South Asian Literary and Theatre Arts Festival Launches

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Via Amita Verma

Deepa Mehta, Anita Desai and MG Vassanji are just a few of the renowned film-makers and authors attending the 2005 South Asian Literary and Theatre Arts Festival, (SALTAF).

Water, Mehta's much anticipated final part of her trilogy of the elements will have its US premiere at the festival, almost five years after fundamentalists shut down filming in India. We will celebrate the life of Ismail Merchant, legendary producer of such classics as A Room with a View.

Anita Desai will speak of her experiences working with Merchant in the film adaptation of her book In Custody and we will also screen this award winning film. Literary panels will explore such topics as the South Asian male identity; young adult literature; and the search for a sense of belonging. Authors will read from their latest works, conduct book signings and take your questions.

So, join us for a two day extravaganza of South Asian themed arts on October 1st and 2nd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Baird Auditorium of the National Museum of Natural History. The event is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution Asian Pacific American Program and the Network of South Asian Professionals of Washington D.C. For more information view our website.

As the event is free and open to the public, we rely on your sponsorship and donations to make it possible. To contribute toSALTAF and reserve your seating, please go to this link.