Diamond Jubilee Week Inaugurated at the IIAS

First Day Highlights History, Indian Civilisational Perspectives and Cultural Heritage

Diamond Jubilee Week Inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study; First Day Highlights History, Indian Civilisational Perspectives and Cultural Heritage

Padma Shri Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar Delivers Special Lecture on the History and Historicity of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh; Padma Shri Smt. Shovana Narayan Presides over the Session

Book Fair Inaugurated by Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar and Prof. Reicha Tanwar; Book Release and Art Exhibition Add Academic and Cultural Significance to the Celebration

Shimla, 11 October 2026: The five-day Diamond Jubilee Week Celebration of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla, commenced today as part of the Institute’s Diamond Jubilee Year. Scheduled from 11 to 15 October 2026, the celebration aims to bring history, literature, the Bharatiya Knowledge System, art, culture and academic thought into wider public engagement. The first day featured the inauguration of a book fair, the opening of an art exhibition, a book release, and a special lecture on the historical perspectives of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

The central academic event of the day was a special lecture by Padma Shri Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar, Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi. Delivered on the theme “Jammu Kashmir Ladakh Through the Ages: An Overview of Historicity Issues & Event,” the lecture was presided over by Padma Shri Smt. Shovana Narayan. The lecture presented an academic perspective on the history of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, questions concerning their historicity, and the importance of historical evidence and its interpretation in understanding these regions.

Book Fair Inaugurated: Bringing Readers, Publishers and Academia Together

The Diamond Jubilee Week commenced with the inauguration of the book fair at the Institute’s premises at 10:30 AM. The fair was inaugurated by Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar and Prof. Reicha Tanwar. Renowned national and international publishers are participating in the event, presenting books and academic publications across a range of subjects.

The book fair seeks not only to showcase and sell books but also to promote a reading culture, familiarise students and research scholars with useful academic literature, and encourage dialogue between the publishing industry and the research community. Through publications on history, social sciences, literature, culture and Bharatiya knowledge traditions, the fair provides visitors with an opportunity to explore a diverse range of reading and research resources.

The book fair will remain open from 11 to 15 October, daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Entry to the fair is free, and visitors are exempted from the regular entry ticket for this activity.

A Celebration of Indian Art and Cultural Consciousness

A major highlight of the first day was the inauguration of the art exhibition titled “Bharatiya Forms, Expressions and Consciousness” by Padma Shri Smt. Shovana Narayan, internationally acclaimed Kathak exponent and former senior civil servant. Her presence added distinction to the cultural dimension of the celebration.

The exhibition by artist Nisha Jaiswal presents themes associated with Indian epics, artistic forms, expressions and cultural consciousness through visual art. Art in Indian traditions has served not merely as a medium of aesthetic expression but also as an important means of representing collective memory, cultural experiences and intellectual traditions. The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to engage with diverse aspects of India’s cultural heritage through artistic interpretation.

The exhibition will remain open to visitors from 11 to 15 October 2026, daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Entry is free, and visitors are exempted from the regular entry ticket.

Inaugural Session and Welcome Address by the Director

The formal session commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by the welcome address by Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director, IIAS. Welcoming the dignitaries and participants, he emphasised the significance of viewing the Diamond Jubilee Week in the context of the Institute’s academic journey, intellectual traditions and social responsibility.

He highlighted that the Indian Institute of Advanced Study seeks to promote serious academic research, independent thought and dialogue among diverse knowledge traditions. The Diamond Jubilee Week, he noted, provides an opportunity to carry this vision forward by bringing books, history, art and cultural heritage into wider public engagement beyond the academic campus.

Prof. Chaturvedi observed: “The Diamond Jubilee Week is not merely an occasion to commemorate the journey of the Institute; it is an opportunity to carry forward the traditions of knowledge, research and intellectual discourse that have shaped the identity of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. Our endeavour is to make the Institute’s academic activities accessible to wider society and to encourage students, research scholars, writers, artists and citizens to engage with the diverse dimensions of history, culture and knowledge.”

The dignitaries on the dais were felicitated following the welcome address. The session then proceeded to the release of an academic publication, reflecting the Institute’s commitment to promoting scholarly writing and historical inquiry.

Release of Rethinking History of Punjab in the Indian Civilisational Context

The book ** Rethinking History of Punjab in the Indian Civilisational Context **, edited by Professor Ravinder Singh, a former Fellow of the Institute, was released during the celebration.

The publication approaches the history of Punjab within the broader framework of Indian civilisation. Its theme underscores the importance of examining history not merely through accounts of regional events but also in relation to wider civilisational contexts. Studying connections among different regions, traditions and historical experiences can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the past.

The release of the book on the opening day of the Diamond Jubilee Week reaffirmed the central place accorded to academic dialogue and research-based writing in the Institute’s programmes.

Special Lecture by Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar: An Academic Perspective on the History of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh

The principal academic highlight of the first day was the special lecture by Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar, Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research and recipient of the Padma Shri. He spoke on “Jammu Kashmir Ladakh Through the Ages: An Overview of Historicity Issues & Event.” The session was presided over by Padma Shri Smt. Shovana Narayan.

