Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Nazrulgeeti legend passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion

Kolkata :

Nazrulgeeti exponent Firoza Begum, who was to be honoured with ‘Banga Bibhushan’ by the state government later this month, passed away in Dhaka on Tuesday evening. The 84-year-old was suffering from heart and kidney disease.

“She breathed her last around 8.15pm,” Bangladeshi media reports said. She had been undergoing treatment at the ICU of a private hospital. She was fitted with a pacemaker on Monday.
Mamata Banerjee grieved on social media as the news reached her on Tuesday night. “I am very sad to learn that the legendary Firoza Begum has just breathed her last. Her passing away will certainly create a huge void in the world of music and culture,” she posted.

 
The CM said her government had planned to confer the state’s highest civilian honour on her. “We had decided to honour her with ‘Banga Bibhusan’. She had also agreed to come to Kolkata to receive the award. But, now it’s all over,” she mourned.
Mamata recounted her last interaction with the legend by saying: “Hardly 10 days ago, we talked to each other. To me, her passing away is indeed a great personal loss. She used to treat me as a member of her family. On the last occasion of our meeting, she told me: ‘Ar ki dekha hobe? (Will we meet again?)’ Today, these words keep ringing in my ears,” the chief minister said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kolkata / TNN / September 10th, 2014

61 Mughal-era silver coins found in Kanpur

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel & Tourism
Representational Image RNA Research & Archives
Representational Image RNA Research & Archives

A total of sixty-one Mughal-era silver coins  with Arabic inscriptions imprinted on them have been found from an earthen pot near the bank of river Ganga in Cantonment area in Kanpur .

The coins  were found last evening when a few kids had gone to the river Ganga’s wharf in Cantonment area to take bath where they found an earthen pot filled with shining coins in it, police said.

Ram Kishan Das, a priest at the wharf, after knowing the incident, informed police and Army officials which then took the relics under its authority and has informed Archaeological Survey of India about the coins, Major CP Bhadola said.

ASI has conducted a search at the site and sent a preliminary report to their Lucknow office, an official said.

“The coins have some inscriptions on it in Arabic script, we are guessing that these might belong to the Mughal era,” ASI officer Manoj Verma said.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> News> India / Place: Kanpur, Agency: PTI / Saturday – September 13th, 2014

Reviving the dying art of Arabic calligraphy

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Bhopal :

She wields her set of ‘pen of reeds’ like an inspired chef. The mixture in jars she stirs so energetically, knowing well that like Urdu language, which was once highly respected and flourishing, the art of Arabic calligraphy too faces an uncertain future. Roohy Khan, a science post graduate in her 20s, provides a rare glimpse into the dying art of Arabic calligraphy in the country.

Organized by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the exhibition-cum workshop on Arabic calligraphy is being held at Rani Kamlapati Palace.

Roohy’s treatise contains a fascinating description of all letters. For example, she draws Alif, which to the uninitiated is a simple line, in an angular pattern using Koofi script. Her Alif, gets circular in Sulus script, remains steadfast in more common Naksh script (easy to read much like Urdu). For the more formal documents, she uses Khat-e-deewani for shooter strokes.

This is Roohy’s fourth exhibition. “Arabic script is the prime art of Islam and it is a little misunderstood. Here, we are inviting all to come learn calligraphy, in the language of your liking. It is so Indian now and needs to be preserved,” she said.

The art of calligraphy or Khushnawisi or kitahat is said to be more than 5,500 years old. Calligraphy is profession in which handful of artistes are flooded with work, that in many cases is mediocre at best.

Her pen of reeds, made out of canewood and similar material is cut exactly 1.5 inches from the top to give its nib the desired shape. “The angle of writing is most important. The rhythm, layout and interweaving patterns come naturally,” she said. Her work cannot be read so much so as visually sensed.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bhopal / by Jamal Ayub, TNN / August 31st, 2014

A R Rahman to receive honorary doctorate from Berklee

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion
"I'm deeply moved to receive an honorary doctorate from such a distinguished school which has contributed so much to the world of music," said Rahman.
“I’m deeply moved to receive an honorary doctorate from such a distinguished school which has contributed so much to the world of music,” said Rahman.

In recognition of his two-decades-long musical legacy, the prestigious Berklee College of Music is all set to honour Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman with an honorary doctorate.

The honour will be conferred on Rahman, 47, best known globally for the original scores and songs in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, ‘127 Hours’, ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’ and ‘Million Dollar Arm’, at an event at the Berklee College of Music on October 24, a media statement said.

“I’m deeply moved to receive an honorary doctorate from such a distinguished school which has contributed so much to the world of music,” said Rahman.

