Tue 01 July 6.45 pm
Talking Films: Karan Johar In conversation with Nasreen Munni Kabir

One of the most successful films directors of our time, Karan Johar is a huge personality, not only because of his blockbuster family sagas but also his immensely popular Star TV show, Koffee with Karan. He is passionate about storytelling and cinema and is a great conversationalist. His company, Dharma Productions, was founded by his father, Yash Johar.

Director of Hyphen Films, Nasreen Munni Kabir has made several documentaries for Channel 4 on Hindi Cinema including The Inner/Outer World of Shah Rukh Khan. Author of several books including In Search of Guru Dutt, Nasreen continues to programme Channel 4's annual film seasons. Entry to this event is by invitation only, please contact ajith@nehrucentre.org.uk

Wed 02 July 6.30 pm
Talk : Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and His Vision for a New India
Pradip Bose

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his vision for a New India: What was that vision and how does it relate both to the situation in pre Independent India and free India? The evolution of Bose’s social and political thoughts: A thumbnail sketch of India today and its major challenges and problems. How different is the situation seen against Bose's vision? What went wrong? Did Subhas forecast some of the problems of today and warn against them? Can we draw from Subhas' thinking and approaches to address some of India's current problems?

Writer, journalist and political activist, Pradip Bose is the President of Indian Centre for Democratic Socialism in New Delhi. He has authored Subhas Bose & India Today, Social Democracy in Practice, Socialist International 1951/2001 and Communism & Communist Systems, Some Reflections. He has done extensive research on Subhas Bose (www.nsfoundation.org.uk/www.nsfoundation.org,uk/www.nsfondation.org/under)

Moderator : Suhas Khale, Chair, Netaji Subhas Foundation

Thu 03 July 6.30 pm
Seminar : Krishan Chander (Nov 23, 1914–March 8, 1977)
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Krishan Chander was a prolific short story writer, who penned over 20 novels, 30 collections of short stories and scores of radio plays in Urdu and later, after partition of the country, took to writing in Hindi. His novels have been translated into over 16 Indian languages and some foreign languages, including English. He was proud to be a Kashmiri and his two famous novels, Shakast (Defeat) and Mitti Ke Sanam are related to Kashmir's partition. He was against Hindu-Muslim conflict and a great messenger of religious harmony. His literary masterpieces on the Bengal famine and the savagery and barbarism in 1947 are some of the finest specimens of modern Urdu literature, but at other times too he continued relentlessly to critique the abuse of power, poverty and the suffering of the wretched of the earth; but above all he never stopped protesting casteism, fanaticism, communal violence and terror. He was a humanist and a cosmopolitan.

Kitaab Ghar has published a selection of his short stories titled Krishan Chander Ke Bahtareen Afsanay as an e-book. Speakers : Kailash Budhwar, Dr Hilal Fareed, Huma Price and Lalit Mohan Joshi In collaboration with Ilmi Majlis

Sat 05 July 6.30 pm
Music : Nostalgia on Canvas

Throughout the Indian renaissance period when the great poets of Bengal wrote some of the greatest masterpieces, the themes of love, devotion and patriotism have remained interwoven in the expressions of emotions in their music and poetry. This event is based on songs of three great poets besides Tagore; Dwijendralal Roy, Atulprasad Sen and Rajanikanto Sen.

The emotions will be abstracted on to a canvas live by painter Usha Parmar one of the young vibrant faces on the Indian contemporary art scene. Roshni Banerji, a reputed artist of Rabindrasangeet and Bengali devotional songs, will sing. She teaches performing arts in India.

Trained under some of the great teachers of yesteryears, like Prasad Sen, she is gifted with a refined sense of music and a melodious voice. Roshni has also released a CD, Puja. Her husband, Himadri Banerji, an ex-IITian, has been her constant companion in this journey of music. Trained under Debabrata Biswas, Himadri is also gifted with a very melodious voice. In collaboration with Federation for Performing Arts and Rahul Banerji

Mon 07 July 6.30 pm
Film/Talk : The Weaves of India : Sari - A Cultural Manifestation
Archana Kapoor

The talk/film, Weaves of India: Saris A cultural manifestation, is based on an intensive research in the field of textiles, interacting closely with the weavers all over India. In these six yards of mystery is wrapped 5000 years of rich culture and heritage. Saris are a reflection of cultural diversity. Different patterns and colours have specific meaning and implications. Sari is used as a medium of expression of the cultural trends and influences on Indian craft over the centuries. From the myths, symbols, imagery and inspiration of textiles on the one hand and the absorption, elimination and assimilation abilities of master weavers on the other, the Indian textiles have been glorified all over the world.

A filmmaker and publisher of a Delhi-based monthly Hardnews, Archana has made over 250 documentaries on social and cultural issues and has also authored a coffee table book. The Indian representative of Women without Borders (www.women-without-borders.org), an advocacy, PR and lobbying organization for women around the globe, she has also produced the film, Different Strokes, which was premiered in Vienna on Women’s Day.

