VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

AN INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
'WOMEN STRUGGLE, WOMEN RESIST'

Venue: Gorky Sadan, Kolkata
Inauguration: 29th November 2006, 6 pm
The exhibition will contune till 4th December 2006, 3 pm - 8 pm

Violence against women has many dimensions – psychological, emotional, physical, and it is perpetrated in many spaces – domestic, social, state. Violence against women has risen at an unprecedented rate. The trauma that women undergo is not measurable or quantifiable statistical analyses and lengthy reports tell us little about the horrors of violence, or of women's courage. The international photography exhibition 'Women Struggle, Women Resist' is part of a process of initiating social changes – it documents not only the struggles but also the resistance of women to domestic and state violence. Visually stimulating and thought-provoking, these photographs by socially committed national and international photographers lay bare, question, challenge and go beyond the stereotypical 'grieving mother' or 'women of sorrow' and present those women who have both resisted and survived. In a section of this exhibition one encounters the women of Manipur who with fierce courage, inner strength and a collective sense of dignity have brushed aside the limitations of victim hood and resolutely stood against the torments and tortures of state violence.




This exhibition will not end here – it would continue as a touring exhibition, not confined to galleries and circumscribed wall spaces so that it can reach out to a larger section of people with its striking collection of images and stories. I congratulate all the women who have shown the courage to fight back and have consented to be documented by the photographers. I thank the photographers for participating in this exhibition and for their continuing dedication to the cause of violence against women and girls. At the same time, I grieve the absence of images by women photographers without whose participation the exhibition remains incomplete.





Suvendu Chatterjee

Curator

Drik India


The event is organized in collaboration with Swayam, and International Association of Women in Radio and Television, and is supported by
Ford Foundation.

ALL ARE WELCOME


For more information contact:
Ms Supreeta Singh
Drik India

Ranga De Prachanda

कमरेड प्रचन्डलाई सिनेमा हेर्नमा अभिरूची छ भन्ने पहिले पनि कतै पढेको थिएँ तर थाहा थिएन उहाँ एकदम मस्त मुभी वफ हुनुहुन्छ भन्ने कुरो । पवनकलीसँगको कुराकानीकै बेलामा प्रचन्डजीले फुस्काउनु भएछ यो कुरा । पवनकलीले सोधेकी थिईन रे, तपाँईले हालसालै हेर्नु भएको सिनेमा कुन चाँही हो भन्दा, चेयरमेनले भन्नु भएछ, “रँग दे बसन्ती”। यहाँ जापानमा पनि हिन्दी सिनेमा हेर्न नपाईने होईन तर ब्यस्तताका कारण समय निकाल्न नसकिएको हो । त्यसमा आमिर भाई त आफ्नो फेवरिट भई हालियो, नहेरी त कुनै हालतमा छोडीन्न- बस टाईमको कुरा हो । यध्यपि,”रँग दे बसन्ती”को कथा-वस्तु र ब्यापारीक सफलताका सँबन्धमा भने लामा-लामा समिक्षाहरु भने पढियो । त्यसैको आधारमा हेर्दा प्रचन्डजीले कलाकारहरुलाई पनि एउटा राम्रो सुझाव दिएको देखिन्छ-कस्तो सिनेमा नेपालीहरुले बनाउनु पर्छभनेर।

For detail story clik on poaster.

My pix on Nepalitimes again

Straining for a glimpse: Curious civilians crowding around Kathmandu's Khulla Manch to see what the future looks like, last Friday at the first Maoist public meeting since the peace deal.
© Deependra Bajracharya
For detail story clik here (ie:link to recent NepaliTimes issue #323 (17 November 06 - 23 November 06)

PICTURE OF THE YEAR

I JUST GET THIS PHOTO FROM FRIEND VIA MAIL BUT THERE WAS NO CREDIT BUT TITLE AS PHOTO OF THE YEAR.

BARTA SING WITH KUTUMBA

Barta Gandharva, a sarngi player sing a song with Kutumba at Nagadesh, Thimi.
© Deependra Bajracharya

Chobi Mela IV Photo This Year's Theme "BOUNDARIES"

Photo by Yumi Gotto in Bangaladesh

Che Guevara lover journalists

Photo Journalist Usha Ttikchhu and Reporter Shreedhar Neupane at near Healt ministry in kathmandu.

