Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Anjuman-e-Islam was the first Indian institution to offer mid-day meal to students

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA:

Students of Ajnuman-e-Islam
Students of Ajnuman-e-Islam

Long before India became the first country to introduce mid-day meals to children in government schools to supplement their nutritional needs and to encourage poor families to send their children to school, Anjuman-e-Islam, a Muslim institution had started the scheme in Mumbai.

Ajmunan-e-Islam ursu school was established some 150 years ago. It was the brainchild of a group of progressive Muslim intellectuals of Mumbai.

The initiative for this was taken by Badruddin Tyabji, the first Indian barrister of the Bombay High Court, Qamaruddin Tyabji, the third president of the Indian National Congress, his elder brother and lawyer Nakhuda Mohammad, Ali Roge, businessman and social activist, Ghulam Mohammad Munshi, The school came up at Babula Tank near Umarkhadi in the then Bombay province and started as a small place.

An old picture of the Anjuman-e-Islam in Bombay

In 1893, ‘Anjuman-e-Islam’ was shifted to a building opposite Victoria Terminals (presently ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus’) from where it continues to operate.

At that time many facilities were provided to the students coming to study in ‘Anjuman’. The facilities included a mid-day meal comprising boiled eggs, bread, and bananas.

It was established a year before the establishment of  ‘Aligarh Muslim University’ (AMU) in Aligarh by Sir Syed Ahmed with the sole motive of providing modern education to Muslims.

‘Anjuman’ school initially ‘only admitted boys and it was much later that it opened the doors to girl students. In 1936, a separate school for girls was also started by the name ‘Saif Tayyabji Girls High School’ on Bellasis Road.

The students of Anjuman e islam taking part in a cultural programme

This school, which started on 21 February 1874 with three teachers and 120 students, has now transformed into 97 institutions. Today more than 1.1 lakh students are studying right from nursery classes to PhD – are enrolled in its educational institutions. Interestingly, 70 percent of students enrolled are the first ones from their families to receive education.

Anjuman-e-Islam played a major role in India’s freedom struggle. Many people including Moinuddin Harris and Mustafa Fakih of ‘Anjuman’ were sentenced to imprisonment during the freedom struggle. Many policy meetings for the freedom struggle were held on its premises.

‘Anjuman’ has a long history in nation-building.

Mumbai police commissioner Dr Sanjay Pandey addressing the students of Anjuman-e-Islam

Today the main administrative office of the organization is located at the same place where the seed of ‘Anjuman’ was sown. Five colleges – two catering colleges, a business-management college, a home science college, and a law college – have been established on the institute’s three-acre campus. In addition, there is a polytechnic, a junior college for women, and two schools in both English and Urdu medium.

The campus also has a large library and a research center.

Sir Karimbhoy Ibrahim, Haji Yusuf Haji Ismail Sobani, Justice A. M. Qazi, Justice Faiz B. Tayyabji, Sardar Sir Suleman Kulsoom Mitha, Hussain B. Tayyabji, Usman Sobani, Mohammad Haji Ahmed, A. I. Maskati, Hadi C. Tayyabji, Saif F. B. Tayyabji, Akbar A. Pirbhoy, A. K. Hafeez, A. R. Persons like Antulay, Moinuddin Harris, Dr. M. Ishaq Jamkhanwala, Sami Khatib made special efforts. Presently Dr. Zaheer Kazi is its President.

`Anjuman’ has two main objectives, first – ‘to provide quality education at minimum cost’ and second – ‘to prevent any student from being deprived of education due to lack of funds’

More than 50 percent of the students in ‘Anjuman’ come from economically weaker sections. Anjuman has created a ‘Special Zakat Fund’ to enable these students to complete their education. The economically weaker students are given a 50 to 100 percent discount in education fees.

Vice Chancellor of the Amjuman-e-islam Dr Sahir Qazi and Governor of Maharashtra

The Anjuman is inspired by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s message that ‘Education given from the heart can bring revolution in the society’, the organization has been doing this work. The ‘Anjuman’ has more than 40 percent girls on roll.

