Mogacho Korar

(120 minutes, 2025, Konkani with English Subtitles)

Director: Silverio Cardoza

Mogacho Korar" is a Konkani phrase that translates to "Love's Promise" or "Pact of Love". It's also, the title of a Konkani film directed by Victor, which explores family relationships, particularly between a daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, and emphasizes the importance of building harmonious relationships and staying united. The film aims to convey the message that love and unity is essential for a happy family life, especially in challenging times.

(Collaboration: Goenkarancho Ekvot)

A festival of feature and documentary films organised in collaboration with Goenkarancho Ekvot

Inauguration

Followed by Film Screening

Pedru Poder

(115 minutes,2020, Konkani with English Subtitles)

Director: Jojo D'Souza

A light-hearted yet realistic romantic comedy that delves into the life of Pedru, a traditional Goan baker (Poder) who aspires to break free from his humble origins and achieve wealth. He forms a bond with Daisy, a wealthy girl who cherishes simplicity. However, Daisy is also promised to her childhood friend, the affluent model Donald. The narrative explores themes of ambition, love, friendship, trust, honesty, and deception, culminating in a story that is both entertaining and morally enriching

The talk will be about the role of foreign architects, largely British, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in India. The late nineteenth century was marked by the stabilization of British presence in the sub-continent and a further spread of influence of a Western way of life and thinking in certain sections of Indian society. This is amply reflected in the architecture of that period.

Speaker: Rajesh Luthra is an architect and urban designer, Principal at Development Consortium, and Visiting Professor at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. He is also a published writer and consultant to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

Moderator: Dr. Punita G. Singh, acoustician, musicologist, linguist, editor and educator based in Delhi. She has taught at Washington University in the US, McGill University, Canada and is currently, Visiting Faculty at Ashoka University, Sonipat

Manipuri Recital

By Shrobana Mitra Das from Kolkata, disciple of Guru Priti Patel

At 19:00

Kuchipudi Recital

By Washim Raja from Delhi, disciple of Guru Vanashree Rao

Bharatanatyam Recital

By Sujatha Ramanathan from Mumbai, disciple of Padmashri Guru Adayar K Lakshman, Guru Lata Raman and Sujatha Mohan

At 19:00

Kathak Recital

By Shipra Joshi from Delhi, disciple of Guru Prerana Shrimali

Accompanists: Karan Gangani (Padhant), Vijay Parihar (Vocals and harmonium ) Parminder Singh (Tabla) & Fateh Ali Khan (Sitar)

Dalit Journeys for Dignity: Religion, Freedom, and Caste

Edited by Ramnarayan S Rawat; K Satyanarayana ; P Sanal Mohan

(State University of New York Press, 2025)

Discussants:  Prof. Madhulika Sonkar, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; Dr. Harish Wankhede, Assistant Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Dr. Charu Gupta, Professor, University of Delhi; Dr. K. Satyanarayana, Professor, English and Foreign Language University, Hyderabad & Editor of the book and Prof. Ramnarayan S Rawat, Associate Professor, University of Delaware, US & Editor of the book

Moderator Dr. Surinder Jodhka, Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University

The talk will focus on the 12-day Israel-Iran war that began on June 13 with an Israeli strike and escalated when the U.S. joined on Day 9. With President Trump claiming to have destroyed Iran’s nuclear program—a claim still disputed—a U.S.-brokered ceasefire followed. The discussion will explore why Israel initiated the war, whether the ceasefire will hold, and the broader implications for regional stability, global geopolitics, and India.

Speakers: Ambassador K P Fabian, Distinguished Fellow, Symbiosis University; and Wing Commander Praful Bakshi, well-known expert in geopolitics.

Dance Choreography by Dr Uma Sharma, a renowned Kathak exponent and Padma Bhushan awardee.

Accompanists: Gayan: Madho Prasad, Flute: Vinay Prasanna, Sitar: Khalid Mustafa, Padhant: Yograj Panwar and Compere: Sadhna Shrivastav

(Collaboration: Uma Sharma School of Dance and Music – Bharatiya Sangeet Sadan)

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) faces urgent threats from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Regional cooperation, led by India’s soft diplomacy and ICIMOD’s apolitical role, is crucial to secure a resilient, greener, and safer future.

Speaker: Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, former Minister of Agriculture and Forests (2008–2013), and former Member of Parliament, Royal Government of Bhutan

Chair: Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian scientist and Life Trustee, IIC

A talk on the colonial plunder of India’s sacred artefacts and their continued captivity in British museums. Drawing on visits to institutions like the British Museum, V&A, and Pitt Rivers, Bhatia uncovers how empire institutionalised theft as preservation, turning gods into trophies. With vivid case studies — from the Amaravati sculptures to Tipu Sultan’s throne and the Chola bronzes — he explores the moral, legal, and emotional urgency of restitution. Moving beyond critique, Bhatia envisions a “Museum of Returned Memory” in India and calls for ethical partnerships, transparency, and healing. This talk challenges historical denial with clarity, dignity, and hope.

Speaker: Shyam Bhatia, foreign correspondent and author whose work spans conflict zones, diplomacy, and colonial legacies. His latest research focuses on colonial-era looting and the afterlife of empire in British museums.

Chair: Dr. BR Mani, Former Director General, National Museum