“I’m especially proud and honoured the college is graciously establishing a scholarship in my name for future generations of musicians to follow their dreams,” he added.

Berklee College of Music president Roger H Brown said, “A friend from India described A R Rahman to me as John Williams and Sting rolled into one – a leading film composer and a wildly popular, brilliant songwriter and performer.

“We welcome him to Berklee, where the college and our students look forward to paying our respects.”

At a concert celebrating his career on October 24, 2014 in Boston, students and faculty will perform songs paying tribute to his distinguished work with Rahman performing alongside them for select pieces.

In addition to the performance, Rahman will conduct a master class at the Berklee Performance Center, the college said in a statement.

In honour of Rahman’s new relationship with Berklee, the college will establish a scholarship in his name to help bring students from India to Berklee. All proceeds from the October 24 concert will go toward this scholarship fund, the statement said.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Music / Press Trust of India, Washington / July 18th, 2014

When glamours Gauhar visited Mysore …

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

A successful supermodel, a talented actress, winner of the famed Television reality show Big Boss last season and much more, Gauhar Khan is outspoken and daring — a trait not many dare to show off in tinsel town.

The damsel who is currently hosting an on-going TV music show called ‘India’s Raw Star’ was in city on Friday as the show-stopper at Mysore Fashion Week season one.

Star of Mysore caught up with the actress who set the ramp on fire with her allure as a show-stopper for city-based designer Jayanthi Ballal draped in a red hot Kancheevaram six-yard silk saree and jewellery by C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons. Excerpts…

GauharKhanMPOs12sept2014

by Venkatnag Sobers

SOM: Though a fabulous dancer and actress, you are not seen much in movies, why?

Gauhar Khan: It is not that I do not want to do movies but I don’t want to remain just a prop in the industry. I know I am a good actress as well as a dancer but I am waiting for an opportunity where someone will approach me for my talent as an actress. I did a good cameo in the movies Rocket Singh – Salesman of the year and Ishaqzaade and I am happy with my roles in them. I hope to do a lot of good movies in the future.

SOM: What do you have to say about the Mysore Fashion Week?

Gauhar: It is really fabulous that the fashion sense is spreading across the country and has also started making its impact on Mysore. This being the first season of Mysore Fashion Week, the organisers, I must say, have put up a fabulous show. The collections presented have been wonderful and the show was a visual treat. I must also say that the show is on par with other fashion shows held at various metropolitan cities in the country.

SOM: Given a chance would you visit Mysore again and what did you like the most in Mysore?

Gauhar: Yes definitely. I really wish to come back to Mysore sometime in the future. The next time I visit Mysore it will be on a holiday to see the tourist spots in and around the city. I also wish to travel towards Ooty which is one of my favourite places. Initially I was worried about driving down to Mysore from Bangalore but it was not too bad. But then once in Mysore, the awesome weather made it delight to stay here.

By the way, I loved the Mysore Pak a lot. I had tasted it when I was a child and hadn’t liked it then. But before I left my mom asked me to taste the sweet. I did earlier today and loved it. Now I am taking a Mysore Pak parcel back home for my mother.

SOM: How has Bigg Boss helped you build your personality?

Gauhar: The show really helped me a lot in building my confidence. I got to experience a new life while inside there. I also made a lot of new friends which has proved good for me.

SOM: Your fashion statement?

Gauhar: I don’t make any fashion statements. I am comfortable wearing whatever I want to. Be it jeans or paijamas or anything else, it has to suit the person and the person has to be comfortable in them. That is a statement in itself.

SOM: What was your reaction when you heard you would be wearing a saree for the show?

Gauhar: I love wearing sarees. It is our culture; the beautiful Indian traditional costume. Once I came and saw the saree, I was awestruck and I loved the blouse designed by Jayanthi Ballal. The design on the Kancheeveram saree by her is also different. I also loved the antique jewellery designed by the C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons which I wore with my attire. It was fabulous.

SOM: Having been hosting India’s Raw Stars, what do you have to say about the budding young singers?

Gauhar: There is no dearth of talented singers today. Each of them on the show is talented and good in his/her own way. The participants have been doing great. We have just completed three weeks of shooting and working with ‘Star Plus’ and Yo Yo Honey Singh has been a wonderful experience.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles  / September 07th,  2014

Royal Style

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion

AkbarLUCKNOW11sept2014

Centuries before Peter Stillman the elder, the eccentric/insane professor in the first part of Paul Auster’s The New York Trilogy, had conducted a ghastly linguistic experiment on his son by locking him up in a dark, empty room from birth to find out his ‘natural’ language, a famous Indian emperor had supervised a similar research in real life. In the outskirts of Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar kept a ‘dumb house’, where babies were reared by dumb wet nurses: the emperor wanted to ascertain what language they would speak once they grew up under these laboratory conditions. Disappointingly, the experiment failed, and the children were found to have acquired no god-given or natural language when they were visited a few years later.

