Lamakaan

Book launch by Mr.A.V
Mohan Rao...A book named Shivarama Krishna and sons would be launched by the Author himself who is asr citizen and had worked for Railways fr three decades and has been writing many detective and thriller novels

Join a focused training session designed to boost your effectiveness and confidence in your advocacy work. This workshop offers a chance to learn new techniques, refine existing skills, and connect with fellow advocates. It's an opportunity to practice, share insights, and ensure you're equipped to make a greater impact.

Rana Safvi book discussion - In Conversation with Anuj Gurwara
Step into the layered histories of India with celebrated historian and author Rana Safvi for an engaging evening of storytelling, scholarship, and visual exploration on 11th July.

This special event will feature an in-depth discussion on her acclaimed works, including The Forgotten Cities of Delhi and In Search of the Divine, where she brings to life the lost cities, cultural landscapes, and spiritual traditions that have shaped India’s past and present. Through her evocative narratives, Safvi revives forgotten spaces and invites us to reimagine history beyond textbooks.

The evening will also showcase insights from her curated exhibition on the Taj Mahal, offering a rare glimpse into the stories, aesthetics, and historical nuances behind one of the world’s most iconic monuments.

Read A Kitaab is an unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library, book discussions, author meet, book of the month, monthly meets, newsletters & much more...

We love kids for who we have a kids book club. Read A Kitaab is a calm & comfort space to be yourself, to discuss books and life with no bars on age/gender/ethnicity/political views etc.

Art & Craft Workshop by PastelNStudio

Unleash your creativity with a fun and interactive art workshop featuring Canvas Painting, Tote Bag Painting, Clay Pot Painting, and DIY Craft Activities. All materials will be provided, and participants can take home their handmade creations. Suitable for all ages and no prior experience is required.

A perfect weekend activity to relax, create, and connect through art! ✨

Hosted by PastelNStudio.

Event name: Children Film festival 2026
Movie name: Colour of paradise (Iran)
Date: 12th July 2026, Sunday
Time: 6 pm to 9 pm ( 3 hours)
Organised by: Anil battula publications and Lamakaan

Monsoon Shelters – Four Himalayan Short Films & Story Sharing Session
Every monsoon leaves behind stories.
Monsoon Shelters is an intimate evening of four independent short films inspired by journeys through the Himalayas, mountain villages, changing weather, faith, silence, resilience and the people who call these mountains home.
Rather than being a conventional film screening, the event is designed as a shared storytelling experience. After every film, filmmaker and Himalayan traveller Ritwik Bhattachaharyya will share the real stories, unexpected moments, challenges and human experiences that inspired each work.The audience will also have an opportunity to interact, ask questions and discuss filmmaking, travel, mountain culture and visual storytelling.
Screening Line-up
• Monsoon Shelters
• Echoes of the Valley
• Faith Walker
• A fourth Himalayan micro short film
Together these films create a cinematic journey through landscapes, memories, rain, faith and human resilience.

Whether you are a filmmaker, traveller, photographer, writer, nature enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys meaningful conversations, this evening promises an inspiring experience.

Duration: Approximately 1.30 hours
Language: English (with subtitles where required)
Entry: Free & Open to All

As the monsoon is delayed in the city and we hope it arrives in July, bringing freshness and renewal to Hyderabad, Lamakaan too opens its doors to a season of cinematic rain with the Vittorio De Sica Film Festival. Every Wednesday evening, audiences can gather to celebrate the works of one of Italy’s greatest filmmakers. Just as the rains wash the city clean, De Sica’s films strip away pretenses, revealing the raw beauty and struggles of everyday life. His cinema, rooted in compassion and realism, is a reminder that art can be as nourishing as the monsoon itself.

About Vittorio De Sica: Vittorio De Sica (born July 7, 1901 in Sora, Italy – died November 13, 1974 in Paris, France) was a towering figure of Italian cinema and a pioneer of neorealism. Beginning his career as an actor, he later became a director whose films gave voice to ordinary people in extraordinary times. His style was marked by simplicity, emotional depth, and a deep humanism that made the struggles of everyday life profoundly moving. De Sica’s contributions include masterpieces such as Shoeshine (1946), Bicycle Thieves (1948), Umberto D. (1952), and Marriage Italian Style (1964). His work not only won Academy Awards and international acclaim but also reshaped world cinema, proving that stories of common people could carry universal power.

Film Title: TWO WOMEN | 1960 | 100 Mins | Italy & France | Italian & German with English Subtitles.

About the film: In the 1960 war drama Two Women (Italian: La ciociara), a widowed Roman mother, Cesira, and her 13-year-old daughter, Rosetta, flee the Allied bombings of World War II for the safety of her native mountain village in Ciociaria. Despite their efforts, they are violently traumatized by the brutalities of war.

Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is free and open to all!

Unleash your inner artist and walk away with a custom, wearable masterpiece! In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to transform a simple canvas tote bag into a personalized accessory that reflects your unique style.

Forces and Rhythms: an immersive learning experience of Hyderabad. A group of 40 Students of urban studies from School of Environment and Architecture, Mumbai will meet with their mentors and interlocutors to reflect on their understanding of what keeps Hyderabad moving.

Supporting to Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike from civil society

6th event of
DHWANI

An evening with Telugu fiction writer Sudhakar Unudurti

immersive performative audio presentations of accomplished Telugu literary texts

co-hosted by

MARUVAM (forum for probing and delightful conversations and performances in Telugu)
and
LAMAKAAN (The Open Cultural Center), Hyderabad.


Former marine engineer turned writer Sudhkar Unudurti (b. 1954) quickly established himself as a significant writer in Telugu with the publication of his book of stories Toorupu Gaalulu (Eastern Winds), which brought alive significant historical situations and shifting paradigmatic contexts from the ancient Buddhist times, as well as the British colonial times , at various locations on the eastern Andhra coast. He has since then published one more volume of stories and two novels.

This edition of DHWANI will feature a performative reading of three stories of Sudhakar, two
of them from the volume Toorupu Gaalulu (Eastern Winds), supported and enehanced with appropriate suggestive and symboliclly connected visual and audio elements.