Open until 12 July during office hours Interfaith Festival (8-11 July) In collaboration with Tongues on Fire

Tue 08 July 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Paintings and Screenprints : Sri Mukhvaak Paatsaahi 10 - (Uttered by the mouth of the Tenth Master)
Manmeet Kaur

A recent graduate in Fine Art and Multimedia from Sir John Cass Department of Art, London Met, Manmeet uses her faith and experiences as the foundation of her artwork. She feels the medium of silk screen printing has been the most expressive method of representing and tracing her ever-growing relationship with her faith.

My work intertwines text and mark-making and looks at how these forms work together. Working on a large scale has not only enabled me to analyse my work with a depth previously unknown to me, but it has also allowed me to incorporate a combination of different elements all within one piece of work, as well as heighten the experience and the feeling of the work which consequently heightens the meaning and the sense of my work. This combination consists of text, graphics, mark making including found objects, original sketches and other complete images all within one final piece. My relationship between my art and my faith has begun to work strongly alongside one another and have become a source of support and stimulation for each other.

Open until 12 July during office hours

Tue 08 July 6.45 pm
Play : Faith in Me
Written and Directed by Vinay Sharma

God is ill. He/She is alone in a room. His/Her only companion is an animated, interactive, television set, His connection with the earth, reporting news, views, opinions from Earth and the Universe. The conversations between these two entities are filled with a wry wit, making us confront a fallible, confused God. And his image of us. Struggling with the theories and interpretations and expectations and desires and actions of the human races, God does a reality check, turns introspective and questions the concept of faith, the necessity of faith, the outcome of faith.

The cast includes Vinay Sharma and Anubha Fatehpuria. Actor, writer, director, Vinay Sharma joined Padatik in 1981. His plays have toured across the country and been invited to major festivals. He wrote, co-directed and composed songs for plays at Happy Hours - a co-curricular program for children (1987-2003). His fiction/poetry has appeared in The Little Magazine and theatre writings in Seagull Theatre Quarterly. The play, ho sakta hai do aadmi do kursiyaan, written and directed by him is being performed at Watermans (25 June-5 July '08). In collaboration with Padatik & Rikh Production, Kolkata

Wed 09 July 6.30 pm
Film : Dharm

Premiered at the 60th Cannes Film Festival, Dharma was also screened at 38th International Film Festival of India in Goa, and later went to festivals like the Cancun Film Festival, Mexico; Asian Film Festival of First Films, Singapore; and the Palms Spring Festival, California.

Directed by Bhavna Talwar and starring Pankaj Kapoor and Supriya Pathak in lead roles, this debut film is based upon the theme of communal harmony and is set/shot in Varanasi. Pt Chaturvedi, a Hindu priest, fastidiously practices his religion. One day, a child comes into his life. He adopts him and names him Kartikey. His life is filled with joy, till the day Pt Chaturvedi is forced to turn Kartikey away. The 4-year old child challenges the very core of the priest’s belief. What should he do? Keep the child besides the religious incompatibility or save his social status and religious belief?

Thu 10 July 6.30 pm
Film : Khuda Ke Liye (In the Name of God)

Directed by Shoaib Mansoor, the film won many awards, including the Award for Best Picture at 31st Cairo International Film Festival, and became the highest grossing film of Pakistan of all time. Iman Ali makes her cinematic debut with this film, playing an Anglo Pakistani. Shaan's wife is played by Austin Sayre. Ahmed Jahanzeb and Shuja Haider have produced the film's soundtrack. The film also stars Naseeruddin Shah. (2.47 hours).

Fri 11 July 6.30 pm
Discussion : Interfaith Path to the Brotherhood of Man

To help make the planet a place celebrated for mutual understanding and respect between religions, this discussion will aim at providing a platform to learn about each other's beliefs, practices and traditions to create greater friendship, harmony and understanding, working to eliminate prejudice and fear by promoting knowledge and appreciation of each other.

Discussants : The Lord Hameed of Hampstead CBE DL, Chairman of Alpha Hospital and Chairman and CEO of London International Hospital, also chairs the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council. Governor or the International Students Hall and the President of the Little Foundation, he was awarded the Sternberg Award for his contribution to Interfaith. He has been awarded National honour from five countries including the UK with the CBE.

