Latest news with #Thirst
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Publishing house with a mission
VIJAYAPURA : Ladai Prakashana, a publishing house in Gadag, has been bringing to light works of new writers, especially those associated with 'Bandaya Sahitya' (rebel literature), since its inception in 2002. Established by writer and activist Basavaraj Sulebhavi, 60, of Vijayapura, this publishing house has been named after Ladai, his weekly newspaper, which folded up due to logistical issues. Ladai, colloquially means struggle. After obtaining a Master's degree from Dharwad University, Sulebhavi not only worked as a part-time lecturer, but also as a reporter of a Kannada daily for nearly a decade in Gadag district. As a journalist, Sulebhavi focussed on inequality in society and highlighted the issues faced by marginalised sections. However, it was his passion for writing and social change that led him to publication of books. As the state convener of 'Bandaya Sahitya', Sulebhavi organised several literary conventions across Karnataka to amplify the voices of the oppressed and marginalised sections of society. 'We wanted to give voice to the voiceless and create a platform for new writers committed to the struggle against injustice and inequality in society through the pen,' Sulebhavi told TNSE. 'Ladai Prakashana is committed to publishing works that attempt to address social discrimination, communalism, caste injustice, and highlight the struggle by marginalised communities. Such works must be factual and people-oriented,' he said. Ladai Prakashana has published 302 books so far, with the number growing from a modest four to nearly 20 titles a year. Its publications have received many awards and recognition from the state government for best design. Prominent among them are from the Karnataka Sahitya Academy and Kendra Sahitya Parishat. It has published many books of progressive Tamil and Telugu writers in Kannada, ensuring that literature promoting social equality transcends linguistic barriers. 'Our first book, Bayarike (Thirst), a poetry anthology on women's issues by first-time writers, received overwhelming appreciation. Its author, Dr Vinaya, is one of the debutant writers encouraged by Ladai,' he said. Ladai doesn't collect any fee from writers for publishing their works. They are funded by a network of like-minded individuals to keep the mission going. The books are affordably priced, reflecting the modest backgrounds of their authors.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Water ways
Bachi Karkaria's Erratica and its cheeky sign-off character, Alec Smart, have had a growing league of followers since 1994 when the column began in the Metropolis on Saturday. It now appears on the Edit Page of the Times of India, every Thursday. It takes a sly dig at whatever has inflated political/celebrity egos, and got public knickers in a twist that week. It makes you chuckle, think and marvel at the elasticity of the English language. It is a shooting-from-the-lip advice column to the lovelorn and otherwise torn, telling them to stop cribbing and start living -- all in her her branded pithy, witty style. LESS ... MORE An exhibition to Thirst after Our 2018 TOI litfest and my recent volume for the tricentenary of Mumbai's mystical Parsi well were both titled Waternamah. This week I again immersed myself in the 'story of water'. 'Thirst' is the Wellcome Collection's latest London exhibition. Spread over Aridity, Rain, Glaciers, Surface Water and Ground Water, its historical artefacts, present-day videos and future scenarios show that freshwater is at the centre of a crisis that goes way beyond climate – indeed way back into antiquity. If WWIII was predicted to be over water, the oldest exhibit features the first recorded such war – a tablet on Sumerian epic, 'Gilgamesh and Aga' (composed around 2000 BC). King Aga enslaves the subjects of King Gilgamesh of Uruk to dig wells for his own city and, if refused, threatens to cut off Uruk's supply upstream on the Euphrates. Rivers have continued to be politicised by those who have the 'upper' hand. Unsurprisingly. Over 70 per cent of the earth's surface may be water but only three percent is fresh; two-thirds of it is locked in ice caps; and our cavalier disregard is perilously depleting what's available. Thirst isn't just physical. The text accompanying the first exhibit, Jeebesh Bagchi, Monica Narula and Shuddhabrata Sengupta/ Raqs Media Collective, tells us 'Across South Asian philosophy, the word is associated with craving, aspiration, longing and desire.' The exhibition keeps presenting their darker manifestation, shared loss, but also human resilience. All three coalesce in Gideon Mendel's wall-wide, ominously silent video, Deluge 2007-2024, looping images of people from five countries across continents struggling through waist-high waters. We see how nature strikes back, punishing human hubris in assuming divine rights to all Earth's resources. But nature sometimes benignly also gives back. We read how 'The Sinai peninsula saw unusual sustained