Shyama

Kaberi Chatterjee, who has produced and starred in the feature-length film version of Rabindranath Tagore's Shyama, will receive her PhD from Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Chancellor of Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan in early December. Kaberi's doctoral thesis on the influence of different dance styles on the Tagore dance form led the university to award her its first ever PhD in the field of dance.

It was Kaberi's PhD research which originally led to her interest in producing an authentic record of Shyama, which is regarded as the best example of the Tagore dance form. During the 10 years of research for her thesis, she had interviewed several people who had learned the Tagore dance form directly from Rabindranath Tagore. Sadly, most of the people she had interviewed have since passed away. So, she felt that, without a reference version for future generations, the Tagore dance form could change beyond recognition over time.

The degree ceremony in Santiniketan will take place a few weeks before Shyama's global release.

Shyama, the definitive film version of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's classic Bengali dance musical, will now launch two weeks later than originally planned. Kaberi Chatterjee, who dances the title role, will be in Kolkata, India for the 'Shyama launch weekend' on 12-14 December 2008.

The extra two weeks will also allow more time to promote the 'Shyama launch weekend' through online social networks. Anyone who would like to do so is welcome to host a screening of Shyama . The automated system at shyama.bravenewtheaters.com allows people to set up screenings of Shyama all over the world, sending out e-mail invitations and keeping track of reservation requests and the number of places left. The screenings may be combined with Indian-theme evenings and hosts may even rent a cinema or hall and charge an entry fee.

Shyama will be available on DVD and as downloads in a variety of formats and languages at least a week before the 'Shyama launch weekend'. Details will be announced on www.shyamathemovie.com

Shyama, Inner Eye’s widescreen film of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s classic Bengali dance musical, will have its multiplatform, multilingual launch in late November. The film, which will be open to personal copying, will include two logo slots after Inner Eye’s own logo, allowing their sponsors to reach everyone who is interested in Indian culture and dance.

The film tells the story of Shyama, a court dancer, who falls in love with a foreign merchant, who is falsely imprisoned and faces execution ... unless Shyama accepts her admirer’s offer to take the merchant’s place. Shyama features the authentic performances of leading dancers, singers and musicians from Tagore’s home town of Santiniketan. Its subtitles represent the first translations of Shyama from the original Bengali.

Announcing Inner Eye’s plans for the release, Kaberi Chatterjee, who stars as Shyama, said “If someone likes Shyama enough to make a personal copy of it for a friend or relative, their recommendation will help the film, including the sponsors’ logos, to reach our intended audience.”

For the 230 million Bengali speakers around the world, the Bengali version of the film will be available free online. Subtitled versions of the film will be available as paid downloads in formats ranging from iPhone to 2K digital cinema. Shyama’s soundtrack album will be released through online digital music stores such as iTunes, Napster and eMusic.

Bidding for the two logo slots is open until 06:00 GMT on 1 October 2008. With a minimum bid of £10,000 + VAT, the winning sponsors will also be able to use material from Shyama indefinitely in their own promotional material and activities. Potential sponsors should write to sponsorship@innereye.eu to express their interest and receive more details.