July 21 - 27, 2021 BAHRAIN.OURS.YOURS. Vol 20 - Issue 29

www.gulfweekly.com facebook.com/gulfweeklyonline gulfweekly gulfweeklyonline Tryst with art

ART REPORT By NAMAN ARORA [email protected]

hree stunning Scenic viewS works of art Artistic Bahrain Tthat explore See PAge 2 the relationship that individuals have with their environment, family and themselves have won the top prize at a major exhibition. The 47th Bahrain Annual Fine Arts (BAFA) exhibition opened last week under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Prime Minister. The PeoPle Featuring art pieces by 57 Jumana Season 2 kicks off Bahraini and resident artists, with her See PAge 3 piece the event is being held at the Mariam Bahrain National Theatre. Mariam Alnoaimi won the Al Dana prize for her series Shifting Waters. Ahmed Anan Mariam’s piece comprises art much more seriously, and bagged the second place three photo collages of a build on this success with for his Family Series while dried natural spring on Nabih more work.” Jumana Al Ghassab’s Side Saleh island and a video. She The exhibition, which runs Effects won the third place. examines water as a medium until December, encompasses “I am very grateful to have of ‘politics and poetics’ numerous other art styles, won the Al Dana award, through which stories are told. including mixed media and for having a platform Ahmed’s series of mixed paintings, video installations, to explore, contemplate and media pieces, comprised of photography and sculptures, work on research-based childlike scrawls, explores to name a few. culTure vulTure projects,” Mariam, 30, told the relationship an individual A special exhibition will Raising awareness GulfWeekly. has with their family. be running alongside BAFA, See PAgeS 4-5 “My photographic And Jumana’s piece, titled titled Khalifa bin Salman piece was inspired by Side Effects, delves into the - A Presence Renewed ahmed’s piece the relationship between relationship a person has with with Love from 1972-2020 people and the surrounding their mind and internal self. dedicated to the late Premier environment, as well as It consists of prescription who lives in Tubli explained. dilemma of whether it’s HRH Prince Khalifa bin the importance of water in “I was trying to convey worth it. Salman Al Khalifa. It forming the communities medication, with everything the question ‘Is our healing “I started with just three features photographs and a around it. but the side-effects of each worth the side effects?’ “I have always been medicine blacked out. because a side effect Instagram followers, it grew the previous 46 editions of fascinated by the connection “This piece was inspired by of healing is that these to dozens and the piece is BAFA and words from Prince between the human being and my own personal experience, medications can sometimes now taller than me! Khalifa about the event he the place, how each affects as well as, what my loved change core parts of our “To be honest, I did not patronised since its inception ThrillS and SPillS ones went through, during personalities. consider myself an artist until in 1972. Hami for the win culture, identity, and our struggles with mental “So anyone undertaking this exhibition, but it has For more details, follow See PAge 7 environment.” health,” the 26-year-old artist this journey faces the now inspired me to take my @culturebah on Instagram. 2 www.gulfweekly.com LocalNews July 21 - 27, 2021

the entrance to Bahrain Financial Bahrain's seascape Manama souq Harbour tower and other iconic buildings

