Aniconic to the Iconic: Cult of Dharmaraj – The Folk Form of Hinduism
 

Speaker: Shri Jawhar Sircar, public intellectual and former Secretary Culture and CEO, Prasar Bharti

Chair: Prof. Ashis Nandy, political psychologist, social theorist, futurist and critic

Swing Time in Limousin (France)
(75 min; 2019; French with English subtitles)
Directors; Dilip & Dominique Varma who will introduce the film

Screening will be followed by a discussion

‘Swing Time in Limousin’ recounts a little known story in the big history of Jazz through the reminiscences of Jean-Marie Masse, a French drummer and unconditional promoter of black American music, just after the war when segregation and racism were still terribly active. It is a story of friendship and music which attracted to Limoges, a small town in the centre of France, some of the greatest jazz musicians and legends, like Duke Ellington or Lionel Hampton, with whom he played on stage. This documentary feature tells the story of how a musical genre, which rose out of oppression and revolt, ended up transmitting friendship and pure joie de vivre.

By Vishwas Hari (mandolin); and Charulatha Chandrasekar (veena)
With Abhishek Avadani on mridangam and Ujith Udaya Kumar on tabla

(Collaboration: Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha)

Presented by T.M. Krishna

Accompanists: Akkarai S. Subhalakshmi (violin); K. Arunprakash (mridangam); and Sunil Lumar (kanjira)

Sangita Kalanidhi T.M. Krishna will regale audiences with a soul-stirring performance, exploring the works of Narayana Guru. An immersive experience, the performance weaves together poetry, music and philosophy

(Collaboration: Backwaters Collective; Nool Archives; Sree Narayana Mandira Samiti, Mumbai; and Uru Art Harbour)

Book Discussion: The Girl With Seven Lives

Vikas Swarup, author of the book and former diplomat in conversation with Manika Raikwar, COO, ILM University, Gurugram

At 15:15

Book Discussion: The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World

William Dalrymple, author of the book and historian in conversation with Nidhi Razdan, Director, Dept. of Communication, journalist and former Executive Editor, NDTV

At 16:00

Sanatan Sangeet Puraskar-2025

With Jyotsna Mohan, Allen Shaw, Shweta Rajpal Kohli, Ragini Maharaj and Aarushi Bhargava

At 16:30

Sanatan Sangeet Peraskar Ceremony 2025

Honourees: Ms Jyotsna Mohan Bhargava, author and journalist, former Senior Editor, NDTV; Shri Allen Shaw, illustrator, animator and storyteller; Ms Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO, Startup Policy Forum; Ms Ragini Maharaj, Kathak dancer and Padma Shri awardee; and Ms Aarushi Bhargava, performer and artist

At 17:15

Kathak Recital

By Ragini Maharaj

Performing Delhi: Stage, Street, and Society

How Performance Arts Reflect and Shape Delhi’s social fabric

Panelists: Ms Geeta Chandra, renowned Bharatanatyam artist, choreographer and guru; Shri M.K. Raina, veteran theatre actor and director; Dr. Anamika, Hindi poet and author; and Ms Smita Sharma, photojournalist

At 15:15

Book Discussion: 2024: The Election that Surprised India

Vir Sanghvi, journalist, author and television host, in conversation with Rajdeep Sardesai, author of the book, journalist, news anchor, and Consulting Editor, India Today Television

At 16:30

Retro Bollywood Music Recital

By Aarushi Bhargava

Programme Schedule

The three-day annual festival brings together leading figures in the fields of literature, ideas, art, social sciences and other public spheres to celebrate the creativity, imagination and ideas that Delhi generates, sustains and embodies. Organised in collaboration with IILM University, the festival presents a series of discussions, dialogues, readings, and recitals

At 14:15

Inauguration and opening Address

By Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, Chancellor Emeritus, IILM University, Gurugram and former Chief Election Commissioner of India

At 14:30

Panel discussion on Crossroads of Empire: How Delhi Shaped and Reflects Indian Identity

Panelists: Prof. S. Irfan Habib, historian and former Abdul Kalam Azad Chair, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration; Dr. Swapna Liddle, historian, author and former Convenor, INTACH; RJ Sayema, Radio jockey and Radio Mirchi; Ms Jyotsna Mohan Bhargava, author and journalist and former Senior Editor, NDTV; and Ms Aditi Gupta, Assistant Professor, IILM University, Greater Noida

At 15:45

Digital Delhi: Heritage Meets Innovation

The Intersection of Technology, AI, and Cultural preservation

Panelists: Shri Riyas Komu, artist and Co-Founder, Kochi-Muziris Biennale; Ms Rana Safvi, Curator of Early Days of Delhi Heritage Walk, historian, writer, scholar and translator specialising on Delhi; Ms Manisha Mohan, award winning virtual reality/interactive design artist, Dean, School of Design, Bennett University; Ms Shalini Bansal, Founder, Museum 22, Virtual (AI) driven heritage walks of Delhi; and Dr. Aswani RS, Associate Dean, School of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, IILM University, Greater Noida

Leonard Bernstein
Composer, Conductor, Teacher, Humanist
Illustrated lecture by Dr. Punita G. Singh

A charismatic conductor, creative composer, prodigious pianist and erudite educator, Leonard Bernstein was a towering figure in music through the 20th century. Besides composing for the classical concert stage, he wrote for Broadway and Film, the diversity of styles evident in music for ‘West Side Story’, ‘Candide’, ‘Chichester Psalms’ and ‘On the Waterfront’. As a conductor, he championed the music of his contemporaries while also breathing life into traditional compositions, especially the music of Mahler. In addition to leading the New York Philharmonic, he frequently conducted major international orchestras. This presentation celebrates the life and legacy of ‘Lenny’—as he was lovingly called. His artistry, intellect and humanism continue to inspire and educate, demonstrating the transformative power of music in shaping a more compassionate world.

Punita is a musicologist, linguist, acoustician, editor and educator based in New Delhi