'Billy and Molly: An Otter Love Story' to Open Mumbai Film Festival
National Geographic's documentary, 'Billy and Molly, An Otter Love Story', will kick off the screenings at the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) in Mumbai. MIFF is scheduled to be held from June 15 to 21, 2024 in Mumbai. The opening film will be screened simultaneously in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Pune on June 15. The film will also be screened during the Red Carpet event in Delhi on June 17, Chennai on June 18, Kolkata on June 19, and Pune on June 20.
Directed by Charlie Hamilton James is a heart-warming story about a man who forms an unlikely friendship with a wild otter while living in a remote Shetland Islands.
The Mumbai International Film Festival for documentary, short and animation films (MIFF) is a festival organized in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. It was started in 1990, and focuses on documentary, short fiction and animation films.
The festival aims to provide a platform for documentary and short film makers from all over the world to meet, exchange ideas and explore possibilities of co-production and marketing of documentary, short and animation films.
This biennial festival is traditionally held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai.
Jun 12, 2024
Oxford University to Return Stolen 500-year-old Bronze Idol to India
The UK's prestigious Oxford University agreed to return a 500-year-old bronze idol of a saint believed to be stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu to India. In March 2024, the Council of the Oxford University supported a claim from the Indian High Commission for the return of a 16th-century bronze sculpture of Saint Tirumankai Alvar from the Ashmolean Museum.
The 60 cm-tall statue of Saint Tirumankai Alvar was acquired by the Ashmolean Museum at the Oxford University from Sotheby's auction house in 1967 from the collection of a collector named Dr. J. R. Belmont (1886-1981).
Jun 09, 2024
India Art Festival Makes its Debut in Hyderabad
The India Art Festival (IAF), a premier contemporary art fair held annually in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai since 2011, made its inaugural edition in Hyderabad. The event took place from June 7 to 9, 2024, at Kings Kohinoor (Crown) Convention, Hyderabad.
The Hyderabad edition featured 30 art galleries showcasing the works of 50 master artists, alongside 200 mid-career and emerging artists. Visitors saw a diverse array of 3,500 paintings and sculptures across various mediums, displayed in 100 booths.
Since its inception in 2011, the India Art Festival has successfully hosted 25 editions across New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. The festival's unique format, which includes both gallery exhibits, and independent artist showcases, has significantly contributed to its growth in scale, quality, and reach over the past decade and a half. This year's (2024) Hyderabad edition aimed to continue the art festival's mission of democratizing art viewing and buying, bringing a rich cultural experience to the Charminar City.
The IAF follows the Art Expo model, one of the oldest art fairs in New York.
May 22, 2024
Artara'24 Fine Arts Exhibition & Competition Makes Its Mark in Dubai
The Artara'24 Fine Arts Exhibition and Competition made its mark in Dubai as a platform for discovering and nurturing emerging artistic talents from the country. The event aimed to discover hidden artistic gems, with a particular focus on the Indian talent residing in Dubai. The event aimed to provide a prestigious stage for lesser-known artists, students, and art enthusiasts to showcase their extraordinary abilities and connect with fellow creative minds.
Held at the Al Jalila Cultural Centre, a venue under the Dubai Cultural Center, Artara'24 featured an impressive collection of over 250 pieces of art, each telling its own unique story and reflecting the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of the talented participants. The exhibition proudly showcased artworks from multi-national artists, with many exhibiting their work for the first time, making this event a significant milestone in their artistic journey.
May 16, 2024
India Platform Renamed as 'Bharat Pavilion' at 77th Cannes Film Festival
The India Pavilion, rechristened the Bharat Pavilion, was formally opened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France.
Explaining the rationale behind the renaming, Mr. Sanjay Jaju, secretary, ministry of information and broadcasting, said that it symbolises the country's assertion of its traditional storytelling practices while it actively looks for collaborations with the rest of the world.
The 77th annual Cannes Film Festival is a film festival taking place from May 14 to 25, 2024. American filmmaker and actress Greta Gerwig is serving as jury president for the main competition. French actress Camille Cottin hosted the opening ceremony and will also host the closing ceremony.
Indian Literary Masterpieces Inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register
In a proud moment for India, three of its literary treasures – the Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana – were inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register.
This prestigious recognition celebrates India's rich literary heritage and cultural legacy, affirming the timeless wisdom and artistic expressions that have shaped the nation's identity.
Preserving Timeless Wisdom for Future Generations
The inclusion of these masterpieces in the Register signifies a crucial step in global cultural preservation efforts. It ensures that the profound teachings and narratives embodied within these works continue to inspire and enlighten generations to come, transcending boundaries of time and place.