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INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE v o l u m e X X V. No. 1 January–February 2011

told the audience how this was the result of an event The Golden Boat held the previous year at the annual IIC Festival BOOK RELEASE AND PERFORMANCE when twelve poets from various Indian languages IIC Annual Day: The Golden Boat – 50 Indian River came together to read out their original poems with Poems (New Delhi, Yoda Press and IIC 2011) English translations in praise of the River, the theme chosen for the IIC Experience, 2009. Life Trustee Edited by Professor K. Satchidanandan Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, and the Director, Dr. Kavita A. Followed by Synthesis of Strings-Sitar and Cello, Sharma who were present that day, took an active role January 22 in promoting the idea of a book to commemorate that memorable event. Also present was publisher The Annual Day of the IIC is celebrated each year Arpita Das, who recalled the challenge of producing to mark the anniversary of the turning of the first a multi-lingual text to celebrate the linguistic diversity sod of earth by Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya at of India. the site that is now known as the India International This was followed by an unusual concert, ‘A Centre. This year, in addition to the Members’ tea on Symphony of Strings’, a stirring jugalbandi between the Fountain Lawns, the anniversary was celebrated Shubhendra Rao on the sitar and Saskia de Haas on by two memorable events. the cello. Moving in perfect harmony, they played The first was the release of a book of poems, The a medley of ragas and a fusion composition that Golden Boat – 50 Indian River Poems edited by Professor brought the evening to a perfect end. The Members’ K. Satchidanandan, and published jointly by the special dinner, another annual event, was a special Yoda Press and the IIC. Speaking on the occasion, feast prepared by Chef Vijay Thukral for the guests the President of the IIC, Professor M.G.K. Menon, as a rich buffet of Indian and Western dishes.

At the launch of The Golden Boat lectures

bifurcated between the state and the centre. Besides, skewed police-population ratio, politicization of Imperatives of Security problems, paucity of resources, mismanagement and DR. C. D. DESHMUKH MEMORIAL LECTURE corruption, lack of good governance and decline in 2011: National Security Concerns sensitivity of response that caused dissatisfaction Speaker: N.N. Vohra added to the dimensions of the problem. Chair: Professor M.G.K. Menon, January 14 He urged reconsideration of policy, review of the Lists in the Constitution, and restructuring the None could be more competent and distinguished security apparatus in view of new realities so as to than Shri Vohra, former Home Secretary and now do away with ambiguities on the role of states and Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, to speak on Centre that made the latter hesitate in exercising its internal security. He delineated a wide range of powers in case the response of the states was not threats to security presented by left extremism, cross- adequate. The Centre and the states must act in border terrorism, religious fundamentalism, ethnic tandem, besides strengthening state police in tune violence, insurgency in the north-east, etc., and with the decision of the Supreme Court, filling up of stressed that these did not relate to the domain of vacancies, and rescinding outdated laws. He proposed state governments only as law and order issues. Most central legislation to deal with terrorism, cyber crimes, of these were aspects of proxy war, and had their and corruption, as well as creating professional and origins in foreign intervention. It was thus difficult permanent cadres of experts for internal and external to draw a line of demarcation between internal intelligence and investigation. and external security, responsibility of which was  P.S. BAWA

the arts, planner, economist, and national security advisor. A Versatile Life Dr. Kalam presented a warm tribute to RV, as he TALK: RV – The Multifaceted Man was popularly known, as a man who conveyed the Speakers: Dr. A.P.J. Kalam; and message by precept of ‘working with integrity and Smt. Sheila Dikshit, February 22 succeeding with integrity’. He considered RV his mentor. He not only acknowledged his debt for encouragement of the space and missile programme, but also recalled his association in the Ministry It is rare to come across a personality as versatile as of Defence when highly technical laboratories Shri R. Venkataraman, the eighth President of India were set up for research. RV was thus both a who rose from the grassroots to assume the apex visionary and an implementer. He nurtured talent, office in the country. A lawyer and freedom fighter believed in inclusive growth. Public service was who participated in the Quit India movement, trade his passion. union leader, and parliamentarian, he participated in the governance of the country in various capacities. Inspired by RV, Dr. Kalam recounted certain As a minister in Tamil Nadu, he ushered in the thoughts he had been sharing with academics and industrialization of the state. He was Chairman of students on issues of global peace, prosperity, the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Finance, and Defence; challenges of globalization, World Vision 2030, and Vice President of India, a representative of India in his famous scheme of PURA (Provision of Urban the United Nations. He was also a lover of nature, Amenities in Rural Areas). 2 ecologist, humanist, social reformer, patron of  P.S. BAWA diary poetry

