Nüüd.berlin gallery invites you to a book presentation with a reading and subsequent discussion on 19 September 2024. The book ‘Angekommen’ by Priyanka S. Ramdheen is the autobiography of the author, who was assigned male at birth, and her struggle on her journey from girl to woman. Barbara Petermann, Priyanka’s writing coach, will give brief explanations of their work together. The musician Mithra will accompany the evening with an instrument called Tar.
Image above: nüüd.berlin gallery – Foto: Henner Merle
Priyanka Ramdheen, assigned male at birth, grew up in South Africa with Indian roots, firmly anchored in a conservative community, raised by a single mother. She struggles to find her way to womanhood as the girl she has always been.
It is a path of extremes, a marathon of ups and downs. A story that needs to be told so that people have the courage to accept and embrace themselves and others for who they are. Recognising ourselves, seeing the other and practising tolerance towards others and ourselves – can we even do that? Questions of gender self-discovery and identity are raised, illuminated and sometimes accepted in their contradictory nature on the path to transformation through to gender reassignment.
On a second level, it is about the question of what narrative we have of ourselves when we talk about our lives and what narrative is received. And which of these is true or how far can we venture in order to get through to the truth, right up to the clear statement: ‘This is me!’?
Suddenly, in the gleam of his shining eyes, he saw her. At last, perhaps for the first time in her life, she recognised herself in the mirror at that moment.
The girl in the mirror was me! And I knew I would become a woman.
Priyanka S. Ramdheen, Arrived, A journey to my inner femininity. 217 pages, 16.99 euros.
Barbara Petermann is a German author and journalist.
Mithra Nezhad began her musical journey in 1998 with the Tar in Tehran, Iran. Under the guidance of Mohammad Zolnouri, she learnt the basic and intermediate levels of traditional Iranian music. Mithra’s playing reinterprets the melodies and resonances of traditional Iranian music through an abstract lens.
The tar, an important instrument of classical Persian music, dates back to the 13th century. It originated in Persia and developed from earlier lutes found in Central Asia and the Middle East. The tar is a long-necked, double-shelled lute with an unmistakably full sound. It has three double rows of strings and is played with a small brass plectrum. The soundboard is traditionally made of animal skin, which contributes to its unique, expressive sound. The Tar’s ability to convey deep emotions makes it a central element in both solo and ensemble performances in traditional Iranian music.
WHEN?
Thursday, 19 September 2024, 7.00 pm
WHERE?
Nüüd.berlin gallery
Kronenstraße 18
10117 Mitte, Berlin
