"Dancescapes (A Photographic Journey)" book launch & a photography exhibition by Mrs. Shobha Deepak Singh at Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodhi Road > 25th March-2nd April 2013

Time : 
25th March : 7:00 pm - book launch & exhibition opening
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will be the chief guest and Dr. Karan Singh (Member of Parliament) will be Guest of Honour
25th March to 2nd April : 10:00 am - 8:00 pm - Exhibition on View / Book available for Sale

Entry : Free

Place : Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Parking : Gate No. 1 to 3 ( Cars ), Gate No. 2 ( Bikes & Bicycles )
Venue Info : Events | About | Map | Nearest Metro Stations - 'Jor Bagh(Yellow Line)Exit Gate - 1' & 'Khan Market(Violet Line)'
Area : Lodhi Road Area Events

Event Description : Mrs. Shobha Deepak Singh looks forward to your presence at book launch and solo photo exhibition entitled, ‘Dancescapes’ (A Photographic Journey)

A scion of India’s rich cultural heritage, member of one of the country’s most illustrious Charat Ram Shriram family – Mrs. Shobha Deepak Singh, has commendably carried forward the mantle of guardian and promoter of India’s cultural heritage, with remarkable vision and grass root effort.

Born in October 1943 Shobha Deepak Singh studied at Modern School, New Delhi and graduated in Economic (Honors) from Delhi University in 1963. The move to DCM as a Management Trainee in 1964, was natural and the lady enjoyed a successful innings in Marketing and Advertising, where she was actively associated with promoting the company’s product lines until 1967.

Shobha Deepak Singh commenced her cultural journey in 1968, when she joined Bhartiya Kala Kendra and enjoyed meaningful trysts with different dimensions of the association, including an exciting role as the first Manager of Kamani Auditorium.  She subsequently involved herself  actively in the performances of the Bhartiya Kala Kendra, through script writing, production, direction for some of the Kendra’s spectacular ballet performances and moving on to specialising in costume and ornament design – a pioneering effort, that saw her emerge as an icon for many.

Not one to rest on her laurels, in 1977, Shobha Deepak Singh completed her degree in “Bachelor of Performing Arts”. A decade and a half later, she joined the Direction Course of Living Theatre, under the tutelage of the legendary Mr. E. Alkazi. Here, she earned a Diploma in Theatre Direction in 1996 and with that, an opportunity for training under an expert, in the specialties of Production of the allied arts such as light and set design and music for plays such as Virasat, Royal Hunt of the Sun, Three Sisters, Three Greek Tragedies, A Streetcar Named Desire and Death of a Salesman honed hers skills.  Later, she enjoyed the privilege of working as an Assistant Director for the latter four productions.

The study of dance under the tutelage of eminent Masters of the Arts including dance from Shambhu Maharaj and Birju Maharaj and Music from Biswajeet Roy Chowdhary and Amjad Ali Khan only added immense value, to this human reservoir - anxious to imbibe.

Today, as Director of the Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra, Shobha Deepak Singh enjoys not only the challenge of working as an Artistic Director, but oversees the efficient administrative aspects of the Kendra’s activities.

In synergy with her creative inclinations Shobha Deepak Singh’s endeavours extended to include expression through the medium of photography. In 1996, her theatrical photographs were displayed under the auspices of ART HERITAGE.  On the occasion of International Woman’s Day, she was invited to present a photography exhibition on ‘Women in Performing Arts’ at the India Habitat Centre, followed by a display in Mumbai and later at the Nehru Centre in London.

She possesses a rare Collection of photographs of over 1,00,000 personalities associated with the Performing Arts and have been extensively used by leading dailies and magazines. Her most recent exhibition in November 2003 was curated by E Alkazi and another on Mallvika Sarukai by Francise Wakziarg. In line with her creative inclinations, Shobha Deepak Singh continues to contribute articles to leading publications.

Not one to limit her creative emerges to the expected,  Shobha Deepak Singh successfully runs an exclusive boutique - ‘Vastrashobha’ presenting exclusive sarees, borders, stoles and veils with a distinct root in our cultural ethos. She has recently also launched a jewellery range called ‘Abhooshan’.

Shobha Deepak Singh has completed 40 illustrious years in the field of Costume Design, Direction, Choreography and Management of Arts and enjoys membership of the National Culture Fund (Government of India) and of the Sahitya Kala Parishad (Institute of Performing Arts, Government of Delhi). In recognition of her contribution to the Performing Arts, the President of India awarded her the Padmashri in 1999.

The Iron Lady of Indian Dance and  Music - Shobha Deepak Singh has been an ardent protagonist of recognising the value of documentation and has towards this end, built up an invaluable repository of information in audio, video and print media at the Bhartiya Kala Kendra. Her immense contribution to the renaissance of India’s forgotten heritage is evident in her actions like the revival of Mayurbhanj Chhau, a traditional dance form from Orissa.

In case you wish to interact with the author of ‘Dancescapes’ - Mrs. Shobha Deepak Singh in this regard, please do let us know and we will be happy to co-ordinate accordingly, even prior the event.

Curated by Dr. Alka Pande 

Published by Roli Books

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