Lamakaan

A one-day workshop on Mimicry will be conducted by Record holder, Mr. Srinivas on 2nd May 2026 at Lamakaan, from 10.30 am to 2.00 pm.
This engaging session is designed for children who wish to explore the art of voice modulation, expression, and performance. Anyone above 8 years of age can attend and learn mimicry in a lively and supportive environment.
Seats are limited and will be allotted on a first come first serve basis. Interested individuals are advised to reserve their seats in advance.
Discounted fee for school children is Rs 900 against the actual fee of Rs 1500.
For registration and further details, please contact Mob No. 8142202446.

Join us for a thought-provoking session on Gattumeeda Chepa, the first Telugu novel to explore the world of aquaculture. Written by P. Chandrasekhara Azad, the book brings together storytelling and the lived realities of rural livelihoods, tracing the social and economic transformations shaped by fish farming.

✨ PRESENTING :KANJOOS: कंजूस: A Comedy Play in Hindi

Kanjoos is a popular Hindi stage adaptation of the classic 1668 French comedy L'Avare (The Miser) written by Moliere.

KANJOOS:( The miser ) ORIGINAL WRITER: MOLIÈRE - french playwright.


ADAPTED by Hazrat Awara / @mannu_singh_rawat_67 in Hindi/Urdu.

The story centers around a miserly protagonist, often named Mirza Sakhawat Baig.

A satirical C😂MEDY focusing on greed and family relationships.

DIRECTED BY - @sriram.vader
------------------------------------------------------------------

HYDERABAD 📢--Get ready for a night of pure laughter! 🎭 Whether you're planning a date night, a fun outing with the fam, or just want to hang out with your kuda/friends, KANJOOS is the perfect pick.

The Love Triangle💞 / The Stolen tresure 🙌

PURE ENTERTAINMENT / LIVE 🎭😂🕺

🗓️When: May 2nd | 8:00 PM

📍 Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills

Tickets available on Bookmyshow. Link in Bio
----------------------------------------------------------------

CAST : @prabhu_apparaju / @vashista.narayandas / @actressmihira / @vaishnavi_vader_24 / @_nitin_nitesh / @shreya_suresh.05 / @shubham_anand13 / @krishna_gangone / @ananth_sahas - PERFORMING LIVE

#liveperformance #kanjoos #comedy #hyderabad #lamakaan ‎ ORGANIZER DETAILS: Sriram Vader is a theatre artist, director, and producer who has become a notable figure in the contemporary Hyderabad theatre scene. Contact - 7013144822

Known for his work with groups like Samahaara and Kissago, he has transitioned into directing and producing under his own banner - BACKSTAGE PRODUCTIONS ‎ DESCRIPTION*

Wribate is a structured online platform where writing meets debate. Instead of shouting matches or superficial comments, users engage with carefully framed topics, present arguments in writing, and respond to opposing views.

It’s designed to build critical thinking, clarity of expression, and intellectual empathy—whether you’re a student, professional, or simply someone who enjoys thinking deeply. Wribate turns debates into a thoughtful, skill-building experience, not just opinions thrown into the void.

Wribate topics/ motions:

1. Technology has killed Romance

2. Recent UGC regulations reinforce the very caste identities they claim to dissolve.

3. Work-life balance is a myth

4. Education degrees are losing real-world value

Shudrka Hyderabad pays homage to Kaviguru Rabindranath Tagore on the occasion of his birth anniversary which falls on May 9 with a play titled “DWIKHONDITA” (SPLIT IN BETWEEN) based on excerpts from “GANDHARIR ABEDON” (Gandhari's Plea) and “KARNA KUNTI SANGBAD” (Dialogue Between Karna and Kunti).

Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck’s film ‘The Young Karl Marx’ traces the life of the great revolutionary and thinker Karl Marx in his 20s. These were the formative years of the development of Marx’s ideas, which later came to be known as Marxism; which not just brought revolution in human consciousness, but more importantly contributed in fundamental transformation of many societies in different parts of the world. The film covers important developments in Marx’s revolutionary life between 1843 to 1848 such as his exile from Germany along with his wife Jenny, his meeting with Frederick Engels in Paris and the beginning of a life-long inspirational friendship, his polemic with Proudhon, Marx and Engels working towards establishing the hegemony of his ideas in the Communist League in London, and finally their tireless effort to finalise the pathbreaking work “The Communist Manifesto”.

