It is that time of the year again where we must keep our schedule free and indulge in festivals. The latest one to announce their schedule is Mumbai-based cultural institution, National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). Its three-day multigenre festival, NCPA Add Art Festival, which begins on November 29, will see performances across theatre, dance, Indian and western classical music, jazz, stand-up acts, puppetry besides screenings and workshops. And, ahead of the festival, we share with you a list of eight performances that you must attend:
1. Mallika Sarabhai & Astad Deboo - Dance Performance
In Search Of the Goddess: Celebrated dancer and actor Mallika Sarabhai stages a dance theatre presentation on women. A critical approach to their position in society both as a mortal and even as a Goddess.
Unbroken and Unbowed (World Premiere): Astad Deboo creates a work inspired by the quotes of Mahatma Gandhi. He has selected four quotes and woven a tapestry of movements which resonate with Astad's personal journey over the last five decades
When: November 29, 5.30 pm
2. Zakir Khan - Stand-up Comedy
If journey-of-life stories, intimacy and family anecdotes are your thing, then this show is like a gold mine for you. After selling out 100,000+ tickets across the globe, Zakir Khan is ready with his new special, which is very precious to him as it is a recap of all the behind-the-scenes moments from his life. The recap ends, and the performance gets even more real with him sharing some very personal learning on stage as he tries to make sense of his journey till now
When: Nov 29, 6 pm
3. Arturo Sandoval - Live in Concert - Jazz Performance
Arturo Sandoval is one of the most brilliant, multifaceted and renowned musicians of our time. A 10-time Grammy, 6-time Billboard, and Emmy Award winner, he is an acknowledged virtuoso of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn and is just as dynamic and vivacious on the piano, timbales, vocals and keyboard. He is known as one of the world’s foremost entertainers, having been seen by millions performing live at the Oscars, the Grammys, the White House, and the industry’s most esteemed performing arts centres and festivals
When: November 29, 8.30 pm
4. Spoken Word by Kommune
The art of the spoken word is not only rooted in oral traditions, but it is also at the intersection of two brilliant worlds. While discussing the spoken word in the Indian context, the first name that comes to mind is Kommune. Considered to be one of the country's most exciting performance arts forums, they always go the extra mile to break norms and cause a dent in the cosmos while harnessing the power of words and dynamic performances. And, they will be featuring Kubbra Sait, Gaurav Tripathi, and Sheena Khalid.
When: November 30, 6 pm
5. Morn to Dusk - a tribute to Allarakha
By Zakir Hussain, Kala Ramnath, Shikhar Naad Qureshi and Students of Ustad Allarakha Institute of Music
The internationally acclaimed tabla wizard Allarakha (1919-2000) was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. In this recital, the repertoire and the idiom of Punjab gharana tabla, as envisioned by Allarakha will be presented on three percussion instruments: tabla, jodi pakhawaj and djembe, by the representatives of two generations. Zakir Hussain's name is synonymous with the tabla today. His virtuosic musicianship has helped raise the profile of the instrument to the highest international level. The second generation is represented by Shikhar Naad Qureshi, Allarakha’s grandson, who carries forward the idea established by his father and guru, Taufiq Qureshi, of expressing the tabla repertoire on djembe, a drum of African origin. The second generation will also be represented by students of Ustad Allarakha Institute of Music, being trained by Fazal Qureshi, the second son and disciple of the grandmaster
When: December 1, 11 am
6. Morn to Dusk - Hindustani Instrumental Duet
(Aadi Anant: Festival of Music)
By Shiv Kumar Sharma and Hariprasad Chaurasia
Santoor, a string instrument from the folk tradition of Kashmir, is inseparably associated with Shiv Kumar Sharma. His pioneering efforts have given the instrument its unique “voice” and idiom, and helped it acquire a position on par with other string instruments in contemporary Indian art music. Among the myriad musical instruments practised in India, the bamboo flute or the bansuri, is perhaps the most simple instrument. With his innovative techniques, Hariprasad Chaurasia has lent a new “sound” to the instrument, especially in the field of art music. In this duet featuring a string and a wind instrument, the two legends will strike a musical conversation to take listeners on a journey moving from classical to lighter genres, showcasing the capability of Indian instruments to express myriad shades of sound and emotion
When: December 1, 5 pm
7. Sea Wall - Monologue by Jim Sarbh
In celebration of our 50th birthday, the NCPA will stage a new production of Sea Wall, by Simon Stephens, directed by Bruce Guthrie and performed by award-winning actor Jim Sarbh. Alex has it all. A wife he loves, a daughter he dotes on and a job he enjoys. They visit his wife's father in the South of France and in the blink of an eye, all of their lives are changed forever. This delicate, devastatingly beautiful monologue is an event not to be missed. There will be a 25-minute post-show discussion with Director Bruce Guthrie and actor Jim Sarbh following each performance.
When: December 1, 5 pm and 8:30 pm
8. Where has my Nani Gone? - Puppet Theatre
Director: Dadi Pudumjee
Based on Chatura Rao's award-winning children's book Gone Grandmother, this is a show that is sure to wow audiences as they learn about the innocence of childhood and the inexorable interdependence of joy and sorrow, life and death. A little girl taking care of her mother, wonders where her nani (grandmother) has gone. Her imagination takes flight, as the little girl remembers her nani and tries to convince herself that everything will be fine. Ishara weaves a dreamscape of sensitive eloquence with colourful puppets, actors and music, in this touching inter-generational family story
When: December 1, 12.00 pm