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UK
Tagore Celebrated at the Palace of Westminster
Continued from page 6 governments here and back home for her devotion to Tagore. I remember her talking to me ages ago about a film that she was producing and directing; “A Touch of Tagore,” and she asked if I was interested in presenting it. We were shown it here this evening. It was beautifully educative about Tagore, and featured several people in the room, like Lord Dholakia. Bithika, who brings intellectualism to dance, designed a panel discussion on the “World view of Tagore” with John Stevens from SOAS who enthusiastically placed Tagore in a world context, and Dia Sudeshna Chakravorty. Ashis Ray, gifted senior journalist and Editor of RayMedia, masterfully chaired the panel discus-
sion and took questions from the floor, keeping things moving and simple. He told us that Tagore was a patriot, but not a jingoist. Then the Bangladeshi High Commissioner and Sangeeta Bahadur, Director Nehru Centre, launched a wonderful music CD, “The Legend Lives On.” It is a set of Tagore songs and poems in Bengali, Urdu, Hindi and English, composed with the participation of eminent artists from four countries. The spirit of Tagore really seemed to unite and dominate the evening. Bithika’s son, Shomik, daughter Bipasha Sreya, and husband were present- her daughter works with her on Tagore; the youngster also gave the vote of thanks.
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Coming Events
l Sunday 20th April 2014 – Bhajans at 3pm by Shree Budhdevbhai at Adhya Shakti Mataji Temple, 55 High Street, Cowley, Middlesex UB8 2DZ. Contact: 07882 253 540. l Tuesday 22nd April 2014 - Exhibition: Touched by Alex from 6.15pm at The Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF. Contact: 02074913567. l Friday 25th April 2014 – Satya Narayan Katha at 5.30pm at Adhya Shakti Mataji Temple, 55 High Street, Cowley, Middlesex UB8 2DZ. Contact: 07882 253 540. l Sunday 27th April 2014 – Indo-UK Theatre Arts presents A Gujlish Drama at Winston Churchill Theatre, Pinn Way, Ruislip, Middx, HA4 7QL at 2.30pm. Contact: 0208 416 609. l Sunday 27th April 2014 – Manorath Celebration from 10.30am at Cannon Community Centre, 1-17 Wemborough Road, Stanmore, HA7 2DU. Editor: CB Patel Associate Editor: Rupanjana Dutta Tel: 020 7749 4098 - Email: rupanjana.dutta@abplgroup.com Editorial Executive: Tanveer Mann Tel: 020 7749 4010 - Email: tanveer.mann@abplgroup.com Senior News Editor: Dhiren Katwa Freelance Correspondent: Rudy Otter Chief Operating Officer: Liji George Tel: 020 7749 4013 Email: george@abplgroup.com Chief Financial Officer: Surendra Patel Tel: 020 7749 4093 Mobile: 07875 229 220 Email: surendra.patel@abplgroup.com Chief Accountant: Akshay Desai Tel: 020 7749 4087 Email:accounts@abplgroup.com Business Manager: Alka Shah Tel: 020 7749 4002 - Mobile: 07944 151 893 Email: alka.shah@abplgroup.com Advertising Manager: Kishor Parmar Tel: 020 7749 4095 - Mobile: 07875 229 088 Email: kishor.parmar@abplgroup.com Business Development Managers: Rovin J George - Email: rovin.george@abplgroup.com Tel: 020 7749 4097 - Mobile: 07875 229 219 Urja Patel - Email: urja.patel@abplgroup.com Graphic Designers: Harish Dahya & Ajay Kumar Tel: 020 7749 4086 Email: graphics@abplgroup.com Customer Service: Ragini Nayak Tel: 020 7749 4080 - Email: support@abplgroup.com (BPO) AB Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd. 207 Shalibhadra Complex, Opp. Jain Derasar, Nr. Nehru Nagar Circle, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad. Tel / Fax: +91 79 2646 5960 Bureau Chief: Nilesh Parmar (M) +91 94266 36912 Email: nilesh.parmar@abplgroup.com
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 19th April 2014
The Bangladeshi Writer-Actress Uncovering an Important Hidden Story
Continued from page 9 They took the treatment and left. 36 Birangona women ended up living there. They were given treatment and later on vocational training; sewing, handicrafts, gardening. After the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman this centre was closed, and all the documents about these women destroyed, like other rehabilitation centres in the country. These 36 women were driven out and became destitute. By 1978, Shafina Lohani found 30 of them and started this centre named Uttaran Mohila Sangstha (SUMS). Since then she has been looking after them like a mother. When I went there I met 21 of them, the rest had died. They don't live in the centre but remain attached to it and come if they have problems. The centre gives them money, treatment and whatever they need.” The director of the play, Filiz Ozcan, played a major role in the creative process in developing ‘Birangona: Women of War.’ Leesa said; “We always wanted to know them as they are. The crimes that had been inflicted on them during the war are not them, nor are they how they see themselves. That’s why we wanted to explore the topic. They are not num-
