Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Indian Bharatnatyam artist's film on Brihadeeswara temple unveiled at UNESCO

Brihadeeswara – Form to Formless presents the temple’s physical and metaphysical connection

Indian Bharatnatyam artist's film on Brihadeeswara temple unveiled at UNESCO

Renowned Bharatanatyam artist and scholar, Bala Devi Chandrashekar, achieved a historic milestone at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris as her film centred on the Thanjavur Big Temple, also known as Brihadeeswara Temple, was unveiled in France.

Titled Brihadeeswara – Form to Formless, the film provides a profound exploration of the UNESCO heritage site in Tamil Nadu, dating back 1000 years, through the perspective of a temple dancer, or Devaradiyal considered the high priestess of the temple. Ambassador Vishal V Sharma, the Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO, inaugurated the film in Paris earlier this month.


bharatnatyam-brihadeeswara-unesco-bala-devi-chandrashekhar Bala Devi Chandrashekhar at the UNESCO headquarters, Paris (Photo Credit: Bala Devi Chandrashekar)

Chandrashekar emphasized, "The temple is a testament to India's craftsmanship and cultural philosophy, standing as an architectural marvel for a millennium and garnering admiration from people worldwide."

The film pays homage to this ancient Brihadeeswara temple situated southern state of India, Tamil Nadu. By intense research and under the guidance of the scholars this research shed light on the temple’s historical significance and vital connection between the physical and metaphysical.

Using the state-of-art technology and high quality production, the film production is aimed at preserving the essence and energy of the live performance, creating a genuinely engaging and unforgettable experience.

"All ancient texts from our region have messages that are very relevant in today's world. My mission is take on topics and present them to diverse audience across the world," she said.

The roots of Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance form, can be traced back to around the 2nd century CE. The ancient Tamil epic, Silappatikaram, provides descriptions of early forms of this dance. Additionally, sculptures in temples from the 6th to 9th century CE indicate that dance had evolved into a sophisticated performance art by the middle of the 1st millennium CE.

The Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur in the southern state of India which was built by Chola King, Rajaraja I of the Chola dynasty. The temple has beautiful and large mural paintings dating back to 13th century. Interestingly, there are carvings of 81 out of 108 dance poses, known as karanas, used in Bharatnatyam.

(With inputs from PTI)

More For You

George Singh: Celebrating 30 years of Chutney Soca and its global rise

George Singh

George Singh: Celebrating 30 years of Chutney Soca and its global rise

ASJAD NAZIR

CHUTNEY soca music is a beautiful blend of African, Caribbean, and Indian beats. It has helped define the south Asian diaspora across the Caribbean and is loved by millions around the world.

The brightest shining light of this popular music genre has been the Chutney Soca Monarch competition, which has taken place annually in Trinidad & Tobago for three decades.

Keep ReadingShow less
James Bond reboot plans lighter, campier tone to attract younger fans

James Bond franchise to embrace humor and playfulness in its upcoming reboot, appealing to a new generation of fans

Instagram/jamesbondpostercollection

James Bond reboot plans lighter, campier tone to attract younger fans

The James Bond franchise is gearing up for a major shift as it prepares to reboot after Daniel Craig’s gritty, emotionally charged era. According to a report by The Times, the next version of 007 will ditch the brooding intensity of the recent films and return to the lighter, more playful tone of the Sean Connery and Roger Moore days. The goal? To appeal to a younger, meme-savvy audience.

The report suggests that the new Bond will embrace “quips and camp,” moving away from the “Shakespearean heft” of Craig’s portrayal. The idea behind this shift is to make the franchise more accessible and marketable to younger viewers, with a focus on humour, over-the-top villains, and shareable moments tailor-made for social media. While this might alarm fans who appreciated Craig’s grounded take, it’s a deliberate move to future-proof the series and keep it relevant in a rapidly changing and dynamic entertainment landscape.

