At an international library conference, noted Aurangabad based Urdu activist and President of Read and Lead Foundation, Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi has stunned the library experts by presenting the idea of low-cost library scheme which he called as “Micro Library, Micro Funding”.
He was speaking at the two-day International Conference on “Visualizing Librarianship in the 21th century’, Connecting Minds and Creating Future,” held at the Gulbarga University here.
Sharing his experiences, Mirza Nadvi said merely a budget of Rs. 10,000/ is quite enough to set up a well-equipped Mohalla library with useful informative books for children which can be opened at housing societies, complexes, schools, and religious places. From where he got this idea, he said his school going daughter Maryam Mirza’s dreamt of opening a Mohalla Library for children in his locality who were killing their time during the last lockdown. He realized his daughter’s dream and opened the first library in his own locality in the historic Aurangabad city. Now this experiment has caught the imagination of book-loving people and inspired others to follow the suit. Mirza Nadvi highlighted the efforts of his daughter Maryam Mirza who became a pioneer in the country to launch Mohalla Libraries for children.
She launched the first children’s neighborhood library with her own 300 books and in a short span of just eight months, 19 neighborhood libraries have sprung up in the city, he said. The participants of the conference lauded and praised Maryam for her movement.
Mirza Nadvi was especially invited by the Indian Library Association, Delhi to address the conference. It was 66th annual conference of the Indian Library Association organized in collaboration with Gulbarga University and other organizations. The Conference assured Mirza Nadvi of all help in his daughter’s mission of spreading knowledge through libraries.
source: http://www. muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Exclusive Reports> Indian Muslim> Media / by Special Correspondent / October 01st, 2021
Chunnamal Haveli carries many fascinating tales about the change in lifestyle and architecture of Delhi after 1857
Chunnamal Haveli carries many fascinating tales about the change in lifestyle and architecture of Delhi after 1857
The redone arterial road of Shahjahanabad has attracted attention towards conserving the historical architectural facades of several buildings along the stretch that connects Sri Digambar Lal Jain Mandir to Fatehpuri Masjid.
Along with the facades of heritage homes, there is an urgent need to conserve family and lifestyle histories as part of intangible heritage. In this regard, Lala Chunnamal, the largest living mansion on the iconic street, illustrates a fascinating account.
The Chandni Chowk and surrounding lanes and by-lanes represent, along with several other layers, the lifestyles of the landed elites, merchant classes and evolving middle-class professionals. Several mansions reflect the Mughal period and the British rule in Delhi. Many of these families aligned with the Mughals for practical reasons and changed their allegiance to the new British masters, impacting the nature of lifestyles and architecture.
‘Lalacracy’ era
The period and predominance of merchants and the new landed class in different cities have been described as ‘Lalacracy’ by eminent historian Narayani Gupta in Delhi Between Two Empires 1803-1931: Society, Government and Urban Growth.
Built in 1864, the Chunnamal Haveli continues to be used by Lala’s sixth-generation descendant Anil Pershad and his family. A successful trader, Chunnamal was primarily a cloth merchant (indicative of the exact location of the house in Katra Neel) and had significant trade links in Kolkata, and a summer home in Shimla.
Soon after 1857, Lala Chunnamal bought a large part of the present-day Chandni Chowk and the Fatehpuri Masjid in an auction for a pittance. “Most mosques were closed for a couple of years after the rebellion; many Muslims fled the city. My grandfather, a practical businessman, watched out for the shops around the mosque. The family-owned shops built Shivalayas, dharamshalas and drinking water kiosks in Shahjahanabad, Mehrauli, Nangloi, etc. So why could he not manage a mosque,” remarks Pershad.
He says the family owned the shops from the erstwhile Majestic cinema to the Baptist Church and the area behind the present Bhagirath Palace. “After some years, the family returned the Fatehpuri mosque to the Muslim community. The British recognised the gesture and gave us some villages as a gift,” adds Pershad.
Unlike many others, knowingly or inadvertently, the Chunnamal family saved a mosque from being demolished or turned into a bakery shop or a garrison for the armed forces when the British took over after the First War of Independence.
The grand mansion integrated sturdy cast-iron balconies and spun spiral staircases, wooden Venetian windows, and used stained glass. The interiors characterise Indo-Western aesthetics decor like the famed Osler glassware chandeliers for candles, Belgian mirrors, European furniture, clocks, telephones, fireplaces, and even maintenance tools for the fireplace. Sophisticated crafts to embellish the interiors include clay tiles from Sindh that provide a carpet look. The gold-plated stucco work in the ceiling is offset with natural indigo. The roof is decorated with ceiling cloth that displays the best of Indian crafts.
