Dec 6, 2023 35 min read

2nd Week of December '23

Welcome to another edition of the Soulful Events newsletter! We bring you activities and events that nourish your soul.

Music

Layatharanga 25 - Fri, 8th Dec'23

Known to be one of the most acclaimed and loved bands in India and across the world, Layatharanga's rich melodies are classically rooted, complex in rhythmic structures, delightful improvisations, Jugalbandhis and have a world music arrangement.

An Evening of Ghazals - By Ruhaniyat Sufi - Sat, 9th Dec'23

Lahe Lahe invites you for an evening of ghazals that promises a true musical experience. An evening that brings musicians and audiences together on a sublime musical journey. A candid set of beautiful ghazals where they sing for you and you sing with them!

Srinivas Doraiswamy Live Concert - Sat, 9th Dec'23

Embark on a captivating journey through Srinivas Doraiswamy's live classical concert which is an extraordinary sensory experience, far beyond the ordinary. The performance becomes an immersive odyssey as the skilled artist weaves a symphony of intricate sound, with each note serving as a brushstroke on the canvas of emotion. The deliberate pace of the compositions affords the audience a space for introspection, encouraging a profound immersion in the music's beauty and an exploration of the subtle nuances of human emotion. This shared encounter with fellow concert-goers fosters a communal bond, uniting diverse individuals through a collective appreciation for the timeless melodies that have endured the test of time. In the mesmerizing realm of Srinivas Doraiswamy's classical concert, attendees find themselves transported to a place where the power of music inspires, consoles, and elevates the spirit, creating an unforgettable and enriching experience.

Uttar-Dakshin - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Uttar Dakshin is a famous series of classical music and dance performances by renowned exponents, conceived by Vivid Arts & Entertainment. Music and dance are beyond the boundaries of language and bindings, meant only to rejoice and entertain, apart from being signatures of region and religion. The upcoming series is the Flute Jugalbandi concert by two ace performers in Indian classical music in Jugalbandi exploring the dynamics and nuances of both styles.

Nakash Aziz Live Concert - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Experience the electrifying magic of Nakash Aziz in a mesmerizing concert that showcases his dynamic vocals and versatile musical prowess. Renowned for chart-topping Bollywood hits, Aziz takes the stage with boundless energy, effortlessly navigating diverse genres. From his impactful collaboration with A.R. Rahman on iconic films like Highway to his Mirchi Music Award-winning performance in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, every moment is a journey through musical excellence. Aziz's captivating voice and charismatic stage presence create an unforgettable atmosphere, making this concert a must-attend for fans and music enthusiasts alike. Immerse yourself in the unique blend of talent that defines Nakash Aziz's extraordinary live performances.

Dance

Cultural Activities

UNBOXING BLR HABBA | Experience Bengaluru

Experience Bengaluru

Thu, 7th Dec'23 to Mon, 11th Dec'23

Art Exhibition : Legends of Our Time - Thu, 7th Dec'23 - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Join for an extraordinary celebration of artistry and emotion as Verde Canvas Art Gallery proudly presents "Legends of Our Time" – an exquisite exhibition featuring the captivating works of the esteemed artist Abhishek Deheriya.

Travellers Connect - Sat, 9th Dec'23

Meet fellow explorers, get ready to share some wild tales and hear about the incredible journeys others have embarked upon. Fasten your seat belts, bring your best travel anecdotes and find eccentric places that the fellow globe trotters have travelled, swap stories and maybe even get inspired for your next adventure.

Mythology Marvels - Sat, 10th Dec'23

Indian Mythology is full of answers to the many whys of our culture. Join Lavanya Prasad and Meenu Sivaramakrishnan, as they explore and bring forth the marvellous stories from the Indian Mythology through music, dance and theatre.

Personal Development & Soul Nourishment

New Moon Gathering - Fri, 8th Dec'23

Come and join HerMoveMeant for a beautiful ceremony for the last New Moon of 2023. They invite you to a gathering filled with grounding, reflections and heartfelt sharing, held by a compassionate community. This circle is offered in the spirit of a Gift Culture. There are no fixed charges. After the circle, you are welcome to pay from the heart based on your own experience, generosity and capacity. They have Limited Spots of 15 persons only, to make the process as intimate and perosnalized as possible.

