Kurnool, ANDHRA PRADESH / Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES :
Besides the groom dressed as a prince in a royal entourage, flanked by a column of soldiers and a set designed as a castle, the wedding will bring together celebrities from the UAE, Turkey, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Some Indian ministers are also expected to attend this wedding of the daughter of Nawab Shahtaj Shaji Ul Mulk, founder and chairman of Sharjah-based Mulk Holdings.
A hall at the famous Atlantis hotel is being recreated into a mini palace for the main wedding event which is scheduled for January 4.
The groom, Bilal Muahid Khan, who has a degree in infrastructure engineering is settled in the US. He recently won an award for his design proposal of infrastructure study and solutions for the city of Charlotte. His father, Masood Nawaz Khan, is a cardiologist based in Charlotte.
The Khans also belong to a royal family and are distant relatives of Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk.
Royal entertainment such as dance shows, poetry recitation and fire throwing will be part of the show.
An Indian singer has reportedly been roped in for an unplugged show.
Indian Mela (carnival) will be the theme for the Mehndi ceremony, which is scheduled for January 3.
Performers like magicians, stilt walkers and rice carvers have been roped in for this event.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> International News /by Press Trust of India / Dubai / August 03rd, 2010
Kashmir’s famed melody queen and legendary singer Raj Begum passed away during wee hours on Wednesday, family sources said. She was unwell for a long time.
Born in 1927, she was honoured with Padma Shri in 2002 and got Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 20134. The latter is India’s highest honour to a practicing artists.
Her captivating voice has ruled generations of Kashmir’s music lovers. She had taken off as a wedding singer and then rose gradually to become one of the most powerful female voices in Kashmir.
Survived by two sons, a daughter and a number of grand children, Begum was putting up with her daughter who lives in Chanpora.
Begum was born of Ghulam Rasool Sheikh of Magarmal Bagh in Srinagar on March 27, 1927. Like most of the great singers, she started singing in her childhood. As she grew up, she started singing in weddings. Post-1947, when the Radio Kashmir Srinagar started operating here, she was one of the main melodies that the station would broadcast. She retired in 1986.
Littérateur M.T. Vasudevan Nair has said that the iridescent brilliance of humanism marked the life of yesteryear writer Vaikom Mohammed Basheer.
“The times we live in often make us think if humanism has been lost forever,” he said, after presenting the Basheer Puraskaram instituted by Pravasi Doha, an organisation of NRKs in Qatar, to auteur Adoor Gopalakrishnan at the Changampuzha Park here on Monday.
Mr. Vasudevan Nair said he would address Basheer as “Guru” in order to convey his deep respect for the humanist writer. Basheer was someone who clearly realised that the real heir to the earth also included the numerous living organisms that are present on the planet and not just human beings. His vision, in fact, went beyond the love for mankind to embrace unalloyed affection and care of each and every organism on earth.
Mr. Gopalakrishnan said that he had always viewed Basheer with awe and considered Pathummayude Aadu a great piece of literature. “Basheer represented a rare confluence of a great writer and a great human being,” he said.
Writer N.S. Madhavan, who delivered the remembrance talk, said the language of Basheer’s always remained fresh and new. “It’s a rarity that the language he used in the 1940s still stays afresh without getting obsolete. His language was enjoyed by scholars and laymen alike.”
Mr. Madhavan also pointed out that Basheer was the first to question the model of development that puts environmental concerns on the backburner.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – October 25th, 2016
Diverse ideas:Artist Anser Soophy with his sculpture and paintings exhibited at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery in Kozhikode on Tuesday.— Photo: K. Ragesh
Artist Anser Soophy’s days these days are filled with painting the buses of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. His 15 years of experience as a commercial artist after graduating in drawing and painting from Universal Arts, Kozhikode, is now being utilised or rather wasted by the KSRTC. But Anser never stopped painting. When the cupboard under his bed could not accommodate any more paintings, he started posting them on Facebook. This caught the eyes of many connoisseurs who encouraged him to hold an exhibition.
