Renowned Indian filmmaker and artist Muzaffar Ali is set to grace Panjab University with a special address this month. He will be delivering the fourth edition of the prestigious Professor Urmi Kessar Memorial Lecture.
Event Details and Public Access
The lecture, carrying the powerful theme "Art for Peace," is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16. It will commence at 11:30 am at the Panjab University Law Auditorium, located in Sector 14 of Chandigarh. A key highlight of this intellectual gathering is that it will be open to the general public, inviting art enthusiasts, students, and citizens to engage with the celebrated artist's vision.
Honouring a Legacy of Art Scholarship
This annual lecture series was established to honour the memory of Professor Urmi Kessar, a distinguished scholar in the fields of fine arts and art history. Professor Kessar was particularly noted for her insightful work analyzing the social context within modern Indian painting. The initiative, supported by the Professor Urmi Kessar Memorial Fund created by the Kessar family, aims to build a vibrant dialogue connecting art, culture, literature, and history, thereby bringing together academics, practitioners, and learners.
The series has a history of featuring luminaries from the cultural world. Previous speakers who have delivered this memorial lecture include:
- Historian and writer William Dalrymple
- Acclaimed author Vikram Seth
- Celebrated poet and lyricist Irshad Kamil
The Multifaceted Artist: Muzaffar Ali
Muzaffar Ali brings a wealth of experience and recognition to the podium. He is widely acclaimed for his iconic films such as Gaman and the timeless classic Umrao Jaan. Beyond cinema, Ali is an accomplished painter and a respected cultural curator. His deep commitment to promoting cultural harmony is evident in his founding of the Jahan-e-Khusrau World Sufi Music Festival and his role as the chairman of the Rumi Foundation. For his immense contributions to arts and culture, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri. He is also a recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award for his work promoting peace and communal harmony.
His upcoming lecture on "Art for Peace" at Panjab University is anticipated to be a significant reflection on the power of artistic expression in fostering unity and understanding in society.
