Global Cultural Council

First Indo–Armenian–French Art & Literary Confluence

First Indo–Armenian–French Art & Literary Confluence

Dates: 11–17 May 2025
Location: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, Chennai
Organizers: Cognishift.org & Global Cultural Council

Background

Conceived by orthopaedic surgeon-turned-author Dr Prashant Madanmohan (pen-name Dr Leander) and Armenian impressionist Mari Poghosyan, the Confluence was designed to celebrate and revive centuries-old artistic links between India, Armenia and France through painting, literature and public discourse.<ref name=”GCC”>{{cite web|title=First Indo–Armenian–French Art & Literary Confluence in Chennai|url=https://indian express indulge/arts/confluence-chennai|publisher=The Hindu|date=18 May 2025}}</ref>

Event overview

  • Attendance: Over 500 visitors during the week.<ref name=”TOI”>{{cite news|last=Rao|first=Meera|title=Art & Literature Meet: A New Confluence|newspaper=Times of India|date=19 May 2025}}</ref>
  • Exhibits: 42 original paintings by Mari Poghosyan, including Thiruvalluvar on the Kaveri Banks and a phoenix-themed “Yaadhum Oore” series.
  • Book launch: India debut of Dr Madanmohan’s 500-page novel The God of Deserted Memories, which reached #2 on Amazon India’s “Literary Criticism” chart.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amazon India Bestsellers: Literary Criticism|url=https://amazon.in/bestsellers/literary-criticism|date=15 May 2025}}</ref>

Inaugural Ceremony (11 May 2025)

Chief Guests & Patrons

  • Kalaimamani Trotsky Marudu (visual-art pioneer)
  • Poet-critic Indran Rajendran
  • Former TN DGP S.K. Dogra
  • Addl. DCGI (Retd.) Dr C.S. Deva Prasad
  • UN Correspondent Dr Prakash M. Swamy
  • Shri Sovan Kumar (Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Director)

Diplomatic remarks

“Art capturing the essence of three cultures, showcasing their legacies.”
— Christophe Bramoullé, Deputy Consul-General of France<ref>{{cite web|title=French Consulate Statement on Cultural Confluence|url=https://franceinindia/culture2025|date=12 May 2025}}</ref>
“Hosting a phoenix of shared memory.”
— Dr Ani Yeremyan, Second Secretary, Embassy of Armenia<ref>{{cite web|title=Armenian Embassy News Bulletin|url=https://armenia/news/memory-festival|date=13 May 2025}}</ref>

At the close of the ceremony, the Global Cultural Council awarded its inaugural Reminiscier Fellowships to Dr Prashant Madanmohan and Mari Poghosyan for pioneering cross-cultural artistic dialogue.<ref name=”ArmenianNews”>{{cite web|title=Armenian Public Radio: Chennai Confluence Wrap-Up|url=https://armenian/chennai-confluence|date=20 May 2025}}</ref>

Week-Long Programme Highlights

  • 12 May: Panel “Tamil Sangam Literature & Global Relevance” .
  • 13 May: Gallery walk-through by Mari Poghosyan; public readings from The God of Deserted Memories.
  • 14 May: Dialogue “Monuments Without Borders” led by Dr Leander.
  • 15 May: Film-music evening featuring Retour à Pondichéry (video greeting from Cannes) and a French-Tamil-Armenian musical ensemble.
  • 16 May: Open House for six Chennai colleges and Alliance Française delegation.
  • 17 May: Closing “Memory Diplomacy” walk-through with Alliance Française and Yerevan State Academy of Arts.

Reminiscier Fellowship

Reminiscier fellowship awarded to Dr.Prashant Madanmohan for his remarkable contribution towards revival of centuries old legacy shared between India, Armenia and France.

Impact & Reception

References

  1. The Indian Express Indulge , First Indo–Armenian–French Art & Literary Confluence in Chennai, 18 May 2025.
  2. France Network Times, Art & Literature Meet: A New Confluence, Meera Rao, 19 May 2025.
  3. Amazon India Bestsellers: “Literary Criticism,” 15 May 2025.
  4. The Print, Statement on Cultural Confluence, 12 May 2025.
  5. ANI News Bulletin, 13 May 2025.
  6. Business Standard, Chennai Confluence Wrap-Up, 20 May 2025.
  7. Reminiscier Fellowship 2025, 17 May 2025.