Gandhi and Music

An illustrated lecture by Dipankar De Sarkar

The talk explores Gandhi’s world of music – the songs and hymns that inspired him through the darkest hours of India’s freedom struggle.

Dipankar De Sarkar is a journalist and amateur musician who writes on politics, music and the politics of music.

Narrative Universes of Disability: Global Perspectives.

Edited by Someshwar Sati, Shilpa Das, Banibrata Mahanta (Springer, 2025)

Discussants: Prof. Renu Adlakha, Professor, Centre for Women & Development Studies; Dr. Karuna Rajeev, Associate Professor, Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi; Prof. Someshwar Sati, Professor and Coordinator, Centre for Disability Studies and Research, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi & Editor of the book; Prof. Shilpa Das, Professor, Interdisciplinary Design Studies and Leads Master’s programme in Film and Video Communication, National Institute of Design & Editor of the book

Chair: Professor B. Mangalam, Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi

PHULE

(129 min; 2025; Hindi)

Directed by Anant Mahadevan

The film is based on the true story of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule - India’s first social reformers who challenged caste and gender norms with courage and conviction and played a pivotal role in advancing women's rights and education in Maharashtra, leaving a legacy that continues to influence social reform movements across the country.

(Collaboration: Maharashtra Sanskritik ani Rannaniti Adhyayan Samiti)

Life and Works of Dr Jayant Narlikar : A Talk

Prof. Somak Raychaudhury, Vice Chancellor, Ashoka University (Speaker)

Amb. K. P. Fabian, Professor, Symbiosis University (Chair)

Director: Shri Ramesh Sharma

The documentary is a post-mortem of the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide and the Anatomy of the Coup which led to the assassination of Sheik Mujibur-Rahman.

Screening of documentary film by Dr. Hindol Sengupta, Professor at O.P .Jindal Global University on Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the late renowned Buddhist monk

Chief Guest: H.E. Mr. Ganbold Dambajav, Ambassador of Mongolia to India

Guest of Honour: Abhijit Halder, Director General, International Buddhist Confederation

This special documentary is all about the life of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, a Buddhist monk and diplomat who made a big impact in Ladakh. He also served as India's ambassador to Mongolia for ten years, where he helped bring back Buddha Dhamma after Communism ended.

Screening will be followed by a conversation between the filmmaker and Dr Sonam Wangchuk

CANCELLED

Flute concert by Hiroki Okano, renowned Japanese musician and sound artist, globally recognised in the ambient and new age music scene. His music blends electronic sounds, traditional music, and world music, centred on themes of earth consciousness, cosmic consciousness, and prayer.

Okano’s music offers a unique and immersive soundscape, providing audiences with a one-of-a-kind experience. Through his music, Okano aims to help audiences feel the healing power of music, connect deeply with life and nature, and spread the message of peace and harmony

(Collaboration: The Japan Foundation, New Delhi)

From Fire to Light: Rereading the Manusmrti

By Arvind Sharma (Harper Collins, 2024)

Discussants: Prof. Purushottam Agrawal, Former Chairperson, Centre of Indian Languages, JNU; Prof. Bharat Gupt, Vice-Chairman, National School of Drama & Former Professor, Delhi University; Prof. Arvind Sharma, Birks Professor of Comparative Religion, McGill University & Author of the book

Moderator: Prof. C. Upender Rao, School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University

The artist will conduct an upcycling workshop at 12 noon.

The exhibition showcases 30 solar cyanotype prints that explore interior and exterior landscapes, portraits, and abstract compositions. The dreamlike works are created using the historic, non-toxic cyanotype process with subjects spanning from gardens and rituals in India to baroque cloisters in Portugal. The images evoke themes of memory, connection, and history.

Artworks by Nova Bronstein Kak, a mixed media artist based in the New York area. Her alternative photography work uses gesture, light and exposure to shift perception.

Inauguration on 22nd August 2025 at 18:30 hrs by Veer Munshi, artist

The exhibition will be on display till 29 August from 11:00 to 19:00 hrs