Sound Bath - Sat, 9th Dec'23

Immerse yourself in an hour of soul-soothing bliss at heybrewty's Sound Bath. Experience deep relaxation and inner peace through calming sounds. Join them as they conclude with heartwarming conversations over gourmet tea. It’s the perfect way to unwind and find your inner calm.

BLR Wellbeing Community Circle - Sat, 9th Dec'23

BLR Wellbeing Community are excited to invite you to their ninth monthly Community Circle at the beautiful Cubbon Park! This time around they will explore art and creative expression as a fun and therapeutic group activity. What connections, reflections and possibilities can emerge from spontaneous collective creation? The circle will be co-facilitated by Madhuri, along with their community weaver Keerthana.

Experience the Japanese Martial Art of Ninjutsu - Sat, 9th Dec'23

Transcend the physical and journey within. Experience the transformative power of martial arts - not just combat, but a philosophy for living. Align your mind, body and spirit through this ancient practice. Sharpen your focus. Hone your reflexes. And uncover your inner strength.

Awaken The Warrior - Unalome Project

Unleash your inner strength and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Join us for “Awakening the Warrior” workshop, where you’ll experience the power of martial arts movements, sound healing, and mindfulness. Embrace fear as your ally, face challenges head-on, and tap into your true…

Unalome Project - Lead the thought. Change the game.

Sun, 10th Dec'23

Moving from Stillness - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Moving From Stillness is the liminal space where you can step away from your daily self into the world of undoing. Imagine 1. an empty space where you are free from the pressures of daily existence. 2. experiments that allow for an osmosis between nature and the individual. 3. a process that will remind you to listen to your inner voice. 4. the acuity that comes from strong sensorial attunement. Nitant Nair and Ainesh Madan are not here to teach, but to share. The class will be a celebration. Come, play with them.

Dear Diary: A Nostalgic Trip Down Mental Health - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Join at Dialogues Cafe for an open and supportive community gathering as MYRafiky rides into a nostalgic trip down your mental health journey. The beginning, the end and all the messy in-betweens. At MYRafiky, they're committed to creating a friendly and approachable space where you can freely share, connect and find solace in the company of others who understand. Let's break the stigma together and build a bridge towards mental wellness.

Understanding Societal Systems

The Race - Fri, 8th Dec'23

Playwright Sapan Saran and journalist Sharda Ugra discuss the research, characters and the real world stories behind ओट्टम और अन्य नाटक (The Race and other Plays) – a book of three plays. Of the three, there’s one called Ottam, that traces the life of Akai Amaran, a Pariyar girl from rural Tamil Nadu who battles caste and class barriers to become one of India’s leading track and field athletes as an 800 metres runner. Her arduous created world collapses when she is asked to undertake a gender test, which she fails. The questions of gender and sex that govern our everyday existence become most apparent in the field of sport where the body is on display for anyone who wishes to dissect it. Akai’s existence, further highlighted by her victories, poses a challenge to socially established binary models supported and perpetuated by those governing international athletics, the media, internet trolls, and even her own extended family. The play questions the role of science and society in the construction and/or maintenance of such models. A parallel sociological narrative urges us to look at sex and gender in a more nuanced way as the unstoppable Akai fights to win the race she started – the race that can only be won by the spirit of human progress. In Akai’s words : “In any race, what’s of utmost importance is …to go on running! Ottam!”

Animus, Psyche and Culture - Fri, 8th Dec'23

Animus, Psyche and Culture: A Jungian Revision is a contemporary account of Carl Jung’s concept of the contra-sexual psyche, its potencies and threats, and its individuating telos. Sulagna Sengupta’s work encapsulates her journey with Jungian psychology, a critical part of which was uncovering Jung’s history with India. The contra-sexual animus finds a special place in Jung’s work and also in Sengupta’s journey – its discovery, manifestation, development and integration in the author’s inner world. Oral Historian and author, Dr. Indira Chowdhury will dialogue with Sengupta to locate the nuances of this journey, the animation of Jung’s psychological ideas in contemporary world and the unique positioning of Jung’s work between cultures that facilitates emergence of new knowledge. Their conversation will explore the ways in which Sengupta discovered previously ignored archival material on Jung’s travel to India, her own journey with Jungian concepts and how she gained insight into their relevance to contemporary life in India.

