The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
cordially invites you to the launch of the book
“The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II” by Gautam Hazarika
The author will be in conversation with
Mannat Gumman Faruqui and Shaad Ali Sahgal
Tuesday 11th November, 2025, at 5.00 p.m.
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai cordially invites you to the launch of the book “The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II” by Gautam Hazarika at the Durbar Hall of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, at 5.00 pm on Tuesday 11th November, 2025. The author will be in conversation with Mannat Gumman Faruqui and Shaad Ali Sahgal.
Singapore based Gautam Hazarika, a former banker, now writes on little-known aspects of World War II in Southeast Asia, especially the Indian Army, anti-Japanese resistance, and war crimes trials. He regularly presents at museums in Singapore and international conferences. His book has featured in various national and international publications and news portals. The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II is his first book.
Half the troops defending Singapore in World War II were Indian, many of them from Mumbai. Some of these 67,000 men joined the Japanese-backed Indian National Army. Others made daring escapes, or endured forced labour in Papua New Guinea from where most never returned. Their families lived with silence, separation, and survival against odds, while the official memory of their sacrifices faded. The book seeks to remember their courage and loss, and restore their place in history through the stories of their descendants.
Mannat Gumman Faruqui is the youngest granddaughter of General Mohan Singh, one of the founders of the INA. After graduating from Lady Shri Ram College New Delhi, she moved to Mumbai and worked in film production. Recently she made a switch to jewellery design, co-founding a company with her husband.
Shaad Ali Sahgal is a Mumbai based filmmaker, whose parents are Subhashini Ali formerly CPI(M) and MP Kanpur, and Muzaffar Ali the noted filmmaker. His maternal grandparents are Major Dr Lakhsmi Swaminathan, 1st C/O Rani Jhansi Regiment INA and Col. PK Sahgal one of the accused in the famous INA Red Fort Trial in 1945.
Please join us for tea at 4.30 p.m.
- Prof Vispi Balaporia, President Asiatic Society of Mumbai
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Literary Club of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai
invites you to a presentation on the book 'Twin Tales from Kutcch'
on Wednesday 8th October, 2025, at 5.00 p.m.
The Literary Club of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai cordially invites you to a presentation on the book Twin Tales from Kutcch at the Durbar Hall of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, at 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday 8th October, 2025.
Twin Tales from Kutcch is a family saga with a strong ethnic flavour set in colonial India - a poignant story of two courageous women orphaned at a tender age. Had they not been separated by a large age gap, they may well have been twins, so uncanny are the parallels in their young lives. The new century dawns and sweeping changes take place in their personal lives as well as on the national stage. Will their paths cross again? Through a compelling and immersive narrative, the book offers a fine blend of nostalgia, historical detail, ethnic traditions and family lore, at the same time touching on issues like the status of women, communal co-existence and the plurality of religious traditions and cultures.
Saeed Ibrahim was educated at the St. Mary’s High School and St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, and later, at the Sorbonne in Paris. He is the author of two books - “Twin Tales from Kutcch,” and a short story collection entitled “The Missing Tile and Other Stories.” His short stories have appeared in various magazines including The Blue Lotus Magazine, Borderless Journal, The Hooghly Review, and Lothlorien Poetry Journal to name a few. In addition, he has been writing for newspapers and travel publications as well as publishing book reviews
Please join us for tea at 4.30 p.m.
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Meenal Kshirsagar, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson-ASM LitClub
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Literary Club of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai
invites you to a discussion
on Tuesday, 9th September 2025 at 4 p.m.
The Literary Club of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai will hold a discussion on the following topic on Tuesday, 9th September 2025 at 4 p.m.:
“The Books that have influenced and shaped me over the last many years.”
We invite you to come to this programme with your thoughts and experiences.
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Meenal Kshirsagar, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson - ASM LitClub
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Mumbai Research Centre
of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai
Presents
Echoes of Salil da! - Remembering Salil Chowdhury on his Birth Centenary
Echoes of Salil da!
Join us for an evening celebrating the genius of Salil Chowdhury — composer, poet, and visionary! His timeless melodies and socially conscious lyrics revolutionized Indian film music. The Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai invites you to an audio-visual presentation by Dr. Prakash Joshi, a columnist and music connoisseur. He will lead this tribute in honor of Salil Chowdhury’s birth centenary.
Saturday, 23rd August 2025 4:30 pm (Tea at 4 pm)
Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai.
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson – MRC
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Mumbai Research Centre
of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai
Presents the 16th Bombay Booked programme
Join us for a discussion between author RINKI ROY BHATTACHARYA and cinema historian and award-winning documentary maker SANJIT NARWEKAR on the book SUHANA SAFAR: The Journey of Bimal Roy's Madhumati. The book is a rare insight into the creative process of the movie maestro, Bimal Roy.
Date: Monday, 11th August 2025
Time: 5:00 PM onwards (Tea & Refreshments from 4:30 PM)
Venue: Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
Rinki Roy Bhattacharya is an acclaimed writer, journalist, and documentary filmmaker — daughter of legendary director Bimal Roy. A former vice-chair of CFSI and founder of Bimal Roy Memorial, she has also authored seminal works like Bimal Roy: A Man of Silence and Behind Closed Doors, while contributing as film-critic for major Indian publications.
Sanjit Narwekar is a walking encyclopedia of Indian cinema, acclaimed for his books like Marathi Cinema in Retrospect (Swarna Kamal winner, 1996). His illustrious career includes honors like the Bimal Roy Memorial Award (2020), Dr. V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award (2022), and chairing MIFF’s National Jury.
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson – MRC
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Mumbai Research Centre
of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai
invites you for a Panel Conversation
FOY's GAZE: How He Saw Bombay, How We See Him
Thursday, 07 August 2025 at 5.00 p.m.
FOY's GAZE
How He Saw Bombay, How We See Him
A PANEL CONVERSATION
Join the Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai for a reflective conversation honouring the invaluable contributions of Foy Nissen in deepening public understanding of Bombay's rich history and vibrant heritage.
PANELIST:
GAUTAM PATEL | JEHANGIR SORABJEE | VIKAS DILAWARI
MODERATED BY : FIONA FERNANDEZ
Date: Thursday, 07 August 2025
Time: 5:00 PM Onwards
(Tea & Refreshments from 4:30 PM)
Venue: Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla , Vice President of the Society & Chairperson – MRC