The maiden exhibition of paintings and sculptures of Anser that began at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery here on Tuesday has something to satisfy every connoisseur as the artist does not believe in sticking to one style or medium. He has experimented with everything from watercolour to acrylic while landscapes, portraits as well as abstract works are safe in his hands. “I am not doing this in a formal way. It’s my time to explore,” says Anser. “The people who come to watch these paintings have diverse opinions. Those who have some idea of art enjoy those paintings that convey some message. But for the layman, the perfection in a portrait or a landscape is the measure of an artists’ talent,” he says. The exhibition features paintings that are as old as 20 years. A close exploration of these dated works reflects the evolution of the artist. It is clear that his obsession with realistic art has considerably faded to accommodate modern ideas.
The exhibition, inaugurated by artist Kabita Mukhopadhyaya, will conclude on October 22.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / Aabha Anoop / Kozhikode – October 19th, 2016
Mohammed Salman, 9th std student of Nazarbad Government Bifurcated Maharaja PU College and High School has won first place in the State-level Pratibha Karanji, Ghazal singing competition held at Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru district.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Brief / October 13th, 2016
The pallid, smudgy walls of Mahmudabad fort glistened in yellow lights as hundreds of followers of Imam Husain (Prophet Mohammad’s grandson and martyr of Karbala) walked barefoot on the rugged path from the outer gate to its interiors, beating drums and reciting ‘nauha’ (elegy) that filled the air with a tradition that has been part of the cross cultural commemoration of Muharram at the royal estate. For centuries, locals have been an important aspect of the Muharram legacy and on Saturday, Mahmudabad offered a special experience for many first-timers from Lucknow and other cities of India as well as foreign nationals from different religious backgrounds, who took part in the tradition, showcasing the synergistic nature of Awadh’s heritage.
A joint effort of Waqf-e-Maharaja and a citizen-driven initiative working for communal harmony- Shoulder to Shoulder (S2S), ‘Karbala: Beyond Religious Boundaries’ served opportune time for people from different cultures to gather and watch closely what Muharram signifies. An eye-opener to Awadh’s culture, the initiative served also as a platform for breaking several myths about Islam and Shia faith.
“I thought there would be a ‘tamasha’ of people striking their bodies with blades but instead I came to know about the sacrifice of Imam Husain and could feel the pain during the sermon,” said Amit Kumar, part of the entourage from Lucknow.
Visitors witnessed several traditional arts that are part of ‘azadaari’ (mourning) at this Sitapur town and the intangible heritage of Awadh, from melancholic classical Indian ragas on shehnai like Khamaj and Bhairavi , to the recitation of ‘sozkhwani’ and ‘marsiya’ in English and Urdu and experiencing the age old tradition of Nassari-a dying narrative art.
“In most part of the world, I had met only Sunnis from Asia but here is an example of how much more there is to India than just one culture,” said Philipp Jeun from Switzerland.
When the maulana (priest) began his speech on Karbala with: “Dar-e-Husain pe milte hain har khayal ke log/yeh ittehaad ka markaz hai aadmi ke liye (At Husain’s threshold meet people of all ideologies/this is the hub of unity of mankind),” all agreed in unison.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Lucknow / by Yusra Hussain / TNN / October 11th, 2016
A team of Serve India, a Kozhikode-based cultural organisation, has been selected to perform Kolkali in Rashtriya Samvrithi Mahotsavam organised by the Union Department of Culture in Delhi from October 15 to 23.
According to a press release issued here, the team consisting of artistes from across the State will undergo a three-day training in Chennai before they set off to Delhi.
The traditional dressing style for Kolkali has been altered to be more colourful considering the importance of the festival as well as to suit the audience expectation.
The team is led by Yasin Kurikkal while Noushad Mankavu is the troupe manager, the release adds.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / by Staff Reporter / Kozhikode – October 12th, 2016
The music lovers at the Maharaja College Grounds yesterday were treated to soothing music with not much bang bang. Javed Ali, who is known for his sufi style of singing, took the audience on musical expedition with rendition of songs such as Kehne Ko Jasne Bahara Hari (Jodha Akbar), Tu Jo Mila (Bhajrangi Bhaijaan), Kun Faya Kun (Rockstar) Tu Meri Adhuri Pyas Pyas (Gajini) and Maula Maula (Delhi 6).
He also made sure to bring in some foot-tapping moments with songs such as Ishaqzaade (Ishaqzaade), Tum Tak (Raanjhanaa), Galat Baat Hain (Tu Mere Hero) and ended with some Amitabh Bachchan hits which included Apni To Jaise Taise (Laawaris), Pag Ghungroo (Namak Halal) and Kajra Re (Bunty Aur Babli).
