Rhythm Village

04/12/2015

SEE THE CLOSING NIGHT FILM. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

DHANAK (RAINBOW)
Fresh from his award-winning premiere at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival, Nagesh Kukunoor arrives at IFFLA with this stunning tale of a brother and sister who embark on a journey across Rajasthan in an attempt to meet the great Shah Rukh Khan. Pari is the responsible older sister to Chotu, a high-spirited blind boy on the brink of his ninth birthday. Chotu wants nothing more than to have his vision back and Pari — inspired by a message she sees on a Shah Rukh Khan poster — promises him he’ll get it before his birthday arrives. When the two learn that Shah Rukh Khan is filming only a few hundred kilometers from their village, they sneak away from home and set out to meet the superstar.

What follows is a trek full of side-splitting banter and bickering between the two remarkable children, vibrant colors, lively music, new friendships, and harrowing danger. Kukunoor’s two young leads embody the adventurous spirit feeling that comes with growing up and taking your fate into your own hands for the first time. He has crafted an utterly gorgeous film around one simple wish, and ultimately delivers a disarming, heartfelt plea to recognize and appreciate the beauty that exists all around us.

DJ and producer Vik Dee will be playing a variety of music throughout the day dedicated to the spirit of Dhanak the Arclight courtyard, so be sure to come by and hang with us. Vik Dee will close out Rhythm Village 2015!

04/12/2015

Hey Friends!
Today is your chance to learn some fun and easy Bollywood Steps while getting a great work out. Shweta Mendhekar is a certified Zumba instructor who fuses her classes with health and fitness and a big dose of Bollywood style. Come and join the free instruction as you break a sweat and move to all your favorite Bollywood hits.

Bollywood Zumba Dance Instruction @ 3:00pm in the Courtyard.

04/12/2015

Today is the closing night of IFFLA and the final day of Rhythm Village performances.

We are excited to have first time Rhythm Village artist Bhavana Reddy. Bhavana Reddy is an acclaimed Kuchipudi Dancer and Singer-Songwriter who has been getting attention worldwide for her unique combination of Indian Classical Kuchipudi Dance and Western Music performances.

Bhavana was declared a dancing prodigy at age 7, performing for audiences and touring USA, Canada, Europe, UAE and South East Asia. From performing dance for International Prime Ministers to Prince of Wales to performing for prestigious festivals such as Khajuraho, Konark, Sadler’s Wells Festival (London) to singing for Hollywood movie, Fox Entertainment's JoyRide 3, music and dance truly runs through Bhavana’s central core.

Bhavana’s music is an interesting blend of Indian concept of melodies blended with western harmonies held together by a string of poetry. She is creating an exotic neo-psychedelic vibe being compared to a melting pot of eastern & western genres with hints of Fiona Apple, Dead Can Dance and Led Zeppelin. Her performances are visually in sync with theatrical/story telling nature of Kuchipudi dance. As a whole, Bhavana's music plays with the essence of rich Indian heritage in a language known to you.

Be Sure to Check out Bhavana and her band at 2:30pm in the courtyard. You won't want to miss this.
For more information on this rising star please visit bhavanareddy.com

04/11/2015

Come one come ALL and enjoy Day 2 of Rhythm Village. The weather is Perfect so bring your family, kiddos, and friends to check out the free show located at the Arclight Cinema Courtyard in Hollywood.

MKM Bollystars is a leading Entertainment Company Specializing In Bollywood and Indian Fusion Dance. Check them out at 5:30 pm as they thrill you with their innovative style and seamless fusion of various dance forms.

Alok Mehta, Anisha Nagarajan, and Albert Fox bring an exciting and unique collaboration. An electrical sitar, beautiful vocals, and hypnotic percussion set that will be sure to entrance the listener. Don't miss this performance of eclectic sounds happening today at 6:30 pm.

Throughout the day DJ Tasneem will set the mood with her groovy song selections that will make you want dance, reflect, or just appreciate the good vibes.

Join in the fun and celebrate the intimate relationship between music and film at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.

04/10/2015

Happy Friday Friends! Today is the official first day of Rhythm Village 2015 at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.

We are proud to commence the festivities with an exciting performance by the bold and brilliant Karmagraphy company. This dance tribute is in honor of the world famous composer and artist AR. Rahman.

Please don't miss this performance happening at today at 7:30 pm in the courtyard of the Arclight Cinema in Hollywood, followed by the Los Angeles premiere of Jai Ho, an intimate documentary about the life of AR. Rahman.

04/12/2014

It's a gorgeous day to join us at IFFLA for some films, music, dance, art, and culture. Rhythm Village continues today with some phenomenal performances that are sure to move your heart and stir your soul.

3:30-3:50
Varshini Muralikrishnan and the Spring Nectar Academy present, Carnatic Global fusion.

An IFFLA Rhythm Village favorite, Varshini Muralikrishnan returns this year fueled with inspiration and innovation. A multitalented singer-songwriter & keyboardist, Varshini seamlessly integrates her classical Carnatic music roots with Hip-Hop, R&B, Jazz and Global influences. A family of pioneers, Varshini’s parents Rose & N Muralikrishnan nurture the next generation of artists at The Spring Nectar Academy, that has garnered national appreciation for their innovative and creative presentations of traditional music. A masterful ensemble will complete this performance before the screening of the spiritually inspiring film, Faith Connections.

