Celebrating the Lakhnavi at the IIC

(life) For culture enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in the magic of the visual and performing arts, Delhi-based India International Centre (IIC) promises a treat with its upcoming annual festival "The IIC Experience: A Festival of the Arts".

It is slated to take place from October 11-15.

Bringing together a range of activities dance, food, music, theatre, folk art, paintings, installations and photography exhibitions the festival includes a special focus on Lucknow's rich, syncretic culture, past and present.

An exhibition titled "Awadh se Chand Warq" (Lucknow Diaries) includes a display of photographs, artifacts and archival textiles and ephemera celebrating the diversity of people, places and the material cultures of Lucknow. It also features "Husn-e Karigari-e Awadh" a live demonstration of the region's craft traditions by Awadhi master artisans.

Curated and designed by Oddworks, the exhibition goes beyond Lucknow's famed 'Ganga-Jamuni' tehzeeb, or culture of the duality of the Hindu and Muslim traditions, and features various communities that add to the kaleidoscopic cultural landscape of the city.

Beacons of feminist writing from Lucknow will also be highlighted in a special section, the organisers said.

A film festival "Filmi Duniya Mein Awadh" will screen Indian films based on or set in the city of Lucknow.

The festival opens with an Odissi recital and closes with a Carnatic music concert by T.M. Krishna. The Centre will also present the unique musical dance theatre of Karnataka - Yakshagana.

Another exhibition "Contextualising Progressive, Indian Art from the 20th Century" curated by Vijay Kowshik and Gogi Saroj Pal will refocus on the work of some of the leaders of the Bombay Progressive Group and examine their legacies for a new idiom for modern Indian art today. It will also feature early Bengal Masters and other leading artists who followed.

For food lovers, The IIC Experience can present a variety of cuisines: Kannadiga Oota, a special Kannadiga lunch presenting food typical to North and coastal Karnataka; and the subtle flavours of an Odia Bhoji. Chefs from the Brazil embassy will also present 'Flavours of Brazil' while Chef Anumitra Ghose Dastidar will present her own unique take with Esho bosho ahare 'A Bengali Repast'. The food festival concludes with 'An Italian Cena'.

Entry: Free

Details: October 11-15, 2019, all-day

Venue: India International Centre, Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Gardens, Delhi

Schedule at iicdelhi.nic.in

( With inputs from IANS )