Today the institution offers courses like Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, Pharmacy, Hospitality, Catering and Hotel Management, Law, Business Administration, Home Science, and Teacher’s Training.

Some, 3000 employees work in the Anjuman institutions. In the year 2000, `Anjuman’ was awarded the ‘Best Educational and Social Institution in Maharashtra’ by the State government. Recently the institution has been awarded the ‘Sir Syed Award of Excellence’ of AMU, Aligarh University.

The alumni of `Anjuman’ are today working in high positions in various fields like business, technology, arts, sports, media, medical science, and politics in many countries. Former Chairman of Fortune Company and Indian Oil Corporation, M.A. Pathan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra A. R. Antulay, famous actor Dilip Kumar, Ismail Merchant of `Merchant of Merchant Ivory Productions’, former Deputy Editor of `Illustrated Weekly’ Fatima Zakaria, former editor of `Mumbai Mirror’ and `Sunday Times’ Farida Naik and famous cricketer Salim Durrani. Celebrities have been alumni of ‘Anjuman’.

Students at the Convocation of Anjuman-e-Islam

Dr. Zaheer Kazi, current president of ‘Anjuman’, says, “We are constructing a state-of-the-art building in the Sabu Siddiqui College campus in Byculla. There will be an incubation center as well as post-graduation and PhD courses taught there. “Besides, there will also be an integrated center.”

Apart from this, a health education campus will be built in Kalyan-Bhiwandi or Panchgani, in which MBBS courses, Dental College, College of Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Homeopathy will be started. Pharmacy, law college, degree college, and high school for girls will be started in the Solapur campus. Also, land acquisition for catering, pharmacy, and high school-cum-college in Panaji, Goa is in the final stages.

He said, “’Anjuman-e-Islam’ has partnered with MIT University in Cambridge, England, and its five Faculties of Engineering, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Pharmacy and Elementary Education. In addition, ‘The Kalsekar School of Pharmacy’ (Panvel), and The Maryland School of Pharmacy’, Baltimore, (Washington DC) have been approached for collaboration with Anjuman-e-Islam. Philadelphia’s ‘Temple University’ asked ‘A. of Anjuman-e-Islam’ for cooperation. R. Antulay College of Law has also been contacted.”

‘Anjuman’ has 97 educational institutions including schools and colleges. These include pre-primary schools (15), primary schools (15), secondary schools (20), junior colleges (10), polytechnics (4), degree colleges (15), other institutions (10), proposed institutions (2), Consists of hostels, auditorium (3), support units (2) and orphanage (2).

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Chaya Kavire, Pune / November 22nd, 2023

Retired man from Bengaluru runs only Indian restaurant in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Karnataka (under research project), NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA / Samarkhand, UZBEKISTAN:

representational image (freepik)

Samarkand (Uzbekistan) (PTI):

Mohammad Naushad, a retired man from Bengaluru had plans to travel the world after completing his tenure in the steel industry. He landed as a tourist in Samarkand a year ago and his quest for his morning masala tea and paratha prompted him to settle here and open the only Indian restaurant in the second-largest city of Uzbekistan.

Called “The Indian Kitchen”, the restaurant came as a respite to Indian students who are studying medicine here and used to miss Indian food. The locals here also fancy the wide-ranging menu from lip dosas to chicken biryani.

“I had no plans to work post-retirement and had no experience of working at a restaurant let alone running one. When I came here as a tourist, I headed out to have my usual breakfast of masala tea and paratha.

“I have travelled to so many countries and have always found some or the other place where Indian food is available. I was surprised to find out that there is not a single eatery or restaurant which serves Indian meals,” 61-year-old Naushad told PTI.

“A week more and the vibrant culture and simplicity of people here, prompted me to give it a shot and now Samarkand is my permanent home,” he added.

According to Naushad, the restaurant receives around 350-400 visitors per day and there are catering orders for weddings and events where having Indian cuisine as an option is a hit here.

His day starts with going to the “bazaar” with his staff to buy groceries as he prefers everything to be cooked afresh at the restaurant.