The jugalbandī between vocalist Radhika Chopra Celebrating Faiz and Kathak danseuse Rani Khanam followed and PERFORMANCE: Faiz Ahmed Faiz Centenary won the hearts of the audience. They began with the romantic Rāz-e-ulfat chhupā ke dekh liyā… in Celebrations – Poetry Music and Dance which the abhinayā performed by Rani Khanam was Introduction: Pran Nevile attractive insofar as it stayed close to the poetry, and Inauguration: Dr. Karan Singh did justice to the nuances expressed in the words. Collaboration: K.L. Saigal Memorial Circle, The solo renditions of Donon jahān terī mohabbat February 21 mein hār ke… and Āp kī yād ātī rahi rāt bhar… by Radhika were set to music, and showed a strong Urdu and music aficionado, Pran Nevile is to be understanding of the poetic metre and the kind congratulated for this programme of poetry, music of ornamentation the words required. In between and dance that was a memorable centenary homage these, Rani Khanam performed a few standard to Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The programme began with elements out of the Lucknow gharānā repertoire, archival recordings of Faiz reciting his poetry such as an intricate bedam tihāī, a meaningful bhāv in an Indo-Pakistan mushairā in the early 1950s; paran and a gat nikās, which had a strong association rendition of his evergreen Rāt yun terī khoyī huī yād with poetic interpretations of hayā, adā, qazā and āyī… by his son-in-law, playwright and academician duā. Musicians Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Shoaib Shoaib Hashmi, and perhaps his most popular Hum Hasan, Fateh Ali and Insan Ali lent balanced dekhenge… by Iqbal Bano. These brought cheers from accompaniment to making the programme a an enthusiastic audience which had come to refresh grand success. its memory of the progressive, Leftist poet.  IRFAN ZUBERI

as they are irresistible. Main Kaun Hoon…In Search of Identity through Ghazal, Nazm and Geets brought An Evening of Poetry together several important voices from India and TALK: Main Kaun Hoon...In Search of Identity Pakistan and gave varied expression to the feminine through ‘Ghazal, Nazm and Geets’, February 4 experience. Poets from a variety of poetic traditions and styles were included, namely Amrita Pritam, In Urdu poetry, there has always been a tradition of Mahadevi Verma, Kishwar Naheed, Zehra Nigah, ecriture feminine or ‘writing the feminine’. In earlier times, Parveen Shakir, Naseem Nikhat, Noorjahan Sarwat there was the poetic genre of rekhti where male poets and Indira Varma. spoke in a feminine, but simulated, voice. This was Shobhana Rao, Shaila Hattangadi and Nirmala followed by ‘courtesan poets’ or women who were often Jaishankar sang the verses of these women poets while fairly accomplished as poets but were, nevertheless, Salima Raza—as the sutradhar of the evening—recited beyond the pale of society. Gradually, women from them in her inimitable style. Some recitations were also sharif families too began to compose poetry. Their accompanied by a choreographed dance performance, output, though slender and scattered, was not meant unfortunately out of sync with the mood and tone for public consumption or publication. Women were of the poetry that evening. However, the evening encouraged to read but not write, resulting in a huge displayed a diversity of women’s voices that have disparity between women’s readership and authorship. interpreted real women’s hearts and bodies and minds. The notion of women poets addressing mainstream Salima Raza’s selection highlighted the decreasing concerns as well as overtly feminine ones is, therefore, distinction between female authorship and readership still a novel one in the literatures of Upper India. as was evident from a fair number of the male audience The IIC is to be congratulated for putting together nodding in appreciation, if not delight. a collection of women’s voices that are as eclectic  RAKHSHANDA JALIL 3 art diary

