Oct 11, 2023 33 min read

2nd Week of October '23

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

Music

Ghazal Wali Diary - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Muqtalif, which means different is formed by three very different people who have found a way to remember some musicians and songs that mustn’t gather dust on the www pages! These are songs that are meant to celebrate the heartaches and the bad decisions and the glorious mistakes that now can’t be unmade. Life in its entire package includes colours of gloom that are either kept inside old diaries or stacked above old furniture in the attic, it is our attempt to clean the dust off the old diary and feel the now yellowed pages and smell the air that once was new. Shreyas plays the tabla, Dheeraj Bannerjea plays the classical guitar and Aparupa the singer, aiming to draw some simple triangles in the current performance spaces that have far discovered Polygons and conic sections!

Shaam - E - Sufi - Sun, 15th Oct'23

'Shaam-e-Sufi' is an exclusive sufi music experience in Bangalore, curated by Ekta's Gatherings. From shrines to Bollywood, sufi music and lyrics have been widely loved by everyone. Ekta's Gatherings brings to you, a 'Shaam-e-Sufi', performed by the very amazing Bangalore based duo artists Hemant Raagi and Shreyas. In this intimate concert, the performers will present sufi inspired compositions from across times and legends. They will invoke the spirit of Sufi tradition of singing along and rejoicing these wonderful compositions, together.

Dance

The Arabian Nights - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Nrityakosh is proud to bring to you an oriental dance retelling of The Arabian Nights. The fantastical folk tales told by Scheherazade over 1001 Nights to the cruel Sultan Shahryar are embedded in both Eastern & Western literary imagination. The more popular stories - Aladdin & the Wonderful Lamp, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and Sindbad the Sailor have been dramatised in popular culture innumerous times. Nrityakosh is bringing these stories to you - spotlighting the women of these popular stories & offering fresh twists in the stories you know well. Join on an imaginative journey into the world of powerful djinns, enchanting princesses, crafty slave girls & adventurous sailors.

Naga Mandala - Sun, 15th Oct'23

In this dance adaptation, the Gigi Pada artists become the narrators and actors, as well as the story tellers. The story of Naga Mandala revolves around a newly wed couple. It depicts the chauvinism in rural India where women still don't have a voice. Distraught by the disinterest shown by her husband, Rani the female protagonist leads a lonely sad life until one day narrators/story tellers lead her into a mystic forest where she finds a flower to create a love potion, which eventually during the story gets thrown out onto an ant hill. The shape shifting snake residing in that ant hill falls in love with Rani and treats her like a queen. What happens when realisation finally hits her? Does she make a choice or lets society decide for her? Or Is the snake now part of her husband like two sides of the same coin.

Cultural Activities

Sketchbook Show - Fri, 13th Oct'23 - Thu, 19th Oct'23

Sketchbook Show Volume 1 - a collective group exhibition of artists' sketchbooks co-curated by Felix Jackson and Ekta's Gatherings. Featuring a wide range of artists from all over India, the sketchbooks displayed in this exhibit span various artistic styles and mediums, zooming into artists' intimate notebook practices. Features established as well as emerging artists from a variety of disciplines such as figurative, abstract, industrial design, typography, comic book and many others, the show is a testament to the behind-the-scenes working of an artists' mind. Over hundred sketchbooks will be present at the show.

Tree Walk with A Green Venture, Kavya - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Starting near the State Library, the walk will be through dense tree spaces and plants understanding the various trees growing around ending with an art activity with fallen treasures and a small takeaway. Known as the 'People's park' Cubbon park is located in the heart of Bangalore and often called as the lung of the city. Engineered by Sir Richard Sankey, home to some of the oldest raintrees of the city, this delightful space has a special space for Bangaloreans. On second Saturday's Cubbon park is shut for traffic, making this experience quieter, richer and bringing you closer to the natural world. Hosted by Kavya Chandra, Founder, A Green Venture. This walk is in collaboration with Bangalore Creative Circus.