“There are over 3,000 Indian students in Samarkand and they tell me often that they used to miss Indian meals. The shahi paneer and naan and the rotis used to be a rare sight here. I expected the Indians to love the restaurant but the response I have received from Uzbeks is phenomenal,” he said.

Behind the lip-smacking dishes available at the restaurant is Ashok Kalidasa, a chef who hails from Madras. He earlier used to live in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent and is now settled in Samarkand.

“We enquire from each customer about the kind of spices they like us to use, whether they want it less spicy or tangy because Uzbek food is very different. The effort to customise the popular Indian dishes to their taste is what attracts the local crowd here. Indian students come here because they get their home food and the meals are not expensive,” he said.

Kalidasa says the most popular dishes at the restaurant are “masala dosa” and “chicken biryani” which is much different from the Uzbek “Pilaf”.

Asked about her favourite pick at the restaurant, Zarina, an Uzbek woman, said “I love masala chai”.

While right now the Indian Kitchen offers meals at the restaurant, Naushad has expansion plans.

“We are also thinking of starting a tiffin service for Indian students. Also, we get a lot of tourists. So I am contemplating opening similar setups in Bukhara and Khiva which are popular tourist destinations in Uzbekistan but do not have any Indian restaurants,” he said.

According to the Uzbekistan Embassy in New Delhi, the Indian diaspora in Uzbekistan has more than 5,000 people. In pre-Covid year 2019, over 28,000 Indian tourists visited Uzbekistan. However, the number has crossed over 30,000 this year so far.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> World / November 19th, 2023

SFI-led Alliance Wins All Six Posts In University Of Hyderabad’s Student Elections

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA:

Mohammed Ateeq Ahmed of SFI, who is a student at the School of Humanities, was elected as the president of the students’ union with 1,880 votes.

University of Hyderabad© Provided by Free Press Journal


In a sweep of the University of Hyderabad’s student union elections, an alliance comprising the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the Ambedkar Students’ Association (ASA), and the Tribal Students Forum (TSF) won all six elected positions. The official announcement of the election results came late on Friday night, following the polls on Thursday.

Elected Student Leaders

Mohammed Ateeq Ahmed of SFI, who is a student at the School of Humanities, was elected as the president of the students’ union with 1,880 votes.

Ahmed beat Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidate Shaik Aayesha by over 470 votes. Aayesha was the first Muslim candidate of ABVP, which is affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in University of Hyderabad (UoH) elections.

Jalli Akash of ASA-SFI alliance was elected as the vice president with 1,671 votes. Deepak Kumar Arya of ASA-SFI was elected as the general secretary with 1,765 votes. Lavudi Bala Anjaneyulu of SFI-TSF was elected as the joint secretary with 1,775 votes.

Samim Akter Sheikh of ASA-SFI and Athul of SFI were elected as the cultural secretary and the sports secretary respectively.

Several colleges have not held student elections since the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused disruptions to the academic calendar until 2022.

But UoH elections for the previous academic year, which the SFI-ASA-Dalit Students Union alliance had won, were held in February 2023.

(With inputs from PTI)

source: http: //www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Education / by PTI / November 11th, 2023

Dive into Dr. Salim Ali’s world at Bombay Natural History Society’s exhibition

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Business & Economy, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Leaders, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA:

The ongoing exhibition on iconic birder Dr Salim Ali at Bombay Natural History Society offers rare insight into the meticulous life of the man who shaped India’s avian conservation programme.

Dive into Dr. Salim Ali's world at Bombay Natural History Society's exhibition
Barure (in saree) guides a visitor

In the quiet landmark of Hornbill House at Fort, a buzz is slowly developing. On International Bird Week (November 5 to November 12), the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is celebrating one of the pioneers of Indian ornithology, Dr Salim Ali, with an exhibition from his personal archives. Today might be the last opportunity to peek into the life of a man whose efforts paved the way for conservation study in the country.

