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INTRODUCTION

Himalaya Film & Cultural Festival will be the first festival in the UK to unite material from the whole Himalayan Region (Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, China (Tibet), India, Nepal and Pakistan), across the artistic genres of film, music, photography and fine art.

We believe that encouraging cultural expression and empowering cultural figures in the Himalaya can contribute to greater understanding and even reconciliation in the troubled region itself, and allow for a more multi-dimensional perception of the Himalaya in the UK and internationally.

The UK is home to probably the biggest Himalayan diaspora communities outside of South Asia, but the public’s perception of the Himalaya is largely based on a few well-known symbols and stories, and does not reflect the real diversity of the region. To a large extent, the various Himalayan communities in the UK are also relatively self-contained, and do not share a strong sense of their common history and cultural traditions.

Therefore, our central aims in organising the Festival are:

• To reach, captivate and educate as wide an audience as possible, introducing them to Himalayan film, music, art and photography, and exploring the links between these genres• To raise awareness and visibility of Himalayan countries and cultures in London and the UK • To celebrate the cultural ties between Himalayan diaspora communities, encouraging solidarity and fostering a sense of the Himalaya as a region• To create a platform for Himalayan and related artists to showcase their work in London

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THE TEAMSHUBHA GIRI (Festival Director)Shubha Giri hails from Nepal. After leaving school he plunged straight into the professional world, working in TV, documentaries, publishing and outreach projects for the International Labour Organisation. He came to England aged 21 to study anthropology but as his ambition was always to bring inclusive and substantial media to a wide audience, he ended up switching his degree to broadcasting. Since graduating he has made documentary films and consulted for a number of NGOs, including the Environmental Investigation Agency. Feeling that much coverage of his native region lacked a human edge, Shubha started forming community projects under a mixed media-art collective called Satsang - Voices & Visions of the Himalayas. His mission is to create media which gives equal respect to all cultures, and explains the real context of a story, so often is missing in current broadcasting. Shubha loves roots music and Urdu poetry, and he is into fusing dub and funky bass with Himalayan melody. He is Satsang’sdirector.

TARAN WILKHU (Festival Projects Manager)A born and bred Yorkshireman with his roots in North India, Taran graduated in Law before embarking on several journeys across Asia, where he worked in many fields including research, teaching, humanitarian work in India and as a TV presenter on a Japanese music channel. Since, he has developed his career as a Cultural Events Manager and has led numerous charity, fashion and sports-related projects with NGOs such as the World Food Programme, Disasters Emergency Committee, and Children Toy Foundation. Taran has organized countless conferences, roadshows, product launches and exhibitions, and he is passionate about developing links between businesses and local communities through partnership projects. At Satsang, he is responsible for much of our networking with the corporate and NGO sectors. He is at home anywhere in Asia, and speaks fluent Japanese and Panjabi.

TOM OWEN-SMITH (Head of Press)Tom Owen-Smith is a linguist, researcher, and journalist. While studying Modern Languages at Oxford University and Language Documentation at the School of Oriental and African Studies (London), Tom sharpened his linguistic skills in Italy, Greece, India and Nepal. In recent years he has worked in research and communications at Pragya, an NGO based in Delhi, and as desk editor of Nepali Times, an English language weekly published in Kathmandu. He now works at a university in London. Tom believes that every language and every culture carries knowledge and experience valuable for humanity's future, and he aspires to pursue further research in minority languages of the Himalaya. He is a founding member of Satsang Productions, and serves above all as "Satsang's mouth" – copywriter and press officer. He also helps out with research and production.

DAVID CALVO (Film & Marketing Manager)David was born in Northern Spain but he grew up in Andalusia. He ran his own communications company in Spain before selling it to move to London in 2000. Over the last decade he has also spent a lot of time in Italy and Hokkaido in northernmost Japan, and has put his globetrotting experience to good use working for several international companies in the travel industry, in sales, marketing and distribution, especially for winter sports. He has studied business at Batchelor’s and Master’s level and has a lot of practical experience in small organisations. An avid reader and writer, he speaks several languages and loves learning about new places, especially where mountains are involved.

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THE TEAM (continued)

REBECCA VAN OMMEN (Head of Graphics) Rebecca Van Ommen is a photographer, artist and art director, with a professional background in advertising. Having done her apprenticeship in the Philippines, in charge of key accounts such as Unilever and Pepsi, she currently works at Getty Images in London as an art director. Her work calls on traditional motifs and digital expertise to create original and beautiful images. Her artistic aim is to bring socially uplifting messages into the public sphere. Rebecca is Satsang's design consultant.

PREMILA VAN OMMEN (Arts Officer)Premila van Ommen is one of the original progenitors of the idea of Satsang. An anthropologist who is also a painter and writer at heart, Premila has organised artistic events, and promoted a number of concerts and exhibitions in London and elsewhere. She also juggles academic work with running a fashion label, MaxC. With her far-reaching networks and intuitive knowledge of what works and what doesn't, Premila is Satsang's spirit guide, and advises the organisation on its pathon the information highway.

