October 5, 1998

The Indira Gandhi National Centre presents a unique exhibition based on stories from the time-tested Panchatantra. A collection of books, paintings and multimedia on display brings alive the tales of yore. Take a look to find out what happened "once upon a time".

Photographs--O.P. Sharma
(Art Heritage, Delhi; Oct 3-14)

For a photographer who argues that the camera does not really record but reveals, the works of O.P. Sharma should come as a revelation for shutterbugs. This pictorialist strives towards a metamorphosis of the mechanical medium of photography.

Studio Pottery--Bani De Roy
(Gallerie Ganesha, Delhi; Sept 26-October 14)

Bani De Roy's artistry has it all -- calligraphy, geometrical carvings and folk-inspired paintings. Pots, lamp bases, serving dishes, platters, tea-sets -- her collection has them all. Briefly, Roy shows maturity.

MUSIC
Om--50 Glorious Year of Popular Bhajans
(HMV, Rs 175)

As part of the golden jubilee celebrations of India's Independence, HMV has compiled popular bhajans in five volumes. Sung by greats like Lata Mangeshkar, D.V. Pulaskar, Bhimsen Joshi, Jagjit Singh, Manik Varma and Vani Jairam, this is a good buy for those prayerful moments.

Luminaries--The Rare Collection
(HMV, Rs 95)

Listen to Louis Armstrong's distinct smoky-voiced When the saints go marching in or Cabaret and Dean Martin's deep crooning of Corrina Corrina and You'll always be the one I love. Then you'll know why this cassette -- one of a series on all-time favourites -- is a collectors' item.

MOVIE
European Union Film Festival
(Siri Fort, Delhi; Sept 25-Oct 1 Pallavi Theatre, Bangalore; Oct 3-9)

This biennial film festival comes to India for the seventh time and goes to Bangalore for the first time. With 14 European films, the spread includes the French Same Old Song and Swedish The Last Dance. Feast on.

Trivandrum International Film Festival '98
(Kalabhavan and Tagore Theatres, Thiruvananthapuram; Sept 25-Oct 1)

TIFF '98 is back, this time with a retrospective on the Hungarian master Miklos Jancso's films. Focus on Cuban cinema and homage to Bharathan, the ace Malayalam filmmaker who recently passed away, are the festival's other highlights.

VIDEO
Free Willy
(Directed by Simon Wincer; Starring Jason James Richter, Lori Petty; Ultra Video, Rs 285)

In an unusual case of reel life spilling into real life, Keiko, the star of the movie and a three-ton orca whale, was only recently released into the sea. Keiko's friendship with a juvenile delinquent makes for those heart-tugging moments in the film. Have a whale of a time.

© Living Media India Ltd