Dr Salim Ali. File pic
Dr Salim Ali. / File pic

“Research and conservation were two very important facets of his life,” shares Kishor Rithe, director, BNHS. The exhibition brings to fore his professional expanse and personal meticulousness. The collection was brought together by curator and BNHS librarian, Nirmala Barure. The work began in 2014, she reveals. “The process is still ongoing since it is such a monumental record of correspondence, research and notes over a period of 60 years,” Barure remarks.

The tape recorder used by Dr Ali to record bird sounds
The tape recorder used by Dr Ali to record bird sounds

The theme for the exhibition, Rithe adds, is a focus on the layman. It includes correspondence to prime ministers, policy makers, as well as people on the ground — from forest officials to students and villagers. Barure points out that the correspondence also has some touching personal moments.

His filming equipment. Pics/Atul Kamble
His filming equipment. Pics/Atul Kamble

“There are greeting cards from Mrinalini Sarabhai, and a commendation letter from the famed botanist Ethelbert Blatter of St Xaviers’ College,” she notes. One of the more remarkable objects was a complaint written by Dr Salim Ali to a Bandra neighbour — Yusuf Khan aka Dilip Kumar — complaining about the noise the latter’s watchman made in the night.

A letter written by Dr Salim Ali to Dilip Kumar from 1975
A letter written by Dr Salim Ali to Dilip Kumar from 1975

Then, there is his equipment — from typewriters and cameras to telescopes and lenses. “While technology has advanced, this equipment is proof of how challenging it was for the early pioneers to make audio visual records and document their studies,” Rithe notes. Among the equipment on display is a rare find of 16mm films, shot by Dr Ali during his many journeys, that were preserved by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.

Dr Ali’s portable typewriter
Dr Ali’s portable typewriter

The society is already in the process of dedicating a space to honour Dr Ali’s collection. Rithe shares, “This year, we plan to begin renovation work on the space, and will dedicate some part of it to Dr Salim Ali’s collection. This exhibition is just a rehearsal of those plans.” For now, visitors would want to hurry to Hornbill House to catch a glimpse of the rare treasure trove. 

A collection of Dr Ali’s correspondence
A collection of Dr Ali’s correspondence

On: Today; 10 am to 5 pm
At: BNHS, Hornbill House, opposite Lion Gate, Fort.
Call: 9594953425 
Log on to: bnhs.org

Kishore Rithe
Kishore Rithe

source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day.com / Home> Mumbai Guide News> Things to do News/ Article / by Shriram Iyengar (shriram.iyengar@mid-day.com) / November 10th, 2023

Mumbai’s travel company sets example with influencers, sends them to Umrah for a spiritual connect

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Travel & Tourism, , , , , , , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA:

Mumbai’s travel company sets example with influencers, sends them to Umrah for a spiritual connect© Provided by Free Press Journal

While the world is fast moving forward with technology, how could search for spiritual journey lag behind. Sometimes you don’t aim to offer your services just to increase your clientele or followers, it’s just a way to open the door to a spiritual journey, especially when you are young.

Mumbai’s Cosmic Tours and a few social media influencers joined hands for this very reason. While Cosmic provided their expertise, the social media influencers dished out their  platforms as they embarked upon the journey to the Holy cities of Makkah & Madina.

“It was an attempt to help people connect with their spiritual side,” Baba Ebrahim of Cosmic Tours made their intentions clear.

Based out of Pydhonie, Cosmic has been operating Hajj, Umrah excursions since 1990.

The operator claims they have spread their wings not only in India, but even abroad with just word of mouth publicity.

“Besides India, pilgrims join us from America, UK, New Zealand, Barbados. Currently we have a couple pilgrims from Japan. We are slowly working on that region as well,” the operator said.

Cosmic Tours, however, is aiming to move with time. They feel social media influencers and actors are now paying attention to their spiritual side as well. “Even Shah Rukh Khan went for Umrah recently,” he said.

Check Instagram handle of Cosmic Tours

“They want to connect with the fans who seek spiritual motivation. They not only on Instagram, but are on YouTube as well. They are, in fact, on all over social media channels. They are present in the Metaverse. They are everywhere now, on TV soaps, dance shows and reality shows.”

