Other Kohinoors, The Rocks of Hyderabad (India)

(49 min; 2022; English)

Director: Uma Magal who will introduce the film

Screening will be followed by a discussion

A resonant documentary love letter to the unique rocky terrain and culture of Hyderabad. Celebrating how the landscape inspires the culture in its art, craft, folklore, poetry, songs, architecture, cuisine. Marking the affection and respect with which the landscape is held. With an energetic rap song as 'Sutradhar narrator' carrying the storytelling there is also a sharing of the sorrow over what has been lost in the past decades. Beautiful animations styled in local art and craft traditions enrichen it. This could be called a 'Rasa' documentary showcasing as it does the different moods/rasas in the city's relationship with its distinct terrain, in the manner of an Indian masala or 'Navarasa' film.

Edited by Gopalkrishna Gandhi (Aleph: 2023)

Release of the book followed by a discussion

The book will be released by Shri N.N. Vohra

Reading of selected excerpts from the book

By Gopalkrishna Gandhi

Followed by a discussion with

Prof. Tridip Suhrud, writer, political scientist, cultural historian and translator; Prof. Rudrangshu Mukherjee, historian and author of several books on history, Founding Vice-Chancellor, Ashoka University where he is presently the Chancellor and Professor of History; and Smt Aruna Roy, social activist, professor, union organiser and former civil servant; President, National Federation of Indian Women and founder, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan

Sarod Recital
By Arnab Bhattacharya from Kolkata, disciple of Pt. Buddhadev Dasgupta.  
 

Majaz Zinda Hai (80 min) 
Script, Design & Direction: Salima Raza
Presented by D for Drama in Hindi and Urdu

With Farrukh Seyer, Paayal Kapoor Nair, Anaamika Tiwari, Tarique Hameed, Navendra Mishra, Snigdha Anand Prakash, Anant Srivastava, Jipal Pathak, Kirti V.A., Arhan Willson and Rigved Singh

A musical dramatization of the life and works of the legendary Urdu poet, Asrar-ul-Haq Maz or Majaz Lakhnavi as he is popularly known. Set against the backdrop of 1940s and 1950s Lucknow, we see him at his highest highs and lowest lows. We see Majaz Lakhnavi fall in love, be applauded for the unique union of ‘Shabab’ and ‘Inqlab’ in his writings, the beautiful bond he shared with his sisters, the eternal effect of his poetry on the youth and his untimely demise.

(Collaboration: D for Drama)

Dastangoi Collective presents an evening of performative readings by Mahmood Farooqui, Sunit Tandon, Darain Shahidi, Meera Rizvi, Lokesh Jain and Syeda Hameed in memory of Rahbar-e-Mulk Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, musician, sufi, revolutionary, rasik, scholar and statesman.

Inauguration by Hon’ble Hamid Ansari, former Vice President of India and Hon’ble Meira Kumar, former Speaker of Lok Sabha

Discussants: Prof. S. Irfan Habib; and Amb. T.C.R. Raghavan

(Collaboration: Khwaja Ahmed Abbas Memorial Trust; Rajendra Prasad Academy; and Working Group on Alternative Strategies)
 

Flute recital by Master Skandan Suresh and party 

Vocal recital by Kum. Shreshta Hariharan and party

Vocal Duet by Kum. Saikrupa and Kum. Akshaya Premanand and party

(Collaboration: Gayatri Fine Arts)

To be delivered by Dr Karan Singh, statesman, philosopher and thinker

Welcome Address: Shri Suresh K. Goel, Former Director General, Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Vice President, IC Centre for Governance

Opening Remarks: Shri Prabhat Kumar, Former Cabinet Secretary and first Governor of Jharkhand and President, IC Centre for Governance

Presidential Address: Shri Syed Shahid Mahdi, Former Vice President ICCR and Former Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia

(Collaboration: I.C. Centre for Governance)

Curated by Rajiv Mehrotra

Walk with Me (94 min;2017; English)
A film by Marc J. Francis & Max Pugh

A contemplative documentary featuring Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh and his tranquil Plum Village Monastery, 
The film explores his profound teachings, offering a meditative journey into the lives of Zen monks and nuns dedicated to mindfulness under his guidance. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, it invites viewers to witness their unwavering pursuit of inner peace and enlightenment.

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

Santoor Recital
By Rajkumar Majumdar from Delhi, disciple of Pt. Bhajan Sopori
 

At 19:00 
Dhrupad Recital
By Samit Kumar Mallick from Delhi, disciple of Pt. Ram Kumar Mallick   
 

12 November* commemorates the day on which Mahatma Gandhi made his first and only live broadcast on All India Radio in 1947 and addressed more than two lakhs of refugees at a camp in Kurukshetra from Broadcasting House, New Delhi. Since 2000, this day is commemorated as Public Service Broadcasting Day

10:30 to 11:00 in Gandhi-King Memorial Plaza
Commemoration

11:15 to 12:15 in C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium 
Discussion 

Usha Mehta’s tryst with freedom on radio: reliving the moments with S. N. Sahu, former Press Secretary to President K. R. Narayanan.

During the Quit India Movement, Usha Mehta was arrested on 12 November 1942 and the Underground Radio Transmitter confiscated in Bombay

Discussion on Public Service Broadcasting and Speaking Truth to Power
Lead Presentation: Suhas Borker, Mediaperson and Trustee, IIC

*Note: As 12 November is Deepavali and a holiday, the commemoration is being held on 10 November

(Collaboration: Gandhi Yuva Baradari; and Jan Prasar)