Saturday, April 6
Dreitzer Gallery, Spingold Theater Center
Gallery hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wasserman Cinematheque, Sachar International Center
"Dalit" (literally oppressed) refers to the lowest rung of the Indian caste system. Dalits represent a major historically oppressed community not only in South Asia, but in the US as well (the vast majority of South Asian immigrants to the US come from the Brahmin or other advantaged castes). Although caste and casteism were made illegal by the Indian constitution of 1950, Dalit scholars, artists, and filmmakers continue to face major impediments in the Indian education system, including historical disadvantage and lack of opportunity, harassment and outright abuse.
A few Dalit filmmakers have recently made commercially successful and critically acclaimed films in recent years. This series highlights those films, supplemented by panel discussions on gender, sexuality and caste, as well as the aesthetics of dissent. Sponsored by the South Asian Studies Program. Additional screenings on Friday, April 5, 7:30-10 p.m.
Schedule
- April 5, 7:30-10 p.m. Film: Maamannan (2023)
- April 6, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Film: Kantara (2022)
- April 6, 12:30-12:45 p.m. Performance: "Dear Thathamma," Gowthaman Ranganathan
- April 6, 12:45-1:30 p.m. Film: "Geeli Pucchi" (2021)
- April 6, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Panel discussion: Gender, Sexuality, and Caste, with Christina Dhanuja, Jayaseelan Raj, and Gowthaman Ranganathan
- April 6, 2:45-5:45 p.m. Film: Sairat (2016)
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Rose Art Museum
Join the museum’s student docents for a unique and insightful tour of “re: collections, Six Decades at the
Rose Art Museum.”
3:30 p.m., Rose Art Museum
Celebrate National Poetry Month with Anthony DiPietro, deputy director of operations at the Rose, whose book “kiss & release” was published this year by Unsolicited Press (Portland, Oregon). Chen Chen is author of, among other collections, “Your Emergency Contact Has Experienced an Emergency,” selected as a 2023 notable book by the American Library Association. Sponsored by the Rose Art Museum.
7 p.m., Shapiro Campus Center Theater
In Shakespeare’s classic late play, the sorceress Prospero seeks revenge on those who wronged her twelve years ago. This production explores themes of colonialism, redemption, and forgiveness. Presented by the student-run Hold Thy Peace. Performances on April 4, 5, 6, and 7. Naomi Stephenson '26, director; Ceil Shandell '26, stage manager. Featuring Laurel Kane '26 as Prospero, Phoenix Feldman '27 as Ariel, and JT Dickstein '27 as Caliban.
Tickets are free for Brandeis ID holders; $5 for general public. Available at the Shapiro Campus Center and Usdan box offices, or online at Brandeis Tickets.
7 p.m., Levin Ballroom, Usdan Student Center
JSAI is the Japanese Student Association’s annual culture show, a grand celebration of Japanese culture through performances, games, and food. Performers include Showa Boston, Wellesley Aiko, Tokyo Tramps, and Brandeis XL Girls.
7:30 p.m., Slosberg Music Center
From its beginning at Brandeis in 1980, the Lydian String Quartet (Andrea Segar and Julia Glenn, violins; Mark Berger, viola; Joshua Gordon, cello) has been acclaimed by audiences and critics across the world for embracing the full range of the string quartet repertory with curiosity, virtuosity, and dedication to the highest artistic ideals of music making. Program includes Beethoven’s String Quartet in F Minor, op. 95, “Serioso”; the world premiere of “seeking all that’s still unsung,” by Kurt Rohde; and Ravel’s String Quartet. Tickets: $5/$15/$20
8 p.m., Chum’s, Usen Castle
In this dark comedy by Stephen Karam, three misfit high school students amidst a local sex scandal involving the Republican mayor and teenage boys are forced to grapple with difficult questions about truth and their roles in sharing it. Featuring Garrett Molinari '26, Emma Sadewasser '27, Harvey Vostrejs '27, and Lelu Branch '27. Directed by Cole Simmons '26. Presented by the student-run Free Play Theatre Cooperative. Additional performance on April 4, 8 p.m. and April 7, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.