Recently, Cosmic Tours had Faisal Shaikh aka Faisu (29.4 million Instagram followers), Faiz Baloch (9.6 million Instagram followers) and Shayan Siddiqui (7,80,000 Instagram followers) for Umrah.

Check pictures below

If Cosmic Tours is to be believed, there is no particular age group that goes for Umrah. Today, even children go for Umrah. “Earlier, only old people would go for Umrah, but now everyone goes,” he said. 

According to them, their only motive in taking social media influencers was not only to target youngsters for Hajj and Umrah, but every individual who is active on social media.

“We are not chasing results. We have already achieved the result. Those who have joined us bear testimony to our services. Apart from our achievements and awards received in this field, it is just that people are acknowledging our effort and services,” he said.

Most pilgrims for Cosmic are repeaters. “We wanted to target their followers, especially the young lot. We want to reach out to people in each and every corner of the world. And that is possible through this move and their own presence on social media,” he said.

source: http://www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Lifestyle / by Mufeed Mahdi Rizvi / April 05th, 2023

Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu to host ‘Urdu Mehfil-e-Mushaira’ in Mangaluru on November 24

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues,

Dakshina Kannada & Udupi District, KARNATAKA:

Dubai’s CHS GROUP’s Founder-President Nasir Syed to Sponsor Event

Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu Urdu, DK and Udupi districts is set to host the Urdu poetry festival, ‘Urdu Mehfil-e-Mushair,’ at the Town Hall in Mangaluru on Friday, November 24, with the aim of promoting Urdu language, literature, and culture. The event, scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm, will feature renowned Urdu poets from Karnataka and other states.

The event is sponsored by Nasir Syed, a distinguished NRI businessman and founder-president of the CHS Group of Dubai. Abdul Salam Madani, President of Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, announced the event through a press release.

Participating poets include Azizuddin Aziz Belgaumi from Bengaluru, Dr. Mohammed Haneef Shabab, and Syed Ahmed SaliK from Bhatkal, Siraj Sholapuri from Mumbai, Rahmatullah Rahmat from Shivamogga, Usama Qazi Asad Karnataki from Gangolli, and Abdul Salam Madani from Mangaluru. Nasir Syed will chair the event.

The program will not only feature poetic performances but also include the distribution of prizes for various competitions and the acknowledgment of emerging talents.

Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu President has urged Urdu poetry enthusiasts to actively participate in the event along with their friends and family members.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / November 22nd, 2023

UAE: Indian woman showcases 30 kg handwritten Quran at SIBF

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books - Holy Quran, Koran / Translations, Commentaries / by Indian Muslims (wef. February 11th, 2025), Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , ,

KERALA:

The holy book, which weighs 54 kg with the cover, measures 28.5 inches long, 22.5 inches wide, and 4.5 inches high.

UAE: Indian woman showcase calligraphic handwritten Holy Quran at SIBF 2023

Abu Dhabi:

A 46-year-old Indian woman has displayed her handwritten Holy Quran in Arabic calligraphy weighing over 30 kgs at the 42nd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).

Jaleena Hussain, who hails from Indian state of Kerala, has spent over a year creating a unique edition of 114 surahs, covering 604 pages.

Speaking to Sharjah 24, Jaleena said writing the Quran was her way of fulfilling her desire to memorize the Holy Book.

She expressed gratitude to the Sharjah authorities for allowing her to showcase her talent.

Jaleena, a former rubber plantation worker and Urdu teacher, has been recognized by the Arabian World Records and the India and Asia Book of Records for her handwritten Quran.

VIDEO: Largest handwritten Quran in Arabic calligraphy presented at SIBF - GulfToday

source: http://www.siasat.com / Siasat.com / Home> News> India / by Sakina Fatima X / November 12th, 2023

Rasul Miya and his song on Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project)

Jigna, Gopalganj District, BIHAR:

Mahatma Gandhi./ File photo

He was a poet, playwright, lyricist, folk singer and social and political activist.

