sanjitchudha

[sanjitchudha]

Haile Selassie I: A Historical Icon in Bath's Fairfield House

Fairfield House in Bath was once the residence of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Growing up in Kenya in the 1970s I couldn’t help but be touched by the history of Ethiopia. Kenya shares a direct border with Ethiopia to its north. During the 1970s, it became a place of refuge for many Ethiopians escaping the fallout from the change of regime. 50 years later, I live in a…

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The fascinating story of how a seemingly ancient drink - Masala Chai - is in fact a recent invention.

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The contemporary fascination with the 1980s reminds us that things can be better than they are, even now.

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Changing Cultural Audiences: Trends and Insights

Audiences are Changing A thread ⬇️ #SocialChange #Demographics

Audiences for cultural and artistic endeavours are changing just as their attitudes are. The reasons for these changes are multiple and include shifts in tastes, income, and demographics. Let’s look at the how the data identifies trends which cut through the noise. How and why audiences are changing Outside of wars, famines, natural disasters and pandemics, births and deaths are relatively…

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How to Make Pudina: A Fresh Mint Chutney Recipe

Pudina is a green chutney made with fresh coriander, mint, green chilli, and garlic. It includes tamarind, lime or lemon juice, a touch of sugar, salt, and smoky cumin. It's a joyful addition to a meal. Find out how you can bring this joy into your life.

Pudina is a green chutney made with fresh coriander, mint, green chilli, and garlic. It includes tamarind, lime or lemon juice, a touch of sugar, salt, and smoky cumin. It’s a joyful addition to a meal, is intensely moreish, and incredibly good for you. In winter especially, it adds a welcome blast of summer to your life. Let’s explore this North Indian delight. Mint is a prolific grower, and…

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Exploring Frank Auerbach: Britain's Post-War Artistic Titan

Frank Auerbach was one of Britain's pre-eminent post-war painters. I'm lucky enough to be quite close to one of his works.

One of Britain’s pre-eminent post-war painters, Frank Auerbach was born in Berlin, Germany in 1931. Auerbach arrived in England as a Jewish refugee in 1939. His parents sent letters and messages, until one day they stopped; they never made it out of Nazi Germany. Auerbach attended a boarding school in Kent and was fostered to a British family. Later in life, he attended St Martin’s School of…

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Ai Weiwei's 'Ton of Tea': A Cultural Reflection

What is the function of Art? In a museum context, what can Art do for people? These are big questions which merit discussion. ‘A Ton of Tea’ by Ai Weiwei has clear links with Bristol Museum and Art Gallery’s Designated collections of Chinese glass and ceramics. It also illuminates international trade and the historic exploitation which underpin Bristol’s history as a mercantile port.  Bristol…

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Poetry in the Prosaic

Here's a recipe inspired by the season, and to mark the welcome return of the sun.

I rose early, as I usually do. Low light revealed a painterly metal bowl with organic swirls, set against a low wooden table. Within sat a pear, two plums, an apple and a pomegranate. The autumnal shades shared a harmony. Poetry in the prosaic. A recipe suggested itself. Autumn fruit compote I roughly chopped plums, pear, and apple into equal sized pieces in a pan, adding a little butter. Use…

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Brexit's Toll on UK Arts: A Cultural Call to Action

Arts and Culture in the UK are in crisis. Arts education has been decimated, with students numbers showing steep decline. Funding, especially outside London, has dried up. Brexit has affected tourism and tourist spend, especially outside London. Deep cuts are leading to museums and arts spaces closing. Senior, experienced, and inventive leaders in the cultural space are leaving their profession.…

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Kedgeree

Kedgeree is a variant of an Indian dish, Khichdi, which has been developed to suit British tastes and is influenced by geography, social change, and the tides of history.

Kedgeree is a variant of an Indian dish, Khichdi, which has been developed to suit British tastes and is influenced by geography, social change, and the tides of history. Unpacking this is a fascinating exercise. A tale of two dishes Kedgeree is an Anglo-Indian dish, derived from Kichdi, an Indian breakfast dish which is sometimes also made as a restorative for poorly tummies. I alternate…

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The Hay Wain

John Constable’s The Hay Wain is a national treasure, an icon of the English landscape. But it is also revolutionary, ushering a naturalism not seen in landscape painting before then. As Constable’s picture comes to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery (till 1 September 2024), this is a good time to take stock of the painting, and what it can tell us about landscapes. Constable’s Hay Wain When…

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Why is Arts and Culture in the UK Unravelling?

Some musings on arts and culture funding in the wake of those 100% cuts to arts funding in Birmingham, and the larger scale cut backs to arts funding since 2010.

Arts and Culture in Britain have been subsidised since at least the end of WW2. It appears that the sun is rapidly setting on that golden era, with a sluggish economy putting the brakes on private or corporate philanthropy. The oft-cited entrepreneurialism of the V&A is always instructive. But is it a model that most museums or cultural spaces without the same global name recognition can…

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Conchúr White - Swirling Violets

Conchúr White: A Rising Star in the Music Industry Conchúr White, whose name is pronounced “Kun-ah-khoor,” has been making waves in the music industry as a talented singer-songwriter, and with good reason. Following the release of a couple of singles and an EP in the last couple of years, White has captivated audiences and built a strong sense of anticipation for more. Now, with the support of…

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Fair Play

The HORIZON system supplied by Fujitsu caused immeasurable harm, destroying the lives and families of Post Office employees and contractors from 1999 to today. The lack of humanity at the heart of the system is unforgivable. Our sense of fair play has been affronted. We expect steps to right these wrongs.I recently came across a striking sculpture in Deptford Market Yard. The Alphabet Spaghetti…

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The Pink Podcast

The Pink Podcast brings together leading figures from theatre, arts and culture discussing the issues that matter. In the wake of Windrush and the Post Office HORIZON scandal, the value of the arts, and theatre in particular, have been brought into sharp relief; TV drama has brought complex issues to the fore with people focused storytelling created by people whose background and training was in…

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Food Equality

Food is one of my passions. You’ll know that from the recipes I share and the way I talk about food and its meaning for me. Food is an issue of growing importance in our society; even as healthy, fresh food becomes less available for many. Poverty and food Making healthy and nutritious food available for all remains a battle at a time when the cost-of-living is a grinding reality for so…

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Evaluation

Calling fellow evaluation geeks – This raised a knowing smile from me. Evaluation = outcomes. It’s not just about outputs.