The reboot comes amid ongoing challenges behind the scenes. Amazon, which acquired MGM in 2021, is reportedly working closely with Eon Productions to map out the franchise’s future. However, tensions have arisen over creative direction, particularly around potential spin-offs like a Moneypenny series or a young Bond prequel. For now, the focus remains on the mainline films, with casting for the new Bond still up in the air.

This isn’t the first time Bond has undergone a transformation. The franchise has always adapted to the times, from the suave charm of Connery to the gritty realism of Craig. The shift to a campier tone mirrors the success of films like Kingsman, which proved that audiences still enjoy spy stories with a sense of fun.

While some fans may be wary of the change, the move could breathe new life into the 60-year-old franchise. If done right, the next Bond could strike a balance between humour and heart, appealing to both longtime fans and a new generation. One thing’s for sure: 007’s next mission will be unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Keep ReadingShow less
King Charles to appear in Amazon documentary on environmental causes

King Charles to share his environmental vision in an upcoming Amazon documentary

Getty Images

King Charles to appear in Amazon documentary on environmental causes

King Charles is set to appear in a new documentary produced by Amazon Prime Video, focusing on his lifelong dedication to environmental causes and sustainable living. Filming has already begun at Dumfries House in Scotland, a location closely tied to his charity work. The documentary will explore the themes of his 2010 book, Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World, which advocates for a deeper connection between humanity and nature.

The project marks a shift for the Royal Family, which has traditionally partnered with British broadcasters like the BBC and ITV for major productions. However, Charles’s decision to collaborate with Amazon reflects a modern approach to reaching global audiences. This move follows in the footsteps of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have a multi-million-dollar deal with Netflix, Amazon’s rival streaming platform.

Keep ReadingShow less
LA FireAid concert brings music legends together for wildfire relief

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day joins Steve Ballmer and others at the FireAid Benefit Concert for California Fire Relief at the Intuit Dome

Getty Images

LA FireAid concert brings music legends together for wildfire relief

Los Angeles united in a soul-stirring evening of music and solidarity at the FireAid benefit concert, pouring their hearts into raising funds for California wildfire relief. Held at the iconic Kia Forum and the breathtaking Intuit Dome, the event showcased an unforgettable all-star lineup that transcended genres, showing us that even in the darkest of times, music has the power to heal, inspire, and bring us together as one.

Green Day opened the night with "Last Night on Earth," surprising fans by inviting Billie Eilish to join them for a duet. Later, Eilish and her brother Finneas returned for a stripped-down acoustic set, performing tracks from her latest album. "L.A. is my only home, and I've got you," she told the crowd.

One of the most talked-about moments was the long-awaited Nirvana reunion. Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, and Krist Novoselic performed together for the first time in years, joined by a rotating lineup of guest vocalists, including St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett, and Grohl's daughter, Violet.

Katy Perry, wrapped in the California state flag, had the crowd singing along to "California Gurls," while Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, and Pink delivered high-energy sets. No Doubt's reunion was another highlight, with Gwen Stefani leading the band through hits like "Just a Girl" and "Don't Speak."

Dr. Dre made an unexpected appearance with Anderson. Paak, energising the audience with "California Love." Rock and pop legends, including Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Joni Mitchell also rocked the stage.

The lineup stretched across genres, featuring performances from Alanis Morissette, John Mayer, Jelly Roll, Dawes, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, The Black Crowes, John Fogerty, Peso Pluma, Gracie Abrams, Lil Baby, and Tate McRae.

Keep ReadingShow less
Comedian Shalaka Kurup joins The Ladies of Laughter

Shalaka Kurup

Comedian Shalaka Kurup joins The Ladies of Laughter

Eastern Eye

INDIAN stand-up comedian Shalaka Kurup has made a significant impact on the UK scene, earning multiple awards along the way.

Her unique brand of observational humour has connected with audiences from diverse backgrounds, establishing her as a rising star who is set to shine even brighter in the years ahead.

Keep ReadingShow less