Upcoming Events

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

Sakhi: Lippan Art Workshop – A Friendship Day Special This Friendship Day, slow down, create with your hands, and celebrate meaningful connections through the timeless craft of Lippan Art. Inspired by the traditional mud-and-mirror art of Kutch, Gujarat, this beginner-friendly workshop invites you to explore a craft that beautifully blends texture, symmetry, and reflection. Using clay, mirrors, and simple techniques, you'll create your own handcrafted Lippan artwork to take home. Whether you come with your closest friends or decide to join by yourself, this workshop is designed to be a warm, welcoming space where creativity becomes a way to connect—with art, with people, and with yourself. Spend a relaxed Sunday morning immersed in conversation, mindful making, and the joy of learning a traditional Indian art form. No prior experience is required. All materials will be provided, along with step-by-step guidance throughout the session. Join us for a Friendship Day filled with creativity, laughter, and handcrafted memories. Date: Sunday, 2 August 2026 Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Venue: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Suitable for: Adults and children above 10 years.

What's included: All art materials Guided instruction Your completed Lippan artwork to take home A relaxed, community-focused creative experience For registrations, contact 9154399395.

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.

As the monsoon recharges Hyderabad in August, filling the city with fresh energy, Lamakaan too comes alive with a cinematic downpour—the Wim Wenders Film Festival, held every Wednesday evening. This month also carries the spirit of India’s Independence Day, and in a way, Wenders’ films resonate with that theme: they are about journeys, freedom, and the search for identity in a changing world. Just as independence is about reclaiming one’s voice, Wenders’ cinema is about characters finding their place in landscapes both physical and emotional.

About Wim Wenders: Wim Wenders (born August 14, 1945 in Düsseldorf, Germany) is one of the most influential filmmakers of modern European cinema. A pioneer of the New German Cinema, his work spans feature films, documentaries, and photography. Wenders’ films often explore themes of alienation, travel, memory, and the human need for connection. His style blends poetic visuals with contemplative storytelling, making everyday journeys feel profound. Over his career, he has directed acclaimed works such as Alice in the Cities (1974), Paris, Texas (1984), Wings of Desire (1987), and documentaries like Buena Vista Social Club (1999) and Pina (2011). His contribution lies in showing how cinema can be both deeply personal and universally resonant, bridging cultures and emotions across borders.

Film Title: ALICE IN THE CITIES | 1974 | 110 Mins | West Germany | German and English with English Subtitles.

About the film: In Alice in the Cities, Wenders tells the story of Philip Winter, a German journalist drifting through America, who finds himself unexpectedly responsible for a young girl named Alice. Together, they embark on a journey across Europe, searching for Alice’s grandmother. Shot in black and white, the film is a tender exploration of loneliness, responsibility, and the fragile bonds that form between strangers. It marked the beginning of Wenders’ celebrated “road movie trilogy” and remains one of his most heartfelt works, capturing the beauty of travel as a metaphor for self‑discovery.

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

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.

# Digital Koi Pond Art Workshop

Turn your iPad into a canvas and discover the joy of digital art! This workshop is specially designed for iPad users who want to make their screen time more creative, productive, and fun. Whether you're a beginner or simply looking to learn something new, this session will guide you through creating a beautiful Digital Koi Pond artwork from scratch.

Apps Used
• Sketchbook
• Procreate (if available)

Materials Required
• iPad
• Stylus (Apple Pencil or any compatible pen)

What You'll Learn
• Basics of digital painting
• Understanding and using digital brushes
• Working with layers
• Creating a complete Koi Pond artwork step by step

Workshop Fee
• Early Bird: ₹899
• On-the-Spot Registration: ₹1,050
• Come with a Buddy: ₹1,299 (for two)

What's Included
• Complimentary drinks

Come enjoy a relaxing and creative experience while learning how to use your iPad productively!

Date: 8 Aug
Time: 11:00 AM onwards
Contact: 9177300699

Hyderabad Bookworms' Movie of the Month meetup. Meet your fellow bookworms, as we enjoy a movie adapted from a book or a play, share thoughts, compare with source material, and discuss its cultural relevance. This event is organised once a month, movie is chosen based on poll on our discord server. (dm for the link to the server!) movies can be in any language, as long as supplied with subtitles, preferably under two hours, so that there is enough time for some sweet discussion! instagram: @hyderabadbookworms This month we will be screening Atonement

Dilli Mavayya is a hilarious comedy about Sreenu and Sampada, a young couple struggling financially after their love marriage. When Sreenu’s uncle from Delhi suddenly decides to visit, Sreenu lies that he has a big software job, a luxurious flat, and a perfect life. To keep the lie alive, the couple gets trapped in a series of crazy, funny, and chaotic situations. What happens next is a rollercoaster of hilarious twists and turns!

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.

The Feelings Project

This Week’s Emotion: Fear

What if fear isn’t your enemy? What if it’s trying to protect you?

Fear shapes more of our lives than we realize. It influences the opportunities we avoid, the conversations we postpone, the relationships we hold back from, and the dreams we quietly put aside. Yet, most of us have never been taught how to truly understand it.

