Mumbai-based documentary photographer Padma Shri Sudharak Olwe’s Firefly,  an exhibition of photographs, artefacts and performance, on ‘Lavani’ – a traditional dance form of Maharashtra is on at the Nine Fish Art Gallery in Byculla, Mumbai from January 12, 6pm.

The 45 photographs that are documented over 20 years by Sudharak Olwe attempt to capture the ‘lavanya’ (beauty), struggles and journey of the social lives of these folk artistes and look beyond the popular perception of the traditional dance form. “I want share their art and life in my photos,” elaborates Sudharak who still continues to photograph the Lavani artistes.

More about Sudharak Olwe, who has been marking a new global space for Indian photography, with exhibitions in Malmo (Sweden), Lisbon, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Washington, Dhaka, Mumbai and Delhi among others. Olwe is known for his extraordinary work capturing in both rural and urban communities, presenting tales of resilience, courage, and change. In 2005, Olwe was one of the four awardees for National Geographic’s “All Roads Photography Program: In 2016, he received the Padma Shri, one of highest civilian awards awarded by the Government of India.

In the current exhibition, Sudharak Olwe’s timeless frames pay a tribute to this traditional art form that has contributed tremendously to the development of Marathi folk theatre. Prominent Lavani  traditional folk artistes from Solapur will be honoured at the event  the Lavani artistes  will share their stories  through their energetic performance as well.

The proceeds will help education of children of Lavani dancers.

Along with the photographs by Sudharak Olwe,  artefacts curated by Gourmoni Das will also be on display.

For the uninitiated, ‘Lavani’ is a traditional dance form that originated in Maharashtra in the 18th and 19th centuries. Lavani is performed on public stage, and is a performative tradition practiced by a certain set of communities consisting of interactive gestures, and songs, and noted for its biting dialogues often toned with socio-political satire The dancers are always agile and attentive to the audience’s reactions.

The exhibition  Presented by Nine Fish Art Gallery & Dot Line Space art Foundation.

About Nine Fish: Located within the charming precincts of a historic textile mill in Central Mumbai, Nine Fish Art Gallery seeks to explore connections between multiple art-related endeavours and create a stimulating space within the larger art ecosystem for emerging art practitioners of exceptional talent from across South Asia. Established in 2015, Nine Fish has since exhibited both national and international artists. It has consistently and independently provided Art Residencies and studio space to upcoming young artists as well as hosting five consecutive Art35 events over the years.

About Dot Line Space: Dot Line Space is an art platform started in 2015 in Mumbai with the aim to Create, Curate, Collaborate and Celebrate art in diverse f o r m s started by graduates from the prestigious Sir J.J. School of Art. We believe in bringing together different art movements from around the globe and creating spaces which become talking points of historically diverse visual expressions. Our curation formats are imbued with sensitivity and debate, as we try to bring the regional arts and crafts of our country to the forefront. We aim to unleash each artist’s true essence with absolute integrity.

Firefly, the photo exhibition by Sudharak Olwe at Nine Fish Art Gallery, Byculla continues from 13th January to 18th February 2023 from 10.30am to 7.30pm.

Programme Schedule:

January 12, 2023

06.00 pm Opening

06.15 pm Artist Felicitation

06.45 pm Performance

Padma Shri Sudharak Olwe’s Firefly An Ode To Lavani Dance Form

Kuckoo Tales in association with Punjabi Global Foundation to bring to Mumbai the popular Punjabi singer Dilbagh Singh for Lohri Di Sham at Lokhandwala Grounds, Andheri (W) on Jan 12, 8 pm.

Dilbagh is known for his hit numbers  “Thodi Jinni Peeti Hai”, “Mari Gali” from Tanu Weds Manu: Returns among many others.

Echo organisers Kiran Phadnis and Gurdip Singh, “Kuckoo Tales believes in universal celebration of all festivals irrespective of caste, creed and religion. This event is very special to us as it aims to bring back joy and laughter with dance and some sumptuous fare with Lohri. Everyone is longing for some fun and this festival with an entertainer like Dilbagh Singh will be the best way to dance your way happily into the year that comes!”

“Dilbagh is popular among youth and seniors alike. He can make you dance like there is no tomorrow  in a matter of moments transport you into another romantic world. Such is his prowess. I am sure everyone is looking for a way to herald the new year with celebrations and positivity after Covid.  Lohri is another reason to come together and have a ball,” concludes Gurpreet Kaur Chadha, the driving force behind Punjabi Global Foundation.

Dilbagh Singh To Perform In Mumbai For Lohri

When audiences love a film that rekindles hope, they ensure they watch it in the silver screen. After 8 super weeks, Uunchai is set for a bumper opening at OTT today, running strong in theaters entering 9th showcase week with 112 screens across India. Uunchai will be streaming on  Zee5 from today.

Rajshri Productions’ Uunchai not just brought audiences back to the theatres post the pandemic, but had senior citizens as lead cast and no villains. It followed the old release formula of limited screen count and that surely has paid off, with Uunchai breaking the trend of films lasting a single weekend by entering the glorious 9th week.

Director Sooraj Barjatya made Uunchai from his heart to break the compulsion of proving himself with box office numbers. Uunchai has scaled its own Mount Everest, breaking the barometers of so-called success formulae.

Uunchai boasts of a legendary ensemble, a seasoned director, an iconic production house and a story whose heartbeat is friendship.

Uunchai is Rajshri’s most ambitious film till date. Shot at 17000 plus feet above sea level, with a senior star cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Neena Gupta, Sarika with Parineeti Chopra and Danny Denzongpa. Uunchai is directed by Sooraj R Barjatya, and produced by Rajshri Productions in association with Mahaveer Jain Films and Boundless Media.

