The Lost Songs of the Courtesans

Illustrated talk by Manjari Chaturvedi

The talk will explore the many genre of songs sung by the erstwhile Tawaifs and Baijis and how these songs find a place in our popular culture

Manjari Chaturvedi is a classical Indian dancer, the creator of Sufi Kathak and the restorer of the dance of Tawaifs, Director and Choreographer, TedX Speaker and Cultural academic

Author, playwright, theatre director, filmmaker and actor, Manav Kaul in conversation with Sujata Prasad and Oroon Das

(Collaboration: Ahad Anhad)

Including teachings and practices led by senior monastics from the order of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Chair: Dharmacharya Shantum Seth

The programme will include launch of the book by Thich Nhat Hanh, “Good Citizens Creating An Enlightened Society”

(Collaboration: Ahimsa Trust; and Aleph Book Company)
 

Singing Poetry

The Poetry of Dharamveer Bharti, Sarveshvar Dayal Saxena, Vijadeo Narayan Sahi, Kamlesh, Ajit Kumar, Dhoomil, Rajkamal Chowdhry, Raghuveer Sahay, and Shrikant Verma

By Chinmayi Tripathi, Mumbai

(Collaboration: The Raza Foundation)

A Musical Journey With Nadayogi Muthuswami Dikshitar

Illustrated presentation by Saraswati Rajagoplan

Muthuswamy Dikshitar (1775-1835) was a great vainika and versatile composer who holds a special place in the hearts of music lovers as one of the Trinity of Carnatic Music. His deeply meditative, moving compositions are nothing short of treasure troves, showcasing a complete mastery over Sanskrit, raga, tala and the shastras. 
He was the most well-travelled among the Trinity and his compositions in praise of the deities and kshetras he visited also pack in details of the shrines, associated with the temples.
 
Vidushi Saraswati Rajagopalan is one of the top ranking vainikas of the country. Known for making the Veena sing in the gayaki style - closely mirroring the nuances of vocal music, Saraswati has travelled extensively across India and abroad, performing at major festivals and venues, collaborating with musicians from both the Carnatic and Hindustani traditions.
 

Surbahar Recital
By Sauravbrata Chakraborty

Followed by
Dhrupad Vocal Recital
By Pt. Prem Kumar Mallick

Organised in collaboration with The Raza Foundation and Naad Chakra

Rudra Veena Recital

By Carsten Wicke

Followed by
Dhrupad Vocal Recital

By Kaberi Kar

Kavita ka kaam aansoo ponchna nahi
Edited by Purwa Bhardwaj (Jild Books; 2024)

A collection of 84 poems translated into Hindi featuring works by 32 Palestinian poets. The carefully selected anthology has been drawn from all walks of life and by poets from different time periods/generations and based in different countries. Poets included in the volume are Mahmoud Darwish, Zakaria Mohammad, Hosam Marouf, Fadwa Tuqan, Ahlam Bsharat, Rauda Morcos, Dareen Tatour, Kamal Nasser to name a few.

A discussion and readings by Ashok Vajpeyi, poet, critic, translator; Apoorvanand, critic, Professor; Nidheesh Tyagi, poet, critic, journalist; and others
 

Towards Universal Values for World Peace

By Rama Shankar Singh

Discussants: Prof. J.S. Rajput, former Member, UNESCO Executive Council; Prof. Chandra Mohan, Secretary General, Comparative Literature Association of India; Dr. A.K. Merchant, General Secretary, Temple of Understanding India Foundation; and Prof. Rama Shankar Singh, Professor Emeritus, Biology, McMaster University, Canada and author of the book

Chair: Dr. Karan Singh

Whispers of an Ordinary Journey

By Debasish Bhattacharyya (Nandy Books,2023)

Panelists: Shri Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, journalist and writer; Dr. Shubhada Kaul, Associate Professor in French & Francophone Studies, Department of Foreign Languages, Jamia Millia Islamia; Shri L.K Joshi, former General Manager, IIC and Shri Debasish Bhattacharyya, former Deputy General Manager, IIC and former General Manager, International Centre, Goa and author of the book

Chair: Amb. K.P. Fabian, Professor, Symbiosis University and Indian Society of International Law