Day of Mindfulness: The Way Out is in
 

Speakers: Pháp Hữu, Abbot of Plum Village; Jo Confino, Author and Journalist; Monastics and teachers from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village tradition
Chair: Dharmacharya Shantum Seth
This Programme is grounded in the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and offers participants an opportunity to engage with contemplative practices that cultivate awareness, compassion, and insight. The programme will include guided mindfulness meditation, reflections by Plum Village monastics, and periods of dialogue and inquiry.
Participants are requested to register in advance at www.ahimsatrust.org or by writing to ahimsatrust@gmail.com
 

(Collaboration: Ahimsa Trust)

Soorma 
(131 min;2018; Hindi with English subtitles)
Director: Shaad Ali

Based on the life of Sandeep Singh, the film chronicles the remarkable rise of a gifted young hockey player from Punjab to the Indian national team. At the peak of his career, a tragic gunshot accident leaves him paralysed from the waist down, seemingly ending his future in the sport. Defying medical odds through extraordinary grit and determination, Singh stages a dramatic comeback, returning to international hockey and eventually leading India as captain.

(Collaboration: Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 
 

Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani
(124 min; 1946; Hindi with English subtitles)
Director: Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the film narrates the extraordinary true story of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis, an Indian doctor sent to China to treat soldiers fighting the Japanese invasion. Based on a story by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, it follows Kotnis’s tireless medical service in war-ravaged Yan’an, his personal bond with a Chinese woman, his success in containing a devastating plague, and the ultimate sacrifice of his own life in the cause of compassion and international solidarity.

(Collaboration: Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 

Kathak Recital
 

By Badal Bariha from Delhi, disciple of Guru Malti Shyam
Accompanists:  Amaan Ali (Tabla); Jaywardhan Dadhich (Vocal and Harmonium)
Ashish Gangani (Pakhawaj) & Harshita Sharma (Padhant)

At 18:30

Kuchipudi Recital
By Rajashree Holla, from Bengaluru, disciple of Guru Dharani T Kashyap 

 

Concert 
 

Piano recital by Marouan Benabdallah, well-known pianist from Morocco, and faculty at the Budapest Liszt Academy of Music

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

SAPTAK

Screening of poetry readings by seven deceased poets of Hindi:

Naresh Mehta;  Nemichandra Jain; Shivmangal Singh Suman, Lakshmikant Verma; Ajit Kumar, Kunwar Narayan and Vishnu Khare

(Collaboration: Raza Foundation)
 

Dastan-e-Irfan-e-Buddha
(Urdu / Hindi / Pali / Sanskrit)
 

Written by: Poonam Girdhani; Performed by: Rajesh Kumar & Poonam Girdhani; Directed by: Mahmood Farooqui, writer, scholar, filmmaker, and performer, best known for reviving Dastangoi. Produced by: Anusha Rizvi

Dastan-e-Irfan-e-Buddha is a glimpse into the life, philosophy and world view of Tathagata, the enlightened one, aiming to introduce us to the man and a life that, in the words of Jawahar Lal Nehru, was the greatest soul to ever walk in Bharatvarsha. Built from sources including Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Ashwaghosha, Edwin Arnold, Rahul Sanskrityayan, Paul Carus, Therigatha, Intizar Husain and the Jataka stories.

Dastangoi is the art of oral storytelling rooted in the legendary tales of Amir Hamza, flourishing in the Urdu literary tradition of North India. Revived in contemporary times, it blends narration, voice, and imagination to bring epic stories alive.

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

Children’s cultural film festival, a screening of the best films on heritage made by children across different schools in Delhi-NCR
 

(Collaboration: Heritage Education and Communication Service, INTACH)
 

The Bard and The Balladeer 
A Musical tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika 
 

Presented by Mayukh Hazarika, singer, songwriter and music director from Assam and Laili Dutta.

The occasion marks the centenary year of Dr. Hazarika, being celebrated across Assam and the country. The artists have carried forward the bard’s legacy through performances in India and abroad. Their repertoire will be interwoven with personal anecdotes and lesser-known stories behind his iconic songs.

(Collaboration: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)

THE IIC DOUBLE BILL: MUSIC AND DANCE RECITALS

Sarod Recital
By Reeta Das from Patna, disciple of Pt Sunil Mukherjee; Ustad Aashish Khan and disciple & daughter of Prof Chandrakant Lal Das  

Accompanist: Ustad Akhtar Hussain(Tabla)

At 18:30

Carnatic Vocal Recital
By Anagha Manikandan from Delhi, disciple of Guru Guruvayoor Dr. T V Manikandan
Accompanists: Delhi R Sridhar (Violin), Manohar Balatchandirane (Mridangam)