Bhumi volunteer orientation to recruit volunteers for projects and programs we run in the organisation such as Civic volunteering and Teaching volunteering in Hyderabad

Queer Contours: Mapping Bodies for Collective Care. What happens when LBQ folks stop relating to the body as a site of surveillance and begin to allow for the possibility of the body as a site of wisdom?

A reflective reading circle for adults.
We’ll read children’s books together and explore how their themes connect to our own lived experiences. We believe stories heal us, connect us to our emotions, and bring us closer when experienced in community.

Manav Kaul's PARK is a brilliantly crafted Hindi play that transforms an ordinary public park into a powerful metaphor for society. Three strangers, three benches, and one seemingly simple conflict gradually unfold into a compelling exploration of identity, personal space, belonging, and human relationships.

Blending sharp humour with emotional depth, PARK invites the audience to laugh, reflect, and question the invisible boundaries we create in our lives. With Manav Kaul's signature poetic writing and layered characters, this contemporary drama reminds us that the smallest moments often reveal the biggest truths about being human.

Swap, paint, and connect—an interactive art experience where creativity is shared, stories are exchanged, and every canvas becomes a collaborative masterpiece.

This Bhil Art workshop invites participants to immerse themselves in one of Central India’s most vibrant tribal traditions. The session begins with the history and origin of Bhil paintings, then guides learners through the meditative practice of dot‑making—managing gaps, varying sizes, and creating rhythmic colorful lines. Participants will explore how dots evolve into intricate patterns, experiment with bold color contrasts, and culminate in the creation of a complete composition. Beyond creativity, the workshop emphasizes how Bhil art fosters focus, calm, and mental peace, making it a powerful tool for art therapy and community connection.

The workshop is led by Eshita Nimje, a passionate artist from Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) currently in Hyderabad, pursuing her Junior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and CCRT Delhi. Her research blends Gond and Bhil art into contemporary themes of mental health, reflecting her lifelong dedication to indigenous and folk arts. Alongside her artistic practice, Eshita is also a Cybersecurity Professional with eight years of technical and consulting experience, bringing a unique perspective that combines analytical rigor with creative exploration. She has exhibited at the Indian Art Biennale at Red Fort Delhi, Bombay Art Society, and Azim Premji University, and has conducted workshops at IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay, and across India, teaching over 250 participants.

This workshop is not only a chance to learn a skill but to experience how tribal creativity nurtures well‑being, explores folklore, builds community, and connects tradition with contemporary life—led by a professional who bridges art, culture, and technology with equal passion.

Indian Society Naked in Front of You is an intimate literary performance that peels back the layers of our everyday lives with wit, warmth and uncomfortable honesty. Through a series of humorous, familiar and deeply relatable stories, Niteesh Pandey exposes the contradictions we unknowingly carry—in our homes, our values, our parenting, our prejudices and our public lives. The audience laughs, recognizes themselves, and slowly discovers that every joke hides a question worth asking. Blending storytelling, spoken word and theatre, this is not a performance that points fingers at society—it simply holds up a mirror and invites us to look.

As the official streaming access remains blocked across India, independent cultural spaces and community groups have stepped up to host grassroots screenings. Lamakaan is screening the film precisely because of this censorship. By holding this screening, Lamakaan aligns with its long-standing tradition of protecting freedom of speech, resisting state censorship, and ensuring that politically sensitive, truth-driven cinema reaches the public despite official blocks.

Film Title: SATLUJ | 2026 | 163 Mins | India | Hindi & Punjabi with English Subtitles.

About the film: Satluj (originally titled Panjab '95) is a 2026 biographical drama directed by Honey Trehan, starring Diljit Dosanjh as the real-life human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film follows Khalra’s dangerous crusade to uncover state-sanctioned extrajudicial killings and the secret cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in 1990s Punjab.

All are Welcome. Entry is free and open to all!

As the monsoon is delayed in the city and we hope it arrives in July, bringing freshness and renewal to Hyderabad, Lamakaan too opens its doors to a season of cinematic rain with the Vittorio De Sica Film Festival. Every Wednesday evening, audiences can gather to celebrate the works of one of Italy’s greatest filmmakers. Just as the rains wash the city clean, De Sica’s films strip away pretenses, revealing the raw beauty and struggles of everyday life. His cinema, rooted in compassion and realism, is a reminder that art can be as nourishing as the monsoon itself.

About Vittorio De Sica: Vittorio De Sica (born July 7, 1901 in Sora, Italy – died November 13, 1974 in Paris, France) was a towering figure of Italian cinema and a pioneer of neorealism. Beginning his career as an actor, he later became a director whose films gave voice to ordinary people in extraordinary times. His style was marked by simplicity, emotional depth, and a deep humanism that made the struggles of everyday life profoundly moving. De Sica’s contributions include masterpieces such as Shoeshine (1946), Bicycle Thieves (1948), Umberto D. (1952), and Marriage Italian Style (1964). His work not only won Academy Awards and international acclaim but also reshaped world cinema, proving that stories of common people could carry universal power.

Film Title: THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS | 1970 | 94 Mins | Italy & West Germany | Italian with English Subtitles.

About the film: THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS is a highly acclaimed, historically significant classic. Directed by Vittorio De Sica, it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It is an excellent and deeply moving selection to screen, exploring doomed love, privilege, and the encroaching horrors of fascism.

Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is free and open to all!

To discuss and analyse SIR, share learnings and recommendation s going forward for Telangana

Azad Bhayya Sahacharaula Gnyapaklu is book of translated articles who worked along side with Freedom Fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad.