ZAHRA QADIR (Head of Arts & Culture / Reel Festivals)Zahra Qadir was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, though her family came to the UK when she was a child as refugees from the Soviet War. Zahra has been involved with major arts projects in Afghanistan and the UK, having been on the core team of Reel Afghanistan, which began thehugely successful Reel Festivals initiative in Edinburgh in 2008 (http://www.reelfestivals.org/), and of the Great Game Festival, originally shown at the Tricycle Theatre in London, and now on tour in the USA. Her other work has included a short films project commissioning Afghan filmmakers to produce films for Channel 4, and production on several independent documentaries. She is also working with the National Film Archives of Afghanistan and the Afghan Embassy in the UK on various projects for promoting cultural exchange between Afghanistan and the UK. Zahra is a core team member of HIMALAYA Film & Cultural Festival. She has worked with the British Council, the Edinburgh University Settlement, Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen and many other organisations.

ALESSANDRO MORRONE (AV Manager)Alessandro Morrone was born in Calabria in Southern Italy, but he moved to London more than 10 years ago to seek his fortune as a filmmaker. His formal education varies from a Town Planning degree in his home country to a degree in Film and TV production in London. He has worked in Italy and the UK making documentaries, music videos, feature films, shorts and corporate projects, mainly as a cameraman and cinematographer. His clients have included Rai Cinema, BBC1 and Done and Dusted. Alessandro's greatest drive is to create moving images that can inspire, educate and broaden people's points of view.

VENUES

Rich Mix (primary venue for films/exhibition/performances):

* three quality cinema screens (will be using one)* associated spaces such as bar, café, exhibition space* commitment to cultural diversity and minority programming

Passing Clouds (for music):

* performance venue with large capacity (up to 600)* situated ten minutes up the road from Rich Mix* known for hosting performances from international acts

Other venues to be used for exhibitions and cultural activities include: SOAS, The Nehru Centre (High Commission of India) The Tricycle Theatre, The Lotus Foundation, The Sweet Tea House and the Filmhouse in Edinburgh.

CONTENT

FILMS

* Rich Mix will be hosting 12-15 films from all Himalayan countries * Mix of new films (e.g. Kagbeni, Dreaming Lhasa, Sikandar) and classics (e.g. Black Narcissus, Kashmir Ki Kali and Kachenjunga)

* Fiction, documentaries, shorts and ethnographic films at RichMix, SOAS and the Nehru Centre

* Children’s Cinema at Rich Mix* Full programme TBC

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

* Talks : Q&A With Joanna Lumley at Tricycle Theatre* Music & Dance events at Passing Clouds and Rich Mix* Art & Photography Exhibitions : Gonkar Gyatso, Tashi Norbu,Tashi Mannox, Sam Kang Li, Govinda Sah “Azad”

* Authentic Himalayan food (Nepali, Tibetan, Kashmiri etc.)* Clothes and crafts from the region on sale * Education Workshops in association with Hackney Learning Trust and FILMCLUB

* Hackney Schools Poster Competition led by local Himalayan artists

* Indian Classical Music workshop at Hackney Schools and SOAS

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SONAME

Born in the Tibetan countryside of noble descent, Soname had a difficult childhood, separated from her parents and working in Chinese occupied Lhasa. She missed out on the privileges of education, freedom and family life. At the age of sixteen she fled with a group of monks across the Himalaya – a hard and dangerous journey which thousands of Tibetans risk each year – into exile in India. She finally arrived in Dharamsala, where HH The Dalai Lama has his home in exile. After six years she travelled to England (by way of France) where she has lived ever since, building a rapidly progressing singing career.

Soname gave her debut performances in the West in 1998. Audiences across France and Germany were moved by the magic of her voice. She continued to take the UK by storm, appearing at festivals such as Glastonbury and with the likes of Asian Dub Foundation and Zero 7 at venues like London Scala and Brighton Concorde.

She charmed a celebrity studded gala at the Evening for Tibet Fundraiser under the auspices of HRH The Prince of Wales at the Vilar Floral Hall in London's Royal Opera House. 2004 saw her embark on her first tour of Iceland, performing with members of the Sugarcubes to sold-out theatres. Recent highlights were her concerts in conjunction with HH The Dalai Lama in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Soname is pleased to bring the ancient culture of Tibet to the modern media via the vehicle of her awesome music. Her songs reflect different styles including both powerful mountain songs, and songs with a spiritual influence. Soname's voice is awesomely powerful with a haunting passion that reflects the joy and beauty of the Tibetan landscape.

HOME PAGE : http://www.soname.com/MYSPACE : http://www.myspace.com/sonameLISTEN TO SONAME : http://www.last.fm/music/Soname

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ARUN GHOSHArun Ghosh is a British-Asian clarinettist, composer and music educator. He was selected for the 4thedition of the Jerwood/PRS Foundation ‘Take Five’ initiative for emerging jazz musicians produced bySerious in 2008.

Conceived in Calcutta, bred in Bolton, matured in Manchester and now living in London, Arun Ghosh’s musical vocabulary and vision reflect his rich geographical heritage. Using the spirit and language of jazz, with the sounds and styles of hip-hop, Indian classical and folk, western classical, rock, pop and avant-garde, Arun’s music is full of lyrical melodies and searching harmonies, down-to-earth directness and psychedelic ambient introspection.