with the vibrant village setting of Gothava, the colourful world that Bhavsar was born into, Memory and Diaspora following him into the bustling streets of New York FILM: The Poetics of Colour – Natvar Bhavsar City in the 1960s where he married and chose to Director: Sundaram Tagore build his life. Guests of Honour: Sharmila Tagore and Bhavsar moved to Soho when it was burgeoning with Jawhar Sircar, February 1 creativity and found commercial and critical success with his colour explorations and his unique language This well-balanced and researched documentary, of visual art. One of his works last year was a part of titled The Poetics of Colour, premiered at the Centre. the Guggenheim’s ‘The Third Mind ’ show, curated The 60-minute film was an insight into the life of by Alexandra Munroe. The film also provides a the pioneering Indian master, Natvar Bhavsar, who historical context to the artist’s cultural contribution, led the way for a generation of South Asian diaspora through interviews with eminent art critics like Irving artists. The film uses breathtaking studio frames Sandler and Robert Morgan. Written and directed by to document the artist’s Tibetan mandala painting Sundaram Tagore, a New York based art historian technique of blowing pigments on the surface of his and gallerist, with a flowing original music score by enormous canvases, or sieving dry powder clouds, Samrat Chakrabarti, the film was a great tribute to an layer upon layer to build a monumental, resonating unusual artist. colour field. These sequences are interspersed  SABA HASAN

acknowledge the power in Meditative Spaces Yuriko’s brush—the gaps, the upturns, the movement EXHIBITION: The World of Sumi by Yuriko outwards as the ego moves Ando Lochan towards samriddhi. She Inauguration: Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan and spent hours on her knees, Hajime Hayashi, February 3–9 handling the delicate rice paper with great care. No In sumi-e, the delicate art form introduced by a Zen priest easel or stand could be over 2000 years ago, it is the idea ‘which is represented by used nor was there any the form’. It is this notion that Yuriko Lochan adapted space for pentimento. and expressed in her exhibition of 44 frames. She While most of the works likened her present work to that of an Indian classical displayed were rooted in music performance ‘where the composition is bound calligraphy, there were by tradition but in its execution, it is pure play’. Thus, in a few that represented the 14 large frames, she used kanji (Chinese characters) nature—the mountains, to express concepts gleaned from the Buddhist the sky, embryos. Here Pragnaparamita texts and the Gita such as alokiteshwara, Yuriko combined the Nyoi-Samriddhi achintya and samriddhi. delicacy of calligraphy with Using the kanji Nyoi, Yuriko expressed the idea of bolder lines and the gentle swish of a dry brush. A treat samriddhi or success, prosperity, achievement through indeed, particularly for those willing to unshackle their powerful calligraphic strokes. It may take the viewer minds from the quotidian and let the imagination float a while to understand how the interweaving lines free in a stark yet poignant world of vibrant black and and strokes can represent an abstruse concept—but white imagery. 4 if one allows reverie to take over, it is not difficult to  MALAVIKA KARLEKAR diary music

particularly to the music of Ustad Rehmat Khan, was noteworthy. The latter ustad had trained Mansur’s Soaring Notes subsequent guru Ustad Manji Khan, creating a lasting TALK: Remembering Mallikarjun Mansur heritage for Mansur. Illustrated Presentation: S. Kalidas, January 20 The speaker rightly emphasized the providential meeting between Mansur and his guru by elaborating The Mansur gayaki, as the music of the centenarian the details of their meeting at a common friend’s is commonly called, was brilliantly handled by S. shop—one Vishnupant Phagnis, a jeweller and Kalidas, noted music critic and erstwhile disciple musical aficionado—where Ustad Manji Khan of the master. Using digitized renditions of earlier had been persuaded to listen to a disc of Mansur’s recordings of Mansur’s music, Kalidas explored the Gaud Malhar. Acceptance into the Jaipur Atrauli content of the music through a mapping of the times; fold, Kalidas pointed out, gave Mansur’s music the exclusive ways in which his guru had explored the its character and individuality. Using clippings of format of ragas and his musical initiative in adopting telecast concert recordings to elaborate and explain the tala cycle for singing a bandish. At the same time, Mansur’s musical oeuvre, Kalidas demonstrated those he gave listeners an insight into the early struggles unique leaps of imagination, complex taan patterns, faced by the maestro. and the combination of ragas that were Mansur’s signature style. Mansur was the last link of the Kirana gharana in the heydays of its music. Kalidas elaborated on the Kalidas’s concise presentation of factual details and opening up of different streams of Hindustani music musical highlights along with a very human tribute towards Bombay and the south to show how Mansur in the guru-shishya style, gave this programme the benefited by this. The early years of the musician’s character of an authentic majlis. life at Miraj and his exposure to the Gwalior school,  SUBHRA MAZUMDAR

