The True Mirror of A & N Islands
Port Blair, Dec 30: Directorate of IP&T has got a stage constructed for conducting cultural programmes at Marina Park with the support of PBMC. A special programme on this stage will be performed by Andaman Nicobar Police Cultural Troupe on the New Year Eve (31.12.2012) from 7 PM onwards followed by fireworks.
This stage will be used in future also for conducting musical programme on the weekends for entertainment of general public & tourist by using local artists and cultural groups.
Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Dec 02: It seems that the forthcoming carnival of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Island Tourism Festival will bring a lot of excitements and cheers for people of these Islands.
According to highly placed sources this year famous Bollywood Singer ‘Neeraj Shridhar’ and renowned stand-up comedian ‘Bharti Singh’ will be the main attraction of all entertainment programmes. Neeraj Shridhar is known for his blockbuster songs Harey Ram Harey Ram from the movie, Bhul Bhulaiya and his pop songs Kya Soorat Hai, Woh Chali and Chod Do Anchal.
Hold your breath, there are more surprises too. This year Dance India Dance Season 2 winner Shakti Mohan will also entertain people with her troupe, which will also have Samitha Shetty, a model as anchor.
For Quwwali lovers this year the Tourism Department will be bringing world renowned ‘Sabri Brothers’.
Other than this Indian Idol singer Parashar Joshi will perform with the Kolkata Bases live Orchestra ‘Out of Control Bangalies’ in 10 different remote Islands, right from Campbell Bay to Diglipur.
According to reports this year Ferris wheel Entertainment Ltd., a Mumbai based event management firm has bagged the contract for bringing Neeraj Shridhar (13 January) , Bharti Singh (7 January) and Sabri Brothers (11 January) while Marvel creations and Rahul Entertainment, two Andaman based event management firm has bagged the contract for bringing Shakti Mohan (9 January) and Parahsar Joshi.
Earlier there were lots of controversy regarding award of contract to Mainland based agencies but it seems that finally the Director of Tourism Department has put an end to all controversies by awarding the contracts of these entertainment shows, in a very transparent manner.
Port Blair, Oct 13: Music lovers in Port Blair city were in for a musical treat as the members of Avinash Orchestra entertained them with old and new Bollywood melodies here during ‘Avinash Live Concert’ at Dr. B R Ambedkar Auditorium on Saturday night.
A crowd of over 1,000 people, in jam-packed Ambedkar Auditorium was seen swaying to the melodies as the concert gained momentum. Singers, Avinash, J N Raja (Raj), Sajid Sulaiman, D Appa Rao, Priya Darshini, Samitha Acharya, Mrs. Prerna Bali,Mohd. Nisar, Sneha Goswami, G Pradeep Kumar and Sanjib Kumar Roy left audience spelled bound. Efforts of musicians C Ravindra, Mohd. Nadeem, Babu, Avinash, Santosh Kumar Yadav, Mahendra Mallick, and Pratha Das were also well appreciated by public. Other than musicians and singers, Dancers of Dance Nritya Academy (DNA) also enthralled audience. The programme was anchored by J N Raja and Mr. Hussain arranged the Sound System.
The Secretary of PBMC, Mr. Rakesh Bali was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Port Blair, Sept 30: Naresh Chander Lal’s Feature Film ” GANDHI THE MAHATMA” a film sharing on the silver screen Gandhian values and ideology through the Island’s perspective is going to be screened at all the Middle/Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools of Andaman & Nicobar islands on the Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations from 2nd October. This step has been taken by the Directorate of Education A & N Administration Port Blair..
Where as the Directorate Of Publicity & Tourism is also screening the film on the day of Gandhi Jayanthi on 2nd october at 5.30 P.M infront of the Statue of Gandhi ji situated at Mohanpura and it will also be screened for the students of JNRM College on 3rd October at 9.30 A.M.
For the good cause the Producer of the film has not charged any amount from the departments for its screening because the film is depicting admixture of culture living in unison amidst diversities the Gandhian values followed in true spirit in the islands. This is the film which has been telecast ed by the DD National Channel,DD (URDU) and DD (INDIA).