Ice emerged as a much-wanted product since the British required it to cool their drinks and water. Chunnamal owned the famous Baraf Khana or the ice-making unit in North Delhi, the Old Subzi Mandi and Pul Bangash. “Twice-elected to the Municipal Corporation, he was one of the few Indians who were granted membership of the exclusive Delhi Gymkhana Club during the British days,” remembers Pershad. He was also a member of the Roshanara Club, Delhi Race Club and the National Sports Club.
High life
The Chunnamal family bred horses, some were housed in their home stables, while others were in the Delhi Race Club. Members of the family rode horses from Chandni Chowk to New Delhi. A special place for the family was their Rambagh Garden near the Roshanara Club. Viceroys visited, Indira Gandhi came to dine, and the family participated in horse races, including winning the Aminabad horseshow in Lucknow. Some members of the family even came to be members of the secret society of the Freemasons, who continued to meet in the Qudsia Bagh in Civil Lines.
The courtyard hosted gatherings of courtesans, which women of the family watched from behind the bamboo curtains. Pershad’s daughter-in-law Swetcha Pershad described how female service providers like washerwomen and barbers transmitted ‘news’ from one zenana or women quarters to other havelis. The hustle-bustle of the home saw the women under the guidance of a Parsi governess acquire skills in cooking western dishes, accessing recipes from the Woman & Home magazine launched in the 1920s.
Organisations like the UNESCO and urban governments in different parts of the world attempt to formulate policies to balance development with preserving historic urban landscapes. They involve stakeholders, incentivise owners of heritage homes to retain facades while making the inside of dwellings modern.
The remaking of the Chandni Chowk requires holistic policies and their execution before many of more than 30 private-public owned heritage buildings are replaced by buildings that do not go with the character of the historical landscape.
(The author is an expert on cultural heritage)
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities / by Navina Jafa / October 10th, 2021
Shades of life (Clockwise from far left) Late Jabaramma in a still from Insha Allah; Director Bhaskaran with directors Bharathiraja and Bhagyaraj and Abdul Salam in a still from the film / Special Arrangement
SPP Bhaskaran’s film Insha Allah set in Coimbatore, releases in theatres on October 15
“It was a special moment,” says director SPP Bhaskaran about receiving praise from his mentors, director Bharathiraja and K Bhagyaraj, for his first feature film, Insha Allah .
He arranged a private screening for the veteran filmmakers in Chennai recently. “They had positive things to say about the film, location, cinematography which was done by T S Prasanna of Blue Ocean Film and Television Academy and recording of live sounds.
But what took them by complete surprise is the performances of poet Vikramathithan and his wife Bhagavathi Ammal who play an old couple in the film. Vikramathithan has played character roles in director Bala’s award-winning films like Naan Kadavul .”
After doing the festival circuit (it made to the official selection at 32 film festivals and won nine awards at international film festivals), the film gears up for a theatrical release in Tamil Nadu, on October 15. Bhaskaran shot the film at Pillyarpuram village in Coimbatore where hundreds of families from different religious communities live in perfect harmony.
The 84-minute film narrates the story of a middle-class Muslim society and is partly inspired by short stories by Thoppil Mohammed Meeran and Firdous Rajakumaran.
He chose death as a central theme and the script touches upon the five tenets of Islam that includes daily prayers, alms giving ( zakat ), fasting during Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca (Haj) and the profession of faith.
The protagonist is an ambulance driver played by Mogly K Mohan (who has been part of films like Kirumi , Bakrid and Master ).
Abdul Salam from Thanjavur who is related to Kamala amma, wife of late actor Sivaji Ganesan plays an important role in the film. “He converted to Islam many years ago and Sivaji Ganesan’s family stood by his decision and supported him. He plays the role of an elderly man who saves money to do Haj but gives it away to support a needy girl’s marriage.”
The film also has footage that shows the Cheraman Juma Masjid, believed to be the first mosque in the country, located at Kodungalloor in Kerala and the 800-year-old mosque at Keeranur, near Palani.
Insha Allah is produced by Shahul Hameed, under his banner Nesam Entertainment Private Limited. “To learn more about the community, I shifted my residence to Karumbukadai, a Muslim-dominated locality in Coimbatore, and lived there for six months,” says Bhaskaran, whose first short film Naanudaimai won recognition at online short film festivals. Insha Allah , he says, sheds light on the philosophy behind the Islamic way of life.
