Beyond the Ballot - Paradoxes of Democracy

By T. S. Krishna Murthy (White Falcon Publishing, 2025)

Discussants: Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India; Shri Prabhat Kumar, former Cabinet Secretary and Governor of Jharkhand; Prof Asha Sarangi, Professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Justice Madan Lokur, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India; Shri T. S. Krishna Murthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of India & Author of the book

Moderator: Suhas Borker, Editor Citizens First TV (CFTV)

Presentation of Awards to young crafts persons

Chief Guest: Ms. Meenakshi Gopinath, Educationist, Political Scientist and Life Trustee, IIC

Awards will be presented to Amit Kumbhakar from West Bengal practising the craft of Terracotta, Padma Sisa from Odisha for Weaving of Kisalo Adivasi Cloth, Bhavya Soni from Rajasthan practising the craft of Meenakari, Soumya Ranjan Bariki from Odisha practising the craft of Pattachitra Painting, Rajni Kaur from Punjab for Weaving of Desi Cotton, Dildar Qureshi from Rajasthan practising the craft of Miniature Painting

(Collaboration: Delhi Crafts Council)

From Kingmaker to Bystander: Is the Media Still a Force in Indian Elections?

Panelists: Rajdeep Sardesai, Television Anchor; Pawan Khera, Congress Leader; Poornima Joshi, Resident Editor, Hindu Business Line, Delhi; Satish K Jha, Professor of Political Science, Delhi University; Jitendra Kumar. Independent Journalist

Moderator: Bharat Bhushan, Journalist and Editor

(Collaboration: The Media Foundation)

New Watercolours and Drawings

By Golak Khandual

This exhibition brings together intimate portraits of real and imagined people—friends, family, workers, and characters shaped by the artist’s encounters. Drawing from life and memory, the works explore shifting identities and the masks we wear, revealing how reality and imagination continually blur.

Golak Khandual is an architect and artist whose three-decade practice blends drawing, ecology, and community-focused architecture. His work includes landmark projects like Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park and Kishanbagh Sand Dunes, alongside numerous solo exhibitions across India.

Inauguration of the exhibition 4 December at 18:30

The Exhibition will be on view from 11:00 to 17:00 hrs

Ink Over Algorithms: Why the Soul of Storytelling Transcends AI

POSTPONED

by Manjima Misra (New Delhi: Highbrow Scribes Publications, 2025)

Discussants: Prof. Subhashis Banerjee, Head of the Department and Professor of Computer Science, Ashoka University; Prasanto Kumar Roy, Senior Advisor and Former Managing Director, FTI Consulting; Neha Dixit, Award-winning Journalist; Namrita Mahindro, Global AI and Digital Transformation Leader; Ayush Garg, Founder, Delhi School of Artificial Intelligence

Moderator: Manjima Misra, Author of the book

A Festival of Women's Voices in Gurbani Sangeet

“Kudrat de Sab Bande”

The fifth edition of Kirtaniye celebrates the oneness of all creation as envisioned by Guru Nanak Dev Ji- a reflection on nature, equality, and divine harmony in times of ecological imbalance.

Featuring performances by girls from Baru Sahib School, Himachal Pradesh; Gurleen Kaur (Uttarakhand); Avanti Patel (Mumbai); and Nivedita Singh (Patiala)

(Collaboration: Enable India Foundation)

Cancelled

Directed by Rajesh D Bali

Actors: Amit Kumar, Pragya Singh Rawat, Farah Anwar, Preeti Gupta and Dhanveer

Aadhe Adhure is a play by Mohan Rakesh about the psychological and emotional breakdown of an urban middle-class family in 1960s India. The story focuses on the dissatisfied housewife, Savitri, her unemployed husband, Mahendranath, and their three children, as they deal with family conflict, unfulfilled desires, and economic hardship. The play explores themes of marital conflict, the quest for an ideal partner, and the identity crisis faced by each family member, making it a realistic and poignant portrayal of modern family life.

(Collaboration: Drashta India Theatre Group)

An Exhibition of Ceramic Sculptures and Drawings by Sonali Chouhan

The exhibition presents ceramic sculptures inspired by nature, folk culture, and everyday life in Madhya Pradesh. Blending clay, symbolic leaf motifs, and human forms, the artworks reflect the artist’s emotional connection to folk traditions, simple gestures, and the expressive possibilities of contemporary ceramic craft.

Chief Guests: Prof Biman B. Das, Padmashri Awardee, Former Principal, G.C.A.C, Kolkata, Eminent Sculptor, President AIFACS.

Guest of Honor: D.S. Hitkari, Art Connoisseur, Director, Shanta Art Gallery, Delhi

Dr. Sonali Pithawe (Chouhan) is a distinguished ceramic sculptor and painter with a Ph.D. in Fine Arts, known for her acclaimed solo and international exhibitions across India, Europe, and Russia. An award-winning artist, earning recognition for her expressive contemporary style.

Inauguration of the exhibition on 2 December at 18:30

The Exhibition will be on view from 11:00 to 19:00 hrs

India and Africa: Legacy of Exchanges and Cultural Affinities

Edited by H.H.S. Viswanathan and K.N. Shrivastava (Konark Publishers Pvt Ltd.)

Welcome remarks: Shri K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Discussants: Prof. Ajay Dubey, Chair, Centre for African Studies, JNU & Secretary-General, African Studies Association of India; Prof. Nandini C. Sen, Bharti College, Delhi University; Ruchita Beri, Senior Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation; Amb. H.H.S Viswanathan, Editor of the book

Chair: Shyam Saran, President and Life Trustee, IIC

Heritage Threads - Tapestry of Indian and Indonesian Textiles

By Bhimanto Suwastoyo & Ritu Sethi

Guest of Honour: Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Parliamentarian, Member of INC and Ms. Erny Wahyuni, First Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia & Head of Cultural and Social Affairs

Discussants: Dr Ritu Sethi, Co-author of the book and Trustee of Crafts Revival Trust; Ms Namrata Dalela, Renowned Textile Researcher & Conservator; Ms Aparna Bhatnagar Saxena, Co-Editor & CEO - TORAJAMELO foundation.

Moderator: Col. D.P.K Pillay, Nominated as Brand Ambassador for War disabled by COAS, Formerly Korea Foundation Visiting Fellow