Upcoming Events

The Centre for Development Policy and Practice, in collaboration with the Digital Empowerment Foundation, is proud to present another captivating edition of Bazm-e-Sukhan.

Join us on Wednesday 11th December 2024 at Lamakaan, Hyderabad for an enriching evening *"EK SHAM WATAN KE NAAM"* (Patriotic, Freedom & Partition Poetry.

Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, 11th December 2024
🕡 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Venue: Lamakaan, Hyderabad

We look forward to your presence at this special event.

Yasujirō Ozu (12 December 1903 – 12 December 1963) was a Japanese filmmaker. He began his career during the era of silent films, and his last films were made in color in the early 1960s. Ozu first made a number of short comedies before turning to more serious themes in the 1930s. The most prominent themes of Ozu's work are family and marriage, and especially the relationships between generations. His most widely beloved films include Late Spring (1949), Tokyo Story (1953) and An Autumn Afternoon (1962).

Widely regarded as one of the world's greatest and most influential filmmakers, Ozu's work has continued to receive acclaim since his death. In the 2012 Sight & Sound poll, critics voted Ozu's Tokyo Story the third-greatest film of all time worldwide. In the same poll, Tokyo Story was voted the greatest film of all time by 358 directors and filmmakers worldwide.

Film Title: EARLY SPRING | 1956 | 144 Mins | Japan | Japenese Language with English Subtitles

About the film: Early Spring is a 1956 film by Yasujirō Ozu about a married salaryman (Ryō Ikebe) who escapes the monotony of married life and his work at a fire brick manufacturing company by beginning an affair with a fellow office worker (Keiko Kishi). The film also deals with the hardships of the salaryman lifestyle. "I wanted," Ozu said, "to portray what you might call the pathos of the white-collar life."



Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is Free & Open to all!

Join us for the screening and discussion of Roberto Rossellini’s Rome, Open City (1945)

Hyderabad Cinephiles will be screening Rome, Open City at 6pm on Friday, 13 December. One of the earliest films of the Italian neorealism, Rome, Open City follows the lives of the resistance fighters and common working people of Italy under Nazi occupation. It exposes the brutality of fascism and is relevant even today. While 21st century fascism differs from its Italian and German counterparts in many ways, there are also key elements of continuity. Today, as the fascists have risen to power in our own country, a film like Rome, Open City, reminds us that it is the indomitable spirit of the people and their collective militant resistance that will overthrow the fascists and bring about the revolutionary transformation of society.

Entry is free. The film will be screened in Italian with English subtitles, and will be followed by a discussion.

We want to conduct a music concert.
Type of music- ANNAMACHARYA KEERTHANAS
SINGER-LAVANYA PARASA
VIOLINIST-JAYASURYA

Urbansketchers Hyderabad is celebrating a major milestone: its 300th event, with the week-long #uskhyd300 from December 8-14, 2024. Over these seven days, participants will come together to document the city’s diverse landmarks and everyday scenes through 300 unique sketches. This special event honors Hyderabad's culture, architecture, and people, inviting artists of all levels to capture the city's essence.

The event begins with a workshop at Lamakaan on December 8 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. This session will introduce urban sketching techniques, from capturing perspectives to adding dynamic line work, and provide participants with event schedules, materials suggestions, and daily themes. Lamakaan serves as the gathering point for this kickoff and as the venue for the final exhibition on December 14, where all 300 sketches will be displayed, creating a visual tapestry of Hyderabad.

Each day, participants will sketch at a new iconic location, exploring Hyderabad's beauty and variety. Planned spots include Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace, Hussain Sagar Lake, and Laad Bazaar, each with its unique character. Mornings feature sketch walks, afternoons offer workshops led by experienced artists on advanced techniques, and evenings bring everyone together to share and discuss the day’s artwork.

Special activities include a night sketching session at Charminar, a children’s sketching workshop, and a bustling market sketch at Laad Bazaar. The closing event on December 14 at Lamakaan will showcase the week’s collective work, inviting the public to view the 300 sketches and hear from participants. The #uskhyd300 event reflects the dedication of Urbansketchers Hyderabad to its art community and aims to deepen connections among artists while showcasing Hyderabad’s vibrant urban landscape.

