Latest news with #TFA
The Star
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Classical Indian dance showcase in KLCC
(From third left) TFA choreographer Kishore Krishnan, Effendy, Prakash and TFA music director Jyotsna Nithyanandan Prakash with the dancers. — Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star AN Indian cultural showcase is set to take place at one of Malaysia's most prestigious performing arts venues in Kuala Lumpur. Artistes from the Temple of Fine Arts (TFA) will present a special performance themed 'Ragas and Mudras' (melodic framework and symbolic ritual gestures) at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP), Kuala Lumpur City Centre on Sept 6. DFP business and strategic relations management head Effendy Khalid said that although the venue was renowned for orchestras and concerts, it also focused on cultural and heritage performances. 'Over the years, we have been actively promoting cross-cultural performances and this year, we felt it was the right time to invite TFA. 'It has always been our aspiration to support cross-cultural performers and to provide a platform where people from all walks of life can enjoy these types of performances,' he said. Founded in 1981, TFA is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the development of performing arts, especially Indian classical dance and music. TFA spokesperson Prakash Kandasamy said guests would be treated to 90 minutes of Indian classical music and dance. Barathanatyam and Odissi are two of the four main Indian classical dance styles that will be performed by Temple of Fine Arts at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, Kuala Lumpur. The performance will be split into two, he said, with the first 45 minutes featuring Hindustani and Carnatic music. 'In this segment, there will be vocals, sitar, veena, violin, mridangam and tabla, among others. 'A percussion battle has also been planned as the highlight of the segment. 'The second half will showcase four main Indian classical dance styles, namely Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak and Kuchipudi.' About 40 artistes aged between 18 and 50 will be involved in the performance. The TFA presentation is part of the 'DFP Seni Festival' extravaganza, an annual event that celebrates Malaysia's rich cultural heritage through traditional arts and music performances. This year's programme also includes Mistik Pura Masyrik, a performance of east coast legendary folktales on Aug 9; and Sanggar Seni, a collection of music, dance and songs at the DFP foyer that will be presented free of charge from Sept 5 to 7.
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
The Guess Who, Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman and Bachman-Turner Overdrive Reunited Under One Roof at The Feldman Agency
TORONTO, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ - The Feldman Agency (TFA) is proud to announce the signing of legendary Canadian rock band The Guess Who and the return of celebrated solo artist Burton Cummings to its roster. This reunion brings together four of the most influential names in Canadian music - The Guess Who, Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman and Bachman-Turner Overdrive (signed in May 2024) - under one roof at TFA. All acts are also now represented in the U.S. by David Levine of WME. With decades of acclaimed releases, major tours, and enduring impact, Burton Cummings and The Guess Who have played a foundational role in shaping Canadian rock music. Their presence at TFA signals both a recognition of their legacy and a renewed focus on strategic growth and future opportunities in live performance. "We're thrilled to welcome The Guess Who to The Feldman Agency and to welcome back Burton Cummings," said Jeff Craib, CEO of The Feldman Agency. "Having them on our roster alongside Bachman-Turner Overdrive is a meaningful alignment, and we're honoured to support and amplify their next chapter." As principal songwriters of The Guess Who 's early catalog, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings helped propel the group to international acclaim with a string of timeless hits including "These Eyes," "Laughing," "Undun," "American Woman," "No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature," and "No Time." Their 1970 album American Woman topped the charts in Canada, and its title track became the first Billboard No. 1 hit by a Canadian group, solidifying The Guess Who 's place in rock history. Following the group's original run, Burton Cummings launched a successful solo career, earning a gold record for his debut single "Stand Tall" and releasing a string of hit singles and albums, including "I'm Scared," "My Own Way to Rock," "Break It to Them Gently," and "You Saved My Soul." His 1978 album Dream of a Child became the first quadruple platinum album by a Canadian artist. Randy Bachman went on to co-found Bachman-Turner Overdrive, which quickly emerged as a cornerstone of 1970s rock. The band is best known for classic tracks such as "Let It Ride," "Roll on Down the Highway," "Takin' Care of Business," "Lookin' Out for #1," and "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet." Currently, Bachman-Turner Overdrive is touring across North America with a full slate of summer dates, while Burton Cummings is also performing across the continent on an extensive solo run with his band. The Feldman Agency looks forward to supporting The Guess Who in their future plans for 2026. About The Feldman Agency The Feldman Agency is one of North America's foremost entertainment talent agencies, with over 50 years of experience in artist representation, talent booking, event services, and corporate consulting. With a team of 30+ professionals operating from offices in Toronto and Vancouver, TFA is built on a foundation of integrity, relationships, and results. The agency represents a diverse and dynamic roster of talent and provides innovative solutions and strategic guidance to artists, promoters, and corporate clients worldwide.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Indian classical rhythms to grace DFP stage
