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| Edited By: |Source: PTI |Updated: Nov 19, 2013, 11:17 PM IST
Veteran artists and scholars like Yash Chopra and Shyam Benegal will converge at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) to mark the month-long 120th birth anniversary celebration of India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, beginning today.
The event will include a series of activities, including films, concerts and discussions on Nehru's philosophy, including socialism, its relevance in today's life, especially in the context of the global economic crisis.
Prominent films of the Nehruvian era that encompass his thinking and philosophy will be screened as part of the celebration, besides a musical concert by Shubha Mudgal based on the work of eminent Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
The month-long celebration will begin with the screening of Shyam Benegal's 'Nehru' and Yash Chopra's 1961 film Dharam Putra and the Library will screen 13 films, mostly on the weekends.
Through the screenings, discussions and a series of children-specific programmes, the NMML hopes to reach as many as 35,000 to 40,000 children in the period, said Vaghesh Jha, Coordinator of the anniversary celebrations.
The films to be screened include Shri 420, Sujata, Mother India, Mere Mehmoob followed by a seminar on films of the Nehruvian era.
"What will be up for discussion with the screening of the films, is the era in which they were made, their significance and how Nehru's philosophy which had an impact on the film-makers of the time has ceased to influence today's youth," Jha said.
Scholars and academics like Ashok Bajpei, Mrinal Sarabhai, Rajiv Lochan, Girish Karnad and K Sachidanandan are expected to participate in the proceedings and discussions on Nehru's contributions to institution building, he said.
"It is to be noted that most of the important institutions for art in India were established during Nehru's era, be it the Sahitya Akademi or the Film's and Television Institute," he said.
"The academics gathered during the discussions will also discuss Nehru's thinking especially in the time of the global meltdown, when suddenly his concepts of earning money with social responsibility have become relevant," Jha said.
A major highlight of the event will be the November 19 musical evening by Shubha Mudgal, who will recite the works of poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. "It will be part of what the government of India is calling the communal harmony week," Jha said.
Attractions for children will include a three-day 'Bal Mela' wherein over 30,000 children from all over India will express their understanding of Nehru through poetry, drama and other art forms.
