December 6: Release of Christian Themes in Indian Art by Prof. Dr. Anand Amaladass and Dr. Gudrun Lowner. The book is a pioneering work, showcasing Christian themes in Indian art from the beginnings of Christianity in India till today. Special emphasis is given to artists who as Hindus, Muslims and Parsees have chosen to paint Biblical themes. Philosopher and theologian Anand Amaladass teaches at Satya Nilayam Jesuit Faculty of Philosophy in Chennai, now part of the Loyola (Autonomous) College (at Goethe-Institut Auditorium, 6.30 p.m.).

December 9-11: DRAMA-Log (in cooperation with Masquerade) a first of its kind Theatre Festival promoting the inherent potential of dramatic arts for students in leading colleges in Chennai. Conceived by Goethe Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan and curated by Masquerade, there will be six short public performances over three evenings (at Goethe Institut Auditorium, 7.30 p.m.).

Till December 10: Exhibition of photographs by Nicholas Vreeland taken over the 26 years he has been a Buddhist monk (at Gallery Sumukha).

Till December 10: Leaving a Mark, an exhibition of paintings and photographs by Melissa Enderle. An American who has taught in Mali, Tunisia, Serbia, and India, she portrays the culture and life of everyday people through photography, watercolours, colour pencil, and pastel (at Forum Art Gallery).

From December 11: Between Strangeness and Famililarity, an exhibition of paintings, drawings and sketches by Ruth Bisping (at Indigo and Labernum Galleries, 6 p.m.).

December 17-26: Madhya Pradesh Festival with folk performance, crafts and exhibitions (at DakshinaChitra).

December 18: Eastern Flowers, in cooperation with MusicUniv, ‘Eastern Flowers’, presented by Jarry Singla, is an ensemble whose members all have a close cultural connection to the Indian subcontinent in their music. Like Jarry, double-bass player Christian Ramond is also of Indo-German origin and the trio is complete with the addition of Ramesh Shotham, a musician from Madras (at Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium, 9.30 a.m.).

December 27-31: Marghazhi Festival. Kurumba artists’ tribal performance from the Nilgris (at DakshinaChitra).

December 31: Last date for submission of DVDs for Moksha Moola, a video film competition in cooperation with LV Prasad Film & TV Academy. Open to anyone living in Tamil Nadu and under 23 years. ‘Seeking a Space called Peace’ is the overriding theme and the video should not exceed 60 seconds in duration, excluding the titles (For details: Max Mueller Bhavan, Chennai).

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DakshinaChitra Workshops

Children’s workshop

December 17: Pottery and Clay modelling.

December 23-24: Residential Winter Camp.

Adult workshop

December 10 & 11: Card modelling

December 21-January 31, 2012: Exhibition of children’s literature by Arts management students. (For details: 27472603/27472783)

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Nizhal Marghazhi tree walks

These are family walks, and Nizhal would like every adult to bring at least one child below 15!

Each walk will last about an hour, and participants will be introduced to the different trees, common in our city and their stories told.

Note: Guindy Children’s Park and Semmozhi Poonga charge an entrance fee, and participants must buy their own tickets. The walks are otherwise free.

For further details and for registration, please contact 90030 11372 or 98400 16872 between 10 am and 5 pm.

Semmozhi Poonga – RK Salai

December 17, Saturday 10.30 am

December 25, Sunday 10.30 am

January 7, Saturday 10.30 am

Children’s Park – Guindy

December 18, Sunday 10.30 am

December 31, Saturday 10.30 am

January 8, Sunday 4 pm

Panagal Park – T’Nagar

December 24, Saturday 4 pm

January 1, Sunday 10.30 am