On 13th August 2012 Naresh Chander Lal decorated with the highest medal of Gandhi Global Family New Delhi i.e prestigious “MAHATMA GANDHI SEVA MEDAL” by Lt. Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Port Blair, Sept 12: The Department of Art and Culture and the Department of Tourism, A&N Administration in collaboration with the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Gol, Kolkata is organizing mega Cultural Festival “Maati Ke Rang” – (Octave and Silver Jubilee Celebration of Zonal Cultural Centers) in Andaman from 23rd – 27th September 2012.
This year the Ministry of Culture, Government of India is celebrating Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Zonal Cultural Centres under the name “Maati ke Rang’. Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre is one of the seven Zonal Cultural Centres set up by the Government of India to promote, propagate and disseminate the rich folk and tribal heritage of India. Added to the ‘Maati Ke Rang’ celebrations will be Octave Festival, a celebration of the culture of the eight north eastern states of India. North East India is unique not only in their performing art forms but also in the many crafts that they create. During the festival at Port Blair, there will also be an exhibition of the crafts from the north east region. Artistes from eight north east States i.e. Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura will take part in the Octave festival along with artistes of Silver Jubilee Celebrations from Punjab, Raj asthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, Haryana, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Folk Dance troupes from Andaman and Nicobar Islands will also participate in the festival.
The mega cultural festival along with ‘Food Festival’ at ITF Ground during 23-27 September 2012 will be an added attraction for the islanders besides Island Tourism Festival and will take the islanders on a journey through kaleidoscopic India.
E Arun
Port Blair, Dec 07: Impressed with the beauty of Andaman and Nicobar Islands the renowned Kathak Dancer from Belgium, Seema Mehta today left for Mumbai after completing her four day workshop on classical dance form, Kathak, at Port Blair.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha about Kathak, she said that she wants to dedicate her complete life for Kathak Dance Form. “I want to dedicate my entire life for this one dance form,” she said.
About the four day workshop, which was organised by Samhita Veda Acharya (Koyal) from NAACH Academy of Performing Arts and INTACH, Mehta said that she want to teach children of these Islands, whatever knowledge she has gathered till now to create awareness and inculcate the knowledge of dance and culture among children in fun way. A good number of students attended the workshop, which was organised at Delanipur Community Hall.
“Children of these Islands are very talented and they pick up very fast,” she said.
However, deeply upset with littering and indiscriminate garbage dumping, she said that authorities in Andaman should take serious steps to keep all tourists sports litter free. “Fines must be imposed on littering to preserve beauty of these Islands,” she said.
When asked about the organiser of the event, she said “Samitha is working very hard and trying to provide high quality of artistry, therefore the govt should support her.”
Pofile of Seema Mehta: Her life has been shaped across borders. Born in Mumbai, Seema soon moved to Antwerp, Belgium. A born artist, she graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, USA where she completed her BFA, Bachelors of Fine Art specializing in painting and sculpture. This is also when she embarked on a journey as a Kathaka.
Gurukul
She has found a new life, a new birth after twelve years of riyaaz with her Guruji Pandit Chitresh Das. She is a part of the Chhandam School of Kathak, one of the world’s largest Indian Classical Dance Institutions with over 500 students with centers in Kolkata, California, Boston, Canada and Mumbai. Chhandam has and continues to impact the preservation and promotion of Kathak of the highest caliber locally, nationally and internationally. While she continues to train under her Guru, she is also the Director of Chhandam Nritya Bharati, India. Under her, Chhandam India has in two years grown into a big family of over 100 students.
Performing Career
She performed her debut Kathak solo at NCPA, in January 2009. She was accompanied by some of India’s greatest musicians, such as Pandit Bhawani Shankar on Pakhawaj, Pandit Ramesh Mishra on Sarangi. In her debut performance itself she demonstrated the unique innovation of Kathak Yoga, where she was continuously singing, reciting and dancing various compositions while playing the harmonium.
Kathak Yoga
Seema is an expert practitioner and performer of Pt. Das’ innovation- Kathak Yoga, where the dancer sings a melody while playing the harmonium and performs complex compositions, rhythms or chhands at the same time. Kathak Yoga, a cardio vascular, weight-bearing technique was researched at Harvard University for its complexity of organic mathematics. As a representative of her Guru in India, she plays a significant role in bringing this human wonder to India.