The history of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is associated with geographical diversity, cultural interactions, historical processes and transformations across different periods. The study of historicity in these regions requires careful examination of historical sources, available evidence, chronology and interpretation. The subject of the lecture provided an opportunity to consider these questions from an academic perspective and to reflect on the role of evidence-based inquiry in historical research.

The significance of historical study lies not only in recalling events of the past but also in understanding their contexts, causes, continuities and changes. A rigorous examination of historical sources and different perspectives can contribute to a broader understanding of the historical and cultural experiences of regions such as Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Prof. Tanwar’s lecture aligned with the academic objectives of the Diamond Jubilee Week by encouraging serious engagement with history and India’s civilisational experiences. The selection of this subject for a lecture at a multidisciplinary institution such as IIAS also highlighted the relationship between historical inquiry, regional studies and wider intellectual discourse.

Prof. Tanwar observed: “To understand the history of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, it is essential to undertake a serious study of historical sources, available evidence and the contexts of different periods. The study of history is not merely an account of events in chronological order; it is also an effort to understand the processes and circumstances that have shaped the social, cultural and historical identities of a region.”

Presidential Address by Padma Shri Smt. Shovana Narayan

The lecture was presided over by Padma Shri Smt. Shovana Narayan, an internationally acclaimed Kathak exponent and former senior civil servant. Her distinguished contribution to Indian classical dance has earned her a prominent place in the country’s artistic and cultural landscape.

Her participation brought a wider cultural perspective to the academic session. History and art are both important means of understanding collective memory, cultural experiences and traditions. The organisation of an academic lecture alongside an art exhibition on the opening day of the Diamond Jubilee Week highlighted this relationship between intellectual inquiry and cultural expression.

Smt. Narayan remarked: “Understanding history is not merely about studying events of the past; it is also about understanding the civilisational experiences, cultural traditions and human ideas that have shaped our present. The historical study of regions such as Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh offers an opportunity to view India’s plural cultural heritage and its continuity in a broader perspective. Such academic dialogues enrich our understanding of history and encourage meaningful engagement among diverse viewpoints.”

Speaking about the art exhibition she inaugurated, Smt. Narayan congratulated the artist, Nisha Jaiswal, and said: “History and art are both powerful mediums for expressing our civilisational memory and cultural consciousness. It is a pleasure to inaugurate this art gallery as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nisha Jaiswal for her artistic presentation and for bringing Indian traditions, forms and expressions to the fore through her work. Her exhibition, ‘Bharatiya Forms, Expressions and Consciousness,’ offers an opportunity to reflect on the diverse dimensions of India’s cultural heritage. I believe that such initiatives will encourage meaningful dialogue between art, history and academic thought.”

Inauguration of the IIAS Digitised Rare Manuscripts Library Portal

Another important initiative associated with the first day of the Diamond Jubilee Week was the inauguration of the IIAS Digitised Rare Manuscripts Library Portal at 3:00 PM. The portal was inaugurated by Prof. Reicha Tanwar, Professor and former Director of the Women Studies Research Centre at Kurukshetra University.

Rare manuscripts are valuable sources for historical, literary, philosophical, linguistic and cultural research. Their digitisation and availability through digital platforms can create new opportunities for researchers and scholars. The initiative represents an important step towards the preservation, documentation and wider academic accessibility of knowledge resources.

By connecting the preservation of traditional knowledge resources with digital technology, the portal aims to facilitate access to information relating to rare manuscripts and support their use in future research. The initiative adds an important dimension to the Diamond Jubilee Week by highlighting the role of digital resources in preserving and making scholarly material more accessible.

A Platform for Dialogue on Knowledge, History and Culture
The first day of the Diamond Jubilee Week brought together book culture, historical inquiry and Indian artistic traditions. The book fair provided a platform for readers and publishers; the art exhibition presented Indian cultural expressions; the book release highlighted scholarly writing; and Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar’s lecture created an opportunity for serious discussion on historical questions.

The inauguration of the digitised rare manuscripts library portal further expanded the programme’s focus to the preservation and accessibility of knowledge resources. Together, these activities reflect the Institute’s endeavour to strengthen connections among research, reading, cultural expression and public engagement.

The Diamond Jubilee Week will continue until 15 October 2026, with further lectures and academic programmes on the Bharatiya Knowledge System, archaeology, history and cultural subjects. On 12 October, Prof. Vasant Shinde is scheduled to deliver a special lecture on “Evolution of Bharatiya Knowledge System: Archaeological Perspective with Special Reference to Rakhigarhi.” On 13 October, Shri Akhilesh Jha is scheduled to speak on “Vande Mataram.”

The celebration offers an opportunity to connect the Institute’s academic role with wider society. By bringing books, ideas, art and history together on a common platform, the Diamond Jubilee Week seeks to encourage public engagement with knowledge and cultural heritage.

The five-day celebration at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla, thus marks not only an important milestone in the Institute’s intellectual journey but also an opportunity to advance dialogue on the diverse dimensions of history, literature, art and knowledge.