Intellectual & Cultural Life
Apart from providing housing for postgraduate students and researchers from India, as well as other countries through the mixing policy of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, the missions of the Maison de l’Inde also include the promotion of intellectual and cultural exchanges between peoples. Additionally, the Maison de l’Inde plays a key role as an Indian cultural centre for many of the 100+ Indian associations in Paris, and its halls are used throughout the year both by Indian associations and groups interested in Indian culture and traditional knowledge systems.
Apart from providing housing for postgraduate students and researchers from India, as well as other countries through the mixing policy of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, the missions of the Maison de l’Inde also include the promotion of intellectual and cultural exchanges between peoples. Additionally, the Maison de l’Inde plays a key role as an Indian cultural centre for many of the 100+ Indian associations in Paris, and its halls are used throughout the year both by Indian associations and groups interested in Indian culture and traditional knowledge systems.
The Maison de l’Inde is also heavily involved in promoting the professional insertion and career development of its residents, and more broadly, of Indian students and researchers in France. To this end, the Maison de l’Inde offers subsidized weekly and intensive French classes (included in the rent from September 2023), including preparation for the DELF, and hosts CV workshops and career orientation and development seminars for students in collaboration with the Indian community and associations. The annual Mentors’ Evening of the Research Club of the Maison de l’Inde provides an opportunity for research-track Master’s and PhD students as well as postdoctoral fellows to network with established researchers and academics across all disciplines. Many alumni of the Maison de l’Inde participate in these events.
In keeping with the vision of the Maison de l’Inde and the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, prospective residents are asked to commit to participating in this rich and varied intellectual and cultural life and act as ambassadors for their country.
Among the various activities organized at the Maison de l’Inde can be found:
- Flag-hoisting for Indian national holidays and celebrations of other days of national importance such as Gandhi Jayanti, Constitution Day etc
- Celebrations of major Indian festivals of all denominations: Diwali and Holi, Vasantotsav to celebrate New Year for many Indians, Sharadotsav to celebrate various Indian festivals falling in the autumn, Christmas, Eid…
- An annual Indian Associations’ Forum organized since 2018 to bring Indian associations together under one roof with each other and with young students, researchers and professionals seeking to integrate into the Indian community
- Performances, lecture-demonstrations, masterclasses and exhibitions of Indian music, dance, theatre and art to promote knowledge of and interest in these.
- Celebrations of Yoga Day and free weekly yoga classes
- An active Research Club that meets twice a month, bringing together aspiring and confirmed researchers in all fields
- Sanskrit classes (with Hindi coming soon) and Indian language writing workshops
The Resident Committee of the Maison de l’Inde, duly elected every fall to represent the interests of the residents and help organize the practical and cultural life of the Maison, also organizes a number of dances, potluck lunches, talent shows etc., in addition to participating in Cité-wide events such as the Fête de la Cité.
Research Club
Classes & Workshops
Beginners’, Intermediate and Professional French classes, preparation for the DELF, intensive classes during vacations (September to June): by Hannah Freundlich and Virginie Personnaz (free for Maison de l’Inde residents from September 2023, please contact the administration to register)
Weekly Yoga classes (September to June): by Rachel Jeannot, every Monday evening from 8.15 pm to 9.30 pm, free for residents of the Maison de l’Inde and CIUP, contact racheltulsi@gmail.com
Saralasamskrtam Sanskrit classes (October-May): by Sampada Savardekar, contact info@sanskritisampada.org
Carnatic music classes: Bhavana Pradyumna, contact president@carnaticconservatoryofparis.com
Coming in 2023-2023: Hindi, Kathak and Bharatnatyam dance, Hindustani music
Past Cultural Events
May 14th 2023, Fête de la Cité: Campus-wide Holi celebrations
May 13th 2023, Fête de la Cité: food stalls, henne stand, ethnic photo booth, Bollywood dance and rangoli (floor decoration) workshops by residents, Carnatic music (South Indian classical music) performance by invited artist Ms. Bharathi Ramasubban.
April 15th 2023, Vasantotsav: Spring festival with variety show by residents and associations, Surbahar concert by Pandit Pushparaj Koshti.
April 1st 2023, “Fool’s night”, Resident Committee Party
March 26th 2023, Raga cycle: Hindustani music (North Indian classical music) performance by Pandit Shivkumar.
March 17th 2023, “Mummy is Dead”: Play in honour of International Women’s Day produced by Ms. Urvashi Sethi and Koël Purie Rinchet
January 26th 2023, Republic Day: Flag hoisting followed by buffet breakfast
December 25th 2022, Christmas: Fruitcake and mulled wine party
November 27th 2022, Christian Ledoux “Ladduji” Memorial Concert: Hindustani (North Indian classical music) by Pandit Shivkumar in memory of Christian Ledoux, who over 40 years, introduced Indian classical music and its artists to France.
November 22nd – 26th 2022, Warli exhibition: Film, exhibition and workshop of Warli art and lifestyle by the artist Reena, in association with Dupatta.
November 5th 2022, Dhrupad concert: performance by Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar of Hindustani music (North Indian classical music) in the Dhrupad style, free for residents.
October 22nd 2022, Diwali and Indian Associations’ Forum: the 4th annual Indian associations’ forum followed by a variety programme by residents, associations and invited artists, fireworks and Indian festive dinner.
October 1st – 5th 2022, Sharadotsav and Gandhi Jayanti: An annual week long multicultural extravaganza of dance, music, theatre and poetry by associations from all regions of India at the time of the Indian festivals Durga Puja, Dusshera and Navaratri.
