Music and arts across South Asia
When All India Radio banned film music from its broadcasts
It was in 1952 that the Minister of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) of newly independent India, B.V. Keskar, decided that All India Radio (AIR)—the information and entertainment lifeline of the nation—would not air film songs as they were degenerate and far too “Westernized”. He believed they would hinder the cultural growth of a young nation on the cusp of a...
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam sing in “Namaste England”
Pakistani singers Rahet Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam are favourites across the border and it comes as no surprise that the two were roped in to lend vocals to Namaste England's songs. "Atif was always my first choice for 'Tere Liye'. I adore his voice and he’s sung a quintessential romantic song. Javed sahab has written a wonderful song and it’s one...
Penguin Random House India to bring out Fatima Bhutto’s “The Runaways” in October
Fatima Bhutto’s new book The Runaways is set to be released this year in October. The Runaways follow her best-selling debut book Songs of Blood and Sword and The Shadow of the Crescent Moon.Penguin Random House India will be releasing the book and termed it as an 'explosive new work of fiction'.
Wooden dolls of Sri Lanka from ancient to modern times
By Dr.Lopamudra Maitra Bajpai A cherished exhibit on shelves in gift shops in Sri Lanka is the country’s indigenous wooden doll. There are made of single scraps of wood with the limbs painted on the torso. The head is moulded into a smooth round top on which the details of the face, the head-gear, hair, beard and moustache and bun...
Sri Lanka’s colorful “bulath bags” have a long history going back to ancient times
By Dr.Lopamudra Maitra Bajpai Chewing “bulath” or betel leaves is an ancient tradition across South and South-east Asia and also some parts of the Pacific. And with the practice of chewing betel leaves came the designing of betel containers or bulath bags. Over time, from ancient times, the use of betel leaves became ritualized. It got incorporated into religious systems....
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will together celebrate International Mother Language Day
Colombo, February 16 (newsin.asia): Sri Lanka and Bangladesh both which are founded on pride in their mother languages, Sinhala, Tamil an Bangla, will celebrate the International Mother Language Day in a colorful manner here on February 21. The event, to be held at the Vihara Mahadevi Park in the center of Colombo, would be organized by various Sri Lanka and...
Bringing divided South Asia together through soul-stirring music
Colombo, February 8 (newsin.asia): Wednesday’s stunning performance by a symphony orchestra comprising Sri Lankan and Indian musicians under the baton of Indo-American Viswa Subbaraman, led the audience to believe that it was time South Asia, torn by conflicts for the last 70 years, eschewed animosities and conflicts and got together to revive those strands of South Asian history which had...
Looks like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is back to recording songs for Bollywood
Mumbai, February 6 (newsin.asia): The singer has recently completed a series of concerts worldwide, paying tribute to his legendary uncle Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Now, RFAK is back in the studio and his latest track for Bollywood film Welcome to New York is out. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has teamed up with singer Dhvani B for 'Ishtehaar' and according to Mumbai...
Bangladeshi fusion band Chirkutt struck a chord with Lankans
By Purnima Pilapitiya Colombo, February 5 (Sunday Times): When Bangladeshi band Chirkutt took the stage at the 2018 Fairway Galle Literary Festival, audiences were treated to a unique brand of Bangla music which may even strike a chord at home in Sri Lanka. Many have tried to label the internationally acclaimed band from “urban folk”, to “bluegrass”, but its members...
Music director Ilayaraja gets India’s second highest award –Padma Vibhushan
New Delhi, January 25 (newsin.asia): South Indian music director Ilayaraja is among three outstanding personalities who will be receiving India's second highest award - Padma Vibhushan - from the President of India as part of the country's Republic Day celebrations. Ilayaraja was conferred the third highest award Padma Bhushan in 2010. Classical musician Ghulam Mustafa Khan from Maharashtra and P...