rainfall during the pandemic after decades-long drought. Local wormwood, Artemisia Judaica flourished, and was found to treat the symptoms of the Covid variant, Omicron.' The same space showed how artist and wildcrafter Lofa Aziz introduced biomimicry, ethnobotany and citizen science to Bedouin youth who already had deep generational knowledge of their land, giving them new agency in preserving natural heritage. Our own efforts to save the Ganga could take heart from the 'sacred activism' ritual at the source of Beirut River last year. Individual fragile threads were braided into a strong 'prayer belt', symbolising the power-infused connection between individuals, communities and nature. Dare one hope that our own fragile Ganga-Jamuna culture could be thus revived? Indeed, 'Thirst' resonated with me in so many ways. The Raqs trio presenting third-century stepwells of Rajasthan and Delhi, 'their watermarks inscribing a history of thirst …carrying a memory of each step taken in search of freshwater'. Didn't it also etch the feminization of poverty? Like rivers flowing into a common ocean, we are bound in the global commonality of urban discord over water. In my first years in Bombay, in TOI's evening paper, 'Fight at Common Tap' vied only with 'Pydhonie Panwalla Stabs Paramour'. It's not very different today, even in parts where exorbitant tankers replace fractious faucet. Why, only India? The very day I visited 'Thirst', a London tabloid Phew!ed over the city being spared prolonged water shut-offs in 2027 thanks to last-minute funds for a reservoir. Not just with omnipresent monsoon waterlogging. Every coastal city can connect with the Malaysian fisherfolk despairing over catch-rich mangroves dying from the pollutants spewed by a nearby Chinese factory. Move over, mosquitoes. Humans are the vectors of water-related killers jeopardising not only our own existence but all life on the planet. 'Thirst' advises a strong gulp of restraint. *** Alec Smart said: 'Preamble says 'sovereign, socialist, secular'. How about 'sacrosanct'?' Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Fishtrap Theatre a platform for creativity
Mandurah Performing Arts Centre has launched The Fishtrap Theatre's bold new look, with the venue rebranded and reimagined as an intimate performance hub for locals and visitors alike. The venue has unveiled a new wall mural created by internationally renowned artist HandBrake, aka Hans Bruechle, along with an upgraded bar and pre/post show entertainment, including local performers and DJs. The revamp is accompanied by Fishtrap Theatre's latest studio season of four performances, which kicked off on May 16 with blues 'n' roots musician Ben Catley. Your local paper, whenever you want it. It continues on May 26 with Melbourne Theatre Company's powerful production Slap. Bang. Kiss. following three young people whose stories start a series of events when they go viral. Credit: Supplied Written by award-winning playwright Dan Giovannoni, the performance is directed by Katy Maudlin as part of Melbourne Theatre Company's education and families program, featuring Tyallah Bullock, Conor Leach and Tsungirai Wachenuka. Following its world premiere at Subiaco Arts Centre, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company's production Thirst tours south on June 10, as playwright Barbara Hostalek's romantic comedy full of heart and karaoke explores themes of country, community and survival. Thirst. Credit: Supplied Family adventure Whalebone rounds out the program on June 21 with a visually theatrical experience of gadgets and imagination performed by clown, inventor and comedian Jens Altheimer. Mandurah Performing Arts Centre creative development and programming manager Alison Pinder said the team was incredibly proud of the diversity and richness of this season. Whalebone. Credit: Supplied 'The Fishtrap Studio is all about bringing bold, exciting and sometimes surprising stories to life, and this season does exactly that,' Pinder adds. 'The Fishtrap is more than a theatre, it's a platform for creativity.' Program information and tickets at
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Love 'Twilight?' These 10 romantic vampire movies are a must-watch
If Twilight ignited your love for supernatural romance, you're not alone. But the vampire romance genre stretches far beyond Edward and Bella. From twisted bloodlust to poetic love stories, these ten vampire films take the passion, danger, and drama of the undead to thrilling new levels. Whether you're craving something steamy, philosophical, or emotionally raw, here's your must-watch list. 1. Thirst (2009) Like Edward Cullen, Sang-hyun (played by Song Kang-ho) wrestles with guilt over his bloodlust, though his battle is far more brutal. Directed by Park Chan-wook, Thirst follows a priest who becomes a vampire after a botched medical experiment. The film dives deep into moral torment and forbidden desire. 