The screening will be followed by a discussion.
Entry is free.
Contact: 9971196111

Babul ngo spreads Environmental Awareness using Cinema. BEFF Babul Eco Film Festival is their flagship event. Presently BEFF 10th edition (2026) is happening.

City Limits: The Crisis of Urbanisation (edited by Tikender Singh Panwar and published by Penguin India) will be launched on 8th May at 5:30 pm at Lamakaan, Hyderabad.

City Limits is part of the Rethinking India series, which brings together essays from leading thinkers to critically examine current socio-economic and political paradigms, while proposing solutions to structural challenges facing the country.

On the occasion of the 165th Birth Anniversary of Nobel Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, an evening of music, dance, and reflection will be hosted at Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

The program, titled Remembering Tagore, will feature a soulful presentation of Rabindra Sangeet by Smt. Sanghamitra Malik, with songs rendered in both Bengali and Hindi. Select pieces will be accompanied by English translations, offering audiences deeper insight into Tagore’s timeless anthology. Alongside the music, attendees will be enriched with fascinating anecdotes and lesser-known facts about the poet’s creative journey.

Adding a visual dimension to the celebration, Smt. Kamalini Srinivas will perform dance in the Rabindrik style, blending grace with cultural authenticity. The evening will be moderated by Dr. R. Shankar, ensuring a thoughtful flow of performances and commentary.

All are Welcome!

Artists hold a unique power to shape minds and move hearts—now is the time to use that power for road safety. In Telangana, with over 7,600 lives lost annually in road accidents, and two-wheeler riders and pedestrians forming the majority of victims, the message is urgent and real.
Through paintings, street murals, digital art, and storytelling, you can turn silent statistics into powerful visual messages. A single artwork can remind a rider to wear a helmet or make a driver pause for a pedestrian.
Let your creativity become a voice for the voiceless. Use your art to inspire responsibility, spread awareness, and help save lives on our roads.

Sudha Parimala
Regional Manager Hyderabad Region
TGSRTC

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflU1bVllTsW39rSiC28GTNu_MmS3Q8WikqWjK147bwuhDVUA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Read A Kitaab is an unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library, book discussions, author meet, book of the month, monthly meets, newsletters & much more...

Read A Kitaab is a calm & comfort space to be yourself, to discuss books and life with no bars on age/gender/ethnicity/political views etc.

This session is part of my ongoing personal research around body cues how the body stores, signals and expresses experiences beyond words.

While I come from a Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) practice, this is not a therapy session. It is a simple, guided movement space an introduction to sensing the politics of the body through movement under my own initiative THE ERA OF MOVEMENT

We’ll explore how control, conditioning and expression live in the body and how movement can become a way to notice, question and shift them.

No prior experience needed. Just a willingness to move and observe.

Dalit Christians: Faith, Resistance, and the Ongoing Struggle for Justice

This discussion brings together four women speakers from diverse professional and experiential backgrounds to critically engage with the historical and contemporary struggles of Dalit Christians in India. The event foregrounds lived experiences, structural discrimination, and the ongoing movement for dignity, equality, and constitutional justice, while situating these within an Ambedkarite framework. It creates a space to examine how caste continues to shape social, religious, and institutional realities despite conversion.

At the core of this issue lies a constitutional contradiction: while Dalit Christians continue to face caste-based discrimination, they are excluded from Scheduled Caste (SC) status and the associated affirmative action policies in education, employment, and political representation. This exclusion originates from the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which restricts SC recognition to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, effectively rendering Dalit Christians invisible within the legal framework of caste-based justice.

Recent developments have intensified this debate. A 2026 Supreme Court position reaffirmed that individuals who convert to Christianity lose SC status and cannot access reservation benefits, even if caste discrimination persists in their lived realities. This has renewed mobilisations, protests, and policy advocacy across the country, with Dalit Christian groups demanding inclusion in the SC category or alternative mechanisms to ensure equitable access to rights and opportunities.

