Full Day Pass – 18th January 2025 (12 sessions)

9:30 am – 9:40 am | Cultural performance

9:45 am – 10:25 am | The Beauty and Struggle of Reconciliation: Lessons from Sri Lanka

Razeen Sally in conversation with Bhavani Fonseka

A thoughtful discussion that highlights the key themes from Razeen Sally’s travel memoir, Return to Sri Lanka. This session will explore how Sally’s journeys illuminate broader themes of national recovery and the crucial role of individual experiences in shaping a larger narrative. You will reflect on the complexity of national identity and the importance of continued dialogue in divided societies. The conversation will delve into the interplay between personal experiences and significant issues, highlighting the duality of beauty and struggle in the reconciliation process of Sally’s homeland.

10:30 am – 11:10 am | People, Places, and Pilgrimages

William Dalrymple, introduced by Angeline Ondaatjie

An engaging session that uncovers the vibrant interplay between history and modern life. Discover how ancient traditions and historical events continue to shape the people, festivals, and places featured in Dalrymple’s The Golden Road. Experience the enduring legacy of the past as we delve into its influence on contemporary culture.

11:15 am – 12:00 pm | Globetrotters’ Tales

Mihiri Wikramanayake, Sunela Jayawardane in conversation with Arati Kumar-Rao

Mihiri Wickramanayake and Sunela Jayawardane share hilarious mishaps, unexpected encounters, and the thrill of capturing journeys on paper. With tales that range from the inspiring to the downright comical, they’ll dive into the joys and quirks of transforming travel experiences into vivid stories. Whether you’re a globetrotter or an armchair traveller, this session promises laughter, a sense of wonder, and tips on making travel writing come alive!

12:05 pm – 12:45 pm | Desperately Seeking Asia

Shrayana Bhattacharya in conversation with Murtaza Jafferjee

Delve into Shrayana Bhattacharya’s Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh, highlighting how women navigate desires through fandom, reflecting broader themes of economic freedom, intimacy and agency. Explore the role of economic development in fostering creativity and Asia’s influence on the global cultural landscape.

12:50 pm – 1:30 pm | Lipstick, Laughs, Life in the Spotlight

Ratna Pathak Shah in conversation with Jerry Pinto

Celebrating the extraordinary talent of Ratna Pathak Shah with a focus on some of her iconic roles in Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai, Dhak Dhak, Happy Family, and Lipstick Under My Burkha—her thought process in choosing characters and whether she reflects on her past roles while selecting new ones. What would an interaction between some of these characters look like? Touch upon the darker realities behind the scenes—such as labour inequality, gender disparities, and the commodification of art–in an industry that often thrives on appearances.

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch

2:05 pm – 2:35 pm | Hakuna Matata Pays the Electricity Bill

Suli Breaks in conversation with Dinara Punchihewa

Inspired by Suli’s Why I Hate School but Love Education, an exploration of the limitations of traditional schooling and how creative forms of education—like poetry and media—can foster critical thinking and personal growth. How have spoken word artists leveraged social media platforms to amplify their messages worldwide, examining the powerful intersection of digital technology, performance art, and activism.

2:40 pm – 3:25 pm | Ink and Insight: Navigating the Writer’s Path

Kiran Desai, Lal Medawattegedara in conversation with Amit Varma

Lal Medawattegedara and Kiran Desai engage in a dynamic conversation exploring the power of language and its ethical responsibilities. They’ll reveal the personal stories, mentors, and moments that shaped their writing journeys. Expect inspiration, laughter, and a thought-provoking discussion on how words move us, one story at a time!

3:30 pm – 4:10 pm | Not All Heroes Wear Capes

Andrew Sean Greer in conversation with Molly Roden Winter

Andrew Sean Greer explores the concept of an unconventional hero in literature, with a focus on Arthur Less as an unconventional protagonist. A reflection on the role of LGBTQ+ stories in modern literature, and how Less helped bring queer narratives into the mainstream.

4:15 pm – 4:55 pm | Eco-Echoes: History Through Nature’s Lens

Pranay Lal in conversation with Vinod Malwatte

Explore the intricate interplay between nature and human history in the Indian subcontinent, drawing insights from Pranay Lal’s Invisible Empire. Shed light on the essential role viruses play in environmental changes showing their impact on history and on present-day challenges. Highlight how climatic events shape societies, from minor temperature changes triggering droughts and famines to significant ecological shifts causing societal collapse, with a focus on the subcontinent’s vulnerability to nature’s forces.

5:00 pm – 5:40 pm | Museums, Memory, and Storytelling

Neil MacGregor in conversation with Pramod Kumar KG

Explore Neil MacGregor’s distinguished career as a curator and historian that has revolutionised the museum landscape worldwide. His leadership of major British and European institutions has involved various literary projects that have shaped a unique approach to historical storytelling. Discuss the significance of making history accessible and relatable to a broad audience, with key examples from A History of the World in 100 Objects.

5:45 pm – 6:25 pm | Of Control and Obsession

Sophie Mackintosh in conversation with Sukanya Wignaraja

Sophie Mackintosh, author of The Water Cure and Cursed Bread, explores her powerful and unsettling works that dissect the human psyche. From feminist dystopia of The Water Cure, where isolation and survival blur, to the haunting tale of obsession and desire in Cursed Beard, Sophie reveals how she crafts worlds where control, power, and consequences collide. The session will explore psychological complexities of her characters, the feminist themes of resistance and self-preservation, and the ways in which food, power, and societal collapse shape her narratives. Through both novels, Sophie invites us to examine how we define survival, identity, and freedom in the face of impressive forces.

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm | The Mirror and the Mask: Cinema and Theatre’s Hidden Truths [ roundtable discussion – parallel session]

Dinara Punchihewa, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Rehan Mudannayake, Ruwanthie de Chickera, Nimmi Harasgama

Spearheaded by Nimmi Harasgama, this roundtable brings acclaimed actors and theatre artists together to explore the darker side of cinema and theatre. From glamorising harmful social norms to reinforcing stereotypes, the discussion delves into how both mediums shape public perception, addressing behind-the-scenes realities—labour exploitation, gender disparities, and the pressures on artistic integrity—while examining the ethical responsibilities of filmmakers and performers in confronting these issues and fostering more responsible, inclusive storytelling.