Arthat Studio’s sets up its latest sculpture at ONGC’s IPSHEM campus

Mumbai, 07th May 2024: Arthat Studio, an artist collective and experiential agency, known for anamorphic art installations and for the practice of anamorphosis in India has completed its most recent work at ONGC IPSHEM Campus in Goa.

The sculptures are created from scrap metal sourced from ONGC’s operations, inspired by the theme of Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean), stand as powerful symbols of the company’s ethos and services. Each sculpture intricately captures the essence of the mythological tale, depicting celestial beings and demons engaged in the cosmic endeavour to extract the elixir of life – oil.

Meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, showcase the fusion of creativity and sustainability, as they repurpose industrial waste into stunning works of art. Just as the Devas and Asuras worked in harmony to churn the ocean, ONGC harnesses cutting-edge technology and expertise to extract oil responsibly, ensuring the vitality of communities and industries.

Speaking on its latest work, Co-Founders of Arthat Studio – Jitendra Patel, Ashok Namdev and Deval Vala commented, “We are immensely grateful to ONGC for providing us with this opportunity and allowing us to create these unique sculptures. The creative freedom which they provide helps us explore the possibilities with their scrap.”

“Creating sculptures from scrap metal was quite a challenge considering the timeline we had. But pre-planning and client support motivated us to achieve the desired output within the deadline. To make all the sculptures of the Samudra Manthan theme, we took overall 95 days and a team of 25 artisans and 120 fabricators”, said Hiren Masharu, Chief Operation Officer at Arthat Studio.

Dr. Debasish Mukherjee, Chief Corporate Communications, ONGC said, “These sculptures serve as visual abstractions of ONGC’s commitment to People and the Planet. Visitors here can catch a glimpse of ONGC’s integral role as an energy anchor of India. The Samudra Manthan-themed sculptures crafted from ONGC-used scrap, brings alive ONGC’s dedication to sustainable practices while seeking national energy independence. In a way, this makes the organic connect between rich Indian mythology and modern-day energy delivery quite relevant.”

The Poona Club Squash Open and PSA Challenger Tour Men’s and Women’s Championship Set to Kick Off on May 8th

Pune, India – May 07, 2024 – The Poona Club Ltd is thrilled to announce the commencement of the highly anticipated The Poona Club Squash Open and PSA Challenger Tour Men’s and Women’s Championship, scheduled to take place from May 8th to May 12th at the prestigious Poona Club. The event will take place across ten squash courts located at five renowned venues in Pune – The Poona Club Squash Court, RSI Squash Court, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, The Residency Club, and Ath Elite Sports Club.

Organized in collaboration with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), this 4-star championship aims to promote and foster the growth of squash in India while providing a platform for both emerging talent and seasoned professionals to showcase their skills on the court. This year’s championship has witnessed a groundbreaking registration, with an impressive total of 700 participants from across the region.

Mr Sunil Handa, President of The Poona Club Ltd, expressed his excitement for the upcoming championship, stating, “The Poona Club Squash Open is a testament to our commitment to promoting diverse sporting opportunities for our members and the wider community. We are delighted to host this prestigious event and look forward to witnessing intense competition and camaraderie amongst players.”

Mr Gaurav Gadhoke, Vice President and Chairman said “Building on the success of previous sporting initiatives, the Squash Championship promises to deliver an electrifying display of athleticism and sportsmanship.” To encourage the participants and building on the sportsmanship spirit The Poona Club will be providing all the players with hampers including tournament t-shirts, water bottles etc.”

The championship will feature competitive categories for both men and women, with players vying for top honours and valuable ranking points on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour. Spectators can expect thrilling matches as players battle it out for supremacy on the squash court. Squash enthusiasts all over the world can view all the matches live on the SRFI Youtube channel.

Mr Bhavook Tripathi, CEO & Founder of Brahm and the main sponsor for the event added, “Being a wellness brand, supporting a tournament like The Poona Club Squash Open and PSA Challenger Tour gives us an opportunity to showcase our commitment well-being & lifestyle.”

The event has also been generously supported by other brands such as Garware, Atur India and Elica India as well.

As a pioneer in offering a wide range of sporting leagues, including cricket, swimming, snooker, football, and racquet sports, The Poona Club continues to be a hub for sports enthusiasts seeking quality recreation and competitive opportunities.

Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra’s Kendra Dance Festival Showcases ‘PARIKRAMA’, ‘KARNA’, and ‘MEERA

As one of the foremost institutions in India dedicated to preserving and promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage, Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra commands immense respect from cultural enthusiasts. Under the exemplary leadership of Padmashri Smt. Shobha Deepak Singh (Vice Chairperson – Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra), from the esteemed Shriram family, the Kendra epitomizes a mantra of responsibility towards nurturing and propagating our legacy of Performing Arts.

Experience the grandeur of Indian dance dramas – PARIKRAMA, KARNA and MEERA – and witness the fervour of the characters of Indian history and mythology at the ‘Kendra Dance Festival’, presented by the renowned Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra. Embark on a captivating journey through the world of dance as talented performers showcased their artistry on May 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2024. The venue for this spectacular event was the Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.

The choreography for all three performances is done by Shashidharan Nair, while Padmashri Shobha Deepak Singh oversaw each production serving as both producer and director, ensuring a seamless and captivating artistic experience.

In the words of Padmashri Smt. Shobha Deepak Singh, “The Kendra Dance Festival’s productions are not just performances; they are reflections of our cultural essence and timeless wisdom. In a world where ‘fusion’ often leads to confusion, our commitment to preserving the purity and authenticity of Indian dance tradition shines through. Through PARIKRAMA, KARNA and MEERA, we immersed into the depths of human existence, exploring themes of spirituality, destiny, and the eternal cycle of life and death. These productions retain their original themes while offering profound relevance to today’s society, where violence and discrimination continue to plague our world. On this journey of enlightenment and artistic expression, we celebrate the timeless beauty of Indian culture at the Kendra Dance Festival 2024.”

Artist Shivam Sahni was the principal performer as Atma in PARIKRAMA said, “My character in this production is very challenging as my previous production was as Young Krishna with Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra very easily identifiable. However, for the character of Atma in Parikrama, I portray a non being which itself is very difficult to convey both in terms of Concept and the specific movement vocabulary.”

Tullu Murmu is the principal performer as KARNA said, “My most challenging feat was combining and expressing the historical narrative of Karna himself from rigorous dance and intense, subtle emotions. My feelings whilst communicating with my stage mother Kunti as to ‘why did she leave me and why does she want me back now’ was another intense scene in my role as Karna.”

Artist Molina Singh (MEERA) said, “This was my 28th year of playing the character of Meera. It is also my longest inning to play a character. Through Meera, I learned the value of integrity, to be fearless and condemn the wrong doing against the weak, to be graceful yet fearless in speaking your mind. Extremely thankful to Shriram Bharatiya kala Kendra and Padmashri Shobha Deepak Singh for trusting in my ability to pull this long innings of playing Meera.”