Acclaimed Bollywood lyricist and Poet Dr. Irshad Kamil will deliver the Third Professor Urmi Kessar Memorial Lecture at PU
Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, will be hosting the 3rd Professor Urmi Kessar Memorial Lecture on Friday, 10th January 2025, at 11:00 AM in the Evening Studies Auditorium of the University. This year, the keynote speaker will be Dr. Irshad Kamil, an acclaimed Bollywood lyricist and poet. PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig will be the chief guest for the event.
This prestigious lecture series, established in memory of the late Professor Urmi Kessar, aims to provide a platform for intellectual discourse on topics related to art, literature, and history. Prof. Kessar, a renowned figure in the field of fine arts and art history, was known for her seminal work on the social content in Modern Indian Painting. The Professor Urmi Kessar Memorial Fund, established by the Kessar family, supports this annual lecture series, fostering discussions that celebrate art, literature, and history. In previous years, the lecture series has brought together eminent personalities, including, Mr. William Dalrymple, who delivered an enlightening talk on “Princess and Painters in Late Mughal Delhi, 1707-1857and Sh. Vikram Seth, who shared his insights on “Thoughts on Being a Writer.”
This year, Dr. Irshad Kamil’s lecture promises to continue this legacy of excellence with his address on the thought-provoking topic: ‘Do we need Poetry in Today’s Times?’. Known for his evocative and soul-stirring lyrics in Bollywood films like Tamasha, Raanjhanaa, Jab We Met, and Highway, Dr. Kamil is also a celebrated poet whose work spans themes of romance, philosophy, and Sufism. A proud alumnus of Panjab University, he is the lyricist behind the Panjab University anthem and a multiple Filmfare awardee.
