Celebrating KS Nisar Ahmed : Through poetry and song

Celebrating KS Nisar Ahmed

Through poetry and song

with

Roopa Pai : Author of “Every Day is a Celebration” – a translation of selected works of KS Nisar Ahmed

and

Mangala Karthik : A Classical Carnatic Vocalist and Educator.

Sumana Chandrashekar : Ghatam

Jyotsna Hebbar : Veena

About the Event

On the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava we celebrate one of Karnataka’s most beloved poets

Padma Shri KS Nisar Ahmed

Every Day a Celebration, a new book of translation of Nisar Ahmed’s poetry, gathers some of his finest poems, spanning more than five decades, and introduces his voice to a wider audience through Roopa Pai’s sensitive translation. English readers can now experience the brilliance of a Kannada poet whose voice continues to resonate with urgency and humanity.

This special event brings his poetry to life as bestselling author Roopa Pai reads from her English translations of his finest work, while celebrated classical vocalist Mangala Karthik and her musical ensemble perform these iconic verses live as beautiful melodies.

About Roopa Pai

Roopa Pai is an acclaimed Bengaluru-based author, journalist, and cultural chronicler widely celebrated for making complex philosophies, histories, and literatures deeply accessible to readers.

While she is a prolific creator of children’s fantasy and non-fiction, her role as a translator shines brightly in Every Day a Celebration—her landmark debut translation project. Driven by a lifelong passion for her city and its regional heritage, she delicately translates five decades of stirring Kannada verse by the iconic poet K. S. Nisar Ahmed, bridging cultural gaps to allow English-speaking audiences to experience the soul and lyrical beauty of Karnataka’s literary giant. This book beautifully reflects her broader life’s work as a bridge-builder of heritage: whether she is simplifying ancient Indian scriptures like The Gita, unearthing local history through her tour company BangaloreWalks, or translating evocative local poetry, her writing constantly seeks to make profound human experiences feel intimate, relevant, and alive.

About Mangala Karthik

Mangala Karthik is a Carnatic vocalist, teacher, and co-founder of the Anandi Centre for Music in Bangalore. A disciple of the legendary violinist Padmabhushan Lalgudi Jayaraman and renowned teacher Sangeetha Kalacharya Neela Ramgopal, she brings exceptional pedigree and depth to her music. She is passionate about making classical music accessible to all and has served as a radio jockey, music interviewer, and writer alongside her performance career. Her teaching philosophy emphasises removing jargon and enabling students to experience the joy of Carnatic music at every level.

About Sumana Chandrashekar

Sumana Chandrashekar is a Bengaluru-based Carnatic percussionist, researcher, and author who stands out as one of the few prominent female players of the ghatam (clay pot). After starting her musical journey as a vocalist, she shifted to percussion in her late twenties following a recurring, vivid dream about the clay pot. She went on to train under trailblazing gurus Vidushi Sukanya Ramgopal and T.H. “Vikku” Vinayakram, even learning the traditional craft of pot-making in Manamadurai to deepen her connection to the instrument. Known for her ambidextrous playing style and signature performance turban, she detailed her artistic journey and confronted systemic patriarchy in classical music within her acclaimed memoir, Song of the Clay Pot.

About Jyotsna Hebbar

Jyothsna Hebbar is an accomplished Indian Carnatic classical musician from Bengaluru, known for her rare mastery as both a Vainika (Veena player) and a Mridangam percussionist. She received rigorous training under her mother, Vidushi Smt. Jyothi Chetan (for Veena), and Vidwan Shri H. S. Sudhindra (for Mridangam). A recipient of the prestigious CCRT cultural scholarship, she has won top prizes at the Madras Music Academy and the Bangalore Gayana Samaja.