© Deependra Bajracharya

May Peace prevail in Nepal?

Bajracharyas are worshiping at Swoyambhu on Saturday. © Deependra Bajracharya

Many comments on photo

young woman with black get-up participating in a demonstrationfor peace in Putali Sadak, Kathmandu.Photo By © Deependra Bajracharya.

Begining of Ibsen Festival's in Kathmandu

Sunil Pokhrel, Main Guru of Gurukul Kathmandu is sharing his experience in Ibsen's Play during the Inaguration of Ibsen's Festival in Gurukul,Kathmandu on 1 st Nov 2006. © Deependra Bajracharya

The 100th Death Anniversary of the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen is being observed by theatre lovers and theatre workers throughout the world, this year 2006.
The father of modern drama, Henrik Johan Ibsen (March 20, 1828 – May 23, 1906) was an extremely influential Norwegian playwright who was large responsible for the rise of modern realistic drama. Some of his famous plays are A Doll's House, Hedda Gabler, The Wild Duck, Enemy of the People, Master Builder, Peer Gynt, Brand, The League of Youth, Ghosts, The Lady from the See etc.
During his lifetime he earned an international reputation for his psychological dramas that frequently commented on social issues of the day. His plays are one of the most frequently performed in the world. He once said in a speech to students, “And what does it mean then to be a poet? It was a long time before I realized that to be a poet means essentially to see, but mark well, to see in such a way that whatever is seen is perceived by the audience just as the poet saw it. But only what has been lived through can be seen in that way and accepted in that way. And the secret of modern literature lies precisely in this matter of experiences that are lived through. All that I have written these last ten years, I have lived through spiritually.”In Nepal Aarohan theatre group and Gurukul: School of Theatre is also organizing a 'Nine-day long' International Ibsen Theatre Festival from 1st to 12th November, 2006. It will be a multi dimensional program including performances of Ibsen's plays by Asian and European theater groups, publication of literature by and on Ibsen in both English and Nepali, Interaction and talk program on Ibsen as well as contemporary Nepali theatre, Classical music performance.
We are sure that the festival of this grandeur is happening for the first time in Nepal, and it will be a 'Grand Step' in the promotion of Nepali theatre.
The following is the detailed description of the programs of the festival:
1 Theatrical performances: Theatre groups from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, England, Canada, Syria, Mauritius, Denmark & Norway are participating with their grand performances of Ibsen's drama. There will be two performances of every plays.
2 Publication of Literature by and on Ibsen: Commemorating Ibsen's 100th death anniversary we are publishing to case books (one in English & another in Nepali), Nepali translation of Ibsen's "A Doll's House".
3 Press meet and talk program: Each theatrical performance will be followed by press meet and talk program on Ibsen as well as contemporary Nepali theatre.
4 Classical music performance: Sukarma, a reputed music band of Nepal, will present a classical music performance based on Ibsen.
5 Reception:There will be reception on the opening and closing evening.
Date: 1- 12 November 2006.Venue: Sama Theatre and Rimal Theatre, Gurukul, Old Baneshwor, Kathmandu.

Hey, Amnesty int'l Japan is having the walking tour about Nepal

現地ジャーナリストが語る内戦の現実　～紛争に苦しむネパール・３～
アムネスティ・インターナショナル＠ネパール
2006年10月31日
これは私の心の奥にしまっておいた話だ。 badhi kids who live in poor area of Nepal
（Ｃ）Usha Titikshu ネパールの貧困地域バディの子どもたち

（Ｃ）Usha Titikshu ネパールの貧困地域バディの子どもたち badhi kids who live in poor area of Nepal


マオイストの軍事訓練。女性兵士の赤いリボンが印象的だった。一個小隊に一人か二人、女性兵士の姿があった。2001年8月撮影　(C)八木澤高明


（C）八木澤高明


私たちはともに遊び、冗談を言い、一緒にいろいろな活動をした。私は幼いころの彼との思い出を忘れることができない。２人は将来のことについてもよく話し合った。彼は、自分自身や家族、国についてたくさんの夢を持っていた。ネパールで人に認められる立派な人間になりたいというのは２人に共通の願いだったが、親友のトプジュン・ガタラジにとっての一番の願いは、家族が貧しさから抜け出すことだった。