Reshaping India’s Economy - Tue, 12th Dec'23

Described as “a brilliant history of economic ideas” by Amartya Sen, Aditya Balasubramanian’s recent book Toward a Free Economy: Swatantra and Opposition Politics in Democratic India, shows how ideas of ‘free economy’ emerged from communities in southern and western India as they embraced new forms of entrepreneurial activity, in opposition to the so-called ‘socialist planned economy’ of Nehruvian India. ‘Free economy’ became the rallying cry for the Swatantra (Freedom) Party, which rose and fell in 1960s India. Its project of opposition politics sought to create a viable conservative alternative to the dominant Indian National Congress and push India toward a two-party system. The author, Aditya Balasubramanian, will be in conversation with Narayan Ramachandran. This discussion will provide a perspective on the changing relationship between the state and markets and the evolution of democracy in India. It will help us better understand communities who have been disproportionately successful in the aftermath of liberalisation and shed light on the constructive role opposition has played in Indian society.

From Archive to Exhibition - Tue, 12th Dec'23

It was the unexpected discovery of the archive of her husband, Sushil Premchand’s grandmother that stirred Neeta Premchand’s interest in the lives of women who lived in the Bombay Presidency a hundred years ago. Why the Bombay Presidency? Because that was the geographical region the women functioned in. That was the area where their organisations operated. That was where they most closely observed the limitations on the lives of women. “I am sure it was not much different in the Bengal Presidency or the Madras Presidency, and I hope someone can tell us about that,” she says. Neeta Premchand will make a short introduction to the archive. This will be followed by the screening of the film, The Extraordinary Lives of Ordinary Women in the Bombay Presidency.

Innowave 2023 : E-Summit, Christ University - Tue, 12th Dec'23 - Wed, 13th Dec'23

Innowave 2023 is the official Entrepreneurship Summit of CHRIST (Deemed to be University), a two-day long event commencing from 12 and 13 December 2023 encompassing startups, incubation, entrepreneurship, and everything in between. The summit, spanning the entirety of CHRIST (Deemed to be University)’s 28-acre campus, will host numerous activities and programs. It will bring to the fore entrepreneurs, innovators, incubators, speakers, and investors to celebrate and bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Two Glimpses of the Global - Wed, 13th Dec'23

Two renowned scholars make sense of the enduring bewilderment that global history was and continues to be. Two vantage points are offered: one entrenched in its subjective position and the other that strives to be more objective in understanding the enigmatic creature that is globalisation. In the first lecture, Dr. Ananya Kabir from King’s College, London takes us through the anti-colonialist Dutch adventurer Jacob Haafner’s sensitive accounts of life in the Coromandel, unveiling a historical narrative of multiculturalism, trade, and cultural exchange in colonial India. The second lecture by Dr. Faisal Devji from the University of Oxford travels back to the contemporary context, exploring the dynamics of the fragmented international order following the impactful events in Ukraine and Gaza.

Art & Craft

Shuffle Dance Workshop - Fri, 8th Dec'23

Shuffle Dance, also known as cutting shapes, is an energetic and visually captivating style of dance that allows you to translate music into movement like never before. In this Shuffle Dance Workshop at Lahe Lahe, their experienced instructors will guide you through the steps, techniques and unique style elements that make this dance form so exciting.

Canvas Painting Workshop - Sat, 9th Dec'23

BLR events hub presents Canvas Painting Workshop. Join them for a hands-on experience where you'll learn fundamental techniques, unleash your artistic expression, and create a masterpiece to take home. No prior experience required – just bring your enthusiasm!

Paint Party- paint like picasso - Sat, 9th Dec'23

Studio Chhavi invites you to Paint Party, a celebration of creativity inspired by the iconic artistry of Picasso! Unleash your inner artist as you explore Picasso's abstract and cubist techniques with vibrant colors and bold strokes.