The concert began with Beethoven’s Variations in C from the 1797 Mozart opera Don Giovanni for the wind Wood-wind and Piano trio which demonstrated commendable coordination CONCERT: Schulhoff Trio with Sergey Smirnov and finesse. Two Schumann pieces followed, the Collaboration: Delhi Music Society, January 4 first Romanzen for Oboe and Piano op. 94 and the next Fantasiestuecke for clarinet and piano op. 73. Both had Wood-wind instruments and piano (strings) make for three movements each, and showed the advantages an unusual combination in classical music. The wood- of playing together for long. Francis Poulenc’s wind section of this concert comprised Christopher Trio, op. 43 for oboe, bassoon and piano also had Bouwman (oboe), Wouter van Diepen (clarinet), and three movements. Bram van Sambeek (bassoon), all alumni of the Royal After the interval came the modern Dutch-Iranian Conservatoire, The Hague. composer Reza Namavar’s New Work for wind The trio combined a lively presentation style with trio, which lacked depth; the popular Roentgen’s engaging and adventurous programming that was Sonata No. 1 for Oboe and Piano, and French a piquant mix of the old and new. Beethoven and composer Schmitt’s A tous d’Anches op. 97 for wind Schumann rubbed shoulders with the likes of the trio and piano whose four movements focused on a comparatively-unknown Julius Roentgen (1855-1932) Victor Hugo character. and Florent Schmitt (1870-1958).  G. GEORGE 5 films diary

Peter Wintonic. Later, there were retrospectives of the work of three iconic directors—Kim Longinotto, Films and Cultural Practice Arun Khopkar and Rahul Roy, while Charlie Phillips, FILM FESTIVAL: Persistence Resistance 2011– Peter Wintonic and Jamie King conducted a workshop Edge of Visual Narrative on crowd funding. The last day had a seminar on Collaboration: Magic Lantern Foundation, ‘Gender and Governance’ (supported by UN Women). February 8–10 Altogether, this festival premiered four impressive films: (Paromita Vohra’s Partners in Crime, Sudhir Agarwal This documentary film festival, which was and Gregory French’s This is Cricket, No?; inaugurated at the Max Mueller Bhavan Spandan Banerjee’s You Don’t Belong and with a seminar on ‘Film Festivals as Public Priyanka Chhabra’s Oranges and Mangoes). Culture: Role of the State, the Market and In addition, films were screened in various Cultural Organisations’, also premiered video parlours and libraries, allowing two films. audiences to experience multiple ways The festival then shifted to the IIC, of seeing and viewing cinema. The Café which—for the last three years—has Conversation, set up in the IIC, also been home to filmmakers whose work allowed the various participants and has a strong ideological or social message. audiences to interact and exchange notes At this inaugural ceremony, the Chief and ideas. Over all, the atmosphere was Guest, Sharmila Tagore released Shohini one of celebration—of the documentaries Ghosh’s book, Fire. This was followed and the culture of documentaries. by two keynote addresses delivered by  MAGIC LANTERN lawyer-activist, Colin Gonsalves, and FOUNDATION

some other factor. But it resulted in an inhibited Mezzo-soprano and Piano manner of singing of which there was no trace in the English songs. Recital The songs selected for the recital were short, giving CONCERT: Bridging the World with Music little time for the duo to settle in. Also Viola’s voice Collaboration: Delhi Music Society, did not have much power in the upper registers, January 29 downplaying the overall appeal of the recital. Liszt’s Die Lorelei (story of the famous rock in the Rhine) Viola da Cunha, an Indian mezzo-soprano trained at and three songs by Faure, Le Papillon et la fleur (butterfly- the Trinity College of Music, London gave a recital flower dialogue); Adieu (farewell, without tears), and of mainly German and French arias and songs, Notre amour (sacred love) opened the post-interval half accompanied by American-turned-Indian Justin of the recital. Granados’ three songs from La Maja McCarthy, a leading pianist of Delhi as well as a well- Doloros ,O cruel death , Love of my life, and Happy memories known exponent of Bharatanatyam. came next. Viola gave a competent performance with good Viola then rendered Willson’s Till there was you (The control over her voice and a meticulous attention Music Man), Rodgers’ If I loved you (Carousel) and to detail. Justin too was workmanlike as is his wont. Gershwin’s Lorelei (Pardon my English) spiritedly But the duo’s performance on the whole was rather before signing off with the Gershwin evergreen, lacklustre. Perhaps it was Viola’s diffidence in tackling Summer Time as the encore 6 languages she had not grown up with, perhaps  G. GEORGE diary history