A study presented by Sagar Dhara on the proposed H-CITI project around KBR Park concluded that the expected increase in traffic speeds is likely to be temporary. While congestion may initially reduce, increasing vehicle volumes and induced demand (Jevons Paradox) could return traffic to current levels by 2032, after which average speeds may decline below 18 km/h. The study questioned whether the project's estimated ₹1,100 crore cost would achieve its stated objectives. It highlighted significant concerns over increased air pollution, public health risks, and environmental degradation, particularly affecting children and senior citizens. The projected economic cost of health impacts between 2026–2046 was estimated at 86% of the project cost. Concerns were also raised regarding possible implications for the Right to Life and Health (Article 21), inadequate public disclosure of project documents, and the absence of meaningful public consultation. The study recommended placing the project on hold until a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), consistent with UNEP guidelines, is undertaken with active public participation. It also called for a detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing H-CITI with alternative mobility and traffic management solutions that prioritize reduced emissions and improved public health. Participants broadly endorsed these recommendations, emphasizing sustained citizen engagement, transparency, intergenerational equity, and data-driven urban planning focused on moving people rather than vehicles. Additional suggestions included monitoring walkability, geo-tagging environmental assets, and addressing broader climate and ecological concerns.

✨ Resin Workshop at Lamakaan ✨

Create your own resin art masterpiece and explore your creativity in a fun hands-on session.

📍 Lamakaan
📅 25 July 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

No experience needed • Materials provided 💫

Gauhar Raza talks about what constitutes scientific knowledge and what qualifies as a religious claim is a serious question. Blurring the boundaries between scientific and religious knowledge is an act used for political mobilisation. In the first part of the talk, Gauhar Raza will try to define the boundaries of science and religion. The second part will deal with Indian Identity and scientific temper.

Sundari, seamlessly paired with an acoustic live music jamming session.

​Our goal is not just to show a movie, but to curate an immersive emotional experience that will deeply resonate with your regular patrons and draw in a dedicated community of art lovers.
​The Vision Behind "Sundari"
​Sundari is not merely a short film; it is a poetic exploration of the unsaid, a visual symphony that delves deep into the quiet, aching spaces of human connection. It is an intimate canvas where nostalgia meets the present, and where the unspoken dialogue between two souls is given life through imagery and sound. The film captures the raw, vulnerable essence of love, longing, and the artistic spirit. It is a passion project born out of a desire to touch the subconscious—to make the audience feel the weight of a glance and the melody of a silence.

Name of the event - Book discussion
Time - 6PM - 8PM
Name of the Book - Wild Wild East
Name of the author - Tanul Thakur
Bio of the author – Mr. Thakur is an award-winning journalist and film critic. In 2015, he won the National Film Award for Best Film Critic—the youngest critic to receive the honour. Over a dozen media outlets have interviewed him on cinema, culture and the H-1B programme, including the Washington Post, the Hindu, the Economist, Financial Times, BBC and CNN. Wild Wild East is his first book.

Brief on the book - Wild Wild East by National Award-winning critic Tanul Thakur unveils a scam that affects millions of American and Indian workers. A scam sustained and abetted—directly or indirectly—by thousands of firms, American politicians, think tanks, mainstream media, accrediting organisations and universities. Following the lives of three characters, Kumar, Manu and Virgil and their encounters with the draconian H1B visa programme, Thakur through the microcosms of these three disenfranchised lives explores the macrocosmic world of Big Tech giants, outsourcing behemoths, mom-and-pop body shops, educational consultancies, visa mills and federal agencies, dismantling the myth of Indian IT boom and the American dream.

We will also have the following people on the panel for discussion
- Dr. Vikas Singh, Senior Fellow, MCRHRDI
- Asiya Sherwani, Head - Sahas (साहस) - Women Safety Wing, Telangana Police (tentative)
- Sajid Hussain, CEO, Human Development Trust (HDT), Hyderabad
- Prof Mubeen Rafat - Visiting faculty Mahindra University
- Ram R Bhupathiraju, Associate Researcher, Institute of Public Enterprise

The event will be followed with Tea/ Coffee and snacks (like we usually have-please confirm the details for this.)
Please let me/ Rizwan know in case you need any further details.

Join us for the launch of the newly published Bengali novel "Sada, Kalo Aar Kuasa", organized by Deep Mahanty.

Step into an evening of literature, conversation, and celebration as we unveil a compelling new voice in Bengali fiction.

Unleash your creativity in our fun filled hands-on Art & Craft Workshop! Whether you're a beginner or an art enthusiast, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to explore your artistic side, learn new skills, and create beautiful handmade pieces.
✨ Activities Include:
💖 Bracelet Making
🎨 Tote Bag Painting
🏺 Clay Modeling
All materials will be provided, and you'll get to take home your own handmade creations. Join us for a relaxing, creative experience filled with colors, imagination, and fun!

Sahityam tho Saynatralu by Telugu Collective , A literary discussion on the modern classic telugu book, Kanyasulkam by Gurajada Apparao.

Who is Jesus? Is the harbinger of peace and love or is he a revolutionary

Handwriting Workshop
Discover the Art of Beautiful Handwriting

HGI Plus Group proudly presents its Premium Handwriting Transformation Workshop, a unique annual programme designed to help children develop elegant, fluent and confident handwriting through scientifically proven methods. Conducted under the expert guidance of Dr. R. B. Anand, an acclaimed author, researcher and handwriting expert with over 30 years of experience, the workshop is supported by his highly trained professional team. Their systematic approach has already transformed the handwriting of more than 1,30,000 students across India and abroad.
Participants will learn the internationally acclaimed French and UK based standardized handwriting techniques that make cursive writing natural, attractive and effortless. The programme focuses on improving handwriting style, speed, spacing, rhythm, uniformity and overall presentation through practical exercises that deliver visible results. It is ideal for school students and young learners seeking greater confidence in schoolwork, examinations and everyday writing.
This exclusive workshop is conducted only once every year, making it a rare opportunity not to be missed. The workshop will be held on Saturday, 1 August 2026, from 10.30 AM to 2.00 PM at Lamakaan Cultural Centre, Opp. GVK One Mall, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Although the regular workshop fee is ₹5,000, participants can register through the exclusive Lamakaan offer for just ₹999. Every registration includes a complete handwriting learning kit worth ₹600, two years of HGI Plus membership, personal handwriting counselling, and complimentary snacks and juice. Seats are limited and will be allotted on a first come, first served basis. To reserve your seat, call or WhatsApp 9908179810 today. Beautiful handwriting opens doors to better learning, greater confidence and lasting success.

