Sep 16 2026 to Sep 16 2026 6:30 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Over five decades of prodigious poetic output, the late Padma Shri KS Nisar Ahmed (1936-2020), one of Karnataka’s most beloved contemporary poets, captured both the minutiae of daily life and the spirit of the age in verses that are as provocative as they are deeply lyrical. Steeped in both Romantic and Modernist traditions, his work blends intellectual rigour with heartfelt emotion, remaining strikingly relevant across generations. Every Day a Celebration gathers some of the Nityotsava Kavi’s finest poems, and introduces his voice to a wider audience and a new generation through Roopa Pai’s sensitive translation.

Many of Nisar’s poems were set to music, which made them even more familiar and dear to Kannada audiences at home and abroad.

Believing that the best way to celebrate and honour Nisar’s legacy is to have the audience experience his work through both word and song, this event incorporates both in equal measure. The conversation between Roopa Pai and Aleemulla Khan will be interspersed with performances of the songs, and conclude with interaction with the audience.

Venue: Auditorium
Speakers & Performers

Roopa Pai
Author & Translator
Roopa Pai is a writer, columnist, speaker, and co-founder of BangaloreWalks, Bangalore’s oldest heritage walks and tours company. One of India’s best-known children’s authors, her many best-selling books, including The Gita For Children, which is part of Amazon India’s list of ‘100 Indian Books to Read in a Lifetime’, have the distinction of being enjoyed as much by adults as they are by children. She also writes extensively about her hometown, including in her much-loved books Becoming Bangalore: Stories that shaped a hometown and Cubbon Park: The Green Heart of Bengaluru. With the recent release of her book Every Day a Celebration, she is thrilled to add another label – ‘Translator’ – to her bio.

Aleemulla Khan
Author & Poet
Aleemulla Khan is an engineer-turned-banker, poet, Rotarian, community leader and Kannada enthusiast. Beginning his career as a Project Engineer, he served as a Task Force Commander with the Karnataka Land Army and subsequently joined Karnataka Bank as Specialised Officer, where he served with distinction for three decades before retiring as Chief Manager. A member of Rotary International for five decades, he has dedicated himself to environmental conservation, education and community service. A passionate enthusiast of Kannada and Indian culture, he has authored books on India and Karnataka, and penned poems, articles and drama scripts in Kannada, Hindi and English on a wide range of subjects. His literary journey is greatly inspired by his late brother-in-law Nadoja Prof. KS Nisar Ahmed and Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, whose works and ideals have profoundly influenced his literary pursuits.

Mangala Karthik
Vocals
Mangala Karthik is a Carnatic music vocalist, teacher and educator. She is a disciple of the legendary violinist Padmabhushan Lalgudi Jayaraman and renowned teacher Vid. Neela Ramgopal. A state topper for the Senior music exam, she has been performing concerts for over two decades now and pursued her passion in music after quitting a career in software. With a wide range of interests, she has chosen different lines of work within Carnatic music. She was an anchor with World Space satellite radio’s Carnatic music channel. She has written many articles on music and musicians for reputed publications like the Deccan Herald newspaper and Sruti magazine. She has done workshops that introduce the art form to lay audiences. Her interview on teaching methodologies was featured in Ananya Kalasinchana, a reputed music-related publication. She has released a CD on Annamacharya keertanas for Ramanuja Audios, and is the founder teacher at Anandi Centre for Music, one of the prominent music schools in Indiranagar.

Jyothsna Hebbar
Veena
Jyothsna Hebbar is a young musician trained under Vid. Jyothi Chetan in veena and Vid. HS Sudhindra in mridanga. A recipient of the Sharada Kalakousthubha Award, she has won several national-level competitions and scholarships in both instruments. She has performed extensively as a soloist, accompanist, and ensemble artist across India, and has contributed to films and international productions. She holds a B.Arch. degree, and also runs her own terracotta jewellery brand, Ibha Creations.

Sumana Chandrashekar
Ghatam
Sumana Chandrashekar is a ghatam player, music researcher, author and storyteller. A student of Carnatic vocal music for over 25 years, she has been studying the ghatam under Vid. Sukanya Ramgopal. Sumana has performed extensively in major festivals across the country as an accompanist, soloist and as part of ensembles. She has worked on several experimental and collaborative music projects, and has been part of artist residencies and projects in music education. She has travelled widely in India, working closely with artists and artist communities, and is the author of Song of the Clay Pot: My Journey with the Ghatam, published in 2025.

Vinay Nagarajan
Mridangam
Vinay Nagarajan M is an accomplished mridangam and konnakol artiste, trained under Vid. N. Narayanaswamy and currently under Vid. Bangalore SV Balakrishna. An AIR B-High Grade artiste in mridangam and B Grade in konnakol, he has accompanied leading Carnatic musicians and Bharatanatyam artistes across India and internationally. He is also a dedicated educator, teaching mridangam and konnakol worldwide, and has received several honours for his contribution to percussion. He is a member of the acclaimed trio Rasa Triangle.