FREE exhibition explores the influence of Shakespeare on Bollywood

A new, FREE, exhibition, curated by DESIblitz.com will explore the influence of Shakespeare on Bollywood from 13 August until 28 October 2022 in the Shakespeare Memorial Room as part of The ‘Everything to Everybody’ Project.

The Indian film industry known as ‘Bollywood’ is the home of films packed with love, romance, action and tragedy. This exhibition, curated by DESIblitz.com and inspired by the Shakespeare Memorial Library, explores how Shakespeare has, directly and indirectly, influenced Bollywood cinema.

The exhibition is a collaboration with the ‘Everything to Everybody’ Project which seeks to reconnect the diversity of the Shakespeare Memorial Library to the vibrant city and the people to whom it belongs.

There are works in 94 languages in the Shakespeare Memorial Library. It contains nearly 100 South Asian translations and adaptations, some of which were added to the collection shortly after it was founded in 1864.

Identifying gaps in the collection and making and celebrating connections that have previously been unseen or overlooked is part of the challenge. This exhibition contributes to trying to unearth and acknowledge the untold or unrecognized histories behind the collection.

Indi Deol, DESIblitz and exhibition curator commented: “We are delighted to be bringing this exhibition to the Shakespeare Room in the Library of Birmingham as part of the ‘Everything to Everybody’ Project. This exhibition explores the relationship between Shakespeare and his influence on the Bollywood film industry.

“I have lived here all my life and was amazed whilst creating the exhibition that the library has nearly 100 South Asian translations and adaptations that feature in the Shakespeare Memorial Library. I hope people who visit the Library will enjoy the exhibition and that it will help to bring to light the huge contribution that Shakespeare has had on Indian cinema throughout the years.”

Whilst the exhibition is on in the Shakespeare Memorial Room, DESIblitz will host a special screening of a new documentary exploring how Shakespeare influenced Bollywood filmmaking through time, at Birmingham Rep on Thursday 20 October.

From Indian theatres performing Shakespeare during the colonial era to modern blockbuster hits, Shakespeare’s plays have constantly enticed Indian theatre- and film-makers to use his work to tell their own stories.

In this documentary, Indian film experts and enthusiasts share their views on how Shakespeare swayed scripts and how, conversely, Bollywood’s depiction of Indian culture provided a rich lens for re-interpreting the Bard’s stories.

This documentary seeks to reconnect the diversity of the Shakespeare Memorial Library to this vibrant city and the people to whom it belongs. Tickets to the screening available via: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/the-influence-of-shakespeare-on-bollywood/

There is also still chance to visit Everything to Everybody: Your Shakespeare, Your Culture. The free exhibition on Level 3 at the Library of Birmingham runs until November 2022. Free to visit, the exhibition is a collaboration between the Royal Shakespeare Company and the ‘Everything to Everybody’ Project and is presented by the Birmingham 2022 Festival.

The ‘Everything to Everybody’ Project is an ambitious celebration of one of the UK’s most important cultural assets: the Birmingham Shakespeare Memorial Library – not just the first great Shakespeare library in the world but also the only great Shakespeare collection which belongs to all the people of a city. 

The ‘Everything to Everybody’ Project is a collaboration between the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council, with funding contributed by National Lottery Heritage Fund and History West Midlands ‘Everything to Everybody’ will give this uniquely democratic Shakespeare heritage back to people and communities across Birmingham.

To achieve this, ‘Everything to Everybody’ is working in conjunction with anchor institutions and arts organisations such as DESIblitz.com.

Find out more about this project and others via:

www.everythingtoeverybody.bham.ac.uk
Twitter @E2EShakespeare
Facebook @e2eshakespeare
Instagram @e2eshakespeare
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