Dressed in sherwani and Mysuru Peta, Javed Ali said that he had come to Mysuru for the first time and loved the way people had received him. Javed was accompanied by Manisha Jambotkar, an upcoming singer, who rendered songs such as Zehnaseeb (Hasee Toh Pahsee), Jag Ghoomeya (female version – Sulthan), Deewani (Bajiro Mastani) and Jiya Jiya (Jab Tak Hai Jaan) which enthralled the audience.
Prior to Javed Ali’s concert, students of Government FGC, H.D. Kote; D. Banumaiah Independent PU College; Government FGC, T. Narasipur; Government FGC, Kuvempunagar and Maharani Commerce and Management College presented various colourful cultural programmes.
Later, members of Kamsale Ravi and Group presented Kamsale programme much to the delight of the audience. This was followed by a fusion dance performance by students of Nimishamba Dance School led by Vid. Sridhar Jain. The most attractive of cultural programmes, prior to Javed Ali concert, was Yoga Dance Ballet by the students of Vivekananda Yoga Shikshana and Samshodana Samsthe of Mysuru.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / October 08th, 2016
A cluster of shrines of all denominations dots the road that has not seen a single instance of communal violence.
The meharab with the black granite frame at the Jumma Masjid.
IT IS every bit a spot Mahatma Gandhi dreamed of. A stretch on Old Poor House Road in the Cantonment area, behind Bowring Hospital, has a church, two temples, and four mosques. As the country enters its 57th year of Independence at a time of competitive communalism, the businessmen on O.P.H. Road have insulated this busy street from the influence of zealots.
“We live like brothers here. We sit across the table and sort out the differences, if there are any,” says Syed Masood, Chairman of the Jumma Masjid Trust, which owns 290 shops on O.P.H. Road. The mosque, which has a 90-foot minaret, was built in 1790 with materials supplied by Tipu Sultan from Srirangapatna. The magnificent granite structure can accommodate up to 5,000 people for namaz. The frame of its mehrab is carved out of a single block of black granite. The serene prayer hall has black stone pillars. The other four mosques are Masjid-e-Azam, Masjid-e-Bewarpawan (Merchant’s Mosque), Lal Masjid (1845), and Masjid-e-Lababeen.
The Jumma Masjid also has a clock that has been ticking for 97 years now. Its late Imam, Abdul Hafeez Junaidi, had the distinction of being the only imam in India to have conducted prayers for 50 years in a row. Having played no mean role in promoting peace, he is still revered by the businessmen of the area.
To the left of the mosque stands the Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple. The sanctum sanctorum was earlier a small mandapam with the beautiful deity carved out of granite, said to date back to early 19th Century. Doddanna Shetty (1840-1921), well-known philanthropist and founder of S.L.N. Charities, drawn to the modest shrine as a boy, developed it into a full-fledged temple in 1910.
A striking example of harmony.
Later, the late Mayor, C.P. Deenadayalu Naidu, took over management of the shrine. After his time, the mantle fell on his nephew, V.P. Chengalarayalu Naidu, in 1986. The latter says even on December 6, 1992, when the area was tense after the Babri Masjid was razed in Ayodhya, the area, on which a curfew was clamped, remained free of violence. “I rushed to the temple on hearing the news that day. The businessmen told us that nothing untoward would happen,” he says.
The temple attracts a large number of devotees from the surrounding villages on Holi, not to speak of hundreds of Christians who throng St. Mary’s Basilica during Mary’s Feast in September. Incidentally, a few feet away from the temple is St. Paul’s Church, which has its entrance at the Bowring Hospital end.
To the right of the Jumma Masjid is the 101-year-old Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple, run by the Reddy Bhoomi Kalyana Kula Brundam. The garba griha here has Rukmini, Venugopala Swamy, and Satyabhama as deities. Built in 1902, it used to have Sugreeva as the presiding deity earlier. When a shrine at Vannarpet (Viveknagar) was dismantled, the idols of Rukmini, Venugopala Swamy, and Satyabhama were shifted to this temple by members of the Reddy Bhoomi Kula community.
Says V. Krishnamurthy Shastri, an astrologer who has been working here for the past seven years: “Till recently, oil for the lamps and flowers for puja were supplied by Muslims. When they take out processions, they don’t trouble us. On special occasions, the traders go out of their way to help us.”