Macrame Workshop - Sat, 9th Dec'23

In this workshop, learn basic macrame knots to confidently create your own pieces. Craft a beautiful 30x30cm wall hanging using these knots with choosing your favorite colors for a personalized touch and take home your unique macrame artwork.

Warli Art Workshop - Sat, 9th Dec'23

Warli wall paintings are considered to be auspicious. The Warli Art is close to a natural life as is reflected in the designs of flora, fauna, and celebrations. In this session, you will make a Warli Village Theme Artwork consisting of elements like : Warli Human Figure, Warli Border, Warli Tarpa Dance Motif, Warli Instrument Players, Warli Tree and Bird, Warli Huts, Warli Animals and Warli Sun and Moon.

LVBL Weekend - Sat, 9th Dec'23 - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Join at Shankara Foundation for LVBL Weekend for a healthy dose of yoga + arts & crafts and of course, shop sustainable, shop local!

Capturing Moments: Advanced Photography Course - Sat, 9th Dec'23 (3 month photography course - Every Saturday & Sunday)

Flux's 3-month photography course will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue photography as a hobby or a career. Whether you dream of capturing stunning landscapes, evocative portraits or documenting important stories, this course will empower you to turn your photographic aspirations into reality. Join on this exciting journey of creativity and self-expression through the lens of a camera. Enroll now and start capturing moments that last a lifetime.

Actor's Workshop - By Amit Tharwani - Sat, 9th Dec'23 & Sun, 10th Dec'23

Join for a weekend Actor's Workshop by Amit Tharwani (Casting Director/Acting Coach) focusing on Scene Work : Techniques and approaches to bring scenes to life; Audition Skills : Master the skill of auditioning from home and interpret scenes by tuning into Casting directors' and Directors' vision and Mumbai Networking : Insights to navigate the Mumbai Film Industry from Bangalore.

Fluid Art Workshop - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Join Fluid Art Workshop hosted by Sandhya Aswin at Dialogues Cafe, JP Nagar. Let your creativity flow and explore the mesmerizing world of fluid art. At the end of workshop, take home your unique masterpiece.

Texture Painting - Sun, 10th Dec'23

In this Texture Painting Workshop, you will learn 1. Overview of Tools; 2. Texture Paste Mediums, Different paste mediums (different budget & professional options), Pros and cons of each medium; 3. Tips & Hacks to find the right base, Other options (MDF, Art boards, etc.); 4. Techniques & Styles; 5. Neat canvas edges, sanding and other helpful tips 6. Color Theory, Selections & mixing Color Theory 7. Finishing touches, Advice to finish your piece.

Christmas Art Workshop - Sun, 10th Dec'23

End this year with colourful strokes at Krust Cafe. Come and paint the empty canvas with your imaginations followed by Krust Signature sourdough pizza, beverages and french desserts.

Terrarium Making Workshop - Sun, 10th Dec'23 & Sun, 17th Dec'23 (Multiple Venues)

Join Saloni for a unique and restorative experience where she takes you through the history of terrariums, materials you need, care & maintenance and step by step demo to design your own one-of-a-kind terrarium.

Basic Photography Workshop - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Basic photography workshop is a beginner level workshop designed to help you extend your photography skills and give you more practical experience. The workshop is a mix of theory and practice to help you master the manual mode on your DSLR and get out of the habit to shoot on auto mode. For those who already know how to shoot on manual mode but haven’t practiced, this workshop gives you a chance to practice for the duration of the workshop.

Film & Theater

Bride for the Moon: Ek Choti Si Asha - Thu, 7th Dec'23

Rachel Davies and Daniel Saul (R&D Studio), London based film artists, introduce their film project, “Ek Choti si Asha” created in collaboration with choreographer and Attakkalari’s rehearsal director Hemabharathy Palani. It tells an enchanting tale of a symbolic union between a woman and the Moon in matrimony. The evening will encompass screenings of the film and related performances. Following these, the artists will also discuss their plans to develop the project into, “A Bride for the Moon” an interactive book with Augmented Reality, in partnership with Hema and an Indian Writer. A Q&A session with the audience will follow the films and talk.

