The Contemporary World Crisis: Where do we go from here?
By Dr. Anthony Monteiro, American scholar, former professor of African American Studies, Temple University, Founder, Saturday Free School for Philosophy and Black Liberation in Philadelphia and leading contemporary exponent of the work and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois,

Chair: T.C.A. Raghavan, Former High Commissioner to Pakistan

In the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the world order stands at a historic crossroads. For the Western world, this is not simply a political or economic crisis, but a profound civilizational crisis. There is a growing divide between political institutions and the hopes and aspirations of people, often called a crisis of legitimacy.  At this moment, the ideas of Martin Luther King Jr. and his leadership of a third American revolution must be recognized and understood. Dr. Monteiro will explore how this vision offers a new direction for American society—and ultimately, for humanity as a whole.

The programme is part of the King-Du Bois Peace Pilgrimage, a friendship tour that Dr. Monteiro is undertaking.

Hindustani Vocal Recital 
By Fareed Hasan (also known as Fareed Hassan Khan), Hindustani classical vocalist and representative of the Dilli (Delhi) Gharana, specializing in khayal, thumri, Sufi, and ghazal singing. The performance will include khayal, thumri, Sufi, and ghazal and bhajan singing.

Vocalists: Fareed Hasan Khan, Mehboob Husain Khan; Tabla: Rameez Khan; Violin: Azhar Shakeel; Guitar: Tauqeer Khan
Vocal Support: Taseer Khan, Rajab Ali

Introduction by Shailaja Khanna, Columnist and Music Critic

Closing performance is a part of the Syncretic Traditions of the Subcontinent Seminar

(Collaboration: Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts, Parzor Foundation and Bharat Ram Research Grant)
 

Seminar on the Syncretic Traditions of the Subcontinent: Voices Past & Present

Welcome Address: Shyam Saran, President IIC
Inaugural Remarks: Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Convener of the Seminar, Director, Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts
Keynote Lecture: Dr. Karan Singh, statesman, philosopher and thinker
The seminar shall explore the rich syncretic traditions of India and the subcontinent as expressed through art, architecture, literature, material practices and visual narratives. The seminar examines how diverse communities and cultural influences have intersected and evolved across the region. The programme will also include the release of a publication featuring research papers by students of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. 

For more details about the programme,  Please click here:- 

(Collaboration: Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts, Parzor Foundation and Bharat Ram Research Grant)

Seminar on the Syncretic Traditions of the Subcontinent: Voices Past & Present

Welcome Address: Shyam Saran, President IIC
Inaugural Remarks: Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Convener of the Seminar, Director, Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts
Keynote Lecture: Dr. Karan Singh, statesman, philosopher and thinker
The seminar shall explore the rich syncretic traditions of India and the subcontinent as expressed through art, architecture, literature, material practices and visual narratives. The seminar examines how diverse communities and cultural influences have intersected and evolved across the region. The programme will also include the release of a publication featuring research papers by students of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. 

For more details about the programme, Please click here:-

(Collaboration: Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts, Parzor Foundation and Bharat Ram Research Grant)

Celebrating 100 Years of Thich Nhat Hanh: Launching the Year of Mindfulness
To mark Thich Nhat Hanh’s birth centenary with calligraphy and poetry workshops, practices, a documentary film, reading from the book, Touching the Footsteps of the Buddha, and panel discussion

Panel Discussion: 
Chair: Narayani Ganesh, Former Editor, Speaking Tree and Times of India and Author

Discussants: Shantum Seth, Dharmacharya, Plum Village and Co-founder, Ahimsa Trust; Shashi Banerjee, Senior Educator, Shiv Nadar Foundation; Trupti Bhingare, Youth Leader, Wake Up Asia, Plum Village

For more details & registration, please visit our website: http://ahimsatrust.org/tnh100

(Collaboration: Ahimsa Trust)

 Rescheduled -  Baithak
On the Occasion of World Mental Health Day 2026

Chair: Dr Swati Kashyap, Psychiatrist, Director Mind Clinic  
Chief Guest: Prof (Dr) Rajinder Dhamija, Director IHBAS
Host: Gp. Capt. Ashok Marwaha VSM (Retd) President, RFS Delhi

A gathering to celebrate the healing power of words and connections. Let us share stories, inspire hope, and champion mental well-being for all— because mental health is a fundamental human right.

(Collaboration: The Richmond Fellowship Society, Delhi)
 

To Die a Frenchman
(2026; 80min; Tamil with English Subtitles)
Director/Producer/Cinematographer and Editor: Pankaj Rishi Kumar

In the crumbling neighbourhood of Ville Noir in Pondicherry, seventy-year-old Monsieur Mounissamy lives as a relic of a world that no longer exists. Each July 14th, (French National Day) he unfurls a flag mirroring the French tricolour, and sings in trembling, imperfect French—an anthem to a “Mother France” he believes could still reclaim him. He fights tirelessly for French citizenship and a tiny plot of Indian land but his life ends unexpectedly. His quiet rebellion looms like a haunting reflection on fractured identities and unhealed colonial wounds.

(Collaboration: Kriti Film Club)

PLAY

A Man Apart
(English; 80 mins)
Written and Directed by Renu Roy

A rib-tickling Indian English comedy by Keshav Roy in a solo performance
 

The Shape of Memory
Artworks by Prasoon Poddar, contemporary artist whose practice explores memory, human relationships and the cultural significance of everyday objects and rituals.

An exhibition that explores tea as a shared cultural ritual and a repository of memory and belonging. Through recurring images of kettles, cups, human figures, birds and foliage, the artist transforms familiar objects into witnesses of everyday life and human relationships.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by Biman Bihari Das, sculptor, Padma Shri Awardee, and President, AIFACS, New Delhi on Wednesday, 7th October’26 at 18:00 hrs

The exhibition will remain open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 hrs

ART MATTERS CXII

An evening on Hindustani classical vocalist Shanno Khurana
Pt. Madhup Mudgal and Naman P.Ahuja will be in conversation with Sushmita Jha about her book on Shanno Khurana.

(Collaboration: Raza Foundation)