Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to enthrall audience with sarod recital in Riyadh

Special Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to enthrall audience with sarod recital in Riyadh
1 / 2
The internationally acclaimed sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will perform at the Cultural Palace, in Riyadh, on Feb. 6, 2025. (Indian Embassy)
Special Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to enthrall audience with sarod recital in Riyadh
2 / 2
The internationally acclaimed sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will perform at the Cultural Palace, in Riyadh, on Feb. 6, 2025. (Indian Embassy)
Short Url
Updated 30 January 2025
Follow

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to enthrall audience with sarod recital in Riyadh

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to enthrall audience with sarod recital in Riyadh
  • Ambassador of India Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan: The Embassy is honored to co-host the upcoming Sarod quintet concert by the legendary musician Amjad Ali Khan in Riyadh
  • Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan: The strong interest among Saudi friends toward this concert is a testimony to the popularity of Indian music, arts and cinema in the Kingdom

RIYADH: The internationally acclaimed sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will give a virtuoso performance of the stringed instrument at the Cultural Palace, Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh on Feb. 6, 2025.

The Embassy of India, in collaboration with the Diplomatic Quarter Office at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, is organizing the musical performance of “Three Generations, One Melody,” featuring the renowned Indian sarod quintet led by the acclaimed composer Amjad Ali Khan.

Ambassador of India Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan told Arab News: “The Embassy is honored to co-host the upcoming Sarod quintet concert by the legendary musician Amjad Ali Khan in Riyadh. This unique musical performance being organized for the first time in Saudi Arabia is going to showcase the richness of Indian classical music.”

“The strong interest among Saudi friends toward this concert is a testimony to the popularity of Indian music, arts and cinema in the Kingdom that has only become more profound in recent years,” he said.

A few months ago, Indian artists and cultural troupes performed at the ten-day Indian cultural festival at Suwaidi Park in Riyadh under the Global Harmony Initiative of the Saudi government, he said.

“The event was hugely popular among the Saudi guests. Indian art and music always had a huge fan base in Saudi Arabia, and we are happy to see our Saudi friends showing great interest in attending Indian cultural events. This not only shows the strength of our people-to-people ties, but also the immense potential of cultural exchanges between the two countries.”

Speaking to Arab News from India, Amjad Ali Khan said: “I feel very happy, highly honored, that I got the opportunity to perform in Riyadh, to regale the people of Saudi Arabia. I am grateful to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh who made it possible.

“We are invited to the Western world and get a lot of opportunities to perform. Recently the London Philharmonic Orchestra played my composition. I had a concert at the Royal Festival Hall of London.”

The sarod grand master joined the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert that spanned continents and cultures.

“A Saudi orchestra can also play my composition, ‘Samaagam,’ but it needs to be planned,” he said.

“To perform with your children and grandchildren is only possible with the blessing of the Almighty Allah, and the prayers of fans. I am lucky to perform with our three generations in the concert in Riyadh.”

The sarod grand master was born to a family steeped in Indian classical music and is regarded as one of the icons of the music world, bringing a new and yet timeless interpretation to the playing of the sarod.

The sarod is a fretless stringed instrument with a teak frame, a goatskin soundtable and a metal fingerboard, with six to eight strings as well as additional sympathetic strings. The instrument lends itself to improvization and graceful expression because of the ability of the musician to slide and glide between notes, much like a human voice.

His sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, are virtuoso performers in their own right, and will accompany the sarod grand master at the concert in Riyadh.


Man badly hurt by falling palm tree at Cannes film festival

Man badly hurt by falling palm tree at Cannes film festival
Updated 17 May 2025
Follow

Man badly hurt by falling palm tree at Cannes film festival

Man badly hurt by falling palm tree at Cannes film festival
  • The Asian man, believed to have been attending the festival, was badly injured
  • A sudden gust of wind brought the tree down

CANNES: A man was seriously hurt after a palm tree fell onto him at the Cannes film festival on Saturday.

The Asian man, believed to have been attending the festival, was badly injured, firemen who treated him at the scene said.

A sudden gust of wind brought the tree down near the Palais des Festivals on the Croisette esplanade overlooking the Mediterranean, an AFP journalist at the scene said.


The accident happened as the American movie “Eddington,” starring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Pedro Pascal was being shown.