Beyond the legal question, the issue raises deeper concerns about the nature of caste itself, whether it is confined to religion or operates as a broader socio-historical structure. The discussion will therefore explore caste within Christian communities, the political struggle for affirmative action, grassroots resistance, and the intersection of caste, gender, and faith. By bringing together perspectives from art, activism, scholarship, and community work, the event aims to reflect on what meaningful equality and dignity could look like for Dalit Christians today.

SPEAKERS:

Percy Kaki
A visual artist based in Hyderabad, Percy works across mediums exploring memory, gender, and marginalisation. She is part of the Yakshi Constitutional Values in Praxis programme, collaborating with marginalized women through art to engage with the Constitution. Her work has been exhibited at international and national platforms including Arles Photo Festival, Vanam Art Festival (Chennai), and Conflictorium (Ahmedabad). Her recent work focuses on community-based art practices centered on dignity, self-respect, and collective belonging.

Ravali Pidaparthi
A social entrepreneur and co-founder of Esther, Ravali works with young women graduates from marginalized castes in rural Telangana, supporting their transition into careers. With experience across institutions such as Teach For India, Indian School of Development Management, SRIJAN India, and Udhyam Vyapaar, her work lies at the intersection of caste and gender. She brings a strong commitment to building equitable systems and amplifying representation.

Sr. Manjula Devarapalli
A Carmelite nun and the National Secretary of the National Dalit Christian Watch (NDCW), Sr. Manjula has decades of grassroots experience working with Dalits and Adivasis. A lawyer and social worker, her work spans education, human rights, rural development, and advocacy for Dalit Christian rights within church and society. She has received multiple recognitions, including the Archbishop Oscar Romero Award and the Mother Teresa Award for her contributions to social justice.

Vennela Mocherla
A doctoral scholar in Sociology at the University of Hyderabad, Vennela’s research focuses on the lives, faith, and socio-political realities of Dalit Christians in Telugu regions. A former president of the Ambedkar Students’ Association (UoH), her academic work critically engages with religion, charisma, and neoliberalism, bringing a rigorous sociological lens to the discussion.

I am an educator planning to conduct a small children's reading activity called **“The Bookworm’s Haven.”** The purpose of this workshop is to encourage students to develop a healthy reading habit through interactive and engaging activities.

The session will be a 3-hour educational reading workshop for a small group of around 15–20 students (ages 8–13). During the workshop, students will participate in quiet reading, vocabulary-building activities, storytelling discussions, and a simple creative bookmark-making activity.

The program is designed to be **calm, educational, and interactive**, with no loud equipment or disturbances. The aim is to create a positive reading environment where children can explore books, learn new words, and build confidence in expressing their ideas.

We are looking for a quiet and safe space where children can sit comfortably and participate in this reading-based learning activity.

The Caretaker is a three-character play set in a cluttered room in West London. The story revolves around Aston, a quiet and mentally fragile man; his younger brother Mick, who is sharp and domineering; and Davies, an elderly homeless man whom Aston brings home out of kindness.

Aston offers Davies shelter and even the possibility of becoming the caretaker of the building. However, Davies is suspicious, manipulative, and obsessed with retrieving his identity papers from Sidcup. As the play unfolds, Davies attempts to turn the brothers against each other to secure his position. Power constantly shifts between the three men, revealing themes of isolation, identity, mental instability, and the struggle for control.

The play is known for Pinter’s distinctive style—minimalistic dialogue, meaningful pauses, and underlying tension. Though simple in plot, it powerfully explores loneliness, human vulnerability, and the complexity of communication.

Maruvan, in association with Lamakaan invites you to an engaging Book discussion on

You Me & the Gig Workers: The sly comforts Of an APP economy
DISCUSSION with VANDANA VASUDEVAN
author of the book OTP Please!


Vandana Vasudevan is the author of the much discusssed and appreciated book published last year dealing with the great shift in the business and consumption paradigm brought in by the App ecology.

The discussion will focus especially on the lives and working conditions of gig workers.

