Purulia Chhau
By Susanta Mahato and group from Purulia, West Bengal
 
The Chhau dance of Purulia district is one of the most vibrant and colourful art forms. Emerging from martial practice, the Purulia Chhau is a vigorous form of dance drama that draws its themes from the two great Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata
 

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

Hindustani Flute Recital
By Pt. Chetan Joshi

Accompanied by Babar Latif on tabla

 
Followed by

Dhrupad Recital
By Ustad F. Wasifuddin Dagar
Accompanied by Pt. Mohan Shyam Sharma on pakhawaj
 
(Collaboration: Dagar Brothers Memorial Trust)
 

Dance of the Seasons (UK)
(41 min; 2023; Sanskrit & English)
Directed by G.D. Jayalakshmi who will introduce the film

Screening will be followed by a discussion

Dance of the Seasons deploys the Indian classical dance form, Bharatanatyam, to demand that we respect our earth and its climate. Based on an epic Sanskrit poem, Ritu Samhara (The March of the Seasons) by Kalidasa (circa 400AD), the award-winning dancer, Padmini Upadhya, communes with nature, becoming one with it.  This lies in sharp contrast with what is happening ecologically today. India’s six seasons of yester-year are evoked and juxtaposed strongly with today’s sad reality.  

The narrative inter-cuts with R S Pandit’s 1942 translation, created as he languishes in solitary confinement, fighting for Indian independence against British rule. 
 

Sergej in the Urn
(102 min; 2009; with English subtitles)
Director: Boris Hars-Tschachotin

The film will be introduced by Prof. Mahalakshmi Rakesh

Charismatic, erratic, egocentric, almost forgotten…Sergej Tschachotin was scientist of international repute, friend of Pavlov and Einstein, revolutionary and pacifist. Sergej in the Urn tells the story of Sergej Tschachotin’s epic existence - from 1883 to 1973 - through the memories of four of his sons. Speaking openly for the first time, they tell of Tschachotin’s role as a cancer researcher, his participation in anti-totalitarian propaganda movements, and his crusade against the arms race. But each son also exposes his conflicted relationship with a colossal fatherly shadow.

Filmmaker Boris Hars-Tschachotin, Sergej’s great-grandson, weaves together an intimate, tortured family saga that mirrors the myriad contradictions and possibilities of the 20th century.

A Tribute to Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. T.K. Murthy, Centenarian Living Legend and his contribution to the world of music
Conceptualised and presented by Prof. T.K. Venkatasubramanian
 
Chief Guest: Shri R. Venkataramani, Attorney General of India

The Contribution of Dr. T.K. Murthy to Indian Rhythms
Illustrated lecture by Prof. T.K. Venkatasubramanian, historian and accomplished mridangam player who is a disciple of Dr. T.K. Murthy

Prof. Venkatasubramanian’s presentation will be accompanied by Carnatic vocalist, T.K. Jayaraman who will sing some musical forms

Honouring the Centenarian Legend
 
Followed by performance

Carnatic Violin Recital
By Vidwan M.A. Sundhreswaran
With Vidwan K.P. Parameswaran on mridangam

(Collaboration: Lakshmi Kuppuswami Trust, Chennai)
 

Programme Details

Coordinated by Prof. Rekha Saxena, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi; Senior Advisor, Forum of Federations, Canada; and Hon. Vice –Chairman, Centre for Multilevel Federalism, New Delhi

Presentations by Prof. Sandeep Shastri, political scientist, Director - Academics, Nitte Education Trust since 2023; Prof. Ashutosh Kumar, Professor, Dept. of Political Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh; Dr. Hilal Ahmed, Associate Professor, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies; Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay; Dr. E. Sridharan, Academic Director and Chief Executive of the University of Pennsylvania Institute for the Advanced Study of India (UPIASI), New Delhi; and others

Piano recital by Marouan Benabdallah, acclaimed pianist from Morocco

The night is the realm of indistinguishability, the moment of revelation, of enlightenment. The night has always been paradoxical and malleable, it is reassuring as it is disturbing. It is a place of the imagination and the subconscious, a place that inspires artists and fires their creativity. Marouan Benabdallah invites audiences to an exploration of the night through paintings and music focusing on French composers from the early 20th century. Works by Ravel, Duparc, Debusy, and other French composers

(Collaboration: Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in New Delhi and Delhi Music Society)

Presented by Nirali Kartik (vocal) from Mumbai, disciple of Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar

Accompanied by Zaheen Khan (tabla); and Sumit Mishra (harmonium)

By Elia Cecino, award-winning young pianist from Italy

The artist will present a programme of works by Frederic Chopin; Franz Liszt; O. Sciortino; and Johannes Brahms

(Collaboration: Delhi Music Society)

Hindustani Vocal Recital

By Dr Sarita Pathak Yajurvedi from Delhi, disciple of Sulochana Brahaspati

 

At 19:00

Kathak Recital

By Sinjini Kulkarni from Delhi, granddaughter and disciple of late Pt.Birju Maharaj.