This incident may suggest that Akbar was a cruel man but the moral judgment would overlook his keen scientific temperament — this disposition had also led him to order the mating of a goat and a deer. The same urge to look beyond the given and to find out what happens when boundaries are crossed must have inspired him to create Din-i-Ilahi, the syncretic religion that still speaks volumes for that progressive man who could think of a faith combining elements from several existing religions in the 16th century. Akbar’s character, as analysed by Lucy Peck in FATEHPUR SIKRI: REVISITING AKBAR’S MASTERPIECE (Roli, Rs 795), is as intriguing as this palace complex built by the emperor over years and then, suddenly abandoned. Peck revisits the old mystery surrounding Akbar’s unexpected moving of court from Fatehpur Sikri, and although she doesn’t join the dots, the solution seems to lurk somewhere in the emperor’s character rather than in material causes, like the alleged shortage of water there.

Peck’s Akbar is an artist, with all the attendant symptoms and characteristics of artisthood. He seems perfectly capabale of believing six contradictory things before breakfast. However, that may well be because the Akbar about whom we read now is a construct of texts by three different people with different agendas — Abul Fazl, who is all-praise for the emperor; Badauni, who, displeased by Akbar’s religious tolerance and out of favour in the court as a result, is embittered; and the Jesuit priest, Monserrate, whose account is seemingly unbiased because it is by an outsider. Sifting through their stories, Peck presents a flamboyant Akbar whose interests range from block-printing, carpet-weaving, taming elephants, flying pigeons to settling his subjects’ disputes hands-on, debating tirelessly on religious issues, sometimes throughout the night. He is possibly an epileptic — given his frequent trances — a dyslexic and an opium eater, subject to bingeing bouts. He spends nights meditating alone on a rock, seeking answers to life’s questions. Add to this driven, excessive nature the emperor’s prerogative, and one can begin to fathom why, for instance, he ordered the dumb house experiment or built a place like Fatehpur Sikri, with its eccentric blend of varied styles, its mix of austerity and extravagance. As Peck writes of the buildings of Fatehpur: “[They] reveal themselves to be remarkably disparate. One can well imagine Akbar hearing about or seeing an unusual building and saying, ‘I’ll have one of those.’”

Top right is an illustration of the diverse designs that come together in Fatehpur Sikri. The grapevines look European while the pattern on the right panel resembles the stringed decorations that Hindus hang from the top of door frames on festive occasions. Left shows Akbar in the Ibadat Khana, where he held the discussions with people of other faiths that eventually resulted in Din-i-Ilahi. Bottom left is the tank on the banks of which Akbar’s courtiers had met on the emperor’s birthday in 1582 to celebrate the occasion with games of chaupar, chess and cards. Akbar had looked on with mixed feelings at such frivolities until disaster struck: a side of the tank collapsed and the water swept downhill, washing away settlements. The breathtaking ceiling of the Royal Baths is on bottom right.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph, Calcutta / Front Page> Opinion> Story / by Anusua Mukherjee / Friday – September 05th, 2014

Poem for Dilip Kumar my tribute to the legend: Prasoon Joshi

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Celebrated writer-lyricist Prasoon Joshi, who penned a special poem for the launch of Dilip Kumar’s autobiography, says it was his way of paying tribute to the living legend.

Prasoon Joshi
Prasoon Joshi

The autobiography, “The Substance and The Shadow” compiled by Udaya Tara Nayar, was launched at a glittering ceremony here Monday evening.

At the event, actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan recited the poem as Joshi was unable to be present because he’s in Cannes for a prior work commitment.

Through the poem, Joshi portrayed Dilip Kumar as a masterpiece fit for his persona. Prior to penning it, the writer spent quality time having long discussions with Dilip Kumar’s wife Saira Banu and author Udaya Tara Nayar to capture the right essence of the actor’s personality.

In a statement, Joshi said: “It’s a tribute to the legend in my words. For me, writing this is an honour because on one hand there is greatness of Dilip sahab, and on another, it was recited by an unmatchable craftsman of our times, Aamir Khan on whose request I wrote the poem.”

It is an experience that the acclaimed writer will always cherish.

Dilip Kumar’s autobiography chronicles the life of the actor, who was born in Peshawar as Yusuf Khan. In the book, he has spoken candidly about his journey, his acting career in Bombay (now Mumbai), and his struggle and success in Hindi cinema.

