary sculptors, in a rare display that includes busts, animaleire studies and abstracts. Till March 15 (except Sunday and public holidays) at Gallery Kanishka?s, 2/1 Hindustan Road; 11 am - 8 pm: Colour on Canvas, an exhibition of paintings by young artists of Calcutta. Till March 31 at Idiyas Gallery, 15 Dover Road; 10.30 am - 7.30 pm: Celebrating the Human Form, showcasing Indian art and sculpture.

drama

March 6 at Bharatiyam Cultural Multiplex, IB 201 Salt Lake; 6 pm: EZCC?s monthly theatre show: Chandrabati, a Kasba Arghya production, directed by Manish Mitra. March 6 at Madhusudan Mancha; 6.30 pm: Natyadangal presents the premiere performace of MMSD. March 7 at Academy of Fine Arts; 6.30 pm: Theatre Passion presents its latest production, Satyajit Ray?s Anukool. Drama & direction: Ramaprasad Banik. March 7 at Girish Mancha; 6.30 pm: Page 4, Lok-krishti?s latest play. Drama, direction & acting: Bratya Basu. March 7 at Sisir Mancha; 6.30 pm: Kayanat presents Narbare Bou. Direction: Debaki Bandyopadhyay. March 8 at Madhusudan Mancha; 6.30 pm: Aubekshan presents Nibaran O Hanuman. Direction: Manabendra Goswami. March 10 at National Library Hall; 6.30 pm: Little Thespian presents its latest play, Bade Bhaisaheb. Direction: S.M. Azhar Aalam. March 11 at Academy of Fine Arts; 3 pm: Rangakarmee presents Rudali. Direction: Usha Ganguli. March 11 at Academy of Fine Arts; 6.30 pm: Doubarik presents A Parabasey. Direction: Sarbadaman Som. March 12 at Academy of Fine Arts; 10 am: Pancham Vaidic presents Rajnaitik Hatya. Direction: Saoli Mitra.

PERFORMING ARTS

March 6 at Kala Mandir (B); 6 pm: Udeechi presents an evening of Tagore songs by Suman Panthi and Madhabi Dutta. March 7 at Bharatiyam Cultural Multiplex, IB 201 Salt Lake; 6 pm: Dance-drama Astanayikaveda, to be presented by Dr Sukla Bandyopadhyay. March 12 at ITC Sangeet Research Academy; 6 pm - 10 pm: On the occasion of Holi, ITC SRA presents Saras Vasante featuring Basant Ritu Ke Bandishen by ITC SRA scholars; Pakhawaj Ke Paramparik Rachnaye by Dr Raj Khushiram; and Malwa Ke Vasant Geet by Vasundhara Komkali and Kalapini Komkali.

talk

March 6 at Institute of Historical Studies; 4 pm: Professor Nisith Ranjan Ray Memorial Lecture 2005-6: Dr Deepak Kumar will speak on Kolkata as a Science City. March 6 at Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Shivananda Hall; 5.30 pm: Swami Rasajnananda will speak in English on Life and Teachings of Holy Mother Sri Sri Sarada Devi. March 6 at Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Vivekananda Hall; 6.15 pm: Swami Puranananda will speak in Bengali on Adhyatma Ramayana.

EXHIBITION

March 6 - 11 at Anusthan Bhavan, 132 Rashbehari Avenue: Sundari Silks Chennai presents an exhibition of silk and cotton sarees from some of the finest weavers of south India. March 6 - 12 at 105 Southern Avenue; 11 am - 6 pm: An exhibition of summer collection of designer suits, kurtis and sarees by Richa Kanoria. Till March 6 at Trade Fair Complex, opposite Science City; 1 pm - 8 pm: Indian Leather Techonologists? Association hosts LEXPO ? leather-wear and leather goods. Till March 12 at Genesis Art Gallery, 8B Middleton Street: An exhibition of pasmina shawls, stoles, sarees and carpets. Till March 15 at Poompahar, Dakshinapan Complex, Dhakuria: An exhibition of handicrafts and handloom products. Till March 17 at Trinity Towers, 83 Topsia Road (S); 11 am - 7 pm: Steelscapes, an exhibition to mark a tribute to steel, showcasing paintings by Naba Kumar Chakraborty, photographs by Gopal Roy, sculptures by Gautam Das Buro and writings of Sujoy Sen.

Photographs

March 6 - 9 at Gaganendra Pradarshasala: India & Bhutan ? Along the Friendship Trail, a photo exhibition presented by Royal Bhutanese Embassy, New Delhi and ministry of external affairs. Till March 8 at Gaganendra Pradatshasala; 4 pm - 8 pm: Bowline hosts a thematic still photographic exhibition, In Search of Nature?s Beauty, of Pradip Mahapatra. Till March 9 at Samokal Art Gallery, 23 Gariahat Road, 1st floor; 3 pm - 8 pm: An exhibition of photographs by Mantu Ray.

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