Beautiful Bahrain ART REPORT Manama By MAI AL KHATIB!CAMILLE Bahrain's cityscape [email protected] atercolour expert anil WSharma loves Bahrain’s shimmering skyscrapers and scenic views and is showcasing his inspirations at the Harbour Gate as part of its art series. The exhibition, entitled Bahrain Boulevard, features 40 acrylic and watercolour paintings depicting the modern and traditional landscapes of Bahrain. The artist arrived in the Harbour Gate. kingdom in and uses this technique to British Ambassador 2018 and since anil reinforce his special vision of Roderick Drummond and then, has been natural rhythms. his artistic wife Yasmin moved by its Anil is a Colour Field were guests of honour at the similarities and painter and has mastered exhibition’s unveiling on contrasts with pace that they are Anil, who studied are more his cup of tea ... colour theory. His themes Sunday evening and Anil was India. unrecognisable watercolour and landscapes which can be seen in this available at different slots to “On the one to the generation at Banaras Hindu University exhibit. to surreal landscapes with meet with a limited number hand, each before. (BHU), has always been “I am drawn to study the exaggerated colour and of ‘Green Shield’ visitors. country has its “As I explore fascinated by the interplay interface between the ancient glowing foliage. The Art at the Harbour unique vibrant the island on between nature and the and modern Bahrain,” he His fondness for art also culture and foot with my environment. And according added. encouraged him to publish Harbour Gate and Bahrain distinctive paints always to his friend Dr Sarah “For example, we see his book, Wisdom in Boulevard is the 47th traditions that infuse the very by my side, I am motivated Clarke, ‘Anil can be found skyscrapers making bold, Watercolour, in April 2019 exhibition under the umbrella fabric of their landscapes,” to capture these images on with a paint brush in hand dramatic statements across of this series. said the father-of-two who canvas as a time capsule of on a seemingly uninspiring natural seascapes that arts student at BHU, helped The exhibit will run until has been an artist and teacher the ‘then’ juxtaposed with the street corner or crouched at predictably change with the him with, as well as one of August 8 and is located for more than 25 years and ‘now’.” a seldom visited waterfront, his students. on the ground floor at specialises in landscapes Anil’s mastery of colour capturing in watercolour the while a traditional dhow Anil is thankful to Sarah Harbour Gate within and watercolour. “On the theory and his innate sense beauty he sees before him’. cuts a strikingly small, yet as well as his artistic Bahrain Financial Harbour. other, they have constantly of rhythm and compositional He enjoys portraiture and powerful image as it gently friends Ali Mushaima and Harbour Gate is open daily changing landscapes that elements have allowed him to still life, however, using traverses a scene.” Mohammed Taha for guiding and entry to the exhibition for centuries remained showcase that in his artwork. colour and light to create His work features an array him throughout his journey is free. All Covid-19 essentially unchanged, “I adore Bahraini Boulevards visual impact and capturing of light and vivid colours. in Bahrain. He is also precautionary measures are yet today countries are which form the basis of this the essence of the ever- He has developed a unique grateful for the support of implemented for the safety developing at such a rapid exhibition,” he said. changing land and seascapes method for emphasising the the management and staff at of visitors.

the exhibit

artist anil showing British ambassador roderick Drummond his artwork July 21 - 27, 2021 LocalNews www.gulfweekly.com 3 For the love Nejoud and Noor of literature he second ‘season’ COMMUNITY REPORT of Bahrain’s avant- By NAMAN ARORA [email protected] Tgarde public social reading space, The People, kicked off last weekend, with a literary focused on outdoor reading treasure hunt at their a community initiative new location. encouraging people of all has both indoor and outdoor Approximately 60 reading areas and expanded individuals of all ages took beginning of this year. book shelving space. part in the treasure hunt at the Marassi Beach in Muharraq and exciting list of potential last Friday and also got their both in terms of community collection – currently more feedback and volunteer One of the treasure hunt location. participants shows off different types of events for run the second season for his clue and hint “Our team planned a lively featured a number of events the community a scenic volunteers. some community favourites ensuring that it is suitable for language courses – along and poetry readings. improved our budgeting community. strategy and asked for advice already seeing that generosity For details, follow GulfWeekly. from January to March at the from librarians on the best @thepeople.bh on Instagram. “About 60 people they kicked off their second collection of books. in the Diyar Al Muharraq have to be the realisation friends. development. that our community is in fact “Since most clues directed crucial lessons about leading part and could track their professionals openly sharing dedicated hours given by complete. Two participants participants to combine all navigating the hunt hints to reveal a valuable message from our team to the community: ‘A that completed the challenge received shirts from local