2. The Wisdom of Crocodiles (1998) Also known as Immortality, this eerie drama stars Jude Law as a suave vampire named Steven who seduces women to feed on their love — and blood. But he yearns for one woman whose genuine love might finally make him whole. It's a seductive and haunting tale. 3. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) Set in a ghost town called Bad City, this Iranian black-and-white film blends horror and romance in an unforgettable way. The unnamed vampire (Sheila Vand) stalks the streets at night, preying on abusive men, but her budding bond with a lonely outcast gives the film a surprising tenderness. 4. Dracula (1979) Frank Langella brings a romantic edge to Count Dracula in this adaptation, having just portrayed the vampire on Broadway the year before. While the plot stays close to Bram Stoker's novel, the film leans into romance, turning Dracula into a seductive and complex figure. 5. Interview With the Vampire (1994) This gothic classic features Brad Pitt as Louis, a vampire recounting his long life in a present-day interview. Though the 2022 TV version leaned harder into its romantic and queer subtext, the '90s film still delivers powerful emotional depth and lavish vampire storytelling. 6. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) Gary Oldman gives a raw, emotional performance as Dracula in this visually rich, faithful adaptation. While it honors Stoker's original novel, the film adds a romantic angle and paints Dracula as a deeply wounded lover, offering a tragic but beautiful perspective. 7. Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2023) This offbeat gem follows Sasha (Sara Montpetit), a gentle vampire who can't bring herself to kill. Pressured by her family to act like a 'real' vampire, she finds a solution in Paul (Félix-Antoine Bénard), a depressed teen willing to give up his life. The result is weird, funny, and heartfelt. 8. The Hunger (1983) Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon star in this stylized, erotic horror. A twisted love triangle forms when John (Bowie), turned immortal by Miriam (Deneuve), begins to age rapidly. When Sarah (Sarandon) enters the picture, desire and survival collide.
Korea Herald
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Fans and actors mourn passing of Kim Sae-ron
Fans say what Kim faced was 'excessively severe compared to her wrongdoing' Fans and celebrities are mourning the death of actor Kim Sae-ron, 24, who was found dead at her home in Seoul on Sunday. The Women Celebrities Gallery (translated), an online community dedicated to Korean female celebrities, released a statement on Sunday night mourning her passing and condemning the harsh public criticism she faced. "We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic news of Kim Sae-ron's passing. We are fans that have loved and supported Kim, and we wish for her to rest in peace and hope to accompany her on her final journey," the statement read. The statement highlighted Kim's exceptional passion and talent for acting from a young age, acknowledging that her path was never easy. It also noted that she admitted her mistakes and reflected on them. "Despite the harsh standards and coldness of the public that were excessively severe compared to her wrongdoing, she endured it all," the statement continued. "There needs to be a reflection to prevent such tragic events from recurring. Criticisms that have no proof, mockery and malicious comments can ruin a person's life entirely. We hope that this incident serves as an opportunity for our society to look at all people with more warmth and compassion," the statement said. Fellow actors have expressed their condolences. Actor Kim Ok-vin, known for her roles in "Thirst" and "The Villainess," posted a white chrysanthemum on Instagram with the message, 'May the deceased rest in peace.' Though she did not mention Kim by name, the post is being interpreted as a tribute. Actor Kim Min-che, who starred alongside Kim in the 2018 film "The Villagers," shared on her social media, 'Meeting you as my daughter in 'The Villagers' was such a happy time. I hope you find peace there.' Actor Seo Ha-joon also paid tribute online. Police said Kim's body was found by a friend at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, at around 4:50 p.m. Sunday. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of her death. Born in 2000, Kim debuted in 2009, gaining fame as a promising child actor with her role in hit crime flick "The Man from Nowhere" (2010). Kim paused her career after a drunk driving incident in May 2022, for which she was fined 20 million won ($13,850) in April 2023. She recently announced a return to acting through the play "Dongchimi" but withdrew due to health issues. Ongoing controversies, including allegedly self-generated dating rumors with actor Kim Su-hyun, continued to follow her. Kim had previously expressed her emotional struggles on social media, posting messages such as "It's already so hard, can you all just stop?" last year. Kim's last social media post, uploaded Jan. 26, was a picture of her with Moon Bin of the K-pop group Astro, congratulating his birthday. Moon Bin was found dead in his home in 2023.
