Indian film festival in Tralee

AN insight into Indian culture is promised with the launch of a new film festival.

Rose of Tralee Clare Kembamettu, who has an Indian background, and Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Jimmy Deenihan attended the Tralee launch of the Indian Film Festival of Ireland.

Tralee’s participation in the Festival will take place on the evening of Friday May 13, in the Siamsa Tire Theatre.

An insight into Indian culture is promised and the programme will kick off with Indian food tastings followed by an Indian classical dance performance by well- known artist Ashwani Kalsekar.

Festival co-ordinator Sonali Flynn described it as a “unique and exciting collaboration” between Siamsa Tíre and the festival which is taking place for the first time in Kerry.

The attendance will include Siraj Zaidi, director of the Indian Film Festival of Ireland and a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. He specialises in the performing arts.

Since 1986, he has made Ireland his home and has worked in theatre, radio, TV and film.

Mr Zaidi is the chief executive and managing director of Bollywood Ireland Limited, a film and television production company that he formed in 1989.

The evening will conclude with a showing of the film, Raajneeti which is subtitled in English.

The film showcases the turbulent world of Indian politics and has many parallels with the Indian epic, Mahabharata.