On the book:
A great shift is underway in how we buy, eat, move, work and sell owing to technological intervention. Tech platforms―whether a Swiggy, Amazon or Uber in India, a Foodpanda in Pakistan or a Pathao in Bangladesh or Nepal―have eased the pressures of modern life. They have freed up our time, provided jobs to grateful millions and delivered guilty pleasures and last-minute necessities to online buyers.
But behind the dazzle of the digital, much is opaque. Gig workers live a precarious life while internet retailers cope with the oppressive rules of global behemoths. Consumers wonder if there are are consequences to instant gratification and the extreme ease of living.
OTP Please delves into the wondrous new world of electronic commerce by connecting diverse stories and perspectives gathered across South Asia, from Peshawar to Patna and Colombo to Kathmandu. It explores the emotional dynamics between the different actors on this stage, the workings of tech companies and the implications for policy. Deeply researched and breezily narrated, it is essential reading to understand this extraordinary digital age that we inhabit.

On the author
Vandana Vasudevan has written extensively for mainstream newspapers and has been a columnist for several years for Mint and DNA. She studied in the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and has worked in the corporate sector for many years. She shifted career tracks and became a development sector professional, consulting for various national and international organizations after obtaining a PhD in urban development from the University of Grenoble, France. Besides OTP Please, she is also the author of Urban Villager: Life In An Indian Satellite Town and Tough Customer.
Despite these serious pursuits, she is a fun person, paranoid of being boring and hence always strives to be interesting and entertaining.

All are Invited!

The White Library is back with a new 3-part chapter: Translating Palestine. For the months of May, June, and July 2026, we'll be gathering at Lamakaan to attempt to translate select bits and pieces of Palestinian fiction, and have conversations about the process of translating. This isn't a reading circle, but a creative writing one. Do join in, even if you've never read Pal. literature before, or have never translated before. :')

An Evening of Manto
A powerful theatrical production based on the works of Saadat Hasan Manto.
Through sharp storytelling, dark satire, and haunting human moments, this production brings Manto’s world alive on stage. Exploring themes of identity, borders, morality, and the fragile truths of society, the performance reflects on questions that remain deeply relevant today.
Presented by a committed ensemble of actors, the evening promises an intense, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant experience.
Raw. Relevant. Uncompromising.
Join us for a theatre experience that revisits Manto not as history — but as a voice that still speaks urgently to our times.

Chalam Literary Universe/ చలం-రచనాప్రపంచం:
This event is a tribute to the timeless literary legacy of Gudipati Venkata Chalam, one of Telugu literature’s most revolutionary voices. Known for his bold exploration of human emotions, individuality, and social constraints, Chalam’s works continue to challenge and inspire readers across generations.

The session will delve into the layered complexity of his characters—individuals caught between desire and duty, freedom and societal expectations. Through thoughtful discussions, we will explore how his characters transcend time and how their inner conflicts remain deeply relevant even today.

A unique highlight of the event is the imaginative concept of a “Chalam Character Universe,” where characters from different works come together, interact, and question each other’s choices and beliefs. This creative exploration opens new perspectives on Chalam’s literary world and its philosophical depth.

The event will also examine Chalam’s profound impact on gender equality. Long before it became a widespread discourse, he fearlessly wrote about women’s autonomy, identity, and emotional freedom, challenging patriarchal norms and redefining the role of women in society.

Blending literary analysis, creative interpretation, and tribute, this event invites participants to engage with Chalam not just as a writer, but as a thinker whose ideas continue to resonate in contemporary times.

Project Ninaivu is a space for remembering.
Derived from the Tamil word for memory, Ninaivu explores the quiet, intimate ways we hold onto people, places, and moments. As an initiative for discovering and exploring Home Bound Archival practices, we are planning to initiate more conversations around Archiving in domestic spaces. This workshop will be part of a three-series, the first one to be conducted on the 30th of May. Starting from exploring one's own personal history, we slowly move forward to practical methods to conserve our stories.

History is not just for “winners”, we all carry bits of our ancestors within us, so why not preserve the items of the past! Remember that photo albums, the embroidered handkerchief, the great aunt's cookbook, and so on, can be cherished for next generations. It's an initiative to pause the long gone days and see beyond the digital world. Let's join in this journey of archiving, preserving and also creating personal histories. Bring an object with a memory and let's share the story together!