T.H. Yang, a Chinese trader, who makes special shoes for disabled persons, finds it hard to be unaffected by the friendly nature of the people in the area. He has been doing business here (his shop is called C.H. Yong and Company) for 51 years. His father opened the establishment in 1933 and he took over in 1952.
The clock that has been ticking for 97 years at the mosque.
Communal harmony had always existed in the 15-odd villages surrounding Cantonment, even before General Wellesley trooped in with his soldiers in 1809 after conquering Srirangapatnam. The burrah sahebs and memsabs, as the Europeans were called, did not attempt to alter this situation either.
“The Assigned Tract (Cantonment) had a charm of its own, which can hardly be described. The area is an agglomeration of people of different tongues — both Indian and European — welded into one community by the common economic interests. Here met East and West in a most dynamic focus. A warm handshake, a courteous salaam, and a kindlynamaste greeted the citizens. Its population, in 1891, was 1,00,81 as against 80,285 in the city,” says Fazlul Hassan, historian, in his bookBangalore Through The Centuries.
Although vivacious shoppers from Europe and savvy merchants dominated life here, lending its own character, the Cantonment area did catch the spirit of nationalist fervour. During the height of the Khilafat movement in 1921, it reverberated with slogans of Swaraj. Merchants and philanthropists supported the movement and a public meeting was held at the Idgah Maidan in Benson Town which was addressed by Mahatma Gandhi, Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, and Moulana Shoukat Ali. In a fiery speech, Moulana Mohammed Ali said: “The power behind the chakra gun is so effective that a single shot fired from Bangalore is sufficient to destroy Manchester.”
Traders from Commercial Street sent bales of foreign cloth to the sprawling maidans of Blackpalli (Shivajinagar) and the Muslim orphanage on Dickenson Road, which were set on fire. Osman Sait, a wealthy merchant, sold all his property to meet the expenses of Khilafat movement in the area and to start nationalist educational institutions and publications.
Today, not many remember the heady days and valorous deeds that eventually won us Independence. When our country now battles religious turmoil from within, communities like those on O.P.H. Road are an inspiring example.
V. RAMESH
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Metroplus Bangalore / by V. Ramesh / Thursday – August 14th, 2003
Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui may have backed out of his Ramlila act in riot-affected and divided Muzaffarnagar , but in adjoining Agra, Nizamuddin continues to rock the Ramlila stage.
He’s been doing key roles for over last five years and is Janak, the father of Sita, this time, no less. It wasn’t always that easy for Nizamuddin though.
During his early years in the Ramlila theater, he too faced protests and opposition like the way Nawazuddin did. But he stood his ground. In fact, another Muslim will do the part of Bharat along with him this year.
The 55-year-old Nizamuddin, who is the track man at Agra cantt station in north central railway zone, never had any acting classes but landed up for top notch role in 46th edition of Ramlila theater on dussehra.
Speaking to TOI, Nizamuddin said, “Back in 2010 when I gave my first audition for Ramlila play organized by railway, I was offered roles of Shantanu (father of Shravan) and Rishi Atari (mentor of Sabri). But soon, scores of people from my own community raised questioned on my faith in Islam. I was almost ousted.”
Nizamuddin playing Janak character, father of Sita, sits on the extreme left and delivers his dialogues.
“But as an artist I never changed my stance. There is no sin if a Muslim man acts in Hindu play. Ramlila talks about peace and triumph over evil. Getting a role in Ramlila is a matter of pride for me,” he said.
Expressing his dissent on Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui backing out from play after opposition from right wing members, Nizamuddin said, “Nawazuddin is an artist, he should have continued with his act instead of giving up against bullies. I’m sure, the local residents and administration would had supported him if he would have stood up.”
Talking to TOI, director of Ramlila theater, Manoj Singh, who has been playing role of Ravan since 1998, said, “It is amazing to see the zeal of men like Nizamuddin, who outsmart other contestant for the roles. This is blunt and appropriate reply to those people, who want to create enmity and disturbance among different communities.”
“This year we had only two Muslim artists who have notched the top roles, while for the first time a woman has joined the play to act as Sita,” added Singh.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Agra / by Arvind Chauhan / TNN / October 08th, 2016
