Dramatised readings from A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters” by Sunit Tandon and Sohaila Kapur

Love Letters is a play by A.R. Gurney, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play centres on two characters - Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Though geographically located in different places, they sit side by side and write letters to each other, discussing what has passed between them throughout their separation. 

The play has had some popular adaptations in India. It was adapted into Urdu in 1992 as Tumhari Amrita with Farroukh Sheikh and Shabana Azmi. Kaif Aur Main, written and performed by Javed Akhtar along with his wife Shabana, was also inspired by it, as was another play, Aapki Soniya, starring Sonali Bendre. 

The play in its original form was first enacted by Sunit & Sohaila about three decades ago. It was directed by the late Arun Kuckreja under the banner of Ruchika Theatre.  

It is perhaps more age appropriate for the actors today, since the characters are celebrating a friendship of 50 years. 

Produced by Anuradha Dar & Sohaila Kapur for Three Arts Club & Katyayani.

Presented by the Ao Naga Choir from Delhi

Principal Conductor: Akala Akangmeren

The choir will present a repertoire of classical choral music for Christmas and well-known carols

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)