Tag Archives: Abdul Kareem

Popular calligraphy artist from Kerala aims to ‘build bridges between communities with his art’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Education, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kakkore Village (Malappuram District) KERALA / Doha, QATAR :

Abdul Kareem with his calligraphy art. | Picture by Lulu Ahsana

A graphic designer by profession, Abdul Kareem, who is popularly known as Kareemgrahy, left his job at an American company in Qatar last month to pursue his passion for calligraphy. 

Kerala:

When tea-seller Abdurahman from Kerala bought a calligraphic painting from a Sufi saint to his home one day in the early 1980s, he hadn’t imagined that his six-year-old son Abdul Kareem will make calligraphy his profession. The painting had Arabic verses written in the shape of a person offering the Islamic prayer. 

“That image was inscribed in my heart,” said Abdul Kareem, 44, a popular calligrapher from Kerala, popularly known as Kareemgraphy. Originally hailing from the Kakkove village in Malappuram district in Kerala, Kareem presently lives in Qatar with his wife and three children.

A graphic designer by profession, Kareem left his job at an American company in Qatar last month to pursue his passion for calligraphy.

Love for calligraphy art was imbibed in Kareem from his childhood. Recalling an incident during his Madrasa days, Kareem said when his teacher wrote some Arabic words on the board, he was moved and could see “the beauty in how the words were written and shaped.” 

In 1996, Kareem had to drop out of his course at the School of Arts in Kerala due to financial constraints. He was 18. This, however, didn’t deter him from pursuing his passion. He started work as a painter of hoardings and a few years later, he moved to Saudi Arabia to earn a living, where eventually he became a graphic designer. 

“The beautiful symmetrical patterns on the Roudha Shareef (where the Prophet (PBUH) is buried), and the calligraphy on the pillars and walls there influenced me a lot,” said Kareem about the city of Madina, one of the holiest cities of Islam. 

Kareem said he wanted to devote all his focus to calligraphy and left his job to pursue it. 

“Calligraphy has been my passion for more than 20 years, but I took to serious learning and experimentation only five years ago and left my job to pursue this dream,” he said. 

Kareem credits his teachers for instilling a passion for knowledge in him and his success. “All those who give ilm (knowledge) in my journey are my ustaads (teachers),” he said. 

Calligraphy art has different forms and styles. Kareem follows the contemporary style.

“Art and rule are combined in traditional calligraphy. But in contemporary art, it is freedom. I do calligraphy on things and ideas that people in my locality can relate to. As an artist, I am trying to blend different styles, without conforming to any specific script or style,” he said. 

Abdul Kareem’s portrayal of a student during the Hijab row in Karnataka | Picture: Abdul Kareem Facebook

As his fame grew in the last five years, Kareem started conducting calligraphy workshops in India, UAE, Qatar, and Turkey. On August 10 this year, he attended the All India Calligraphy Akshar Mahotsav organised by the Calligraphy Foundation of India in New Delhi. He has also won a few awards for his work, including the Youth Icon Award-Doha (2017) and the Youth Signature Award (2021). 

Last year, Kareem founded a centre for calligraphy in Kozhikode called the KagrArt. Its logo was launched online by famous French-Tunisian calligraffiti artist ElSeed. “I want to popularise this art. It is more important than being famous. There should be a physical space for artists to meet and interact,” he said.  

KagrArt was founded by Abdul Kareem last year as a centre for calligraphy art. | Picture by Lulu Ahsana

In addition to his calligraphy works, KagrArt displays art pieces like lanterns, carpets, calligraphy and images from different countries.  

In one of the programmes held at KagrArt last month, Kareem talked about his visit to Uzbekistan and his love for travelling. 

“Instead of calling it a trip to Turkey or Uzbekistan, we can call it going to different people, and seeing things that they built and wrote in the past,” he said. 

Kareem’s dream is to build a bridge through his art between different religions, peoples and countries, between traditional and contemporary calligraphies, between Arabic and Malayalam calligraphies, and between old and new generations.  

“I want to work on a serious theme in future which would fill the minds of people with hope, and which would give the message that no one should run away from anywhere and that people can be where they are,” he added. 

Kareem’s wife Fasija said that “calligraphy is more than just a passion for him.” She credits his “hard work and dedication for the success he has achieved.”

Najiya O is an independent journalist from Kerala. She tweets at  @najiyao

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Lead Story / by Najiya O, TwoCirlces.net / August 18th, 2022

Kerala man propels ‘rocket’ solution to cooking woes

Business & Economy, Green Products, Science & Technology, ,

Putting an end to his expatriate life 27 years ago, Abdul Kareem, a native of Thrikkakara, had only one quest in life — to provide services for a seamless living.