Book Launch of "People's Kafe - The Secrets Granny Whispered in My Ears" - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Join Author Priyanka Kumar in the book launch of her fourth book, "People's Kafe - The Secrets Granny Whispered in My Ears". This book is a a kaleidoscopic ride into Nani’s life set in pre and post-independence India right until Instagram stormed our lives. The Author will narrate chapters from this book where you’ll discover Nani's quirks, passions, superpowers, the love that she showered on her family and pets she nurtured. Through these timeless stories, the author shall bequeath to the next generation, treasure trove of Nani's sapience - the secrets she whispered in her ears.

Live Music Gig by 12th Main - Sat, 14th Oct'23

A musical pastiche by ‘12th main’, a multi-genre, multi-lingual Indian experimental rock band which covers tracks mostly inspired by ragas and treats them with an alternative approach. The band name is a homage to the famous Indiranagar 12th Main Street where the band members met to discuss music over tea! The name is also a reference to the 12 notes in a musical scale!

Namu Recommends Vegan Market - Sun, 15th Oct'23

The Namu Recommends Vegan Market is back with the 2023 Diwali Edit! The market will be held at The Glasshouse at Chamara Vajra in Jayamahal between 12 noon and 8 pm. It's centrally located and fully covered with parking available for over 1000 cars. It’s pet-friendly - all your furry friends are more than welcome!

Coffee and Conversations - The Listeners' Circle - Sun, 15th Oct'23

Listeners' Circle is an initiative to facilitate listening without judgment, hence giving a safe space for anyone to speak their heart out without the fear of judgment. Coffee lightens us up. Coffee gives us clarity. Coffee refreshes up. Sip a coffee and speak your heart out without fear of judgment and listen without judging! Coffee is on us and the onus of conversation without judgment is on you. Think about how it would feel to take an hour out of your fast-paced life and share your experiences and thoughts to people who listen to you without judging over a cup of Coffee? Also, listen to others without judging. Listeners' circle Coffee and Conversations - This is an event to make that happen. Be a part of the Listeners' circle Coffee & Conversations - Edition 5.

BookMarks - (lahe lahe reading club) - Sat, 14th Oct'23

What are you reading these days? Is there an author or a poet that you have been amazed by recently? Or a book that changed your life. We would love to hear about it. Let's meet and share the magic of some wordsmiths who not only influenced us but shaped our lives in some way.

Personal Development & Soul Nourishment

New Moon Gathering - Fri, 13th Oct'23

The New Moon carries profound holistic healing potential, making it a great time to connect with ourselves and practice our self-care rituals. HerMoveMeant's new moon gathering is curated to promote inner reflection, as we set intentions for the upcoming moon cycle, through meditation, movement and journaling. Join on this journey of becoming one with yourself and everything around, in the powerful presence of a grounding community!

Sound & Art Therapy by Lunar Hertz - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Be a part of an amalgamation of Art and Sound therapy with Lunar Hertz in collaboration with Blr Creative Circus. Enjoy a 1 hour session involving art therapy, guided meditation and a sound bath with Crystal Singing Bowls.

**Sat, 14th Oct'23, Sat, 4th Nov'23 & Sat, 2nd Dec'23**

Bangalore Wellbeing Gathering - Sun, 15th Oct'23

BLR Wellbeing Community invites you to its monthly Community Circle at Cubbon Park. Led by Shivangi from HerMoveMeant, they will be diving into what "community" means to them and how they offer and receive support from the collective. Aided by movement explorations, visual arts and intuitive card readings, their intention is to experience your own power through self awareness and self love.

Kalarippayatu Intensive Level 1 - Mon, 16th Oct'23 (3-months course)

Embark on a transformative journey with Kalarippayatu Intensive Level 1 at Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts! 3-months course meticulously designed for beginners which will make you delve into the ancient art of Kalarippayatu and experience a holistic approach to movement. Led by the seasoned expert Nithin K, trained in the northern style of Kalarippayatu and a proficient yoga instructor with 14 years of Kalarippayatu practice and 7 years of yoga expertise, these sessions will focus on flexibility, strengthening, mobility and balance.

