A bit of joy and pleasure: Songs – Classical and Broadway
Presented by R. Excelicia Cunville (soprano- alto)

Accompanied by Varun Kumar on the piano

The artist will present a concert of works by Handel, Mozart, Saint-Saëns and others
 

Baul Music
By Lakshman Das Baul, well-known Baul singer from Birbhum, West Bengal

Accompanied by Sandip Das on tabla; Radha Shyam Lohar on flute; and Dipankar Bose on kartal and ghungroo

The Bauls are mystic minstrels living in rural Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. Their music and way of life have influenced a large segment of Bengali culture, and particularly the compositions of Nobel Prize laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Baul Sangeet is essentially an oral tradition which represents a long heritage of preaching mysticism through songs in Bengal. The lyrics intertwine a deep sense of mysticism, and a longing for oneness with the divine.

(Collaboration: NCZCC, Ministry of Culture, Government of India)

THURSDAY 15

FILM ■ C.D. DESHMUKH AUDITORIUM AT 18:30
Churning the Earth
(43 min; 2024; English)
Produced by Srishti Films and Kalpavriksh, for Vikalp Sangam

Screening will be followed by a discussion with Ashish Kothari, Founder of Kalpavriksh and member of Vikalp Sangam

Film on the powerful stories of ‘Alternative countercurrents’ constructed by ordinary people from different parts of the country in the face of widespread ecological destruction, social injustice and economic deprivation. Several initiatives on sustainable farming, community-led ecotourism and conservation, revival of crafts, activity-based learning, decentralised water harvesting, local governance and direct democracy from various states are depicted and laced together in a narrative of transformation.

(Collaboration: Kalpavriksh)
 

Classical Guitar Recital
 

By Rhitom Sarkar from Kolkata, disciple of Pt. Debashish Bhattacharya and Pt. Shyamal Chatterjee
Accompanied by Nageshwar Karn on the tabla

At 19:00
Hindustani Vocal Recital
 

By Nalini Joshi from Pune, disciple of Dr. Prabha Atre, Vidushi Savita Devi
Accompanists: Ustad Akhtar Hasan (tabla) and Damodar Lal Ghosh (harmonium)
 

Cancelled

Intimate Conversations: Rabindra Sangeet

Presented by Sounak Chatterjee from Kolkata

Among the foremost vocalists of his generation, Sounak received training in Hindustani classical music from Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khansahab and Mubarak Ali Khasahab of the Kirana Gharana. He received advanced training in Rabindrasangeet from Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta and Pramita Mallick

(Collaboration: Impresario India)

An illustrated lecture by Nayan Chanda who was the Saigon-based Indochina correspondent of the Far Eastern Economic Review in 1975; he is presently, Associate Professor of International Relations, Ashoka University

Chair: Amb. Ronen Sen, former Ambassador to USA

On April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War ended as North Vietnamese tanks entered Saigon’s Independence Palace. Indian journalist Nayan Chanda was one of the foreign correspondents present that day to record that historic moment. In this talk, Chanda will recount his experiences reporting from Vietnam, including conversations with leaders, soldiers, and civilians, and will share photographs he took during that time

Film: Dagar Brothers Concert Film
Screening of a rare 1982 film of a concert by the Dagar Brothers – Ustad N. Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad N. Zahiruddin Dagar

Followed by

Dhrupad Recital

By Ustad F. Wasifuddin Dagar

Accompanied by Pt. Mohan Shyam Sharma on pakhawaj

(Collaboration: Dagar Brothers Memorial Trust)

To mark World Portuguese Language Day 2025, a two-day Film Festival presenting films to highlight the shared cultural heritage and linguistic richness of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), which include eight member nations: Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, and Timor-Leste

(Collaboration: Portuguese Embassy Cultural Centre)

The IMF Mountain Film Festival facilitates screening of award winning and popular short films covering adventure disciplines including kayaking, mountain biking, mountaineering, bouldering, caving and rock climbing. The films have been shot across India at various popular adventure destinations like Kumaon, Garhwal, Himavchal, Gulmarg, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Kerala.

In Search of Kasturi- Musk deer (23 min; 2024)
Director: Neha Dixit

Recipient of the Award for Best Environment Film

Two films directed by Akshat Jain

Life Uphill- The Tenzin Dolma Story (8 min)
Recipient of the Special Jury Award

Gaddi- Life of a Himalayan Shepard (6 min)
Recipient of the Award for Best Film on Mountain Culture

Fastest Known Time- Deo Tibba (24 min; 2022)
Producer: Red Bull
Recipient of the Grand Prize

Feral in the Mountains (3 min; 2023)
Director: Eshika Fyzee
Recipient of the Award for Popular Film

Ganga Girls (18 min; 2024)
Producer: Simplify
Recipient of the Change Maker Film Award

(Collaboration: Indian Mountaineering Foundation)
 

Blood on the Crown (Malta)
(102 min;2021; English/Maltese)
Director: David Ferrario

Recipient of the Award for Best Director, Malta Film Award

Screening will be preceded by a brief discussion with H.E. Mr. Reuben Gauci, High Commissioner of Malta; Shri V.S. Sahney, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha); and Lady Kishwar Desai, Founder and Chairperson, The Partition Museum Delhi and Amritsar on the two parallel events in the histories of Malta and India, the June 7 Uprising in Malta; and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Set in the turbulent aftermath of World War I in 1919, the film explores the Maltese people’s uprising for independence from British rule. As tensions boil over, the citizens of Malta rose against their colonial oppressors which was crushed by the British army leading to violent and bloody clashes. The film examines the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who dared to challenge power, setting the stage for Malta’s eventual path to independence.