Cutting Loose

This post goes out especially for followers in the United States of America. Some of whom have, over the past few years, unfailingly pinged Cutting Loose for fashioning their travels around India. In turn, nothing has given me greater pleasure than showcasing to them an India beyond the obvious. If testimonials are to be believed, they’re clearly not missing the tried-and-tested.

And this here, dear readers, is your chance to experience a slice of this colourful country sans that trans-Atlantic flight–save it for friendlier climes!–to a place so many of you call home. For now, the 16^th Annual New York Indian Film Festival (7^th-14^th May) ought to be your recourse-in-celluloid.

The Opening Night Film is Bardroy Baretto’s Konkani feature film Nachom-ia Kumpasar (Let’s Dance to The Rhythm) honouring Goa’s love for music. Set in the 1960s and 70s it pays tribute to the eclectic musicians of those decades through 20 lilting Konkani songs.

Umesh Kulkarni’s Highway, about a traffic jam-imposed pause in life for commuters on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, forms the Centrepiece. And the Closing Night Film is none other than Hansal Mehta directed Manoj Bajpai-starrer Aligarh.

IMPORTANT: Those already in New York, or those intending to travel there this weekend, do note that the fest kicks off with a special red carpet screening of Matthew Brown’s The Man Who Knew Infinity at 6pm on Monday, 25^th April, at New York Society for Ethical Culture (2 West 64th Street New York, NY 10025).

To know more about the schedule, venues, and ticket costs, please see Indo-American Arts Council.