Performing Classical Dance (Bharatnatyam)

A one-day workshop on Mimicry will be conducted by Record holder, Mr. Srinivas on 2nd May 2026 at Lamakaan, from 10.30 am to 2.00 pm.
This engaging session is designed for children who wish to explore the art of voice modulation, expression, and performance. Anyone above 8 years of age can attend and learn mimicry in a lively and supportive environment.
Seats are limited and will be allotted on a first come first serve basis. Interested individuals are advised to reserve their seats in advance.
Discounted fee for school children is Rs 900 against the actual fee of Rs 1500.
For registration and further details, please contact Mob No. 8142202446.

Join us for a thought-provoking session on Gattumeeda Chepa, the first Telugu novel to explore the world of aquaculture. Written by P. Chandrasekhara Azad, the book brings together storytelling and the lived realities of rural livelihoods, tracing the social and economic transformations shaped by fish farming.

✨ PRESENTING :KANJOOS: कंजूस: A Comedy Play in Hindi

Kanjoos is a popular Hindi stage adaptation of the classic 1668 French comedy L'Avare (The Miser) written by Moliere.

KANJOOS:( The miser ) ORIGINAL WRITER: MOLIÈRE - french playwright.


ADAPTED by Hazrat Awara / @mannu_singh_rawat_67 in Hindi/Urdu.

The story centers around a miserly protagonist, often named Mirza Sakhawat Baig.

A satirical C😂MEDY focusing on greed and family relationships.

DIRECTED BY - @sriram.vader
------------------------------------------------------------------

HYDERABAD 📢--Get ready for a night of pure laughter! 🎭 Whether you're planning a date night, a fun outing with the fam, or just want to hang out with your kuda/friends, KANJOOS is the perfect pick.

The Love Triangle💞 / The Stolen tresure 🙌

PURE ENTERTAINMENT / LIVE 🎭😂🕺

🗓️When: May 2nd | 8:00 PM

📍 Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills

Tickets available on Bookmyshow. Link in Bio
----------------------------------------------------------------

CAST : @prabhu_apparaju / @vashista.narayandas / @actressmihira / @vaishnavi_vader_24 / @_nitin_nitesh / @shreya_suresh.05 / @shubham_anand13 / @krishna_gangone / @ananth_sahas - PERFORMING LIVE

#liveperformance #kanjoos #comedy #hyderabad #lamakaan ‎ ORGANIZER DETAILS: Sriram Vader is a theatre artist, director, and producer who has become a notable figure in the contemporary Hyderabad theatre scene. Contact - 7013144822

Known for his work with groups like Samahaara and Kissago, he has transitioned into directing and producing under his own banner - BACKSTAGE PRODUCTIONS ‎ DESCRIPTION*

Wribate is a structured online platform where writing meets debate. Instead of shouting matches or superficial comments, users engage with carefully framed topics, present arguments in writing, and respond to opposing views.

It’s designed to build critical thinking, clarity of expression, and intellectual empathy—whether you’re a student, professional, or simply someone who enjoys thinking deeply. Wribate turns debates into a thoughtful, skill-building experience, not just opinions thrown into the void.

Wribate topics/ motions:

1. Technology has killed Romance

2. Recent UGC regulations reinforce the very caste identities they claim to dissolve.

3. Work-life balance is a myth

4. Education degrees are losing real-world value

Shudrka Hyderabad pays homage to Kaviguru Rabindranath Tagore on the occasion of his birth anniversary which falls on May 9 with a play titled “DWIKHONDITA” (SPLIT IN BETWEEN) based on excerpts from “GANDHARIR ABEDON” (Gandhari's Plea) and “KARNA KUNTI SANGBAD” (Dialogue Between Karna and Kunti).

Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck’s film ‘The Young Karl Marx’ traces the life of the great revolutionary and thinker Karl Marx in his 20s. These were the formative years of the development of Marx’s ideas, which later came to be known as Marxism; which not just brought revolution in human consciousness, but more importantly contributed in fundamental transformation of many societies in different parts of the world. The film covers important developments in Marx’s revolutionary life between 1843 to 1848 such as his exile from Germany along with his wife Jenny, his meeting with Frederick Engels in Paris and the beginning of a life-long inspirational friendship, his polemic with Proudhon, Marx and Engels working towards establishing the hegemony of his ideas in the Communist League in London, and finally their tireless effort to finalise the pathbreaking work “The Communist Manifesto”.

