Sixth edition of The Hindu Group's ideas conclave,The Hindu Huddle,unfolded in Bengaluru on June 5 and 6,2026. Discussions and performances filled the agenda. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar kicked off the event Friday morning,setting tone for thought-provoking dialogues on topics touching contemporary society.
Second day brought in notable figures. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Members of Parliament,and industry leaders joined. Atmosphere rich with performances, including a moving rendition of Bob Dylan’s "Farewell Angelina," famously sung by Joan Baez. Song echoed event's theme: "A World in Transition." Nirupama Rao, former Foreign Secretary,captured audience with her performance alongside Sri Lankan pianist Soundarie David Rodrigo.
“There are many ways to tell the stories of life. One can tell them through days and milestones,places lived and positions held,” Rao remarked, reflecting on her diplomatic journey. “But when I look back today at my own journey,I remember song. Music has been an enduring constant of my life.”
Rao's act, "Counterpoint: A Life in Diplomacy,Poetry and Music," began with "Beautiful Dreamer" by Stephen Foster. She noted songs were not just favorites but pieces that followed her life,illustrating a narrative crossing cultures and continents.
Discussions at The Hindu Huddle tackled art perception in India . Abhishek Poddar addressed art's elitist image,blaming media portrayal. In past,art was common in newspapers,not seen as elite . “Art is everywhere in India,” he stated,challenging the trend of confining art to galleries.
Seema Kohli shared insights on art's personal nature, calling it a dialogue with oneself. Art connects people to present, evolves over time. She stressed imagery's power over explicit messages. “An image is always more powerful than what an artist wants to say,” she remarked .
Shilo S. Suleman spoke on art's role as society's mirror, recounting her journey from Bangalore to Jaipur. Her work responds to fear and trauma,especially amid global crises. “Artists aren’t just mirrors, but also makers of world,” she asserted,underlining creativity's transformative power.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee engaged in candid chat about his career and Indian cinema's evolution. He credited Bhiku Mhatre role for paving way for Shrikanth Tiwari portrayal,saying, “Bhiku Mhatre made my career.” On AI in filmmaking,Bajpayee acknowledged concerns of AI replacing actors but saw benefits in cutting costs.
On working with producer Vipul Shah for "The Governor," Bajpayee called project non-political, crucial for educating youth on India's financial past . He lamented challenges Indian filmmakers face,celebrated abroad but struggling at home.
In discussion on sports age fraud, Ashwini Nachappa highlighted improvements in athlete registration,stressing accurate documentation's importance . K. Kunal agreed,noting government's commitment to tackle issue with mandatory athlete ID cards for secure data tracking.
As The Hindu Huddle 2026 wrapped,blend of music,art, and dialogue left a mark. Event's theme and diverse narratives lingered…