The film is dedicated to the late Jabaramma,who ran a mess at Pillyarpuram. “She served us all three meals during our 30-day shoot there. I wrote a character based on her during my stay there and nudged her to play the role. Though shy to face the camera, she learned acting at a workshop done by late Arunmozhi and his team during our shoot and performed confidently. Her role in the film showcases how looks become banal in a relationship bound by love.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metro Plus / by K Jeshi / October 08th, 2021
Indian Social Forum Riyadh, Karnataka state committee held its committee election for term 2021-2024 on October 1 here.
pix: /twitter.com/SocialForum_Ksa
The committee elected Abdul Majid Punjalkatte as president, Sirajuddin Sajipa as general secretary, Umar Farooq Somawarpete as vice president, Jawad Basrur and Asghar Aboobakar Chakmaki as secretaries. Nizam Bajpe, Mihaf Sulthan, Nazeer Handel and Faisal Ammembala were elected as state committee members.
Indian Social Forum central committee members Haris Vavad and Mohammed were the returning officers who conducted the election process.
Outgoing president Sabith Bajpe addressed the gathering and urged the committee to continue its people-oriented initiatives and make the forum much stronger in the kingdom. General secretary Siraj Sajipa presented the three years’ activity report to the gathering.
Siddiq Madikeri rendered the vote of thanks.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Middle East / by Media Release / October 03rd, 2021
Emerging innovator Kaif Ali, a student of the Faculty of Architecture & Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI) won the prestigious Commonwealth Secretary-General Innovation Award for Sustainable Development-2021.
He is the only Indian amongst 15 awardees from 54 Commonwealth countries to win the prestigious award for his contribution towards Covid19, refugee shelter crisis, and climate change.
Each winner of the award received a trophy, 3,000 pounds (3,00,000 INR approx.) in prize money and the opportunity to scale up their innovations in collaboration with partners and mentors across the Commonwealth.
Kaif has invented low-cost portable housing for Covid-19 quarantine and shelter from extreme weather conditions like earthquakes and flooding.
His design has been recognised by the UN under the top 11 emerging innovation start-ups solving climate challenges.
JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar congratulated Kaif for the achievement and said that the university is proud of him. “We expect that it will motivate other students of the university to work hard, think out of the box to get noticed and contribute in nation building”, Prof. Akhtar said.
During the pandemic, Kaif researched how architecture could prevent the spread of disease. He designed a prefabricated sustainable shelter, SpaceEra, that would not only help reduce transmission of the virus but could also house refugees worldwide in the future.
“Winning the Commonwealth Innovation Award lifts my confidence to a greater level and motivates me to work even harder than yesterday and innovate unprecedented solutions toachieve a sustainable future. I pledge to become the voice of the youth transforming the Commonwealth and to Be the Change!”, Kaif said.
source: http://www.jmi.ac.in / Jamia Millia Islamia / Public Relations Office, JMI / September 30th, 2021
As per a statement, Ali bagged the nomination for his role of Ispit Nair in ‘Forget Me Not’, one of the four films in the ‘Ray’ anthology on Netflix.
Bollywood actor Ali Fazal (Photo | PTI)
Mumbai:
Actor Ali Fazal has earned a nomination for Best Actor at the Asia Content Awards by the Busan International Film Festival.
As per a statement, Ali bagged the nomination for his role of Ispit Nair in ‘Forget Me Not’, one of the four films in the ‘Ray’ anthology on Netflix. Directed by Srijith Mukherji, the story is a modern interpretation of Satyajit Ray’s story ‘Bipin Chaudhary Ka Smriti Bhram’.
Excited about the awards, the ‘Fukrey’ star said, “Wow! This was totally unexpected. I am so humbled to receive this nomination and it means a lot to be recognized by ACA. A lot of great content was produced this year in Asia and to land a nomination amongst such an impressive lineup of films and actors is an honour.”
The 3rd Asian Contents Awards (ACA) is run by the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)’s Asian Contents and Film Market (ACFM). The ACA aims to showcase outstanding TV, OTT, and online content from Asia.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Hindi / by ANI / September 29th, 2021
Alijanab Abdul Jabbar (90), former owner of Sterling Theatre in city and Secretary of Masjid-e-Rahmania at Agrahara, passed away yesterday morning in city.
A PWD Contractor and a resident of Siddapa Square, he leaves behind his children, relatives and friends.
Namaz-e -Janaza was held at Rahmania Masjid in Rahmania Mohalla this morning followed by the burial at the Muslim Burial Grounds on Mysuru-Ooty Road, according to a family sources.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 03rd, 2021
The ‘Green Walkathon – 2021’ organized by Beary’s Group was initiated in front of Mangala Auditorium of Mangalore University on Saturday September 25 morning.