Seva and Tyaag
Seema has gone beyond the traditional preview of dance and touched lives through her work. She believes that teaching is vital part of passing on the legacy. As part of a core team, she has worked with the children of Kolkata’s red light areas, the New Light Project in particular. She also teaches children from the Akanksha and SMILE Foundations in Mumbai.
Pandit Das and his students have been traveling across the globe and touching lives beyond the stage. As Director of Chhandam India she is taking forward the vision of empowering women and bringing joy through dance.
Also performed at:
2003 – San Francisco State University, California
2004 – Young Audiences, California
2005 – Temple of Fine Arts at Shivanjali, Coimbatore – Tamil Nadu
2006 – Fort William, Kolkata – West Bengal
2007 – Jamshed Bhabha, NCPA, Mumbai – Maharashtra
2008 – G.D. Birla Sabhagar, Kolkata – West Bengal
2009 – Traditional Kathak Solo, NCPA, Mumbai – Maharashtra
2010 – Tata Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai – Maharashtra
2010 – Shaniwarwada Festival, Pune – Maharashtra
2010 – Bangalore Club, Bengaluru – Karnata
2010 – Bridges – Godrej Dance Academy Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai
2010 – Bridges – Town Hall, Kolkata – West Bengal
2010 – JPGW Zensar Amphitheatre – Pune – Maharashtra
2011 – Sanatana Dharma – Little Theatre, NCPA Mumbai – Mumbai
2011 – Dynamic Rhythms – Birla Auditorium – Jaipur
2011 – Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Dance Festival – Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
2011 – Music and Me Festival, Mumbai
2012 – Performed in ‘Darbar’ – Asian Arts Museum – San Francisco
Port Blair, June 21: ‘Monsoon Festival’ is being organized for the first time in Andaman & Nicobar Islands which will be celebrated from 22nd June, 2012 to 24th June, 2012. Venue of this festival is scheduled at Govt. Girls Sr. Secondary School Campus, Port Blair. The Concept behind organizing such festival is to popularize Andaman as a Monsoon destination where one can visit nature at its peak.
Live Musical Orchestra and live Police Band concert for all three days will be organized from 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. on 22nd June at 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. On 23rd and 24th June,2012 apart from offering Adventure Water Sports (water Scooter, Jet Ski, Speed Boats etc) near Marina Park for general public. Delicious food stalls/Kiosk are placed at the venue for food lovers which will be opened from 3.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. on all days.
Education department is organizing Singing competitions for School Children and Govt. Officials at the School Auditorium on 23/6/2012 from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Spot entry for such competitions will also be entertained. Winners of these competitions will be allowed to perform live on stage on the closing day on 24/6/2012.
Cycle competition for men and women is an added attraction which will be organized at the vicinity of Netaji Stadium on 23/6/2012 from 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m. Participants can register their name to Art & Culture department at Netaji Stadium.
Election Department of the A & N Administration has made elaborate arrangements for issue of Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), Driving learning license and opening of Bank accounts for the youngsters who have attained 18 years of age at the auditorium of Govt. Girls Sr. Secondary School.
The festival will declare open at 5.00 p.m. on 22/6/2012 at the main venue and Administration has made elaborate arrangements for general public to witness this festival.
Port Blair, June 19: “Onir”- A National Award winning Director who recently visited the Cannes Film Festival is coming down to Andamans to do a workshop on Film Making and
Onir has bagged innumerable awards from all across the world for his offbeat films.
His movie “My Brother Nikhil” – which was based on awareness on the deadly disease of AIDS starring Juhi Chawla and Sanjay Suri has won 33 Global awards including New York AIDS Film Festival, Bangkok World Film Festival and Montreal Film Festival.
His movies “Bas Ek Pal” and “Sorry Bhai” have been screened at OSICAIN Film Festivals and MIAAC New York.
Recently his movie “I AM” won the National Award for Best Film and Best Lyrics . Also the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Cinema at the International Film Festival and was screened at Film Festivals in Australia, New York and Vancouver (Canada).
The workshop is being organized by Naach Academy of Performing Arts under the initiative of Koyal, who feels a workshop on film making would strengthen and encourage aspirations of young film makers and teenagers who later would want to study visual communication or cinema.
The workshop would be organized from the 23rd to the 28th of July 2012. Director Onir would himself be a part of this workshop every single day and teach basic movie making skills and share his ideas on AIDS as a disease.