The momentous night of the book launch saw several faces from the Bollywood fraternity gracing the event. While Karan Johar hosted the mega book launch, veteran actress Vyjayanthimala along with Madhuri Dixit and Priyanka Chopra lit the inaugural lamp.

This was followed by Bollywood veterans Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan unveiling the autobiography.

While the Big B went on to read a passage from the autobiography, Aamir recited the words penned down by Joshi.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Hindi> Music / IANS / June 11th, 2014

Book Review of CM Naim’s The Muslim League in Barabanki

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues

Muslim League in Barabanki

K Babar

K Babar reviews Indian-American scholar C M Naim’s new collection of essays

The Muslim League in Barabanki
C. M. Naim,
City Press, 2013. Pp.126. ISBN: 9789698380984. Rs.350

The title of this slim volume refers to the first and longest essay in this collection of eleven pieces by the Indian-American scholar and translator Choudhri Mohammed Naim. Most of the essays are reprinted and revised editions of short articles that have appeared over the years in various publications, and which reflect, as Naim himself puts it, his “engagement with India and Indian Muslims”.

The first essay revolves around Naim’s Partition experiences, as well as those of his family. The young Naim and his friends tramped through their town, hoisting a Muslim League flag and chanting inciting slogans while tearing down Congress flags en route to school, determined to stir controversy by refusing to sing the national anthem. But once there the kindliness of a teacher, coupled with bribery consisting of an extra packet of laddu, dampened the enthusiasm of the youths, and they stood by placidly while the national anthem was sung.

The recounting of this incident is a universal reminder of the nature of much of protest. A reminder of the image of the youngster who proudly partakes in some protest march or other, only to stutter or stare blankly when quizzed about what it is he is marching for (or against). And once one has become suspicious of the authenticity of these part-time protesters, one wonders about their true motivations. Is it for the feeling of empowerment that they march through the streets, waving flags and shouting and domineering? Is it a form of release, an outlet, or just entertainment, a change from routine boredom? I wonder how many of these youths would follow the protesting practices of one of the most prominent of all 20th century Indians and refrain from eating not only laddu but anything at all.

Pakistani journalists should take note of Naim’s analytical style

Perhaps the young Naim was at heart ambivalent about Partition, for he later admits to a perpetual fluctuation of sentiment, ranging from pride at the achievement of Pakistan, to regret at the painful divisions it caused between friends and even families. His voice is an honest one, never flinching from uncertainties or complexities.

This is reflected in the remaining essays of this book, which are dominated by Naim’s deconstructions of the vitriolic and intolerant declamations by various Indian Muslim organizations and media outlets towards unorthodox groups such as the Ahmadis. This he does with a lot of skill, undermining the arguments of the opposing side by unearthing historical and religious examples of usually unquestioned authority that directly challenge the supposed Muslim orthodoxy that is being propagated by its self-appointed defenders. In short, his activity consists of picking apart prejudices, revealing fallacies, and pointing out self-contradictions as manifested in newspaper reports, websites, and other media. In addition to highlighting ignorance and hypocrisy, these tasks seem geared towards ensuring that disputes are civilized, that monolithic and oversimplified constructions of Islam and history are not allowed to prevail without opposition, and that those who would use sectarian means for political ends are exposed as being inappropriate leaders in either sphere. A relatively simple analysis of what is being said by whom and in what context is often more than enough to accomplish these goals.

An extra packet of laddus dampened the enthusiasm of the youths

It is always instructive when a linguist takes the time and effort to illustrate the way in which language is used and abused to promulgate an agenda, hidden or otherwise. As a teacher and translator of Urdu with significant credits to his name, Naim performs his duties with diligence. It would be appropriate for Pakistani journalists and scholars to take note of the admirably analytical style of Naim and apply similar precision to their own writings and that of their contemporaries. The only flaw in this book is that it could use some editing to compensate for grammatical errors, untranslated Romanizations of Urdu words, and a somewhat jarring style in the initial sections of the first essay. These relatively minor quibbles aside, one looks forward to seeing more of Naim’s work being published in Pakistan. For instance, his annotated translation of the Zikr-i Mir, the autobiography of the 18th century poet Mir Muhammad Taqi ‘Mir’, which was published by Oxford University Press in India, should be reprinted here, it being a valuable primary source document for the Mughal period.
- See more at: http://www.thefridaytimes.com/tft/muslim-league-in-barabanki/

P.S.

