Category Archives: Arts & Culture
Art, Auroville and Storytelling
Suresh Jayaram is an artist, art historian, arts administrator and curator from Bangalore. He is the Founder and Director of Visual Art Collective 1shantiRoad, an international artists residency and alternative art space in Bangalore, India. He is also involved in urban mapping and cultural documentation of Bangalore and his column 'What You See When You See' seeks to tell local stories. He is an active participant of the Auroville Film Festival and is leading the Panel Discussions. He talks to us about art, history and Auroville and gives key advice on how to make culture accessible in a constantly changing context. You can learn more about his cutting edge space over here: http://www.1shanthiroad.com/
A moment with Philippe Borrel
Philippe Borrel is a French documentary movie director who is coming for the Auroville Film Festival to present his latest opus ''The invisible (r)evolutions". He will also be one of the jury and will give two workshops during his stay, and took a few moments to talk to us about his work.
AVFF15 Almost Here!
Marco and Tlaloc has stopped at our studio this morning and shared with us some details on already 4th Aurovile Film Festival which will start next Friday, 2nd at 5pm at Plazza in Town Hall. Festival itself is not only growing in numbers of films in all four categories but also in number of events which accompany it. So, again we can expect a real festival spirit for five days from next Friday onward... with some surprises on the way….
AVFF and Magnetic Fields
Day two of the Auroville Film Festival 2015 was full of screenings and delicious food and people milled about enjoying the festive atmosphere. People even referred to it as having a 'village fair vibe' as everyone got together, talking and laughing and even dancing. Magnetic Fields, consisting of Ellie and Philippe from Pondicherry, performed live in the evening at the Town Hall Plaza. You can learn more about them from their website: http://changetheworldmusic.yolasite.com
Off the Cuff-46
OTC's random topics of the day: Gandhi Jayanti an official holiday but the radio team was busy and preparations for the Film festival, which is opening today, were on-going. Movies from all over the world were collected and it is an exciting moment for all. Auroville was covered by the major Indian newspapers with positive articles regarding our cultural events and more. It's amazing to see how productive Auroville is. Meanwhile Pour Tous Water has its first birthday and Wazo suggests that BCC & Finance needs a collective re-thinking to look at how to move to a service society and a Fraternal Economy. Renu gives a brief report on wildlife sightings and the magic relation with nature in the Green Belt concerning wasps and bees. The Millidacious play and how to balance the free access to events organized in Auroville and the people who come from outside and the costs faced by the artists? To support Off the Cuff and the Auroville Radio please visit the page: http://www.aurovilleradio.org/donate
Millidacious with Soul
After many months of preparations, rehearsals, mega production of musical Millidacious is on the stage. Simple story by Paul about and around the mouse Mili, a mouse with the soul who can see beyond borders and have a heart to oversee the differences, and always looks for the best in the one next to her; who after all contributes to solve the life threatening conditions, and reunite real love… About hundred performing, many behind and around the stage, a musical kept the audience on seats anticipating the next moment, next song and dance. Millidacious has proven again that our community is very creative, and leaves no one who would like to participate out. Actors are becoming better and better, regardless the age. Songs home made inspire to dance and sing along. Amazing, fun, soulful.
Contributing to Human Unity AVFF, 3 Oct, Panel talks, Day 1
Contributing to Human Unity is the theme and of the Auroville Film Festival 2015 and every day there are moderated discussions, or round tables, discussing the films that are being screened in the category of films that develop the theme of human unity. These will happen every day at the SAIIER Conference Room between 2.30 to 3.30pm, from 3rd to 7th of October. This year Sasi, along with Suresh Jayaram, will be leading those discussions. The following is the recording of today's round-table panel discussion where Phillipe Borrel, Mr. Ramanam, and Doris joined Sasi, and Suresh.
Auroville Film Festival 2015
Yes, it is on! Official opening of Auroville Film Festival 2015 just finished at Town Hall on Plazza, actually was interrupted with rain. But we managed to hear all the details about next five days from Marco and Tlaloc, we heard about four categories the films are in, and the venue of screening from 9.30am til late night. Other details where shared with Sasi, and Kaerdwyn invited us to participate in the socializing part of the festival - music and food. Short Rwandan song and dance has started the opening with great anticipation form the audience, Sadhana Forest contributed drummers on recycled drums, and children from Yatra were eager to share with us a short story, comedy about their lives which was interrupted by the shower. AVFF15 is indeed a community event by the community for the community, and next five days will be full of festive spirit with excellent and interesting movies, some good music, and food affordable to all.