Sir David John Normington KCB is the Permanent Secretary at the Home Office of the United Kingdom. Former Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education & Skills since 2001, he was Director General for Schools. He is interested in interfaith matters and is important in UK’s context and international interfaith relations between communities as he sits at the pinnacle of the policy making decisions of the United Kingdom. Entry to this event is strictly by invitation only, please contact ajith@nehrucentre.org.uk

Sat 12 July 4.30 pm
Book Launch : Antarman : Indira Anand and Launch of CDs : Gyan Amrit and Ruh-e-Ghazal
Prof Subhash Anand (in Hindustani)

Interested in Poetry since her school days, Indira Anand has participated in many poetry events over the years. The theme of her recent collection, Antarman, is spiritual and philosophic, based on personal experiences. A qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, she is currently practising Ayurvedic medicine and pranic healing, teaching Yoga and meditation and running a registered charity. She is the Chairman of the charity, Sahara means Support. An international authority on smart materials, Prof Subhash Anand MBE is the current Chairman Elect of the Textile Institute. He has learnt semi-classical music from various ustads in the UK and in India. He has participated in several TV and radio programmes in the UK. Known for his private concerts and charity programmes, he has a special talent for composing tunes. Both Ruh-e-Ghazal and Gyanamrit have been created under the music direction of Satish Babbar. Participants : Sohan Rahi, Usha Raje Saxena, Pushpa Bhargava, Rajinder Chopra, Payal and Paras Anand. Chief Guest : Chaman Lal Chaman, Radio/TV presenter and poet; Chairman : Rakesh B Dubey, Hindi & Cultural Officer , High Commission of India, London Moderator : Tejinder Sharma, General Secretary, Katha UK

Mon 14 July 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Photographs : Rhythm and Light in Indian Dance

A postgraduate from the Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, Vinita Agarwal has been selected as one of the top ten graduate artists in the UK. Showcased in Creative Review Magazine, she was also selected from over three hundred artists for the Enter07 exhibition; Waterman's annual showcase of the finest work by South Asian New Media graduates in 2007.

Agarwal's time sequence photographs break down dance pieces into 20-second exposures in which the intricate relationship between taal and laya is laid bare. With the shutter open, she sets off the flash in an instinctive response to the music and beat, capturing the movement of the dancer in one still shot. When placing the sequence of images together, the viewer is able to see a piece of Indian dance far more intimately than with traditional still photography, and is made aware that in no other major art form does time play such an important role, as in Indian dance and music.

Mon 14 July 6.45 pm
Dance : Kathak : Life of Art : Indrani Datta

A Kathak dancer of masterclass level from the Lucknow Gharana, Indrani Datta has trained under Sushmita Ghosh and Saswati Sen. She also had expressional training under Pt Birju Maharaj. She has choreographed major pieces for the British Museum, V&A Museum and for Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee. She wrote/performed her solo show, Shades of Love-in her Eyes and her group show, Dreamcatcher, at The Nehru Centre in 2007. Her latest solo Kathak show is Life of Art.

Indrani was inspired by being the subject of The Kathak Series Photographs by Vinita Agarwal. The piece focuses on the validity of art. What matters most : art or its viewer? Can one exist without the other? The original script and new choreography by the dancer includes vocals and music from Rajasthan.

Tue 15 July 6.45 pm
Dance : Kuchipudi and Yakshagana : Kamadhana
Devika Rao

The classical dance form from Andrapradesh, Kuchipudi is known for its graceful movements, and its strong narrative/dramatic character. Yakshagana is the operatic folk theatre of the coastal belt of Karnataka. This traditional theatre combines dance, music, spoken word, costume-makeup, and stage technique with a distinct style and form. Choreographed by Girish Navada, Kamadahana, is an Indian mythological story of the sacrifice of Kama to save the world.

A freelance artist based in Leeds, Devika Rao has specialized in three art forms of India, Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi and Yakshagana (operatic folk theatre of Karnataka state of India). She has trained under gurus, Prof CV Chandrashekar, Chandrashekar Navada and Vyjayanthi Kashi

Tue 15 July 6.45 pm
Exhibition of Embroidered Garments from Lucknow
SEWA

Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA Lucknow) is a registered society working for the economic and social empowerment of its women artisan members. Amongst its myriad activities was the revival of the ancient art of Chikankari (hand embroidery). This has been achieved spectacularly as is known, seen and experienced. Today, 7000 artisans and over 30,000 persons especially women and children are direct beneficiaries of its interventions. SEWA-Lucknow has played a vital role in bringing about right's based development changes in the community by enabling action consonant with the Millennium Development Goals; reducing poverty, promoting education amongst children and legal literacy and shelter improvement etc. Open until 19 July during office hours

Wed 16 July 1.00 pm
A Showcase of the Indian Theatre companies in UK

Theatrescience has been operating in the UK since 2002 using theatre and drama to explore how biomedical science does/does not explain who we are and what we might become. In 2006, it began working in India, with theatre companies, scientists and writers in Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore with the intention to help explore Indian perspectives on the relationship between science, art and politics and how we live as human beings.

In 2007, a festival of work developed in India was held in Bangalore, covering works on women with HIV, Gangetic pollution, access to medical care, autism and conservation. Some of this is presented in London (Soho Theatre on 14-15 July, two plays at the Lilian Baylis Theatre on 17-18 July). Short extracts from current shows will be presented as well as examples of scripts-in-progress. This event is free but places must be reserved at : mail@theatrescience.com

Wed 16 July 6.30 pm
Dance : Kathak : Sharmistha Mukherjee

Trained under three of the most prominent gurus - Late Pt Durgalal, Uma Sharma and Rajendra Gangani, Sharmistha has developed a unique style; natural, spontaneous and full of joyous abandon. On the occasion of Indian President Dr Kalam’s visit to Iceland, her tour created history as it was for the first time any Indian classical dance performance took place in Iceland. Her extensive travels and interaction with artists from different art forms at an international level has helped her develop an integrated approach to art and aesthetics, which is the philosophy behind her art.

