SAJA's e-mail inbox is constantly filled with all kinds of South Asian events. It's impossible for us to keep up with them all, but I thought we'd share some of them here so you could get a sense of the range of things that are going on. Mira Nair, Salman Rushdie, Jhumpa Lahiri, DJ Rekha, Asif Mandvi, Madhur Jaffrey, are just some of the names to note below.
- FRIDAY, OCT. 2: Diwali at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Members of the East-West School of Dance will perform the Story of Diwali, the annual Indian festival known as the "Festival of Lights" through dance and music -
see details. - FRIDAY, OCT. 2: From cointern[at]sakhi.org
On October 2nd, 2009, Sakhi for South Asian Women is hosting its 20th Anniversary Benefit Gala to celebrate its two decades of innovative work to end violence against women. For more information, please go to: http://sakhi.org/change/Gala.php
Talented filmmaker and long-time Sakhi supporter Mira Nair will serve as the evening’s honored guest speaker. Held at the beautiful and historic Prince George Ballroom, the night will also be filled with sumptuous cocktails, delectable food by Devi, a live auction with a Sotheby’s auctioneer, the screening of Sakhi’s new film and a powerful Sakhi program, and dancing inspired by fabulous music from DJ Rekha.
“Sakhi’s 20th Anniversary gala is a celebration of our work to raise awareness on the silenced subject of domestic violence and to empower survivors to transform their lives and our communities to respond to abuse. It is a testament to how we have, in 20 years, truly broken the silence and built a stronger community,” observes Purvi Shah, Executive Director of Sakhi for South Asian Women.
Founded in 1989, Sakhi’s work began with community members who took crisis calls in apartments. Today, Sakhi has grown and expanded its programming and impact far beyond its founding twenty years ago. In the past 7 years, Sakhi has seen a dramatic tripling in community demand for our services: in 2001, Sakhi responded to 201 new requests for assistance; in 2008 we fielded a record 731 new pleas. In the first half of 2009, Sakhi has already responded to 403 new requests
and conducted 39 presentations. Sakhi’s work enables survivors to access critical services, fosters community dialogue to end violence, and advocates vital changes in agencies and policies to enable institutions to respond to violence.
Shabnam Hayder Mirza, Board member & Benefit Committee Co-chair, remarks, “Having this gala shows that we have a strong community, and a lot of work to do. That is why Sakhi still exists. Twenty years means we’re doing something right!” With continued support, Sakhi can continue its dedicated work to eradicate domestic violence. When that happens, Sakhi can serve a different purpose, but until then, Sakhi remains a resource to survivors and our community in times of need.
We invite you to cover this event and put the spotlight on Sakhi’s innovative work to end violence!
If you are interested in covering the event, please contact Ragni M. Kidvai, Press Liaison for Sakhi’s 20th Anniversary Gala, at Sakhi at 212-714-9153 ext. 100 or cointern@sakhi.org. Press passes for this event are limited and will be provided at Sakhi’s discretion.
Founded in 1989, Sakhi’s work began with community members who took crisis calls in apartments.
- MONDAY, OCT. 5: From Jenie Hederman <jhederman[at]nybooks.com>
NYRB Classics is releasing a new collection of Mavis Gallant's short stories, "The Cost of Living". "The Cost of Living" is edited and introduced by Jhumpa Lahiri, who is a great admirer of Gallant's short stories.On October 5, 2009 Jhumpa Lahiri will read from "The Cost of Living" at McNally Jackson Bookstore.Monday, October 5, 2009, 7 pmMcNally Jackson Bookshop52 Prince Street(b/t Lafayette & Mulberry)(212) 274-1160For more information about the book, or to buy a copy, please visit:I hope you'll be able to include this event and book information in an upcoming SAJA e-newsletter! -
TUESDAY, OCT. 6: From: Alfonso.Suarez[at]metmuseum.org
In Conversation: Salman Rushdie and The Enchantress of Florence
Sir Salman Rushdie, award-winning author of ten novels, a Fellow of the British Royal Society of Literature, and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In June 2007 he was knighted for services to literature.
Carmen Bambach, Curator of Drawings and Prints.
Navina Haidar Haykel, Associate Curator of Islamic Art.
David Roxburgh, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Professor of Islamic Art History, Harvard University.
Rushdie will talk with art historians to explore the aspects of the novel that deal with the visual arts, culture, and historical setting of the period.
Tuesday, October 6, at 6:00 pm
Tickets: $25
Student Tickets: $10
The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
For tickets please call 212-570-3949, visit our Box Office or www.metmuseum.org/tickets
- NOV 11-15: From: Aroon[at]iaac.us
MAHINDRA INDO-AMERICAN ARTS COUNCIL FILM FESTIVAL
ANNOUNCES OPENING, CLOSING AND CENTERPEICE FILMS
* NOV 11th: AASIF MANDVI, NASEERUDDIN SHAH AND MADHUR JAFFREY HEADLINE
"TODAY'S SPECIAL" THE OPENING FILM AT THE PARIS THEATRE
*NOV 13th: VIJAY AMRITRAJ TO PRESENT SATOSH SIVAN'S FILM "TAHAAN' SET IN
KASHMIR AS FESTIVAL CENTERPIECE AT THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN
INDIAN
* NOV 15th: SHARMILA TAGORE AND APARNA SEN STAR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE
CLOSING NIGHT FILM, "THE ENDLESS WAIT (ANTAHEEN)" AT WALTER READE THEATRE,
LINCOLN CENTER
The Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council (MIAAC) Film Festival announces the Opening, Closing & Centerpiece Films for its 9th Annual Festival in New York City. Following hot on the success of
the 2008 festival, which saw a stellar line up of films and talent including
the NY premiere of Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire," this year's
opening film is "Today's Special." Director David Kaplan's film written by
and starring Comedy Central star Aasif Mandvi and accompanied by renowned
Indian actor Naseerudin Shah as well as author and actor Madhur Jaffrey.
Tennis celebrity and media executive Vijay Amritraj will present Santosh
Sivan's "Tahaan" set in Kashmir, as the prestigious Festival Centerpiece.
The festival this year packs a bang with the closing film "Antaheen - The
Endless Wait" starring two film luminaries discovered by Satyajit Ray -
Sharmila Tagore and Aparna Sen - both of whom will attend this U.S. premiere
at the Walter Reade Theatre, Lincoln Center. MIACC 09 will run from November
11-15, 2009 and all public screenings will be at the Quad Cinemas, New York
City.
Tickets prices will be $15 general admission; $12 IAAC members & students
w/ID.
Public screenings of the films will be at the Quad Cinemas. For more
information, please visit http://www.iaac.us and http://www.miaacfilmfest.org/
ONGOING:
- From From: bachir boumediene <bachir[at]eyesteelfilm.com>
We have been advised to write to you regarding the release of the documentary "Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam" directed by Pakistani-Canadian director Omar Majeed. The film will play in several Canadian and American festivals. We invite you to visit the film's website for further information: www.taqwacore.com
We would very much appreciate your support in getting the word out. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to interview Omar Majeed.
And that's just a taste. Post your comments - and other events you know about - below.