About the play:
TajMahalkaTenderpresentsEmperorShahJahaninthe21stcentury,mourningtheloss of his wife Mumtaz. As he plans to construct the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife, he is caught up in the modern world of red tape,bribes and corruption. The plot
compels the audience to imagine a world where the iconic symbol of love becomes entangled in endless paperwork, budgets and greedy contractors. The play depicts how it wouldseemiftheemperorhimselffacedthetediouslyslowprocessesoftenders,bribesand approvalsfortheconstruction.Throughthehelpof‘Guptaji’thegovernmentofficialwho takes the tender to build the Taj Mahal the intensity of the plot escalates. The humorous
satire offers a view into the loopholes and tribulations of the Indian bureaucracy and absurd political processes. Taj Mahal ka Tender Serves as a mirror of the farcical modern society where even a grand historical monument like Taj Mahal undergoes Governmental procedures and political intervention. Through skillful usage of wit, paradox and irony, Shuklahighlightsthechallengesofpreservingthenation’sculturalandhistoricalheritage. The play brings to life a modern twist to the timeless tale of love and ambition while subtly critiquingthemodernIndiansocietywhichridiculesnationalheritagewithcorruptionand inefficiency.

TajMahal,theemblemofeternalloveandarchitecturalmagnificencestrugglestogetthe tender approval in the modern Indian bureaucracy. Will Shahjahan be able to pay a
tributeto his loveor will heplunge into theinefficient system ofthe present society?

WrittenbyAjayShukla Directed by Ali Ahmed

Date:14thDecember2024 Time: 8 PM Onwards

Pleasejoinustowitnessavisualdelightwrappedincomedy.Indulgeyourselvesina spectacularblendofhistory,humourandheritage.Comeforthehumor,stayforthe
message.Secureyourseatstodayonbookmyshow–becausewhenhistorymeetshumour, it’s a show to remember!

An Evening on Healing Shame with a Sex & Trauma Psychotherapist - a Trauma Therapy workshop and a discussion on Neha Bhat's book Unashamed

Workshop Fees: Rs 1000

The bestselling book by Harper Collins can be made available on sale at a discount

Book launch of “Jenny”, Aparna Thota’s poetry collection. A contemporary expression of current day women’s inner rants

Experience comedy, tragedy, drama, jealousy, affection and much more.
When the curtain (Yavanika) goes up.
Welcome to the world of drama.

Sifar invites you to

YAVANIKA
a comically-tragic play

Vocal music duet by Kishan Prakash and Rishabh Prakash from Khairagarh in Chhattisgarh. Accompanied on Tabla by Sumith Naik and on Harmonium by Ajay Hegde from Bengaluru.

Yasujirō Ozu (12 December 1903 – 12 December 1963) was a Japanese filmmaker. He began his career during the era of silent films, and his last films were made in color in the early 1960s. Ozu first made a number of short comedies before turning to more serious themes in the 1930s. The most prominent themes of Ozu's work are family and marriage, and especially the relationships between generations. His most widely beloved films include Late Spring (1949), Tokyo Story (1953) and An Autumn Afternoon (1962).

Widely regarded as one of the world's greatest and most influential filmmakers, Ozu's work has continued to receive acclaim since his death. In the 2012 Sight & Sound poll, critics voted Ozu's Tokyo Story the third-greatest film of all time worldwide. In the same poll, Tokyo Story was voted the greatest film of all time by 358 directors and filmmakers worldwide.

Film Title: GOOD MORNING | 1959 | 94 Mins | Japan | Japenese Language with English Subtitles

About the film: The film takes place in suburban Tokyo, and begins with a group of boy students going home.

The film steers into a subplot concerning the local women's club monthly dues. Everyone in the neighborhood club believes that Mrs Hayashi, the treasurer, has given the dues to the chairwoman, Mrs Haraguchi, but Mrs Haraguchi denies it. They gossip amongst themselves about who could have taken the money and speculate that Mrs Haraguchi could have used the money to buy herself a new washing machine. Later Mrs Haraguchi confronts Mrs Hayashi for starting the rumor and ruining her reputation, but Mrs Hayashi states that she has indeed handed the dues money to Haraguchi's mother. Only later does Mrs Haraguchi realize it was her mistake (her mother being quite senile and forgetful), and she goes to apologize.

Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is Free & Open to all!

Amelie Rennt - German Movie Night

Amelie Rennt tells the poignant story of Amelie, a young girl played by Mia Kasalo, who is fed up with her asthma. Frustrated and angry, Amelie is sent to a recovery clinic in South Tyrol and flees into the mountains. There, she is accompanied by Bart (Samuel Girardi), a resilient teen with his own burdens. Despite Amelie’s resistance, Bart follows her, offering quiet support and companionship and soon they slowly grow closer.

