Culture. Ukraine. Europe

Organised in collaboration with EU National Institute for Culture

This is Who We Are: Writing in Times of Conflict
Haska Shyyan and Nidheesh Tyagi in conversation

Two celebrated poets come together to talk about the role of literature during conflict.  Ukrainian writer, translator and poet Haska Shyyan and editor, poet, and translator Nidheesh Tyagi explore the power of the written word in striving for peace and reconciliation during times of conflict and turmoil.

Haska Shyyan (Гаська Шиян, born 1980) – Ukrainian writer, translator and poet. She studied Classical Philology at the University of Lviv. In 2012 she debuted with the novel Hunt, Doctor, Hunt!, which was partially written on a cell phone while the author was bedridden for a few weeks with a rare complication of meningitis called "Hunt syndrome". Her novel Behind Their Backs written in 2016 - 2017 and published in 2019 won the European Union Prize for Literature and two Ukrainian literary awards. The book was also included in the list of the 100 of the most important Ukrainian novels. Haska lives between Lviv, Kyiv and Brussels.

Nidheesh Tyagi is an editor, poet, writer, digital evangelist, media consultant/ trainer and a translator. Currently he is working as Communication Solutions Consultant with his own Venture Talking Fish Pvt Limited. Providing consulting to digital and legacy media companies, besides helping with communication strategy in social and corporate sectors.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

(55 min; 2022; Assamese with English subtitles)
Directed by Utpal Borpujari who will introduce the film
Produced by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts – North East Regional Centre

Recipient of the award for Best Documentary (Bronze), North East Film Festival, Mumbai 2023

Screening will be followed by a discussion

The numerous satras (Vaishnavaite monasteries) of Majuli, the world’s largest inhabited river island, are not only religious places of great significance but also form the heart of Satriya culture that was created by the 15th century saint, poet, playwright, social reformer and cultural icon Srimanta Sankardev. One of the key elements of Satriya culture is the masks worn by performers during Bhaona – dance dramas based on Hindu mythology. These masks or mukha represent an intricate art form with the artisans creating them in a unique and completely organic way using biodegradable materials. A dying art form, the film documents the last few families that are engaged in keeping this practice alive at the Natun Chamaguri Satra, including award-winning mask maker, Dr. Hem Chandra Goswami
 

Indo-western fusion music with Satish Sharma, well-known guitarist, composer, lyricist and singer.

With Arjun Sen (electric guitar); Ustad Athar Hussain (tabla); Harvinder Singh (percussions); Paras Nath (flute); and supporting vocalists

Satish Sharma presents original compositions in a unique style of playing Indian ragas on nylon string guitar with blues and jazz riffs. The repertoire includes Rangilo Maharo Sanwariyo Sarkar based on Raga Miyan ki Todi 

By Chinmaya Gharekhan, disciple of Pt. Amarnath and Smt Shanti Sharma and presently a disciple of Pt. Vidyadhar Vyas

Accompanists: Pt. Vinay Mishra (harmonium); and Pt. Vinod Lele (tabla)

Introduction: Suhas Borker

Amb. Gharekhan, a long and distinguished career in the Indian Foreign Service, he served as foreign adviser to Prime Ministers, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and was India’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. in New York
 

(48 min; 2023; Hindi with English subtitles)                                                                                                                      

Director: Sanjay Sharma
 
A documentary that traces Arvind’s 75-year-long journey in the creative world of words as writer-journalist-lexicographer. A journey that begins as 15-year-old Arvind enters a printing press as a mere typesetter, reaches the pinnacle of journalism, and then, gives up the editorship of the highly-acclaimed film magazine Madhuri to fulfil his long-cherished wish for a thesaurus in Hindi. And after twenty long years of solitary endeavour presents the world with Samantar Kosh Hindi Thesaurus, India’s first modern thesaurus. It is the story of one man’s diligence, dedication and devotion.  
 

A solo theatrical performance 
By Keshav Roy

Concept, Script & Direction: Renu Roy

In a highly charged and entertaining solo performance, the actor renders some of the most striking monologues from Shakespeare’s celebrated masterpieces. The narrative is infused with wit, humour and anecdotes that attempt to provide meaningful insight into some of Shakespeare’s most compelling characters

(Organised with the support of KCT Group)

Conceptualised by Gitanjali Surendran

A God at the Door
 

Tishani Doshi, well-known writer and poet in conversation with Sumana Roy, Associate Professor of English and
Creative Writing, Ashoka University

Tishani Doshi has published seven works of fiction and poetry, the most recent of which are – Small Days and Nights
(Bloomsbury), shortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Award and a New York Times Bestsellers Editor’s Choice, and a collection of poems, A God at the Door (HarperCollins), shortlisted for the Forward Poetry Prize 2021. For fifteen years she worked as the lead dancer with the Chandralekha Group in Madras

Hindustani Vocal Recital

By Sarvashreshtha Mishra from Delhi, son and disciple of Guru Uday Shankar Mishra and Dr. Vineet Goswami

At 19:00
Bharatanatyam Recital

By Deepavali Hazra from Delhi, disciple of Guru Marie Elangovan
 

Sarod Recital

By Chandrima Majumdar from Delhi, disciple of Pt. Narendra Nath Dhar

At 19:00
Odissi Recital

By Anushua Chowdhury from Delhi, disciple of Guru Smt. Priyambada Pattanaik and Guru Kavita Dwibedi

Curated by Rajiv Mehrotra

The Music Instinct: Science and Song (USA)
(114 min; 2019; English)
Director: Elena Mannes

The power of music: The Music Instinct: Science and Song provides a ground-breaking exploration into how and why the human organism--and the whole ebb and flow of the cosmos--is moved by the undeniable effect of music. This follows visionary researchers and accomplished musicians to the crossroads of science and culture in search of answers to music's deep mysteries.

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