His Indo-Jazz sextet play original music of South Asian origin with a contemporary jazz attitude, rocking urban beats and the passion of punk. Sweet and timeless melodies give birth to soaring improvisations and raag explorations, driven by a heady mix of dub-reggae bass, tabla trickery and ferocious drum explosions.

Arun Ghosh’s debut album, ”Northern Namaste”, released in April 2008, showcases clarinet-led orchestration, currently under-exploited terrain within the contemporary jazz/world music lexicon. Using unorthodox time signatures, and a soup of raags, folk rhythms and hip-hop bravado, Northern Namaste displays a kaleidoscope of sounds - urgent, meditative, erotic and heartfelt.

The band rocked the Southbank at their debut gig at the London Jazz Festival in November 2007 - you can view footage of the gig on http://www.youtube.com/camocivision

The stellar line up consists of: Arun Ghosh -clarinetIdris Rahman (Soothsayers, Zoe Rahman) - tenor saxophoneDr Das (Asian Dub Foundation) - bassAref Durvesh (Nitin Sawnhey, Susheela Rahman) - tabla and dholakKishon Khan (Dele Sosime) - pianoMyke Wilson (Texas, Swing Out Sister) - drums

HOME PAGE : http://www.camoci.co.uk/arunghosh/MY SPACE : http://www.myspace.com/arunghoshLISTEN TO ARUN GHOSH : http://www.last.fm/music/Arun+Ghosh

JJI EXILE BROTHERSThe very name of this fusion rock band conjures up the pain of separation from their motherland., the bonding of kindred souls in the midst of adversity.

Like a quarter of the country’s 100,00 stateless Tibetans, the brothers: basists/frontman Jamyang 28, guitarist Jigme 26 and drummer Ingsel 25, sons of Tibetans who were brought to India as children as part of the great influxc of refugees from Tibet following the Chinese invasion.

The brothers are currently based in Dharamasla, living in exile nearby the residence of the Dalai Lama. Theirs is the universal language of youth now combines with eth musical traditions and instruments of their native Tibet; a land they have never seen but which they yearn for along with their community.

Their music, a mix of Doorsy grooves and Rage Against Machine style lyrics, reflects the un-Buddhist anger of a lost generation raised among drugs and AIDS in Dharamsala.

HOMEPAGE : http://jjiexilebrothers.comMYSPACE : http://www.myspace.com/jjiexilebrothersLISTEN TO JJ EXHILE BROS : http://www.last.fm/music/JJI+Exile+Brothers

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SAIN ZAHOORSain Zahoor is a leading Sufi musician from Pakistan. Born in the province of Punjab in 1945, Zahoor was the youngest in a rural peasant family. He is said to have started singing at the age of five, and left home at the age of thirteen to sing at the Sufi shrines of Sind, Punjab and Kashmir. Impressed by his talent, Ustad Sain Raunka Ali of the Patiala Gharana took him on as a pupil, and his technique and artistry grew.

For decades he sang at shrines and religious sites, until 2006 when he was nominated for the BBC World Music Awards before he had ever made a record, based on word of mouth. Amazingly, he emerged as the "BBC voice of the year 2006“, An award that had earlier recognized other prominent Sufi singers such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen. Since, his vocal gift has entranced audiences at many concerts.

BBC WORLD MUSIC : http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2006/a4wm_zahoor.shtmlISTEN TO SAIN ZAHOOR : http://www.last.fm/music/Sain+Zahoor

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RONUMA JUMDAR & BIRESHWAR GAUATAM (duet)Ronu Majumdar, began playing the flute under the guidance of his father Dr. Bhanu Majumdar, Late Pt. Laxman Prasad Jaipurwale and finally under the revered Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao. Ronu Majumdar is solidly rooted in the Maihar gharana which has produced stalwarts such as Pt. Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Ronu has performed at prestigious international venues such as The Kremlin, Moscow; The Palais de Beaux Arts, Brussels and so on. With several albums among which are A Traveller's Tale, Koi Akela Kahan and the musical track for the Hollywood film 'Primary Colours', Ronu has created an enviable niche for himself in the field of contemporary music exemplified by his Grammy Nomination in 1996.

Pandit Ronu Majumdar won most prestigious Aditya Vikram Birla Award for the year 1999 for his dedication to music. He was also awarded Life-Time Achievement Award by Sahara India Pariwar on occasion of Jyoti Diwas 2001.He has been bestowed with the prestigious National Kumar Gandharva Award for the year 2005-06 in the Instrumental Section of Classical Music by Madhya Pradesh Government's Sanskrati Sanchalanalaya, Bhopal. He is the music composer for India's first I-Max film Mystic India. http://www.ronumajumdar.com/

Bireshwar Gautam, ..fondly referred to as "Biru" is probably one of the rare artist who has dual talents, being a excellent Kathak dancer and also a Thumri singer.