Katthale Daari Doora - Thu, 7th Dec'23

Kattale Daari Doora - A play, written by D. R. Nagaraj, in the early 80's, was actually inspired from Anton Chekhov's short story Ward No. 6. The stage adaptation of this play has a historical importance in Kannada's cultural context. The play is a story of the lives of inmates in a mental asylum. The story is hard-hitting and revolves around the injustice, exploitation, corruption and violence which are deep rooted and have developed dynamics to establish various powers. As said by Chekhov, "the role of the Artist is to ask questions, not answer them", this play by Nagaraj asks pertinent questions. Is suffering simply a creation of the mind? Or does the physical material world around us in our personal circumstances play a role in suffering? Must one have experienced suffering first hand in order to help those around us who suffer? What is the meaning of 'freedom' when we are enslaved by sociopolitical illnesses? 'Kattale Daari Doora' drives readers-audience to these complex questions through its narratives.

Redeeming Dante - Fri, 8th Dec'23

Directed by Pupi Avati, Dante is a film about the tormented life of Dante Alighieri, from solitary childhood to death in exile, seen through Giovanni Boccaccio’s journey to rehabilitate his memory. There will be a brief introduction to the film by Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session.

Krishnegowdra aane - Fri, 8th Dec'23

Saafalya theatre presents the play Krishnegowdra Aane directed by Moogsuresha. It is story of Poornachandra Tejaswi. The play surrounds the incidents which happen in village. A matta will be having an elephant, for that matta people it will become difficult to look after it. So they they will call for an auction of elephant. In that auction a person called Krishnegowdra will purchase that elephant, the story takes several turns on Krishnegowda and care taker of elephant and the illegal activities which happens in the forest.

Afghanistan Is Not Funny - Sat, 9th Dec'23

This is the remarkable and true account of a British comedian and photographer's harrowing experiences in war-torn Afghanistan. In 2002, Henry Naylor, a triple Fringe First winner in comedy, and Sam Maynard, a two-time Scottish Feature Photographer of the Year, ventured into the Afghan Warzone while researching a comedy project. Their journey would profoundly impact their lives and their artistic pursuits. Presented by Naylor, with Maynard's evocative photographs as backdrop, this documentary-style play transports us to the genesis of a modern tragedy.

Kanss Cut Aadre - Sat, 9th Dec'23

The car door opens, wind starts blowing, people start cheering, thumping music starts playing. The bodyguards make way for Him to enter. He steps out of the car, the crowd goes wild. The director almost calls action, but He is woken by his friend from this magical dream! Cut. “Kanss Cut Aadre” is a living room comedy by Shylesh Kumar M M, that revolves around the lives and dreams of a 25 year old wanna be actor and his family. The story throws light on the struggles of an aspiring actor, parental expectations and the ironic nature of life in a humorous way. With songs, laser lights, dance and action sequences, this play comes close to watching a live action film at the theatre.

Beyond Hattamalla - Sat, 9th Dec'23

Beyond Hattamala is an English adaptation of a Bengali play Hattamalar Oparey by Badal Sircar. Two likeable thieves, Kena and Becha jump into a river to escape being caught and wash up on the shores of a strange land – a land where there’s no money! Kena and Becha are excited at the opportunities this strange new land has to offer. What follows are humorous, sometimes thought-provoking exchanges as we follow their misadventures in this land beyond Hattamala.

Veerangane Chinthadevi - Sat, 9th Dec'23

A girl is the daughter of a soldier. When that child is born, when that delivery takes place, the mother dies. The child is guarded and taken care of by a nearby grandmother, the soldier returns from the war and is shocked to see all this. Adopted, crowned queen, she grows up to be a great patriot. A story like this, then a soldier becomes her lover by serving her, but the soldier has no patriotism.

B·LORE Short Film Festival - Sat, 9th Dec'23 - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Join BIC as they celebrate independent storytelling and all things Bangalore in the inaugral edition of the B·LORE Short Film Festival. B·LORE by BIC, and by extension the B·LORE Short Film Festival brings to you unique, original short films about Namma Bengaluru by amateur, emerging and established filmmakers. Each of the 25 new short films, which have been inducted into our growing archive, presents new voices and fresh perspectives about the city. The program this year also includes presentations by diverse filmmakers working in different languages and forms of filmmaking. Films from round two of B·LORE will be screened at BIC as part of the inaugural B·LORE Short Film Festival. These films were selected for B·LORE, an Open Call and Grant by BIC, and were evaluated by a three member jury including Arundhathi Ghosh, Kiran Keswani and Ramjee Chandran. Each film is about 5 minutes in duration.

