India, Nov. 18 -- Chandigarh is witnessing a spate of cultural events to become a living city rather than merely an architectural entity. These events include music concerts, theatre festivals, book launches, film screenings, and gallery openings. These events, regardless of form, are vital to a city's rhythm. They define its evenings, animate its public spaces and engage citizens to encounter art and ideas. However, the nature of this impact varies depending on the event's organising logic.

The first kind - slickly produced, often curated by event management firms or private foundations - thrives on visibility and glamour. The aesthetic is polished, the production quality high, and the experience designed to be consumable, visually appe...