The Croisette was crowded with festivalgoers when the tree fell, witnesses said.

“There was a terrible gust of wind and I heard a cry,” said Marthy Fink from Luxembourg.


Amal Clooney stuns in black at Cannes Film Festival

Amal Clooney stuns in black at Cannes Film Festival
Updated 17 May 2025
Follow

Amal Clooney stuns in black at Cannes Film Festival

Amal Clooney stuns in black at Cannes Film Festival

DUBAI: Lebanese British human rights lawyer Amal Clooney made a head-turning appearance at the 78th Cannes Film Festival this week, wearing a black gown by British designer John Galliano.

Clooney attended the premiere of “Bono: Stories of Surrender” in a sleek, off-the-shoulder dress featuring a fitted bodice with subtle draping and a floor-length skirt with a gentle train. She completed the look with a black clutch and Cartier statement earrings, styling her hair in soft, voluminous waves.

On the red carpet, Clooney was joined by U2 guitarist the Edge and frontman Bono, the subject of “Bono: Stories of Surrender.”

Amal Clooney made a head-turning appearance at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. (Getty Images)

The black-and-white film, directed by Andrew Dominik, adapts Bono’s 2022 memoir “Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story” and his one-man stage show of the same name.

Set to some of U2’s most iconic tracks, Bono opens up about the tragedy that marked his childhood, with his mother Iris collapsing and dying at her own father’s funeral when the singer was 14.

His father, Brendan “Bob” Hewson, already a man of few words, retreated into shock, anger and depression.

Clooney was joined by U2 guitarist the Edge (L) and frontman Bono (R) on the red carpet. (Getty Images)

The film is also a love letter to the singer’s wife, Ali Hewson, who he met when they were both 15, the same fateful day U2 was formed in a Dublin school. The film streams on Apple TV+ from May 30.

Bono, who has spent decades fighting for more aid to Africa and to lift the debt burden from poor countries, told the audience at the premiere that the world is again being threatened by fascism as it was when the festival was set up in 1939.

“Mussolini and the little man with a moustache, and his mate Goebbels had taken over the Venice Film Festival, so this festival was set up to fight fascism,” the singer said.

“It took it until 1946 (for the festival to get going) but it stands for that freedom now.”

He said that Hollywood star Sean Penn — a vocal advocate for Ukraine — had “brought us some friends from the actual trenches, from the front line in Ukraine, and they’re here tonight.

“I just want to thank you because you’re keeping us free,” Bono added to loud cheers.


Guerlain names Mohammed Hindash first Middle East makeup ambassador

Guerlain names Mohammed Hindash first Middle East makeup ambassador
Updated 17 May 2025
Follow

Guerlain names Mohammed Hindash first Middle East makeup ambassador

Guerlain names Mohammed Hindash first Middle East makeup ambassador

DUBAI: French beauty house Guerlain this week appointed Dubai-based celebrity makeup artist and entrepreneur Mohammed Hindash as its first-ever regional makeup ambassador for the Middle East.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by hindash (@hindash)

Hindash, founder of the makeup brand Hindash Cosmetics, has worked with a roster of international and regional celebrities. His clientele includes Naomi Campbell, Lindsay Lohan, Chanel Iman, Natalia Vodianova, Rahma Riadh, Yusra Mardini, Nancy Ajram, Mona Zaki, Dana Hourani and Mona Kattan. He also did Queen Rania of Jordan’s makeup for the royal wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa in 2023.

He took to Instagram to write: “My chapter with @guerlain represents more than just beauty, it embodies timeless innovation rooted in heritage.

“I’m beyond thrilled to be announced as their first makeup ambassador in the Middle East as I showcase Guerlain through my lens and artistry,” he added. “I have immersed myself in the rich history of the Maison, and I can’t wait to narrate the story on my models’ faces.”