leanings of the British media and their particular anti- Media and Imperialism Indian politics. For instance, she argued that while the TALK: The British Media, Lord Mountbatten and English newspapers celebrated the rise of communal Indian Independence, August 1947 violence in India, they largely ignored the nationalist Speaker: Dr. Chandrika Kaul, January 31 aspirations of the people. Also important to note, she added, was that the British media represented This outstanding lecture, coupled with a historical Mahatma Gandhi as an old man whose plan for a investigation into the introduction of the English united India was rejected by the people, while the language press in India, examined the connection creation of Pakistan was represented with partisan between media and imperialism during the period political agendas. Kaul feels this deliberate media twist of India’s struggle for freedom. Kaul examined exemplified the attitude of British capitalists and the how British newspapers presented India’s struggle ruling class towards Indian independence. for independence and how media manipulations A central aspect of her talk was the special role of Lord influenced popular opinions in both Britain Mountbatten and, in conclusion, she reminded the and India. audience that powerful media manipulations coupled Kaul’s central focus was on how the British media with the personal charisma of Mountbatten worked developed the background for supporting Britain’s as a supporting platform for British imperialism to imperial role in the sub-continent. Within this broad achieve its end-games in India. spectrum, she tried to critically examine the imperial  Vineeth Mathoor

The exhibition covered specialized areas like Religion, Literature, Languages, History, Anthropology, Rare Archives Geography and some topics of general interest EXHIBITION: The Fort William Collection through travelogues and biographies. Unfortunately, Inauguration: Lata Reddy such a potentially informative and exciting exhibition Collaboration: National Archives of India, was undermined by the way the National Archives January 13–19 officials had unimaginatively stacked the volumes, with some precious books getting bent under the This exhibition of a selection of rare old books and weight of others. Nor did they give proper titles or manuscripts from the Fort William collection is part brief notes explaining the content of each book, of an ongoing series at the IIC. Fort so that you could easily miss gems William College was an important like Al Bairuni’s Kitab-Al-Hind or place of learning where both British Ain-i-Akbari, a supplement to the and Indian scholars worked together Akbarnama, translated from Persian on a variety of subjects, the most to English by Abul Fazl Allami distinctive being philological research and arduously restored in 1972- to broaden the study of Indian 77. I was particularly intrigued languages. The College was also by the translation of the New the centre of examinations for civil Testament by Al Kilat al Muqqaddas, servants, and it is this combination of but there was no information to administrative and scholarly pursuits provide me with some context. A that led to a unique collection, now powerhouse of such knowledge divided between the Kolkata-based deserved to be treated with National Library and the National more respect. Archives of India.  SABA HASAN 7 policy diary

future of globalization. In 1750, India and China produced over half of the world’s manufacturing Globalization and output. Interestingly upcoming projections, for 2050 Development and assumptions suggest these proportions can easily return. DISCUSSION: Roundtable on Globalization and Development, The Rise of the BRICs, India’s Though India’s GDP stands at 2.2 per cent of the Economic Relations and the Future World’s GDP, it has seven per cent of the world’s dollar billionaires. Would India’s wealthy share their of Globalization wealth for common good? Could geo-political Panelists: Professor Ashutosh Varshney; considerations such as security relations with Pakistan Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, and Nitin Pai and more 26/11s hamper India’s growth story? Can Moderator: Professor Vivek H. Deheja, January 20 India grow economically without corruption? The recent surge in scams such as 2G Spectrum, CWG and ills such as food inflation were discussed at This enlightening round table discussion drew atten- length. Is the Indian media doing enough reporting tion to the changing dynamics and interrelationship on corruption in business? between economics and politics in a turbulent world economy owing to the rise of the BRIC (Brazil, The round table, an interactive session between Russia, India and China). The panelists highlighted the panelists and a rapt audience, concluded with the fact that BRIC countries, especially India and the acceptance of the fact that though most of the China, are poised to seriously challenge the largest innovation and economic growth from the BRIC western economies in terms of economic might, category will come from India, China and Brazil, but and are being heralded as pillars of the twenty first the need of the hour is to install a strong regulator, century economy. Divergent opinions by the expert and competent people in the government to panelists further enlivened the energetic debate on check corruption. the rise of BRICs, and India’s economic stance and  GAURIKA KAPOOR