Go the nearest theatre with your family and friends to experience Uunchai on the silver screen, and be part of the story of friendship, hope and happiness — moments that promise to last a lifetime!

Uunchai Set For OTT Bumper Opening, Runs Strong With 112 Theatres Pan-India In 9th Showcase Week

As T24, an Icon For Tiger Conservation Dies In Captivity, activists, Warren Pereira, Raveena Tandon, forest officers and activists  remember India’s most controversial Tiger

T-24, popularly called Ustad, the formerly dominant male tiger of Ranthambore died in captivity on December 28, 2022. This big cat who was known to be fearless and a “man-eater” was controversially removed from the wild in 2015 for killing at least 4 men who entered his territory. Activists largely argue that the tiger was acting in self-defense while the forest department believed he was killing humans as prey and had to be removed in the larger interest of conservation. Yet other believe that some other predator was responsible for human kills attributed to T-24.

Social media brawls, ‘Save Ustad’ billboards, the High Court, The Supreme Court and candle light marches were wall part of the uproar around this powerful specimen of the national animal of India. The tiger, 16 or 17 years old, was having several health issues in his zoo enclosure in spite of the best care, eventually succumbing to cancer. He was mourned by Indian’s from all walks of life including those who were more intimately involved with his case:

“I am grateful for the time I had with T24. He was handsome, powerful and had a cool beard but mostly I followed him in the wild for years because I liked him. Little did I know that he would become an icon for tiger conservation and die for it. His story has the power to elevate the lives of other large predators. I will always remember him as a dominant male tiger in the wild.”

——Warren Pereira Filmmaker, Director of TIGER 24 Documentary

“Ustad is back! Back where he belongs. After a long and weary life his bold stripes now freely roam the jungles of Ranthambhore in eternal peace. Invisible to the eyes, his spirit moves on. It can be felt. Worldly matters and sufferings left behind; it is total bliss. It’s like being a cub again! Gratitude to all who loved and cared for Ustad.”

—Y.K.Sahu,  Ex. Field Director, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve

“I tracked the T-24 saga because I am passionate about tigers and wildlife. It is saddening that the victim of man-animal conflict is a   dominant male tiger with cubs to protect who got removed from his home for killing men who invaded his territory. Ustad’s death should be an eyeopener for all of us humans. Man-animal conflict is eternal, but something needs to change with tiger conservation. Or we will soon have none left!”

—-Raveena Tandon, Actress and Wildlife Activist

“My memories of T-24 date back to 2013 when I was the park manager at Ranthambhore. He used to be the one of the most popular tigers because of his strong build. Unfortunately, he was implicated in the killing of men and was declared a danger to human life by the Chief Wildlife Warden and the Jaipur High Court. After the fourth kill I was concerned that T-24 would be shot dead or sent to a zoo with small enclosures. So, I requested the CWLW to transfer him to Sajjangarh Biological Park which was under my control and had large one-hectare enclosures. It was a massive undertaking to house a full-grown wild tiger, but he was given the highest level of care and we kept him safely for 7 years till his recent passing. Till the very end he maintained his wild side.”

—-Rahul Bhatnagar IFS  Ex. Chief Conservator Of The Forest

“I believe that certain documentaries need to be seen on the big screen. TIGER 24 is one of them. To see exclusive footage of India’s most controversial tiger on the big screen is a treat. With T24’s recent passing I now feel even stronger about TIGER 24’s theatrical run given that he has sparked a national conversation on man-animal conflict. TIGER 24’s screenings with be a tribute to this magnificent jungle cat and his contribution to the conservation of our national animal.”

—–Anil Thadani Film Distributor

“Ustad is the one who triggered my activism for wild tigers when I saw him lose his freedom to the tag of ‘man-eater’. I began to see the plight of our wild tigers beyond the showcased tiger sightings, glorified visuals, and implied vacuous conservation efforts.”

—–Sarita Subramaniam Activist.

T24 Ustad Dies In Captivity  Nation Mourns

Neekita Sharma Rajpurohit participated in fashion shows and ramp walks in metropolitan cities. She was awarded the Darpan Face of India Award at the Fashion Show in Indore. Along with that, she has also received ITIA Award. Gradually she got a chance to enter the world of acting.

Her web series ‘Badla’ is going to come soon on OTT. Neekita has also acted in Sajid Khan’s short film. Recently working in webseries ‘Gharwali Baharwali’ which will soon be shown in new OTT platform.

By nature, Neekita is calm and gentle. She is very serious about her role, she chooses the character which impresses her or likes her.

To improve her acting ability, Neekita took acting lessons in acting classes and also joined dance classes. Neekita is continuously working in webseries, short films and music albums.

The habit encouraged her to move towards the world of modeling and fashion. She started from her birthplace Kota Rajasthan, then she worked in many cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Katra and Indore.

Neekita Sharma Rajpurohit likes to dress up and live well since childhood and even today she keeps herself very beautiful, ther habit of hers encouraged her to move towards the world of modeling and fashion.

She also has a special attachment towards animals, she says that if you can’t have attachment to animals, can’t help them, then it’s okay, but don’t hurt them. If you give them affection, they will also give you love. Neekita is also interested in the world of sports.

Neekita Sharma Rajpurohit remains very active in social media as well. Neekita continues to shine in ad films as well. Neekita has worked in many products like jewelry, saree. Along with commercials, Neekita continues to work as a jury member or shows topper in ramp shows and fashion shows.

Neekita likes actress Priyanka Chopra. In the acting world, Neekita wishes to play serious roles, even if those roles are of negative character. She liked the role of Priyanka Chopra in the film Aitraaz.

Actress Neekita Sharma Rajpurohit Is A Well-known Name In Modelling And Ad Films