Great expectations Set in post World War II Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry, is one of the great classics of 20th century American theatre. Presenting the reality of south-side Chicago for the first time on the Calcutta stage, it is an electrifying drama, narrating the universal story of a family?s struggles for dignity and decency in the midst of abject, antagonistic circumstances. The play unfolds the Younger family?s arduous endeavours to realise their American dreams in a country where they are second-class citizens. After his death, Walter Younger?s insurance money is about to reach his family. This sets off a series of questions in the minds of his heirs and descendants, as to how to use this legacy. Will they use it to buy their own home, to finance the medical school education of Beneatha, a daughter of the family, or to invest it in a new business that may finally change the family?s fortunes? Direction: Brian C. Russo (USA). Presented by The American Centre and Spandan. Event: Play in English, A Raisin in the Sun When: Today at 6.30 pm Where: Gyan Manch

drama

July 29 at Academy of Fine Arts; 3 pm: Sayak presents Saanjbela. Dir: Meghnad Bhattacharya. July 29 at Madhusudan Mancha; 6.30 pm: Rang Roop presents Hey More Debata. Dir: Seema Mukherjee. July 29 at Tollygunge Club; 7.15 pm: Patton, RelianceSmart, Open Doors and Tollygunge Club present Mirror ... Mirror, On The Wall. Script and direction: Anindita Sarbadhicari. July 30 at Academy of Fine Arts; 10 am: Swapnasuchana presents Hemlat ? The Prince of Garanhata. Script & direction: Bratya Basu. July 30 at Academy of Fine Arts; 3 pm: Shohan presents Megh. Dir: Anish Ghosh. July 30 at Tapan Theatre; 3 pm & 6.30 pm: Niva Arts presents Bhalobashi Tai. Direction and performance: Santu Mukherjee. July 30 at Girish Mancha; 6.30 pm: Sansriti presents Winkle Twinkle. Dir: Debesh Chattopadhyay. July 30 at Madhusudan Mancha; 6.30 pm: Bohurupee?s latest production, Jolte De Tor Aguntarey. Dir: Kumar Roy. July 30 at Academy of Fine Arts; 6.45 pm: Kasba Arghya presents Bharat Katha. Dir: Manish Mitra.

performing arts

July 29 at G.D. Birla Sabhagar; 6.30 pm: Sanskriti Sagar presents Aakruti, an evening of Indian fusion music by a Mumbai-based band led by Parthiv Gohil (vocals). July 29 at Max Mueller Bhavan; 6.30 pm: Ranan and Open Doors present Ankur 2006 ? emerging talent in the performing arts. Featuring Ronita De (Hindustani vocal) and Amrit Khatua and Madhumita Banerjee (duet Kathakali). July 29 at Padatik Buildwell Theatre; 6.30 pm: Padatik Dance Centre presents Kathak dance recital including items based on Sufi music, to be performed by Souvik Chakraborty, Tanushree Kundu, Suroshree Bhattacharya and others. July 30 at Vidya Mandir, Moira Street; 2 pm: Sangam ?06, the 19th annual social of Poddar Chhatra Niwas Boarders? Association features dance, drama and music. July 30 at The Tollygunge Club; 7.30 pm: Reliance Smart, in association with Spandan and Tollygunge Club present Borsha Mongol ? Nabo Borishone ? Nabine Probine, celebrating the spirit of the monsoons. Featuring Lopamudra Mitra (songs), Srijani (Tagore songs with dances) and others. Script: Suchita Ray Chaudhury. July 30 at Gyan Manch; 10.30 am: The Bharata Natyam arangetram of Atika Sanchetee.

poetry festival

Till July 30 at Paschimbanga Bangla Akademi Sabhaghar; 5 pm - 9 pm: Pratidhwani and Aqualem UVGuard present Bangla Kobitar Mela. Today: chorus recitation Kabyayan (dir: Bratati Bandyopadhyay), audio-play Bakra Prem Gati, rhymes, poetry-reading and recitation and songs.

talk

July 29 at Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Vivekananda Hall; 6 pm: Dipak Gupta will speak in Bengali on Kathamriter Aloke Swami Vivekananda.

centenary celebration

August 1 at Chakdaha Ramlal Academy: Centenary celebration of Chakdaha Ramlal Academy begins with flag-hoisting and procession (at 10 am) and cultural function (at 6.30 pm).

film Show

Till July 30 at Nandan I; 3 pm & 6 pm: Uttam Chalochitra Utsav. Today: Banhishikha. Tomorrow: Harano Sur.

discussion

July 30 at Srirampur Town Hall; 5 pm: Topic: Mulyabodher Samasya O Aamader Santander Bhavishyat. Speakers: Prof Subhankar Chakraborty, Prof Govindadev Bhattacharya and Prof Prabhakar Bhattacharya.

road renaming

July 30 at Crossing of Lake View Road & Lake Terrace Extn; 3.30 pm: On the occasion of the formal renaming of Lake View Road as Ashoketaru Bandyopadhyay Sarani, Taru Shruti presents a programme of Tagore songs by renowned choirs. Also, sapling plantation and unveiling of a plaque of Ashoketaru Bandyopadhyay.

reunion

July 29 at St. James School premises: Seventh reunion of St. James School alumni.

workshop

Till July 31 at Sangit Bhavana, Visva Bharati; 3 pm - 7 pm: Workshop on Kathakali make-up, Chutti, conducted by K. Krishnan Nair and Kalanilayam Srinivasan, with vocals by Kalabharathi Ganesan.

competition

July 30 at Don Bosco School & July 31 at Kala Mandir; 9.30 am - 5.30 pm: Horlicks Wiz Kids 2006, a national inter-school festival with competitions on music, literature, dance, art and design, among others.

reading

July 30 at G.D. Birla Sabhagar; 11 am: Professor P. Lal reads Sanjaya?s report of Arjuna?s battle with his guru Drona, and his slaughter of Srutayudha and Sudaksina, in the 338th weekly session of his sloka-by-sloka English trascreation of Vyasa?s Mahabharata.

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