Bharatanatyam Intensive Level 1 - Mon, 16th Oct'23 (3-months course)

Immerse yourself in a 3-months journey of focused training under the expert guidance of Minal Prabhu, a renowned dancer and choreographer steeped in the rich traditions of Carnatic music.

Understanding Societal Systems

Art & Craft

Pottery Workshop - Fri, 13th Oct'23

Join for a hands-on 2-hour pottery session with Meeta Pant. You'll be crafting your own snack platter using beginner-friendly hand-building techniques. It's a perfect activity for all ages, so bring your family, friends or acquaintances and let's get creative together!

Glass Painting - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Looking for a new, creative craft? You may want to try glass painting. It is an excellent art form for people of all ages. Glass painting enables you to add texture and color to any kind of glass materials.

Potrait Photography - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Learn hands on how to shoot portraits in natural light setting with a model. Also, practical training on how to guide a model for casual and moody images.

Basic Photography Workshop - Sat, 14th Oct'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.

Poetry Writing Workshop - Sat, 14th Oct'23

A new fun poetry writing workshop for those who think they can’t write. Learn a new way to express without any formal training in poetry writing.

Styling Workshop - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Join Onestyle for a transformative Styling and Image Development Workshop at Cafe Reset, Koramangala! Unlock your style potential, enhance your confidence and discover the power of personal image development. This workshop is your chance to shine! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to redefine your image and boost your self-esteem.

Garba Night with Dance_with_specs - Sat, 14th Oct'23 - Sun, 15th Oct'23

Join this 2 day Garba workshop with Dance_with_specs to experience a super fun weekend. What to expect : 1) Learn popular garba steps and techniques to learn the essence of this dance like a pro. 2) Learn a quick choreography. 3) Play garba in circles. 4) Meet a lot of fun people.

Garba Workshop - Sat, 14th Oct'23 - Tue, 17th Oct'23

Flux is hosting a 4 day long, authentic garba workshop. Come and learn 5 different styles of garba and dandiya. You will learn both the authenticity of the folk dance as well as some fun trending choreographies. You can buy a Season Pass for all 4 days of the workshop, or else you can buy multiple Regular 1 Day Workshop tickets for the days of your choice in case you cannot attend all 4 days.

Dandia Night - Sun, 15th Oct'23 - Sun, 22nd Oct'23

Festive season beckons with Navaratri / Durga Puja / Golu / Dusserah and Dandiya season all intermingled. At Lahe Lahe, they are not so much into relegious festivals but they are all for everything fun and art. Their Co-founder Mansee Shah Thard comes from the land of Garba / Dandiya, Vadodara and it is her passion to recreate Garba / Dandiya in Lahe Lahe. They have Dandiya nights every year on weekends but this year she takes the leap of faith and they have Dandiya nights for 8 days. She, assisted by her lovely friends will be guiding how to do garba / dandiya on traditional garba songs from Gujarat. Though it sounds like eh, no bollywood, no fun but trust me, it will be a lot of fun. Come for one night and check it out yourself.

Sip and Paint: Art Date by BlrGrooveCo ft Sowmya - Sun, 15th Oct'23

Sip, paint and let your creativity flow at Art Date with enjoying the perfect blend of art, music, drinks and bites at Dhwani, Bengaluru. Join artists sowmyaa.m, manyashree and theartandsoul1 to paint your heart out and carry your masterpiece home to forever preserve cherished memories!

Gold Foiling Workshop - Sun, 15th Oct'23

In this workshop, you will learn the unique art technique of gold foiling and create beautiful artworks using it! You will create a design first and subsequently paint it with the use of gold foil. The end result is a mesmerising one and the process in itself is very calming and satisfying and finally you get to carry the beautiful artwork created by you.

