August 24, 1998

Homai Vyaravalla's camera has captured myriad images of pre- and post-Independence India. The photographs on show here reflect the atmosphere in a nation savouring its new-found freedom. A fitting tribute to the First Lady of Indian Photography.

Paintings on Krishna--Group Show
(Art Indus, Delhi; August 10-20)

Lord Krishna and art make a great team. In the Janmashtami fortnight, this show celebrates the deity through works of Manjit Bawa, Pulak Biswas, Usha Biswas, Shuvprasanna and 10 others. Nice idea for a birthday bash.

Paintings--Kanchan Dasgupta
(Art Today, Delhi; August 10-25

The performer is a recurring figure in these paintings by Kanchan Dasgupta -- the conjurer, the mimic, the juggler, the clown. Poised as they are between reality and illusion, these figures lend to the canvases they adorn an almost tangible air of sadness. This is the artist's first solo show.

MUSIC
ITC Classical Music Festival
(G.D. Birla Sabhaghar, Calcutta; August 20-21)

Forget the smoke and lung cancer for a while. Cigarette giant ITC Ltd also makes great music. To celebrate 20 years of its Sangeet Research Academy in Calcutta, this festival brings together Amjad Ali Khan, Kishan Maharaj, Ajoy Chakraborty and a host of others.

Osho Oorja Kirtans
(Oorja Music; Rs 360 for a five-cassette set)

Under the guidance of Swami Chaitanya Bharti -- one of Osho's earliest disciples -- kirtans acquire a new sound. So you have Hindu chants mingling with those of Islam, Sikhism, Sufism and Buddhism. An experiment well worth the effort.

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