Past Events

The Ladies Study Group began a fresh new year under the most capable leadership of Mrs Sumita Roy with a Fireside Chat with the illustrious former diplomat and Founder of The South Asian Symphony Orchestra, Mrs Nirupama Rao.

Nirupama Rao spoke about her efforts towards building bridges of peace and integration through the harmony of music.

Corporate relations icon, Mrs Rita Bhimani, very admirably guided the conversation as we glimpsed through four decades of Mrs Rao’s career as a diplomat. We heard about her experiences in the midst of an ethnic strife and later the Tsunami strike in Sri Lanka. She established the Indian culture centres at Beijing and Washington.

We were privileged to listen to a talk between two highly successful businessmen, icons in their own fields, throwing light on all aspects of the culture and ethics of business.

Mr Murthy stressed on the importance of providing incentives to working mothers and addressed issues related to the disadvantages women face in the work field.

He very clearly explained that AI, robotics and technology are the need of the hour and by proper training the problem of redundancy could be addressed.

In these troubled times the wise insights into how we can develop a better India and thereby a better world were very valuable and reassuring.

It was a true celebration of women's power and their tenacity and valour!

Hearing about the meticulous and rigorous training they underwent to fly solo was motivating and enriching. Flt Lt Avani Chaturvedi and Flt Lt Bhawna Kant shared their personal stories, their early aspiration to fly and journey to realise their dream and join the combat forces. We all enjoyed the training anecdotes shared by Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay.

The Air Force has evolved and fierce and fearless women like Flt Lt Avani Chaturvedi and Flt Lt Bhawna Kanth are shaping history and paving the path for more girls to follow.

The interaction between Laila Tyabji, the co-founder and Chairperson of Dastkar from India, Bibi Russell, the iconic haute couture gamcha designer from Bangladesh and Sonali Dharmawardena, the batik artist from Sri Lanka, was exquisitely embroidered by the moderator Malavika Banerjee, Director, Kolkata Lit Fest.

The three voices joined in unison in support of the folk craft artisans and their struggle to excel beyond pandemic times. When the international markets for slow fashion shrunk, the domestic markets came to their rescue.

Laila Tyabji spoke volumes for the uniqueness of our crafts people who can contribute value-added products to international markets. That is the key to unlock new avenues of income and employment.

Bibi Russel spoke about the opportunities available and highlighted the need to educate and familiarise the younger generations. Sonali however relied on the need of uniqueness in designs to create fashion statements for them.

Mr Sanjoy Roy, entrepreneur, litterateur, curator of the Jaipur Literature Festival and Managing Director of Teamwork Films, spoke about the need to explore the economic, social and cultural potential of India’s immense cultural heritage.

The conversation highlighted his foray into the knowledge space of arts and of his abiding love for theatre that helped conceive the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards.

Mr Roy reflects on the economic potential of Durga Puja and the importance of tapping into the state’s sharp sense of design. He also pointed out the political importance of representing artistic traditions internationally. But most importantly, he passionately spoke about a right he has been facilitating through his long association with the Salaam Baalak Trust - the right to dream.

“Music happens in life! My biggest inspirations for my songs are people’s stories - they are my palette, my sur and my taal,” said Shantanu Moitra.

Shantanu Moitra, National Award winning music composer, traveller and storyteller, shared his life realisations and travel adventures, in conversation with LSG President, Sumita Roy.

The celebrated creator of some of the most memorable music for films like Parineeta, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Munnabhai, 3 Idiots, Pink, October and Gulabo Sitabo, measures life in travel and music.

Durga Pujo, in the tradition of community celebrations, was started by the Shobabazar Rajbari in 1757 and has evolved over the generations.

Eminent contemporary artist, Shuvaprasanna and scenographer, designer and installation artist, Sumant Jayakrishnan were in conversation with contemporary artist, Jayasri Burman, about how the spiritual, aesthetic and gender sensibilities are celebrated during this festive season.

Durga had a big influence on his personal creative journey too, said artist Shuvaprasanna. Sumant Jaykrishnan spoke about contemporary style and about his presentations. He believes, that the simple act of adorning ornaments is a celebration of womanhood.

Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Ms Usha Thorat and Dr Anup Sinha, Chairman, Bandhan Bank and former Dean of IIM Calcutta, discussed the advantages and disadvantages of using or investing in digital currencies and on the ongoing debate of whether it should be regulated or banned.

Thorat pointed out the volatility of the currency, as it has no governmental backing, is mined using complicated algorithms and its value is defined by the acceptance of its users.

The invigorating session shed immense light on a topic that has created a serious buzz in the financial markets world over and cleared many of our doubts and misconceptions.

It was indeed a privilege to have had Anik Dutta, the creator of the highly successful and critically acclaimed Bengali film Aparajito (2022), talk about his work, vision and views.

In conversation with filmmaker and actor, Rajesh Shinde, and script writer and creative producer, Pallavi Biswas, the film director pointed out that in his view film making is no different from handling any other project. He said that he involves himself in every detail of his project and stressed that there is no alternative to hard work in this field.

The film maker-producer duo of Rajesh and Pallavi who know how he operates, pointed out his eye for detail, his thoroughness in preparation and his very relatable dialogues.

The grandson of the founder of the United Bank of India, Shri Narendra Dutta, Anik Dutta, started his career with advertising films and is self taught.This he says has helped him at the populist (read commercial) level and even got recognition at the National level. He confessed that he doesn't believe that he is a good writer and writes only under compulsion.

Starting with his block buster success of Bhooter Bhobishot - which even got a Hindi remake - Anik Dutta has been moving forward with great conviction.