Inside the new facility 4 www.gulfweekly.com July 21 - 27, 2021 Culture Bahrain Summer Festival The bane of Indian brides COMMUNITY REPORT A scene from the following shots and the By RAJI UNNIKRISHNAN video showing the video concludes with her [email protected] woman – Hridya – breaking free of breaking the bondage. team of young her bondages The 31-year-old from Bahrain residents Trivandrum, Kerala who A has created a has been living in Bahrain video to spotlight a for 10 years, cited yet social menace that has another aspect in the video The Bahrain Summer Festival been leaving Indian of women being denied the women vulnerable to freedom to choose their continues, with art workshops domestic violence and partners. He stressed that and educational programmes even death for decades. this was common in India, The three-and-a-half- with even educated and this week. All events are minute video, Culture loving parents snatching being live-streamed on Baca’s Vulture, depicts the this decision citing that infamous dowry system – their daughters were still YouTube channel. a centuries-old tradition ‘naïve’. in South Asia where the “Yes, there could be a QALALI FOLK BAND bride’s parents gift cash, minority who are making Today, 8pm clothes and jewellery, worth wrong choices in life but With a heritage born in the village of Galali and millions, to I feel a good number of spanning more than a century, the band will per- the groom’s Arun women today are capable form authentic songs, dances and rhythms re!ect- family. of taking a decision about ing Bahrain’s marine history. their partners, just like MOHAMMED BIN FARIS BAND released men,” explained Arun, who Tomorrow, 8pm earlier this has directed and acted in Enjoy a dive into Bahrain’s pearling past, with a month, band comprised of elite musicians from distin- portrays how “Women are given all guished folk music groups. the ‘culture’ their bonding,” about it. rights and freedom in India. has emerged Arun told the “Suicide is not a solution Once they are 18, they have BAHRAIN POLICE BAND as a threat to GulfWeekly. for a toxic relationship. One voting rights, which is a Friday, 8pm women and “However, over should break free and that major decision – so then Led by Dr Mubarak Najem, one of the most promi- families. It coincided with time, it became a threat for is one aspect that I have why not allow her to choose nent composers across the Arab world, enjoy a the deaths of three young women’s families and we showcased in her partner? medley of military and traditional Bahraini music. women in the started witnessing my creation. Nima “And, families FRENCH COOKING SHOW Indian state dowry-related “The aim is should also stand July 30, 5pm of Kerala, deaths, be it murder to highlight by them if their In collaboration with the French embassy, learn who were or suicide. the need to choice proves to how to make Pâte à Choux, a traditional and popu- allegedly “A post I had put stop the dowry be wrong, instead lar dessert, with Chef Alexandra Mariot. victims of up on Facebook culture.” of blaming them domestic in 2012 about Adopting or asking them violence and a dowry death puppet to compromise. dowry-related popped up recently imagery, Embrace them! persecution. and incidentally the photo They are your Vismaya, Roshni it coincided with story depicts daughters. Why a 24-year- similar tragedies a woman – portrayed do you want them to suffer old Ayurvedic doctor, was this year. by Hridya Biju – as a in a toxic relationship to found dead in her husband’s “I realised that even after marionette (string puppet) satiate your false ego and home on June 21 this year. almost a decade, nothing being manipulated by societal status? Another woman Archana, has changed. The issue “I chose puppet imagery 24, is believed to have set continues to make tragic husband later. The beautiful as I felt that was precisely herself ablaze at her rented headlines. and decked-up woman the plight of women, who house the next day while “I wanted to do something is seen bruised in the are not allowed to make a Suchitra, 19, was also found Nakhool and Nakhoola dead at her husband’s house Team Culture the same day. According to Vulture reports, families of all three women were persistently facing demands for more dowry. The video conceived and created by Indian actor and director Arun Raj, who is the branding head at a mobile company in Bahrain, is supported by an all- Indian team. “Giving away gifts at marriages has been a culture, especially in India and at some point of time Qalali Folk Band it was a great gesture helping two families in July 21 - 27, 2021 www.gulfweekly.com 5 Culture Weekly The bane of Indian brides decision. “Anyone who gives his/ Another scene her control to another from the video person is a puppet in their hands and the video shows a woman breaking free from those strings of bondage.” more than a million views on Facebook and has been shared more than half-a- million times globally. Arun is thankful to 27-year-old fashion designers Nima Basheer and Roshni Raveendran for coming up with the project’s name and applauds videographer Arun Kumar Arun Kumar for his work. “Vultures feed on corpses and here it’s the bird feeding Bahrain Keraleeya on a culture Samajam Online Others included in that has been Drama Contest in the team are Asma Ali politically, the past. (make-up), Soorya Prakash culturally “To a great (video formation), Sarat and socially poisoned,” extent it represents the S P and Akash Ashok The video showcases how a added Arun, who was dowry menace. It is the (associates) and Nimal woman is being controlled by awarded best actor by 24 element of suppression Mukundan, Vinod Das and the society around her Frames Acting Camp and imposed on women, it their Pratima Menon (cast).

