Conversations on Fringe

WIDELY regarded as among the largest arts festivals in the world,the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has been a part of the cultural scene of the city of Edinburgh from mid-20th century. Every August,performers from various parts of the world gather in the Scottish capital. In past years,among those have been Indian bands such as Indian Ocean and Something Relevant. This year,Bangalore act Thermal And A Quarter will perform there.

This apart,there will be discussions with Indian artistes or performers in four cities in India this year. Put together by the British Council and the festival organisers,this will be the first edition of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Roadshow. Having already been conducted in Bangalore and Delhi,the panel discussions will be held in Mumbai on April 29 at Temperance,Bandra,and in Kolkata on May 2.

“On this trip,with more time,and visiting more cities,I’m really looking forward to engaging with Indian artistes from across art forms — encouraging them to think about a visit to the world’s largest arts festival,and exploring the possibilities of them taking part in the future,” says Kath M Mainland,Chief Executive,Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. She will be one of the five panellists at the event in Mumbai alongside actor and director Quasar Thakore Padamsee of Q Theatre Productions,actor-director Rajit Kapoor of Rage Productions,theatre producer and promoter Sameera Iyengar of Junoon,who is working on touring a production in India,and stand-up artiste Papa CJ,who has performed at the festival in the past.