Readings by Anna Sujatha Mathai, well-known Indian English poet who will read from her latest collection

Chair: Prof. Harish Trivedi, University of Delhi

Rabindranath Tagore's classic play adapted in Urdu
Dance-drama presented by Living Opera
Director: Sheikh Khairuddin
Music Director: Sujata Pal

Written in 1912, Dakghar (The Post Office) is the story of Amal, a terminally ill eight-year-old boy, who is confined indoors. His only contact with the outside world is through his window from where he watches the village life, engages passers-by in eager conversation and is fascinated by a new Post Office visible in the distance. Amal with his touching curiosity, teaches others life's simple but essential truths while awaiting his own spiritual liberation

A documentary on the life and time of Begum Akhtar
Research, collection of photographs and script: Prof. Rita Ganguly
Designed by Avinash Pasricha

Inauguration of year-long festival by Smt Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi

Life Sketching
By Sudhir Tailang

Shaiyree
By Rajesh Reddy

Talk on Ammi
By Prof. Rita Ganguly

Musical Homage
By Ahmed and Mohammad Hussain

A curtain raiser to the centenary celebrations of Begum Akhtar

Can Nanotechnology Create Utopia?
Speaker: Prof. Subashis Ghosh, Professor of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Chair: Prof. G.K. Mehta, Professor Emeritus, Nuclear Science Centre

The promise and essence of the nanoscale science and technology are based on the demonstrated fact that materials at the nanoscale have properties quite different from the bulk materials. Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that will impact electronics and computing, medicine, novel materials and energy. It has received enormous attention in the last 15 years - some have even gone so far as to suggest that the impact of nanotechnology will be so great that the term will be used to describe a new era or world economic growth. But has nanotechnology advanced as quickly as anticipated?

(74 min; 2013; dvd; English subtitles)
Directed by Dr. Mokhonmani Mongsaba who will introduce the film

Screening will be followed by a discussion

The story of Nungsithoi a simple village girl who files a case against her common law husband, Ibomcha who has abandoned her and their child. In court and under oath, Ibomcha denies any relationship and Nungsithoi loses heart. But her lawyer's steadfast support gives Nungsithoi the courage to carry on 

Portuguese guitar solo by Hugo Reis; and duet with Filipa Meneses on Viola de Gamba 

Works by Pedro Caldeira Cabral; Carlos Paredes; Carlos Seixas, Jorge Tuna; and Afonsa Correia Leite