The Feelings Project is a unique 90-minute guided experience where we explore one emotion at a time through mindful reflection, creative expression, and gentle self-discovery.

This week’s emotion is Fear.

Through thoughtfully designed questions, mindfulness practices, and art-based activities, you’ll gently uncover where your fear comes from, how it shows up in your life, what it has been trying to protect you from, and how you can begin to respond to it with curiosity instead of resistance.

This isn’t about “getting rid” of fear.
It’s about building a healthier relationship with it.

You don’t need artistic skills.
You don’t need to share anything you’re uncomfortable sharing.
You simply need an open mind and a willingness to meet yourself with compassion.

During the workshop you’ll experience:

✨ Guided mindfulness to settle into the present moment

📝 Reflective journaling prompts that help you understand your fear

🎨 A creative art activity to express your emotions visually

💛 Gentle self-reflection designed to deepen emotional awareness

🌱 Practical insights you can carry into everyday life

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, constantly overthinking, or simply curious about understanding yourself better, this workshop offers a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space to pause and reconnect with yourself.

Because healing doesn’t begin when emotions disappear. It begins when we finally understand them.

Investment: ₹599 per person

Venue: Lamakaan

Date: 9th August

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

📞 Register: 7702027281

Limited seats to ensure a personal and meaningful experience.

The Oraon tribe, one of the largest indigenous Dravidian ethnic groups of India, has a rich tradition of wall painting that turns homes into living canvases. Traditionally, Oraon art is created directly on mud walls using only different colors of soil — Indian red, grey, black, and yellow — sourced from the land itself. These pigments are mixed with water and applied using simple impression tools to build layered motifs of sun, crops, animals, and ritual symbols. No pencils or brushes are used. The technique relies on controlled dabs, dots, and strokes to create bold, earthy patterns that mark harvests, weddings, and community life.

In this workshop, we will learn the authentic Oraon compositions and symbolism, but to keep the experience accessible and mess-free, we will recreate these designs using acrylic paint with cotton buds. This method mirrors the traditional dotting and impression technique while giving participants better control and cleaner results on paper or boards.

Technically, this approach benefits participants because:
1. Fine motor control: Using cotton buds to replicate soil-dab techniques improves precision, grip, and hand-eye coordination.
2. Pattern recognition: Repeating geometric and nature-based motifs trains focus, rhythm, and visual sequencing.
3. Low barrier, high depth: Acrylic on canvas removes the complexity of preparing soil pigments, letting beginners focus on technique and meaning rather than material prep.
4. Therapeutic grounding: The repetitive, rhythmic application of dots and impressions promotes calm and mindfulness, echoing the meditative aspect of traditional wall painting.

This workshop is not about replicating a mural. It’s about understanding the logic behind Oraon art — how limited colors, simple tools, and symbolic forms come together to tell stories of land, community, and belonging.

"On the occasion of India's 80th Independence Day, Lamakaan invites you to a unique dialogue on how India can bring peace in a world torn by war and uncertainty.

In an era where conflicts are erupting all too often across the world and where an unpredictable new world order is rising, Could India actively mediate an end to conflicts and bring peace to a broken international system? What would it take?

Going beyond the headlines, hear about how international diplomacy and peace mediation works.

Join an exploration into why and how India could become a pro-active peacemaker, with Raja Karthikeya, a seasoned peace mediator and international affairs expert."

"Raja Karthikeya is a former international civil servant, writer and international affairs commentator. He is currently Head of West Asia studies at Takshashila Institution.

Previously, over a 15 yr career in the UN, he served in Afghanistan on inter-ethnic trust building and national unity government formation; in Iraq, he led frontline advocacy for protection of civilians during the counter IS IS operations; in Iran, he served as the Un's spokesperson during multiple crises; he also served on the palestine and Peacekeeping policy planning teams.

He was a Research Fellow at Oxford University's Center for the Changing Character of War; and is the recipient of his alma mater, Georgetown University's Centennial Award for leadership and public service. To raise awareness about climate action, He became the first Indian to cross the Arctic and Antarctic circles in a year. He has been awarded Indian and Swiss government commendations for his rescue work after the 2004 tsunami and 2001 Bhuj earthquake. As a volunteer, he led the project that created India's first covid resilient village during the Delta Wave. He is currently Adjunct Fellow and Head of West Asia studies at Takshashila Institution.

He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Nizam College."

The dialogue will be facilitated by Devishobha Chandramouli. Devishobha is an educationist and podcaster. She is also co-author with Raja Karthikeya of the upcoming book "65 degrees of separation: power and possibility from Algeria to the Andamans".

All are Invited!

Jashn-e-Aazadi, an evening of Basant songs, patriotic poetry, and conversation celebrating India's shared cultural traditions.

The evening will feature the release of "Aaj Rachyo Hai Basant Nijam Ghar", a beautifully illustrated Hindi book by acclaimed filmmaker, author, and archivist Yousuf Saeed. Through history, literature, art, and Sufi folk traditions, the book reminds us that Basant has long been a celebration that transcends religion and community, a shared cultural heritage marking the arrival of spring, harvest, and renewal.

