Devotion and Syncretism: Pattini – Kannaki Devotion in Sri Lanka
An exhibition of photographs and text
By Sharni Jayawardena and Malathi de Alwis
Inauguration on Tuesday, 13 May 2014 at 18:30
Devotion to Kannaki-Pattini is an inspiring example of Hindu-Buddhist syncretism in Sri Lanka. Tamil Hindus know her as Kannaki and Sinhala Buddhists as Pattini. However, a large number of Sri Lankans, even devotees, are unaware that she is a shared deity. While some beliefs and rituals of veneration are shared, there are also significant variations between and across the two religions, and regionally. This photographic exhibition attempts to capture that diversity and complexity
As part of this exhibition, there will be a talk on Monday, 19 May 2014 at 18:30 in the Art Gallery on
Devotion and Syncretism: Pattini-Kannaki Worship in Sri Lanka
Illustrated lecture by Dr. Malathi de Alwis, Consultant Socio-Cultural Anthropologist
The Tender Side of Partition
Chair: Prof. Mushirul Hasan
The 1947 Partition of India resulted in huge mass massacre resulting in massive human exodus in search of security. They left their marks on almost all spheres of life including cultural as expressed in creative efforts in the fields of literature, music, cinema, drama, painting, architecture and food. This lecture will discuss some of these creative expressions
Hindustani Vocal Recital
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
Chair: Prof. Muchkund Dubey, President, Council for Social Development
Yadgar Wa Jashn-i-Manto – ‘A Greater Story Writer Than God!’
Followed by
Mantoiyat (120 min)
The dastaan of Manto by Mahmood Farooqui and Danish Husain
Chair: Shahid Amin
Readings: from "The dastaan of Manto" by Mahmood Farooqui and Danish Husain
To Mark Rabindra Jayanti
Saikat Mitra started off his career in music by performing songs originally sung by his father Shri Shyamal Mitra. He started singing in 1983 and surprised stalwarts like Dhananjoy Bhattacharya, Hemanta Mukherjee and Suprava Sarkar by demonstrating his singing talent. In 1984 he started singing playback for his father’s composition with Bangla movie Kenaram Becharam.
Saikat sang for Sound Wing, HMV (Now SaReGaMa) and now his own company Gold Disc. He has performed compositions of many great music directors including Salil Chowdhury, Hemanta Mukherjee, Bhupen Hazarika, Ajay Das, Anal Chatterjee etc. Saikat published many popular albums featuring adhunik Bangla songs as well as cover versions of old nostalgic numbers including Hemanta Shraddhanjali and Shyamal Shraddhanjali. Saikat continues as a successful singer composer of modern popular and Bengali film songs.
Kuchipudi Recital
In Memory of Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar
Director: Renuka George
The filmmaker has known the Dagar Brothers since 1986 and shares her memories of the brothers and their family; and her own experience of making this film
Followed by
Dhrupad Recital
By Ustad F. Wasifuddin Dagar
Accompanied by Pt. Mohan Shyam Sharma on the pakhawaj
Rabindranath Tagore: 1861-1941 – His Life and Work
Conceptualised and curated by Dr. Uma Dasgupta
On display is a selection of photographs from the collection of Rabindra-Bhavana Archives of Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan. An extensive version of this exhibition with more photographs and curated texts are on permanent display at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Shimla
Inauguration on Tuesday, 6 May 2014 at 18:30
Rabindra Sangeet by Shri Sudhir Chanda
Introduction by Prof. Andre Beteille, noted sociologist followed by
A talk on the exhibition by Dr. Uma Dasgupta (in Lecture Room – II)