Living it up on the beach Ta Plage Privèe

uxury, tranquillity and relaxation await BBQ holiday-seekers and ‘staycationers’ at LThe Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain’s new Ta Plage Privèe. valued guests and Ta Plage Privèe certainly Villèle, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain’s general For details, contact Rochelle Ramilla at tent where you can relax, along with a 17586605, Angela d’Silva at 17586712, the hotel at 1758 0000 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/bahrain or follow @ritzcarltonbahrain on Facebook and Instagram and hashtag #RCMemories. 6 www.gulfweekly.com July 21 - 27, 2021 July 21 - 27, 2021 www.gulfweekly.com 7 MotoringWeekly The top motoring and motorsport news Title race heats up

RACE REPORT By NAMAN ARORA [email protected]

n what has already been one of the most Iexciting seasons of Formula 1 racing, last weekend was yet another unforgettable one as the motorsport race, leading up to a Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton won the 2021 British Grand Prix, after sparring with Hamilton celebrates championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull in a 10-second penalty to steal Hamilton and Leclerc Leclerc of Ferrari. “I tried to be measured in how I approached the race, particularly battling with but I was fully alongside the McLaren pair of Norris After the collision, and Daniel Ricciardo. any space,” Hamilton said, the lead was taken by Norris fought for the after the race. Leclerc. Hamilton pitted him two laps before the podium in the initial stages, Verstappen and Hamilton but a languid pit stop ended 10-second time penalty and Leclerc struggled with up potentially costing him came out fourth. intermittent power issues the opportunity to earn his Verstappen spun hard into He quickly passed fourth podium of the season. the tyre barriers, walking McLaren’s Lando Norris and the race, with momentary away from the crash, but then his teammate, Valterri losses of power keeping eliminated from the race. Bottas, who was instructed to let Hamilton past. and Hamilton at around 1.5 race this season. making some fans nostalgic chance to cut the points gap Leclerc did some truly seconds. Behind Ricciardo were, in for the early 2010s’ races, between the two, and with Leclerc went on to secure when Alonso and Vettel fended off Hamilton for Martin battled hard early would often go neck-to-neck eight points behind in the most of the race, but his tyre season, ahead of Bottas and in the race with Alonso, for the win. to 17th position before retiring. also be considered a solid contender, after his decision to put up the fastest lap and deny Hamilton the extra couldn’t keep the point after coming in 16th. The weekend also saw which Verstappen netted pole position and three extra points, while Hamilton took second and Bottas was The crash earning the team a total of three points. The next race takes place in Hungary on August 1. GulfWeekly

