Aikyam: The idea of oneness in the songs of five women Bhakti saints of India from five different states

An illustrated lecture along with a live recital by Rama Sundar Ranganathan

Using archival recordings and live performance, the lecture will focus on the alluring poetries of Andal, Akka Mahadevi, Soyarabai, Mirabai and Lalleshwari from a musician’s perspective.

Rama Sundar Ranganathan is a Delhi based artist. An exponent of the Indore Gharana gayaki, Rama is pursuing her doctorate under the guidance of world renowned musician, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Padma Bhushan awardee
 

Speaker: Neha Sanghrajka, Senior Conflict Sensitivity Adviser, United Nations and Fellow and Senior Advisor, Geneva Centre for Security

Discussants: Rita Manchanda, Independent Consultant on Gender, Peace and Security in South Asia; and Ruchita Beri, former Senior Research Associate and Centre Coordinator Africa, LAC, UN Centre, Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses

Moderator: Sumona Dasgupta, Senior Research Consultant, WISCOMP and Member, Women Mediators across the Commonwealth (WMC)

The first in a series of WISCOMP Dialogues: Conversations on Mediation, the talk will highlight Neha Sanghrajka’s experience of mediation in Kenya and more recently in Mozambique where she played a critical role as a mediator leading to the signing of the Maputo Peace Accord of 2019. The discussants will reflect on how the presentation speaks to the experience of peacebuilding in South Asia and the importance and relevance of learning from African experiences at a time when the India Africa relationship has found a new articulation

(Collaboration: Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace)

Bangladesh on a New Journey: Moving beyond the Regional Identity
Edited by Sreeradha Datta (Bloomsbury Academic India: 2024)

Discussant: Amb. Deb Mukharji, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh; Shri Jayanta Roy Chowdhury, Consulting Editor, The Secretariat & former Head, PTI, Eastern Region and Prof. Sreeradha Datta, Professor of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore and Editor of the book

Chair: Amb. Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Studies Programme, Gateway House

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