INDIAN SUMMER AT THE V&A

London's Victoria & Albert Museum kicks off its celebration of an 'Indian Summer' on 26th June with 'Cinema India', a major exhibition of Bollywood posters and hoardings. This is followed by free screenings of 'Mother India', 'Awara' and 'Bombay' in July and August, demonstrations of hoarding painting, Bollywood dance, Bollywood storytelling and puppet shows and jewellery making. Free events for adults include Anita Choudhary demonstrating techniques for Indian costume production. Bookable events include a gala concert by sitar maestro Nishat Khan and and introduction to Bharata Natyam (South Indian classical dance).

For those interested in more modern dance, the V&A has also got a Friday Night late view on Bollywood dance numbers on Friday 30th August. See below for details of event dates.

CINEMA INDIA: THE ART OF BOLLYWOOD
26 June to 6 October 2002

Hand-painted Hoardings and Bollywood Posters Bring Indian Cinema to the V&A with the first ever major exhibition of posters and hoardings from Indian cinema from the 1950s to the present day. Featuring over 70 posters from films such as 'Bobby', 'Deewaar', 'Kaaghaz Ke Phool' and 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram', and large scale printed hoardings in the V&A's new contemporary space, the show captures the excitement and glamour of Bollywood.

Highlights include a group of hoarding artists from India who have been specially commissioned to demonstrate the unique art of hand-painting hoardings at the V&A. They will produce three works on site providing a rare opportunity for the public to watch this fascinating technique. The exhibition also includes lobby photo cards and song booklets as well as works by contemporary artists such as Catherine Yass and Adam Bartos.

FILM SCREENINGS - Lecture Theatre, 14.00

Classic Bollywood films will be screened at the V&A throughout the summer. This series offers an insight into the art of Bollywood filmmaking: stunning stage sets, dramatic locations, beautiful costumes and fantastic song and dance routines. All have English subtitles. Free entry, no booking - limited seating allocated on a first come basis.

Mother India (1957) - Sunday 28 July
Running time 163 mins. Courtesy of Eros International

A National epic; this film is about the forces of tradition and destiny. Radha, a young bride struggles against a series of gruelling trials against man and nature to become the revered 'Mother' of her village.

Awara/The Vagabond (1951) - Sunday 4 August
Running time 168 mins. Courtesy of R.K. Films

Renowned for its elaborate sets and stunning dream sequence, this classic film features two great stars, Raj Kapoor and Nargis, and tells of the romance between a man brought up in the Bombay slums and his childhood sweetheart, the Judge's daughter.

Bombay (1995) - Sunday 1 September
Running time 150 mins. Courtesy of Ayngaran

A recent 'classic', famed for its musical score and cinematography. Set against the communal riots of 1992, a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl elope to Bombay to find themselves swept up in the violence that engulfs the city. Some scenes not suitable for young children.

EVENTS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Drop-in events for families
All in Gallery 63 unless stated otherwise.

Hoarding painting demonstration by Balkrishna Art
Wednesday 26 June 10.00-13.00, Thursday 27 June 14.00-17.00 Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 June 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
A chance to watch and talk with the hoarding painters as they demonstrate their fascinating technique.

Collage poster-making workshop
Saturday 20 July
11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
Make your own Bollywood-style poster using photocopied images from the posters on display.

Bollywood dance workshop
Sunday 21 July
40-minute presentations at 14.00 & 15.30
A chance to join in as renowned Bollywood choreographer Honey Kalaria gives a practical introduction to Bollywood dance.

Bollywood Brass Band
Wednesday 24 July
30-minute performances at 14.00,15.00,16.00 and 18.00. In the Pirelli Garden.
The internationally-acclaimed Bollywood Brass Band perform a selection of Indian Filmi music by Bombay Dreams composer A. R. Rahman and others.

Bollywood puppet show
Tuesday 13 August
25-minute presentation at 14.30 & 15.30
Children from the St Peter's Bengali Association perform a Bollywood tale with their own puppets.

Bollywood storytelling
Thursday 29, Friday 30 & Saturday 31 August
11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
Hear stories relating to Bollywood films, with the opportunity for children to dress in character.

Jewellery-making workshop
Sunday 1 September
11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
An opportunity to make jewellery based on the style of Bollywood costumes.

DROP-IN EVENTS FOR ADULTS

Indian costume production demonstration
Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 September
14.00-17.00. Gallery 63.
Anita Choudary demonstrates the techniques used to create both replica courtesan costumes and those worn by contemporary dancers.

BSL interpreted talk for deaf people
Wednesday 25 September, 18.30
An introductory talk about the exhibition, by curator, Divia Patel.
Meet in rear of Cromwell Road entrance hall

Gallery talk
Sunday 29 September, 13.00
An introductory talk about the exhibition, by curator, Divia Patel.
Meet in rear of Cromwell Road entrance hall.

BOOKABLE EVENTS FOR ADULTS

Gala Concert by sitar maestro Nishat Khan
Monday 8 July, 19.00-21.30. Lecture Theatre.
The world-famous Indian sitar player Nishat Khan will be playing live at the Victoria and Albert Museum for this special one-off concert. Khan's music has won acclaim from audiences and critics all over the world as well as in his native India. This virtuoso concert provides a rare opportunity to experience Khan's technical prowess and musical mastery. Tickets: £25 including interval refreshments. To book call 020 7942 2209.

Indian dance study day
Saturday 3 August, 10.30-16.45. Lecture Theatre.
An introduction to Indian dance concentrating on the South Indian classical dance form of Bharata Natyam. Lectures, film excerpts and demonstrations explore the rich history of this dance form, and its revival and influence through film.
Tickets: £28 full; £22 Senior Citizens, Friends and Patrons of the V&A;
£7.50 students; £5 Registered disabled people, ES40-holders. A free
place is available to a carer accompanying a registered disabled person. For full details and to book call 020 7942 2209.

FRIDAY LATE VIEW

Shhh!!**.It's Bollywood
Friday 30 August, 18.30-22.00
An evening of musical delights - featuring top DJs, traditional musicians and dance troupes showcasing your favourite Bollywood dance numbers - plus film screenings, special guests and more, including late-night opening of Cinema India: The Art of Bollywood.. For more information call the Friday Late View box office on 020 7942 2211 and visit www.vam.ac.uk for up-to-date listings and ticket information.

GENERAL INFORMATION
The V&A is open daily 10am - 5.45pm and until 10pm on Wednesdays.

FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL.

The nearest underground station is South Kensington (Piccadilly, District and Circle lines). *For further information or to book tickets for lectures please telephone the V&A's Box Office on 020 7942 2209. For general information call 020 7942 2000 or visit the V&A website: http://www.vam.ac.uk