Parramasala program launched

ver four festival days and nights, audiences can experience some of the world’s most renowned performers, premiere film screenings and outstanding entertainment, all in the centre of Parramatta”, Philip Rolfe, the Artistic Director of Parramasala, announced at a function at the Parramatta Town Hall on 26 September.

This Australian Festival of South Asian Arts, now in its third year, will transform the city of Parramatta from 8 – 11 November, 2012 into a cultural hot-spot with a spectacular opening night Bollywood-style party, followed by presentations of contemporary music, theatres, films, delicious cuisine, hawker market stalls and free outdoor entertainment. Well-known international and Australian artists will participate, joined by many artists from Western Sydney – all inspired by the cultural influences and artistic traditions of South Asia.

According to Rolfe, Parramasala like previous years will provide the community an opportunity

Oto celebrate the diversity and influence of South Asian culture.

Surely the key event this year will be the opening night bash that promises to have everyone on their feet, fired up to a multimedia spectacle. Kamahl, the legendary Australian music icon of South Asian origin will take over Town Hall Square as the MC of the Bollywood Block Party where many of Sydney’s Indian and South Asian dance and music schools will perform to remixed Bollywood soundtracks and original composition by TokyoLove-in’s Michael Chin.

Other significant items are performances by young BritishIndian composer Soumik Datta, recently described by Vogue UK as one of the planet’s hottest new music talents. He teams up with Austrian percussion virtuoso, Bernhard Schimpelsberger, in Circle of Sound, a spectacular combination of sarod, drumkit, synth-bass, electronics and stunning visuals. Also performing for the first time in Australia with her current band, will be former Strathfield school girl and acclaimed vocalist Susheela Raman who in recent times has been mesmerising audiences with her wildly original songs and interpretations of music from her Tamil heritage influenced by many exotic sources, including Jimi Hendrix.

Legendary flute player Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia needs no introduction. He will be on stage with his company on the final night to bring the curtain down for this year’s festival in a grand musical way.

The other musical soirées that promise to draw attention

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Asin Khan and Bhurga Khan for an evocative concert, titled Maru Tarang (meaning desert ripples) and enchanting Qawwali music by Asif Ali Khan from Pakistan accompanied by his nine-member group.

The festival’s theatre program includes presentations from London’s Tamasha Theatre

Company, New Zealand’s Indian Ink Theatre and Australia’s very own Ansuya Nathan performing her highly rated one-woman comedy, Long Live the King. The South Asian Film section will bring in an eclectic mix of features, shorts and documentaries from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka including outdoor screening of ‘70s hit film Sholay on the final night. Overall the program has something for everyone to enjoy.

The festival will be held in two key precincts of ParramattaRiverside Theatre and Town Hall Square. For full program details including timing, venues and tickets please visit www.parramasala.com

This program was formally launched by NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, Barry O’Farrell, who was joined by Minister for the Tourism, Major Events & Hospitality, Racing and Arts, George Souris, Parramatta MP Geoff Lee, Granville MP Tony Issa, Chairman of Parramasala Dr Harry Harinath and several other distinguished guests.

Sandip Hor