6:30-7:00pm
AALOK MEHTA AND ROBIN SUKHADIA

LA based Aalok Mehta, an award winning singer-songwriter, composer and sitar afficionado and Tabla virtuoso, Robin Sukhadia, team up to bring the IFFLA audience a taste of South Asian electronica. Be sure to catch this enchanting courtyard performance right before the screening of the much anticipated Fandry, a love story set to the backdrop of an outdated caste system and unnatural societal boundaries between two star-crossed lovers.

The Rukus Avenue Booth will feature the work of our Rhythm Village performers and artists. Do stop by and check in with us for an update on future events, new music, and a chance to give back through some amazing NGO work that is helping to empower women and children from various marginalized communities. We look forward to meeting with you!

Peace, Love, and the Arts!

04/11/2014

Its time for the Rhythm Village Kick OFF!
Tonight we celebrate the marriage of music and film with our amazing line up of artists and performers. Make sure you come early to check out these live performances before your favorite films.

Elephants with Guns, an IFFLA favorite, will be back again this year to bring you a special set inspired by the film Powerless. Come get lost in a trance as they take you on a musical journey.
Hailing from across the globe but coming together as a true DTLA band, the members of Elephants with guns use their different cultural backgrounds as inspiration for fusing Indian & Arabic melodies with Latin beats and hard rock progressions.

Rhythm Village Unplugged located in the IFFLA Lounge on the second floor of the Arclight Cinema, will feature the brilliant tabla and sarod duo, Kamaljeet and Jas Ahluwalia.
Jas, a protege of the world renowned Ustad Tari Khan, has collaborated worldwide with Grammy winning Artists. Kamaljeet, a disciple of legendary maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, is deeply rooted in Indian Classical beginnings. They founded Absolute Focus, a music & art Production Company. Jas on Tabla, and Kamaljeet on Santoor, will continue their exploration of vast sublime melodies and intricate detailed rhythmic patterns in the acoustic lounge setting at ArcLight. Prepare to be enchanted by this gifted duo.

04/11/2014

Sammy Chand's brand new single Life Won't Pass Me By, featuring Ozomatli and Chali 2na of Jurassic 5 is gonna drop tonight at Tru Hollywood.
Come celebrate the beauty of music, film, and culture at the Rukus Avenue Party .

04/10/2014

We are very excited to have the Music Tastemaker himself as our official DJ for the Rukus Avenue Party@ IFFLA tonight. Make sure you don't miss this night!

Since the birth of his award winning music program on top ranking NPR affiliate KCRW in 1996, Garth has worked relentlessly to expose the new and progressive while paying homage to the classic by weaving together intergalactic tapestries of sound that tell stories of the human soul.

Through his work as a DJ, radio personality, event producer, music supervisor, and journalist, he's helped jump start the careers of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Gnarls Barkley. While supporting independent artists, Garth artfully redefines the concept of soul music framed in a multitude of international genres and movements - including neoteric offerings from indie rock, afro punk, baile funk, and electronic music, infused with the established greatness of jazz, classic rock, afro-beat, etc.

Garth Trinidad Sound is building the premier media destination for international alternatives in music & culture - a home for the progressive artist and discerning consumer who may desire more than just mainstream fodder.

Garth Trinidad can be heard changing lives weeknights from 8-10pm on KCRW 89.9fm in Los Angeles, streaming worldwide at kcrw.com.

04/10/2014

Remember being fourteen, when your life was just waiting to be lived beyond the school yard gate? Phoring is a delightfully told coming of age story that genuinely taps into the difficult, awkward and sometimes painful experience of being a young teenager, all set against a backdrop of social and political unrest in North Bengal. One of our most sensitive, surprising features this year, PHORING at IFFLA is not to be missed.

Get your tickets now: www.indianfilmfestival.org/phoring

Our thanks to American Cinematheque and the USC School of Cinematic Arts for their support for PHORING!

PHORINGIndranil Roychowdhury’s stunning feature debut is an evocative and unpredictable tale of confused adolescence in a struggling North Bengal town. Phoring, a young boy cursed with an overactive imagination, spends his time consumed by daydreams of the female form and tormented by the scolding v...

04/08/2014

Adnan Hussain works in animation and illustration. Through animated films, paintings and comics, he weaves together Pakistani culture and social causes into stories that can be found at http://www.madguru.com./
The four pieces that will be on display during Rhythm Village are from "The Art of Music", a series on Central and South Asian music inspired by travels through the region. Adnan collaborated with Jorge "Tyme" Martinez, who added his graffiti style ink designs to the backgrounds.

Be sure to check out Adnan's brilliant work
April 11-12 in the Arclight Cinema Courtyard during Rhythm Village.

thought provoking media

04/08/2014

DJ doc bLAdez to kick off Rhythm Village:
With austere beginnings reciting hymns & prayers at sikh temples, bLAdez forayed into DJing and spinning, becoming one of North America’s premier Punjabi/Hip-Hop DJs by the late 90s. Bringing his beat juggles to set the mood for IFFLA’s friday evening line-up, catch his fierce turntablism and sharp skills before your show. His set is an ode to the film Powerless and is a call to our generation to rise and challenge status quo and the inequities of society.

Friday April 11, 2014
Don't miss one of the most original Indian documentaries ever made. POWERLESS paints the picture of electricity-starved Kanpur, a city of 3 million, where everyone has resorted to stealing electricity – from the biggest, richest factories to the lowly slum dweller. But in the end, who will pay?

Beautifully shot with a pulsating, haunting background score, POWERLESS, directed by Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar, is both hilarious and troubling. A brilliant study of power (in all its forms) in present-day India.

Get your tickets now: http://www.indianfilmfestival.org/powerless/