Musician charged with Chris Brown in alleged London nightclub assault

Musician charged with Chris Brown in alleged London nightclub assault
Updated 17 May 2025
Follow

Musician charged with Chris Brown in alleged London nightclub assault

Musician charged with Chris Brown in alleged London nightclub assault

LONDON: A fellow musician and friend of Chris Brown has been charged alongside the Grammy-winning singer on allegations they beat and seriously injured a music producer at a London nightclub in 2023, police said Saturday.
Omolulu Akinlolu, 38, who performs under the name “Hoody Baby,” was due to appear in Manchester Magistrates’ Court on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Brown, 36, was jailed without bail on the same charge Friday, throwing his upcoming tour into question. He is scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court in London on June 13, which is the third day of his world tour.
Akinlolu is a rapper from Dallas, Texas, who has collaborated with Brown and Lil Wayne. He also goes by the names “Fat Leopard” and “Super Hood.”
Police gave no details on what role Akinlolu played in the alleged assault but said he was charged in connection with the same incident as Brown.
Brown was on tour in the UK in February 2023 when he launched an unprovoked attack on producer Abe Diaw, striking him several times with a bottle at the Tape nightclub in the swanky Mayfair neighborhood in London, prosecutor Hannah Nicholls said in court Friday.
Brown then chased Diaw and punched and kicked him in an attack caught on surveillance camera in front of a club full of people, she said.
Brown did not enter a plea and only spoke to confirm his name, birth date and gave his address as the Lowry Hotel, where he was arrested in Manchester early Thursday and taken into custody.
Brown’s representative has not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Associated Press.
Brown, often called by his nickname Breezy, burst onto the music scene as a teen in 2005 and has become a major hitmaker over the years with notable songs such as “Run It,” “Kiss Kiss” and “Without You.”
He won his first Grammy for best R&B album in 2011 for “F.A.M.E.” and then earned his second gold trophy in the same category for “11:11 (Deluxe)” earlier this year.
He is scheduled to launch an international tour next month with artists Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller, opening with a European leg on June 8 in Amsterdam before starting North America shows in July.


Pakistani animated film ‘The Glassworker’ heads to US theaters with Watermelon Pictures

Pakistani animated film ‘The Glassworker’ heads to US theaters with Watermelon Pictures
Updated 17 May 2025
Follow

Pakistani animated film ‘The Glassworker’ heads to US theaters with Watermelon Pictures

Pakistani animated film ‘The Glassworker’ heads to US theaters with Watermelon Pictures
  • The Pakistani animated film revolves around two people from disparate backgrounds, a glassblower and a violinist
  • The movie, selected as Pakistan’s submission to the 2025 Academy Awards, took the animation world by storm in 2024

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film “The Glassworker” is set to screen in the United States (US) after Watermelon Pictures acquired its distribution rights, the US-based film production and distribution company said this week.

The Glassworker, released in Pakistan in July last year, was storyboarded by young Pakistani animator, Usman Riaz, who also directed the movie that comprised 1,477 cuts and 2,500 individual drawings, bringing to life the coming-of-age tale of two people from disparate backgrounds: young Vincent who is an apprentice at his father’s glass workshop, and the talented violinist Alliz, the daughter of a military colonel.

Around them, a war threatens to upend their lives and the relationships between the children and parents are tested. A total of 250 people worked on the film including national and international cast and crew.

In a post on Instagram, Watermelon Pictures said they were proud to announce that their very first animated feature, The Glassworker, would soon be coming to US theaters.

“After being selected as Pakistan’s submission to the 2025 Academy Awards, #TheGlassworker took the animation world by storm as Pakistan’s first ever hand-drawn animated feature,” the distribution company said.

“An ode to Hayo Miyazaki’s dedication to telling beautiful stories frame by frame, The Glassworker is truly a work of art.”

The deal was closed during Cannes and negotiated by Hamza Ali for Watermelon Pictures and Hélène Espeisse on behalf of Charades, which is representing the film at this year’s Marché Du Film, US entertainment website DEADLINE reported.

“The Glassworker is a breathtaking, emotional story that will resonate deeply with audiences of all ages. We are honored to bring this cinematic gem to US theaters,” Watermelon Pictures co-founder Hamza Ali was quoted as saying.

Ali launched the film production and distribution company in April, 2024 along with his brother, Badie Ali, with Alana Hadid as creative director. The firm aims to amplify the voices of underrepresented filmmakers across the globe.

“We are thrilled that The Glassworker will be released theatrically in the United States by Watermelon Pictures. Their rapid growth and recent string of successful, meaningful films make them the perfect partner to bring our work to American audiences,” Khizer Riaz, the film’s producer, was quoted as saying.

“We couldn’t be more excited.”