Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs Government of India is going to launch a new programme entitled ‘SAMVAAD’ which will feature globally acclaimed  eminent scholars, artists, directors, poets, writers and performers. The first such programme will held on Tuesday, 30th of January 2018 at 5 pm at Abhinav Theatre Jammu with the support of J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages.

Giving details the Regional Director ICCR J&K, Balwant Thakur informed here today that the first programme will feature the eminent theatre Director Santanu Bose who is an authority on World Drama. Currently working as Dean Academic Affairs, National School of Drama, New Delhi, Santanu is an established name in the field of direction in theatre. Informing further, Balwant Thakur said that programme ‘SAMVAAD’ is aimed at bridging the world with Jammu & Kashmir through such initiatives and this series will feature the ultimate authorities of varied fields. The idea is to expose the local talent to the best brains of the world. In SAMVAAD ultimate authorities like Gulzar, Mahesh Elkunchwar, Naseer-ud-din Shah are being invited.

Informing about the first speaker of SAMVAAD, Balwant Thakur said that Santanu Bose  Studied Comparative Literature in graduation with German language as subsidiary, Studied Design and Direction at National School of Drama & studied Acting at Drama Studio London. He worked as Lecturer, Art Direction at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and directed over sixty plays (including Co productions with Germany, Australia, and Afghanistan). He had done research and sections of dialogue for the Film "Name of a River" by Anup Singh and done Production Design for the film "Reaching Silence" by Jahar Kanungo. He is a recipient of Outstanding artist fellowship from Govt.of India, New performance grant of India Foundation for the Arts, Charles Wallace award. He has worked extensively on multicultural issues in collaborative process. Some of them are Images of Feminity, a study of Body and gender with Indian and German Theatre Artists, Latoon, a reading of Nation and motherhood with Indian and Afghan actors and Embrace, an Immodest Green with Australian dancers. He practices Bodyweather, a form developed under Min Tanaka in Japan.