Thrikkakara, (Ernakulam District) KERALA :

Abdul Kareem’s rocket stove was on sale at many locations in the city | A Sanesh

Kochi :

 ‘Rocket stove,’ a new cooking facility which does not require LPG or electricity, is becoming  the new trend among families in the city. It uses firewood, coconut shells and waste paper as fuel, while reducing the emanation of smoke up to 80 per cent compared to traditional kitchen stoves. The stove provides a water heating facility and doubles up as an oven.

Putting an end to his expatriate life 27 years ago, Abdul Kareem, a native of Thrikkakara, had only one quest in life — to provide services for a seamless living. Using his earlier experience in manufacturing low-cost motor pumps, Kareem came up with ‘rocket stove’, which provides a sustainable twist to traditional cooking methods. 

“With four decades of experience in making furnaces, boilers, kitchens and other industrial materials, Rocket stove was developed out of my curiosity. Thanks to Covid-induced lockdown, I managed to finalise the design around six months ago and started the production,” said Kareem.

Rocket stove is based on the concept developed by the British in the 1850s. “Though it is an old idea, we transformed it to suit the requirements of Keralites,” he said. “Apart from traditional firewood, people can also use waste paper and other combustible dry waste in the stove.

All types of vessels including terracotta pots can be used on it. Compared to traditional units, a rocket stove will release only 10 to 20 per cent of smoke during its operation. It can be easily used in the balconies of flats without creating any disturbances to the neighbours,” he said.

The stove is currently available in five models. “The high-end model costs around Rs 14,000 and has a pipe to expel the smoke outside. This will be ideal for flats and apartments. A normal model with a basic stove will cost Rs 4,500. Remaining two models have options like grilling, oven, water heating etc. The oven model will provide heat up to 280°C,” said the 57-year old.

However, Kareem could not market the product properly due to the pandemic. “We are hoping that word of mouth will give us the much-needed traction. We are currently delivering orders received over the phone. Due to Covid restrictions, we had to stop selling them on the street as well,” he said.

The product was launched after various rounds of testing. “We have run many quality tests to ensure efficiency in the last six months. Besides, we have ensured that the product meets all safety standards. Depending on the demand for the product, we will move to large scale production soon,” he said.“In the case of a natural disaster or calamity and if electricity and LPG supply shuts down, the rocket stove will be a good alternative,” said Kareem.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Kiran Narayanan / Express News Service / December 29th, 2020

Next week, Haroon will key in ‘history’ at SSLC exams

Amazing Feats, Education, Science & Technology, , , , ,

KERALA :

Haroon, son of Abdul Kareem T K and Sabeera, started using assistive technology when he joined the Mankada GHSS in 2017, in eighth standard.

HaroonMPOs05mar2020

Malappuram :

His dream is to become a software engineer and he wants to do his graduation at the Stanford University in the US. Visually challenged, KT Haroon Kareem, the Class X student from the Government Higher Secondary School, Mankada, knew he had to think out of the box to realise it.

Knowing that the state government’s traditional methods are not going to help him, the 15-year-old decided to rely on technology. Not a fan of the scribe system (seeking the help of a person to write answers), he decided to use computers. He will thus become the first student from the state to use assistive technology (computer) to write the SSLC examinations, starting on March 10.

Haroon, son of Abdul Kareem T K and Sabeera, started using assistive technology when he joined the Mankada GHSS in 2017, in eighth standard.

“I had participated in a quiz contest on World Environment Day with the help of a scribe. Though I won, some students and even a teacher said I won because of the scribe. From that day, I started searching for a method to replace scribes,” said Haroon, a native of Melattur.

Haroon wanted to be like any other student in his class and he started using laptop to write notes, asking teachers to correct them on the laptop itself. He used screen-reader application which reads out everything displayed on the screen to help him type out.

However, the technology did not help him in two subjects — mathematics and science.“It was then that Thiruvananthapuram-based ‘Chakshumathi’, a non-profit organisation, introduced me to InSpy, a software which helped me take down maths and science notes. It can also be used to write exams in those two subjects.

That means I can write all subjects, take printouts of the answer sheets and give them for evaluation,” said Haroon. “With technology, visually challenged students will find it easy to learn, write and clear examinations. Teaching blind students will also be a lot easier.”

Haroon’s request to write the SSLC examination using technology was first rejected by the government. But he persisted and convinced authorities with the help of people like Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan. Now he can’t wait for the exams to begin.