思えば彼らは長い時間をかけて戦闘の準備をしていた。人殺しや若者の勧誘もその一部だった。彼らは文化的なプログラムの提供が得意で、地元の人々、特に若い人の共感を得ていた。私も何人かの指導者たちに誘われたが、幸運にも逃げきることができた。
10学年の最終試験を受けた後、私たちは４年間を過ごした高校を後にし、故郷の村に帰った。その後しばらくして、知人からトプジュンが反政府軍に参加するために家を出たことを聞いた。彼の家族は泣いていたという。
まさか！　心の中にたくさんの疑問が噴出した。国での活躍を夢見ていた彼がなぜマオイストに？
たしかに彼は貧しい家庭に生まれたため、政治に対する不満をもっていた。貧しい家庭の出身であり、カーストがダリット（カースト外の不可触民）である彼は、この社会で成功することはあり得なかった。成績は中くらいだが正直でまじめな生徒だった彼が、もし大学に進学したいと思っても、家族は学費を出すことができただろうか？　卒業後の展望が持てなかった彼は、共産主義を説く統一人民戦線の指導者の演説を聞いて、党に参加することに彼の将来を見いだしたのだろうか？　そういえば、10学年の終わりに近いある日、彼はもうすぐ統一人民戦線が貧しく虐げられた人びとのために戦いを始めると言い、私を党に誘ったことがあった。私がとりあわなかったため、彼は私を無視し、悪口を言うようになった。今思えば、そのときすでに彼は党員になっていたのだった。
彼についてのたくさんの疑問を抱えながら、私は1時間のみちのりを歩いて彼の家に行った。母親や家族に彼のことを尋ねたが、だれも答えることはできなかった。最後に彼の一番上の兄が帰って来て詳しく話してくれた。彼は昨日の朝出て行き、友人とともに、家から３時間ほど離れたところにある警察の襲撃に加わったということだった。私は言葉を失い、一言だけなぐさめのことばを残し家に帰った。心配で胸がいっぱいだった。

training of Maoist army,i impressed red ribon of girls soldger. i saw one or two girls in a battlian

Photos bBy Takaki Yagisawa Colour)

WHO CARES ?

Bishnu Lal Maharja, a demonstrator of April Movement who is lied on Model Hospital Bed since then and His wife and youg daughter is also seen in picture.

‘Bahini’ Barta in Japan

Struggler “Sarangi” player Barta Gandharva’s song will appear with Usha’s photos in Japan soon. Yahori Award won Journalist from Thailand Yumi Gotto, photo editor cum photo curator will presentation and exhibition with her new composed song, which also lyric by herself. The photographs portray of Yahori award winner activist from Nepal Usha Ttitshu.

A poster published by YUMI GOTO, photo editor of Reminder project of Bangkok to promotional of photo exhibition entitled Nepal:Ongoing Journey of pioneer woman photojournalist of Nepal and Usha Titkshu, the exhibition will be held in Japan, Tokyo.

गरिब भई जन्मनु पर्यो We poor, amidst the poverty
दासी भई बाँच्नु पर्यो Living a life of a servant

कोही मर्छन दु:खै दु:ख ज्यानको बाजी राखी One bets even life to live,
कोही हिड्छन् सु:खै सु:खमा गरीबलाई दाली Other live with ecstasy suppressing the poor-
गरिब भई जन्मनु पर्यो We poor amidst the poverty
दासी भई बाँच्नु पर्यो Living a life of a servant

लोकतन्र्त आईसक्यो सबै अघि बढौ Now with democracy, let's move to the fore-
सबै मिलि एकजुत भई अघि सरौ United we can establish a peace forever.

मर्ननै मर्न परोस् उठौ है कम्मर कसेर To die we die; come on with the brave minds!

