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Thousands participate in International Day of Yoga in Toronto

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Swami Ramdev with 800 million followers and Sister Shivani, with 200 million followers lead yoga and meditation sessions

Toronto, June 27, 2017: The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) enthusiastically celebrated the third edition of the International Day of Yoga on an unprecedented scale in the presence of His Holiness Yogrishi Swami Ramdev, world renowned yoga master and Sister Shivani, Spiritual leader, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.

More than 10,000 yoga enthusiasts participated in the yoga sessions held at the International Centre in Mississauga, among them several dignitaries including Kristy Duncan, Canada’s Minister of Science; Patrick Brown, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario; Dipika Damerla, Ontario Minister of Seniors Affairs; Deepak Obhrai, Member of Parliament, Hazel McCallion, the  legendary former Mayor of Mississauga and prominent members of the federal, provincial and city political establishments; community and business leaders. The event also witnessed the participation of diplomatic corps based in Toronto.

Swami Ramdev congratulated India’s Consul General Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia, chair of the Advisory Committee of the International Yoga Day Canada (IYDC) and Satish Thakkar, chair of organising committee of IYDC.

“Toronto has organised the largest and the best 3rd International Day of Yoga celebrations outside India,” Swamiji Ramdev said expressing happiness at the heartwarming and rousing reception with which he was greeted by the massive gathering.  “An individual who follows the true path of yoga will be free from desire & lust. Eschewing desire and worldly entrapments leads to true freedom and happiness. Selflessness alone can lead us to salvation and stability,” he said during the three-hour yoga session he held with over 5000 participants interspersing the yoga exercises with wisdom, wit and yoga techniques. Continue reading “Thousands participate in International Day of Yoga in Toronto”

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Little India: Village Of Dreams: A film by Nina Beveridge

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World Broadcast Premiere –TVO –9:00 PM ,July 1, 2017  Little India: Village of Dreams will be available across Canada day after broadcast on tvo.org

 A storied Toronto South-Asian ‘hood serves as a metaphor;For a New Canadian “next-generation” experience

 Once accurately described as “Little India,” the stretch of Gerrard Street in Toronto’s East End that sprung up around a now-defunct Bollywood cinema, has morphed over a half-century into a “little subcontinent.”

As depicted in Nina Beveridge’s intimate documentary Little India: Village Of Dreams, premiering on TVO July 1 at 9:00pm, the stresses of Old World conflicts and New World challenges have reshaped the neighbourhood. As a result, Little India is now pan-South Asian, with shops and restaurants representing Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepalese and Sri Lankan cultures (alongside gentrified Westernized coffee shops, galleries and health food stores).

Behind the storefronts, family dramas play out. Little India: Village Of Dreams introduces the patriarchs and matriarchs of Little India’s businesses, but focuses on the Millennials and Gen-Xers who feel the lure of Canadian life and conflicted loyalty to their parents’ legacies.

“I love it and I hate it,” says Ronak Diwan, of working in the Paan snack shop started by his father Raju. Henna artist Sumaiyah Shah edges away from her mother’s salon business to collaborate on an events company with her husband. Meanwhile, her athletically-inclined sister Aysha Khan makes plans to join the Toronto Police.

Others embrace their legacy – literally in the case of style-conscious Chandan Singh, whose very name was attached by his parents to the traditional wedding apparel store Chandan Fashion. Harleen Khorana’s red hair and pale complexion almost compels her to prove her “Indian-ness” by dedicating herself to her parents’ store Kala Kendar. And – still mourning the death of his father – Adam Sayani emerges in front of our eyes as a boyish community leader, sharing, with his mother Gulshan, the operation of the famous and popular Lahore Tikka House.

“While making this movie I developed a deep appreciation for the strength of the South Asian family unit,” says Director Beveridge. “I believe it helps their children spring forth with confidence into a new world of Canadian opportunity. They all live together, they work together, they reinforce each other. There’s a collective mindset at work.” Continue reading “Little India: Village Of Dreams: A film by Nina Beveridge”

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Sexy Durga &The Black Prince bookend Europe’s Largest Indian Film Festival

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The Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival, regarded as Europe’s largest Indian film festival returns for its 8th edition at 11 cinemas across London including BFI Southbank from 22-29 June, with a new and exciting selection of fabulous cutting-edge films that reaffirm the festival’s position as the ‘punk-rock of Indian cinema’. The festival is title sponsored by the Bagri Foundation with a major support from Grange Hotels, Sun Mark Ltd, and is funded by the BFI’s National Lottery Film Festivals Fund.

As an edgy tie-in, to UK-India Year of Culture and complementing the BFI’s India on Film programme, the festival opens on 22nd June at the BFI Southbank with the red carpet premiere of the historical epic, The Black Prince by Kavi Raz. This powerful UK-produced film was launched at Cannes, and stars Indian music singer Satinder Sartaaj, iconic actress Shabana Azmi (The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Fire), Jason Flemyng (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Amanda Root (Jane Eyre). The film dramatises the little-known story of the last King of Punjab who was abducted by the British Raj to be mentored by Queen Victoria.