Govt accepts boy’s request
Haroon’s request to write the SSLC examination using technology was first rejected by the government. But the 15-year-old persisted and convinced authorities.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Vishnuprasad K P / Express News Service / March 03rd, 2020

Kerala’s first Muslim woman panchayat president no more

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , , , ,

Nannammukku (Malappuram), KERALA :

Ayishakutty, 91, the first woman panchayat president from the Muslim community in Kerala, died here on Monday night.

Ayishakutty
Ayishakutty

Malappuram :

Ayishakutty, 91, the first woman panchayat president from the Muslim community in Kerala, died here on Monday night. A native of Nannammukku in Malappuram, Ayishakutty had been undergoing treatment for age-related illnesses and she breathed her last around 11pm.Also known as Ayishakutty Teacher, she became the president of Nannammukku panchayat in 1979. Ayishakutty has been an inspiration to many women as she courageously took up the path of politics and social service at a time when many women, especially from her community, were not allowed to go out of their houses.

Despite warnings not to go out and speak publicly citing gender and religious issues, Ayishakutty chose to get education and interact with people to learn the problems in society. She became the first woman to complete SSLC in Ponnani taluk.  A Congress leader, she is also the first woman panchayat president in Malappuram district. After completing the first term as panchayat president, she served as a member from 1984 to 1991. She became the president of Nannammukku panchayat again in 1995. Apart from being active in politics, she also worked as a teacher at AMLP School, Punnayurkulam, Thrissur.

She is survived by daughters Laila and Jameeela and son-in-law Hamsa. The burial was conducted at the Nannammukku Juma Masjid on Tuesday. Abdul Kareem, the present panchayat president of Nannammukku, said Ayishakutty was a powerful leader who had implemented several development projects in the panchayat. “She had introduced the project to provide land to the landless people in the panchayat. Also, she worked relentlessly to end the drinking water problem and other issues in the agricultural sector in the panchayat,” said Kareem.

She became the president of Nannammukku panchayat in 1979.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / February 26th, 2020

How one woman’s story changed the lives of Turtuk’s women forever

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

Turtuk (Leh District ), JAMMU & KASHMIR  :

Rahima Begum | Photo Credit: Kartiki Selena Gonsalves
Rahima Begum | Photo Credit: Kartiki Selena Gonsalves

She was the first girl of this border village to finish school when other girls did not even get schooling; and she became the first woman to get a government job here

Rahima Begum was a young bride and new mother when she awoke one morning in December 1971 to find her dreams shattered and her new family divided. India had captured her village of Turtuk and three neighbouring villages of Chalunka, Thang and Tyakshi on the India-Pakistan border. Overnight, the LoC had shifted. For India it meant a tactical victory, and new vantage points for the forces. For the villagers, it meant separation, heartbreak and hardship.

Turtuk, with its lush fields and blue skies, is an oasis amid the stark, stony peaks of the Pamir and Hindukush mountains. The sprawling flowering buckwheat fields are dotted with the orange-canopied and entangled trunks of apricot trees. Water from the glacier gurgles along Turtuk’s cobbled paths, and in summer, laughter echoes across the fields as children splash about in a natural pool in the village centre.

This is where Rahima grew up in the 1960s. She was a bright, free-spirited child, full of dreams. Her parents had ambitions for their young daughter. Her great-grandfather was a famous Balti poet. Rahima attended the local school and, at 14, became the first girl to graduate from it.

A Balti woman harvesting apricots | Photo Credit: Kartiki Selena Gonsalves
A Balti woman harvesting apricots | Photo Credit: Kartiki Selena Gonsalves

She recalls how in summer the children jumped into the pond to bathe. They did so with their school uniforms on, so they got washed too. They would then stand under the sun, arms outstretched, and dry out.

As was the custom, as soon as Rahima finished Class VI, her family found her a husband. He happened to be her cousin, Sher Ali and was known as the most handsome man in the area, and in fact in all of Pakistan. Rahima considered herself fortunate. Ali worked in the Pakistan army and marriage promised travel and a steady income.

Daily chores

As a married woman, Rahima took on household and farm work. She woke early, prayed, and made breakfast of kisir (buckwheat pancake) and grangthur (curd with local herbs). She would then set out to work in the fields or orchards. On some days she returned by afternoon, on others she toiled till sunset. At home, there were donkeys and chickens to feed and other domestic chores. Then, in November 1971, Rahima’s daughter Aisha Sudiqa was born.

Traditional Balti attire and jewellery | Photo Credit: Kartiki Selena Gonsalves
Traditional Balti attire and jewellery | Photo Credit: Kartiki Selena Gonsalves

In December, when India captured the area, Chalunka’s residents gathered all the possessions they could and fled across the new border into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The three other villages decided to stay in India.