In the context of the above and with a view to Stemming the Rot stemming the rot, Dr. Jalan proposed that the anti- TALK: The Supply and Demand of Corruption defection law must ensure that partners to a coalition Speaker: Dr. Bimal Jalan could defect on only one condition of seeking Collaboration: Transparency International India, re-election. Two, candidates to the Rajya Sabha must February 19 belong to the state so as to avoid play of money power. Three, judicial proceedings of criminals who Corruption poses a threat to society, freedom, well get elected must be finalized within six months of being, internal law and order, and democratic values. election. Four, discretion to allocate public resources Its impact is reflected in the wrong choice of public need not vest with the political executive. Five, projects, loss of tax revenue, low quality of goods simplify procedures to eliminate delays, and the use and services, productivity, and delays. The poor are of discretion. Six, to reduce fragmentation of tasks the most affected. Corruption is a manifestation of being performed by various ministries, re-set roles in governance deficit and vice versa. The emergence of categories of management of public goods, provision multi-party coalitions as a regular form of government of essential services, and poverty alleviation. Seven, has generated a built-in incentive for proliferation of paradigms of governance ought to change from small parties, resulting in easier defections and the ‘ruling people from the top to serving them at the 8 politicization of bureaucracy. bottom of the pyramid’. diary culture

the Sun and other planets over the next few years, he updated the almanacs, improving the fixing of Conservation and dates of festivals and as an aid to more accurate Observation astrological predictions. TALK: The Enigma of the Delhi Jantar Mantar Being an architect, Mukherji went into the details of Speaker: Anisha Shekhar Mukherji each component building of the complex, specially Chair: Professor R. Ramaswamy, February 18 the Sun Dial. An advocate of conservation, she made a plea for the Jantar Mantar complex to be carefully conserved, along with other Mughal monuments in Anisha Shekhar Mukherji, who has written a book Delhi. Not just for historical reasons, this would also on the Jantar Mantar, gave a lucid and entertaining be a useful teaching aid for students and amateur talk on this architectural marvel. She started with astronomers, she said. She mentioned the successful simple questions: who built the Jantar Mantar, efforts of Dr. N. Rathnashree, the Director of the when was it built, what was the purpose? As she Nehru Planetarium, Delhi in this regard. Occasionally, mentioned, it was built between 1724 and 1760 by her enthusiasm made her exaggerate the scientific Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur, a nobleman uses of these structures for observation at the in the court of the Mughal Emperor. Jai Singh also present time and the chair, among others, intervened built other observatories at Jaipur, Varanasi, Mathura to restore balance. However, the sizeable audience and Ujjain as he was unhappy with the calendars was charmed by her talk. and almanacs of that time. Using observations of  N. PANCHAPAKESAN

women’s continuing daily struggle, at work, in homes or the street, even decades after freedom from Voices of Freedom colonial rule. The talk was fact-filled, exhaustive and inspiring. FESTIVAL: South Africa–India Collaboration: Indian Council for The festival continued with a screening of Shyam Cultural Relations, Benegal’s The Making of the Mahatma, on the early January 5, 7 and 8 life and struggles of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, during his 21 years in South Africa. The play The Coolie Odyssey was staged to conclude the Organized to celebrate the unique relationship shared festival. Based on the collection of poems by David by India and South Africa, this festival took off with Dabydeen and directed by Rajesh Gopie, this moving a talk on the role of women in the freedom struggle and delicate look at the lives of a group of folk and nation building. Chaired by Anand Sharma, the performers from India who leave for Natal to work Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, the on the sugar plantations in 1860, is told by a monkey speakers—Amina Cachalia, a distinguished political with memories from his previous human incarnation, activist from South Africa, and Dr. Devaki Jain, an as he battles to finish writing his account on an old eminent feminist development economist—spoke typewriter. The theatrical piece is nuanced with music, of the women’s movements in both the countries dance and humour to create spirited characters and a and their engagement with other social groups dynamic plot. and movements. The discussion also took note of  SHUBH SHARMA 9 futures diary