Hologram Making Workshop - Sun, 15th Oct'23

Madhuri Umashankar is about to bring a whole new dimension of fun to Maya Bazaar with a fun Hologram Making Workshop! It's a 3D projection from a 2D screen! Sign up and witness the merging of art and science to turn your smartphone into a hologram projector. This workshop is suitable for all ages and includes all necessary materials, plus an entry ticket to Maya Bazaar.

A Pottery Masterclass: Craft your our Ceramic Mugs - Sun, 15th Oct'23

Discover the art of pottery in a serene and creative setting at Meeta's Pottery Paradise - Mudcast Pottery Studio, Bengaluru. Join for a memorable experience filled with hands-on pottery wheel sessions, expert guidance from Meeta — a seasoned pottery artist with over 4 years of experience and the opportunity to create your very own ceramic food-safe mugs.

Mud N Magic Workshop - Sun, 15th Oct'23

Discover the art of handbuilding pottery in our hands-on Mud N Magic workshop. Learn basics of hand-building pottery techniques to craft your own stunning pieces and take your creations home as a memento. No prior pottery experience needed.

Film & Theater

Parijata - Thu, 12th Oct'23

Parijata is based on an incident from Mahabharata. The story of Parijata is quite popular. In Karnataka, it is performed as Sri Krishna Parijata, in Sannata form, which is a folk theater form. In Assam, it is performed as Parijat Haran in the Sattriya form, which is a classical dance. With our production Parijata, we propose to take selected elements from both these versions and create a completely new version, which questions why Krishna, who gave Amruta to Gods and made them immortal, had to wage war with Indra, the King of Gods for the sake of Parijata.

Apne Ghar Jaisa - Fri, 13th Oct'23 - Sat, 14th Oct'23

‘Apne Ghar Jaisa’ creates an image of everyday bigotry and its potential to impoverish the self and tear apart the social fabric. In an extremely diverse and stratified society, people learn to be tolerant and accommodating, but they can also be instigated—by public discord or personal tragedy, for instance—to give vent to often subliminal prejudices and irrational fears. The protagonist in the play finds all kinds of reasons for turning away an unwelcome guest—not only to protect her identity but also to cope with loss and grief. In the process, she enters a dark place within herself, constructs caricatures of people 'not like us’, and destroys the very thing she most cherishes and wants to preserve.

Asangatagalu - Sun, 15th Oct'23

If we start studying about ‘Absurd’ types in Kannada theatre, we find the name of Chandrashekhar Patil (Champa) at the forefront of the list of Absurd play wright. Until then 'Absurd' was only known as a genre of Western literature. Credits of introducing Absurd dramas to Kannada, successfully goes to Champa. As Champa puts it “no literary genre is ever a 'finished chapter' they are likely to repeat themselves again and again”. So, we have brought few of these plays back on the stage with the hope of re-introducing or reminding the new generation of Absurd dramas. As a first attempt of it, team has chosen Kunta Kunta Kuravatti, Appa and Kodegalu with authentic flavours of North Karnataka custom and dialect. “All my plays have been attempts made at giving a structure (not a solution) to the multitude of issues that have been and are affecting me.” - Champa.

Dweepa - Sun, 15th Oct'23

"Dweepa" is a play of two lost individuals. The narratives, characters, and metaphors here all seem to be born within the struggle to preserve and sustain life, much like the endless waves of the ocean. Acting itself is the inevitable essence of the lives of these characters. In the southern part of Africa, two black actors, artists fighting for human rights and human dignity, resisting authority, and opposing political oppressions, end up imprisoned in the island prison. There, in the creative process of constructing the play "Antigone," they draw upon the strength of resistance and love for life. What more can art offer to a human being than this? In India today, questioning the state of authority and accommodating diverse opinions is unfortunately seen as an act of treason. In such times, the resistance and introspection depicted in "Antigone" are urgently needed. We are witnessing a time of rapid change, and we are displaying these sufferings and sorrows that we experience in our lives before you.

