Artists from India, S Africa to feature in 'Shared History

Artists from South Africa and India will feature in the eighth edition of the 'Shared History Festival' here.
The 14-day programme is one of the highlights of the annual Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival, set to begin here from 1st September.
"The High Commission of India in South Africa prides itself on promoting and propagating Indian culture and building relations between India and rest of the world," said India's Deputy High Commissioner Armstrong Changsan.
"By hosting this exhibition it hopes to provide an avenue for dialogue between India and South Africa," Changsan added.
Hailing the festival as a platform that "has presented cutting edge contemporary work and memorable collaborations with leading South African directors, conductors, orchestras, dance and theatre companies over the years", Sanjoy Roy of Teamwork Arts, co-coordinator of the event said that the focus this time is to rope in talented women performers from India and South Africa.

"As a run up to the 20th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing next year, we have focused on some of the best women performers from India and South Africa, bringing together the exceptionally talented Ira Dubey, Lillete Dubey, Jailoshini Naidoo and Vidya Shah," Roy added.

The festival supported by the High Commission of India will screen the award-winning works like a one-woman drama 'Nine Parts of Desire', starring Indian actress Ira Dubey and directed by her mother Lillete Dubey; and 'A Crackling Comedy Show' featuring Jailoshini Naidoo and her hysterical alter-ego Aunty Rumba in the 'theatre' section.

The music section will feature Indian musician Vidya Shah with 'Women on Record', a multi-media show with music, anecdotes, videos and archival images that celebrate women performers in the early 20th century of India.
"The performance re-creates the gramophone era of the Divas of that time, through songs, videos and stories. Despite their significant contributions to Indian culture most of these women have been forgotten by the people," said Roy.
Bollywood singer Sukhwinder Singh, known for the Grammy Award winning song, 'Jai Ho' from the film Slum Dog Millionaire and his mega hit number 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' will end the festival on 15th September.