TM Krishna, the iconic Karnatic classical musician, vocalist, writer and social activist returns to Mumbai with an extended tour over two consecutive weekends in December. Following on his fantastic series of events as part of Karnatic Modern in its first year in December 2016, Krishna is back with unusual concerts, conversations and lecture demonstrations. But this time the programming is bigger and bolder.

For the first time ever there is a theatre collaboration of Karnatic classical musicians with the Kattaikkuttu Sangam, a group from Kanchipuram that presents the traditional movement and musical theatre form of Kattaikkuttu from Tamil Nadu – featuring musicians and actors from the age of ten to sixty and lead by the legendary playwright, director and actor P Rajagopal.

A stunning finale follows with Grammy award-winning and Padmashree, Master percussionist Vikku Vinayakram and TM Krishna and his co-musicians in one of Mumbai’s most loved heritage monuments, The Afghan Church in Navy Nagar for the first time in ten years.

The festival is curated and produced by Devina Dutt from the Mumbai based arts company First Edition Arts.

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Goa, Kalamandir

The opening film this year is Majid Majidi’s Beyond the Clouds it is a film made in India with Indian producer, cast and technicians.  There is a standing ovation and as filmmakers wait to find their cars there are discussions about the film.

There is a Chief Ministers dinner post the screening but most of us are not in a mood and decide to party on our own. Goa has that effect on people where strangers become friends and all conflicts are resolved over Fenny and fish.

The night is young and all conversations during dinner is restricted to the cinema, e everyone at the table feels passionate about the medium and the mood is contagious.

Post dinner we walk back to the hotel and it is beautiful to watch the street decorated with fairy lights all over. There are art installations, massive posters and a mood of gaiety all around.

Granted that Goa is a tourist destination but in the month of November Goa comes alive with festival fever and all of us feel soaked in the excitement.

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Goa, Stadium

Smriti Irani and the other minister arrive at the venue before time and mingle with the guests. There are regular faces in the audience and some new faces as well. Vani Tripathi and Ashwini Iyer are part of the IFFI organizing team and all excited about the show.

At the dot of 4pm the show begins with first some audiovisuals and later a dance performance reflecting the colours and cultures of India. The Kathakali performers come down from the stage all the way to the ground and enchant the viewers.

Post the performances are the regular speeches and felicitations. Shah Rukh Khan introduces the opening film and Sridevi introduces the Panorama Section.

Fortunately, the program is short and to the point and everyone is happy to disperse at the end of an hour.

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Goa, Hotel Vivanta

Arrived in Goa for the opening of the International Film Festival, after a brief lunch rushed up to the room to change and leave for the venue.

The lobby is chaotic with everybody waiting for their car and in all the frenzy I somehow manage to arrive at the stadium on time.

Government events always begin on time but there is always a moment for memories, as I stand by the poster of IFFI my friends join me and we say cheese, sorry ‘cinema’ to the camera.

Inside there are perfect arrangements for the invitees. Names of guests are labelled on the back of the chairs and volunteers are there to help you find your seat.

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As the chaos in the green room subsides and most of the bags/ costumes miraculously disappear from backstage it is apparent that all the children have finished with their performances and returned to the auditorium to watch the finale of the show with their parents. The closing item is an emotional Bollywood number from Taare Zameen Par performed by Madhuparna Kumar and her senior students. Once again I have been provided with an opportunity to be on stage with my guru this time playing her mother.

As the last item draws to an end and Madhuparna calls all her students to come on stage for a group picture. Her father Kalyan Sen Bharat, a well-known composer associated with many performing arts including cinema, has flown all the way from Kolkatta only to be with his daughter on her special day and to bless all her students.

As more and children rush to the stage and gather for a group picture my mind wanders back to a lazy evening when I accompanied a friend to her class. It was a test class for the senior students and watching me sit aloof in a corner, Kumar suggested I get on to the floor as well. I did for a lark and even though I had no plans to join the group committed to a 4pm class unsure how I was going to be able to make time from my busy and crazy schedule.

Two days a week for six months Kumar worked on our steps, monitored our mudras, corrected our expressions, she watched over our postures, our bends and twirls. Every week, she systematically revised old lessons and never let us free without teaching something new. How to beat the foot on the floor, how to raise the arms, there was so much to absorb and remember. Every time she taught a new step I was sure I would not get it right but she made me do it again and again till  I had mastered it and so that I never forget it she  taught us how to document step by step in a notebook.

The first time she put us to test in front of the home camera was on the Guru Purnima Day, two months later she made me appear for my debut exam and few weeks later put me on the stage for a debut performance. This is a miracle for sure and only Madhu Maam can do it.

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The purists are always looking down on the Bollywood numbers but not Madhuparna Kumar who believes there is a lot of talent in the film world and their numbers should not be isolated. Kumar believes that it is important to incorporate Bollywood music to introduce young artistes to the dance world because it is only after identifying with cinema that young children are inspired to learn dance which is why MadhuParna Kumar is probably the only classical trainer who excels in training other dance forms as well.

Kumar runs alternate classes teaching Bharatnatyam and Bollywood and though there are many teachers in the vicinity, she happens to be the address children want to visit.  The third section is a tribute to Bollywood hits and young and older students perform to a medley of vintage and new film numbers.

As time goes by the green room gets more crowded, there are so many artistes, so many bags and so many costume changes. The wall to wall mirror is simultaneously used by a dozen people and everyone is helping everyone to undress and change into another costume.

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Backstage there is a flow of uncontainable energy as children who have just completed a performance rush back stage and more children queue up in a dark corner excited to make their entry. The parents are aware of the schedule and excitedly line up close to the stage to record their children’s performance.

There is a lot of clapping and cheering in the audience and it is evident that everyone present in the auditorium is emotionally involved in the program. There is respect, admiration for the academy and for the event. The annual day is a much awaited event both for the students and for the parents and the teachers put their best foot forward to make it a memorable evening.

Like every year there is a variety of dances today, folk, fusion, hip-hop and of course classical.  The best performances predictably comes from Madhupara Kumar, she moves like a dream on the stage, her every step, mudra and expression in harmony.  Today’s guest dancer is Kolkatta’s renowned performer Tuheen who plays the quintessential Lord Krishna in a solo dance and later in a joint combined performance with Madhuparna.

The audience is overwhelmed but there is much more to come…

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All roads lead to Mayors Hall in Andheri on the concert day and the guests arrive before time because those familiar with Madhuparna Academy know that the show will begin on time and it does.

Outside the gateman is more than helpful and guides the children and the parents to appropriate floors. Madhuparna Kumar (Madhu Maam) for her students has instructed the children to come fully dressed up to avoid confusion and waste of time in the auditorium.  Those participating in more than one dance have been given clear instructions about where they have to change and how they will be assisted by their family person.

As children run helter-skelter backstage, some looking for some help to tie their dupattas and some touch up their makeup, the teachers get ready to perform a brief puja and the comperes arrive on stage to welcome the guests. The opening item is by the teachers followed by a prayer dance Aangikam Bhuvanam Yasya requesting the lord to forgive in case of any mistake via step/ mudra/ expression performed by three seniors Mona, Madhu maam and me. The third is the vibrant number from film and the following a pure classical on Tatta Natta Aadavu by junior batch students.

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