www.gulfweekly.com TOP OF THE LEAGUE FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORT July 21 - 27, 2021 Best of the best went through a challenging period early on, after team B leader left stage responded well as Matej Team Bahrain Victorious, Mohoric rode away from the founded by Shaikh peloton in the breakaway, Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty King The momentum continued Hamad’s representative for the team the following for humanitarian work and day, as took youth affairs and Supreme his chances in the break, Council for Youth and Sport securing back to back wins chairman, managed to beat for Bahrain Victorious on EF Education Nippo by more than 19 minutes to secure the to his tally on stage 19, again successfully through the three stage wins and a top 10 “It’s been an incredible Team also put experience for all of us,”said Rolf Aldag, Bahrain climber category, narrowly missing out to race winner with back to back stage wins would have been nice to get “Obviously, we had a hard Wout to secure the Polka The team, wearing yellow then had to restrategise and that, we had to look at our night after stage 17, but we Dot Jersey, but it wasn’t to podium as a team is a special helmets and numbers we took our chances in the kept going and got another be and it was always going moment and a memorable throughout most of the race, breakaway which paid off to be hard against someone Iron man breaks records an Frodeno set the blazed through the Tri Battle set in the town of Allgau up the pace to cross the world’s new fastest Royale’s 3.8-km swim, 180- in Germany, Tri Battle Jtime for a full distance km bike, and 42.2-km run in Royale was designed to amid cheers of a rain-soaked triathlon earlier this week 7:27:53, a full seven minutes crowd. and the Bahrain Endurance and 46 seconds faster than by the German Triathlon “If you haven’t done an Team is thrilled, writes Lisa the previous record he set at Federation, making any Ironman for two years, you Frodeno Pringle. Challenge Roth in 2016. times achieved on it eligible race it like a 70.3 and that’s setting a The three-time Ironman A one-on-one match race for a world record. a mistake in the beginning,” record world champion and Beijing versus multiple Ironman Ultimately, Frodeno’s said Frodeno. “It was so Olympic gold medalist champion Lionel Sanders Canadian rival also set a new tough because it was cold, it personal best of 7:43:32, the was rainy ... The truth is, it’s not exactly what’s referred to distance. as ‘Frodeno weather.’ Sorry Unfazed by the rainy to everybody who came out Charting the path to success conditions that beset the and endured the conditions. weekend, Frodeno took a It was just amazing to do reparations for the this kind of thing. It was so Bahrain 2021 Asian swim and added another Youth Para Games are clinical because you never P had to look up and could just underway. The event is slated to be held from November 28 fast 3:55 bike split. As he try and go as fast as possible.” until December 7. started the marathon with Halfway around the globe, Bahrain Paralympic a comfortable lead he was Tyler Mislawchuk won Committee (BPC) and the The Zoom Asian also on track to break his the America’s Triathlon Asian Paralympic Committee Youth Para record; the question was by Cup Long Beach to put (APC) had recently held a Games meet how much, as his pace was co-ordination meeting in the estimated to get him a 7:21 his preparation for racing presence of Shaikh Mohamed the world’s best in just bin Duaij Al Khalifa, BPC over a week’s time. The president, and Majid Rashed, four laps on the run course, Alamitos Beach venue is the president of the APC. goals for which it is being Rashed also pointed out that in Asia,” he added. proposed course for the 2028 held,” said Rashed. During the meeting, Shaikh only scare, slipping on wet Olympic Games awarded in the Organising Committee “We at the Asian Paralympic growth of the Paralympic Mohamed said the committee carpet at the turnaround to Los Angeles. The young and teams working to make Committee are always there movement in Asia, and is putting all its efforts and and landing on his left hip. Canadian showed prime the Asian Youth Para Games to extend our support to the the Gulf and Bahrain in resources to ensure the success It took a few seconds for form leading out of the swim, a success; we aim to ensure organising committee and, particular. “The Asian Youth of the Games and are working him to get up and shake off staying in the lead group the sustainability of work and we will be working as a team Para Games will motivate the on organising the events in the provide services of the highest the shock and momentary on the bike and practicing to highlight the bright side of next generation to continue in best form as well as providing pain, but soon enough he tactics with teammate Matt quality so that the Bahrain Bahrain as an emerging para- the path of success and leave a all the support and assistance 2021 Games achieves all the sport nation” legacy not just in Bahrain but needed. was running again. In the Sharpe, then outclassing the

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