Remembering Operation Polo

16th September, Sunday @ 07:30 PM 

On September 17, 1948, the Indian army which was sent by the government had taken over the princely state of Hyderabad. Titled ‘Operation Polo’ and known as ‘Police Action’, the event annexed areas of present day Maharashtra and Karnataka, which were then under Hyderabad, to the Indian union.

The operation was initiated after Osman Ali Khan, the last and seventh monarch of the Asaf Jahi dynasty was deliberating between joining the Indian union and staying independent.

Anything but a simple takeover, Operation Polo had resulted in thousands of deaths, apparently at the hands of the Indian army (preceded by bouts of violence against citizens by the militia Razakaars run by Kasim Razvi, who later became the leader of the MIM). September 17 this year marks 70 years since the incident took place.

Mr. Burugula Narsing Rao (86) , then a college student, and someone who witnessed the murder of journalist Shoaibullah Khan (by the Razakaars) and what had transpired during the period will be speaking at Lamakaan on the occasion. So come join us for a discussion.

Free Entry…

Preserving Charminar from Encroachments

2018 marks 500 years since the Qutb Shahi dynasty was established in 1518 by Sultan Quli Qutb Shah. And 73 years later, his grandson and fourth king of the dynasty founded the city of Hyderabad, with the iconic Charminar being its foundation. Built to mark the new city’s beginning and the end of a supposed plague, the edifice today is Hyderabad’s face.

And 427 years since it was constructed, the Charminar has witnessed the city grow around it, having seen the end of two dynasties. But over time, the iconic structure has been subject to encroachments and disturbances, in spite of it being a national monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. While that in itself is not something new, how it has happened over time will is something we as citizens should look at, especially in terms of protecting our heritage.

And to understand that, or guest speaker will be Mr. Milan Kumar Chauley, who is the Superintending Archaeologist with the ASI, looking after all the national monuments in both Andhra and Telangana. Mr. Chauley will deliver a talk and also make a presentation about the Charminar and its surrounding encroachments.

About the speaker: Mr. Milan Kumar Chauley first joined service as a Documentation Officer with Delhi government’s archaeology department in 2002. He joined the ASI in 2003, working for its excavation branch in Bhubaneshwar and Delhi. In 2012, Mr. Chauley became a Superintending Achaeologist directly after writing the UPSC exam, following which he was appointed to the Telangana/AP circle as the same in 2017.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

Qawwali – Warsi Brothers

March 13, 2010

This was the first performance of Lamakaan – March 13th, 2010. A fabulous evening, just go past the shaky initial bits of the video.

Judicial Crisis – Talk by L Ravichander

December 15, 2017

What are the challenges before judiciary that has led to the crisis of 2017? Ravichander explains this brilliantly.

L Ravichander, senior counsel with the High Court of AP/TS. He is a speaker, writer, film critic, quizer, speaker.

Suno Bhai Sadho – Vipul Rikhi sings Kabir

Vipul Rikhi, is a kabir bhakt in the true sense. A co-founder of Ajab Shahar, he sang at Lamakaan 11th April, 2017. This is an audio track.

Tom Alter and Uday Chandra’s ‘Inteha’ – Ghazals of Ghalib

April, 2012

For Ghazal lovers, Tom Alter and Uday Chandra at Lamakaan made a memorable evening. It was April of 2012.

Pantomime – Irshad Panjatan

July 6th, 2012

Irshad Panjatan, the internationally celebrated pantomime was in Hyderabad on a personal visit. He performed at Lamakaan in 2012.  This demo-lecture covers what mime is and does. From funny to sad, slapstick to critical, he does it all.

2018, Anniversary

Lamakaan was born on March 13th, 2010. It turns 8 this March. Every year, we celebrate our anniversary with a special line-up of events. with a set of events that highlight our engagement with issues of culture, politics and society. Here is this year’s line up with dates. All the events are non-ticketed and free. Continue reading “8th Anniversary”

Ardhana Karhade’s Raag Nand

 

In March 2010, Ardhanaji gave a fabulous Nand to the very few of us who gathered in the first week of Lamakaan. It was a memorable evening. On tabla is Suhas Sastry (also her husband) and Rahul Deshpande on the harmonium.