THURSDAY 15

FILM ■ C.D. DESHMUKH AUDITORIUM AT 18:30
Churning the Earth
(43 min; 2024; English)
Produced by Srishti Films and Kalpavriksh, for Vikalp Sangam

Screening will be followed by a discussion with Ashish Kothari, Founder of Kalpavriksh and member of Vikalp Sangam

Film on the powerful stories of ‘Alternative countercurrents’ constructed by ordinary people from different parts of the country in the face of widespread ecological destruction, social injustice and economic deprivation. Several initiatives on sustainable farming, community-led ecotourism and conservation, revival of crafts, activity-based learning, decentralised water harvesting, local governance and direct democracy from various states are depicted and laced together in a narrative of transformation.

(Collaboration: Kalpavriksh)
 

An exhibition of photographs based on the critically acclaimed book by photographer and writer, Ahtushi Deshpande
The exhibition presents photographs from the author’s decade long documentation exploring the lesser-known rock art galleries of Ladakh. It showcases a museum-grade curated collection of ancient art, offering a unique insight into the region’s hidden heritage.

Inauguration by Shri Raghu Rai, well-known photographer on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 at 18:30

Other programmes include:
On Friday, 16 May at 18:30 in Seminar Rooms I to III, Kamaladevi Complex
A discussion on the book ‘Speaking Stones: Rock Art of Ladakh
 

A discussion with Dr. Alka Pande, art historian and Ahtushi Deshpande, author of the book

Chair: Shri K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

On 18 and 24 May 2025 at 12 noon and 17:00
Curated Walkthrough of the exhibition
With Ahtushi Deshpande

Forever Yours and Other Poems
By Swati Pal (Hawakal Publishers: 2024)

Discussants: Prof. G.J.V. Prasad, poet, novelist and translator, formerly Professor of English, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Prof. B. Mangalam, Professor of English, Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi; and Prof. Swati Pal, Professor and Principal, Janki Devi Memorial College, University of Delhi and author of the book

Chair: Prof. Malashri Lal
 

Classical Guitar Recital
 

By Rhitom Sarkar from Kolkata, disciple of Pt. Debashish Bhattacharya and Pt. Shyamal Chatterjee
Accompanied by Nageshwar Karn on the tabla

At 19:00
Hindustani Vocal Recital
 

By Nalini Joshi from Pune, disciple of Dr. Prabha Atre, Vidushi Savita Devi
Accompanists: Ustad Akhtar Hasan (tabla) and Damodar Lal Ghosh (harmonium)
 

Speakers: Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, Prasar Bharati; Shri Ajit Pai, Chairman, Delhi Urban Art Commission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; and Ms Swapna Liddle, historian, author, curator and heritage conservator

Chair: Shri K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC
 

Moderator: Ms Vertika Sharma, Visiting Faculty, Heritage law, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

Panelists: Talish Ray, partner, TRS Law Offices; Dr. G.S. Grewal, Senior Consultant, General Medicine; Sanchita Mukherji, Co-Founder & Partner, Blue Edge Associates LLP; and Anjana Bhargav, The Anjana Bhargav Label, Co-Founder, Anky and Dhi

Conceptualised and Coordinated by Bhavana and Dr. Rahul Manchanda

Moderator: Kishore Singh, author

The discussion will bring to light the financial, legal, medical health and fashion elements for a woman as she grows older. Being better informed about the management of each can substantially improve the quality of her life
 

Speakers: Prof. G Mohan Gopal, former Director, National Judicial Academy of the Supreme Court of India, and former Vice-Chancellor, National Law School of India, Bengaluru; Prof. Sumeet Mhaskar, Professor of Labour Sociology at the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O. P. Jindal Global University; Prof. Vidhu Verma, Professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Subhash Ghatade, Independent Researcher, writer, translator and activist; and Prof Y. S. Alone, Professor in Visual Studies, School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Moderator: Suhas Borker, Convener, Working Group on Alternative Strategies and Editor, Citizens First TV (CFTV).

This discussion is part of the series on Social Justice and Empowerment started in 2010 and held every year on 1 May to commemorate the life and work of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

(Collaboration: Maharashtra Sanskritik ani Rannaniti Adhyayan Samiti and Working Group on Alternative Strategies)

Cancelled

Intimate Conversations: Rabindra Sangeet

Presented by Sounak Chatterjee from Kolkata

Among the foremost vocalists of his generation, Sounak received training in Hindustani classical music from Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khansahab and Mubarak Ali Khasahab of the Kirana Gharana. He received advanced training in Rabindrasangeet from Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta and Pramita Mallick

(Collaboration: Impresario India)

Curator: Prof. Himanshu Prabha Ray

Recentering Southeast Asia

Speakers: Dr. T.C.A. Raghavan, historian and award-winning author, former diplomat and Director General, Indian Council of World Affairs; and Prof. Himanshu Prabha Ray, Tagore National Fellow, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Chair: Prof. Madhavan K. Palat, distinguished historian, scholar of the modern world, and political commentator

The talk will draw on the recently published book Recentering Southeast Asia: Politics, Religion and Maritime Connections (Routledge: 2025) which highlights the ‘restructuring’ of the shared past of India and Southeast Asia through European colonization and the multiple nationalisms of the region in the late 19th and early 20th century. The speakers will present case studies from archaeology and art history; and explore 20th century developments through the lens of political figures like Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964); the role of the Greater India Society (1926-1959); and Buddhism in underpinning post-World War II connections across Asia

An illustrated lecture by Nayan Chanda who was the Saigon-based Indochina correspondent of the Far Eastern Economic Review in 1975; he is presently, Associate Professor of International Relations, Ashoka University

Chair: Amb. Ronen Sen, former Ambassador to USA

On April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War ended as North Vietnamese tanks entered Saigon’s Independence Palace. Indian journalist Nayan Chanda was one of the foreign correspondents present that day to record that historic moment. In this talk, Chanda will recount his experiences reporting from Vietnam, including conversations with leaders, soldiers, and civilians, and will share photographs he took during that time