Cultural Capitals - Future Legacies of India's Cities - Chandigarh

Ar. Deepika Gandhi, M. Arch. An alumnus and faculty member of the Chandigarh College of Architecture she is presently the Director, Le Corbusier Centre & Chandigarh Architecture Museum. Having worked on the preparation of the Dossier for the ‘World Heritage’ nomination of the Capitol Complex, Chandigarh, she is actively engaged in promoting Chandigarh’s heritage also being the Co convener of INTACH, Chandigarh. She supervised the restoration of the erstwhile house of Pierre Jeanneret, to establish a Jeanneret Museum there, and also undertook restoration of the Le Corbusier Centre for further expansion. She has co-authored the book Sukhna -Sublime Lake of Chandigarh besides authoring and designing booklets to sensitise City students about its heritage. Her co edited book “Le Corbusier Rediscovered: Chandigarh and beyond” has also recently been released.

Manjot Kaur’s drawings, paintings, and time-based media summon the mythical, scientific, and absurd to draw attention to current socio-political predicaments and the sovereignty of nature. Borrowed imagery and text bridge the past and present, while imaginative, fantasy-inducing zones of abstraction invite viewers to contemplate the legacies of the landscapes we occupy and exploit. Currently, she is an artist in residence at Jan Van Eyck Academie, Maastricht for the year 2020- 21. She has been an artist in residence at 1. Shanthiroad, Bangalore, 2019; Unidee, Citadellarte – Fondazione Pistolleto, Italy on full scholarship by Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, India, 2018; Museo Casa Masaccio Centro per l’Arte Contemporanea, San Giovanni Valdarno (Italy) – a cross-institutional program with Clark House Initiative, Mumbai, 2018; Khoj International Artists’ Association – Peers18, New Delhi, 2018. She has received State Award from Punjab and Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, Chandigarh, India, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2012; Sohan Qadri Fellowship, Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, Chandigarh, India 2017.

Gyan Dev Singh A graduate from the National School of Drama, New Delhi, Gyan Dev Singh has worked as a lighting designer with many eminent Dancers and Theatre directors like Leela Samson, Aditi Mangaldas, Roysten Abel, Anuradha Kapur, Kavalam Narayana Panikkar, Madhavi Mudgal, Malavika Sarrukai, Kumudini Lakhiya, Lushin Dubey, Ashley lobo, Apsara Arts-Singapore and Akram Khan Dance Company-London. His skills in stage lighting design has taken him to various theatre and dance festivals in Europe, North America, South America Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Africa, China, Russia and the Middle East. He has been invited to perform in festivals like The Edinburgh International Festival, The Bon Biennale, Prague Quadrennial, Korzo International Dans Festival, The Internationale Tanzmesse Festival, Dancing the Gods Festival, to name a few. He has performed in venues like House of the people, China. Esplanade Theatres- Singapore, Nelum Pokuna theatre-Colombo. Susane Dalal Centre- Tel Aviv. Symphony Spaces-Broadway- New York. The Kennedy Centre- Washington DC, Sydney Opera House. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Bismillah Khan Yuva Award by the Sangeet Natak Academy , awarded in Stage Lighting Design. Gyan along with his father has made many films including the 26 episode documentary series on the Forts in India. His latest Feature Film- “Atithi” has been liked and appreciated by the audiences. Apart from this he has co-directed several films on various classical dances and folk theatre forms of India.

Mini Menon is the Co-Founder and Editor of Live History India, a first of its kind digital platform focussed on creating and putting out multi-media content on Indian history and cultural legacy. Since launch, Live History India has reached over 100 million people across India and the world. It has also brought together over 150 historians and experts on its platform. An award winning journalist and author, Mini has also reported on the changing face of politics and business in India for the last 20 years Her last assignment was as Executive Editor of Bloomberg TV India. In 2013 Mini’s first book, ‘Riding the Wave’ was published by HarperCollins. Mini has been awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Award for Excellence, as a young achiever and in 2009 she was adjudged the Best Business News Anchor by the Indian Broadcasting Federation.