Speaking Stones: The Rock Art of Ladakh
By Ahtushi Deshpande (Ahtushi Deshpande: 2024)

Discussants: Dr. Alka Pande, art historian; and Ahtushi Deshpande, photographer, writer, curator and independent researcher and author of the book

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

Baul Music
By Lakshman Das Baul, well-known Baul singer from Birbhum, West Bengal

Accompanied by Sandip Das on tabla; Radha Shyam Lohar on flute; and Dipankar Bose on kartal and ghungroo

The Bauls are mystic minstrels living in rural Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. Their music and way of life have influenced a large segment of Bengali culture, and particularly the compositions of Nobel Prize laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Baul Sangeet is essentially an oral tradition which represents a long heritage of preaching mysticism through songs in Bengal. The lyrics intertwine a deep sense of mysticism, and a longing for oneness with the divine.

(Collaboration: NCZCC, Ministry of Culture, Government of India)

Welcome Address & Introductory Remarks: Shri Prabhat Kumar, President, IC Centre for Governance

Keynote Address: Dr. Rajat M. Nag, Distinguished Fellow and Member of the Board, Advanced Study Institute of Asia, New Delhi; Distinguished Professor, Beijing Normal University, Beijing; and Distinguished Fellow, Emerging Markets Forum, Washington DC

(Collaboration: IC Centre for Governance)
 

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)