WELLESLEY, MA–This fall, the Suzy Newhouse Center for the Humanities at Wellesley College presents Global India: Aethetics & Performance, a series of events that draw from and reflect on Indian aesthetics.
Artists and speakers from around the world will visit Wellesley to work with classes in South Asian Studies, the writing program, and other relevant courses, and each visit will be highlighted by a presentation/performance that is free and open to the public, according to Wellesley College.
The Global India series will kick off on Sept. 7 with a lecture and demonstration by Rahul Vohra, a Mumbai-based actor, director, and producer who specializes in Indian folk and classical arts, as well as global theater, cinema, and esthetics. The event will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 6:00 pm at Suzy Newhouse Center at Wellesley College.
In 1988, Vohra founded Sarthi, an organization that addresses the basic rights of traditional artists and artisans. From within his own performing arts and production company, Apostrophe 99, Vohra has directed troupes from all across India, showcasing their work around the globe in countries such as France, Spain, Reunion Island, and Hong Kong.
Among his well-known projects are: Navrasa, performed on Reunion Island and at the Printemps des Comédiens festival in Montpellier; Le Palais des Vents (The Palace of Winds), which was also performed at the Printemps des Comédiens; Jhalak at the World Cultural Forum in Barcelona; and Mahabharata with Jean-Claude Carrière and Teejan Bai in Reunion, according to Wellesley College.
Vohra is most known for his work in Swades (2004), Monsoon Wedding (2001) and Pyaar Impossible! (2010). He recently played the lead role in Baharti, an international touring stage show of an Indian love story.
For his achievements in the arts, the French government inducted Rahul into the prestigious Order of Arts and Letters, naming him a chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2014. The award was established in 1957 to recognize eminent artists and writers, as well as people who have contributed significantly to furthering the arts in France and throughout the world. It is given out three times annually under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Culture and Communication.
This lecture is supported by the Mellon Foundation.
Photo above courtesy of Meenal Agarwal
