Twamaham Vande

A journey for the search of One through the vision of two

Concept, direction and performance by Jalsa Chandra, renowned Bharatanatyam and Kathak dancer, choreographer, fellow of Ministry of Culture and empanelled artiste of ICCR and Doordarshan. Trained under eminent gurus including Smt. Thankamani Kutty, Pt. Rajendra Kumar Gangani, Smt. Nandini Ramani, Padma Shri Chitra Visweswaran, Smt. Rama Vaidyanathan, and Padma Bhushan Saroja Vaidyanathan.

Accompanying artistes: Pallabi Chatterjee, Adrija Mondal and Agnimita Das

The performance presents a soulful journey of the maturing spirit, exploring the "one-to-one realization of God" through the timeless wisdom of Bhakti saints. This production weaves together the cosmic rhythms of the Nasadiya Sukta with the intricate "Deha Tatwa" of Lalon Fakir to depict the cyclical nature of creation. From the unwavering faith of Sita to the Thevaram in celebration of the liberation to find and love the Divine in one's own light. The journey culminates in the oneness of the Parabrahman, where individual identities dissolve like rivers into the vast ocean.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Speaking Sculptures: Karanas in Kathak 
By Shovana Narayan (Shubhi Publications, 2026)

Moderator: K.N. Shrivastava, Director, IIC

Discussants: Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chairperson, Sangeet Natak Akademi ; Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member-Secretary, IGNCA; Dr. Bharat Gupt, Vice Chairman, National School of Drama; Dr. Shovana Narayan, Kathak Dancer & Author of the Book
 

IIC Double Bill :Dance  Recitals

Andhra Natyam

By Madhuri Surendra from Bangalore, disciple of Acharya Kala Krishna  

Accompanists: Rama Jagannath (Vocal);Acharya Kala Krishna( Nattuvangam); Janardhan (Mridangam); TVS Annadorai(Violin).

At 19:00

Mohiniattyam Recital

By Bhadra Rajeev from Thrissur, Kerala, disciple of Sri Kalamandalam C. Gopalakrishnan.

Remembering the Self - A Meditative Journey
(74 minutes; 2025; English)
Producer: Lilla Balint & Daniel Schmidt

A contemplative cinematic journey into awareness, presence, and the deeper nature of the Self. Through meditative reflections and stunning visuals, Remembering the Self invites viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their inner essence.

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

9TH NELSON MANDELA LECTURE

Reconciliation and Art

Speaker: Ashok Vajpeyi, noted poet, writer, critic and cultural activist

Introduction by Programme Director, South African High Commission

Opening remarks: Suhas Borker, Convener, Working Group on Alternative Strategies

Closing remarks: H.E. Prof. Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa

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)

TO MARK MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY 2026

Commemoration of Nelson Mandela’s 108th Birthday
Songs by School Choirs from Delhi NCR
At C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium: 11:15 to 12:15 Mandela Katha Mala

“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom” - Nelson Mandela, from ‘Make Poverty History’ speech in London's Trafalgar Square for the campaign to end poverty in the developing world, 3 February 2005.
Message from the UN Secretary General António Guterres to be read by Mr. Darrin Farrant, Director, United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan

Speakers: H.E. Prof. Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa; and Suhas Borker, Convener, Working Group on Alternative Strategies

Interactive session with students of schools from Delhi NCR
A group of school students in Durban, South Africa shall join online for the interactive session.
Foyer outside the Auditorium: Madiba and His Struggle: An exhibition of paintings by students of Bluebells School International
Organized as part of Taking Gandhi to Children series that brings children closer to the enduring legacy of Gandhi’s non-violent struggle for equity, justice, pluralism and sustainable development

(Collaboration: Gandhi Yuva Baradari; United Nations Information Centre; and Working Group on Alternative Strategies)

DURGABAI DESHMUKH MEMORIAL LECTURE 2026

A New Consciousness for a Fractured Time - Charting a Path of Genuine Transformation
By Prof. Mihir Shah, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Rural Management Program, Shiv Nadar University

India’s development journey continues to grapple with fundamental challenges of water, nutrition, health, education and employment. Using water as a lens, Prof. Mihir Shah argues for a shift away from the “magic bullet” solutions of the twentieth century towards a more inclusive, trans-disciplinary approach rooted in dialogue, diversity, ecological wisdom and collective action.

(Collaboration: Council of Social Development)
 

Solo Piano Recital 

By Vikram Rajan a Vienna-based concert pianist, trained at the University at Buffalo (New York), Mannes College of Music (New York City), and the University of Music and Performing Arts (Vienna). Rajan has performed extensively across renowned venues such as the Vienna Musikverein and Bösendorfer Hall.

(Collaboration: Delhi Music Society)
 

An Evening of Indian Classical Music

By Shreya Chatterjee, distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist, trained under Shri Partha Sarathi Desikan and continuing her advanced training under Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and Shri Brajeswar Mukherjee.

Accompanists: Durjay Bhaumik on Tabla, disciple of Taalyogi and Vinay Mishra on Harmonium, an ‘A’ Grade All India Radio artiste. 

(Collaboration:  ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata)
 

B.G DESHMUKH LECTURE 2026
Governance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Speaker: Prabhat Kumar, Former Cabinet Secretary, First Governor of Jharkhand, President of the IC Centre for Governance, and Chancellor of Usha Martin University, Ranchi.

Chair: Shri Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Former Governor, West Bengal and Life Trustee, IIC