Circle of Life - Sun, 10th Dec'23

From childhood to old age, a human life goes through various stages - physically and emotionally. A child becoming an old man or an old man becoming a child, thus completing the circle of life, is a miracle in life as each stage of life has its own unique gift to give to humanity. Let us remember that at each stage of our life, we are protected and nurtured by nature. We ought to take the same attitude toward nurturing the human life cycle as we do toward saving environment. Be it a child or a boy or an old man, life at every stage is precious, very very precious.

Vaishampayana Teera - Sun, 10th Dec'23

Vaishampayana Teera by L N Mukundraj is a play centered around the conflict for supremacy in the artistic life of the two yakshagana performers of Rudragiri, Venkappa Hedge & Krishna Bhatta. They have their respective fan following. Venkappa Hedge realizes his desire of overpowering his rival in his profession, Krishna Bhatta, by wooing his artist life Kalyani. Learning about his wife's submission to Venkappa Hedge, Krishna Bhatta disappears from Rudragiri in search of a life beyond Kalyani is now the village madwoman. When Krishna Bhatta returns after 15 years, his community persuades him to dance in gadha yuddha yakshagana prasanga in which Venkappa Hedge would be performing Duryodhana & Krishna Bhatta as Bhima. The play brings out dual failure of man. Failure in suppressing his animal instinct and failure to climb divinity.

Miss Sevanthi - Tue, 12th Dec'23

Sevanthi, a ballon seller in the streets of tippe cross leads a tough life. A chance meeting with Bhargava , a kannada professor of linguistics turns her world upside down. Bhargava is so sure of his abilities that he takes it upon himself to transform a working class girl into someone who can pass off for a cultured member of high society. Sevanthi agrees to take speech lessons to improve her job prospects. The rest of the play is about her transformation and its consequences.

Fun and Games

Boardgaming Meetup - Sat, 9th Dec'23

There are board games beyond monopoly and scrabble, if you’d like to explore and play unique board games join at Cuppa Redefined Cafe for upcoming event. If you are new in the city, you can socialise with like minded folks and board game enthusiasts, have a fun filled evening by playing variety of board games with new and experienced players. You can come in group or by yourself. There will be game master to guide you and explain the rules. Newbies are welcome, hope to see you all.

With Kids

Tila - Thu, 7th Dec'23 & Fri, 8th Dec'23

Based on a number of Indo-German folk tales, the play is about a young trickster Tila, who always thinks he is a grain of Til (Sesame) cleverer than others. The play, using magical realism, reveals a series of witty, humorous episodes from his life. While making fun of other people around him, it is said that, Tila also holds a mirror to the world. In Indian folklore we have Birbal, Tenali, Mullah Nasruddin.

Build with Troy - Thu, 7th Dec'23 - Mon, 11th Dec'23 (At Troy Block Center & Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath)

Block play is also a great way to encourage movement and physical activity. Children can use their whole body as they build and manipulate the blocks, developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in the process.

Christmas Kids Art and crafts Party - Sat, 9th Dec'23

Klayworkz Barista invites kids for a 3 hour fun filled session making Christmas related crafts: Ornament Painting, Xmas Greeting Card, Write a letter to Santa, Santa craft, Game. One parent should accompany the child. Food and all supplies are included in the ticket price for 1 child only.

Mimi The Selfish Kitten - Storytelling Session - Sun, 10th Dec'23

A young kitten does not want to share her toys, but she soon finds out that it is much better to share. Get ready for an enchanting session of Stories blended with music with Vanessa Kandukuri & Lorraine Das. Come watch this enchanting story unfold.

Fun with Voice - Wed, 13th Dec'23 - Thu, 14th Dec'23

Join Prachi Saathi in an immersive 2 Day workshop to unleash your child's potential and give them a "voice" with activity based behind-the-scenes look into voice overs, dubbing & the art of voicing beloved animated characters.