HBS-TOI cultural extravaganza this weekend

HYDERABAD: A gala weekend is in store for art enthusiasts, with the city's oldest Bengali association bringing two enthralling dance and drama performances to town.

The event, organised by the Hyderabad Bangalee Samity (HBS) in association with The Times of India, will see Bharatnatyam danseuse Anita Mullick and her troupe from Kolkata, Saraswat Sanskriti Kendra, perform on Saturday.

Their first performance will be 'Nrityamalika' comprising Ganapati Todayam, Tillana, Keertanam and Bhajanam; and the second will be 'Vishwa Bina Robey', a dance-recital based on Rabindranath Tagore's poems.

Besides this, New Delhi-based Green Room Theatre Cultural Association will stage a Bengali play Ashuk at the Ravindra Bharathi on Sunday evening.

Ashuk, when translated, literally means disease in Bengali. But, here, the drama plays around the word to portray the myriad imperfections in a relationship and not a physical ailment. The world of hypocrisy and deceit is laid bare.

The two-day cultural event is part of TOI's objective to help integrate and bring the Bengali community closer to other communities of Telangana.

The Hyderabad Bangalee Samity, the oldest organisation established by the Bengali community of Hyderabad, is in its platinum jubilee year. To celebrate, the Samity has lined up several cultural, social and sports events throughout the year in association with TOI.

"As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we are trying to engage with all communities, the government and present a wide array of cultural events from across the country to the people of Hyderabad," added Sumit Sen, general secretary of HBS.

The curtain raiser to the year-long celebration was held in January with a lecture on Netaji by Kingshuk Nag, on his birthday on January 23. This was followed by "Lovingly yours", a fusion of poetry and songs by filmmaker Aparna Sen and Raghab Chatterjee in March this year.