Explore whether degrowth is a viable approach in developing countries, considering its context-dependent nature and the distinction between economy-wide degrowth and sector-specific or consumption-focused transitions.

Poothappaattu, a classic poem in Malayalam written by Edasseri Govindan Nair is considered one of the best in world literature and centres around the myth of the Poothan in the Valluvanadan region. It is celebrated as an epitome of a mother's love and sacrifice for her child. Who was the Pootham? Believed to be a supernatural being who lived in the wilderness in the fringes of the village, the Pootham was feared by villagers as they believed that once upon a time, she used to transform into an enchantress, lure wayfarers up the Pala tree, drink their blood and throw their bodies down on the rocks. But something happened that softened her heart and made her always lament. What was it? Every year, in the month of Makaram, after the harvest, when she visited the village in a grand deified form, what was she looking for? The legend awaits behind the curtains.

Celebrate Friendship Day by creating something meaningful together through the timeless art of traditional hand block printing.

In this immersive workshop, you'll learn directly from a generational artisan, discovering the history, techniques, and stories behind one of India's oldest textile crafts. Guided by the artisan, you'll hand-print your very own block-printed tote bag to take home, a functional keepsake you'll actually use.

Whether you're coming with your best friend, your sibling, or on your own, this is a chance to slow down, create together, and celebrate Friendship Day through a shared creative experience rooted in tradition.

All materials, including the tote bag, block printing tools, and fabric colors, are provided.
No prior experience is needed—just bring your creativity, and leave with a handcrafted tote bag and a memorable experience.

RANGMANCH – First Annual Program

*RANGMANCH* proudly presents its First Annual Program, featuring performances by the students of Ms. Aradhana Karhade Shastri. The evening will conclude with a special performance by Ms. Aradhana Karhade Shastri herself.

RANGMANCH is a dream brought to life through the collective efforts of Aradhana and her students. Throughout the year, the team organizes regular Baithaks, providing students with opportunities to perform in a supportive and encouraging environment.

This initiative was started with the vision of helping students overcome stage fear, build confidence, and grow as performers through consistent stage exposure.

We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating this beautiful journey of learning, dedication, and music.

తాత్త్విక విషయాలను చర్చించే తొలి తెలుగు త్రైమాసిక అంతర్జాల పత్రిక "తాత్త్విక" ప్రారంభించి మూడేళ్లు అయిన సందర్భంగా సంపాదకవర్గం ఒక చిన్న get-together ఏర్పాటు చేస్తోంది. ఆసక్తి ఉన్న ఆలోచనాపరులందరికీ ఇదే మా హృదయపూర్వక ఆహ్వానం.
స్థలం : లామకాన్
తేదీ : 04 ఆగస్టు 2026, సాయంత్రం 5 గంటలకు

To mark the third anniversary of "Taathvik"—the first Telugu quarterly online magazine dedicated to philosophical discourse—the editorial team is organizing a small get-together. We extend a heartfelt invitation to all interested thinkers.
Venue: Lamakaan
Date: August 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM

Bloom Within – A Mindful Flower-Making Workshop

Bloom Within is a 60-minute creative wellness workshop that combines the art of making beautiful flowers from pipe cleaners with mindfulness and self-reflection. Designed to offer a calming and meaningful experience, the workshop encourages participants to slow down, connect with their creativity, and create a handcrafted bouquet that symbolizes qualities they wish to nurture in their lives—such as joy, courage, peace, or self-love.

Throughout the session, participants are guided through a short mindfulness exercise, learn step-by-step flower-making techniques, and engage in gentle reflection prompts while crafting. The experience concludes with bouquet wrapping and a personal affirmation card that participants can take home alongside their handmade creation.

The workshop is beginner-friendly, requires no prior crafting experience, and all materials are provided. It is ideal for anyone looking for a creative reset, a mindful break from their routine, or a unique wellness experience in a warm and welcoming environment.

Step through a portal into history by attending this discussion on Hyderabad’s famous dargahs. When we think of places where history is told to us, we think about museums, textbooks, and documentaries. But what about places we visit all the time without necessarily thinking about history? What about the stories we tell at such places? The saint who tamed the Musi, the saint who took a vow of silence, the saint who was a slave, the saint who watched over goats. This is history too. History is all around us, not simply confined to the walls of academic institutions. Using a combination of archival, oral, and spatial history methods, Aidan Reilly investigates how dargahs act as repositories of oral history, connecting the city of Hyderabad to both itself, and faraway lands.

Aidan is a master's student of Public History at the University of South Carolina under the direction of South Asian Historian Dr. Sarah Waheed. He has spent the last two months researching dargahs in Hyderabad for his MA Thesis, with the help of Hyderabad Urban Labs and many friends.

All are Welcome!

Mere Paas Maa Hai : Ten years. Two hundred forwards. One argument India cannot stop having by RAJU.

Brief on the author and the book:
Rajendra Prasad Boddapati, writing as *RAJU*, is a Hyderabadi through and through — raised in Mehdipatnam, shaped by this city's gift for holding humour and history in the same sentence. For ten years he did what most of us do: got forwarded things, argued about them, forwarded some back. Unlike most of us, he kept notes.
If your family WhatsApp group has ever gone silent-then-explosive over a forward... if you've typed out a fact-check reply and deleted it before sending... if you grew up on Dakhni one-liners and Hyderabadi wit and still wince at how flattened our politics has gotten — this one's for you.
_Mere Paas Maa Hai_ is what those notes became — six Acts on Indian politics, cinema, religion, nationalism, geopolitics, and Hyderabad itself, told with the city's own tehzeeb and its refusal to take anything, including itself, too seriously.
Foreword by *Mir Ali Husain* — academic, cultural historian, and a familiar face to anyone who's spent an evening at Lamakaan talking about things that matter.
This isn't a lecture on misinformation. It's an argument, told the way Hyderabad tells its arguments — with an edge, with warmth, and the expectation that you'll talk back.

The event will be followed with Tea/ Coffee and snacks (like we usually have-please confirm the details for this.)
Please let me/ Rizwan know in case you need any further details.

