The 10th Weekly Meeting for the year 2011-12

VENUE: Rotary House of Service

PROGRAMME:

7.00 PM– 7.30 PM: Fellowship

7.30pm - Meeting called to Order

7.30 PM - 7.45 PM: Announcement by President & Secretary

7.45 PM - 8.25 PM: Address by the Chief Guest: Ms Pavithra Chalam, will speak to us on "Films effect change, create hope and celebrate life

Pavitra is a "Change Maker" and use the documentary film as the tool to bring forth a change. Pavitra’s compassion for trafficked women and children, intellectual curiosity about the legalities of the institution of prostitution and need to create awareness about the current state of Indian female sex workers led to the creation of “Bound By Us”. This film was screened at schools and colleges all over India and at two international film festivals.

Over the course of her research for “Bound By Us”, she developed a fascination for the ancient and glorious South Indian Devadasi tradition. “Anamika – Her Glorious Past”, her thesis at the New York Film Academy marks the beginning of her quest to understand the transformation of the Devadasi from the revered patron of the arts (in the second to the eighteenth centuries in India) to the wronged, fallen woman of today.

The film won at a festival in New York called “Eye Am: for the woman behind the lens” and was shown on Manhattan cable television.

She has created about 40 such films picking up the social issues and causes and has a large following of fans.

She has recently created another historic documentary " Khushboo" which earned AMI Award in USA.

8.25 PM - 8.30 PM Interaction with speakers followed by Vote of Thanks