Highlights for March-April 2011

Po e t r y 8 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, Annexe Auditorium 21 March 2011 at 6:30 pm, in the Auditorium Mozart on Love International Poetry Year 2011 An illustrated lecture by Jayati Ghosh, musicologist Rabindranath Tagore: A Tribute Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart often seen as the most Introduction by Shiela Sengupta, researcher angelic of composers, actually had an earthy, subtle and translator and complex take on love. This talk will delve into Rabindrasangeet by Jayati Ghosh the richness and complexity of Mozart in love and 13 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, Conference Room – I on love, using musical illustrations from his operas and other music Poets from the “Indivisible” A night of readings from the new book Indivisible: 4 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, Conference Room – I Contemporary South Asian American Poetry Organized Crime in the The poets who will share their work and insights Garb of Religion in the include Maya Khosla, Neela Banerjee, Sudeep Sen, 19th Century – Thuggee and Subhashini Kaligotla Illustrated lecture by Chair: K.N. Daruwalla Rajesh Rampal, Chartered (Collaboration: The Poetry Society, India) Accountant who has travelled extensively in Sir Le c t u r e s William Henry Sleeman’s 31 March and 1 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, trail and is the author of The Annexe Auditorium Divine Stranglers – Story of Thugs and Thuggee Sleeman Two lectures by Dr. Sachidanand Sahai, Advisor, 7 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, Auditorium Authority for Protection and Management of The European Union, Global Governance and Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap Social Justice: Social-Democratic Perspectives 31 March 2011 Speaker: Mr. Massimo d’Alema, former Italian Rediscovering Angkor Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Member of Speaker: Dr. Sachidanand Sahai Parliament and FEPS President 1 April 2011 8 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, Conference Room – I The Dance of Shiva in the Theatre State Frontiers of History of Angkor Portrait of Jazz Musicians in India Speaker: Dr. Sachidanand Sahai Illustrated lecture by Astri Ghosh, journalist (Organized by IIC - Asia Project) and translator The lecture traces the story of ninety years of Mu s i c App r e c i a t i o n Pr o m o t i o n Pr o g r amm e s Jazz in India through interviews with Indian jazz 30 March 2011 at 6:30 pm, Annexe Auditorium musicians; from the Jazz and Hot Dance played at Women on Record the Grand Hotel in Calcutta in the twenties; Goan An illustrated lecture by Vidya Shah, musician and bands and fusion music of Bombay films; to the Director, Women on Record music played at clubs, yatras and utsavs today The Trendsetters: Women Singers in 14 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, Annexe Auditorium The Gramophone Era 23rd Padmapani Lecture 2011 Vidya Shah will highlight the contributions of In Awareness of the Buddha: The Landscape women performers in early 20th Century India of Nicholas Roerich and Bireswar Sen 10 through music, visual and discussion Speaker: Dr. B.N. Goswamy diary futures

Exhibition of Paintings At 6:30 pm – Dance Festival By Bireswar Sen Odissi Recital On view at the Art Gallery until 18 April 2011, By Arushi Mudgal from Delhi 11:00 am to 7:00 pm daily Bharatanatyam Recital (Collaboration: Tibet House) By Praveen from Bangalore Pe r f o r ma n c e s 1 May 2011 from 4:00–6:00 pm, Auditorium 31 March 2011 at 6:30 pm, Auditorium Doordashan Archives: Telling the Story Celebrating the Thanjavur Legacy of Dance Illustrated lecture by Smt. Kamalini Dutt, former A lecture-demonstration by Lakshmi Viswanathan, Director, Doordarshan Archives who has trained under Guru Kanjivaram Ellapa. At 6:30 pm – Dance Festival 11 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, Bharatanatyam Recital Auditorium By Mythili Prakash from Chennai Hindustani Classical Vocal Kathak Recital By Saptarshi Chakraborty By Namrata Pamnani from Delhi from Kolkata, disciple (Collaboration: Natya Vriksha) of Pt. Jasraj Ex h i b i t i o n s 12 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, Gandhi-King Plaza Krishnaleela Kathakali 25–31 March 2011, Art Gallery (Annexe), Scripted by Dr. P. Venugopalan in traditional 11:00 am–7:00 pm Kathakali format A Walk in Melbourne – A Street Documentary Presented by artists of the Sandarsan Kathakali An exhibition of photographs by Pater Nadolny Vidyalayam—Kalamandalam Shanmukhan; from Australia Kalamandalam Vijaya Kumar; Kalamandalam Inauguration by Yask Desai on Thursday, Mukundan; and Kalanilayam Vinod 24 March 2011, at 6:30 pm With Pathiyoor Sankarankutty (musician); Walking the streets of Melbourne since the early Kalamandalam Jayaprakash (musician); Kalanilayam 1970’s, thriving on its endless cast of characters, the Manoj (maddalam); Kalamandalam Sreekanth constant state of flux and the unexpected, random (chenda & edakka); and Kalanilayam Ratheesh juxtapositions of everyday life, the photographer (chenda) catches fleeting moments that can transform the 16 April 2011 at 6:30 pm, ordinary into the magical Annexe Auditorium 21–28 April 2011, Art Gallery (Annexe), Hindustani Classical 11:00 am–7:00 pm Music – Sarod Imaging Delhi – I, New New Delhi Recital Contemporary photographs of the city taken since By Apratim Majumdar 2008 and from Kolkata, disciple of continuing as Shri Parthosarothy and the city evolves Dr. Pradeep Chakraborty Photographs World Dance Day Celebrations 2011 in colour and 30 April 2011 from 4:00–6:00 pm, Auditorium black and white Theory and Practice of Bhava and Abhinaya in by Findlay Bharata’s Natyashastra Kember Illustrated lecture by Dr. Sandhya Purecha Opening on from Mumbai Wednesday, 20 April 2011 at 6:30 pm 11 Reg. No. 28936/77 diary

