IN a statement issued on May 24 by the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT), the signatories to which were eminent academicians, writers and artists, it has strongly condemned the Chhattisgarh government and its police force for using intimidation and threats of a criminal case against academics and political activists investigating human rights abuses in the southern parts of the state, especially Bastar and Dantewada. A fact finding team consisting of Prof. Archana Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Prof.

BRUSHING aside repeated threats from the Right-wing Hindutva forces, the people of Kerala wholeheartedly welcomed Gazal maestro Ghulam Ali to the state. The Pakistani singer held a concert in the state capital on January 15 and in Calicut on January 15.The programmes were organised by Swaralaya, a socio-cultural organisation. DYFI activists gathered at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to extend a warm welcome to the renowned singer. Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member M A Baby and city mayor V K Prasanth received Ghulam Ali at the airport.

JANUARY 1, 2016 marked the 27th year of commemorating Safdar Hashmi’s life and works at the site of his attack, and subsequent death from injuries sustained, in Jhandapur by the CITU and the Jana Natya Manch (Janam). The interrupted Halla Bol show finished on January 4 that year, is marked with a new production by Janam each year, along with a roster of revolutionary songs and speeches. This year too the programme, with Badal Saroj as the chief guest, was a careful selection of acts in solidarity with the workers’ movement, with one major exception.

THE death centenary of great poet Gurajada Appa Rao was observed across Andhra Pradesh. Various programmes were organised by AIDWA and Prajanatya Mandali, with the help of the CPI(M) units, in different parts of the state. Various cultural organisations also participated in these events. The commemoration started on Gurjada’s birth anniversary on September 21 and continued till the death centenary on November 30.

IN the first ever India-Palestine theatre collaboration, The Freedom Theatre (TFT) from Jenin is collaborating with Jana Natya Manch (Janam) this winter. This is a cultural exchange between India and Palestine. Many progressive and secular individuals and organisations are associating with the event.