Avid Learning, in association with The Marg Foundation, presents a panel discussion to celebrate the Mumbai launch of Punjab: Building the Land of the Five Rivers.

Join us to celebrate the book and, indeed, a gamut of all things Punjabi! Drawing from this sumptuous new Marg publication, that meticulously showcases the Land of the Five Rivers in all its glory, this panel continues the conversation on topics ranging from Punjab’s breathtaking architecture to its traditions of princely cuisine, from its Mughal heritage to its Sufi and Sikh cultural influences. Author, Arjun Gaind will be in conversation with Editor of the book and Conservation Architect, Abha Narain Lambah, Journalist and Founding Editor of The Wire, Sidharth Bhatia and Contributing Author and Journalist, Neha Prasada.

Bios of the Panelists:

Abha Narain Lambah’s architectural practice covers a range of monuments across India from 15th century temples in Hampi and Ladakh, to colonial buildings in Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi, historic palaces and forts in Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, to ancient archaeological sites in Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Gujarat. She has been advisor to museums such as Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum Kolkata, Prince of Wales Museum Mumbai, Chowmahalla Palace Hyderabad, Lal Bagh Palace Indore and Jaivilas Museum Gwalior. She has also been involved with many urban and streetscaping projects and is active with various citizen’s groups. She has edited a range of books including “Architecture of the Indian Sultanates”, “Custodians of India’s Heritage: 150 years of the Archaeological Survey of India” and “Shekhawati: Land of the Merchant Princes.

Arjun Raj Gaind is the author of A Very Pukka Murder, published by Harper Collins India and Poisoned Pen Press USA. It is the first in a trilogy chronicling the adventures of Sikander Singh, a Maharaja with a penchant for mysteries, set against the backdrop of princely India during the heyday of the British Raj. The second installment, titled Death at the Durbar, is due for release early this November. He is also the creator and author of several critically acclaimed, best-selling comic books, including Empire of Blood, Project: Kalki, Reincarnation Man, The Mighty Yeti, Blade of the Warrior: Kshatriya, and A Brief History of Death.

Sidharth Bhatia is a Mumbai-based journalist and author. He is the Founder Editor of The Wire and has written several books on cinema and popular culture. His Twitter handle is @bombaywallah.

Neha Prasada is an author and journalist based in New Delhi. She has written extensively on health, politics, governance, environment, and social issues. She is a contributing editor to the Architectural Digest magazine. She contributes to Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue and Mint Lounge. With a keen interest in food history and world cuisine, she recently curated a food festival celebrating the regional food of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Her debut coffee-table book Dining with the Maharajas has been very well received. She is a contributing author to Punjab: Building the Land of the Five Rivers.

About Partners:

Avid Learning, a public programming platform and cultural arm of the Essar Group, has conducted over 600 programs and connected with more than 55,000 individuals since its inception in 2009. Driven by the belief that Learning Never Stops, AVID’s multiple formats like Workshops, Panel Discussions, Gallery Walkthroughs, and Festival Platforms create a dynamic and interactive atmosphere that stimulates intellectual and creative growth across the fields of Culture & Heritage, Literature, Art and Innovation.

Facebook : www.facebook.com/Avidlearning; Twitter : www.twitter.com/Avidlearning; Instagram: @avidlearning

CSMVS (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya), formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is one of the premier art and history museum in India. Founded in the early 1900s, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is one of the premier cultural institutions in the country. Today this building is listed as a Grade I Heritage Building and has been awarded the '2010 UNESCO Asia – Pacific Heritage Award' for Cultural Heritage Conservation. It has been awarded first place for Heritage Building Maintenance by the Indian Heritage Society. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) aims to create awareness and sensitivity towards our rich heritage through a visitor-friendly museum for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment of the public. The Museum offers a perfect leisure day out for all its visitors where you can engage with a world-class art collection and participate in fun-n-learn activities.

Marg was founded by Mulk Raj Anand in 1946, with the agenda of developing a forward-looking and socially active language of art, while engaging with India's rich cultural heritage. Marg's publications are internationally acclaimed for their high standards of production, excellent editorial content, striking and informative illustrations. Over the years, Marg has pioneered many regional studies and Marg believes that a cross-regional understanding of the subcontinent's collective inheritance is vital as our nation continues its growth in the global arena. Today Marg continues this legacy under the editorship of Jyotindra Jain and Naman P. Ahuja.