Sharmistha has created several compositions, experimenting with space and movements, on contemporary themes, using different kinds of music, thus constantly trying to outreach the traditional boundaries of Kathak. Her choreography on the western classical music of Johann Sebastian Bach received standing ovation from the audience in Europe. Her creativity took a new direction when she conceptualised and directed a six-episode Tele Serial, Taal Mel, on dance. She is now involved in making documentaries on social and cultural issues through her production house, Ra Productions.

Thu 17 July 6.30 pm
Dance : Odissi : Sarmistha Guha

Sarmistha's overseas debut dance recital at the Brighton Festival in 2007 culminated into a fresh wave of admiration from the audiences. Initially trained under the renowned exponent, Thankamani Kutty, she later trained at the Kolkata Nrityalay Institution and in creative dance under Prabir Ghoshal. Her repertoire is therefore very wide-ranging and versatile.

Familiar with both the Indian classical and modern creative dance including Tagore and Bengali folk, she can dance with equal brilliance in each discipline. An experimental choreographer, hers is a fusion of the traditional, Bengali folk and modern creative dance that creates a whole new vocabulary for contemporary dance. Sarmistha’s awards include the Best Kathak Dancer Award from the Bangiya Sangeet Parishad. She also had training in vocal music for over 15 years under Ustad Sabir Khan and Guru Anol Chatterjee.

In collaboration with Academy of Performing Arts, Luton

Fri 18 July 6.30 pm
Dance : Bharatnatyam : Manjari Chandrasekhar

As the daughter of dance artists, Bharatanatyam has always been an integral part of Manjari's life. After having trained under the watchful eyes of her parents Prof C V Chandrasekhar and Jaya Chandrasekhar and watching them work on various aspects of the dance form, she blossomed and matured into a performer with clarity in nritta, a deep sensitivity in abhinaya and a personal sense of aesthetics. Manjari has performed widely in India and abroad.

Manjari Chandrasekhar is a talented and accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer from Chennai, on a brief visit to teach at the Dance India International Dance School at Salford Quays by Milapfest.

Sat 19 July 6.00 pm
Dance : Manipuri and Bharatnatyam
Swarup Menon and Purbita Mallick

A disciple of Guru, dancer and choreographer, Prakash Yadagudde of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London, Swarup Menon started stage performances from the age of five. He has performed at prestigious venues in the UK, Germany, Switzerland and India. His awards include Asianet Europe TV talent contest and Keli International Kala Mela competition, Switzerland.

Daughter of the famous Rabindrasangeet exponent, Pramita Malilck, Purbita Mallick has been training at Manipuri Nartanalaya from 1982 under Guru Kalavati Devi, Darshana Jhaveri and the legendary maestro Guru Bipin Singh. She has performed at reputed venues including Haridas Sammelan at Vrindavan, the Konark Festival, Uday Shankar Dance Festival etc. She has been awarded the title of Nartanalankar and Nartan Visharad Diploma by the Manipuri Nartanalaya. She is also an actress and choreographer and can perform several styles of dancing.

In collaboration with the Federation for Indian Performing Arts (www.fipa.org.uk )

Mon 21 July 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Original Oleographs : Raja Ravi Varma : Prince Among Painters

One of the most renowned painters in India, Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) had to teach himself the techniques of oil painting. By the early 1870 he was mixing oils perfectly, and his portraits show a remarkable ability to depict a variety of skin tones and fabrics. At the age of 14, he secured the patronage of the Maharaja of Travancore. He was an artist who transformed even the simplest vignettes from day to day life into masterpieces. The subjects for which he is best known - Hindu Gods & Goddesses and scenes from the Puranas - were natural themes for a profoundly religious man who was also a master of portraiture. The first to master perspective, he was also the first to use human models to depict Gods. So popular were these paintings that, ever since, Hindus have visualized their Gods very much the way Ravi Varma depicted them.

About 50 original Oleographs of the celebrated artist, Raja Ravi Varma, will be on display. These Oleographs were printed in the Artists' press in Malavli, Lonavla (Pune) in 1898. These Oleographs are adorned with semi-precious stones, pearls & glass. The Publisher of Raja Ravi Varma - The Painter Prince Classic Volume, Parsram Mangharam of Bangalore, will be displaying these Oleographs from his collection.

