November at the Centre is a crucible of creativity. A melting pot of global and local, transcending borders and languages, and celebrating the universality of the Arts. 

Headlining our films segment is a selection of films of Pier Paolo Pasolini in collaboration with the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre. As a filmmaker, poet, novelist, and political thinker, Pasolini was one of the most complex and influential forces in Italian cultural life and continues to entice new generations of cinephiles. 

Films from Greece, Bulgaria and Poland, part of the European Union Film Festival, add more international seasoning to our film programme. 

On the home front, we mark the birth month of iconic film director Ritwik Ghatak, with a 35mm screening of his classic ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara’. The film has been ranked at #235 and #322 respectively, in the ‘2012 Sight and Sound’ Critics’ & Director’s poll of “The Greatest Films of All Time”. A 2022 poll by FIPRESCI - India Chapter of the International Federation of Film Critics, has voted it as one of the “All Time Ten Best Indian Films.”

 We have an interesting beyond borders interface in dance as well, with a performance of and a panel discussion on contemporary dance trends in Eastern India and Malaysia. From Italy we have, The Earth Seen From The Moon as a tribute to Pier Paolo Pasolini, in a kaleidoscope of dance and theatricality by Artemis Danza. A surreal fairy tale exploring some of Pasolini’s poems and main themes. 

Keeping alive the legacy of our classical dance traditions is an Odissi performance by Guru Ileana Citaristi, and a Kathak recital by Pt. Rajendra Gangani. 

Music gets an international twist with Muzsikas Hungarian folk music and a video lecture exploring British Classical music composers of the late 19th and first half of the 20th century. 

In addition to a wide and varied line up of Flute, Sitar and Vocal recitals, we have a tribute to Begum Akhtar - Ghazals and Dadra by one her youngest ‘shaagird’s’, Rekha Surya. Theatre too this month is an eclectic mix . ‘Patna Ka Superhero’, a coming of age story of a boy and his childhood idol in Patna brings us a flavour of Bihar. Dramatised readings of plays by Mahesh Dattani introduce us to the works of a contemporary Indian playwright , while the NTLive screening this month showcases ‘Seagull’ - A 21st century retelling of Anton Chekhov’s tale of love and loneliness by Anya Reiss, in which Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) makes her West End debut. 

Taking us to the great outdoors is the screening of ‘Spirit Of The Mountains’. Rare footage of the elusive charismatic snow leopard shot over a challenging five-year daunting quest by veteran wildlife film makers Naresh and Rajesh Bedi. 

With the change in weather, we too venture out and resume our IHC Walks. Celebrating the birth month of the legendary ‘Birdman of India’, Ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, our first walk is to the Okhla Bird sanctuary led by Delhi birder, Nikhil Devasar. 

The IHC Book X’change IHC Morning Ragas series this month features a Rudra Veena Recital by Mohi Baha'ud-din Dagar on Sunday, 20th at 10.30 am.