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Indo American News • Friday, May 14 , 2010
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IAA Brings India Jazz Suites Bold Colors for Love, Life, and Equality: Live at the Wortham Center Artist Zahra Ali’s Paintings on Display
Zahra’s inspiration comes from contemporary art as well as cultural influences from Pakistan. The images in her art represent people who have faced hardships at one point in their lives. The artwork (above) is the protrait of Mukhtara Bibi, who was brutually raped but refused to give into social and cultural pressures.
Kathak master Chitresh Das (right) and world’s fastest tap dancer Jason Smith create a global conversation that San Francisco Chronicle names best dance performance of the year that PBS and BBC find worthy of a documentary film. Jason is a two time Emmy Winner and Chitresh Ji is a recipient of the prestigious American National Heritage Fellowship.
HOUSTON: They may be separated by several centuries and thousands of miles, but American jazz tap and the classical Indian Kathak tradition are driven by the same irresistible impulse — to create rhythmically inventive “music’’ with the feet. In the provocative “India Jazz Suites: Kathak Meets Tap,’’presented by World Music/CRASHarts last night at the Institute of Contemporary Art, veteran Kathak dancer Pandit Chitresh Das and Emmy Awardwinning choreographer/dancer Jason Samuels Smith, 29, renowned for his explosive tap work in Broadway’s “Bring in ’Da Noise, Bring in ’Da Funk,’’ offered a dynamic exchange of dance ideas that brilliantly illuminated distinctive differences and surprising commonalities between their respective art forms, electrifying an enthusiastic sold-out crowd. Both dancers were charmingly affable, chatting up the audience with anecdotes, jokes, and explanations. Individual solo sets showcased each dancer’s stylistic strengths, each fueled by a superb trio of musicians. The innovative Smith, as he rapped at one point, speaks “right through the toes and the heels,’’ from crisp, delicately articulate cascades of taps to the powerful pounding of a pile driver. He is a dazzling technician, his feet carrying his body through flamboyant kicks, glides, scrapes, skitters, and spins, his body elegantly upright like an old-time hoofer or hunched over, body off-center, legs corkscrewing into turns.
In Das’s art form, the predominant rhythms unfurl through bare feet, complemented by jingly bell cuffs around each calf. But the storytelling is in Das’s expressive face and his intricate, stylized gestures — arms that swirl and slice and fingers that flutter and curl in a kind of signlanguage mime. His footwork evokes the power and speed of the warrior or the mincing, quivering steps of a frightened maiden, He and his trio stopped and started complex rhythmic passages with breathtaking precision, and he displayed remarkable multitasking as he danced and sang a song his father taught him while playing on tabla. Then the mix-up began, with each dancer trading phrases with the other’s musical trio. Das incorporated some of the jazz combo’s syncopations. Smith led the Indian trio into intimations of a funk groove and improvised a dynamite exchange with tabla player Abhijit Banerjee, who picked up the vivid timbral changes in Smith’s feet and added colorful flourishes. Smith and Das did their own solo trading. But rather than merely imitating each other’s style, each seemed to inspire the other to discover new facets of his own art form. Instead of appropriation or fusion, it was a lively cross-cultural rejuvenation that brought the crowd to its feet. Boston Globe Indo-American Association presents India Jazz Suites on May 21, 2010, 8pm at Wortham Center
Artist Zahra Ali
By Nida Hussain
Most scholars say that gender equity, political freedom and health care are among the most pressing challenges women face around the world. An artist gains immense credibility by not only being able to represent this in their work but also be able to relate to these matters. Zahra is one of the up and coming artists in Houston’s art district. Having graduated from the Texas State University with a Bachelors degree in Fine Art, she is a talented, young artist that employs various techniques involving acrylics and ink in her artwork. Moreover her use of geometric shapes and intricate details add clarity and flow to her pieces. While viewing her art, one quickly realizes that Zahra’s work illustrates that her inspiration comes from contemporary art as well as cultural influences from Pakistan. The images throughout her artwork represent people who have faced hardships at one point in their lives; however, many of these people have grown to be strong leaders in the community, opening doors for others. Zahra Ali’s artwork addresses the issues faced by women in developing countries and their unyielding determination to get their voices heard.
The women portrayed in her art are the leaders that have learned from adversity and carried on with an "I'll show you" attitude. For example, her art tackles the most absolute image of violence against women, gang rape. It is a picture of a very serene face of the rape victim Mukhtar Bibi after the brutal rape took place in Pakistan. This is the portrait of a woman who refused to give into the social and cultural pressures. Mukhtara spoke up, and using the power of voice, took her case to court where the offenders were arrested and charged. She used the monetary court settlement, and opened a center for refuge and education called the Mukhtar Mai Women's Welfare Organization. This painting and others by Zahra speak volumes about the challenges women face even in the 21st century and their will to stand with their heads held high, demanding accountability, and at the same time gives hope for equality through justice. While Zahra uses art to display powerful political messages of justice and equality, her art also extends to other facets of life, such as her focus on the family dynamic. Many of her paintings represent an abstract expression of a mother’s bond with her child. Additionally, there are several images that define not
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, MAY 14 , 2010 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
only a mother’s but also a father’s love for his child. These paintings are particularly fascinating because they have hidden images, embedded within layers of different colors and techniques, which take few moments to emerge to the naked eye. I had the honor to attend her art show and meet the artist but also get an opportunity to appreciate all her work and for novices in the world of art, there were many people available to answer my questions. I would urge you to attend grand opening of MontroseArtSociety a multicultural art group committed to serving the community and the environment wholly by uniformly championing change and progress through a collective and creative voice. The show will be held at 3207 Montrose Blvd, Houston TX 77006 between the hours of 6:30p - 10:00p on Saturday, May 15th. You will get a glimpse into the artist’s mind and join her and other artists in the journey to see our and other cultures in a new light. I pray that together their efforts will bring forth awareness through art and creativity. Artists should not only be supported but also encouraged to raise their voices for the ones who cannot. Don’t forget your burgeoning art enthusiasm. For more info log on to www.ZahraAli.com