FILM CLUB SCREENING - Freedom As Metaphor Films celebrating the triumph of the human spirit. Manthan (The Churning) (Hindi/1976/134mins) Dir.Shyam Benegal Cast: Smita Patil, Girish Karnad, Naseeruddin Shah, Amrish Puri. The film is set amidst the backdrop of the White Revolution of India (Operation Flood) which started in 1970, ushering an era of plenty, from a measly amount of milk production and distribution. Aside from the great measurable success that this project was, it also demonstrated the power of "collective might". The film revolves around Dr. Rao’s efforts to set up a dairy cooperative in a village, which upsets not just the middlemen, who were hitherto exploiting the villagers, but also the age-old feudal structure of the village. Soon an uprising is sparked among the local untouchables, which leads to an economic revolution as well. Manthan went on to win the 1977 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Vijay Tendulkar, and was also Indian submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for 1976. Collab: Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. & Directorate of Film Festivals

FILM CLUB SCREENING - Freedom As Metaphor Films celebrating the triumph of the human spirit. Mirch Masala (Hindi/1985/128mins) Dir.Ketan Mehta. Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Om Puri, Suresh Oberoi, Deepti Naval, Mohan Gokhale  Set in a small village during the time of the Raj, Mirch Masala is the story of one woman's fight to keep her honor when threatened by a powerful tax inspector. The inspector, who sees his manliness at stake after he is turned down by the woman, Sonbai, promises to destroy the village if she does not come to him. In the director’s own words, the film cuts across social lines. The metaphor of spice symbolizes the fiery strength of a woman and above all of a human being, against all forms of oppression. The film portrays the feisty and fiery, uncompromising and strong willed woman who fights to save her dignity against all odds. Collab: National Film Development Corporation Ltd. & Directorate of Film Festivals

MUSIC - Sawan Ke Geet Celebrating the Festival of Teej- Kajri, Tumri, Hindola, Malhar & Jhula by Dr. Sangeeta Gaur, disciple of Lt. M. G. Despande, Vinaychandra Mudgal, Krishna Bist & Shanti Sharma

MUSIC - In memory of Punjabi poet and playwright Paritosh Gargi. Concert of his songs/ poetry by the Ensemble Chaar Yaar- led by Madan Gopal Singh & Dhruv SangariDhruv Sangari Dhruv Sangari Dhruv Sangari. Deepak Castelino- Guitar and Banjo. Pritam Ghosal- Sarod. Gurmeet Singh- Multiple percussions

FILM CLUB SCREENING - Freedom As Metaphor Films celebrating the triumph of the human spirit. Saaz (Hindi/1998/148mins) Dir.Sai Paranjpye. Cast: Shabana Azmi, Aruna Irani, Zakir Hussain Set in the musical backdrop of the Bollywood playback singing world, Saaz presents a tale of two sisters, Mansi and Bansi- two individuals who love each other but cannot overcome their individual desires to leave a greater mark on the world after death, and become 'immortal'. These are two siblings who are very real. They care deeply for each other, but are also capable of unknowingly inflicting a lot of pain on one another. The film traces how the younger sibling Bansi slowly regains her identity. Collab: Reliance Entertainment & National Film Archives of India

BOOK LAUNCH - Searching For Me by Ramesh Vaish. Aparna, a well-educated young medical doctor works in a renowned hospital. Living in New Delhi with her husband Raj and son Varun, she is a successful professional. Yet she feels something missing till she sets out on a journey to find her true self. The book explores answers to some very basic questions of life, unfolding practical wisdom for living in this world. Collab: Full Circle Group

MUSIC - Hindustani Vocal recital by Suparna Adhikary, disciple of Sulochana Brihaspati HCL Concert Series

HABITAT CHILDREN'S BOOK FORUM - Celebrate Your Fun Festival: Rakhi An anthology of stories about brother-sister relationships Pub. Hachette India. Readings and other fun activities for age group 8+

BOOK LAUNCH - Hindi edition of Paro by Namita Gokhale. The heroine of Gokhale's first novel, Paro is the stuff of legend. Wandering through the world of privilege and Scotch whiskey that the rich inhabit, she seduces a string of admirers. Eventually, as in all moral tales, Paro succumbs to life and circumstances, but not before the reader has been wildly entertained by social comedy without parallel in Indian writing. Collab: Hind Pocket Books

MUSIC - Sounds Of The Forests IHC Lok Sangeet Sammelan concludes. Bastar Band An ensemble of folk instruments from the Forests of Chattisgarh. Followed by songs from the Himalayan forests by Basanti Devi Bisht

TALK - Awareness Symposium On Preventive Health Measures & Security Of Senior Citizens Collab: Age Care India

DRAMATIZED READING - A dream theatre initiative by Yatrik Theatre Group & Old World Culture. Old scripts or original, new plays may be submitted; to be read by actors in a dramatised reading. Session I- Reading of Saari Raat (Hindi/60mins) by Badal Sircar Dir.Basab Bhattacharya. Check with the Programmes Desk for more details

