Leo from Chicago 
Discover the people and places that shaped Pope Leo XIV
(2026;52 minutes; English)
A film by journalists: Deborah Castellano Lubov, Salvatore Cernuzio and Felipe Herrera-Espaliat
Produced by: The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Apostolado El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización (ESNE)

The film explores the early life of Pope Leo XIV through the memories of his brothers, teachers, classmates and friends. From his childhood in Dolton to his formation as an Augustinian, the documentary introduces the family relationships, communities and experiences that shaped Robert Francis Prevost’s religious vocation.

(Collaboration: Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama)
 

Threshold
An exhibition of recent works by Sangam Peshawaria, with her exploration of the human body through charcoal drawings and oil paintings on paper. Focusing on fragments—hands, feet, limbs and gestures—the works invite viewers to complete what remains unseen through memory and imagination.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by K.N Shrivastava, Director, IIC on Friday, 16th October’26 at 18:00 hrs
The exhibition will remain open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 hrs

Book Discussion Group  

From Manuscript to Memory: India’s Contribution to UNESCO Memory of the World Programme by Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur and Dr. Mayank Shekhar (IGNCA 2026)

Safeguarding Living Heritage: India’s Contribution to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Creative Cities Network by Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur, Dr. Arhana Lochan, Ms. Ashna Kumar and Mr. Mayank Singh. (IGNCA 2026)

Tangible and Natural Heritage Sites of Incredible India: India’s Contributions to the UNESCO World Heritage List by Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur and Mr. Sadhish Sharma (IGNCA 2026)

Chair: Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA

Discussants: Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture ; Tim Curtis, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia; Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi; Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India; Dr Ramesh C. Gaur, Dean, Faculty of Arts Media and Design, South Asian University & Author of the book.

INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 
Megalithic Culture of South India with special reference to Recent Excavations at Adichanallur, Tamil Nadu
By Dr. Arun Raj. T, Regional Director (Central), ASI, Bhopal. He holds a PhD on Arikamedu, the early historic Indo-Roman port site, and former Director of the Institute of Archaeology.

Chair: K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Moderator: Pratap Bhanu Singh Sengar, former Director (Monuments) Archaeological Survey of India

Megalithic burials, built primarily from large stones, illuminate the material culture, rituals and beliefs of Iron Age communities in South India. Recent excavations at Adichanallur, Tamil Nadu, uncovered urn burials, skeletal remains, metal objects and other antiquities. The talk examines these findings and their significance for understanding South India’s Megalithic culture and burial traditions.
 

India’s Federal Republic: Regional Parties and the Future of Democracy

Session 4: Agrarian Politics, Caste, and Regional Power
Speakers: Surinder S. Jodhka, JNU; Narendra Kumar, JNU & Anand Mehra, University of Delhi; Indrajit Roy, University of York

To register for the workshop, please click here

For entire schedule, please click here

Regional parties are key vehicles through which India’s social heterogeneity enters its democratic contract, giving political form to caste, language, tribe, agrarian distress, minority claims, statehood demands, and welfare expectations. The 2024 general election revealed both their vulnerability and indispensability. Examining their ongoing re-composition across states, this workshop explores how they mediate linguistic federalism, social justice, minority protection, democratic opposition, negotiation, bargaining, resistance, and accommodation.
 

India’s Federal Republic: Regional Parties and the Future of Democracy

Introductory Remarks: Mujibur Rehman, Jamia Milia Islamia
Session 1: Nationalizing Power, Regional Survival
Speakers: Uday Chandra, Ashoka University; Satyaki Barua, University of Hyderabad; Yamini Aiyar, Brown University; Shruti Kapila, University of Cambridge

To register for the workshop, please click here

For entire schedule, please click here

Folk Dance and Music performance
Echoes of Mizoram and Manipuri Tradition

An evening celebrating the rich and vibrant folk traditions of Northeast India, featuring traditional dances from Mizoram and Manipur. Hnahsin from Mizoram brings together dances such as Khual Lam, Buhza Aih Cheraw, Chheih Lam and Hmar Cheraw, reflecting the spirit of welcome, harvest, community and celebration. From Manipur, Maibi Jagoi and Lai Haraoba draw from the ancient traditions of the Meitei community, evoking creation, spirituality and the relationship between humans, nature and the divine.

Hnahsin presented by Ruati, Zopuii, ⁠Sweety, ⁠Krishnani, ⁠Anisha, ⁠Duati, Filip, ⁠Dhakeshwor, ⁠Jonathan, ⁠Rahul, ⁠Mandy & ⁠Zuala from Delhi

Maibi Jagoi and Lai Haraoba presented by Chetna Wahagbam, Karishma Wahagbam,Vidya Ningthoujam, Nishika Sharma,Shithyjit , Harsh, Diya Singh and Robinson
 

(Collaboration:  NCZCC, Prayagraj, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)

 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

The Duel: Two Marksmen; One Battleground Kashmir 
By Ajay Singh (Pentagon Press, 2026)

Discussants: Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma, Writer & Former Cdr, Corps and Adjutant General of the Indian Army; Lt Gen PJ S Pannu; Former Deputy Chief, Integrated Defence Staff; Amb Anil Trigunayat, Former India’s Ambassador to Middle East nations; Joyeeta Basu, Acclaimed Journalist and editor, The Sunday Guardian; Ajay Singh, Author of the book

INTACH NATIONAL HERITAGE QUIZ 2026
Delhi and NCR Zonal Final Round with School students
(Collaboration: Heritage Education and Communication Service, INTACH)

Book Discussion Group 
Main Ek Gurezaan Lamha Hun: Kathak Guru Shovana Narayan

By Maya ‘Parijat’ (Vitasta, 2025)

Chair:  Uday Kumar Varma, Former Secretary to Govt of India (MSMEs and Information & Broadcasting)

Moderator: Sahar Zaman, Journalist and Author

Discussants: Shovana Narayan, Indian Kathak dancer and Guru; Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA; Rama Pandey, Theatre personality, writer and former BBC & Doordarshan broadcaster; Maya ‘Parijat’, Author of the book