The screening will be followed by a discussion.
Entry is free.
Contact: 9971196111

Babul ngo spreads Environmental Awareness using Cinema. BEFF Babul Eco Film Festival is their flagship event. Presently BEFF 10th edition (2026) is happening.

City Limits: The Crisis of Urbanisation (edited by Tikender Singh Panwar and published by Penguin India) will be launched on 8th May at 5:30 pm at Lamakaan, Hyderabad.

City Limits is part of the Rethinking India series, which brings together essays from leading thinkers to critically examine current socio-economic and political paradigms, while proposing solutions to structural challenges facing the country.

On the occasion of the 165th Birth Anniversary of Nobel Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, an evening of music, dance, and reflection will be hosted at Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

The program, titled Remembering Tagore, will feature a soulful presentation of Rabindra Sangeet by Smt. Sanghamitra Malik, with songs rendered in both Bengali and Hindi. Select pieces will be accompanied by English translations, offering audiences deeper insight into Tagore’s timeless anthology. Alongside the music, attendees will be enriched with fascinating anecdotes and lesser-known facts about the poet’s creative journey.

Adding a visual dimension to the celebration, Smt. Kamalini Srinivas will perform dance in the Rabindrik style, blending grace with cultural authenticity. The evening will be moderated by Dr. R. Shankar, ensuring a thoughtful flow of performances and commentary.

All are Welcome!

Artists hold a unique power to shape minds and move hearts—now is the time to use that power for road safety. In Telangana, with over 7,600 lives lost annually in road accidents, and two-wheeler riders and pedestrians forming the majority of victims, the message is urgent and real.
Through paintings, street murals, digital art, and storytelling, you can turn silent statistics into powerful visual messages. A single artwork can remind a rider to wear a helmet or make a driver pause for a pedestrian.
Let your creativity become a voice for the voiceless. Use your art to inspire responsibility, spread awareness, and help save lives on our roads.

Sudha Parimala
Regional Manager Hyderabad Region
TGSRTC

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflU1bVllTsW39rSiC28GTNu_MmS3Q8WikqWjK147bwuhDVUA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Read A Kitaab is an unbiased community of Readers, Booklovers, writers and artists. We strive to provide the community an ecosystem with an online library, book discussions, author meet, book of the month, monthly meets, newsletters & much more...

Read A Kitaab is a calm & comfort space to be yourself, to discuss books and life with no bars on age/gender/ethnicity/political views etc.

This session is part of my ongoing personal research around body cues how the body stores, signals and expresses experiences beyond words.

While I come from a Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) practice, this is not a therapy session. It is a simple, guided movement space an introduction to sensing the politics of the body through movement under my own initiative THE ERA OF MOVEMENT

We’ll explore how control, conditioning and expression live in the body and how movement can become a way to notice, question and shift them.

No prior experience needed. Just a willingness to move and observe.

Dalit Christians: Faith, Resistance, and the Ongoing Struggle for Justice

This discussion brings together four women speakers from diverse professional and experiential backgrounds to critically engage with the historical and contemporary struggles of Dalit Christians in India. The event foregrounds lived experiences, structural discrimination, and the ongoing movement for dignity, equality, and constitutional justice, while situating these within an Ambedkarite framework. It creates a space to examine how caste continues to shape social, religious, and institutional realities despite conversion.

At the core of this issue lies a constitutional contradiction: while Dalit Christians continue to face caste-based discrimination, they are excluded from Scheduled Caste (SC) status and the associated affirmative action policies in education, employment, and political representation. This exclusion originates from the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which restricts SC recognition to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, effectively rendering Dalit Christians invisible within the legal framework of caste-based justice.

Recent developments have intensified this debate. A 2026 Supreme Court position reaffirmed that individuals who convert to Christianity lose SC status and cannot access reservation benefits, even if caste discrimination persists in their lived realities. This has renewed mobilisations, protests, and policy advocacy across the country, with Dalit Christian groups demanding inclusion in the SC category or alternative mechanisms to ensure equitable access to rights and opportunities.

