RAGA, A knot in the air

Rudra Veena recital by Ustad Mohi Bahauddin Dagar, master of rudra veena (‘roaring veena’). Awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Accompanied by Pt. Sanjay Agle on Pakhawaj

Chief Guest: N.N Vohra, Life Trustee, IIC

For youtube link please click

Classical Vocal Recital
Prakriti ka Sangeet

By Kalapini Komkali, distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist. Awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2023 for her contribution to Indian classical music.
Accompanied by Shambhunath Bhattacharya on Tabla; Chetan Nigam on Harmonium; Akshay Mohan on Dholak

Chief Guest: Anita Singh, Musicologist and Art Historian.

 for youtube link click here 

PERFORMANCES

Inauguration of the Festival
By Shyam Saran, President, IIC

Followed by
Scent of the Earth
By Alarmel Valli, eminent Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer.  Awarded the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, The Chevalier of Arts and Letters from the French Government

For youtube link click here

Rukkha, Rakkha, Yakkha: Foundational Evidence for Tree Worship in Indian Art
Keynote Address by Naman P. Ahuja, Professor, School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

Chair: Shyam Saran, President, IIC
 

https://youtube.com/live/Nqe7b6fs9q8?feature=share

Postponed

Yamuna – Life Eternal

An evening celebrating the river through music, song and dance-drama performance

Narration and Choreography: Padma Shri Kathak Guru Shovana Narayan as Yamuna; Music and Vocals: Shoma Banerjee
Visuals, Concept and Direction: K. N. Saifullah; Script and Visuals: Tarini Sharma; Dance: Asavari Centre for Kathak

(Collaboration: The Mountain Climate Trust)
 

Leo from Chicago 
Discover the people and places that shaped Pope Leo XIV
(2026;52 minutes; English)
A film by journalists: Deborah Castellano Lubov, Salvatore Cernuzio and Felipe Herrera-Espaliat
Produced by: The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Apostolado El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización (ESNE)

The film explores the early life of Pope Leo XIV through the memories of his brothers, teachers, classmates and friends. From his childhood in Dolton to his formation as an Augustinian, the documentary introduces the family relationships, communities and experiences that shaped Robert Francis Prevost’s religious vocation.

(Collaboration: Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama)
 

Book Discussion Group  

From Manuscript to Memory: India’s Contribution to UNESCO Memory of the World Programme by Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur and Dr. Mayank Shekhar (IGNCA 2026)

Safeguarding Living Heritage: India’s Contribution to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Creative Cities Network by Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur, Dr. Arhana Lochan, Ms. Ashna Kumar and Mr. Mayank Singh. (IGNCA 2026)

Tangible and Natural Heritage Sites of Incredible India: India’s Contributions to the UNESCO World Heritage List by Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur and Mr. Sadhish Sharma (IGNCA 2026)

Chair: Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA

Discussants: Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture ; Tim Curtis, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia; Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi; Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India; Dr Ramesh C. Gaur, Dean, Faculty of Arts Media and Design, South Asian University & Author of the book.

Folk Dance and Music performance
Echoes of Mizoram and Manipuri Tradition

An evening celebrating the rich and vibrant folk traditions of Northeast India, featuring traditional dances from Mizoram and Manipur. Hnahsin from Mizoram brings together dances such as Khual Lam, Buhza Aih Cheraw, Chheih Lam and Hmar Cheraw, reflecting the spirit of welcome, harvest, community and celebration. From Manipur, Maibi Jagoi and Lai Haraoba draw from the ancient traditions of the Meitei community, evoking creation, spirituality and the relationship between humans, nature and the divine.

Hnahsin presented by Ruati, Zopuii, ⁠Sweety, ⁠Krishnani, ⁠Anisha, ⁠Duati, Filip, ⁠Dhakeshwor, ⁠Jonathan, ⁠Rahul, ⁠Mandy & ⁠Zuala from Delhi

Maibi Jagoi and Lai Haraoba presented by Chetna Wahagbam, Karishma Wahagbam,Vidya Ningthoujam, Nishika Sharma,Shithyjit , Harsh, Diya Singh and Robinson
 

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

 

Hindustani Vocal Recital 
By Fareed Hasan (also known as Fareed Hassan Khan), Hindustani classical vocalist and representative of the Dilli (Delhi) Gharana, specializing in khayal, thumri, Sufi, and ghazal singing. The performance will include khayal, thumri, Sufi, and ghazal and bhajan singing.

Vocalists: Fareed Hasan Khan, Mehboob Husain Khan; Tabla: Rameez Khan; Violin: Azhar Shakeel; Guitar: Tauqeer Khan
Vocal Support: Taseer Khan, Rajab Ali

Introduction by Shailaja Khanna, Columnist and Music Critic

Closing performance is a part of the Syncretic Traditions of the Subcontinent Seminar

(Collaboration: Dara Shikoh Centre for the Arts, Parzor Foundation and Bharat Ram Research Grant)
 

PLAY

A Man Apart
(English; 80 mins)
Written and Directed by Renu Roy

A rib-tickling Indian English comedy by Keshav Roy in a solo performance