Trained in kathak under the guidance of Guru Bandana Sen, Padmashri Late Pt. Gopi Krishna and Padmashri Damayanti Joshi. He is trained in vocal under the guidance of his father late Sailen Pal, khayal gayaki with Pt. Vasantrao Kulkarni and thumri under the eminent Smt.Shobha Gurtu.

He has performed in many prestigious dance festivals like Ellora, Elephanta, Pune festival, Puri beach festival, Brindavan festival, Saratchandrika festival and many others throughout the country.He also has a audio cassette named "Thum-Khayal" to his credit.

He heads the department of Kathak at the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Vashi,New Bombay and at the "Sur Jhankar" academy at the ISKON-Juhu. He is also the founder Director of Kathak Darpan- An Academy of Performing Arts.

He is a A grade artist at the AIR, DD and NCPA. He has choreographed many innovative pieces which reflects both technical expertise and creativity. His production "Kathak aur Thumri ke Rang" has been the most popular. His other creations are "Cosmos", "Shakti" and "Raag Milan". http://www.birubireshwar.com/

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Hussain Brother s (top) Sabri Brothers (above)

HUSSAIN BROTHERSBased in London, the Hussain Brothers are heirs of a 100-year old family tradition left to them by the late Tufail Ahmed and Qurban Hussain. They have been performing all over the UK for over 18 years and are famous for their wide versatility of styles and languages, regularly performing in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Farsi. They have performed Qawwali in various Festivals throughout the UK including:

Lambeth Mela, Womad Festival, Southampton Mela, London Mela Festival, Slough Mela, Bradford Mela Festival, East London Mela Festival and many more …

MY SPACE : www.myspace.com/481955829

KHAN BROTHERS (KB Art Promotions)

Ustad Haji Ameer Khan is son of the celebrated Ustad Latafat Husain Khan, and is the latest of a long and famous line of gharana musicians.

Since coming to Britain in 1991, Ameer and his brothers have been one of the few groups in Britain singing traditional qawwali, the intense devotional style associated with Sufi Muslims, now well-known in the West due to the success of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

The Khan brothers were born in Karachi, Pakistan, and learned their first notes from their father. They began performing in their childhood, and by their early teens were performing at weddings all over Pakistan. “We had to sing whatever the public demanded,” recalls Ameer. “Classical, pop, everything –it was a good apprenticeship!”

Today, the Khan Brothers live in east London. They performs qawwali music at concerts, weddings and other ceremonies. Although they were brought in the traditions of classical music, they are keen to collaborate with contemporary musicians from different cultures.

HOME PAGE : http://www.qawwali.co.ukLISTEN TO KHAN BROTHERS : http://www.qawwali.co.uk/downloads.aspx

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BALUJI SHRIVASTAV"...his music has acquired a notable immediacy, perhaps since sound will always have been more important to him than his fully sighted contemporaries. What he does - not only on the sitar but also on the surbahar lute and the dilruba fiddle is both ravishing and utterly fresh." The Scotsman

Inspired by a particular poem within the Bhagavad Gita, the composer and musician Baluji Shrivastav has composed a modern interpretation of the Gita. Brimming with sublime aspirations and tenderness, this is a rare confluence of Surbahar (bass sitar), Kora, South Indian Violin, Jazz-inspired vocals and spoken word.

EDUCATION PROJECT:In collaboration with Hackney Learning Trust and SOAS, Satsang Productions would like to team up with Baluji in creating several education workshop during festival week. We propose:

Early Years: 2 storytelling sessions for children aged range between 4-8. Primary School Workshop: A 2-day workshop in a selected primary school in the London Borough of Hackney, giving an introduction to Indian Music. SOAS : To attend an Indian Classical Music class at our partner University.

PASSING CLOUDSWe are also inviting Baluji to one of our Wednesday Classical Music nights at our partner venue, Passing Clouds in Dalston, east London.

HOMEPAGE : http://www.baluji.com/MY SPACE : http://www.myspace.com/balujishrivastavLISTEN TO BALUJI : http://www.last.fm/music/Baluji+Shrivastav

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GONKAR GYATSOGonkar Gyatso is a London-based transnational artist, and is also a founder of Contemporary Tibetan Art gallery the Sweet Tea House. He was born in 1961 in Lhasa and studied Fine Art in Beijing and London.

His work has been internationally published and exhibited in galleries and museums including The Chinese National Art Gallery (Beijing), The Kangra Museum (India), The Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (Scotland), the Courtauld Institute of Art (London), the Wereld museum Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Colorado University Art Museum and Collections (USA). Works by Gyatso are now held in the Newark Museum (USA), the Pitt Rivers Museum (Oxford), Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (Australia), Burger Collection (Switzerland), Rossi & Rossi (London), Red Gate Gallery (Beijing), The Newark Museum (New York), and numerous private collections.

Having lived in Tibet, China, India and the West, Gyatso's art proposes insightful statements on cultural hybridity of globalization as well as the sea change of the world yet to come.

HOMEPAGE : http://gonkargyatso.com/

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TASHI NORBU (Tibet Art Movement)Tashi Norbu’s goal is to achieve a true harmony of his native culture in contemporary art. Born in Bhutan and trained in traditional Tibetan art in Dharamsala, Tashi yearned to decipher western art as well. He came to Europe to study Visual Arts at the St Lucas Academy in Ghent (Belgium). During his four years of study there he took the opportunity to imbibe the juices of contemporary art on the Continent.

