Kumar Gandharva and Kabir: Book Reading with Linda Hess
Exploring the relationship between Kumar Gandharva and Kabir, The Kabir Project in partnership with the Centre for Film and Drama and Suchitra Film Society presents a book reading and discussion by Dr Linda Hess from her book Singing Emptiness:Kumar Gandharva performs the poetry of Kabir followed by a screening of the film Koi Sunta Hai at
Suchitra,
36, B.V Karanth Road
Banashankari II Stage, Bangalore
| Date | Time | Venue | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jan | 5:00pm- 6:45pm | Suchitra School of Cinema and Dramatic Arts | Book Reading and Discussion with Dr Linda Hess and Dr U R Ananthamurthy |
| 17 Jan | 6:45pm onwards | Suchitra School of Cinema and Dramatic Arts | Screening: Koi Sunta Hai (96 mins, English) |
Dr.Linda Hess is a scholar, writer, and a lover of Kabir. She began her travels to India in the 1960s and has been studying and translating the poetry of Kabir since the 1970s. In the current century she has also been singing it, as she has focused on oral and musical traditions of Kabir in North India. Her publications and present research include The Bijak of Kabir , (New York, Oxford University Press, 2002 - with Shukdev Singh, orig. 1983) considered by many to be one of the best translations of Kabir into English;Singing Emptiness: Kumar Gandharva Performs the Poetry of Kabir (Calcutta, Seagull Books, 2009); and a book in progress, Bodies of Song: Kabir Oral Traditions and Performative Worlds in Northern India. She has also been an advisor to The Kabir Project since 2003 and has been an invaluable friend and resource person.Somehow during the shooting and editing, Linda became a featured character in Chalo Hamara Des/ Come to my country: Journeys with Kabir and friends. She is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Stanford University and is Co-Director of Stanford’s Center for South Asia.
Dr Linda Hess in conversation with Dr U R Ananthamurthy will read excerpts from her bookSinging Emptiness:Kumar Gandharva performs the poetry of Kabir followed by a discussion with the audience. The book includes a substantial introductory, bilingual texts of 30 songs, and a CD with selected songs by Kumar Gandharva along with contributions by Dr U R Ananthamurthy and Ashok Vajpeyi.
This will be followed by a screening of the film Koi Sunta Hai: Journeys with Kumar and Kabir by Shabnam Virmani. Interweaving the folk music traditions of the mystic poet Kabir with the life and music of the late classical singer Kumar Gandharva, this film searches for that elusive sound, that jhini si awaaz, Kabir urges us to hear. Where does it resonate, that subtle sound? Journeying between folk and classical, oral and written, rural and urban expressions of this 15th century mystic poet of north India, the film finds moments of both continuity and rupture between these disparate worlds.
We warmly invite one and all to an evening with Kumar Gandharva and Kabir at Suchitra.
In case of any queries please feel free to call 080-26711785