Together, they embark on a transformative journey, culminating in a symbolic Midsummer ritual where Amelie leaps over a fire—a act of healing. Tobias Wiemann’s critically acclaimed film is a celebration of resilience, friendship, and the healing power of nature.
Winner of the German Film Prize in Gold for Best Children's Film and the "Golden Sparrow" award, Amelie Rennt is a moving tale of strength and self-discovery. Don't miss this heartwarming adventure of hope and courage.

A round table discussion observing ‘Human Rights Day’ highlighting the theme of 2024 - "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now" - a meaningful dialogue of human rights hosted by the youth for the youth. This dialogue is to ignite young minds to focus on what human rights means to them , what a just world should entail and what can they do to make this Country an equitable society.

To celebrate the Christmas Season, The Hyderabad Voices and The Cadence Voices come together to present ‘A NOT SO SILENT NIGHT’
The Hyderabad Voices is co-founded by Ashrita D’Souza and Shakila Dausi. It is a coming together of people from different backgrounds, united in their love for singing.
The Cadence Voices, founded by Ashrita, is a children’s choir. Apart from singing, the children also accompany themselves on guitar, ukelele etc.
Both choirs are conducted by Ashrita and present a not so usual selection of Christmas music. There will be accompanied as well as acapella songs
This concert features a special guest – Dr Ankna Arockiam, who is visiting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She is a versatile soloist and we can look forward to a special musical treat!
Kick off this Christmas season at Lamakaan on the 20th of December, 7 pm onwards.

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

The Comeback Chronicles
(Yes, this is *your* story!)

At first, I was totally lost trying to find the perfect topic for this event. Then our tech guru dropped the bomb: *“What about Comebacks?”* And boom! It clicked like a perfect puzzle piece.

But… writing this post? That was a whole other saga. After *11* drafts (yes, 11!), I was ready to give up. But then it hit me: *This process*—the struggle, the rejection, the grind—was the perfect comeback story itself.

So here it is—the final draft. Not perfect, but *not giving up* is what makes it worth it.

Now, it’s *your* turn. Whether you’ve got a full comeback story or you’re just stuck, we’re here for you. Share your journey. And if you don’t have the words, let us help you find them. Sometimes, just showing up is the biggest comeback of all.

Because no matter where you are in your struggle, someone else out there needs to hear it. You’re never alone.

Anand, the publisher at Navayana, has been singing and translating Kabir’s sung-and-heard poetry for a decade now. The Notebook of Kabir: Thinner than Water, Fiercer than Fire is a selection of fifty Kabir songs, in the original and translation, interspersed with commentary and essays. Anand turned to Kabir after years of immersing himself in the ideas of Babasaheb Ambedkar and several anticaste thinkers. He soon found Kabir leading him to the Buddha. Anand first met Kabir in Hyderabad during his school days. He returns now to the city to present Kabir in a new light.

At Lamakaan, Anand will perform Kabir with a tanpura. He will also be in dialogue with Mohd Abdul Nayeem, an academic and connoisseur of poetry and music, Professor V. Thirupathaiah of Warangal, a renowned music teacher, and Anand’s first guru.

All are Welcome!

"Experience the art of candle-making like never before! Twilight Aromas by SK is thrilled to showcase our latest collection of handcrafted candles, each one a unique masterpiece of color, texture, and fragrance."

Pichwai Acrylic Glass Painting Workshop

Unleash your creativity and immerse yourself in the traditional art of Pichwai painting with a modern twist on glass!

In this hands-on workshop, you will learn to create stunning designs inspired by intricate Pichwai motifs, featuring delicate lotus flowers and vibrant colors.

What You'll Learn:
1. Painting techniques on acrylic glass.
2. The cultural significance and history of Pichwai art.
3. Step-by-step guidance to craft a masterpiece.

Why Join?
1. Suitable for beginners and art enthusiasts.
2. No prior experience needed
3. All materials, including glass, paints, and tools, will be provided.

*Take home your own unique, hand-painted artwork.*

Discover the joy of blending traditional art with contemporary mediums.

Join us and create a timeless piece of decor for your home!

Date: 22nd Dec 2024
Time: 1pm to 4pm

"Math as the Language of the Universe" is a thought-provoking play that explores the intricate relationship between mathematics and the universe. By combining storytelling, music, and dance, this production inspires audiences to see the beauty and simplicity of mathematical concepts that govern our cosmos.