Available will be books, portfolios, posters, art prints, greeting cards, postcards and prints on canvas of this great artist for those who wish to explore him and the stunning reproductions of originals in an in-depth manner. Open until 1 August during office hours

Mon 21 July 6.15 pm
Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture : Whatever Happened to the Parallel Cinema?
Girish Karnad

The nineteen fifties saw the emergence of the 'Parallel Cinema' in India, in the works of Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, Satyajit Ray and the many others that followed in their wake in Hindi and in regional film industries. The tradition was immensely productive during the next four decades, with help from the Film Finance Corporation and State Governments, and gave us film makers like Shyam Benegal, Basu Chatterjee and Adoor Gopalakrishnan. What were the conditions that made this school of film-making possible and what has happened to it today? Girish Karnad does not claim to be a film scholar but will ruminate over the phenomenon as an 'insider'.

Former Director of the Nehru Centre (2000-03), Girish Karnad was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, a playwright, actor and film-maker. He has been the Director of the Film and TV Institute of India, Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (the National Academy of the Performing Arts) and a Fulbright Scholar and Playwright in Residence at the University of Chicago. He has been conferred the Padma Bhushan and awarded the Bharatiya Jnanpith, India’s highest literary award.

Chair : Clyde Jeavons, film historian, archivist and programmer, currently archive adviser on film restorations at the London Film Festival, is consultant to the International Federation of Film Archives. An Executive Member of the Satyajit Ray Foundation and Chair of the annual Ray Award Jury, he was formerly Curator of the British Film Institute’s National Film and Television Archive.

In collaboration with Satyajit Ray Foundation (www.satyajitray.org.uk)

Wed 23 July 6.30 pm
Music : Rabindrasangeet : Moncho Sangeetanjali
Annie Basu, Modhusree Dey Ghatak and Suparna Chakraborty

Graduates of the Nupur School of Rabindrasangeet and trained under Pompa Dhar, Annie, Suparna and Modhusree attained a distinction in the diploma examinations held in London. Modhusree also received some earlier training at Dakshini, Kolkata, and from Arati Bhattacharya of London. Suparna received early training from Gauri Basu in Kolkata. All three gratefully acknowledge Pompa Dhar as the main source of their inspiration.

Annie, Suparna and Modhusree are continuing to train with Mrs Dhar. Annie is also undergoing training with the acclaimed classical vocalist Krishna Chakraborty. At recent events conducted by Nupur, including the February 2008 programmes held in Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata and Sangeet Bhavan, Shantiniketan, Annie, Suparna and Modhusree have all presented solos, which have been received very favorably by the audiences. Modhusree has also successfully presented Rabindrasangeet via Akash Bangla channel in Kolkata.

Accompanists : Madhukar Kothare (tabla), Jayanta Ray (narrator)

In collaboration with Nupur School of Rabindrasangeet (UK)

Thu 24 July 6.30 pm
Samvaad : Migrant but Not Yet Migrated (in Hindi)
Dr Nikhil Kaushik

A consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital in North Wales, Dr Nikhil Kaushik is a poet, a writer and a film maker. He has been associated with AIR and TV while in India. He has recently written- produced and directed the much acclaimed film, Bhavishya - The Future.

Noted author an d General Secretary of Katha UK, Tejendra Sharma, will talk to Dr Kaushik about his literary and cinematic journey.

In collaboration with the UK Hindi Samiti and Vatayan : Poetry on South Bank

Mon 28 July 6.30 pm
Debate : Is Traditional Indian Music Dying?
Pandits Rajan and Sajan Misra with Dr Nicolas Magriel

Padma Bhushan Pandits Rajan and Sajan Mishra are considered the foremost exponents of the Banaras gharana, having learnt in the traditional guru-shishya tradition from their father Pandit Hanuman Prasad Mishra and their uncle, Pandit Gopal Prasad Mishra, one of India's most well known Sarangi players.

Involved with Hindustani vocal music and the bowed sarangi since 1970, Dr Nicolas Magriel has spent over ten years in India studying music and doing research. His teachers include Pt Hanuman Prasad Mishra and Pt Gopal Mishra as well as Ustad Faiyazuddin Dagar and Pt Dilip Chandra Vedi. He has performed widely both as a soloist and as an accompanist, has taught Indian music on a variety of instruments for many years, and has provided sarangi for films, theatre and fusion projects. His PhD thesis on sarangi style is soon to be published by Indica Books.

Chair : Viram Jasani, CEO, Asian Music Circuit In collaboration with the Asian Music Circuit (www.amc.org.uk)

Wed 30 July 6.30 pm
Incredible India Lecture Series : Art and Grandeur of the Chola Dynasty
Michael Wood

In a landmark lecture series, the highly acclaimed author, TV presenter, historian and India expert Michael Wood embarks on a dazzling and exciting expedition through today's India, looking to the present for clues to her past, and to the past for clues to her future. The journey takes the viewer through majestic landscapes and reveals some of the greatest monuments and artistic treasures on earth. From Buddhism to Bollywood, from mathematics to outsourcing, Michael Wood discovers India's impact on history.

The first lecture of the series offers us an insight into Michael's journey of more than a thousand miles, through the temples and holy shrines of Southern India and explores the art of the Chola dynasty.