The above article from The Friday Times is reproduced here for educational and non commercial use ( The Friday Times, March 20th, 2014 )

source: http://www.sacw.net / South Asian Citizens Web / Home Page> Special Dossiers> Compilations> Partition of  1947> Book Review / April 07th, 2014

 

LMGC moves alumnae to restore Khursheed Manzil

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Lucknow :

After financial assistance from Ministry of Culture towards conservation of the magnificent Khursheed Manzil, the La Martiniere Girls’ College looks up to its alumni to contribute towards converting the historical structure into a museum. The conservation work began in mid-June.

In the general body meeting of the La Martiniere Girls’ Alumni Association held recently, the school management had asked alumni to contribute towards renovation of Khursheed Manzil.

Principal Farida Abraham said “a museum is being prepared to preserve all old records and documents so that students present and past can relate more closely with the college’s glorious past.” Public will get a closer look at the antique remnants of this 200-year-old landmark, she added.

The grand museum will spread across three rooms comprising staff dining hall, drawing room and verandah, and would be adjacent to the principal’s office. The museum will exhibit the treasure trove of the historic college.

In an attempt to restore the pristine glory, the college had approached Union ministry of culture with a proposal. In May, the ministry sanctioned Rs 48 lakh. The total project outlay is around Rs 3 crore.

Conservation architect Ashish Srivastava said “the building was in a shambles. During excavation work, the college found pottery, good collection of books and paintings, picture plates dating back to pre-Independence years and other documents like shield, comments by old Martinians, etc.”

The college also plans to set the clock back. A drawbridge that led to the building in the past will be put in place so that visitors get a feel of the 18th century castle. This structure was witness to some stubborn fighting during the first War of Independence in 1857.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Isha Jain, TNN / September 09th, 2014

A brand ambassador for palliative care

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Science & Technology
Wheelchair-bound Baby Fatima is the inspiration behind Saira of 'Bangalore Days'. Insert : Fathima with Parvathy (R)
Wheelchair-bound Baby Fatima is the inspiration behind Saira of ‘Bangalore Days’. Insert : Fathima with Parvathy (R)

Remember Saira of ‘Bangalore Days’? The character of Saira, who vanquishes the handicaps of the body using sheer willpower, is based on a real life character who caught Anjali Menon’s attention at a ward in the Kozhikode Medical College. Baby Fatima, a wheelchair-bound young girl who went to each patient, made them smile and consoled them, was the real life inspiration behind Saira.

Baby Fatima, like Saira, is also fast becoming a rage in the campuses. Fatima is visiting campuses to garner support of the students for the palliative care work in connection with the ‘Becoz I Care’ campaign jointly conducted by the Institute of Palliative Medicine and Students in Palliative Care.

Even though not a radio jockey like Saira in ‘Bangalore Days’, Fatima, too, has the gift of gab. The palliative care workers contend that once Fatima speak a few words to them, any patient will be able to forget their woes. Ask Fatima how she came to possess such boundless positive energy, and she will wax eloquent about her family and her childhood.

Parvathy (L) with Anjali Menon (R) during the making of the movie, 'Bangalore Days'
Parvathy (L) with Anjali Menon (R) during the making of the movie, ‘Bangalore Days’

Fatima grew up with her ‘moothumma’ Malappuram Kottappadiyil Kiliyamannil Mumtaz Usman’s family as the pampered lone sister of moothumma’s four sons. It was not as a handicapped child that the family treated her. Having been raised in such a way as to instill confidence in her, proved to be her strength, according to Fatima.

Fathima is a second year BSW student now, though she has not gone to school or college for studies. She studied from home. It was as part of the ‘Becoz I Care’ campaign that Fathima had her first glimpse of a campus, giving her immense joy.

BSW was a natural choice for her as social service is her ambition in life. Soon after completing Class 10, Fathima took the lead to meet up with palliative care workers and became part of their activities.

Apart from all these activities, the entrepreneur in Fatima has launched a designer clothes boutique in her own home. Fatima’s muthumma Jamal Ayesha accompanies her to the Medical College every morning, where patients await the girl, who has been a regular presence there for the past five years with a beaming smile and soothing words of care.

Life +ve Becoz I Care campaign is about each student reaching the brochures and registration forms of palliative care to ten households. The goal is to make the kind-hearted souls who are willing to set aside Rs 3 daily (Rs 1000 annually) as members in the ‘Tracks We Live’ project. The palliative care workers will then be able to deliver one time painkillers to one patient at Rs 3. The project aims at alleviating the pain of a patient using one person’s donation.

For registration form visit: www.instituteofpalliativemedicine.org
Phone: 82816 64752

source: http://www.english.manoramaonline.com / OnManorama / Home> Lifestyle> Health / by Kapil Raj / Friday – July 25th, 2014