Back into the 21st Century for the closing night, on 29th June, BFI Southbank rocks again with the surreal Malayalam road-movie thriller Sexy Durga set in Kerala, directed by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, which this year won the prestigious Tiger Award for best film at Rotterdam. A tale of a hitch-hiking couple accidentally getting into the car of deranged gangsters and trying to escape a road to hell.

The Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival continues to not simply reflect what’s happening in South Asian cinema but instead sparks cutting edge debate through special events, the Satyajit Ray short film award, and ICON awards. LIFF highlights emerging talent and champions lesser known great film makers through the awards presentations. Meanwhile, the festival’s special events recognise the full diversity of film making and South Asian experience from remembering LGTQ+ activism via the works of British Asian auteur and activist, Pratibha Parmar, to cutting edge 21st Century Indian virtual reality film making.  The programme will also explore the impact of Brexit on British Asian and other BAME film makers as well as preview the new Indian-UK co-production The Hungry, helmed by Bornila Chatterjee, based on Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.

Continue reading “Sexy Durga &The Black Prince bookend Europe’s Largest Indian Film Festival”

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FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR, WOMEN IN MOTION HAS HONORED WOMEN AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

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Isabelle Huppert received the Women in Motion Award and honored the director, Maysaloun Hamoud with the Young Talents Award at the official dinner hosted by 200 guests at Place de la Castre, which included Uma Thurman, Jessica Chastain and Catherine Deneuve.

Women in Motion welcomed more than 300 guests to discussions on the role of women in cinema with Robin Wright, Isabelle Huppert, Yang Yang, Salma Hayek Pinault, Costa-Gavras, Kaouther Ben Hania and Diane Kruger , who was presented with the Best Actress Prize at the 70th Festival de Cannes for her interpretation in In the fade by Fatih Akin.

Once again this year, Women in Motion opened the doors of the Kering suite on the 7th floor of the Majestic Barrière Hotel to more than 300 guests from the world of film and media to discuss the contribution and representation of women in the film industry during its Talks program, an event that have become a must at the Cannes Film Festival.

This season opened with a first Talk in the presence of the actress Robin Wright, known in particular as Claire Underwood in House of Cards, for which she finds herself for the first time behind the camera. While the disparities between women and men remain in cinema, Robin Wright has, among other things, come to defend the representation of women filmmakers by requesting industry professionals to continue giving them the floor, especially to the younger ones: “On must encourage the younger generation to express themselves. Feminism means equality: equal pay for equal work. Now things have to move on the side of the decision-makers and film financiers who are mostly men. It is time for things to change and for the new generation to take on this subject.”

In parallel to the presentation of the two films in which she is currently appearing and which competed in the Official Selection, the international icon Isabelle Huppert expressed her position on the place of women in cinema. She is an inspiration to women the world over and has observed the major role women play before and behind the camera, for example in the United States where some of them “run studios and are courageous and very enterprising women.” So there is no path cut out for them, but “by being forced to take the byways can bring women greater freedom.” Continue reading “FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR, WOMEN IN MOTION HAS HONORED WOMEN AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL”

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CANNES: The Black Prince actor Satinder Sartaaj to walk on Red Carpet on Saturday

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ACCLAIMED ARTIST SATINDER SARTAAJ REPRESENTS INDIA AT CANNES FOR HOLLYWOOD’S BIOPIC ON THE LAST MAHARAJAH OF PUNJAB – THE BLACK PRINCE
ACCLAIMED SUFI SINGER-POET ESSAYS THE ROLE OF LAST MAHARAJAH OF PUNJAB IN BRILLSTEIN ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS’ ‘THE BLACK PRINCE’

A multi-gifted artist, singer, composer and Sufi poet, Satinder Sartaaj, makes his acting debut as the Last King of Punjab – Maharajah Duleep Singh – in the highly anticipated upcoming Hollywood film – THE BLACK PRINCE, releasing worldwide on 21st July 2017. 

 Satinder Sartaaj will attend the 70th Cannes Film Festival in the French Rivera along with his British co-star Jason Flemyng for the trailer of THE BLACK PRINCE.  Produced by Brillstein Entertainment Partners (Academy Award winning film 12 Years A Slave), THE BLACK PRINCE, is a period drama written and directed by Hollywood filmmaker Kavi Raz and filmed widely across the UK and India. It carefully captures the tragic, yet fascinating true story and legacy of Maharajah Duleep Singh, providing a visual narrative of one of India’s most noble kings, and his fragile relationship with, Queen Victoria, who was Godmother to his children. Continue reading “CANNES: The Black Prince actor Satinder Sartaaj to walk on Red Carpet on Saturday”

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The Festival and its venues

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The International Film Festival, the jewel in Cannes Bay for seven decades, has boasted a series of venues down the years Let’s take a little architectural adventure tour, from the Municipal Casino to the Palais des Festivals, of an event which over the decades has redrawn the lines of the town that serves as its prestigious backdrop.
A cinema hall at the Municipal Casino