Performing Classical Dance (Bharatnatyam)

Book launch by Mr.A.V
Mohan Rao...A book named Shivarama Krishna and sons would be launched by the Author himself who is asr citizen and had worked for Railways fr three decades and has been writing many detective and thriller novels

Join a focused training session designed to boost your effectiveness and confidence in your advocacy work. This workshop offers a chance to learn new techniques, refine existing skills, and connect with fellow advocates. It's an opportunity to practice, share insights, and ensure you're equipped to make a greater impact.

Rana Safvi book discussion - In Conversation with Anuj Gurwara
Step into the layered histories of India with celebrated historian and author Rana Safvi for an engaging evening of storytelling, scholarship, and visual exploration on 11th July.

This special event will feature an in-depth discussion on her acclaimed works, including The Forgotten Cities of Delhi and In Search of the Divine, where she brings to life the lost cities, cultural landscapes, and spiritual traditions that have shaped India’s past and present. Through her evocative narratives, Safvi revives forgotten spaces and invites us to reimagine history beyond textbooks.

The evening will also showcase insights from her curated exhibition on the Taj Mahal, offering a rare glimpse into the stories, aesthetics, and historical nuances behind one of the world’s most iconic monuments.

Read A Kitaab is an unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library, book discussions, author meet, book of the month, monthly meets, newsletters & much more...

We love kids for who we have a kids book club. Read A Kitaab is a calm & comfort space to be yourself, to discuss books and life with no bars on age/gender/ethnicity/political views etc.

Art & Craft Workshop by PastelNStudio

Unleash your creativity with a fun and interactive art workshop featuring Canvas Painting, Tote Bag Painting, Clay Pot Painting, and DIY Craft Activities. All materials will be provided, and participants can take home their handmade creations. Suitable for all ages and no prior experience is required.

A perfect weekend activity to relax, create, and connect through art! ✨

Hosted by PastelNStudio.

Event name: Children Film festival 2026
Movie name: Colour of paradise (Iran)
Date: 12th July 2026, Sunday
Time: 6 pm to 9 pm ( 3 hours)
Organised by: Anil battula publications and Lamakaan

Monsoon Shelters – Four Himalayan Short Films & Story Sharing Session
Every monsoon leaves behind stories.
Monsoon Shelters is an intimate evening of four independent short films inspired by journeys through the Himalayas, mountain villages, changing weather, faith, silence, resilience and the people who call these mountains home.
Rather than being a conventional film screening, the event is designed as a shared storytelling experience. After every film, filmmaker and Himalayan traveller Ritwik Bhattachaharyya will share the real stories, unexpected moments, challenges and human experiences that inspired each work.The audience will also have an opportunity to interact, ask questions and discuss filmmaking, travel, mountain culture and visual storytelling.
Screening Line-up
• Monsoon Shelters
• Echoes of the Valley
• Faith Walker
• A fourth Himalayan micro short film
Together these films create a cinematic journey through landscapes, memories, rain, faith and human resilience.

Whether you are a filmmaker, traveller, photographer, writer, nature enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys meaningful conversations, this evening promises an inspiring experience.

Duration: Approximately 1.30 hours
Language: English (with subtitles where required)
Entry: Free & Open to All

As the monsoon is delayed in the city and we hope it arrives in July, bringing freshness and renewal to Hyderabad, Lamakaan too opens its doors to a season of cinematic rain with the Vittorio De Sica Film Festival. Every Wednesday evening, audiences can gather to celebrate the works of one of Italy’s greatest filmmakers. Just as the rains wash the city clean, De Sica’s films strip away pretenses, revealing the raw beauty and struggles of everyday life. His cinema, rooted in compassion and realism, is a reminder that art can be as nourishing as the monsoon itself.

About Vittorio De Sica: Vittorio De Sica (born July 7, 1901 in Sora, Italy – died November 13, 1974 in Paris, France) was a towering figure of Italian cinema and a pioneer of neorealism. Beginning his career as an actor, he later became a director whose films gave voice to ordinary people in extraordinary times. His style was marked by simplicity, emotional depth, and a deep humanism that made the struggles of everyday life profoundly moving. De Sica’s contributions include masterpieces such as Shoeshine (1946), Bicycle Thieves (1948), Umberto D. (1952), and Marriage Italian Style (1964). His work not only won Academy Awards and international acclaim but also reshaped world cinema, proving that stories of common people could carry universal power.

Film Title: TWO WOMEN | 1960 | 100 Mins | Italy & France | Italian & German with English Subtitles.

About the film: In the 1960 war drama Two Women (Italian: La ciociara), a widowed Roman mother, Cesira, and her 13-year-old daughter, Rosetta, flee the Allied bombings of World War II for the safety of her native mountain village in Ciociaria. Despite their efforts, they are violently traumatized by the brutalities of war.

Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is free and open to all!

Unleash your inner artist and walk away with a custom, wearable masterpiece! In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to transform a simple canvas tote bag into a personalized accessory that reflects your unique style.

Forces and Rhythms: an immersive learning experience of Hyderabad. A group of 40 Students of urban studies from School of Environment and Architecture, Mumbai will meet with their mentors and interlocutors to reflect on their understanding of what keeps Hyderabad moving.

Supporting to Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike from civil society

6th event of
DHWANI

An evening with Telugu fiction writer Sudhakar Unudurti

immersive performative audio presentations of accomplished Telugu literary texts

co-hosted by

MARUVAM (forum for probing and delightful conversations and performances in Telugu)
and
LAMAKAAN (The Open Cultural Center), Hyderabad.


Former marine engineer turned writer Sudhkar Unudurti (b. 1954) quickly established himself as a significant writer in Telugu with the publication of his book of stories Toorupu Gaalulu (Eastern Winds), which brought alive significant historical situations and shifting paradigmatic contexts from the ancient Buddhist times, as well as the British colonial times , at various locations on the eastern Andhra coast. He has since then published one more volume of stories and two novels.

This edition of DHWANI will feature a performative reading of three stories of Sudhakar, two
of them from the volume Toorupu Gaalulu (Eastern Winds), supported and enehanced with appropriate suggestive and symboliclly connected visual and audio elements.

