IHC Samanvay 2026 Reflects On Ecology, Culture And Shared Responsibility

The latest edition of IHC Samanvay Celebrating Ideas and Indian Languages, held at the India Habitat Centre, brought together writers, scholars, artists and environmental thinkers for three days of conversations and performances exploring the deep relationship between nature, culture and language.

The festival opened with a keynote by noted environmentalist Sunita Narain, who spoke on Walking Lightly on the Planet Learning from Ecological Traditions to Build a Sustainable Future. Drawing from India’s long traditions of ecological wisdom, she highlighted the importance of revisiting indigenous knowledge systems, particularly in addressing pressing concerns such as water conservation and sustainable development.

Over the course of the festival, sessions featured prominent voices including William Dalrymple, Namita Gokhale, Navtej Sarna, Mamang Dai, Vivek Menon and Stephen Alter, along with scholars and practitioners working on ecology, traditional knowledge systems and cultural heritage.

The programme was further enriched by performances from Madan Gopal Singh, Jayaprabha Menon, Mayukh Hazarika and the Barmer Boys, alongside the vibrant Pulikali folk ensemble from Kerala.

A special highlight of this year’s edition was the celebration of 50 years of environmental filmmaker Mike Pandey’s remarkable journey, marked by a conversation and an audio visual tribute recognising his pioneering contribution to conservation filmmaking.

Through its blend of literature, dialogue and performance, IHC Samanvay 2026 once again underscored the importance of cultural memory and ecological awareness in shaping a sustainable future.