Adding to the celebrations, Dr Atiya Mujeeb Arefi and Dr Gul-e-Rana will present a special feature on patriotic Urdu poetry, while Dr Humera Sayeed will host the evening.

12 August 2026 (Wednesday)
6:30 p.m.
Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad

Join us for an evening that celebrates the spirit of Basant, the richness of our shared traditions, and the enduring power of poetry, music, and culture to bring people together.

As the monsoon recharges Hyderabad in August, filling the city with fresh energy, Lamakaan too comes alive with a cinematic downpour—the Wim Wenders Film Festival, held every Wednesday evening. This month also carries the spirit of India’s Independence Day, and in a way, Wenders’ films resonate with that theme: they are about journeys, freedom, and the search for identity in a changing world. Just as independence is about reclaiming one’s voice, Wenders’ cinema is about characters finding their place in landscapes both physical and emotional.

About Wim Wenders: Wim Wenders (born August 14, 1945 in Düsseldorf, Germany) is one of the most influential filmmakers of modern European cinema. A pioneer of the New German Cinema, his work spans feature films, documentaries, and photography. Wenders’ films often explore themes of alienation, travel, memory, and the human need for connection. His style blends poetic visuals with contemplative storytelling, making everyday journeys feel profound. Over his career, he has directed acclaimed works such as Alice in the Cities (1974), Paris, Texas (1984), Wings of Desire (1987), and documentaries like Buena Vista Social Club (1999) and Pina (2011). His contribution lies in showing how cinema can be both deeply personal and universally resonant, bridging cultures and emotions across borders.

Film Title: THE AMERICAN FRIEND | 1977 | 127 Mins | West Germany & France | German and English with English Subtitles.

About the film: The American Friend (German: Der amerikanische Freund) is a 1977 neo-noir film written and directed by Wim Wenders, adapted from the 1974 novel Ripley's Game by Patricia Highsmith. It stars Dennis Hopper as career-criminal Tom Ripley and Bruno Ganz as Jonathan Zimmermann, a terminally ill picture framer whom Ripley coaxes into becoming an assassin. The film uses an unusual "natural" language concept: Zimmermann speaks German with his family and his doctor, but English with Ripley and while visiting Paris.

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

Introducing Our New Short Film — A Hilarious Undercover Love Story.
Dear Movie Lovers,

Get ready for a hilarious ride of comedy, romance, mistaken identities, and unexpected twists coming to the big screen.

LOCAL DETECTIVES follows Arjun, a clever but jobless young man who starts a detective agency with his equally unpredictable friend, Gopi. Their business is simple: find cases, solve them, and make some money.

But everything changes when Nithya, a beautiful and mysterious woman, walks into their lives with an unusual assignment.
She wants Arjun to retrieve a mysterious black box from the bedroom of her ex-boyfriend, Vinay.

There’s just one problem…
Getting into Vinay’s bedroom means Arjun has to go undercover and become someone he never imagined he would pretend to be.

What begins as a simple detective mission quickly turns into a hilarious series of lies, awkward situations, unexpected connections, and romantic confusion.

Will Arjun complete the mission?

What is inside the mysterious black box?
And how far will he go to solve a case that he never expected to take?

Experience the laughter, chaos, romance, and mystery of LOCAL DETECTIVES on the BIG SCREEN.
A Theatrical Short Film by Sreeram Charan Murthy

‘I mute the audio before replaying it frame by frame. I watch the video four times.

‘It is not me. It is my fucking face.’

Amrita Chaturvedi—Amy in her London circles—identifies as a communist on Twitter, but her bio omits any mention of her privileged life back in Delhi and a stint on reality TV. When a scandalous deepfake video featuring her suddenly goes viral, the truth catches up with Amy. Overnight, she becomes a trending hashtag, hunted by right-wing trolls, betrayed by friends and family.

As the media frenzy explodes and legal persecution looms on the horizon, Amy must, with some support from unlikely allies, find a way to stem the public hysteria and overcome the onslaught. But does she really have a chance?

Raw and unsparing, Meena Kandasamy’s Fieldwork as a Sex Object is a searing exploration of caste, misogyny, sex, sexuality and the insecurities that drive people to do what they do. In the end, it asks each one of us how much we’re prepared to risk for our principles.

You are warmly invited to a special art exhibition showcasing the incredible talent of an 11-year-old artist. This event not only celebrates their exceptional painting skills but also raises awareness about living with epilepsy. Join us to learn how art, along with diet, homeschooling, and stress management, can support those affected by this condition."

We are photographers who wants to have an open mic event about Storytelling of the Photographs.

OIOI – Our Idea of India is an open, non-partisan conversation where we come together to discuss India, its democracy, society, diversity, challenges and possibilities. No lectures — just people sharing ideas, listening and thinking together. Everyone is welcome.

Young India Speaks: Jantar Mantar and the Way Forward

August 16th, 7 pm

Neha Bora, National President of All India Students Association (AISA) and Sai Balaji (Former president JNUSU) will speak on the moment at Jantar Mantar, Political Youth and the future