The evening will feature an interesting mixture of song and dance from the different regions of India, and is in support of the Children’s Hospital, in Oxford. During the interval, a selection of Indian snacks will be served, also included in the ticket price.
15 August 1947 marked the end of the British Raj and is a landmark in the history of modern India. The programme features songs from this period which saw the birth of a new independent India. However, the music transcends national barriers and symbolises more universal themes of freedom from bondage, fear and oppression. A visual projection of English translations of the songs will accompany the live performances. This will be followed by a fusion of graceful Indian classical and folk dance pieces.
Udayan, in Sanskrit, means the “saga of emergence” and the group believes in promoting the richness of Bengali culture and literature whilst also playing an important role in bridging the communication gap between Bengali and Western culture. They endeavour to integrate Bengali and Western values by organising social and cultural events involving people from both communities to celebrate diversity.
One of Udayan’s members is Dr Chakraborty, a Consultant Paediatric Radiologist, at the Oxford’s Children’s Hospital, who first suggested that they organise a fundraising event to support the Children’s Hospital campaign.
The Children’s Hospital opened in January and will treat approximately 65,000 youngsters in a year, for routine and specialist conditions. A community fundraising campaign has so far raised £13.7million, enabling the hospital to be built to a much higher standard than the NHS alone would have been able to afford.
“Bande Mataram” is being staged at the Tingewick Hall, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford on Saturday, 8 December 2007 from 6.30 till 9pm. Tickets are priced £10 for adults and £8 for concessions. Free parking is available.
Tickets are available online at www.udayan-oxford.org.uk| or you can call 01865 766344 or 07913 094874 for tickets and more information.
To get involved with fundraising for the Children's Hospital, or to find out more, please contact Penny Hambridge on 01865 743445 or go to www.orhcharitablefunds.nhs.uk|.
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Notes to editors
For further information please contact:
Joya Banerjee – 01865 766344
Claire Hooper, Charitable Funds Communications and Stewardship Manager, on 01865 743428 or claire.hooper@orh.nhs.uk|.
Contact: Media & Communications Office
Contact Details: 01865 228932