He also is going to be present during the screening of his movie My Brother Nikhil on the 28th of July at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Auditorium.
Port Blair, June 15: Directorate of Tourism in association with Education Department, Art & Culture Department, Port Blair Municipal Council, ANIIDCO and Tourism services providers of this Island is organizing ‘Monsoon Festival’ for the first time in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This festival will be celebrated from 22nd June, 2012 to 24th June, 2012. The main venue of this festival will be the Campus of Govt. Girls Sr. Secondary School at Port Blair. The concept behind organizing such festival is to popularize Andaman as a Monsoon destination where one can visit nature at its peak.
There will be Musical Nite with live orchestra for all three days from 5.OO p.m to 9.00 p.m. Entry for public is made free. Food Stall/Kiosk with delicious food for food admirer will be made functional at the venue. Water sports activities will be an added attraction during the festival. One can take the ride of Water Scooter, Jet Ski, Speed Boats etc. Directorate of Sports will organize Cycle competition for men and women. Dance/Singing competitions for school children and Singing competition for Govt. Servant are being organized separately in association with Education department during the festival and the winners of these competitions will get a chance to perform live on the concluding day of the festival.
Arrangements are also made for issue of learning license, Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and opening of bank accounts for the youngsters who have attained 18 years of age at the auditorium of Govt Girls Sr. Secondary School. Election Department of A & N Administration is making all efforts to popularize the function in coordination with all lead Banks and Transport Department.
Administration has made elaborate arrangements for general public to witness this festival.
Port Blair, Apr 19: Sports events like Beach kabbadi, Beach Volley ball, Tug of War and display of Water Sports items and events of fun and frolic will unfold before beach lovers of Port Blair at the Corbyn’s Cove beach from tomorrow as the first beach festival organised by the Directorate of Tourism in association with PBMC, ANIIDCO and Tourism Service Providers of the Islands starts at 4.30 PM. The Chief Secretary (In charge) Mr. Jalaj Shrivastava will declare open the three-day festival in an informal function tomorrow in which Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray Hon’ble Member of Parliament will be the Guest of Honour.
The famous Corbyn’s Cove beach has been decked up to nicety by the PBMC. Arrangements for drinking water, sanitation, lightings, garbage bins, changing room, beach furniture, food kiosks, parking slots are in readiness. The beach wears a festive look with festoons and illumination. The Waves restaurant at Corbyn’s Cove is also ready to provide basic refreshments to tourists as Tourism Department would be resuming its service from tomorrow.
The organisers were unable to accommodate last minute requests from several teams for inclusion in the competitions category of the Beach Sport as the demand for participation increased beyond expectation after the fixture was finalised yesterday.12 teams in Beach Volley ball, 9 teams in Beach Kabaddi and 6 teams in Tug of War are competing for prizes during the festival. The ANIIDCO would be sponsoring the prizes.
To entertain the music lovers there will be live music programme by M/s Indradhanush Orchestra at 1700 hrs. On 21st M/s Friends Cultural Society and on 22nd M/s. Avinash & Team are expected to enthral the gathering with their music numbers.
Special Service by STS:
The State Transport Service has already announced special bus services from Bus Terminus to Corbyn’s Cove all the three days to facilitate public to enjoy the festival. The special trips shall be operated from Bus Terminus to Corbyn’s Cove beach via Shadipur at 3.00 PM, 4.00 PM, 5.00 PM, 6.00 PM and 8.00 PM and via Bhatu Basti at 3.30 PM, 5.30 PM and 7.30 PM. The special trips shall also be operated from Corbyn’s Cove beach to Bus Terminus via Shadipur at 4.00 PM, 5.00 PM, 6.00 PM, 7.00 PM & 9.00 PM and via Bhatu Basti at 4.30 PM, 6.30 PM and 8.30 PM.
Free Coach service by FORTO:
Federation of responsible tour operators of A&N Islands, (FORTO) has informed that free shuttle service would be offered to general public during the festival on all the three days. There will be two buses, one from Goalghar Petrol Bunk and another from Bhatu Basti Petrol Bunk to Corbyns Cove making shuttle services in the evening. There will be coordinators for the services in all these places and also in Corbyns Cove parking area.