The Green Walkathon, which is a part of the International Green Week – 2021 that started from in front of the university’s Mangala Auditorium moved towards Beary’s Turning Point at Deralakatte.
Mangalore University vice-chancellor, Dr P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya, said that the environment will automatically become clean if our minds are clean. “We are following the policy of keeping our lives ahead of nature. For our lives to be saved, nature is very important. Therefore, we should join hands to conserve nature,” he stated.
Speaking after presiding over the programme, Beary’s Group president, Syed Muhammad Beary, felt that there is a need to create awareness to encourage a clean and green city. “Nature offers us several gifts. But it is important what we give in return to nature. We cut down many trees when constructing a house or building but we do not take care to plant a tree. Nature becomes green only if we keep planting the saplings. The walkathon is aimed at creating awareness about love of nature and clean environment,” he stated.
Syed Muhammad Beary said that environment in the world keeps on changing and it has cast grave influence on the hman beings. “Therefore, the humans have to strive to protect our earth. We are nothing in front of nature. We are not bigger than nature. We will survive only if we preserve nature,” he stated.
BIT principal, Dr S I Manzoor Pasha, welcomed, BEADS principal A R Ashok Mendonca, Dr Azuz Mustafa, Venkatesh Pai, Santosh D’Souza, BIT – ECE head of the department, Dr Abdulla Gubbi and others were present.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Mohan Kuthar, Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SP) / September 25th, 2021
“Joji”, which released on Amazon Prime Video, is inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth” and presents a “twisted version” of the plot.
Fahadh Faasil in ‘Joji’. (Photo | YouTube screengrab)
Mumbai :
Fahadh Faasil’s Malayalam feature film Joji has won the top honour at the Swedish International Film Festival, the actor announced on Thursday, September 23, 2021.
The 39-year-old actor shared the news on Facebook, revealing that the Dileesh Pothan-directed film won the best international feature film award at the film gala.
“Good News from Sweden ! JOJI won The Best International Feature Film Award @ the Swedish International Film Festival (SIFF) 2021,” he posted.
Joji, which released on Amazon Prime Video, is inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth and presents a “twisted version” of the plot filled with greed, ambition, murder and mystery, set in a plantation family in Kerala.
The crime drama revolves around Faasil’s character Joji, an engineering dropout living with his iron-fisted father and two brothers.
When his father falls ill, Joji looks forward to finally getting his share in the property but his dreams are dashed when his father starts recuperating, forcing him to take an extreme step.
At the time of the film’s release, Faasil told PTI that the movie is not expansive like the source material.
“The film’s narrative is not a direct adaptation of Macbeth. We were deeply inspired by it and we were trying to set something inspired by ‘Macbeth’ in today’s scenario.
“‘Joji’ is not as large as Macbeth…The drama happens within the family. I thought the emotions of Macbeth were more relative to the story,” Faasil had said.
Joji marked the third directorial collaboration between Pothan and Faasil.
The duo earlier worked on 2016 comedy-drama Maheshinte Prathikaaram and National Award-winning feature Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017).
Faasil will next be seen in Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa as well as Kamal Haasan-starrer Vikram, also featuring Vijay Sethupathi.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Malayalam / by PTI / September 23rd, 2021
Around 30 children from outside Kerala are now learning Malayalam at the centre that was initiated by Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) during the pandemic.
Arshi Salim
Kochi:
Arshi Salim, who hails from the Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, is now voluntarily teaching kids of migrant workers at a special training centre functioning under the Block Resource Centre, Kothamangalam. Around 30 children from outside Kerala are now learning Malayalam at the centre that was initiated by Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) during the pandemic.
As many as 41 such special training centres are functioning in the district and aim to educate schoolchildren who do not have access to online classes. Kids of migrant workers and those hailing from tribal areas are largely attending classes at the centres, said Usha Manatt, SSK district in charge.
Arshi, who reached Kerala when she was a Class IV student, learnt Malayalam at Government High School, Nellikuzhi. She bagged A+ in both her Malayalam papers in Class X.
“I wanted to learn and speak Malayalam like Malayalis. So, I approached my teachers in school and they helped me a lot. I could understand the difficulties of a non-Malayali student trying to get an education in Kerala, where the medium of instruction is largely Malayalam. So, I decided to be part of this centre,” Arshi said.
There are two centres functioning under BRC, Kothamangalam where the largest group of migrant children is getting training in the district to converse in Malayalam. Apart from students who come from UP, there are also students from Assam receiving special classes under Arshi. She is currently studying at a computer centre after finishing Class 12.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Express News Service / September 17th, 2021