FRESH from its presentations of Mek Mulung Putera Cahaya Bulan, Randai Mudo Pak Belalang, Jit Sin High School's Chinese Orchestra and Sanggar Seni last year, Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) will present soul-stirring rhythms and colours of Indian performing arts by the Temple of Fine Arts (TFA) at 8pm on Sept 6. The highly anticipated showcase promises an immersive journey into the heart of Indian culture. MELODIES Audiences will be transported to a unique experience through the soulful melodies of Hindustani and Carnatic classical music. Adding a vibrant visual splendour to the evening, the DFP stage will come alive with exquisite presentations of four classical Indian dances, 'bharatanatyam', 'odissi', 'kathak' and 'kuchipudi'. The theme "Ragas and Mudras" is specially curated for this performance at DFP. FRAMEWORK 'Ragas' is essentially a melodic framework or a "mode" in Indian classical music, a combination of notes ('swaras') along with phrases and nuances ('gamakas'). 'Mudras' is a symbolic ritual gesture, primarily performed with the hands, fingers, the entire body or even eye movements. The word 'mudra' is a Sanskrit word which means 'mark' or 'gesture'. YOUTH Founded in 1981, TFA is an organisation dedicated to the development and inculcating Indian arts and culture among the youth. It has presented more than 20 major productions and 300 short works, including explorations of different cultural themes. TFA has staged its productions in tours around the world, including Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. It has also received recognition and support from the government, and has performed at many major official events, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit and the Commonwealth Cultural Festival, all in 1998. It has also won many accolades at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. GRATEFUL The special performance by TFA is part of the DFP Seni Festival extravaganza which includes Mistik Pura Masyrik (a performance of enticing East Coast legendary folktales on Aug 9) and Sanggar Seni (a collection of music, dance and songs at the DFP foyer presented free from Sept 5 to 7). In a recent interview, the show's music director, Prakash Kandasamy, said: "We are very grateful to DFP for bringing our dancers and musicians centrestage. "Our show has two parts for classical music and dance, each section is 45 minutes." Prakash added that the four dance styles were taught in TFA, and each will have 20 dancers. "All students learn different things and do not confine themselves to one genre." MPYO The TFA musicians are aged from 20 to 55, and the dancers are aged from 18 to 35. Prakash said TFA first performed in DFP in 2012 with the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra or MPYO. "We've got 20 musicians and dancers, and they are all rehearsing daily." VOCALISTS Music director Jyotsna Nithyanandan said: "The DFP is greatly helping promote our work and we are delighted to perform in this state-of-the-art venue." She added that there will be six musical instruments in the showcase, as well as two main solo vocalists and five supporting vocalists. "They will show audiences the beauty of Indian classical music and dance, in ensemble and solo acts." Jyotsna said one of the less-known but stylishly beautiful classical instruments featured was the 'veena', a traditional string instrument. "All of us have had a lot of fun working on this and discovering new things to perform," she said, adding that there will also be a piano accompaniment to give the concert a modern touch. VIBRANT One of the main dancers, Kishore Krishnan, said each item was 10 minutes long, and there will be six to 10 dances. "What we teach is what is presented, and it will be a vibrant and colourful evening," he said. "Best of all, our performances are Malaysianised, combining Indian cultural elements with Malay and Chinese ones." MALAYSIA DAY DFP head of business and strategic relations management Effendy Khalid said it was an honour to have the TFA perform in DFP. "We focus on culture and heritage including cross cultural performances. "It is our aim to give a platform for such performances, especially in September, the month of Malaysia Day," he said, adding that the concert hall could accommodate 920 people.
The Star
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Toxic chemicals found in food and wine
The report found there has been a 'sharp increase' in pesticide and chemical residues in wine bottled since 2010. — TNS A team of researchers has found 'alarmingly high' levels of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a so-called 'forever chemical', in dozens of organic and non-organic pastas, baked goods and breakfast cereals from Europe, as well as in wine. 'In conventional grain products, the average levels were so high that a health risk to children can no longer be ruled out,' said Helmut Burtscher-Schaden, an environmental chemist part of the Brussels-based Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe, which describes TFA as a 'product of PFAS pesticides and industrial chemicals.' Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, are thousands of long-lasting substances used in household and everyday products since the middle of the 20th century but which have been found to be difficult to remove from the environment and from human bodies. The latest research points to 'widespread contamination from PFAS (per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances) pesticides,' PAN Europe said, warning that TFA tends to build up in water and farmland. The amount of TFA in the food items was found to be three times that recorded in a similar study eight years ago, according to PAN Europe, which in April warned of 'dramatic rise' of TFA in wine. In a report covering wines from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain, PAN Europe found that while pre-1988 vintages do not contain any such contamination, there has been a 'sharp increase' in pesticide and chemical residues in wine bottled since 2010. Such a 'steep accumulation' should be 'a red flag that calls for decisive action,' according to Michael Müller, a professor of pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry at the University of Freiburg. The European Chemicals Agency has warned that TFA 'may cause harm to the unborn child' and 'may impair fertility.' – dpa
LeMonde
22-06-2025
- Health
- LeMonde
Fish, offal, cereal and eggs are also contaminated by forever chemicals
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), food is the main route of exposure to forever chemicals for the public. Yet, unlike drinking water, there remains a significant lack of data on the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in foodstuffs. A report published on Thursday, June 19, by the advocacy group Future Generations addresses this gap. It reveals near-universal contamination throughout the food chain and found that current regulations are inadequate, allowing PFAS concentrations in food that are far too high compared to risk thresholds established by the EFSA. Other research carried out by the Austrian advocacy group Global 2000 and the Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) indicated that this is only the tip of the iceberg. The most widespread forever chemical − trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) − is not being monitored, despite strong suspicions of its reproductive toxicity and its presence in commonly consumed foods such as bread, pasta and breakfast cereal − sometimes at astonishing levels. Currently, only three substances (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS) from the large PFAS family are subject to mandatory monitoring in food (compared to 20 in drinking water), and four (including PFNA) are subject to regulatory limits. Even then, these limits apply only to a small number of foodstuffs that do not cover the entire diet: meat, fish, shellfish, mollusks and eggs. For fruit, vegetables, cereal or dairy products, there are no regulatory limits. More surprisingly, the advocacy group noted, "there are also no regulatory limits concerning food for infants and young children, who are particularly vulnerable."