In collaboration with TransIndus, (For further information, please e-mail : enquiries@transindus.com or phone : 020 8566 2729)

Thu 31 July 6.30 pm
Lecture Series on Philosophical System of India : VII : Sikhism
His Honour Judge Mota Singh QC (Rtd) OBE

According to the Encyclopedia of Britannica Book of the Year 1996, Sikhism is the youngest of world religions. The fifth largest religion after Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, it is revealed religion and not the offshoot of one faith or a syncretic blend of different and often conflicting faiths. It does not seek to convert others. There are very firm doctrinal bases for co-operation with all religions and cultures. It seeks to knit the entire mankind into one universal brotherhood. The brief history of Sikhism is a story of an inexorable battle in the cause of righteousness.

Recipient of a number of lifetime achievement awards, HH Judge Mota Singh QC (Retd) was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in 1956 and practised in Kenya as an Advocate of the Supreme Court. Elected as an Alderman of the City of Nairobi at the age of 31, he was also a Member of the Kenya Parliament. He returned to England in 1965 and, after a period as Assistant Legal Advisor to a group of British companies, he went into Chambers to practise at the Bar. Within just 11 years, he was appointed a Deputy Judge, Queen’s Counsel, a Recorder of the Crown Courts and then a Circuit Judge, the first from a minority ethnic group.

In collaboration with Chetana Education Trust

Thu 07 August 6.30 pm
Kavi Sammelan : Bharat Desh Mahaan (in Punjabi)

Mushtaq Singh, who writes both in Urdu and Punjabi, is a classmate of Javed Akhtar, has written half a dozen books in Urdu and Punjabi including three collections in Punjabi. Sathi Ludhianvi, a well-known writer/broadcaster and a highly reputed Punjabi journalist, had a rare distinction of writing for great monthly Preet Lari on a regular basis. He hosts a daily discussion programme on Kismet Radio and writes regularly for various Punjabi papers including Des Pardes.

Charanjit Kaur Arora, endowed with melodious voice, performs regularly in Punjab Kavi Darbars. Sohan Rahi, one of the most prolific poets of Urdu/Hindi, has a dozen books of poetry to his credit. Winner of various literary awards including TV Ghazal Competition, he currently is compiling his maiden anthology of Punjabi poems Kiklee.

Moderator : Chaman Lal Chaman, broadcaster and lyric writer, has published two collections of poems, Guthli and Sabrang in addition to over 30 recorded works sung by renowned vocalists like Jagjit Singh (Saun Da Mahina, Bharat Desh Mahan, Saare Jahan Se Achcha), the title song of the film, Bride and Prejudice and lyrics for numerous Bhangra groups. Honoured with the Sahir Adeeb Award and UK Music Industry Award, having worked with Voice of Kenya, BBC, Sunrise Radio, he is credited to start the first Asian Commercial programme (Geetmala) on LBC.

Fri 08 August 6.30 pm
Dance : Odissi : Janmabhoomi : India 60 and Onwards
Swapnokalpa Roychowdhury Dasgupta

A programme dedicated to celebrate the 60 Years of India’s Independence. Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra considered Swapnokalpa as one of his talented disciples, with a sense of neat artistry and discipline. Now training with Guru Poushali Mukerji, Swapnokalpa has performed at prestigious venues all over India and abroad.

The Ministry of Culture, Govt of India awarded her the National Scholarship for Odissi in 2001. She has won several coveted awards. She has been teaching Odissi for the past eight years in her own dance school, Swapnokalpa, in Kolkata. She has her own dance troupe. She also has a number of interesting productions to her credit.

Mon 11 August 6.15 pm
Exhibition : Auroville, an Adventure in Human Unity

Auroville is a planned universal township for up to 50,000 people, under development in South East India, located close to the Coromandel Coast some 10 kilometres north of Pondicherry. The township was inaugurated on 28th February 1968, and today has almost 2000 residents.

Auroville is unique: it is the world's first and only internationally recognised community established for research in human unity, practically researching into humanity’s future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs. Its global importance is emphasised by the fact that it has been endorsed by UNESCO, and enjoys the full support and encouragement of the Government of India, its host nation.

The exhibition will seek to illustrate the work of Auroville and the life of its residents. In his lecture, which will open the exhibition, Sraddhalu Ranade will talk about Auroville and its work as an adventure in human unity.

Open until Wednesday 13 August during office hours Presented by Auroville International UK (www.aviuk.org, info@aviuk.org)

Mon 11 August 6:45 pm
Inaugural Talk : Auroville, an Adventure in Human Unity
Sraddhalu Ranade

Sraddhalu Ranade is widely respected for his work as a scientist, educationist and seeker on the spiritual path. A brilliant speaker and leading exponent of the vision of Sri Aurobindo, he has spoken on integral education, management, self-development, Indian culture, science and spirituality and Yoga to audiences in India and around the world. The exhibition will seek to illustrate the work of Auroville and the life of its residents. In his lecture, which will open the exhibition, Sraddhalu Ranade will talk about Auroville and its work as an adventure in human unity. Presented by Auroville International UK (www.aviuk.org, info@aviuk.org)

Tue 12 August 6.30 pm
Music : Vocal Recital
Santanu Bhowmick

Trained under the guidance of Pt Jyanprakash Ghosh, Santanu Bhowmick also learned Nazrulgeeti from Purabi Dutta, modern song from Sudhin Dasgupta and Rabindra Sangeet from Dijen Mukherjee. He received the Sangeet Bhushan and Sangeet Visharad from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh.