A Note from the Director As spring approaches, it is time to share some happy Block has been completed and the Hostel Block is news. After completing the renovation of the Library, being tackled in a phased manner to cause minimum some long pending works were tackled or completed. inconvenience to our guests. The outer walls have For instance, the Fire Department mandates that a set been cleaned, restored and waterproofed and the fire of fire pumps be provided for a possible emergency. brick jalis, a unique architectural feature, have been We acquired these and created an appropriate replaced for the Administrative block and Hostel covered space to house them. Keeping in view the block (Old Wing). architecture of the Centre, this was created by making Encouraging news also from the new infrastructure an underground room near Gate No.3. The work coming up in the Rock Garden. After some hiccups, complete, the lawns are now being restored. (the sudden ill health of the architect, unusually For a few months, members had to make do with a heavy and unseasonal rains and the Commonwealth limited menu because the Kitchen needed major and Games that resulted in scarcity of both supplies long-overdue renovations. To improve the hygiene and workforce), the end is finally in sight. The of the kitchen area, the entire underground drainage construction work has been completed, landscaping system (including its water supply) was replaced; the and development of surrounding areas is on and floor was repaired by strengthening and waterproofing; the interior work is moving at a fast pace along with the exhaust and ventilation system was replaced with the testing and commissioning of services such as an enhanced capacity, and additional measures were electrical, fire detection, fire-fighting, plumbing, taken to control the pollution because of the kitchen air-conditioning, and so on. New furnishings and exhaust, by providing an air washer system to treat furniture have been ordered and we hope to complete the exhaust. The kitchen equipments, cold rooms the entire work by the end March 2011. When ready, and refrigeration equipments were also replaced there will be three new seminar rooms, a multipurpose with the latest equipments. All this was completed in hall and an art gallery besides a members’ area with a October 2010. Central Booking Office and other facilities. The Main Centre Building, almost 50 years old, was All this may have often inconvenienced our members. in urgent need of repair and restoration. I am sure However, we are grateful that you have not only put you would have noticed that the roofs were leaking up with it but provided us encouragement and help at various places, the grit defacing the outer walls and that have enabled us to continue. Thank you very the jalis broken at places. I am happy to inform you much for this support. that the waterproofing of the entire Administration  Kavita A. Sharma Obituary A-1702 Dr. Arjun K. Sengupta M-1599 Shri K. Subrahmanyam A-5457 Smt. Indu Arora M-1718 Shri V.V. Paranjpe L-0014 Dr. Bishan Nath Consul M-2188 Justice N.N. Goswamy L-0028 Shri Bali Ram Bhagat M-2344 Mr. Chaturvedi Badrinath L-0302 Shri J.C. Kapur M-3510 Dr. Lanka Sivaji M-0065 Dr. John K. Friesen M-3718 Professor Tapas Majumdar M-1465 Shri Milon Kumar Banerji

This issue of the Diary has been assembled and edited by Ira Pande, Chief Editor; Rachna Joshi, Senior Asst. Editor; and Ritu Singh, Asst. Editor. Published by Ravinder Datta, for the India International Centre, 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi-110 003, Ph: 24619431. Designed by Poonam Bevli Sahi at FACET Design, D-9, Defence Colony, New Delhi - 110 024, Ph: 24616720, 24624336 and printed by Mastan Singh at I.G. Printers, 104, DSIDC Shed, Okhla Phase-I, New Delhi - 110 020. 12