His art reflects the influence of Buddhist thangkas, mandalas and sutras and the expressionism of Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol, and always maintains reverence for the Buddha. At once cosmopolitan and traditional, Tashi Norbu’s work overcomes the stresses of his life in exile, and strives for tranquillity and harmony.

As Artist-in-Residence, Tashi has a permanent collection exhibited in the Temple Gallery in Amsterdam. We are delighted to be hosting Tashi for his UK debut exhibition and workshops.

HOMEPAGE : http://www.tashinorbu.be/VIDEO : http://www.tibetartmovement.com/film.htm (Tashi at Work) TIBET ART MOVEMENT : http://www.tibetartmovement.com/

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TASHI MANNOX Calligraphy artist in Tibetan-related scripts and iconographyTashi Mannox was born in England in the year of the water tiger, and for the past 30 years he has studied an eclectic range of artistic disciplines in both the Eastern and Western traditions as a painter and calligrapher.

Shortly after gaining a BA degree in Fine Art, he became a Buddhist monk of the Tibetan Kagyu order and at the tender age of 22 was given the name Tsering Tasha. For seventeen years he apprenticed under the direction of a master of the Karma Gardri Tibetan art tradition, Sherab Palden Beru, studying Tibetan language and traditional temple decoration.

During this period he studied under many Tibetan Lamas, however the foundation of Tashi’s training was set by the high standards and clarity of his spiritual father Akong Tulku Rinpoche. Under the Rinpoche’s direction, he spent four years in a remote retreat, meticulously copy ancient texts, and furthering his training as a scribe in the highly disciplined, and multiple forms of Tibetan calligraphy.

In 2000 Tashi Travelled to India, where in Dharamsala he was privileged to study under a master of ancient Sanskrit: Lama Pema Lodrup. The artistic forms of Sanskrit known in the Tibetan tradition as Lanza and Wartu are preserved by only a handful of practitioners in the world today.

Since laying down his monastic robes in 2000, Tashi has built on his training to produce a collection of iconographic masterpieces that reveal powerful, spiritual themes through the majestic images of Tibetan Buddhist calligraphy and iconography. .

HOMEPAGE : http://www.tashimannox.com/

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GOVINDA SAH “AZAD”Born in Rajbiraj (Nepal), from an early age Govinda was interested in drawing and sculpture, and spent most of his time drawing and sculpting copies of Hindu Gods from photographs and sculptures. After High School his parents were set on the idea that he should study science, but after his school exams in 1991 he ran away from Rajbiraj to Delhi. Govinda spent the years 1991-94 as a sign board and wall painter. In 1995 he returned to Nepal and joined the Fine Art College in Kathmandu. This was to be a big moment in his life, when he realised his dream to become a painter. During College Govinda had several group shows and exhibitions.

His first solo exhibition was in 1999 which was a huge success, and the College’s Campus Chief Govinda Dangol dubbed him as “Lion Heart”. Work from this exhibition was later displayed in Germany and Austria in 2000.

Following that first solo exhibition, Govinda began a nation-wide solo cycle tour to spread awareness of peace through art under the title “The 21st Century is the Century of Art and Peace”. During that 3-month tour he held several art shows and workshops, and gave lectures in schools, and to community groups. He also held exhibitions in Mumbai and Dhaka before graduating with a BA in Fine Art in 2003.

In 2006, Govinda completed his MA in Fine Art in Dhaka and shortly after received a scholarship to study further in the UK. Govinda is now qualified with an MA in Fine Art from Wimbledon College of Art in 2008.

To date Govinda has held 22 solo art exhibitions and group shows – in Nepal and several other countries. He has also co-ordinated a number of Art Workshops under the sponsorship of the UN and Bangladesh Embassy in Nepal. His art investigates spirituality and contemporary social and environmental issues, and can be found in private and public collections in Nepal and private collections worldwide.

HOMEPAGE : http://www.govindasahazad.com/about.html

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SAM KANG LI

Sam Kang Li is an award-winning freelance photographer born and bred in Singapore. In 2008, he completed an internship as a photojournalist with Nepal’s most widely read English-language weekly, Nepali Times, covering the country’s transition from a monarchy to a republic and the Maoist Party’s rise to parliamentary power.

Others of his collections include Hamro Nepal; a visual diary of almost all the stories that he worked on during his time in Nepal, including Tibetan protests, mobile health posts, burns victims and street sports. His work also extends to other parts of the Himalaya and nearby regions, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and China. In his own words: “I am usually reserved and quiet among strangers. Put a camera in my hand and I become a different person. Photography is my way of engaging the world.”

HOME PAGE : http://www.samkangliphotos.com

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TIZIANA CIASULLOTiziana Ciasullo is a documentary photographer from Italy, who has a special interest in Tibet and is an avid follower of Bhuddist teachings. She regularly visits China and Nepal to visit the monasteries, where she feels most at home. Her strong connection to the people in the monasteries allows her to photograph while people are in their true element.