A successful music director in TV Serials and various other musical releases, Santanu likes to sing Hindi and Bengali semi classical song, Bengali modern song, bhajan, Nazrulgeeti and so on. His performances are said to be diverse to mesmerize everyone present. He has performed at reputed venues in USA and Canada for the past eight years.

Thu 14 August 6.30 pm
Launch of the CDs : Voices of Freedom
The Spirit of Freedom and Progress Speaks in the Voices of our Leaders

In the set of these two CDs, Dr Karan Singh, President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations., presents a salutation to the leaders who led the way for India’s freedom as also those who shaped the destiny of the nation. He invokes a surge of nostalgia and national pride with an insightful narration, interspersed with original speeches by the leaders and a selection of songs that celebrate our national identity. In collaboration with SAREGAMA

Thu 14 August 7.00 pm
Music : A Programme of Patriotic Songs : Namastey India

Mital and Arpan Patel will render patriotic songs to celebrate the 61st anniversary of India’s Independence Day. A choir of singers will take you down the memory lane with hits like Insaf ki dar pe (Ganga Jamuna), Aao bachcho tumhein dikhayein jhanki Hindustan ki (Jagrati), Mere desh ki dharti sona ugley, ugley heere moti (Upkar), Aei mere pyarey watan (Kabuliwallah), Ye desh hai veer jawano ka (Jagtey raho) and the immortal Lata Mangeshkar song, Aei merey watan ke logon. The soulful singers, Arpan and Mital prove to be excellent mainstay in their stage shows. Accompanist : Kewal Joshi (tabla) In collaboration with Katha UK

Mon 18 August 6.30 pm
Talk : In So Many Words
Women’s Life Experiences from Western and Eastern India
Edited by Aparna Basu, Malavika Karlekar

The personal narrative- be it an autobiography, a letter or a diary - has come to be recognised as an acceptable data source in history and social science. In this book, readings of personal narratives help in painting various images of lives that we can only know at second hand. The mélange includes memoirs, published articles, ‘portraits from memory’, a collection of essays, and an oral interview.

In all, the self was the focus. The writings of Sailabala, Li Gotami, and Shakuntala go beyond a recounting of their lives and deal with spiritual and travel experiences. Whichever form a woman chooses, writing about herself, is emancipatory; she may be a person who has so far received little attention from the family or the world. The volume also has some carefully chosen photographs, gleaned from personal collections, so far a neglected area of use in academic study, providing an important visual context to the many worlds that the women inhabited.

Aparna Basu is currently the President of the All India Women’s Conference and a Visiting Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge. Chair : Prof Tapan Ray Chaudhuri, Professor Emeritus at St Anthony’s College, Oxford In collaboration with Routledge India

Tue 19 August 6.15 pm
Exhibition of Photographs : Benaras – The Holy Footprints
Madhuchhanda Sen

Benaras has always been dubbed as the holiest cities in India with the river Ganges flowing through it, the rumblings of the millions of pilgrims who converge to this city to seek blessings with the holy chanting of hymns echoing in the air. An individual stepping into this city from any part of the world is transported instantly to the age old traditions and religious fervour of our country.

An addict in high altitude trekking, rock climbing, hitch-hiking etc, Madhuchhanda gradually developed a penchant for capturing these memories with her camera, weaving stories. Following her postgraduation in Geography, she started travelling extensively. A montage of people, their culture, flora and fauna, mountains, seas, landscapes lay captured and she returned richer. Several exhibitions of her photographic work have been held in reputed academies and galleries around India. Open until 22 August during office hours

Tue 19 August 6.45 pm
Dance : Kathak : Mritunjaya
Sushmita Ghosh

Through narrative and abstract compositions, Mritunjaya celebrates time and rhythm. A disciple of Guru Munna Shukla, Sushmita Ghosh started to train at the age of eight from Tirath Ram Azad at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. With a scholarship for professional training, she joined Kathak Kendra in New Delhi. She trained in the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak with illustrious Gurus including Reba Vidyarthi also had the opportunity to train under Guru Rohini Bhate. After completing her Post Diploma in 1990, she joined Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan as Resident Guru, where she taught, performed, and created new work in Dance for the next 12 years in London.