गरिब भई जन्मनु पर्यो We poor amidst the poverty
दासी भई बाँच्नु पर्यो Living a life of a servant

Song and music by Gandharva

Fire In Monastrey

Nisha Sharma as nun Purnima in Agniko Katha during the performence at Dreams Garden in Kathmandu on 17 OCt 2006.© Deependra Bajracharya

Girls on a rampage in "Agni Ko Katha"
My experience of watching "Agni Ko Katha" (A story of fire) in Gurukul proved to be romantically thrilling and hilariously exhilarating. Of all the scenes, one scene was particularly striking.Gyan, a seeker of truth and knowledge comes back to his village, perhaps his birthplace. He comes to his village because the library in his first monastery is consumed by fire. In the village, there is a small monastery. He goes there. As soon as he reaches the monastery, a bevy of three beautiful girls come. They find him very handsome. One of the girls tickles him, the other titillates him, and the last girl starts rummaging his bag. One of the girls even lifts the long yellow gown of the monk. It looks as if they are going to molest him romantically. Those girls become wildly fond of him. It seems as if those girls are enchantresses, bent on ruining the monk.
How long can the monk resist? As these flirtations reach a crescendo, the monk runs for his life. Once the monk disappears, those girls run around the monastery like deer, begin to giggle, and walk and capture the monastery with the weapon of laughter, giggles, nimble-footed walk and agile movements. It looks as if a monastery is the best place for the consummation of romantic impulse.
This highly sensual and humorous scene in Agni Ko Katha arrested my analytical attention. What did the dramatist Prof. Subedi want to imply by using this scene of sensuality and humour? In addition to this scene, there is another scene in which actress Purnima weeps and wails because Gyan is leaving the first monastery. The pain Purnima endures at the time of Gyan’s separation suggests a high degree of emotional attachment.I believe that by using these scenes of sensuality, perhaps the dramatist wanted to show materialistic elements within Buddhism. The route to salvation and enlightenment is not renunciation only, but aesthetic awareness also. Perhaps, Prof. Subedi subtly wanted to highlight this truth.
Finally, I would like to discuss one eloquent issue. What is Buddhism’s stand on femininity? There is no clear answer. But it is quite certain that there is no idea of gender in the pure creed of Buddhism. Where Gyan’s (a monk) journey for truth ends, Purnima’s (a nun) journey begins. Ultimately Purnima says "I love humanity. I leave the monastery and mix in this world for the emancipation of humanity." Here, I can’t help citing what Prof. Dor Bahadur Bista said regarding Buddhism - "Buddhism is the highest expression of Asiatic humanism, which ultimately brought the world on the threshold of a new civilization." Perhaps, this too is the message that Prof. Dr. Abhi Subedi wanted to give through Agni Ko Katha.

-Shiva Hari Mainali

IIf Your Pictures Aren't Good Enough, You're Not Close Enough...

I recently saw War Photographer, a documentary about one of my personal heroes, James Nachtwey, considered by many the greatest war photographer ever. The film was both moving and incredibly disturbing, but having pored over Natchwey's photos, I was expecting that.

What I really enjoyed about the film was seeing the methodology of this great photographer. The documentary film makers attached a micro-videocamera onto Natchwey's Canon 1-V so that you could see over his trigger finger right into the action he was shooting. You could see him change shutter speeds and aperture settings. I saw that he used 400 speed film, which is a surprise since his pictures are so sharp. You could see how meticulous he was about taking notes, and about keeping his camera clean in less than ideal circumstances. You could see how he traveled. You could see how interacted with his subject matter. You could see how close he was to the action. It was amazing.

If you want to check out some of Natchwey's work, and I highly recommend it, though it's not for the faint of heart, here are some sites:

James Natchwey's site
www.jamesnachtwey.com/

Dasain = Mohani + Meat festival

full stomach in dasain ?:A watter bufallow meat seller of Bungamati in Lalitpur on Dasain- 2063.

'"Shikali Gana Jatra'-1

(Traditional wears musician checking my card when i introduced myself as a photojournalist they said Journalist are not good because they never writes reall story even from Khokana so they were not seems happy with me.)
I am so pleasure to paticipate to observe "Shikali Gana Jatra'' of Khokana, 6 km far away from Patan City while they were celebrating in Dashain Festival as a first time to me. Khokana Village is the same village which is the first place where lit a light from the hydro-electricity ever in Nepal at then Prime Minister Juddha Samsher JBR of rana regime. And also famous of Mustard Oil.
Shikali Jatra, a festival is established by King Aananda Dev Malla and since approx.800 years before. The festival of Shikali, displays colourful danes of Dietys in the Village.

MY NATION?

Artist Ashmina Ranjeet creats a map of Nepal on the ground of BalMandir at Naxal in Kathmandu before 3 years back.