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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Villa Swagatam' announces 34 residents for third edition
NEW DELHI: Poet Meena Kandaswamy, French author Maylis de Kerangal, choreographer Gayatri Shetty, and French artist Johanna de Clisson are among 34 artists and cultural practitioners from India and France selected for the third edition of the Villa Swagatam residency programme. In its third edition, the initiative spearheaded by the French Institute in India, seeks to foster cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration between creatives from France and South Asia. The selected residents will spend between one and three months at partner residency spaces across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and France. The upcoming cycle of the residency will take place from August 2025 to August 2026. "Translation is a form of transformation, and I want to discover what my poetry becomes when it breathes in French. I hope to also use this residency to create new work, letting the landscape and its spirit of resistance inspire a renewed poetic voice," said Kandaswamy, who will be visiting literary center Maison de la Poésie de in France's Nantes, in a statement.


The Print
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Print
‘Villa Swagatam' announces 34 residents for third edition
'Translation is a form of transformation, and I want to discover what my poetry becomes when it breathes in French. I hope to also use this residency to create new work, letting the landscape and its spirit of resistance inspire a renewed poetic voice,' said Kandaswamy, who will be visiting literary center Maison de la Poésie de in France's Nantes, said in a statement. The upcoming cycle of the residency will take place from August 2025 to August 2026. New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Poet Meena Kandaswamy, French author Maylis de Kerangal, choreographer Gayatri Shetty, and French artist Johanna de Clisson are among 34 artists and cultural practitioners from India and France selected for the third edition of the Villa Swagatam residency programme. In its third edition, the initiative, spearheaded by the French Institute in India, seeks to foster cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration between creatives from France and South Asia. The selected residents will spend between one and three months at partner residency spaces across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and France. Likewise, Clisson, a French ceramist, designer, and artistic director known for exploring the relationship between minimalism, architecture, and tactile materials, is eager to discover how 'earth meets textiles while ceramics and weaving become one' during her stay at Nila House, Jaipur. 'Trained in a European context where minimalism, sober lines and the predominance of white occupy a central place in my work, I wish to initiate a dialogue between these two aesthetic universes. My project at Nila House will focus on blending cultures and know-how,' she added. Among the other selected residents are writer Ruchir Joshi, art critic Sukanya Deb, visual artist Sajid Wajid Shaikh, poet Selim-a Atallah Chettaoui, illustrator Daniele Pasin, and poet Monia Ben Romdan. The list also includes multidisciplinary artist Clémence Vazard, visual artist Marion Flament, designer Gabriel Hafner, children's book author Séraphine Menu and literary translator Subhashree Beeman. Reflecting on the success of the previous two editions, French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, remarked: 'Since its very inception, Villa Swagatam has been envisioned as a flagship initiative of our cultural cooperation with India, fostering a vibrant network of creative talents from both countries, with arts and crafts, and literature as key areas of exchange.' This year's edition saw a total of 520 applications — 353 from India and 167 from France — marking a significant rise in Indian participation, with more than twice as many Indian applicants compared to the previous round. PTI MG MG MG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Villa Swagatam announces 34 residents for third edition
New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Poet Meena Kandaswamy, French author Maylis de Kerangal, choreographer Gayatri Shetty, and French artist Johanna de Clisson are among 34 artists and cultural practitioners from India and France selected for the third edition of the Villa Swagatam residency programme. In its third edition, the initiative, spearheaded by the French Institute in India, seeks to foster cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration between creatives from France and South Asia. The selected residents will spend between one and three months at partner residency spaces across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and France. The upcoming cycle of the residency will take place from August 2025 to August 2026. 