Sushmita has performed in prestigious venues in Europe and North America and her dance has been telecast on television including Channel 4 and BBC in England. She also worked in the University of Surrey, teaching graduates and several of her disciples today are professional dancers. In 1998, she led a nationwide project funded by the Arts Council of England which resulted in the creation of the first accredited syllabus for Kathak and Bharatanatyam in the UK. She returned to New Delhi in 2002 to continue her journey in dance. She also works for the Doordarshan as an expert previewing archival material.

Accompanists : Shiv Shankar Ray (percussion)

Wed 20 August 6.30 pm
Incredible India Series : Magic of the Leaves - The Tea Gardens of India
Jane Pettigrew and K K Gurung

After 12 years as a language and communications trainer, Jane Pettigrew opened the well-known tea-shop, Tea-Time, in Clapham, south west London with two friends. She eventually sold the shop to become a freelance editor, writer and consultant to several tea organisations including Tea International, the UK Tea Council, The UK Tea Club, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, and the Indian Tea Board. Author of14 books on tea itself, she also trains staff and gives presentations/ tea masterclasses around the world.

KK Gurung has travelled extensively in the Indian subcontinent, including the tea country in the Himalayan foothills and the Peninsula. Working as a ground handler in India, he has also worked with leading tour operators specialising in holidays to the region including tours of the tea plantations. He has held senior management positions with multinational corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, in Asia and the West. KK received his MSc in Environmental Diagnosis from Imperial College London and his MBA from Henley Management College.

In collaboration with the Tea Board of India and TransIndus (for further information, please e-mail : jane.pettigrew@btinternet.com/teaboardlon@aol.com)

Thu 21 August 6.30 pm
Series of Lectures on Heritage of Vedic Culture : Health Benefits of Yoga Dr Poonam Kakkar

Yoga is far more than the 'asanas' or postures promoted in the West. It is a medical therapy dealing with physical, emotional and spiritual health. Yoga is a science of spiritual development aiming to discover our true nature beyond time and space. This process is aided by a mind and body free from disease.

This talk by Dr Poonam Kakkar, a GP in NHS and a yoga practitioner, attempts to reveal how the yogic postures, breathing exercises, mantras and meditation can deliver health benefits to you. In collaboration with the Inter Faith Network for the UK

Mon 25 August 6.00 pm
Film : Shaheed (Martyr) (U)

An inspired 1965 feature film, Shaheed documents the tale of India’s freedom icon Bhagat Singh. Played by Manoj Kumar, the role of Bhagat Singh proved his career best. It inspired him to make many patriotic films like Upkar, Purab and Paschim and Roti Kapada Aur Makan in the late 1960s and 1970s. The Jalianwala Bagh (Amritsar) massacre of over 300 innocent men, women and children and the fatal lathicharge on Lala Lajpat Rai, the national leader by the British police has turned three young men, Bhagat Singh (Manoj Kumar), Rajguru and Sukhdev into the enemy of the Raj. Directed by S Ram Sharma, the film’s cast includes Manoj Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Nirupa Roy and Prem Chopra. (164 min)

Introduction : Dr Gautam Sachdev, well known author and Vice Chair of SACF, Special Guest : Virendra Sindhu, author and niece of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. In collaboration with the South Asian Cinema Foundation (SACF)

Wed 27 August 6.30 pm
An Evening with the Visiting Indian Poets
Discussion : Pravasi Writings (in Hindustani)

Since 1994 International Hindi Poetry symposiums are being organised in London and other parts of UK by UK Hindi Samiti and its partner organisations to celebrate 'Hindi Divas'. Popular and well known poets from India are sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. An evening with visiting poets will give an opportunity to meet and interact with them.

There will a discussion and question-answer session on the international perspective of Hindi Poetry. In collaboration with the UK Hindi Samiti and Vatayan: Poetry on South Bank. For further information, please e-mail at hindisamiti@hotmail.com

Fri 29 August 6.30 pm
Dance: Bharatanatyam : Bhakti : Devotional Traditions in Dance and Poetry
Monica de la Fuente

Monica de la Fuente presents a journey in dance and theatre through diverse devotional poetic traditions from India, Persia and Spain, using Bharata Natyam and western dance-theatre as techniques to communicate the intangible -yet universal- essence of the poetic language of the mystics. She thus weaves different mystical poetries, in time and space (Nammalvar, Akkamahadevi, Basavanna, Rumi, Tagore, St. John of the Cross, and others) into an intercultural aesthetic experience of Bhakti (devotion).

An experienced dancer-actress from Spain, Monica studied Bharata Natyam at Kalakshetra, Chennai, and under Meena Raman. Trained in Kathakali at Kerala Kalamandalam and Margi in Trivandrum, she was awarded scholarships by ICCR, Spanish Ministry of External Affairs and from the Valladolid City Council to study in South India from 1993-2000.

Since then Monica has specialised in adapting classical Indian mythology and medieval Indian themes to a Western audience in dance and theatre productions performed in Europe and USA. At present she teaches performing arts at Casa de la India in Valladolid, Spain. Accompanists : Baluji Srivastav (sitar and percussion) and singer Gayathri Kesavan (vocal) :