Tiziana is a mutli-talented artist, and has recently published a book about her travels, titled “Visioni Di Saggezza” in both Italian and English; has signed as a travel photography contributor to Getty Images, and is also a singer in United Peace Voices recently signed with Irma Records.

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REBECCA VAN OMMENRebecca van Ommen is the Art Director of Getty Images, in charge of European imagery. She is also the director of her own design studio, the Paper Boat, which is a diverse mix of media from illustration, photography to web design and animation. She has previously worked as a freelance photographer and art director for clients such as MTV, Nokia, Unilever, Pepsi and McDonalds.

Her professional career started at only 19 years old when she was hired by the world renowned advertising agency, DDB. She was then presented as the youngest and one of the most promising creatives, representing the company in South East Asian creative competitions.

Her background is as diverse as her work, and this makes her visual communication skill resonate with whoever she needs to reach. Her heart is in reminding people of all the beautiful things inside them and around them. She believes in collaboration to bring out the most powerful messages.

WEBLINK : http://www.beckyvanommen.com/

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DJ COCO VARMACoco is the Godfather of Indo-Electronica and constant pioneer of UK Leftfield Asian Sounds. A founder of the influential Earthtribe and, he took Desi remix culture to Australia where it has since been flourishing.

Earthtribe were formed before the ‘Asian Underground’ had acquired a name, and they remain at the core of the British-Asian scene. But their style has always been as much about west as it is about east. They break down musical and racial barriers and communicate through the ethnocyberfunk sound, a universal language. Electro, trance and breakbeat are blended with grooves from India, Africa and South America. Add a generous sprinkling of funk, dub, tabla and sublime Indian vocals to the pot and the music is complete: an indefinable concoction.

EARTHTRIBE : http://www.earthtribe.co.uk/

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FILM MAKER : Talks

Ashvin Kumar began working as an actor and director in theatre. After taking a degree in Media and Communications (University of London) he began working as an editor. Ashvin set up a digital post-production business in New Delhi before he relocated to London where he established Alipur Films while briefly attending the London Film School. Ashvin wrote several screenplays turning the first of them into the featurette Road To Ladakh.

Ashvin is a writer and director. He also edits and produces his own films.

He is the only Indian to be nominated for an academy award in the live action short film category for Little Terrorist in 2005 and has been the recipient of fifteen international awards and honors in over a hundred film festivals including a nomination to the European Film Academy, which was also the first for an Indian. He is currently in post production with his debut feature The Forest and developing two other projects set in India.

Living and travelling in the west, being exposed to international cinema and having taken his own shorts and feature to international markets as a producer and writer gives him an unusual perspective that informs his writing of Indian screen-plays for an international audience.

Ashvin currently lives and works between London and New Delhi. He has also written extensively on cinema and other issues some of his writing can be read on his blog: (http://www.alipur.com/blog/index.html)

Ashvin currently lives and works between London, New Delhi and Los Angeles.

Ashvin Kumar(Oscar Nominated Film Director)

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FILM MAKER : Talks

Gaurav Jani started his career at the age of 21 as a fashion choreographer in Ahmedabad. After a 2-year stint in the fashion industry, he moved to Mumbai to pursue film-making. Gaurav assisted the noted film maker Ram Gopal Verma for the feature-film, "Jungle". During the shoot of the film in the jungles of south India, he realized that all he wanted to do in life was to travel and be with nature. After finishing the film, he quit the industry, bought a motorcycle, and hit the road; doing odd jobs in between to finance his travels. He also founded a motorcycle travel club called 60kph (http://www.60kph.com), to form a network of travelers across the country.

Gaurav traveled to various parts of India for four years, often solo and also with fellow 60kph members. The more he traveled, the more he realized how little he knew about India, her people and their customs. Travel soon became a passion and a way of life for him; it also satisfied his need for adventure and curiosity to explore remote regions of the country. But he missed being behind the camera as well. He came upon an idea that combined his passions, filmmaking and travel.

He approached producers, television networks and marketing agents with the idea. A travelogue about five bikers on a two year motorcycle ride experiencing India - without the essential support vehicles and film crew. Unfortunately, everyone he met was sceptical if such a thing was possible. With neither the experience of operating a professional camera nor recording sound, Gaurav set off on a solo motorcycle journey to one of the coldest and remotest deserts of the world, the Changthang plateau in Ladakh.

The only support he got was from friends and fellow 60kph members. Some chipped in with money, and others offered their expertise. Learning from camera manuals, he functioned as a one-man film unit. Filming his travel experiences as he rode through some of the most difficult terrain in the world, Gaurav finished his first film, "Riding Solo to the top of the World". But ironically, the toughest part for Gaurav was not the hardships he faced on the ride but rather, coming in front of the camera. "Riding Solo To The Top Of The World" has received critical acclaim from various quarters. Gaurav continues to go on long solo rides as a one man film unit, recording his experiences and the thrills and spills of travel, not only to fuel his passion for Film making and Travel, but also to promote adventure travel in India; although he's still camera shy! One Crazy Ride is his second film.