FILM CLUB SCREENING - Freedom As Metaphor Films celebrating the triumph of the human spirit. Lakshya (Hindi/2004/187mins) Dir.Farhan Akhtar. Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Boman Irani As Lieutenant Karan Shergill reminisces about his journey towards becoming a soldier, the director convincingly explores the confused state of mind his protagonist was in. Karan impulsively joins the Indian Army, but its rigidity proves too strong for this rich, spoilt lad. An egotistical conflict with his father and a shamed rejection by his girlfriend catapults him back into the military academy, and his lakshya is born - to prove himself by becoming an officer. A film about an individual coming into his own. Collab: Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

FILM - Festival of Emerging Cinemas. Baha (Sadri/Nagpuri/2009/112mins) Dir.Shriprakash A young tribal man dreams of becoming a singer against the backdrop of the Jharkhand music industry. Collab: International Association Of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT)

FILM - Festival of Emerging Cinemas. Malegaon Ke Sholay (Hindi/1999/150mins) Dir.Shaikh Nasir An innovative and delightful reworking of the Bollywood classic Sholay Collab: International Association Of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT)

DANCE - Saare Jahan Se Accha Two-day festival of Indian Classical Dance celebrating the spirit of India's independence. Chitrangada Odissi recital by Ranjana Gauhar & troupe. Followed by Kunti- Mohiniyattam recital by Kalaimamani Gopika Varma. Collab: Utsav- Ranjana's Dance Academy

FILM - Festival of Emerging Cinemas. Presentation on Music Videos from Uttarakhand by Journalist/Musician Himanshu Joshi The Lament Of Niyamraja (Kondh/2007/13mins) Dir. Suryashankar Dash The song of a mountain is sold to a mining company by the government. It is sung by a bard of the Dongaria Kondh adivasi community who consider the mountain sacred and who are aghast at the commercialization of their rituals. Gadi Lohardaga Mail (Nagpuri/2006/27mins) Dirs.Meghnath & Biju Toppo A musical journey intertwining the pathos of the peoples’ struggle for survival and the end of a narrow gauge train between Ranchi and Lohardaga.Sona Gahi Pinjara (Kurukhi/2006/20mins) Dir.Biju Toppo A musical short fiction film about how people from tribal communities are unable to attend their festivals back home because the official set up does not recognise them.Collab: International Association Of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT)

DANCE - Saare Jahan Se Accha continues… Shuornir Shaad Kathak recital by Shovana Narayan. Followed by I Won't Let You Go- Manipuri recital by Priti Patel & troupe Collab: Utsav- Ranjana's Dance Academy

MUSIC - Hindustani Classical Vocal recital by Sonia Roy, disciple of Lt. Shanti Sharma

FILM - Festival of Emerging Cinemas. Tokskal (Ladhaki/2004/80mins) Dir.Jigmet Omachik A historical costume drama based on a traditional Ladhaki tale exploring truth and love. Collab: International Association Of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT)

FILM - Festival of Emerging Cinemas. The Sun Is Still Not Setting (Manipuri/2010/27mins) Dir.Suvas Elangbam A poignant film that captures the simplicity and gentleness in the life of a little girl living with her grandfather in the backdrop of strife torn Imphal.

Brief Companion In A Capital City (Manipuri/2009/65mins) Dir.Dorendra Waribam A deeply personal exploration of the city of Delhi through the eyes of an ‘outsider’. Collab: International Association Of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT)

MUSIC - Aao Saawan Manayein Scholar-artist Vidya Rao presents melodies to celebrate the season Collab: K. L. Saigal Memorial Circle

THEATRE - Tadpole Repertory presents Taramandal (English/Hindi/Bengali/110mins with interval) Dir.Neel Chaudhuri. Cast: Andrew Hoffland, Bikram Ghosh, Kriti Pant, Mallika Taneja, Neel Chaudhuri & Neel Debdutt Paul. Satyajit Ray’s short story, Patol Babu, Film Star tells of a chance opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. Patol Babu is fifty or so and has led a decidedly unglamorous life. His one passion, acting, has never really amounted to anything apart from a few theatre performances as a child in his local community group or at school. One day the possibility of a part in a film opens up. Despite it being a walk-on role of a pedestrian, Patol embraces the opportunity with open arms ... Taramandal extends this little story by constructing parallel narratives that set up and mirror Patol Babu – in younger versions of himself or people just like him. All of these stories of failed ambition in the theatre, movies or television culminate in his one single walk on opportunity. Tickets at Rs.350, Rs.250 & Rs.100 available at the Programme desk from Aug 5 for IHC members only. Open to all from Aug 8. An Old World Culture presentation

ILLUSTRATED TALK - Ecology And Religion - Initiatives By The Sikh Community by Ranmal Singh Jhala as part of the campaign 'The Tao of Green'. Followed by an interactive discussion. Panelists: Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Independent Journalist and Educator, Arpana Caur, Artist and Environmentalist & Madan Gopal Singh, Vocalist Fakir

THEATRE - Repeat of Taramandal (English/Hindi/Bengali/110mins with interval) Dir.Neel Chaudhuri. Cast: Andrew Hoffland, Bikram Ghosh, Kriti Pant, Mallika Taneja, Neel Chaudhuri & Neel Debdutt Paul. Tickets at Rs.350, Rs.250 & Rs.100 available at the Programme desk from Aug 5 for IHC members only. Open to all from Aug 8. An Old World Culture presentation

INDEPENDENCE DAY