When it comes to Bhojpuri literature or music, many people are only familiar with the vulgar songs raking in “likes” on YouTube and social media. But there is more that remains unknown outside.

Bhojpuri literature, especially folk music, is profoundly rich and covers a wide range of social, cultural and political issues such as dowry, child marriage, migration, freedom, communalism and caste.

Migration has always been central to Bhojpuri literature. Over the last two centuries, large numbers of people have migrated from this region. Bidesiya, a play written by Bhikhari Thakur that marks the trend, has been adapted into a film. Mahendra Misir and Master Nazir, too, are known for writing on migration and many other issues.

But before them, there was Rasul Miya whose work was not limited to cultural and social issues. He wrote also about the political problems of the time. His poetry is full of agony over issues such as colonialism, feudalism, the Partition, Hindu-Muslim unity and Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.

Rasul Miya was a poet, playwright, lyricist, folk singer and social and political activist. He was born in 1872 in a village called Jigna in Gopalganj district (neighbouring Siwan) of Bihar and died in 1952. His father and other family elders, too, were members of a drama company known as Naach in the region.

He learnt from his elders but did not follow their tradition. He incorporated contemporary political ideas into his songs. His poetry bore the influence of Mahatma Gandhi.

‘Kalkatwa’ connection

Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh have a very old relationship with Calcutta. Since colonial times, this region has not had much employment opportunities, so people migrated to countries like Fiji and Suriname as “girmitiya mazdoors” (indentured labour), to the Gulf countries (called Pardesi) as unskilled labour, and to Calcutta in search of a prosperous life.

Therefore, migration was a very important reason why such literature came into being. In a way, Calcutta was seen as evil because it always snatched the male members of the household.

The people of this region often call the city “Kalkatwa” — a name that carries a negative connotation that is far removed from the “Kalkattey” of Mirza Ghalib, who loved the city.

As Bhikhari Thakur wrote: “Hey sajni re hey sajni, piya gaile Kalkatwa he sajni (Oh, my darling, my beloved has gone away to Calcutta).”

As his father, too, had migrated to Calcutta, Rasul Miya used to go there quite often and perform on stage. The city had a huge number of migrant labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Once, before Independence, Rasul Miya performed in a police station in Calcutta, singing a song that inspired many Indian personnel to quit the British-led force.

“Chhod da gorki ke ab tu khusami balma/ Ekar kahiya le karab ghulami balma (Give up serving the British/ How long will you be slaves to them),” he sang.

The exodus, mainly by personnel from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, drew the attention of the British. The colonial government arrested Rasul Miya because it felt threatened by his songs. He was taken to a police station through a red-light zone. Later, sex workers of the area pawned their jewellery to secure Rasul Miya’s release.

On the day of the Mahatma’s assassination, Rasul Miya was in Calcutta and was about to perform at a factory. Gandhi’s death shook him. But when he was asked to cancel his show, he insisted that he would perform but would change the content.

He changed the entire performance on the spot. One of the songs he sang was: “Ke maral hamra Gandhi ke goli ho dhamadham teen go/ Kalihe azadi milal aaj chalal goli (Who killed my Gandhi, firing three shots/ We got freedom just yesterday and fired the bullets today).”

Rasul Miya never met the Mahatma but staunchly believed in his ideas. It’s people like Rasul Miya, who registered their protest despite having many limitations, that we need to remember today while dealing with political majoritarianism.

Fearlessness

Other Bhojpuri poets and drama companies portrayed social evils. Bhikhari Thakur, the “Shakespeare of Bhojpuri”, wrote on subjects like child marriage and dowry.

Mahendra Misir’s songs are still popular and help understand the pain of migration, while Master Aziz was a champion of Hindu-Muslim unity through his songs and was known as “Kabir of Bhojpuri”.

But Rasul Miya’s venture into political issues reflected his fearlessness. He wrote against the zamindari system and on the Partition, communal politics, religion and caste, as well as on his philosophy of life.

Why do we need to remember him?