Beyond the legal question, the issue raises deeper concerns about the nature of caste itself, whether it is confined to religion or operates as a broader socio-historical structure. The discussion will therefore explore caste within Christian communities, the political struggle for affirmative action, grassroots resistance, and the intersection of caste, gender, and faith. By bringing together perspectives from art, activism, scholarship, and community work, the event aims to reflect on what meaningful equality and dignity could look like for Dalit Christians today.

SPEAKERS:

Percy Kaki
A visual artist based in Hyderabad, Percy works across mediums exploring memory, gender, and marginalisation. She is part of the Yakshi Constitutional Values in Praxis programme, collaborating with marginalized women through art to engage with the Constitution. Her work has been exhibited at international and national platforms including Arles Photo Festival, Vanam Art Festival (Chennai), and Conflictorium (Ahmedabad). Her recent work focuses on community-based art practices centered on dignity, self-respect, and collective belonging.

Ravali Pidaparthi
A social entrepreneur and co-founder of Esther, Ravali works with young women graduates from marginalized castes in rural Telangana, supporting their transition into careers. With experience across institutions such as Teach For India, Indian School of Development Management, SRIJAN India, and Udhyam Vyapaar, her work lies at the intersection of caste and gender. She brings a strong commitment to building equitable systems and amplifying representation.

Sr. Manjula Devarapalli
A Carmelite nun and the National Secretary of the National Dalit Christian Watch (NDCW), Sr. Manjula has decades of grassroots experience working with Dalits and Adivasis. A lawyer and social worker, her work spans education, human rights, rural development, and advocacy for Dalit Christian rights within church and society. She has received multiple recognitions, including the Archbishop Oscar Romero Award and the Mother Teresa Award for her contributions to social justice.

Vennela Mocherla
A doctoral scholar in Sociology at the University of Hyderabad, Vennela’s research focuses on the lives, faith, and socio-political realities of Dalit Christians in Telugu regions. A former president of the Ambedkar Students’ Association (UoH), her academic work critically engages with religion, charisma, and neoliberalism, bringing a rigorous sociological lens to the discussion.

I am an educator planning to conduct a small children's reading activity called **“The Bookworm’s Haven.”** The purpose of this workshop is to encourage students to develop a healthy reading habit through interactive and engaging activities.

The session will be a 3-hour educational reading workshop for a small group of around 15–20 students (ages 8–13). During the workshop, students will participate in quiet reading, vocabulary-building activities, storytelling discussions, and a simple creative bookmark-making activity.

The program is designed to be **calm, educational, and interactive**, with no loud equipment or disturbances. The aim is to create a positive reading environment where children can explore books, learn new words, and build confidence in expressing their ideas.

We are looking for a quiet and safe space where children can sit comfortably and participate in this reading-based learning activity.

The Caretaker is a three-character play set in a cluttered room in West London. The story revolves around Aston, a quiet and mentally fragile man; his younger brother Mick, who is sharp and domineering; and Davies, an elderly homeless man whom Aston brings home out of kindness.

Aston offers Davies shelter and even the possibility of becoming the caretaker of the building. However, Davies is suspicious, manipulative, and obsessed with retrieving his identity papers from Sidcup. As the play unfolds, Davies attempts to turn the brothers against each other to secure his position. Power constantly shifts between the three men, revealing themes of isolation, identity, mental instability, and the struggle for control.

The play is known for Pinter’s distinctive style—minimalistic dialogue, meaningful pauses, and underlying tension. Though simple in plot, it powerfully explores loneliness, human vulnerability, and the complexity of communication.

Maruvan, in association with Lamakaan invites you to an engaging Book discussion on

You Me & the Gig Workers: The sly comforts Of an APP economy
DISCUSSION with VANDANA VASUDEVAN
author of the book OTP Please!


Vandana Vasudevan is the author of the much discusssed and appreciated book published last year dealing with the great shift in the business and consumption paradigm brought in by the App ecology.

The discussion will focus especially on the lives and working conditions of gig workers.

