Book Discussion Group
Anna Mani: The Uncut Diamond

by Asha Gopinathan (National Book Trust, 2025)

Discussants: Surbhi Baghotia, Engineer, VSSC, Trivandrum; Gautam Venugopalan, Physicist, Stanford University; Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department; Manju Mohan, Former Professor, Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, IIT Delhi

Moderator:  Asha Gopinathan, Neuroscientist, Writer & Author of the Book
 

Adding life to years: Building care systems for life of dignity and quality
Paper presentation by Pallavi Gupta and Sonali Randhawa

Discussants: Rama V. Baru, Professor, Jindal School of Public Health and Human Development, Jindal Global University and Former Professor, Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health, JNU; Dr Ravinder Mohan,  Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Advisor, CanSupport

India’s rapidly ageing population urgently needs accessible, affordable, and regulated home-based care. The paper maps current gaps in services, workforce training, and policy frameworks, and argues for integrated medical, functional, and social support. A public discussion is invited to shape a national approach that ensures dignity, safety, and quality care for older persons.

The session is in association with Jindal School of Public Health and Human Development, OP Jindal Global University, Sonepat, Haryana

(Organised by the IIC’s Sectoral Policy Group on Health under the Convenorship of Rama V. Baru)
 

The Bard and The Balladeer 
A Musical tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika 
 

Presented by Mayukh Hazarika, singer, songwriter and music director from Assam and Laili Dutta.

The occasion marks the centenary year of Dr. Hazarika, being celebrated across Assam and the country. The artists have carried forward the bard’s legacy through performances in India and abroad. Their repertoire will be interwoven with personal anecdotes and lesser-known stories behind his iconic songs.

(Collaboration: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)

A Persian palace in Patna?
Looking afresh at the Mauryas and Achaemenids
 

Speaker: Upinder Singh, scholar of ancient Indian history, archaeology and political thought. She has authored several books, including A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India and Ancient India: Culture of Contradictions and currently a Professor of History, Ashoka University, Sonepat

Moderator: Prof. Nayanjot Lahiri, Professor of History at Ashoka University. She won the Infosys Prize 2013 in the Humanities-Archaeology.

The establishment of the Maurya empire (c. 324/321–187 BCE) roughly synchronized with the demise of the Achaemenid empire (c. 559-330 BCE). The reign of the third Maurya emperor Ashoka overlapped with the establishment of Arsacid rule in Iran. This lecture revisits the interface of the Achaemenids with India and their possible impact on Ashokan inscriptions. It also discusses the hunt for the Maurya palace in Patna, with a special focus on D. B. Spooner’s conviction that he had found a Persepolitan palace in Pataliputra and a Zoroastrian period in Indian history. Even if these theories went too far, the larger point is that ancient India needs to be understood in a global frame, paying close attention to the centuries-long close interactions between India, Iran and Central Asia.

(Collaboration: @Crossroads)
 

Chowk University ka Vice Chancellor – Padmabhushan Amritlal Nagar
(90 minutes; 2025; Hindi with English subtitles)
Directed by Savita Sharma Nagar & Rajesh Amrohi
Produced by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)

From the bustling lanes of Chowk to the vast landscape of Hindi literature, this documentary traces the extraordinary journey of Padmabhushan Amritlal Nagar—writer, thinker, chronicler of everyday India. Through rare archival material, intimate interviews, and evocative AI recreations, the film explores his evolution from cinema and journalism to becoming one of the most influential literary voices of the 20th century.

A discussion with directors; Savita Sharma Nagar and Rajesh Amrohi will follow the screening
 

MUSIC APPRECIATION PROMOTION
Aesthetics of Film Music                                                                                                                                                     

 An illustrated presentation by Dr Mrudula Dadhe Joshi

The presentation will demonstrate various aesthetic elements observed in the making of Hindi Film Music. It will further examine the application of various gharanas used in Hindi film music.

Dr Mrudula Dadhe Joshi an expert in film music, singer, writer, and faculty member for Light Vocal Music at Mumbai University 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP 
Goddesses in South Asia: Traditions and Transformations
Edited by R Mahalakshmi, Malavika Binny, Megha Yadav (Bloomsbury, 2025)

Chair: Prof. Mridula Mukherjee, Former Prof., Centre for Historical Studies, JNU
 

Discussants: Mahishini Colonne High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, New Delhi ; Prof. Anamika Roy, Department of Ancient History, Culture & Archaeology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj ; Prof. Jaya Tyagi formerly with the University of Delhi ; Prof. Shalini Shah Department of History, University of Delhi; Prof. R. Mahalakshmi Centre for Historical Studies, JNU, New Delhi & co-editor of the book; Dr. Megha Yadav Department of History, SRM University, Amaravati; co-editor of the book ; Dr. Malavika Binny, Dept. of History, Kannur University, Kerala; co-editor of the book
 

Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm

A Calligraphy solo exhibition by Qamar Dagar along with Pashmina shawls by Ehsaas.

Curated by Manisha Gawade and Hindustani Classical Music by Ustaad Wasif Uddin Dagar (Padma Shree Awardee)

This exhibition brings together calligraphy, music and Pashmina as interconnected art forms, celebrating strokes, sound and craft. Featuring pictorial calligraphy by Qamar Dagar, it reflects shared traditions of dedication, refinement and creative expression.

The exhibition will be inaugurated on 28th January at 18:00 hrs by Chief Guest Sudhanshu Mittal, BJP spokesperson. The Guests of Honour are Raghav Chandra, Managing Director, Audi Delhi South; Jatin Kochhar, fashion designer; and Anurag Chauhan, Founder, Human for Humanity.

(Collaboration: Qalamkaari Creative Calligraphy Trust)

 

THE IIC DOUBLE BILL: MUSIC AND DANCE RECITALS

Sarod Recital
By Reeta Das from Patna, disciple of Pt Sunil Mukherjee; Ustad Aashish Khan and disciple & daughter of Prof Chandrakant Lal Das  

Accompanist: Ustad Akhtar Hussain(Tabla)

At 18:30

Carnatic Vocal Recital
By Anagha Manikandan from Delhi, disciple of Guru Guruvayoor Dr. T V Manikandan
Accompanists: Delhi R Sridhar (Violin), Manohar Balatchandirane (Mridangam)
 

On the Relevance of Gandhi Today
 

by Usha Ramanathan, Law Researcher; and Anil Nauriya, Counsel, Supreme Court of India and Writer

The talks will be on the Relevance of Gandhi Today & Gandhi, Hind ka Dada and the Shaping of the Nation

by Anil Nauriya, Counsel, Supreme Court of India and Writer  

Chair: Justice Madan Lokur (retired), Supreme Court of India

(Collaboration: Sarvodaya International Trust-Delhi Chapter)