Garauv Jani

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FILM MAKER : Talks

Bhushal Dahal is certainly one of the most influential names to reckon with in the entertainment business of Nepal. He is one person who has been solely credited for revolutionizing the concept and the standard of music videos over the years. The music industry of Nepal and the media in general look up to this icon and the numerous music video directors around these days dream to achieve what he has accomplished.

Bhusan Dahal’s entry into the media field happened by accident. It all began when a friend of his offered him work at NTV. "I was young and when I was approached I decided to give it a try. Why not give it a shot! With time, I realized that I loved doing what I was doing and came to the conclusion that this was the field for me."

Bhusan Dahal is most noted for his movie Kagbeni, where he made his directorial debut after making notable music videos, documentaries and features. He is known for music videos that he directed for hundreds of nepali singing talents including Nima Rumba, Ramkrishna Dhakal, Rajesh Payal Rai, 1974 AD, Om Bikram Bista, Yogeswor Amatya, Nhyoo Bajracharya to name a few and the most exotic Saa Karnali for Nepathya.

During 1988-1990 he was the person to anchor Sunday Pop, a program of international pop music on Nepal Television (NTV).

He is also known for Disha Nirdesh, a political programme run on NTV anchored by Bijay Kumar and Fireside a current affairs talk show he has been hosting since 2003 on Kantipur Television.

Mr. Dahal served Nepal Television as a beginner and was the first executive producer for image channel, executive director for Dibyadristi, his own television production venture in Nepal before joining Kantipur Television as the chief executive producer more recently.

Bhushal Dahal

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EDUCATION

1. SISTER SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS:VIDEO DIARY EXCHANGE (between Hackney Schools and Tibetan Children’s Village in foothills of the Indian Himalayas. http://www.tcv.org.in/

2. ARTS & EDUCATION WORKSHOPS: Our Himalayan Artists based in London create an arts project with the theme of the Himalaya at after-school arts clubs, weekend workshops etc. Interested artists with experience of school teaching include:

Gongkar Gyatso (Tibetan contemporary artist) : http://gonkargyatso.com/Rebecca Van Ommen (Arts director Getty Images) : http://www.beckyvanommen.com/Tashi Mannox (Calligraphy artist in Tibetan-related scripts) : http://www.tashimannox.com/

3. EARLY YEARS PROJECT: (4-8 years old) Baluji Shrivastav : Indian Storyteller. To see Baluji's education workshops for children refer to : http://www.baluji.com/education.htmlBorn in Uttar Pradesh and blind from a young age, Baluji is recognised for his outstanding versatility as classical composer playing the sitar.

4. CHILDREN CINEMA SCREENINGS: An exciting range of films selected from the main Festival programme for teachers and school groups or individual students of any age. We are working closely with Hackney Learning Trust and Tower Hamlets Borough to bring students from the local community to attend daytime screenings at Rich Mix in East London during the festival week.

5. FILMCLUB:FILMCLUB (education arm of LOVEFILM.COM) will offer a children's award for the Best Festival Film Review, selected by a jury of young people at Rich Mix. Furthermore they will offer to help fund screenings for the Children Cinema as well as offer their own members discount entry.

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EDUCATION

HIMALAYA Festival 2010 have created a number of sister school projects between Hackney Schools in London and the Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamsla, India. Projects include a video and poster exchange between various age groups to promote cross cultural exchange.

TIBETAN CHILDRENS VILLAGE

The Mission of Tibetan Children's Village (TCV) – an integrated charitable organization is to ensure that all Tibetan children under its care receive a sound education, a firm cultural identity and become self-reliant and contributing members of the Tibetan community and the world at large:

•Provide parental care and love •Develop a sound understanding of Tibetan identity and culture •Develop character and moral values •Provide effective modern and Tibetan education •Provide child -centred learning atmosphere in the schools •Provide environment for physical and intellectual growth •Provide suitable and effective life and career guidance for social and citizenship skills

"From the day we became refugees, our basic objective was to rise to the very place from where we have fallen down.“ [H.H. the Dalai Lama]

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CHARITY PARTNER

HIMALAYA Film & Cultural Festival supports the Rescue Foundation as charity partner of the festival. A charity night will take place including a screening of selected movie dealing with the humanitarian issue of human trafficking, as well as a documentary of the work currently undertaken by the Recue Foundation.

RESCUE FOUNDATION

The Rescue Foundation are non-profit, government recognized and registered NGO working for rescue, rehabilitation and repatriation of victims for human trafficking from different parts of India, Nepal & Bangladesh and sold for forced prostitution. Over a period of last eight years, the charity has achieved the organizational capabilities in helped one of the most neglected segments of India society.