First, when we are dealing with hatred against minorities — especially Muslims but also Dalits — we need to know about a Muslim poet-lyricist who wrote Ram Ka Sehra.

(Sehra is a genre of Urdu poetry. In Poorbi culture, during Muslim and Hindu marriages, sehras are sung for the bridegroom when he arrives at the bride’s door.)

People like Bhikhari Thakur and Mahendra Misir are remembered through books, statues and government facilitation but Rasul Miya has been forgotten. Even his family does not have a single photo of him. Rasul Miya should be remembered the same way as figures like Gaddar, Faiz and Paash.

Although Rasul Miya had been easily forgotten because of the lack of records, the author Subhas Chandra Kushwaha has revived his memory and legacy.

He went to Rasul Miya’s home and collected his songs and details about his life orally from his relatives and other residents of the village.

Chandan Tiwari, a Bhojpuri folk singer, is known for reinventing forgotten Bhojpuri folk songs. He has made Rasul Miya popular and familiar again by singing his songs and making them accessible to the masses.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> India / by Nehal Ahmed / May 16th, 2022

Veteran Actor and Mehmood Ali’s Sister Minoo Mumtaz Dies in Canada

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, NRI's / PIO's, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA / Toronto, CANADA:

Photo Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Minu_Mumtaz.jpg

Minoo Mumtaz aka Malikunnisa Ali, the veteran Hindi actor and comedian Mehmood’s sister, died in Toronto in Canada on Saturday.

She was recently diagnosed with cancer and her health deteriorated quickly, leading to her demise, ETimes reported.

Mumtaz’s nephew Naushad, confirming the news to the publication, said, “Since she was old, 80 plus, there wasn’t much to be done. She was one of the loveliest people I had ever met”.

Her younger brother Anwar Ali, who is also part of the film industry and is now a producer, wrote, “Regret to inform that my loving sister Minoo Mumtaz, passed away (in Canada) a few minutes ago… Deep gratitude to the film fraternity, press, media, fans, friends, for decades of love and adulation showered upon her.”

Born to a family of four brothers and four sisters, Mumtaz was the daughter of Mumtaz Ali, a dancer and character artiste in Hindi films in the 1940s. She was renamed Minoo by actor Meena Kumari, her sister-in-law and Mehmood Ali’s wife.

While she started her career as a stage dancer, Mumtaz appeared in several Hindi films in the 1950s and 1960s as a dancer and character actor. She made her debut with Sakhi Hateem, and moved on to play the lead opposite Balraj Sahni in Black Cat (1959) and appeared in several Guru Dutt films including Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962). Other Hindi films that she appeared in include Taj Mahal, Alibaba, Ghoonghat, Ghar Basake Dekho, Insan Jaag Utha, Sindbad, Jahanaara, Aladin, Gazal, Dharmaputra. She also appeared in the 2002 television serial Chalo Chale Pardes.

Expressing her condolences on the late actor’s demise, author Bhawana Somaaya wrote, “#MinooMumtaz lead dancer of Hindi movies in the 50s and the 60s dies in Canada. Condolences to #AnwarAli family.”

Actor Nasirr Khan also mourned Mumtaz’s death.

Mumtaz is survived by her husband Sayyed Ali Akbar, son and three daughters who lived with her in Toronto.

Namrata Ganguly is a Correspondent at Silverscreen India, and can be reached by email at namrata@silverscreen.in

source: http://www.silverscreenindia.com / SilverScreen India / Home> Hindi> News / by Namrata Ganguly / October 23rd, 2021

Two Circle Network’s Seed Fellow Sufi Parween Wins Laadli Media Award

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BIHAR / Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

We are happy to announce that TCN’s SEED Fellow Sufi Parween has won the 13th Laadli Media Award for her exceptional contribution to gender-sensitive reporting. 

Her award-winning story, “Bihar: These Muslim women break taboo by learning Madhubani painting – TwoCircles.net,” focuses on a transformative initiative among Muslim women in Bihar who have broken social norms by learning Madhubani painting, the traditional Indian art style.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Journalism / by TCN News / October 27th, 2023