Indiaburgh

PANEL DISCUSSION ADDRESSES GENDER, HISTORY AND

POPULAR CULTURE IN INDIAN FILM

PITTSBURGH, PA (October 4, 2007) – How is Indian culture defined in entertainment? How do Indian wrestling traditions correspond with popular cinema and masculinity? These questions and many more will be addressed on Wednesday, October 24th, when the Mattress Factory hosts Gender, History and Popular Culture in Indian Film, the second of three BELOW THE SURFACE panel discussions produced in association with the museum’s current exhibition, INDIA: NEW INSTALLATIONS.

Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh and specialist in Indian film, Dr. Neepa Majumdar will moderate the discussion. Additional presenters include Dr. Joe Alter (Professor of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh) and Prajna Paramita Parasher (Associate Professor, Chatham University). Lively discussion and questions from the audience will follow the presentations.

The INDIA: BELOW THE SURFACE series provides an opportunity to better understand Indian culture through dynamic presentations and discussions with renowned experts in their respective fields.

“In essence, it's an opportunity for attendees to view clips of Indian films, listen to a panel that is passionate about the subject and respond with questions and comments,” says Anna Fitzpatrick, Director of Education for the Mattress Factory. “More importantly, it's about the Mattress Factory wanting to spend an evening with the public - relaxing with refreshments, looking at new installations, being exposed to something completely new, and walking away from the experience reflecting on it.”

A guided tour of the INDIA exhibitions will take place at 6:00 PM and the presentations will begin at 7:00 PM. The MF Café will be open for dinner and refreshments. Event admission is $10.00 ($5.00 for Students and Mattress Factory members).