WEBSITE : http://www.rescuefoundation.net

TRIVENI ACHARYA (President)

Mrs. Acharya is a courteous and sympathetic individual on a mission. She strongly believes that is the responsibility of eth well endowed and educated conscious people like us to rescue them and resurrect them as respectable citizens. Rescuing unfortunate girls/women/children from the evil clutches of brothel keepers is a very ominous and pious duty of society. Her work has been recognized :

• Advisory Board Member for Child & Women Welfare by the Central as well as State Government of Maharashtra• Awarded “Women of Peace” from Women's Peace Power Foundation, Florida, USA (2008) • Awarded “Jhansi ki Raani Stree Shakti Award” by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of UPA at the International Women’s Day in presence of Mrs. Singh, India’s First lady and Mrs. Renuka Chowdri, Union Minister for Women & Child Welfare (2008)

POSTER IDEAS

PROGRAMME Jan-Feb 2010 (Confirmed programme to date)

Rich MixFILM : The Boy who Plays on the Buddhas of BamiyanFILM : Burma VJ

4:00pm 7 FebSun

RichMixFILM : Himalaya by Eric ValliFILM : Kashf, The Lifting of the Veil (Screen 1 or 2)TALK : Ayesha Khan

4:00pm6:45pm

6 FebSat

RichMixOPENING GALA (+Drinks Reception)

FILM : Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells (Screen 1 or 2)MUSIC : Soname, Khan Brothers, Yak Attack, DJ Coco VISUALS : Digital Himalaya

6:45pm 8:30pm

5 FebFri

Tricycle Theatre

FILM : Sikkim7:00pm 4 FebThu

SOAS FILM : The Day My God DiedFILM : Brothels to BridehoodTALK : Trivieni Acharya & Mahesh Ruparelia (Rescue Foundation)

4:00pm 6:00pm6:45pm

3 FebWed

SOASFILM : One Crazy Ride7:00pm2 FebTue

SOASFILM : Travellers & Magicians7:00pm 1 FebMon

Old Truman’s Brewery

ART : Brick Lane Exhibition (TBC)All day31 JanSun

30 JanSat

SOAS FILM : Sonam (The Fortunate One)7:00pm29 JanFri

SOASFESTIVAL PREVIEW SCREENINGS

TALK : Prof. Michael HuttFILM : Magic Mountain + Hockey Night in LadakhFILM : Trailer of Frozen

7:00pm28 Jan Thu

PROGRAMME Jan-Feb 2010 (continued)

Nehru Centre

Rich Mix

Passing Clouds

FILM : Kashmir Ki Kali (daytime screening)

FILM : Shining SpiritFILM : Riding Solo to the Top of the WorldTALK : Gaurav Jani

CLOSING PARTYMUSIC : Rescue Foundation Fundraiser EventMUSIC : Bands TBC + Yak Attack

3:00pm6:30pm7:15pm9:00pm

12 FebFri

Rich Mix

Nehru Centre

Rich Mix

SCHOOL (FILM) : The Warrior or Kite Runner or Blindsight

MUSIC : Dr. Sapna Raina Kachru (Kashmir Bhawan Centre)

FILM : Frozen

3:00pm6:30pm7:00pm

11 FebThu

Rich Mix

Passing Clouds

SCHOOL (FILM) : The Warrior or Kite Runner or BlindsightFILM : KagbeniTALK : Bhushal Dahal

MUSIC : AMC : Ronum Majumdar & Bireshwar Gautam(Flutist & dance) accompanied by harmonium and tabla : Recital

3:00pm6:30pm8:00pm

10 FebWed

Rich MixSCHOOL (FILM) : The Warrior or Kite Runner or BlindsightFILM : The Little TerroristFILM : The Forest (Screen 1 or 2)TALK : Ashvin Kumar (director)

3:00pm6:45pm7:00pm

9 FebTue

Learning Trust

Nehru Centre

Rich Mix

EDUCATION : Baluji, Mannox, Becky workshops

EXHIBITION OPENING (+Drinks Reception)

ART : Gyatso, Norbu, Mannox, Azad, Kang Li, Tene + PremilaFILM : Road to Ladakh

FILM : Mountain Patrol

6:30pm6:45pm

8 FebMon

2010

3029 Student Cinema1@

28Student Cinema1@

6Film Night

5Opening Gala @

4Documentary

Preview : Sikkim

32Student Cinema3@

1Student Cinema2@

31Art Exhibition

13Live Event @

12Indian Cinema

11Children Cinema3

10Indian Cinema

Live Event

9Children Cinema2

8Indian Cinema & art

Workshop

Hackney Workshop

7Film Night

SatFriThuWedTueMonSun

FESTIVAL CALENDARJANUARY – FEBRUARY 2010

PATRONSNicolas Kent (Director of the Tricycle Theatre)Simon Broughton (Editor of Rough Guide to World Music)Justine Hardy (Writer and expert on Himalayan Region) Arundhati Roy (Writer and journalist, winner of the Booker Prize)Ashvin Kumar (Oscar nominated Film Director of “The Little Terrorist”)Dr. Mark Turin (Digital Himalaya and Director of the World Oral Literature Project)Prof. Michael Hutt (Dean of the Faculty of Languages & Cultures, SOAS)Gongkar Gyatso (Director of Sweet Tea House, Contemporary Tibetan Art Gallery)Kanak Mani Dixit (Editor of Himal Southasian Magazine)Triveni Acharya (Director of Rescue Foundation, Mumbai)

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

In Kind Sponsors

Broadcast & Media Partners

Education, Local Community and Charity Partners

Main Sponsors