FILMS OF THE SPIRIT

Curated by Rajiv Mehrotra

Kanchana Sita (Malayalam; 90 min; 1977; dvd; English subtitles)

Directed by G. Aravindan

With Ramdas, Venkateswarlu, Chinna Pulliah, Kesava Panicker

Recipient of the National Film Award for Best Direction

Aravindan’s film is a retelling of an episode from the Ramayana. Derived from Sreekantan Nair's play and Valmiki's epic, the film alludes to the golden image of Seeta which Rama sets by his side for the Ashwamedha Yagya, the ritual sacrifice of a horse to Agni, the god of fire. The film has been widely appreciated for the uncompromising exploration of the ancient epic through a new cinematic language, moving its focus from the central characters to Nature. Ram and Seeta represented here only as aspects of nature such as the rustling of the wind in the trees or as rain bringing harmony where discord threatens

(Collaboration: Foundation for Universal Responsibility of H.H. The Dalai Lama)

Remembering Amos Oz

Ms Maya Kadosh, Deputy Chief of Mission of Israel will speak about the author

Readings from Oz’s writings

By Sudeep Sen, International author, translator & literary editor

Followed by screening of

Amos Oz: Straight into the Summer Sun (dvd)

The film follows the lecture tour following the publication of A Tale of Love and Darkness. Selected sections of the film will be screened

(Collaboration: Embassy of Israel)

Hindustani Vocal Recital

By Indira Naik from Mumbai, disciple of Pandit Dayal Thakur and Pandit Vithal Rao

The artist will present a concert inspired by the spring season rendered in sufi, thumri and other songs

In Conversation

Ebba Koch,historian and editor of the forthcoming book, `The Mughal Empire:From Jahangir to Shah Jahan' in conversation with Kavita Singh and Jyotindra Jain

The book is edited by Ebba Koch in collaboration with Ali Anooshahr

(Collaboration: The Marg Foundation)

Mapping India-Nepal Relations

Speakers: Ms. Meera Shankar, Former Ambassador to the US and Germany
Mr. Bharat Kumar Regmi, Chargé d' Affaires a.i. / Minister, Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi
Mr. Bharat Bhushan, Journalist and political commentator

Moderator: Professor Sangeeta Thapliyal

Celebrating an Inspiring Life

A programme of poetry, music and talks to remember Professor Margaret Chatterjee, distinguished academician, philosopher; Director, Indian Institute of Advanced Study (Shimla); Lifetime Achievement award of ICPR; Vice President, International Association of Metaphysics

Introduction to the programme & Margaret Chatterjee’s life –Sujata Prasad

Overview of Margaret Chatterjee’s work in Philosophy - Prof. Anil Bhatti, formerly of Jawaharlal Nehru University

Margaret and Gandhi - Sir Richard Sorabji, Emeritus Professor, Wolfson College, Oxford, UK

Tributes – A letter from My Great Grand-Mother by Fisa Mishra

Students/Colleagues/Friends remember – Monidipa Sen, Rajen Harshe

Reading her Poems – Sudeep Sen, poet

Piano Recital – Vedant Khaitan , pieces by Schumann, Chopin and Beethoven

Concluding Aria – Nilima Das

ART MATTERS

Indian Modernism

Speaker: Ms Catherine David, Curator, Pompidou Centre, Paris

(Collaboration: The Raza Foundation)

Poetry in Sunshine and Shade: Poems of a Traveller

Discussion and Book Launch of Eternity by Vijaya Goel

Discussant: Smt. Krishnalekha Sood, IAS (Retd); Smt. Abhilasha Singhvi; and Ms. Seeme Qasim.

Chair: Dr. H. K. Kaul, President, The Poetry Society (India)

(Collaboration: The Poetry Society, India)

Calcutta Sonata (60 min; 2018; blu-ray; English)

Directed by Subha Das Mollick who will introduce the film

Screening will be followed by a discussion

Calcutta Sonata tells the story of gradual assimilation of the grand musical instrument piano into the cultural fabric of the city. Through the piano, the Indian was introduced to the ideas of chords, and harmony as opposed to a pure line of melody. Indian musical compositions were infused with western ideas and the well-tempered keys of the piano were struck to yield to the microtones of the Indian raga

POLICY AND INCLUSION DEBATE

Manifesto for the 99 percent: What should the next Government do for India’s Dispossessed People

Reclaiming the Republic is a set of suggestions for political parties to consider

Panelists include K. Raju, Congress Party; Manoj Jha, Rashtriya Janta Dal party; Richa Singh, Samajwadi Party; and representative from other political parties

(Collaboration: Centre for Equity; and The Wire)

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