About the programme

Azim Premji University is organising Prose in Performance, a literary event by artist and writer Sri Giridhar Khasnis. The performance is based on selected texts from his literary works Ellindalo Haari Bandu, IDee Raatri Surida Male, and Aaru Teraya NODambiga. It is part of the Samskruti Sambhrama series, celebrating Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage.

Prose in Performance (Vāchikābhinaya) is one of the four modes of expression described in the Indian Natyashastra. ​‘Vāchika’ refers to speech/​voice, and ​‘Abhinaya’ means expression. Thus, Vāchikābhinaya signifies the art of expressing through speech, voice, and articulation. It highlights expressive and dramatic reading while presenting poetry, stories, or plays. It enhances communication skills, performance abilities, emotional expression of characters, and storytelling techniques, offering audiences a refined aesthetic experience.

About the artist

Giridhar Khasnis served for many years as a bank officer before making a distinctive mark in the world of art. As a critic, columnist, independent curator, and photographer, his exhibitions — such as The Root of Everything, The Open Cage, Juxtaposed, and The Divine Seed — have captured the interest of art enthusiasts. Through more than 1,200 articles, he has shared his reflections on art, literature, and world cinema. Internationally, he represented India in 2017 as part of the Curator-in-Residence program in South Korea, showcasing a global artistic perspective. He has also lent his artistic touch to book cover designs for leading publishers such as Oxford and Penguin.