India by the Bay 2023 (October 07 to 15, 2023)
India by the Bay is a week-long celebration of Indian art and culture co-presented by Teamwork Arts and the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, with the support of the Consulate General of India in Hong Kong. The festival features literature, music, food, dance and theatre, encompassing both the contemporary and classic.
The Festival is dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships between India and Hong Kong. It is a unique opportunity for the people of Hong Kong to experience and engage with India’s rich cultural heritage.
*Moderators and speakers are subject to change
Literature - The Cartiers: A Legacy of Luxury
Saturday, October 7th, 2023
[In-person] Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center
Francesca Cartier Brickell, author of The Cartiers: the Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewelry Empire, discusses her decade-long research into her legendary family’s history; her favorite among Cartier’s most iconic jewels and her travels to India, meeting the nation’s erstwhile royalty. Francesca will be in conversation with the Maharani of Baroda, Her Highness Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad, who is researching and archiving the history of India’s royals as well as her family’s famed Gaekwad jewels.
‘The Cartiers’ is the result of years of independent research into Francesca’s family and the business they founded. With Francesca Cartier Brickell, Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad, moderated by Sanjoy K. Roy.
WELLNESS SUNDAY Presented by HSBC - A Full Day of Events That Nourish the Mind, Body & Soul
Sunday, October 8th, 2023
[In-person] Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center
What better way to engage with a post-Covid world than with a personal commitment to good health and well-being. India by the Bay presents a day of wellness with a line-up of events, activities and experiences that celebrate the uniqueness and diversity of India and promise to energise and stimulate the mind, body, and soul!
DESIGN - A WOVEN NARRATIVE: A Story of Antique Kashmir Shawls with Romi Lamba
Monday, October 9th, 2023
[In-person] Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center
A unique opportunity to participate in an immersive session with private collector Romi Lamba. Romi will walk us through his journey of more than three decades, building an unrivalled collection of rare, antique Kashmir and European shawls, some woven as early as 1820-1890. The masterpieces from his collection will be on display, and Romi will tell us the story of each exceptional shawl. This session is a true masterclass in ancient textiles - from yarns to looms, colours, patterns, motifs and provenance, there is no facet of this treasured craft that Romi isn’t an expert on.
MUSIC - The Musical Bridge
Wednesday, October 11th, 2023
[In-person] The Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center
With Pandit Shubhendra Rao and Saskia Rao-de Haas (and Belle Shiu on the pipa, with kind permission of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and guitarist Tjoe Man Cheung)
A musical celebration that brings together renowned sitar player Pandit Shubhendra Rao, disciple of Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, along with cellist Saskia Rao- de Haas, in a unique performance that will showcase both the classical-traditional as well as East-West collaborative elements, legacies of his Guru’s style.
Joining them will be Belle Shiu on the pipa (with kind permission of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra).
LITERATURE - Making India A Leading Power | Grasping Greatness - In Conversation With The Editors
Thursday, October 12th, 2023
[In-person] Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center
A conversation around the critically acclaimed book GRASPING GREATNESS, MAKING INDIA A LEADING POWER with two of the editors, Bibek Debroy (joining via Zoom) and C. Raja Mohan. The evening will be moderated by Ajay Kapur. Grasping Greatness is an important contribution to intellectual debate as India enters into a new era on the world stage. The book explores India’s push for eminence in world affairs and the economic, state-building, and international dimensions of this ambition.
Featured in the book are eminent thinkers like Rakesh Mohan, Ila Patnaik, Surjit Bhalla, Arjun Subramanian, and others who reflect upon the tasks at hand and the desirable routes to achieve them.
Edited by Ashley J. Tellis, Bibek Debroy and C. Raja Mohan, Grasping Greatness is an important contribution to the intellectual debates as India enters into a new era on the world stage.
‘Edited by three of today’s finest India scholars, Grasping Greatness compiles a compelling selection of contributions by distinguished historians, economists, and political scientists, all seeking to define India’s place in a world of great opportunity and immense challenge.’ Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram (Lok Sabha)
BOLLYWOOD SPOTLIGHT Presented by DBS Neena Gupta and Masaba Gupta in conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy
Friday, October 13th, 2023
[In-person] Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center
Join Neena Gupta, award-winning actor, television director, and author of her biography 'Sach Kahun Toh' and her actor/fashion designer daughter Masaba, in conversation with Sanjoy K Roy. Come along for an evening as they discuss fashion, film, and family.
FOOD - SPICE STORY - CULINARY TRAILS - A Gala Dinner
Sunday, October 15th, 2023
[In-person] Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, Asia Society Hong Kong Center
The much-awaited Gala Dinner is always an irresistible draw. This year the festival serves up a medley of spices with a variety of flavours from across India. A multi course dinner curated by CHEF RAHUL GOMES PEREIRA showcases a flavourful mix of exotic cuisine and inimitable style against a backdrop of elegance, India by the Bay takes you on a culinary journey across the country.
Indian cuisine reflects a 5000-year history of regions, cultures, and communities that have resulted in a vast range of flavours and a host of indigenous traditions. Chef Picu has created a menu with handpicked dishes from Bengal, Goa, Kashmir, Kerala and Rajasthan. An experience with spice, aroma and taste awaits you.
Rahul Gomes Pereira: Acclaimed Indian chef, Rahul Gomes Pereira or Chef Picu, will provide the perfect gastronomical experience in Indian fine-dining and delight guests with authentic flavours from across India. His well-known restaurant Jamun in Delhi is an eclectic food destination, embracing India’s vast range of flavours with recipes from Kashmir to the Deccan.
OFF-SITE EVENTS
BOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY – A Musical Theatrical Extravaganza
Saturday, October 14th, 2023
[In-person] Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District
Bollywood Love Story is an original musical drama which captures the essence of Bollywood with all its magnificent colours, simple story line and an accent on finely crafted costumes, sumptuous locations, beautiful actors and vibrant melodies. Immerse yourself and be transported into the heart of a magnetic love story, a dance drama inspired by the spirit and flavour of Bollywood.
This event will take place at the iconic Grand Theater, Xiqu Centre that is part of the West Kowloon Cultural District.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and participants and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, do not reflect the opinion, position or official policy of Asia Society Hong Kong, its members, or its committees. Asia Society Hong Kong does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for the content of the information presented.