Bolat {Marathi Play}
Written by - Yogesh Soman
Actors - Vishal Phadke & Dilip Salgarkar
Music - Swapnal Paranjpe
Lights - Kedar Subhedar
Design & Direction - Saurabh Gharipurikar
Assistant Director & Production Manager - Vrushali Sing Bayus

Date - 22nd December 2024 (Sunday)
Time - 08:30 to 09:30 pm
Venue - Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Rd No 01
Donor Pass - 200/-
Tickets on in.bookmyshow.com
Tele booking on 7731903115

join us for a magical Christmas workshop!
create your own Christmas tree decoration item. Santa, candy stick, maple leaf, gingerbread, bell or snowman.
fee 300 /- includes the material cost of clay n paints

Yasujirō Ozu (12 December 1903 – 12 December 1963) was a Japanese filmmaker. He began his career during the era of silent films, and his last films were made in color in the early 1960s. Ozu first made a number of short comedies before turning to more serious themes in the 1930s. The most prominent themes of Ozu's work are family and marriage, and especially the relationships between generations. His most widely beloved films include Late Spring (1949), Tokyo Story (1953) and An Autumn Afternoon (1962).

Widely regarded as one of the world's greatest and most influential filmmakers, Ozu's work has continued to receive acclaim since his death. In the 2012 Sight & Sound poll, critics voted Ozu's Tokyo Story the third-greatest film worldwide. In the same poll, Tokyo Story was voted the greatest film of all time by 358 directors and filmmakers worldwide.

Film Title: LATE SPRING | 1949 | 108 Mins | Japan | Japenese Language with English Subtitles

About the film: Late Spring is a 1949 Japanese drama film directed by Yasujirō Ozu and written by Ozu and Kogo Noda, based on the short novel Father and Daughter (Chichi to Musume) by the 20th-century novelist and critic Kazuo Hirotsu. The film was written and shot during the Allied Powers' Occupation of Japan and was subject to the Occupation's official censorship requirements. Starring Chishū Ryū, who was featured in almost all of the director's films, and Setsuko Hara, marking her first of six appearances in Ozu's work, it is the first installment of Ozu’s so-called "Noriko trilogy," succeeded by Early Summer (Bakushu, 1951) and Tokyo Story (Tokyo Monogatari, 1953); in each of which Hara portrays a young woman named Noriko, though the three Norikos are distinct, unrelated characters, linked primarily by their status as single women in postwar Japan.



Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is Free & Open to all!

Kalla Pradarshana -
This is the combination of violin, vocal, dance musical event

Kahanighar is a platform for storytelling. We select five or six storytellers, they tell their story. This time we have six storytellers.

Shyam Benegal, a luminary in Indian cinema, has shaped the narrative of socially conscious filmmaking with his nuanced storytelling and deep understanding of human emotions. Known for his ability to weave compelling narratives around everyday lives, Benegal's films explore the complexities of socio-economic realities, gender dynamics, and cultural traditions. From his debut masterpiece Ankur to the celebrated Manthan and Bhumika, his work transcends entertainment, offering a profound commentary on societal structures. His films stand as a testament to the power of cinema as a medium for change, earning him a revered place among India’s greatest auteurs.

This January, our tribute film festival celebrates Shyam Benegal’s unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema. Every Wednesday evening, audiences are invited to revisit his iconic works, engage with their timeless relevance, and explore his unique cinematic language. The retrospective serves as an ode to his artistic genius and an opportunity to inspire new generations of filmmakers and cinephiles to carry forward his legacy of meaningful storytelling.

Film Title: ANKUR | 1974 | 125 Mins | India | Dakhani with English Subtitles

About the film: Ankur is an Indian colour film of 1974. It was the first feature film directed by Shyam Benegal and the debut of Indian actors Anant Nag and Shabana Azmi. Anant Nag was introduced in Ankur by Shyam Benegal in Hindi film after his higher education in Mumbai. The film was shot in Hyderabad. Though Shabana Azmi had also acted in other films, Ankur was her first release..

Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is Free & Open to all!

Aavedana!!!! It is a real event that happens in our house and next door. This movie is based on the real events that happen between husband and wife in our house. Please watch it.

"Women on the move: working women's mobility in Hyderabad" is Aila Bandagi's PhD research project. This event invites women working in the IT and corporate spaces of Cyberabad to reflect on their everyday commute to work. It is a workshop where Aila will work with the participants to unpack the different kinds of perceptions that they hold, why those perceptions exist and most importantly, how these perceptions shape the mobility of individual women and the city in general.