From the beginning in 1939, Cannes was chosen as the Festival venue for its luxurious feel and tourist charms. Henry Gendre, the manager of the Grand Hotel and father of the actor Louis Jourdan, and Georges Prade who lobbied for the interests of the Riviera up in Paris circles, worked hard to help Cannes win the bid. In this cosmopolitan city famed for its splendid hotels, the Festival was seen be an opportunity to extend the tourist season. The town’s ability to rapidly convert its Casino into a projection room to match the occasion was a major asset in the eyes of the government. And so on 31 May 1939, Cannes won the right to host the event, a mere three months before the planned inauguration date.
Cannes had boasted a casino since 1907. In France, the law limited gambling venues to the coastal resorts and to have a casino was a significant tourist attraction. The Cannes casino, located at the beginning of the Croisette, was extended at the end of the first World War. With its new Ambassadors Salon, it rapidly became t h e place to be seen for high society tourists. Continue reading “The Festival and its venues”

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KERING AND THE FESTIVAL DE CANNES WILL PRESENT THE 2017 WOMEN IN MOTION AWARD TO ISABELLE HUPPERT

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THE YOUNG TALENTS AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED TO MAYSALOUN HAMOUD
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International film icon Isabelle Huppert will receive the third Women in Motion Award presented by Kering and the Festival de Cannes.

Isabelle Huppert has chosen director and scriptwriter Maysaloun Hamoud to receive the Young Talents Award.

François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, Pierre Lescure, President of the Festival de Cannes, and Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Festival of Cannes, will present these awards during the official Women in Motion dinner on Sunday, 21 May 2017.

For the third Women in Motion programme, official partner Kering and the Festival de Cannes will present the Women in Motion Award to French actress Isabelle Huppert.

Exceptionally free-spirited and bold, Isabelle Huppert has taken many artistic risks in her career, and whilst acting with leading names, she has successfully established her own style in a variety of registers ranging from drama to comedy. She has pushed back boundaries with the strong and far-from-stereotypical roles that she has played since the early days of her career.

Whether being directed by legendary filmmakers or by a brilliant new generation of talented filmmakers, Isabelle Huppert is one of the most inspirational figures in the world of cinema. Continue reading “KERING AND THE FESTIVAL DE CANNES WILL PRESENT THE 2017 WOMEN IN MOTION AWARD TO ISABELLE HUPPERT”

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INDIAN CRICKET CAPTAIN VIRAT KOHLI BATS FOR CHARITY AT FUNDRAISING GALA DINNER IN LONDON

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The Virat Kohli Charity Ball to be held on Monday, 5th June 2017 at the HAC Ground

The Virat Kohli Foundation, an organisation headed by India’s cricket captain and one of the most dominant batsmen in international cricket, will host the Virat Kohli Charity Ball, on Monday, 5thJune 2017 at the iconic HAC Ground, London.

Touted to be one of the biggest charity-sport events of 2017, The Virat Kohli Charity Ball will raise vital funds for charitable causes, for the empowerment of the underprivileged in India.

 Coinciding as it does with Kohli leading the Indian team in the UK this Summer for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, the star-studded night will bring together some of the greatest names in the game, both past and present, and many other renowned personalities.

The event will comprise a VIP champagne reception, surprise star appearances and world-class entertainment interspersed with a lavish three-course gourmet cuisine. There will also be a live auction where the guests will be able to bid for luxury products and cricket memorabilia close to the heart of the star batsman and his contemporaries. Continue reading “INDIAN CRICKET CAPTAIN VIRAT KOHLI BATS FOR CHARITY AT FUNDRAISING GALA DINNER IN LONDON”

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Lolë White Tour returns to Toronto with a Sunset Yoga Session

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Exhibition Place • Thursday, July 27, 2017

The Lolë White Tour, presented by PANDORA Jewellery, returns to Toronto for the second year to spread global wellness with an outdoor sunset yoga session at Exhibition Place. On Thursday, July 27, 2017, Yogis of all levels and experience are invited to a spiritual and inspiring blissful practice under the setting sun.

Celebrated local and international instructors will lead a 15-minute guided meditation—new to the tour this year—and yoga class, accompanied by soothing live music, while facing the picturesque Princes’ Gates and the spectacular skyline of Toronto. As a symbol of peace and wellness, participants are required to dress all in white as they practice on yellow Lolë yoga mats (ticket price includes a yellow Lolë yoga mat and gift bag).  Continue reading “Lolë White Tour returns to Toronto with a Sunset Yoga Session”

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Toronto all set to create a record in celebrating International Day of Yoga

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The 2017 international Yoga Day celebrations in Toronto is anticipated to be the largest in North America, with an estimated participation of over 10,000 people. The International Yoga Day Canada(IYDC), a Canadian non-profit organization, is organizing the celebrations at the International Centre in Mississauga on June 25, 2017. The event will be televised live globally through  broadcast, social media and is expected to reach an audience of millions across North America and India.

“International Yoga Day aims to raise awareness of the many benefits of practising yoga,” said Indian Consul General in Toronto, Dinesh Bhatia, Chief Honorary Patron and Head of the Advisory Board of the IYDC. “The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India at the United Nations and was endorsed by a record 177 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly,” he said, adding that “Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature.” Continue reading “Toronto all set to create a record in celebrating International Day of Yoga”