Bhumi volunteer orientation to recruit volunteers for projects and programs we run in the organisation such as Civic volunteering and Teaching volunteering in Hyderabad

Queer Contours: Mapping Bodies for Collective Care. What happens when LBQ folks stop relating to the body as a site of surveillance and begin to allow for the possibility of the body as a site of wisdom?

A reflective reading circle for adults.
We’ll read children’s books together and explore how their themes connect to our own lived experiences. We believe stories heal us, connect us to our emotions, and bring us closer when experienced in community.

Manav Kaul's PARK is a brilliantly crafted Hindi play that transforms an ordinary public park into a powerful metaphor for society. Three strangers, three benches, and one seemingly simple conflict gradually unfold into a compelling exploration of identity, personal space, belonging, and human relationships.

Blending sharp humour with emotional depth, PARK invites the audience to laugh, reflect, and question the invisible boundaries we create in our lives. With Manav Kaul's signature poetic writing and layered characters, this contemporary drama reminds us that the smallest moments often reveal the biggest truths about being human.

Swap, paint, and connect—an interactive art experience where creativity is shared, stories are exchanged, and every canvas becomes a collaborative masterpiece.

This Bhil Art workshop invites participants to immerse themselves in one of Central India’s most vibrant tribal traditions. The session begins with the history and origin of Bhil paintings, then guides learners through the meditative practice of dot‑making—managing gaps, varying sizes, and creating rhythmic colorful lines. Participants will explore how dots evolve into intricate patterns, experiment with bold color contrasts, and culminate in the creation of a complete composition. Beyond creativity, the workshop emphasizes how Bhil art fosters focus, calm, and mental peace, making it a powerful tool for art therapy and community connection.

The workshop is led by Eshita Nimje, a passionate artist from Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) currently in Hyderabad, pursuing her Junior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and CCRT Delhi. Her research blends Gond and Bhil art into contemporary themes of mental health, reflecting her lifelong dedication to indigenous and folk arts. Alongside her artistic practice, Eshita is also a Cybersecurity Professional with eight years of technical and consulting experience, bringing a unique perspective that combines analytical rigor with creative exploration. She has exhibited at the Indian Art Biennale at Red Fort Delhi, Bombay Art Society, and Azim Premji University, and has conducted workshops at IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay, and across India, teaching over 250 participants.

This workshop is not only a chance to learn a skill but to experience how tribal creativity nurtures well‑being, explores folklore, builds community, and connects tradition with contemporary life—led by a professional who bridges art, culture, and technology with equal passion.

Indian Society Naked in Front of You is an intimate literary performance that peels back the layers of our everyday lives with wit, warmth and uncomfortable honesty. Through a series of humorous, familiar and deeply relatable stories, Niteesh Pandey exposes the contradictions we unknowingly carry—in our homes, our values, our parenting, our prejudices and our public lives. The audience laughs, recognizes themselves, and slowly discovers that every joke hides a question worth asking. Blending storytelling, spoken word and theatre, this is not a performance that points fingers at society—it simply holds up a mirror and invites us to look.

As the official streaming access remains blocked across India, independent cultural spaces and community groups have stepped up to host grassroots screenings. Lamakaan is screening the film precisely because of this censorship. By holding this screening, Lamakaan aligns with its long-standing tradition of protecting freedom of speech, resisting state censorship, and ensuring that politically sensitive, truth-driven cinema reaches the public despite official blocks.

Film Title: SATLUJ | 2026 | 163 Mins | India | Hindi & Punjabi with English Subtitles.

About the film: Satluj (originally titled Panjab '95) is a 2026 biographical drama directed by Honey Trehan, starring Diljit Dosanjh as the real-life human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film follows Khalra’s dangerous crusade to uncover state-sanctioned extrajudicial killings and the secret cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in 1990s Punjab.

All are Welcome. Entry is free and open to all!

As the monsoon is delayed in the city and we hope it arrives in July, bringing freshness and renewal to Hyderabad, Lamakaan too opens its doors to a season of cinematic rain with the Vittorio De Sica Film Festival. Every Wednesday evening, audiences can gather to celebrate the works of one of Italy’s greatest filmmakers. Just as the rains wash the city clean, De Sica’s films strip away pretenses, revealing the raw beauty and struggles of everyday life. His cinema, rooted in compassion and realism, is a reminder that art can be as nourishing as the monsoon itself.

About Vittorio De Sica: Vittorio De Sica (born July 7, 1901 in Sora, Italy – died November 13, 1974 in Paris, France) was a towering figure of Italian cinema and a pioneer of neorealism. Beginning his career as an actor, he later became a director whose films gave voice to ordinary people in extraordinary times. His style was marked by simplicity, emotional depth, and a deep humanism that made the struggles of everyday life profoundly moving. De Sica’s contributions include masterpieces such as Shoeshine (1946), Bicycle Thieves (1948), Umberto D. (1952), and Marriage Italian Style (1964). His work not only won Academy Awards and international acclaim but also reshaped world cinema, proving that stories of common people could carry universal power.

Film Title: THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS | 1970 | 94 Mins | Italy & West Germany | Italian with English Subtitles.

About the film: THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS is a highly acclaimed, historically significant classic. Directed by Vittorio De Sica, it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It is an excellent and deeply moving selection to screen, exploring doomed love, privilege, and the encroaching horrors of fascism.

Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is free and open to all!

To discuss and analyse SIR, share learnings and recommendation s going forward for Telangana

Azad Bhayya Sahacharaula Gnyapaklu is book of translated articles who worked along side with Freedom Fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad.