Gampara Gumpu - Sun, 15th Oct'23

Stage Bengaluru presents - Gampara Ghoopa is a comedy drama about growing undue admiration for western culture among the innocent rural youth, enlightening them about the rich folklore and value based culture of our country, avoiding the dangers of misconceptions and making them respect the culture of our country. Our Artists will demonstrate through metaphor. This drama will give everyone a dose of comedy along with awareness.

Droupathi Helthavle - Tue, 17th Oct'23

"Droupathi Heltavle" is a turn of important events in Droupathi's life characterised by herself throughout the play. Droupathi is an unimaginable character and a cold ablaze concealed in the inner faculty of every other female on the planet without exception.

Lokada Olahorage - Wed, 18th Oct'23

This play is a direct discussion of the questions Tagore himself had about Western culture and the revolts against it in early 1910's. As a symbol of both these thoughts, the two main characters of this play, Siddhartha as an admirer of Western thought, and Indrajit as an opponent of that culture, the ups and downs of an innocent girl named Sharade, who is caught between them, is the core of this play. The conflicts of these two thoughts that enter into the family, where everything seemed to be romantic, are revealed through the play and how they break up not only that family but also the surrounding society becomes the core issue. This play tries to convey that only inclusive minds can build a healthy society.

Fun and Games

Puzzle Mania by Param - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Prepare to immerse yourself in the ultimate puzzle-solving adventure at the Puzzle Mania Extravaganza! This unique event promises to delight and challenge puzzle enthusiasts of all levels with an incredible line up of 25 different kinds of puzzles. Get ready to unlock your inner Sherlock Holmes, unleash your inner Einstein, and join for a day of exhilarating puzzles and brain-teasing fun!

Coffee and Checkmate - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Join for an exciting gathering of chess aficionados where you'll be combining your passion for the game with the pleasure of sipping on freshly brewed coffee. This event is all about camaraderie, friendly competition and enjoying the intellectual challenge that chess brings.

Church Street Gaming by The Boardgame Den - Sat, 14th Oct'23 & Sun, 15th Oct'23

Detox from technology, interact with people and have a blast! The Boardgame Den have games from around the world which will get you hooked. Chill out with a light fun game or indulge in a rapt Euro one. Boardgames are for everyone! They have been collecting international board games for the last 15 years. Anyone over the age of 14 is welcome! You can come by yourself or in a group and don't worry about not knowing how to play them. They will help you find a suitable game, gather players and teach you the rules.

With Kids

Build With Troy - Wed, 11th Oct'23 - Sun, 15th Oct'23

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.

Theatre Workshop - Sat, 14th Oct'23

This workshop will be a journey into the world of imagination and creativity. Through fun games and activities, children will explore emotions, characters and storytelling. They'll have a blast designing costumes and props, rehearsing and performing in a mini-play. It's a magical experience of self-expression and teamwork, where every child is a star! Don't miss this exciting theatrical adventure for your little ones.

Open Mic - Kids Got Talent - Sat, 14th Oct'23

Do your kids love singing, dancing, telling stories, acting, or doing a Music Recital? Then the "Kids Got Talent" stage is all they need to shine! Come, share your kid's talents with Butterfly Talent Academy. Introduce them to the world of performance! Their talent show is open to kids aged between 5-14 and offers a platform for them to showcase their talent in music (vocals and instruments - Indian and Western), dance (Indian and Western), story-telling and theatre.

Make a Dream Catcher - Sun, 15th Oct'23

Are you looking for a magical and imaginative activity for your kids? Join for an enchanting Dream Catcher Making Workshop, where children will embark on a journey to craft their very own dream catchers.

Festival Fun Camp - Mon, 16th Oct'23 - Fri, 20th Oct'23

Join the Ultimate Fun Festival Camp for Kids - 5 Days of Creativity, Chocolate, Dance, and Storytelling Magic! Fun Festival Camp for Kids is the perfect place for your child to discover their inner artist, indulge in delicious chocolate creations, groove to dance rhythm and immerse themselves in captivating stories. With a jam-packed schedule of activities, each day is a new adventure waiting to be explored.