Indu (36 min; 2024; Hindi with English translations)

With the poetry of Indu Jain (Indu Jain ki Kavita ke saath)
A film by Sameera Jain who will introduce the film

Screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker

The film is a homage to the beauty, depth and spirit of Indu Jain’s poetry. Her work seamlessly navigates the personal and political, words moving to keep pace with her energy, permeated with an innate sense of freedom. Indu Jain’s poetry is immersive, mesmerizing, sensuous. The film reflects this essence in an experiential, experimental way.

Indu Jain (1935-2008) was a strong presence on the Hindi literary scene, and wrote for close to fifty years. She had to her credit more than ten volumes of poetry and seven of prose, Her work has been widely anthologized and translated in Japan, Czechoslovakia and Pakistan 

Presented by Mooralala Marwada, celebrated folk singer from Gujarat, who belongs to a lineage of Meghwal singers who migrated from Rajasthan to Khadir island in Kutch four centuries ago. With a rich repertoire of Nirguni bhajans, sufi kalaam and other traditional folk songs, Mooralala also plays the ‘santaar’, a traditional stringed instrument.
 
Accompanists: Kanji Rana (algoza); Naran Haja (ghado ghamelo – percussion); and Sukhdev Lakha (zanz-percussion)

The programme will be in the format of lecture-demonstration. Alongside the songs performed by Mooralala ji and his troupe, Kartikay Khetarpal from Nayi Dhara, will offer a commentary on the songs, which will illuminate their literary and cultural significance especially in relation to the evolution of Hindi. Through bhajans of Kabir, Mirabai, and Ravidas, the programme will look at the role of the Bhakti movement in Hindi’s development, and also explore Hindi’s relationship with languages like Gujarati and Sindhi.  

(Collaboration: Nayi Dhara)

“Because it’s There”
Centenary of the historic 1924 British Everest Expedition and the intriguing mystery of the disappearance of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine

Illustrated lecture by Brig. Ashok Abbey (retd.), passionate skier-mountaineer who has climbed extensively, for over 43 years in the Karakoram, Great Himalaya, and adjoining mountain ranges, including overseas

Guest of Honour: Shri N.N. Vohra, former President, Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Life Trustee, IIC

Chair: Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC

Moderator and Host: Shri Sudhir Sahi, former Editor of “Indian Mountaineer”, former Honorary Secretary, Indian Mountaineering Foundation, and former Delhi Secretary of the Himalayan Club

A fascinating historical perspective of the pioneering attempts of 1921, 1922, and the 1924 British Everest Expeditions, the mystery of the disappearance of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, and the tantalizing question as to whether they were the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
 

Hindustani Vocal Recital
By Dr Kaustuv Kanti Ganguli from UAE, disciple of Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty
 
 

At 19:00 
Bharatanatyam Recital
By Dr. Debaldev Jana from Kolkata, disciple of Kalaimamani Guru B. Herembanathan, Kalamandalam V.R. Venkitt and Smt. Preetha Venkitt  
 

Leading lady of Indian cinema, Sharmila Tagore
In conversation with Sujata Prasad and Oroon Das

(Collaboration: Ahad Anhad)

The Genius of Nelson Mandela
Speaker: Prof. Neera Chandhoke, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Equity Studies, New Delhi

Introduction by Programme Director, South African High Commission
Opening Remarks: Suhas Borker, Convener, Working Group on Alternative Strategies and Trustee, IIC
Closing Remarks: Mr. Cedrick C. Crowley, Acting High Commissioner, South African High Commission

The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture was instituted at IIC in 2018 to mark the Centenary of Madiba

(Collaboration: South African High Commission; and Working Group on Alternative Strategies)

The Agrarian Economy: Perceptions versus reality

Speaker: Prof. Madhura Swaminathan, Professor and Head, Economic Analysis Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru

Welcome and Introduction: Prof. Nitya Nanda, Director, Council for Social Development

Remarks by the Chair: Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC

Vote of Thanks: Prof. Biswajit Dhar, Vice President, Council for Social Development

The lecture will provide evidence and argument to question popular perceptions about the agrarian economy, about farmers and farming

The programme will include release of India Social Development Report 2023 – “Women’s Contribution in Economy” edited by Prof. Indira Hirway

(Collaboration: Council for Social Development)

YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/EyeR74FCNdc?feature=share

Dr. Ananda Bhavanani and Dr. Sangeeta Laura Biagi in conversation with Rajiv Mehrotra

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

(Organised in collaboration: Foundation for Universal Responsibility)
 

Traditional Folk Songs and Dances from Himachal

By Umesh Bharadwaj and group from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

The artists will present Himachali folk songs and Mandiyali Nagari dance

The traditional folk songs of Himachal Pradesh vary from the romantic to chivalric genre and on the changing seasons. The songs are sometimes accompanied by community dances. Each region has its own distinct folk song such as Chhinj, Laman, Gangi, Mohana, Tappe, Dholru, Bare-Haren and Soohadiyan to name a few.

(Collaboration: NCZCC, Prayagraj, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)
 

Hindustani Vocal Recital

By Parimal Amar Kolhatkar from Pune, disciple of Dr. Vikas Kashalkar
Accompanists: Jitendra Swain (tabla); Lalit Sisodiya (harmonium)
 
 

At 19:00 
Kathak Recital

By Anukriti Vishwakarma from Delhi, disciple of Pt. Jai Kishan Maharaj