A study presented by Sagar Dhara on the proposed H-CITI project around KBR Park concluded that the expected increase in traffic speeds is likely to be temporary. While congestion may initially reduce, increasing vehicle volumes and induced demand (Jevons Paradox) could return traffic to current levels by 2032, after which average speeds may decline below 18 km/h. The study questioned whether the project's estimated ₹1,100 crore cost would achieve its stated objectives. It highlighted significant concerns over increased air pollution, public health risks, and environmental degradation, particularly affecting children and senior citizens. The projected economic cost of health impacts between 2026–2046 was estimated at 86% of the project cost. Concerns were also raised regarding possible implications for the Right to Life and Health (Article 21), inadequate public disclosure of project documents, and the absence of meaningful public consultation. The study recommended placing the project on hold until a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), consistent with UNEP guidelines, is undertaken with active public participation. It also called for a detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing H-CITI with alternative mobility and traffic management solutions that prioritize reduced emissions and improved public health. Participants broadly endorsed these recommendations, emphasizing sustained citizen engagement, transparency, intergenerational equity, and data-driven urban planning focused on moving people rather than vehicles. Additional suggestions included monitoring walkability, geo-tagging environmental assets, and addressing broader climate and ecological concerns.

✨ Resin Workshop at Lamakaan ✨

Create your own resin art masterpiece and explore your creativity in a fun hands-on session.

📍 Lamakaan
📅 25 July 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

No experience needed • Materials provided 💫

Gauhar Raza talks about what constitutes scientific knowledge and what qualifies as a religious claim is a serious question. Blurring the boundaries between scientific and religious knowledge is an act used for political mobilisation. In the first part of the talk, Gauhar Raza will try to define the boundaries of science and religion. The second part will deal with Indian Identity and scientific temper.

Sundari, seamlessly paired with an acoustic live music jamming session.

​Our goal is not just to show a movie, but to curate an immersive emotional experience that will deeply resonate with your regular patrons and draw in a dedicated community of art lovers.
​The Vision Behind "Sundari"
​Sundari is not merely a short film; it is a poetic exploration of the unsaid, a visual symphony that delves deep into the quiet, aching spaces of human connection. It is an intimate canvas where nostalgia meets the present, and where the unspoken dialogue between two souls is given life through imagery and sound. The film captures the raw, vulnerable essence of love, longing, and the artistic spirit. It is a passion project born out of a desire to touch the subconscious—to make the audience feel the weight of a glance and the melody of a silence.

Name of the event - Book discussion
Time - 6PM - 8PM
Name of the Book - Wild Wild East
Name of the author - Tanul Thakur
Bio of the author – Mr. Thakur is an award-winning journalist and film critic. In 2015, he won the National Film Award for Best Film Critic—the youngest critic to receive the honour. Over a dozen media outlets have interviewed him on cinema, culture and the H-1B programme, including the Washington Post, the Hindu, the Economist, Financial Times, BBC and CNN. Wild Wild East is his first book.

Brief on the book - Wild Wild East by National Award-winning critic Tanul Thakur unveils a scam that affects millions of American and Indian workers. A scam sustained and abetted—directly or indirectly—by thousands of firms, American politicians, think tanks, mainstream media, accrediting organisations and universities. Following the lives of three characters, Kumar, Manu and Virgil and their encounters with the draconian H1B visa programme, Thakur through the microcosms of these three disenfranchised lives explores the macrocosmic world of Big Tech giants, outsourcing behemoths, mom-and-pop body shops, educational consultancies, visa mills and federal agencies, dismantling the myth of Indian IT boom and the American dream.

We will also have the following people on the panel for discussion
- Dr. Vikas Singh, Senior Fellow, MCRHRDI
- Asiya Sherwani, Head - Sahas (साहस) - Women Safety Wing, Telangana Police (tentative)
- Sajid Hussain, CEO, Human Development Trust (HDT), Hyderabad
- Prof Mubeen Rafat - Visiting faculty Mahindra University
- Ram R Bhupathiraju, Associate Researcher, Institute of Public Enterprise

The event will be followed with Tea/ Coffee and snacks (like we usually have-please confirm the details for this.)
Please let me/ Rizwan know in case you need any further details.

Join us for the launch of the newly published Bengali novel "Sada, Kalo Aar Kuasa", organized by Deep Mahanty.

Step into an evening of literature, conversation, and celebration as we unveil a compelling new voice in Bengali fiction.

Unleash your creativity in our fun filled hands-on Art & Craft Workshop! Whether you're a beginner or an art enthusiast, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to explore your artistic side, learn new skills, and create beautiful handmade pieces.
✨ Activities Include:
💖 Bracelet Making
🎨 Tote Bag Painting
🏺 Clay Modeling
All materials will be provided, and you'll get to take home your own handmade creations. Join us for a relaxing, creative experience filled with colors, imagination, and fun!

Sahityam tho Saynatralu by Telugu Collective , A literary discussion on the modern classic telugu book, Kanyasulkam by Gurajada Apparao.

Who is Jesus? Is the harbinger of peace and love or is he a revolutionary

Handwriting Workshop
Discover the Art of Beautiful Handwriting

HGI Plus Group proudly presents its Premium Handwriting Transformation Workshop, a unique annual programme designed to help children develop elegant, fluent and confident handwriting through scientifically proven methods. Conducted under the expert guidance of Dr. R. B. Anand, an acclaimed author, researcher and handwriting expert with over 30 years of experience, the workshop is supported by his highly trained professional team. Their systematic approach has already transformed the handwriting of more than 1,30,000 students across India and abroad.
Participants will learn the internationally acclaimed French and UK based standardized handwriting techniques that make cursive writing natural, attractive and effortless. The programme focuses on improving handwriting style, speed, spacing, rhythm, uniformity and overall presentation through practical exercises that deliver visible results. It is ideal for school students and young learners seeking greater confidence in schoolwork, examinations and everyday writing.
This exclusive workshop is conducted only once every year, making it a rare opportunity not to be missed. The workshop will be held on Saturday, 1 August 2026, from 10.30 AM to 2.00 PM at Lamakaan Cultural Centre, Opp. GVK One Mall, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Although the regular workshop fee is ₹5,000, participants can register through the exclusive Lamakaan offer for just ₹999. Every registration includes a complete handwriting learning kit worth ₹600, two years of HGI Plus membership, personal handwriting counselling, and complimentary snacks and juice. Seats are limited and will be allotted on a first come, first served basis. To reserve your seat, call or WhatsApp 9908179810 today. Beautiful handwriting opens doors to better learning, greater confidence and lasting success.