For some time, Rahima’s life remained unchanged; she was immersed in her baby daughter. But Sher Ali was not permitted to cross the border and come to India and Turtuk. Aisha was growing up; she began to accompany her mother to the apricot orchards and splash in the pond. But Rahima missed Sher Ali very much. She had not foreseen that she would be raising her daughter on her own. She waited hopefully for news of his return. Three years passed.

Then, in 1974, Rahima finally received a letter. It was from Sher Ali. Her hands trembled as she opened it. He wrote to say that he missed her very much, he asked about Aisha. He said he hoped to be reunited with them soon, and asked her to take care of herself and their daughter.

After reading the letter, Rahima became even more determined to live with him, even if it meant crossing the border into Pakistan. The very same day she packed some clothes and documents and set out with Aisha on the long journey to the Wagah border. Miles of barren, unforgiving terrain later, she gazed out of the tempo window to find men in khaki and green, and army trucks trundling by every few minutes. The vehicle slammed brakes, and she was ordered to get down with everyone else. She walked to the border control. She was afraid, but knew she had to be strong.

The officials inspected her documents, and checked records from a big book to make sure she had no history of attempted border-crossing. An officer then walked towards her, and said she could not cross. She pleaded with him, but it was of no use. Heartbroken, Rahima and Aisha returned to Turtuk. She wondered if she would ever see Sher Ali again.

Boys drying themselves after a swim. | Photo Credit: Kartiki Selena Gonsalves
Boys drying themselves after a swim. | Photo Credit: Kartiki Selena Gonsalves

Bolt from beyond

Two more years passed. Then, when Aisha was six, in 1976, Rahima received a letter. It said “As-salaam-alaikum. I hope you and Aisha are well. I am upset to bring to you the news that I don’t think we have hope of ever meeting again. I tried many times to cross the border and was rejected. I think it is time to say goodbye. I need to marry another woman. Khuda Hāfiz.” For Rahima, life went on.

Six years later, Sher Ali wrote again. It had now been 12 years since their village had been brought into India. This time, the letter asked for a divorce. Rahima’s eyes welled up with tears, her hands shook as she read the letter. “Take care of Aisha,” the letter said. “I wish you luck in life. Khuda Hāfiz.”

The divorce came through. In October 1983, Rahima’s and Sher Ali’s parents persuaded her to marry Sher Ali’s younger brother, Abdul Kareem. Aisha was delighted to have a father, and the next year, the couple had a baby girl they named Farida Khanum. Ten years went by. Rahima, now a mother of six, was determined to make something of her life. She decided she wanted to improve the lives of Turtuk’s residents. With her education, she was able to take up a government post in Turtuk as an Urdu teacher.

BaltiWomenMPOs04nov2018

Rahima sent all her children, boys and girls, to school, and encouraged others to educate their children too. She led by example: she was after all the first girl of her village to finish school when other girls did not even get schooling, and she also became the first village woman to get a government job.

School topper

Rahima’s daughter Aisha also excelled in school, and became the first girl to leave Turtuk village and enrol in high school in Hunder. She then went to Srinagar’s Maulana Azad National Urdu University for a B.Sc. degree, and then an MBBS as well.

Nobody from Turtuk had ever gone outside Ladakh to study before. Aisha was excited and proud. After her training, she returned to Turtuk, the first woman doctor in the village.

Aisha, like her mother before her, became a role model for Turtuk’s girls. She visited her neighbours, friends and relatives, and even the schools in Turtuk and neighbouring villages. She spoke to the young girls there, ignited in them dreams and hopes, spoke about careers, income, knowledge and education of women. Today, everyone in Turtuk wants their girls to be like Aisha, to go to school, to work, discover the world outside. It has been a major leap.

One evening during Ramzan, in 1995, Aisha returned home to break her fast, but feeling fatigued and disoriented, she went to bed, and passed away in the early hours of the morning. She had been suffering from anaemia and the strain of travel and fasting had proved too much.

Rahima mourned her first-born, and the village the loss of their strong, independent and educated daughter.

But Turtuk vowed to keep her memory alive by educating girls and improving their lives. Thanks to the mother and daughter, life in Turtuk has changed a lot. Now, all girls attend school. Many continue their education in Kashmir or Delhi in big universities.

To the average tourist, Turtuk may look like it’s stuck in a time-warp. But its residents know that their lives have changed dramatically. And that a big part of this revolution owes to two of Turtuk’s daughters, Rahima and Aisha.

The Mumbai-based writer is a Sony Artisan, photojournalist and cinematographer.

source:  http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Society / by Kartiki Gonsalves / November 03rd, 2018