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

We wish to share some important videos about rock climbing as an activity amongst our members. This include movie clips, technical climbing and a discussion about climbing, trekking and adventure.

Radical Vulnerability: Development, Translation, Justice --A Book Discussion with Professor Richa Nagar

About the book: How might scholars ethically participate in producing knowledge in ways that connect across different meanings of struggle, hunger, hope, and the good life? Informed by over two decades of learning moments from a co-authored journey with the Sangtin Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (SKMS) in Sitapur and Parakh Theatre in Mumbai, Radical Vulnerability bridges these divides with a fresh approach to academic theorising. Reflecting on her collaborations with activists, theatre artistes, writers and students, Richa Nagar discusses building embodied alliances among those who occupy different locations in predominant hierarchies. Such alliances can sensitively engage difference through a kind of full-bodied immersion and ethical translation, and make knowledges more humble, more tentative, and more alive to the creativity of struggle.

Author's Bio: Richa Nagar is an academic and author. She is the inaugural Gloria Steinem ’56 Endowed Chair in Women and Gender Studies at Smith College. Her scholarship, writing and cultural work, in English and Hindustani, refuse the borders of academia, arts and activism. Her books include Muddying the Waters: Coauthoring Feminisms across Scholarship and Activism, and she has co-authored Sangtin Yatra and Playing with Fire: Feminist Thought and Activism through Seven Lives in India, with Sangtin Writers. Her work has been translated into German, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Marathi, Turkish and Urdu.

Bazm 6th Anniversary Special Session
Date: Wednesday, 8th January 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: Lamakaan, Hyderabad

Join us for a memorable evening as Bazm celebrates its 6th Anniversary with a special literary session. The event will feature a star speaker of exceptional calibre, reminiscent of the eloquence of Prof. M Shamiri or Allama Farrukh.

The highlight of the evening will be the release of Satya Prabhakar’s “Alfaaz ki Mehfil 2025”, followed by readings from our outstation stars—Satya, Elahe, and Shobhana, who will share and recite their favourite poetry. R P Singh will also present his own works, while local poets Atiya, Gul e Rana, Humera, and Mohammed Aarfeen will contribute their selected pieces.

A night of inspiring words, beautiful poetry, and literary celebration awaits!

We look forward to your presence at this special event.

Shyam Benegal, a luminary in Indian cinema, has shaped the narrative of socially conscious filmmaking with his nuanced storytelling and deep understanding of human emotions. Known for his ability to weave compelling narratives around everyday lives, Benegal's films explore the complexities of socio-economic realities, gender dynamics, and cultural traditions. From his debut masterpiece Ankur to the celebrated Manthan and Bhumika, his work transcends entertainment, offering a profound commentary on societal structures. His films stand as a testament to the power of cinema as a medium for change, earning him a revered place among India’s greatest auteurs.

This January, our tribute film festival celebrates Shyam Benegal’s unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema. Every Wednesday evening, audiences are invited to revisit his iconic works, engage with their timeless relevance, and explore his unique cinematic language. The retrospective serves as an ode to his artistic genius and an opportunity to inspire new generations of filmmakers and cinephiles to carry forward his legacy of meaningful storytelling.

Film Title: NISHANT | 1975 | 143 Mins | India | Hindi with English Subtitles

About the film: Nishant - transl. Night's End is a 1975 Hindi drama film directed by Shyam Benegal, based on an original screenplay by noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar, with dialogues by Satyadev Dubey.[1

The film features an ensemble of parallel cinema actors, including Girish Karnad, Amrish Puri, Shabana Azmi, Mohan Agashe, Anant Nag, and Sadhu Meher, with Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah. The film focuses on the power of the rural elite and the sexual exploitation of women during the time of feudalism in Telangana (Hyderabad State in the 1940s and 1950s).

The film won the 1977 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. It was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival. It was invited to the London Film Festival of 1976, the Melbourne International Film Festival of 1977, and the Chicago International Film Festival of 1977, where it was awarded the Golden Plaque.

Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is Free & Open to all!

A biographical documentary on the life of a comrade Ayinoor Vasu aka Grow Vasu, a 96-year-old leader of the working class, and a fierce advocate for Muslim, Dalit, and marginalized communities. Despite imprisonment for questioning authority, Vasu continued his lifelong fight for justice, revolution, and against oppression. Divided into ten compelling chapters, the film captures his personal and political journey.