Tag Archives: Princess Esra Jah

Princess Esra lends royal touch to book on Nizam

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Leaders, World Opinion, , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Deepthi Sashidharan and Usha Bala Krishnan releasing a book on Nizam’s jewellery at Chowmohalla Palace on Thursday. | Photo Credit: G_RAMAKRISHNA
Deepthi Sashidharan and Usha Bala Krishnan releasing a book on Nizam’s jewellery at Chowmohalla Palace on Thursday. | Photo Credit: G_RAMAKRISHNA

Treasures of the Deccan – Jewels of the Nizam released

Princess Esra lent a royal touch to the release of the Treasures of the Deccan – Jewels of the Nizam in Hyderabad’s Chowmahalla Palace on Thursday evening. “I can imagine Alexander Jacob walk into this very same Chowmahalla Palace holding in his hand the 184.5 carat diamond and climb the stairs to meet the Sixth Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan,” said Usha Bala Krishnan, who has co-authored the two-volume work with Deepthi Sashidharan.

The book documents the fabulous collection of the Nizam’s Jewellery, some of which is currently locked up in vaults of banks, while other pieces are in private collections.

The authors made a short presentation about how the book has evolved.

“Earlier, I worked on the Jewels of the Nizam which was more in the nature of a catalogue.

Launching this book in Hyderabad is special, as the jewellery has a special, almost metaphysical, connection to this place,” said Ms. Krishnan who is a well-known historian of jewellery and was commissioned by the Central Government before the jewels of Nizam were put on display in Hyderabad’s Salar Jung Museum in 2001.

“Matching some of the black-and-white photographs with the jewellery that the royalty was wearing at that time was an a-ha moment.

We discovered the jewels in private collection as well as what is known as Nizam’s Jewellery,” said Deepthi Sasidharan who trawled through a vast collection photographs to bring alive the story of Nizam’s jewellery.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 30th, 2018

Chowmahalla wins National Tourism Award

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

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

The majestic Chowmahalla Palace
The majestic Chowmahalla Palace

Hyderabad :

The city’s magnificent Chowmahalla Palace has added another feather to its cap, bagging the National Tourism Award for being the best maintained monument. The award was among other honours presented by the Government of India, on the occasion of World Tourism Day observed on September 27.Speaking about the recognition, G Kishan Rao, director of the palace said: “It is a matter of great pride. Earlier in 2012, Chowmahalla received the award of merit from UNESCO.”

Pointing out how the palace is among the most sought-after tourist destinations in the city, Rao said the heritage structure is equipped with all the necessary facilities for visitors, including those who are differently-abled.

On an average 800 to 1,000 tourists visit the 250-year-old Chowmahalla Palace in Khilwat every day . Its construction, ordered during the reign of the third Nizam, was completed during the time of his successor. Since, it was used primarily to hold official functions. Over time, the ex panse of the heritage property, once spread over 45 acres complete with 16 palaces, shrunk to a meagre 12 acres. Yet, the impressive collection of artefacts, including crockery, garments, cars and rare photographs from the Nizam’s era – housed within, are in impeccable condition.

“After the death of seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, the palace was in a deplorable state. It was in 2001 when Princess Esra (first wife of Mukarram Jah) took it upon herself to restore it that things changed for the better. In 2006, we opened the place up for public. Today , the palace is also a central place for mega cultural events in the city,” said Rao, sharing how the paraphernalia on display also comprise items brought in from the King Kothi Palace, where they were in the cellar.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Hyderabad News / TNN / September 29th, 2017

Holy revival

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion, , , , ,
Azam Jah , Shehkar Jah, Princess Esra Jah and Azmet Jah ./ PHOTO: P.V.SIVAKUMAR
Azam Jah , Shehkar Jah, Princess Esra Jah and Azmet Jah ./ PHOTO: P.V.SIVAKUMAR

36 restored Nizam-era Qurans complete with precious gold and gem stone ink are on display at Chowmahalla

Today Chowmahalla palace will be teeming with visitors and lovers of history to see the unveiling of numerous Qurans some of which date back to early 1400 A.D. Princess Esra, of the erstwhile royal family, who has been an important part of the revival and restoration of the Qurans says, “It was a Herculean task but worth the sweat and effort. These valuable Qurans couldn’t have been let to rot in the state they were found. Once we discovered the collection we took notice of the work it needed and set out with a serious pace,” she revealed .

A conservator restores an antique copy of the Quran at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad / AFP
A conservator restores an antique copy of the Quran at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad / AFP

Esra adds, “It’s only for the sake of culture and heritage. When I came here as a bride I was shown night pictures of the lanes and areas and I was in awe of the silenceand solitude . My mother used to tell me ‘you will know once you get there,’ and after I came to Hyderabad I realised what it meant to be a part of the royal family,” she smiled. In awe of the grandeur and the luxury as well as the love that people had for the royal family, she felt humbled. “When I returned after years to see the dilapidated state of the things I had touched and felt, including the Qurans, I was grief-stricken; I couldn’t let them rot away. I am sure even the Nizams themselves didn’t know how many of the precious holy book of scriptures they owned. When the final discovery was made, the total number of the Qurans, of all sizes, stood at 36. There are some very tiny ones as well,” she says.

Conservators working on the antique cloth quran / AFP
Conservators working on the antique cloth quran / AFP

Esra also speaks with pride of another cloth Quran that was found; the entire Quranwritten on cloth. The cloth’s dimensions stood at 9.5 feet x 5 feet. The Qurans are of immense value not only because of their heritage but also the quality of ink used in them. “Besides gold and silver ink, inks made from powdered gems and semi precious stones were also used. In some Qurans mother-of -pearl has also been used as ink,” informs G. Kishan Rao, director of Chowmahalla Palace.

Indian paper conservators restore antique copies of the Quran at Chowmahalla Palace / AFP
Indian paper conservators restore antique copies of the Quran at Chowmahalla Palace / AFP
A conservator restores an antique copy of the Quran at Chowmahalla Palace / AFP
A conservator restores an antique copy of the Quran at Chowmahalla Palace / AFP
Restoration work of the Quran at Chowmahalla Palace / AFP
Restoration work of the Quran at Chowmahalla Palace / AFP

Since no royal item is permitted to go outside the Palace, specialists from The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) have been approached. “They worked continuously for two years to revive the precious books, with Esra’s continual monitoring. The restored Qurans will be displayed in the room opposite the Council Hall in the palace,” informs Kishan Rao.

The Qurans will be unveiled by Esra and Muffakham Jah’s son at Chowmahalla Palace today.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Events / by Prabalika M. Borah / Hyderabad – February 06th, 2014