“Because it’s There”
Centenary of the historic 1924 British Everest Expedition and the intriguing mystery of the disappearance of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine

Illustrated lecture by Brig. Ashok Abbey (retd.), passionate skier-mountaineer who has climbed extensively, for over 43 years in the Karakoram, Great Himalaya, and adjoining mountain ranges, including overseas

Guest of Honour: Shri N.N. Vohra, former President, Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Life Trustee, IIC

Chair: Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC

Moderator and Host: Shri Sudhir Sahi, former Editor of “Indian Mountaineer”, former Honorary Secretary, Indian Mountaineering Foundation, and former Delhi Secretary of the Himalayan Club

A fascinating historical perspective of the pioneering attempts of 1921, 1922, and the 1924 British Everest Expeditions, the mystery of the disappearance of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, and the tantalizing question as to whether they were the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
 

Hindustani Vocal Recital
By Dr Kaustuv Kanti Ganguli from UAE, disciple of Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty
 

Leading lady of Indian cinema, Sharmila Tagore
In conversation with Sujata Prasad and Oroon Das

(Collaboration: Ahad Anhad)

The Genius of Nelson Mandela
Speaker: Prof. Neera Chandhoke, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Equity Studies, New Delhi

Introduction by Programme Director, South African High Commission
Opening Remarks: Suhas Borker, Convener, Working Group on Alternative Strategies and Trustee, IIC
Closing Remarks: Mr. Cedrick C. Crowley, Acting High Commissioner, South African High Commission

The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture was instituted at IIC in 2018 to mark the Centenary of Madiba

(Collaboration: South African High Commission; and Working Group on Alternative Strategies)

The Agrarian Economy: Perceptions versus reality

Speaker: Prof. Madhura Swaminathan, Professor and Head, Economic Analysis Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru

Welcome and Introduction: Prof. Nitya Nanda, Director, Council for Social Development

Remarks by the Chair: Shri Shyam Saran, President, IIC

Vote of Thanks: Prof. Biswajit Dhar, Vice President, Council for Social Development

The lecture will provide evidence and argument to question popular perceptions about the agrarian economy, about farmers and farming

The programme will include release of India Social Development Report 2023 – “Women’s Contribution in Economy” edited by Prof. Indira Hirway

(Collaboration: Council for Social Development)

YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/EyeR74FCNdc?feature=share

Dr. Ananda Bhavanani and Dr. Sangeeta Laura Biagi in conversation with Rajiv Mehrotra

Welcome Remarks: Shri K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

(Organised in collaboration: Foundation for Universal Responsibility)
 

Traditional Folk Songs and Dances from Himachal

By Umesh Bharadwaj and group from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

The artists will present Himachali folk songs and Mandiyali Nagari dance

The traditional folk songs of Himachal Pradesh vary from the romantic to chivalric genre and on the changing seasons. The songs are sometimes accompanied by community dances. Each region has its own distinct folk song such as Chhinj, Laman, Gangi, Mohana, Tappe, Dholru, Bare-Haren and Soohadiyan to name a few.

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

Hindustani Vocal Recital

By Parimal Amar Kolhatkar from Pune, disciple of Dr. Vikas Kashalkar
Accompanists: Jitendra Swain (tabla); Lalit Sisodiya (harmonium)
 
 

At 19:00 
Kathak Recital

By Anukriti Vishwakarma from Delhi, disciple of Pt. Jai Kishan Maharaj    
 

Presented by Yaqub Ghauri and Sadia Rahman
Directed by Yaqub Ghauri

Research and scripted by Sadia Rahman, the theatre voice presentation focuses on the story of the legendary film actor, Dilip Kumar. In Hindustani, the performance unveils the saga of a fruit merchant’s son, Yusuf Khan and his transformation into Dilip Kumar
 

A segment from the Act of the Ashoka Garden ('Aśokavanikāṅkam'), the Fifth Act of Shaktibhadra's play, Ascharyachudamani, showing Ravana addressing the Moon while pining for Sita

Presented by Margi Madhu, son and disciple of Guru Moozhikkulam Kochukuttan Chakyar, who was the torch bearer of the Ammannoor style of acting

With artists of Nepathya – Centre for Excellence in Kutiyattam

Accompanists: Thalam: Dr. Indu G.; mizhavu: Kalamandalam Manikandan & Nepathya Jinesh; edakka: Kalanilayam Rajan; and make-up: Kalanilayam Sreejith Sundaran

Kutiyattam is one of India’s oldest living theatrical traditions. In 2003, it was proclaimed Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.