Doff your hat to the master poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Gulon Mein Rang Bhare is a double whammy for lovers of Urdu poetry and Rekha Bhardwaj fans

Doff your hat to the master poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz

On August 27, 3 pm
Where Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Vile Parle (W).u00a0
Call 26149546

Gulon Mein Rang Bhare is a double whammy for lovers of Urdu poetry and Rekha Bhardwaj fans. The singer will perform nazms and ghazals written by the famous Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. With only a tabla and harmonium backing her, the intimate performance will have the singer's husky voice fill up the entire auditorium as a mesmerised audience soaks in her every word. Although a bit nervous about singing without a mic, the singer is very excited about the show, "It is much better than singing item songs, over and over again," she says. While she will perform a popular version of the nazm Gulon Mein Rang Bhare, husband Vishal Bhardwaj has also composed other not-so-well-known nazms for the show. Bhardwaj's performance is interspersed with a reading of Faiz's letters to his wife. If you are in the mood for more poetry reading on the weekend, head back to Prithvi Theatre on Sunday morning (11.30 am)where poet-lyricist Gulzar will preside over an hour-long interactive session.

Corporate bonding of a different kind

On Today, 6 pm
Where R City Mall, LBS Marg, Ghatkopar (W).
The list of celebrities expected to be present at this event -- director and photographer Shirish Kunder, television actress Shweta Salve among others -- might make it look like a Page 3 do but rest assured, it's all about photography. Stills 2011 is an exhibition and competition that features entries by amateur lensmen who have dared to step out of their office cubicles. About0 30 corporate based in Mumbai have participated in the exhibition and sent in images that capture the essence of their surrounding. Take a look at the world through a budding photographer's lens.

Experience the manganiyar magic

On Tomorrow, 12 noon
Where Auditorium, third floor, Ramnarain Ruia College, Matunga (CR).
We know we're not the only ones who derive evil pleasure when we discover the 'inspiration' to Bollywood's hit songs. If you are anything like us Bhutte Khan Manganiar and troupe's interactive performance could be revelatory. At this concert, you might hear the original inspiration behind the song Nimbuda from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Like the popular filmy number, Manganiyar music is typically fast paced, and lyrically as well as rhythmatically layered to have you tapping your feet. Over generations, the Manganiyar community has preserved the melodic traditions of Rajasthan's folk music. Interestingly, though Manganiyar community is Muslim, many Manganiar songs are in praise of Hindu deities and celebrate Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi. Traditionally, the performers invoke Lord Krishna and seek his blessings before beginning their recital.