Explore whether degrowth is a viable approach in developing countries, considering its context-dependent nature and the distinction between economy-wide degrowth and sector-specific or consumption-focused transitions.

Poothappaattu, a classic poem in Malayalam written by Edasseri Govindan Nair is considered one of the best in world literature and centres around the myth of the Poothan in the Valluvanadan region. It is celebrated as an epitome of a mother's love and sacrifice for her child. Who was the Pootham? Believed to be a supernatural being who lived in the wilderness in the fringes of the village, the Pootham was feared by villagers as they believed that once upon a time, she used to transform into an enchantress, lure wayfarers up the Pala tree, drink their blood and throw their bodies down on the rocks. But something happened that softened her heart and made her always lament. What was it? Every year, in the month of Makaram, after the harvest, when she visited the village in a grand deified form, what was she looking for? The legend awaits behind the curtains.

Celebrate Friendship Day by creating something meaningful together through the timeless art of traditional hand block printing.

In this immersive workshop, you'll learn directly from a generational artisan, discovering the history, techniques, and stories behind one of India's oldest textile crafts. Guided by the artisan, you'll hand-print your very own block-printed tote bag to take home, a functional keepsake you'll actually use.

Whether you're coming with your best friend, your sibling, or on your own, this is a chance to slow down, create together, and celebrate Friendship Day through a shared creative experience rooted in tradition.

All materials, including the tote bag, block printing tools, and fabric colors, are provided.
No prior experience is needed—just bring your creativity, and leave with a handcrafted tote bag and a memorable experience.

RANGMANCH – First Annual Program

*RANGMANCH* proudly presents its First Annual Program, featuring performances by the students of Ms. Aradhana Karhade Shastri. The evening will conclude with a special performance by Ms. Aradhana Karhade Shastri herself.

RANGMANCH is a dream brought to life through the collective efforts of Aradhana and her students. Throughout the year, the team organizes regular Baithaks, providing students with opportunities to perform in a supportive and encouraging environment.

This initiative was started with the vision of helping students overcome stage fear, build confidence, and grow as performers through consistent stage exposure.

We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating this beautiful journey of learning, dedication, and music.

తాత్త్విక విషయాలను చర్చించే తొలి తెలుగు త్రైమాసిక అంతర్జాల పత్రిక "తాత్త్విక" ప్రారంభించి మూడేళ్లు అయిన సందర్భంగా సంపాదకవర్గం ఒక చిన్న get-together ఏర్పాటు చేస్తోంది. ఆసక్తి ఉన్న ఆలోచనాపరులందరికీ ఇదే మా హృదయపూర్వక ఆహ్వానం.
స్థలం : లామకాన్
తేదీ : 04 ఆగస్టు 2026, సాయంత్రం 5 గంటలకు

To mark the third anniversary of "Taathvik"—the first Telugu quarterly online magazine dedicated to philosophical discourse—the editorial team is organizing a small get-together. We extend a heartfelt invitation to all interested thinkers.
Venue: Lamakaan
Date: August 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM

Bloom Within – A Mindful Flower-Making Workshop

Bloom Within is a 60-minute creative wellness workshop that combines the art of making beautiful flowers from pipe cleaners with mindfulness and self-reflection. Designed to offer a calming and meaningful experience, the workshop encourages participants to slow down, connect with their creativity, and create a handcrafted bouquet that symbolizes qualities they wish to nurture in their lives—such as joy, courage, peace, or self-love.

Throughout the session, participants are guided through a short mindfulness exercise, learn step-by-step flower-making techniques, and engage in gentle reflection prompts while crafting. The experience concludes with bouquet wrapping and a personal affirmation card that participants can take home alongside their handmade creation.

The workshop is beginner-friendly, requires no prior crafting experience, and all materials are provided. It is ideal for anyone looking for a creative reset, a mindful break from their routine, or a unique wellness experience in a warm and welcoming environment.

Step through a portal into history by attending this discussion on Hyderabad’s famous dargahs. When we think of places where history is told to us, we think about museums, textbooks, and documentaries. But what about places we visit all the time without necessarily thinking about history? What about the stories we tell at such places? The saint who tamed the Musi, the saint who took a vow of silence, the saint who was a slave, the saint who watched over goats. This is history too. History is all around us, not simply confined to the walls of academic institutions. Using a combination of archival, oral, and spatial history methods, Aidan Reilly investigates how dargahs act as repositories of oral history, connecting the city of Hyderabad to both itself, and faraway lands.

Aidan is a master's student of Public History at the University of South Carolina under the direction of South Asian Historian Dr. Sarah Waheed. He has spent the last two months researching dargahs in Hyderabad for his MA Thesis, with the help of Hyderabad Urban Labs and many friends.

All are Welcome!

Mere Paas Maa Hai : Ten years. Two hundred forwards. One argument India cannot stop having by RAJU.

Brief on the author and the book:
Rajendra Prasad Boddapati, writing as *RAJU*, is a Hyderabadi through and through — raised in Mehdipatnam, shaped by this city's gift for holding humour and history in the same sentence. For ten years he did what most of us do: got forwarded things, argued about them, forwarded some back. Unlike most of us, he kept notes.
If your family WhatsApp group has ever gone silent-then-explosive over a forward... if you've typed out a fact-check reply and deleted it before sending... if you grew up on Dakhni one-liners and Hyderabadi wit and still wince at how flattened our politics has gotten — this one's for you.
_Mere Paas Maa Hai_ is what those notes became — six Acts on Indian politics, cinema, religion, nationalism, geopolitics, and Hyderabad itself, told with the city's own tehzeeb and its refusal to take anything, including itself, too seriously.
Foreword by *Mir Ali Husain* — academic, cultural historian, and a familiar face to anyone who's spent an evening at Lamakaan talking about things that matter.
This isn't a lecture on misinformation. It's an argument, told the way Hyderabad tells its arguments — with an edge, with warmth, and the expectation that you'll talk back.

The event will be followed with Tea/ Coffee and snacks (like we usually have-please confirm the details for this.)
Please let me/ Rizwan know in case you need any further details.