Sri-Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa was a visionary: his reimagining of architecture has made him one of the most renowned 20-century architects in the world. 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of his beloved garden Lunuganga, a place that was central to his life and artistic work and represents a confluence of art, architecture and ecology.

To commemorate Bawa and celebrate his ability to create extraordinary spaces for interdisciplinary practice, Asia Society India Centre presents a screening of alternative docudrama Bawa’s Garden, an experimental take on the lost gardens of Lunuganga. The filmmaker Clara Kraft Isono approaches image-making through her wide-ranging practice across architecture, filmmaking and academia, and the film is testament to that: it weaves dreamlike narratives with the real-life characters that have influenced Bawa's oeuvre. 

The film screening will be followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, moderated by Rahaab Allana. Taking its cue from the film and Bawa’s legacy, the conversation will focus on Kraft Isono’s journey through Sri Lanka and Lunuganga through the making of the film, and her insights into the hidden vistas of Bawa’s architecture. More broadly, the discussion will also be an opportunity for audiences to learn about alternative filmmaking practices, interact with Kraft Isono and her team; and exchange notes on the expanse of documentary filmmaking from and about South Asia.

Our venue partner for this programme is Khoj International Artists' Association in New Delhi. Please note: There is limited seating at the venue, and will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. We request everyone to be there at the venue at 5:30pm for registrations and to take their seats by 5:55pm. To receive more updates and register your interest, follow this link. 

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Clara Kraft Isono is a filmmaker based in London. She studied at the London Film School, where she was awarded the prestigious Skill Set Bursary. As a student she won a UK National Student Film Award. Her film Achele was nominated Best UK Short at the Raindance Film Festival. This is her first feature film. 

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Rahaab Allana is Curator, Alkazi Foundation for the Arts; Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society (London), A Charles Wallace Awardee, and was previously, Honorary Research Associate at University College, London. He is on the advisory board of the Trans-Asia Photography (TAP) Review; Founding Editor of PIX; Founder of the ASAP/art app; and guest editor of Aperture Magazine’s 2021 summer issue on Delhi.