Bombay Dreams. you‘ll also see a full dance sequence from Khan‘s film 01'! Se.
Khan himself is coming to town (with three bodyguards) and will be introducing three of his classic movies in a series called Bollywood Nights (George Square Theatre) — Asoka ( lb Aug. I 1.30pm). Dilu'ale Dal/tania 1e ./aa_venge ( I7 Aug. 1 I.3()pm) and the superb domestic drama Kahhi Khus'hi Kahhi Ghant (23 Aug. 1 1.30pm) — as well as recent Cannes entry Dew/as (24 Aug. I 1.30pm). There will also be a 90min Reel Life discussion about Khan
and his work (2-1 Aug. 3pm. L'GC Fountainpark) and. if
vou can do without the chat but want to see the movies. the
L'GC‘ Fountainpark will also be showing all the films ( l7—25 Aug).
Back at George Square. the theatres cafe will tum itself
into a bit of a curry palace with food provided by chefs associated with the Chor Bizarre restaurant in London‘s Mayfair and Old World Hospitality of New Delhi.
If all this sari-grabbing mayhem is too much for you. then maybe you should go down to the Pleasance Dome. Tamasha Theatre Company‘s Rytnan and the Sheik (5—26 Aug. 5.|()pm) is essentially a satire of the Pakistani media world that tells the story of Sheikh. the portly prince of primetime Pakistan TV who comes face to face with Ryman. a loquacious wide boy who rocks his comfortable world. The multitalented Richard Vranch collaborated with Tamasha on bringing this production to the Fringe.
If it‘s out and out comedy you want then you are in luck: the Funjabis are in town with [.()l‘lll a Sonia (fora at (‘IubWest at the (‘rowne Plaza (I l—l7 Aug. (rpm). Following in the formidable footsteps of the teams that brought us Goodness (iraeioas Me and The Kainars. the Funjabis are. amazingly. Britain‘s only live Asian comedy group. They will use stand-up. sitcom. songs and sketches to tell the story of miser dad Mucky Singh‘s attempts to marry his fifth daughter off in the cheapest possible manner (for more details see www.funjabiscom ).
If you fancy a bit of non-Bollywood style Indian music to calm your nerves then check out the Indian ()eean quartet down at the Reid Concert Hall (8—H) Aug. 9.30pm). Their blend of Indian funk. rock. folk and fusion will have you signing a petition to see Talvin Singh conducting this year‘s proms quicker than you can say ‘()K‘.
August in Iidinburgh is. however. not all about l-‘ringe
theatre. so let us travel now to the wigwam marquee delights of the Edinburgh International Book Festival down at (‘harlotte Square where two excellent books fly the flag for all things Indian. Shyama Perera's Do the Right Thing translates the myth of Rama and Sita to contemporary Iingland and America and. in doing so. Perera questions the possibility of true righteousness in the modern urban love story. Perera is a Sri Lankan writer (though born in Moscow) and has lived in England since 1962. An experienced journalist and writer. she
may be remembered as one of the first presenters of
Eastern live. (‘hannel 4’s Asian magazine programme. Her previous books Haven 't Stopped Daneing Yet and Bitter Sweet .S'yntphony attracted rave reviews and her new book with its Bollywood mix of love. jealousy and love looks set to do the same. Perera will be in conversation with the equally gifted Stthayl Saadi. a Glaswegian Asian whose book of short stories. The Barnng Mirror. was released last year (26 Aug. 2.30pm).
Ruchir Joshi and his debut novel The Last Jet Engine will surely be one of the highlights of the Book Festival for anyone that is new to his work. Joshi is a Calcutta born journalist and documentary Iilm maker. His films are for the most part visceral. deeply intelligent socio- economic essays in the style of filmmaker (‘hris Marker. His one mainstream project. Dream Before Wicket. an examination of cricket mania in India. was recently shown on BBC2. It is for his insightful and funny arts
journalism for The Telegraph ((‘a/etata) that he is best
known. His first novel grew from a short story My I'ather's Timgae. He is a writer who has been rightly compared to Lawrence Sterne in his gift for comic digression. Joshi will be in conversation with Kamila Shamsie. Pakistan born writer of the masterful novel Is'artographv ( I2 Aug. 2.30pm).
So as you see. you really have no excuse for not
jumping on that Bollywood bandwagon this year. If you
want to look the part. a stroll down Leith Walk and take in what‘s on offer in the myriad sari shops. that should do the trick (Nehru-collared shirts for men are available in some of the Indian video/tape shops down there). If it is all too much and you need to get away altogether. may we suggest a visit to the National Film Theatre in London which is running a fantastic season of the films of the truly great Bengali film director Satyajit Ray until the end of August'.’ Ah. Mother India: her bosom you will not escape.
Main pic, above left and right: the many faces of Bollywood hero Shah Rukh Khan; above middle: epic musical Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan
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18 Jul—1 Aug 2002 THE LIST 19