17 November,2010 06:42 AM IST | | Soma das
At Shine on, an NGO fest organised by a corporate lawyer-cum-actor and four NGOs, you can watch plays and take part in panel discussions to ensure a better future for the city's underprivileged children
Grappling with the hustle bustle of life in the city, we often tend to lose sight of the larger picture. As we gift our children expensive, branded dolls and enroll them in fancy schools, we forget the children of a lesser God who battle poverty, lack of education and other handicaps on a daily basis. To give such children a helping hand, concerned citizens have organised the NGO Festival -- Shine On.
Interactive art session with kids
A corporate lawyer and four city NGOs have joined hands for the event, all the proceeds of which will go to various charities.
NGOs participating in the festival include Nanhi Kali, a project dedicated to primary education of the underprivileged girl child, CHIP Mumbai which works with children studying in BMC schools in north Mumbai, Mumbai Mobile Creches which offers child care services on construction sites and The EAR Society which takes care of the needs of deaf children.
The line-up of events at Shine On includes a staging of the classic Neil Simon play, The Sunshine Boys, by the Amateur Performer's Bureau (APB), as well as an interactive session to sensitise children on the plight of the underprivileged and a panel discussion over Dr Greg Mortenson's books, which document his trials while setting up schools across Pakistan and Afghanistan, post 9/11.
The festival happened quite by chance, explains Percival Billimoria, a senior partner at the law firm AZB and Partners, and co-organiser of the show. "I have always been keen on acting and it was while staging a non-profit production at Kala Ghoda that we met one of the NGOs.
They floated the idea of staging our play for a noble cause. As there were gaps in between performances, we decided to weave other cultural events around the plays and that's how Shine On happened," says Billimoria, who also plays one of the lead characters in The Sunshine Boys.
The organisers have their fingers crossed and are hoping to make this an annual feature, depending on the response.
Festival schedule
November 18-26
the sunshine boys
The Sunshine Boys will be enacted by members of the Amateur Performer's Bureau (APB), which is Billimoria's own production house. The play has been adapted from the 1972 original by Neil Simon, which showcases two ageing Vaudeville artists who were once a team but have distanced themselves over the years.
When CBS asks them to reunite for a special comedy show, there ensues a laugh riot as the actors constantly try to sabotage each other's acts. at Experimental Theatre, Nariman Point, on November 18, 7.30 pm; Sophia Bhabha Hall, Warden Road, on November 20, 7.30 pm and St Andrews Auditorium, Bandra, on November 26, 8 pm. cost Rs 500 onwards for tickets
November 21
read a little - learn a lot An interactive session for children, in association with Hobby Ideas, on Listen to the Wind by Dr Greg Mortenson. The book is a personal account of Dr Mortenson's trek to K2 in the Himalayas where he got lost and met the inhabitants of a remote village.
What followed was an attempt to build a school for the children while facing hate mails and threats post 9/11 for helping Muslims by educating them. time 11 am onwards at Hobby Ideas, Kemps Corner. entry Free
November 24
conversations over chai A panel discussion, in association with Jnanapravaha, on Three Cups of Tea andStones Into Schools. Both books document Dr Mortenson's efforts to construct schools across Pakistan and Afghanistan to dispel terrorism and reduce poverty. Time 6 pmat Jnanapravaha, Queens Mansion, third floor, G Talwatker Marg, Fort. entry Free
Donor passes are available at Rhythm House, Rampart Row, Kala Ghoda and at the venues. Call 22842835 / 9820101241 / 9821127654