bers. These women don’t have one linear narrative; each woman has her own story to tell.” The play uses the different media and the narrative of one woman, Moryam, to gently take us through the pleasure, pain and horror of her life. Through sophisticated subtlety we are never shown any graphic detail, which makes the story more painful to experience. Moryam’s poignant happy moments are a relief, but they invoke fear as they cannot last. The description of a boy infant being killed in front of his mother was riveting but performed without hysteria, as was talk of how the women used to get kicked and beaten if they screamed when captured. Memorable features were the symbolic use of the sari, lighting and shadow work, and the idea of smell. I was most moved when Leesa, as a Birongana, saluted with her right clenched fist and said, “Joi Bangla!” For a precious, vivid snapshot of a terrifying part of Bangladesh’s history, which is also the untold universal story of war occurrence, see Birangona –it runs through May 2014 in the UK and deserves an international airing. For detail; http://www.komola.co.uk/
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ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20 The Lunar Eclipse on the 15th April activates your solar seventh house. There will be a lot of things that need to be dealt with regarding partnerships and relationships. There are decisions to be made if something that has been bothering you and comes to light. Whatever you decide now, will impact your future.
TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21 The Lunar Eclipse on the 15th of April stimulates your solar sixth house. Surprises surrounding work, daily routines, or health issues are in store. You can use this surge of emotional energy to make positive changes to your life. Do something to improve your work conditions and get going on your exercise or nutrition program that you've been thinking of. GEMINI May 22 - June 22
The Lunar Eclipse falls in your solar fifth house. Your house of creativity, romance, pleasure, and children is involved. This could manifest, as a romantic proclamation from a lover, a creative project coming to its own conclusions, or your child revealing something significant to you.
CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 22
This Lunar Eclipse stimulates your solar fourth house. Your sector of house and home, property, family, parents, and foundations is involved. This could involve a project that you have been dealing with on the home, an event involving a family member or a flurry of activity in your home that demands attention.
LEO Jul 23 - Aug 23 This Lunar Eclipse on the 15th of April, activates your solar third house. Surprises surrounding your siblings, neighbors, or communications are in store. Something that has been brewing for while comes to light which needs to be dealt with. A flurry of activity in your immediate environment or neighborhood that requires attention, is also noticed. VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23
The Lunar Eclipse stimulates your solar second house. Your sector of personal finances is involved. Something that has been bothering you comes to light, or there is a significant fruition or culmination. This could be to do with a money-making opportunity, and other such possibilities.
LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23
The Lunar Eclipse on the 15th of April activates your solar first house. Surprises surrounding your personal plans and your personal presence may be in store. Your sector of personal appearance, initiative, and "me first" energy is involved. Finding a balance between self rule and dependence is what this Lunar Eclipse is about for you.
SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 22 This Lunar Eclipse stimulates your solar twelfth house. This part of your life is about the compassionate care and attention you give others - self-undoing, privacy, and dreams are involved. Finding a balance between practical concerns and spiritual or non-material matters is what this Lunar Eclipse is about for you.
SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21 This Lunar Eclipse on the 15th April stimulates your solar eleventh house. This surrounds your long-term goals, friendships, and group affiliations. This could test a friendship, or a friend may experience a little crisis and ask for your help. You could suddenly find yourself amongst people through no choice of your own. CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20
This Lunar Eclipse on the 15th April stimulates your solar tenth house. Surprising issues surrounding career and reputation may surface this could manifest, for example, as a career change or challenge that you didn't expect, a new promotion or career direction dropped into your lap, and other such possibilities.
AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19 This Lunar Eclipse on the 15th April activates your solar ninth house. Matters of personal philosophy, faith, travel, and the higher mind may be in store. This could manifest, for example, as a surprising adventure that takes you beyond your normal routine, a sudden opportunity to travel or for higher learning, and other such possibilities. PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20
The Lunar Eclipse activates your solar eighth house. Issues surrounding intimate matters, joint finances and resources, or financial support may be in store. This could manifest as, for example, the paying off of a loan, the loss of financial support, a change in your spouse's status and other such possibilities. Do not allow your emotions to cloud your judgement when making financial decisions.