09 January,2009 06:53 AM IST | | Ganashree Kedlaya
Champs and the master: The winners ofu00a0 2007 with the chief guest Amitava Ghosh
Toto Funds the Arts is hosting their fifth award ceremony at Alliance Francaise on Monday to encourage young artists and writers
Toto Funds the Arts (TFA) is a non-profit trust that was established in Bangalore on September 15, 2004. It was set up in memory of Angirus 'Toto' Vellani, who lost his life in an accident in Goa when he was 20 years old.u00a0 Toto was a musician, poet, writer and budding film critic.
Youth appeal
TFA gives out awards to young talent in the field of creative writing, photography, art and music to promote artistic creativity among the urban youth and keep Toto's memory alive.
"TFA encourages and supports young Indian artists and writers who demonstrate flair and promise of the kind that Toto displayed at an early age. We support talent that is yet to test its full potential and discover its reach," explains TFA founder Sarita Vellani.u00a0u00a0
Since its inception, TFA has presented four awards to young musicians and seven to writers. Last year, two awards were instituted for photography. The photography awards are given in partnership with Tasveer, a gallery that showcases the work of photographers from India and abroad. In partnership with Rafiki, TFA presented a production of George Buchner's Woyzeck a few months ago. This production will be staged again in March this year.
"We give awards to recognise and reward nascent talent in the arts; we offer workshops to nurture potential in the arts; and we organise readings and concerts to provide a public platform for young writers and musicians," says Sarita.
Show support
TFA also hosts a young writers' group in Bangalore. They have held several readings (which included four book launches), conducted two theatre workshops and one workshop on stage make-up. "We plan to organise events and programmes like concerts by young musicians in Indian classical and folk music," she adds.
The fifth Toto Annual Awards will be presented on Monday (Jan 12, 2009) at Alliance Franu00e7aise de Bangalore, Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar, 7.30 pm onwards. Ace photographer T S Satyan will be the chief guest.
How to enroll
The awards are open to young people (18-29 years) across India. The awards are in three categories music (Rs 50,000), creative writing (two purses of Rs 25,000 each), photography (two purses of Rs 25,00 each). A jury of three experts in each category will decide the winners.
Send your entries to: TFA, H 301 Adarsh Gardens, 8th Block, 47th Cross, Jayanagar or email tfaindia@yahoo.com
