#BazaarCalendar: A curated guide for where to be and what to see this November

“Art teaches nothing except the significance of life.” On a cosy November morning, these words of Henry Miller come to mind. After all, art inspires, art attracts; it broadens your horizons of knowledge and lets you escape. Art is in colours, on canvasses, and in the tunes of musicians. It is also in the words in a book and dance moves on the stage. It is boundless and beyond borders. 

After the festive euphoria of celebrations, it’s time to get a taste of subliminal creations by artists to keep the momentum of the year going. November is brimming with events that promise inspiration, excitement, and style. From exclusive art exhibitions and film festivals to luxury pop-ups and soirées, we’ve curated a selection of the most unmissable events happening this month. Here’s your guide to making the most of November with events that offer something for everyone.

European Union Film Festival

26 films. 31 languages. 12 female directors. That’s what the 29th edition of the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) has to offer to cinema lovers. Featuring award-winning films from the region, the EUFF is a celebration of the diversity and depth of European cinema. Some of the films to be showcased during the festival include Malta’s Blood on the Crown, La Chimera from Italy, Death is a Problem for the Living (Peluri—Kuolema On Elavien Ongelma) from Finland, Cyprus’ Embryo Larva Butterfly, Bulgaria’s Because I Love Bad Weather and Without Air from Greece among others. The curation explores an array of themes, from complex relationships to queer identity to sisterhood, male bonding, and solidarity in diverse socio-cultural times that must be navigated together. The festival also features an eclectic mix of genres, so you'll certainly find something you'll like.

Where and when: November 7-16 (multiple venues, Delhi), November 27 to December 28 (Kolkata), and December 6-15 (Hyderabad)

Bimal Das Gupta: Tutelage—An Ode to a Legend

Bimal Das Gupta, one of the country’s earliest and most profound abstractionists, is considered to be a trailblazer in Indian art. The two-day solo exhibition, presented by Dhoomimal Gallery and Gallery Silver Scapes, will feature a wide-ranging collection of Das Gupta’s works, spanning six decades of his artistic journey—from the 1930s, when he first broke away from the figurative styles popular in post-independence India, through to the later years of his career. It will showcase his bold experiments with watercolours and acrylics alongside other media and their combinations, such as gouaches and oil pastels.

Where: Travancore House, New Delhi
When: November 9-10

New Works by Senaka Senanayake

Renowned Sri Lankan artist, Senaka Senanayake is celebrated for his vibrant and expressive paintings that depict the lush flora and fauna of his homeland. His work reflects his concerns about environmental conservation and the importance of preserving Sri Lanka's natural heritage. With his latest collection, like his other paintings, Senanayake wants to connect with onlookers and start a conversation. “Many times, people walk by a piece of art and don't respond… I want my paintings to talk. Everyone from a street sweeper to a university professor should be able to relate to my art.” On the opening day of the exhibition, Dr Cleo Roberts Komireddion will conduct a talk and walkthrough of the exhibition at noon.

Where: Snowball Studios, Mumbai 
When: November 10 –16

Art Mumbai 2.0 

 

Art Mumbai, presented by Birla Opus, is back with a broader, more diverse collection of art from around the world. From a sculpture walk featuring installations at scale to thought-provoking discussions with their speaker series exploring Mumbai's artistic legacy and Indian art's evolving significance, there is a lot to learn and explore at the second edition of one of the biggest art events in the city. These curated sessions will be intertwined with music and dance performances.

Where:  Mahalakshmi Race Course, Mumbai
When: November 14–17

Literature Live! The Mumbai Litfest

One of the most anticipated festivals in the city, Literature Live! Mumbai is back with its 15th edition. The festival brings together literature lovers for three days with its exciting line-up of authors and a range of conversations, book launches, workshops, performances, readings, panel discussions, and more. Some prominent speakers at the event this year include the poet, writer and translator Arvind Krishna Mehrotra, the legendary poet, lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar, and poet Hemant Divate, among others. These stalwarts will also be joined by international authors, poets, playwrights and artists such as author and historian Jane Ohlmeyer from Ireland, and poet Brane Mozetič from Slovenia.

Where: The National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai
When: Nov 15–17

Manam Theatre Festival

 

The second edition of the Manam Theatre Festival promises an exceptional line-up of Indian and international theatre troupes, offering cutting-edge performances. From ground-breaking contemporary pieces to interpretations of revered classics, there will be enough and more to keep theatre lovers glued to their seats. There is a lot on offer for aspiring theatre enthusiasts—the festival welcomes visiting troupes for week-long engagements, including workshops and thought-provoking discussions, aimed at inspiring and educating. In special association, the festival will collaborate with Hyderabad Children's Theatre Festival to present Gillo Repertory Theatre’s “The Ghost of the Mountains”, a gripping Ladakhi story of a young boy’s bravery, and Mister Jeejeebhoy and the Birds, a whimsical adventure with siblings, a quirky aunt, and magical birds.

Where: We_Us House in Banjara Hills and Rangbhoomi Spaces, Hyderabad
When: November 15 to December 15  

NCPA International Jazz Festival 2024

We don’t think when Louis Armstrong said, “What we play is life” about jazz, he was exaggerating even a little bit. And the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) has been celebrating this spirit year-on-year with its stellar line-up of artists from around the world. This year, four international jazz artists, including child prodigies and Grammy Award winners—Brandon Goldberg, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Matthew Whitaker, and Veronica Swift—will enthral the audience over three days.

Where: Tata Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai
When: November 22–24

Aadyam Theatre Festival

An Aditya Birla initiative, Aadyam is a theatre collective striving to preserve the art form. The seventh season of the festival will open with an Atul Kumar-directed adaption of Mark Haddson’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Some of the other feature productions include Aarambh Mumbai’s Do Deewaney, directed by Purva Naresh, D for Drama’s Sleuth, directed by Shubhrajyoti Barat, and Arpan Theatre’s The Horse, directed by Sunil Shanbag, among others.

Where: St. Andrew's Auditorium, Mumbai
When: November 23–24

Lead image: Butterflies by Senaka Senanayake; Photography: Prakash Rao

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