Dance with Space
An evening of dance appreciation inviting viewers to look “into dance” rather than look “at dance”.
Presented by Malavika Sarukkai, eminent Bharatanatyam artist

Accompanying Artists: Neela Sukhanya, Nattuvangam; Krithika Aravind, Vocal; Nellai Balaji, Mridangam; Venkat Subramaniam, Violin

Light Designer: Sharad Kulshreshta

The lecture-demonstration 'Dance with Space' by senior artist Malavika Sarukkai will investigate the artistic and creative choices while envisioning dance. The evening will explore her technique of "DanceSpeak", a personal language of dance nurtured through her intense deliberations in Bharatanatyam over decades. Dance with Space will explore the intellectual rigour that goes into Malavika Sarukkai's dance, the creative choice in movements, the quality of intent that embodies the moment, manodharma (imagination), which becomes a critical element to sustain dance afresh and her close artistic interaction with her team of musicians. The evening will be both a celebration and cerebration.
 

Aa Manas Gujarati Lage Che (This man looks like a Gujarati)
Director: Prabodh Parikh
(2018;65 minutes; Gujarati with English subtitles)

Introduction by Prabodh Parikh

A film on eminent poet Sitanshu Yasashchandra.

(Collaboration: Raza Foundation)

Classical Vocal Recital

By Surmani Dr.Dattatreya Velankar, an accomplished Hindustani classical performer and the founder of Shadja Kala Kendra, Bangalore. Disciple of renowned Gwalior-Kirana Gharana maestro, Pt. Vinayak Torvi and Keertanacharya Lakshmandas Velankar will perform under the Sanskriti-Madhobi Chatterji Memorial Fellowship.
(Collaboration: Sanskriti Pratishthan)
 

Vision to Victory
Directed by Subroto Chattopadhyay
Presenters: Subroto Chattopadhyay, Maj. Gen. Anil P. Dere (Retd.)

Vision to Victory presents the nationwide 1971 campaign that liberated Bangladesh — political will, military action, diplomacy, intelligence and police work, the Bangladesh Government in Exile and the Mukti Bahini, coordinated under pressure. Built on 26 hours of testimony from war veterans, diplomats and intelligence professionals, with archival footage and tactical maps, it is a case study in institutional decision-making under extreme pressure. The presentation draws on years of research and will be followed by a Q&A.

(Collaboration: The Peninsula Studios)
 

Janmashtami Celebrations by Dr Uma Sharma and Disciples

Raas Shyam (in Kathak & Brij-Raas Style)
Dance Choreography by Dr Uma Sharma, a renowned Kathak exponent and Padma Bhushan awardee.

Chief Guest: Rashmi Malik, Chairperson, Spic Macay Foundation

Music by Late Pt. Jwala Prasad

(Collaboration: Uma Sharma School of Dance and Music – Bharatiya Sangeet Sadan)

IN THE NAME OF FIRE- SWAHA
(2024; 99 minutes; Magahi with English subtitles)
Director: Abhilash Sharma
With Sonalli Sharmisstha, Satya Ranjan, Chandra Shekhar Dutta, Bulloo Kumar, Sarbind Kumar
Recipient of Golden Goblet Award for Best Director, Asian New Talent Competition, 26th Shanghai International Film Festival (2024)
Against the backdrop of rural Bihar, the film follows a young Dalit woman navigating the harsh realities of caste, superstition and economic hardship. Through her deeply personal journey, the film offers a sensitive exploration of faith, power and survival.
 

AAPISH (THE OFFICE)
(2025; 104 minutes; Bengali with English subtitles)
Directors: Abhijit Guha & Sudeshna Roy

With Sudipta Chakraborty, Sandipta Sen, Kinjal Nanda, Tathagata Chowdhury

The film follows the lives of two working women from vastly different social and economic backgrounds whose paths unexpectedly converge. As they navigate the competing demands of work, home and family, their evolving relationship lays bare the invisible burdens of gender, class and caregiving. Through this poignant narrative, the film offers a sensitive reflection on dignity, resilience and the power of empathy in challenging entrenched social norms. Quietly observant yet deeply affecting, Aapish celebrates the strength found in solidarity and the shared humanity that transcends social divides.

India International Centre Film Club in collaboration with FIPRESCI-India
 

Woman| Life| Freedom

In Conversation: Swara Bhaskar, acclaimed actor and advocate for gender justice, civil liberties and democratic rights with Sujata Prasad, author, curator, founder, Ahad Anhad and works across heritage education and the arts and Oroon Das, designer, curator and theatre artist.

This is the 22nd Conversation in this Series
(Collaboration: Ahad Anhad)

IIC MONSOON FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

Hindustani Vocal Recital 
By Siddharth Sahai from Delhi, disciple of Guru Sanjeev Jha
Accompanist: Roman Das (Pakhawaj)

Dhrupad Bandhu 
By Sanjeev Jha and Manish Kumar from Bihar, disciple of Gundecha Brothers.
Accompanists: Pandit Dalchand Sharma (Pakhawaj)

IIC MONSOON FESTIVAL OF DANCE: 20 & 21 AUGUST 2026

Odissi Recital
By Geetanjali Acharya from Gurugram, disciple of Late Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra & Guru Sujata Mohapatra

At 19:00

Bharatanatyam Recital
By Apeksha Kamath from Bangalore, disciple of Acharya Smt. Indira Kadambi