'Translation is a form of transformation, and I want to discover what my poetry becomes when it breathes in French. I hope to also use this residency to create new work, letting the landscape and its spirit of resistance inspire a renewed poetic voice," said Kandaswamy, who will be visiting literary center Maison de la Poésie de in France's Nantes, said in a statement. Likewise, Clisson, a French ceramist, designer, and artistic director known for exploring the relationship between minimalism, architecture, and tactile materials, is eager to discover how 'earth meets textiles while ceramics and weaving become one" during her stay at Nila House, Jaipur. 'Trained in a European context where minimalism, sober lines and the predominance of white occupy a central place in my work, I wish to initiate a dialogue between these two aesthetic universes. My project at Nila House will focus on blending cultures and know-how," she added. Among the other selected residents are writer Ruchir Joshi, art critic Sukanya Deb, visual artist Sajid Wajid Shaikh, poet Selim-a Atallah Chettaoui, illustrator Daniele Pasin, and poet Monia Ben Romdan. The list also includes multidisciplinary artist Clémence Vazard, visual artist Marion Flament, designer Gabriel Hafner, children's book author Séraphine Menu and literary translator Subhashree Beeman. Reflecting on the success of the previous two editions, French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, remarked: 'Since its very inception, Villa Swagatam has been envisioned as a flagship initiative of our cultural cooperation with India, fostering a vibrant network of creative talents from both countries, with arts and crafts, and literature as key areas of exchange." This year's edition saw a total of 520 applications — 353 from India and 167 from France — marking a significant rise in Indian participation, with more than twice as many Indian applicants compared to the previous round. PTI MG MG MG (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 14:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
David Walters performs lights up Chandigarh with soul tropical rhythms
The Tagore Theatre resonated with infectious energy and global rhythms as French-Caribbean artist David Walters captivated the audience during a rousing live performance recently in Chandigarh. The Chandigarh leg of Walters' Soul Tropical India tour was held as part of the worldwide Fête de la Musique celebrations, presented by the French Institute in India and Alliance Française. The evening unfolded into an immersive musical experience blending Afro-Caribbean roots, soul, funk, and global grooves. From pulsating percussion to melodic storytelling, Walters and his band delivered a powerful performance that echoed his message of joy, resilience, and cultural connection. Chandigarh's concert marked one of several stops on the India tour, with Walters set to bring his signature sound to other cities including New Delhi, Bhopal, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Jaipur. The concert was free and open to all, aligning with the spirit of Fête de la Musique — a global celebration that makes music accessible to everyone.

The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
An initiative to bring French literature closer to Keralites
In a vibrant celebration of cultural and literary exchange, the French Institute in India and DC Books jointly launched the 'Pardon My French!' bookshelf at DC Books here on Thursday evening. The initiative aims at bringing French literature closer to Indian readers through curated translations and accessible editions. The launch featured a conversation between Shashi Tharoor, author and MP, and Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India. The duo explored the rich tapestry of French and Indian literary traditions and the lasting influence of French story-telling on Indian readers. Cultural commonalities Dr. Tharoor highlighted the role of Victor Hugo in making French literature accessible in India. He emphasised the value of literary exchange in broadening perspectives and nurturing creativity. He also spoke about the cultural commonalities between India and France, particularly the value both societies placed on intellectual discussion and community forums. 'In India, we have traditions like the Malayali 'chayakkada' and Bengali 'adda'— spaces where people come together to discuss everything from politics to poetry. France too has a strong café culture that fosters similar democratic dialogue,' Dr. Tharoor said, drawing parallels that resonated with the audience. Ambassador Mathou expressed optimism that the 'Pardon My French!' initiative would ignite curiosity about French literature among Indian readers, particularly the youth. 'Literature is a powerful bridge between cultures. These stories help us understand each other better,' he said. International understanding Several school students in the audience asked the speakers questions on the influence of literature on diplomacy and how cultural exchange shaped international understanding. In reply, both Dr. Tharoor and Dr. Mathou stressed the role of literature in building empathy and global citizenship. The 'Pardon My French!' bookshelf features a diverse selection of French classics and contemporary works, translated into English and Indian languages.