On the book:
A great shift is underway in how we buy, eat, move, work and sell owing to technological intervention. Tech platforms―whether a Swiggy, Amazon or Uber in India, a Foodpanda in Pakistan or a Pathao in Bangladesh or Nepal―have eased the pressures of modern life. They have freed up our time, provided jobs to grateful millions and delivered guilty pleasures and last-minute necessities to online buyers.
But behind the dazzle of the digital, much is opaque. Gig workers live a precarious life while internet retailers cope with the oppressive rules of global behemoths. Consumers wonder if there are are consequences to instant gratification and the extreme ease of living.
OTP Please delves into the wondrous new world of electronic commerce by connecting diverse stories and perspectives gathered across South Asia, from Peshawar to Patna and Colombo to Kathmandu. It explores the emotional dynamics between the different actors on this stage, the workings of tech companies and the implications for policy. Deeply researched and breezily narrated, it is essential reading to understand this extraordinary digital age that we inhabit.

On the author
Vandana Vasudevan has written extensively for mainstream newspapers and has been a columnist for several years for Mint and DNA. She studied in the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and has worked in the corporate sector for many years. She shifted career tracks and became a development sector professional, consulting for various national and international organizations after obtaining a PhD in urban development from the University of Grenoble, France. Besides OTP Please, she is also the author of Urban Villager: Life In An Indian Satellite Town and Tough Customer.
Despite these serious pursuits, she is a fun person, paranoid of being boring and hence always strives to be interesting and entertaining.

All are Invited!

The White Library is back with a new 3-part chapter: Translating Palestine. For the months of May, June, and July 2026, we'll be gathering at Lamakaan to attempt to translate select bits and pieces of Palestinian fiction, and have conversations about the process of translating. This isn't a reading circle, but a creative writing one. Do join in, even if you've never read Pal. literature before, or have never translated before. :')

An Evening of Manto
A powerful theatrical production based on the works of Saadat Hasan Manto.
Through sharp storytelling, dark satire, and haunting human moments, this production brings Manto’s world alive on stage. Exploring themes of identity, borders, morality, and the fragile truths of society, the performance reflects on questions that remain deeply relevant today.
Presented by a committed ensemble of actors, the evening promises an intense, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant experience.
Raw. Relevant. Uncompromising.
Join us for a theatre experience that revisits Manto not as history — but as a voice that still speaks urgently to our times.

Chalam Literary Universe/ చలం-రచనాప్రపంచం:
This event is a tribute to the timeless literary legacy of Gudipati Venkata Chalam, one of Telugu literature’s most revolutionary voices. Known for his bold exploration of human emotions, individuality, and social constraints, Chalam’s works continue to challenge and inspire readers across generations.

The session will delve into the layered complexity of his characters—individuals caught between desire and duty, freedom and societal expectations. Through thoughtful discussions, we will explore how his characters transcend time and how their inner conflicts remain deeply relevant even today.

A unique highlight of the event is the imaginative concept of a “Chalam Character Universe,” where characters from different works come together, interact, and question each other’s choices and beliefs. This creative exploration opens new perspectives on Chalam’s literary world and its philosophical depth.

The event will also examine Chalam’s profound impact on gender equality. Long before it became a widespread discourse, he fearlessly wrote about women’s autonomy, identity, and emotional freedom, challenging patriarchal norms and redefining the role of women in society.

Blending literary analysis, creative interpretation, and tribute, this event invites participants to engage with Chalam not just as a writer, but as a thinker whose ideas continue to resonate in contemporary times.

Project Ninaivu is a space for remembering.
Derived from the Tamil word for memory, Ninaivu explores the quiet, intimate ways we hold onto people, places, and moments. As an initiative for discovering and exploring Home Bound Archival practices, we are planning to initiate more conversations around Archiving in domestic spaces. This workshop will be part of a three-series, the first one to be conducted on the 30th of May. Starting from exploring one's own personal history, we slowly move forward to practical methods to conserve our stories.

History is not just for “winners”, we all carry bits of our ancestors within us, so why not preserve the items of the past! Remember that photo albums, the embroidered handkerchief, the great aunt's cookbook, and so on, can be cherished for next generations. It's an initiative to pause the long gone days and see beyond the digital world. Let's join in this journey of archiving, preserving and also creating personal histories. Bring an object with a memory and let's share the story together!