Cognishift.org Excellence Awards: God of Forgotten Memories – Book & Art Exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai 2025

VMPL

Chennai (Tamil Nadu), India – On May 21st, cognishift.org organized the Indo-Armenian-French Art & Literary Festival titled “The God of Deserted Memories,” taking place from May 11th to 17th, 2025, at the Lalit Kala Akademi in Chennai. This significant event was curated by Dr. Prashant Madanmohan (also known as Dr. Leander) along with Armenian impressionist artist Mari Poghosyan. It brought together the cultural heritages of India, Armenia, and France via 42 exclusive artworks inspired by Dr. Prashant Madanmohan’s extensive work—the philosophical novel, *The God of Deserted Memories*. This literary piece reached number two on Amazon India’s bestseller list. Literary Criticism bestseller list.

Attracting more than 500 attendees—including institutional delegations, diplomats, and media representatives—the weeklong Confluence delved into how art and literature act as steadfast custodians of shared memories, guided by the ethos of "Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir" ("All the world is my family, everyone a kin").

Festival Highlights

A distinguished cross-disciplinary dais --Art critic Kalaimamani Trotsky Marudu, who is also a Sahitya Akademi award recipient; formerTN DGP S.K. Dogra; Retired Additional Deputy Controller General of India (Addl. DCGI) Dr. C.S. Deva Prasad; United Nations correspondent Dr. Prakash M. Swamy; screenplay writer and director Thiru Brindha Sarathy; Secretary of Lalit KalaAkademi Sovan Kumar; Tamil poet and author Dr.M.Pattazhagan, along withManohariMadan; auditor G. Madanmohan; educator Shruthilaya—were under the patronageofFrenchVeena maestroChevalier Raghunath Manet.—Followed by panel discussions Keynote addresses, artist walk-throughs, panel discussions, musical acts, book readings, and poetry recitations highlighted the event. The Reminiscier Fellowships were awarded to Dr. Prashant Madanmohan and Mari Poghosyan by the Cognishift Cultural Council. Christophe Bramoulle, the French Deputy Consul-General, praised the festival as “art encapsulating the spirit of three distinct cultures.” Meanwhile, Dr. Ani Yeremyan from the Armenian Embassy commended Cognishift.org for “a commendable effort bringing together our countries.”

Introduction of the Cognishift Excellence Awards

The Cognishift Excellence Awards Program launched its yearly Monalisa D'Amour honors to celebrate outstanding female authors, poets, and creatives. This year, Mrs. Manohari Madan, a distinguished Tamil writer and poet, was bestowed the Monalisa D'Amour Award 2025 for her passionate poetry, which has been rendered into French, English, and Armenian editions available through Cognishift.org. The publication made its debut under the watchful eye of the French Deputy Consul-General. Currently, nominations are being accepted across various award categories via the website cognishift.org/awards.

Voices from The Deity of Forgotten Recollections

* Kalaimamani Trotsky Marudu: “Through art and prose, this work has bridged three countries under the ethos of Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir. Reading it stirred my emotions—both the images and texts brought back memories long buried. It also highlights the role played by Armenians in shaping Chennai’s history.”

* Thiru Indran Rajendran remarks, “The depiction of lotuses in Mari’s pond artworks brings to mind Claude Monet—her portrayal of Raghunath Manet showcases both realism and creativity. The essence of this publication alongside her paintings converges various cultural backgrounds aiming for worldwide harmony. Her piece titled ‘Thiruvalluvar on the Kaveri banks’ endures, conveying messages silently.”

* Shri S.K. Dogra: "If I hadn’t been aware that Dr Prashant specializes in orthopedics, I might have mistaken him for a professor of literature or philosophy—he spoke so profoundly and authoritatively. With his book, Dr Leander brings back dormant recollections and makes us reflect on our losses."

* Mari Poghosyan: "I rely solely on art as a medium to convey the authenticity of memories. Monuments are for everyone—a reflection of our common human experience."

* Dr Prashant Madanmohan: "It’s essential to recall our origins as we welcome diversity and grow collectively. The globe is a fusion of various cultures; our memories mold us, whereas our omissions haunt us."

* Dr Prakash M. Swamy: "'This captivating reflection on memory compels us to recall; its refined writing genuinely merits a Pulitzer.'"

* Thiru Brindha Sarathy: "Dr Prashant has written inspirational books on many figures; Mari's stunning monuments--especially her Indian depictions--show how art can unite us all."

* Mrs. Manohari Madan: "The Deity of Forgotten Recollections cautions us that ignoring individuals, affection, or responsibilities makes us empty—its scriptures and artworks encourage us to rediscover what we have lost."

* Ms Shruthilaya M.: "The book portrays memories as dynamic entities, acknowledging various truths from different cultural perspectives; Dr. Leander’s heartfelt expeditions and Mari’s striking depictions encourage us to reconnect with our inner selves."

About the Curators

Dr. Prashant Madanmohan — an orthopedic surgeon, philosopher-author, and the creator of Cognishift.org. He delves into the convergence of medicine, memory, art, and intellect. In his book "The God of Deserted Memories," he takes readers on a profound philosophical journey across three ancient civilizations.

* Mari Poghosyan – An Armenian Impressionist who uses her vibrant paintings to channel cultural sorrow into hues of color. Her work has been showcased in cities like Yerevan and Chennai, advocating for art as a global means of healing and recollection.

About Cognishift.org

Based in Chennai, Cognishift.org is a multifaceted platform that brings together art, literature, memory, philosophy, along with opportunities for both personal and professional development. This organization offers various resources such as original publications, a carefully selected bookstore, educational courses designed for transformational learning, and workshops. It also publishes "Cognishift Insider," their leading magazine, manages a digital Armenian museum, and operates an interactive art studio. Through organizing events, producing exclusive content, and honoring creativity through the Cognishift Excellence Awards, this platform gives prominence to varied perspectives and fosters intellectual guidance. To learn more, you can explore their website directly. www.cognishift.org.

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