2006 South Asian Literary and Theater Arts Festival

The Network of South Asian Professionals (NetSAP DC) will host the Sixth Annual South Asian Literary and Theater Arts Festival (SALTAF) on November 4, 2006 at the Baird Auditorium in the National Museum of Natural History. SALTAF 2006 marks the third year of its partnership with the Smithsonian Institute’s Asian Pacific American Program. Since its inception, SALTAF has become the most recognized forum for celebrating and showcasing artistic achievement in the South Asian community.

This year’s event will feature the U.S. premiere of Nagesh Kukunoor’s DOR – the latest feature from the maker of the hugely successful Hyderabad Blues and Iqbal. In addition, the program includes two literary panels featuring the following authors: Kiran Desai, winner of the prestigious 2006 Man Booker Prize; Samrat Upadhyay, acclaimed author of The Royal Ghosts; Devyani Saltzman, author of Shooting Water – a memoir of her experiences in shooting the film Water with her mother Deepa Mehta; and Tarun Tejpal,whose novel, The Alchemy of Desire, has received tremendous critical praise in the United Kingdom and is now being released in the U.S.

Finally, SALTAF will present the DC Premiere of Punching at the Sun, by Tanuj Chopra, winner of Best Narrative Feature at the 2006 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. The film has been described as “the best South Asian American film ever” by Hyphen Magazine.

Each artist will be present for a Q&A following the presentation of their work.

SALTAF will open with a Fundraiser-Cocktail Reception on Friday, November 3 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Fly Lounge, 1802 Jefferson Place, NW. The featured authors and directors will be available to meet and mingle with all attendees! Cover is $5 for NetSAP DC members and $10 for non-members. Everyone who attends the reception will automatically qualify for a $300 Northwest/KLM Air Travel Certificate. The winner will be announced on Saturday and must be present at the event to claim the prize.

SALTAF is free and open to the public. For further information, visit http://www.saltaf.org. 

South Asian Literary and Theater Arts Festival (SALTAF 2006)

Friday, November 3, 2006, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Opening Night Fundraiser-Cocktail Reception Fly Lounge DC 1802 Jefferson Place, NW

Saturday, November 4, 2006, 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Festival Baird Auditorium National Museum of Natural History 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW.