Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Dargah of Bahadur Shah Zafar in Yangon — where the last Mughal Emperor rests

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Yangon (Rangoon), MYANMAR (formerly BURMA):

Close to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, this dargah is the last tribute to the Mughal ruler and poet.

The main hall at the Dargah of Bahadur Shah Zafar
Photos: Subhadip Mukherjee

Myanmar (Burma) has some uncanny ties with India when it comes to the freedom struggle. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was imprisoned in Mandalay and the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, who was also imprisoned, later died in Yangon (Rangoon).

If one visits Yangon, then one must visit the Dargah of Bahadur Shah Zafar. It is an irony of sorts when one thinks of the last Mughal emperor not being able to spend the last days of his life in a country where his ancestors once ruled. For the British, Bahadur Shah Zafar was more like a threat; they were constantly worried that he could be used as a proxy leader for another attempt at a revolt in India. 

The Dargah of Bahadur Shah Zafar in Yangon

After being arrested from Humayun’s Tomb during the Sepoy Mutiny on September 19, 1857, he was spared the death sentence and negotiated a life in exile instead. They thought it was better to have him sent to exile in Myanmar, and considering his health, they were almost certain that he would never set foot in India again. Bahadur Shah Zafar left Delhi along with his wife, two sons, and some close support staff on October 7, 1858.

More than a rebellious ruler, Bahadur Shah was more into poetry and that’s exactly how he spent the sunset years of his life in Myanmar. The British were paranoid and even prevented him from getting supplies of pen and paper fearing that he would pass messages to his supporters back in India. 

Life in Yangon

Room next to the main hall, housing the tombs

He lived in a small wooden house that was located very near Shwedagon Pagoda. If you are visiting Yangon, then you’ll find Shwedagon Pagoda as one of the major landmarks in the city. His life was miserable out here with a very limited supply of food and without any pen and paper. So, as a last-ditch attempt, he started using charcoal and scribbled poetry on the wall of his home. 

His life came to an end at the age of 87 on November 7, 1862. By then, he was completely bedridden and unable to eat or drink. A very unfortunate end to the last Mughal emperor of India.

Memorial plaques inside the dargah

Even after his death, the British were paranoid and hurriedly buried him without giving him the last respect that he deserved as the last emperor. Just a small plaque was placed on top of the grave and the rest was kept as simple as possible. This was purposely done to prevent his followers from making this place into a pilgrimage spot.

Four years later, his wife also passed away in Yangon and was buried right next to him.

The Lost Grave

The Lost Grave

With time, people simply forgot about this grave just exactly as the British wanted. To make matters more complicated no official records were kept as to the exact place where he was buried. 

The discovery of the grave happened by chance in the year 1991 during an expansion work of a prayer hall that was being carried out by labourers. Two graves were found with small inscriptions on top of them. While one had the name Bahadur Shah Zafar, the one next to it was that of his wife Zinat Mahal. 

Further excavation was carried out on the two graves and upon opening up the grave of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the skeletal remains were found wrapped in a silk shroud.

Interiors of Bahadur Shah Zafar Memorial Hall at the dargah

After this discovery and realising the importance of the grave, it was decided to restore and renovate the graves and the surrounding area. With support from the local community, the local government, and further support from the Government of India, a permanent structure was constructed over these two graves. A dargah was constructed at this very spot making it fit for the last Mughal emperor.

Dargah of Bahadur Shah Zafar

Original grave of Bahadur Shah Zafar at the basement

The dargah has two levels, the top level has a large prayer hall and a room with three decorated tombs. These tombs are that of Bahadur Shah Zafar, Zinat Mahal, and his granddaughter Raunaq Zamani. The surrounding walls in this room have only three known photographs of the emperor and poetry written by him lamenting his life in exile.

Kitnaa hai badnaseeb ‘Zafar’ dafn ke liye do gaz zamin bhi na mili kuu-e-yaar mein

Bahadur Shah Zafar

There is however another secret to this place. There is a room located in the basement of the dargah. This is the room where the original grave of Bahadur Shah Zafar was located when it was discovered. The grave now has been converted into a decorated tomb. This is the very place where the last Mughal emperor was buried and was thought would be forgotten.  But as luck would have it, it is now somewhat fit for an emperor. It’s sad that Bahadur Shah Zafar could never return to the country he once ruled. He remained in exile even after he died in Myanmar.

The Kolkata Connection

A representative from the Dargah reading poetry written by Bahadur Shah Zafar

Bahadur Shah Zafar along with his wife Zinat Mahal were also accompanied by their two sons Jawan Bakht and Jamshed Bakht. His sons never left Burma and settled there and ultimately died there only. Jamshed Bakht had two sons. One of his sons, Mirza Bedar Bakht, came back to India and settled in Kolkata. He married Sultana Begum with whom he had five daughters. Mirza Bedar Bakht had a very quiet life living in a slum and earning by sharpening knives and scissors. He died in the year 1980 in this very city and was buried here in Kolkata. 

Working for more than a decade in the book retail and publishing industry, Subhadip Mukherjee is an IT professional who is into blogging for over 15 years. He is also a globetrotter, heritage lover and a photography enthusiast.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> My Kolkata> Historical Landmark / by Subhadip Mukherjee / April 03rd, 2023

Indian cricket icon Salim Durani dies at 88

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Jamnagar, GUJARAT:

The Kabul-born packed a punch with his bat and was also a handy left-arm orthodox bowler and was instrumental in India defeating England 2-0 in the historic five-match Test series in 1961-62

Salim Durani
Twitter/@RaviShastriOfc

Salim Durani, the debonair India cricketer of the 1960s with a movie-star looks, a puckish sense of humour, and a penchant for hitting monstrous sixes on demand, died on Sunday.

He was 88.

His death was confirmed by sources close to the family.

He had been living with his younger brother, Jahangir Durani, in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Salim Durani
Twitter/ @ThakurArunS

Durani had undergone a proximal femoral nail surgery after he broke his thigh bone in a fall in January this year.

The Kabul-born Durani, who packed a punch with his bat and was also a handy left-arm orthodox bowler, played 29 Tests and was instrumental in India defeating England 2-0 in the historic five-match Test series in 1961-62, picking up eight and 10 wickets in the team’s victories at Calcutta and Madras respectively.

Durani, known for his fine dressing style and swagger, scored just one century though he had seven fifties in the 50 innings he played for the country, scoring 1,202 runs.

A decade after the epic triumph against England, he played a key role in helping India to victory against the West Indies in Port of Spain, dismissing both Clive Lloyd and Sir Garfield Sobers.

The star cricketer also dabbled in Bollywood, starring opposite renowned actor Praveen Babi in the movie Charitra in 1973.

Durani made his Test debut against Australia at in the beginning of 1960 at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium, and played his last international match — then only restricted to the traditional, five-day format — against England in February 1973. The venue was again the place where he had started his international career.

The stylish cricketer aggregated 8,545 runs at 33.37 in first-class cricket and hit 14 hundreds.

A joy to watch when in full flow, Durani had the ability to demolish any bowling attack on his day, though it was as a bowler he had first made his mark for the Indian team.

India’s first Arjuna Award winner in cricket, Durani was a tall man and could get the ball to lift and turn on any surface with a bit of help.

A fascinating character, the cricketer shared a special relation with the crowd, who once expressed their ire after he was dropped from the team for a match in Kanpur, and carried banners and placards that read ‘No Durani, no test!’.

In domestic circuit, Durani represented Gujarat, Rajasthan and Saurashtra during a career that spanned two decades and a half. 

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph, Online / Home> Sports> Cricket / by PTI / April 02nd, 2023

Debonair Salim Durani Passes Away At 88; India’s First Arjuna Award Winning Cricketer Who Dabbled In Bollywood

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Jamnagar, GUJARAT:

Describing him as an institution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mourned the death of cricketing legend Salim Durani, who passed away at his house in Jamnagar, Gujarat, at the age of 88.

“Salim Durani Ji was a cricketing legend, an institution in himself. He made a key contribution to India’s rise in the world of cricket. On and off the field, he was known for his style. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace,” the PM tweeted.

“Salim Durani Ji had a very old and strong association with Gujarat. He played for Saurashtra and Gujarat for a few years. He also made Gujarat his home. I have had the opportunity to interact with him and was deeply impressed by his multifaceted persona. He will surely be missed,” he added.

Paying his last respects to the legend, Former cricketer VVS Laxman wrote: “India’s first Arjuna Award winning cricketer and a man who hit sixes on public demand, Salim Durani.” Former India all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri described him as one of the most colorful cricketers of India.

The Kabul-born cricketer was renowned for his slow left-arm orthodox and hitting skill as a batter.

Durani would be remembered for his outstanding performance in the series victory against England in 1961-62, when he picked up eight and 10 wickets in Kolkata and Chennai. He also played a key role in India’s victory against the West Indies in Port of Spain where he dismissed both Clive Lloyd and Sir Garfield Sobers. He had 75 wickets in total in his kitty. He scored just one century though he had seven fifties in the 29 tests he played, scoring 1,202 runs.

Known for his swag and fine dressing sense, the star cricketer also tried his luck in Bollywood, starring opposite Praveen Babi in 1973 film, Charitra.

source: http://www.odishabytes.com / Odisha Bytes / Home> Featured / by OB Bureau / April 02nd, 2023

Ajmer Dargah’s role in Indian Freedom Struggle

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Ajmer, RAJASTHAN:

Dargah of Khawaja Moinudin Chisty during the annual Urs

“The Dargah (Ajmer Sharif) is undoubtedly a danger-center….the sedition is more or less confined to the Dargah and that it is very difficult to get evidence of what goes on there.” The Above excerpt is from a secret report submitted to the British Government by Intelligence officials in 1922.

A common man may not think that the Dargahs, shrines, and Sufi centers were at the forefront of the Indian Freedom Struggle. For reasons unknown, most people believe that Ajmer Dargah played no, or little, role in the struggle. The fact is that it acted as a center of nationalist activities so much so that the British Government snooped over the activities in Dargah.

The official committee which was formed after Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in its findings pointed out that the Indians were planning a popular uprising against the British. The plan was discussed by nationalists at the Urs under the leadership of Maulana Abdul Bari Firangimahli. 

The spies regularly updated the government on the nationalist activities in the Dragah. In 1920 they reported that more than 5,000 people attended a meeting at Idgah which was addressed by Lala Chand Karan who asked people to fight the British because they promote cow slaughter, massacred people in Punjab, and cause disunity between Muslims and Hindus. The same report notes that the Pesh Imam of the Ajmer Dargah prayed for the defeat of the British after which Maulvi Moinuddin asked people to renounce the titles bestowed upon them by foreign rulers.

Another report from 1921 notes that anti-British speeches were being delivered at the Dargah during Friday prayers.

In 1922, intelligence officers again reported that Urs at the Dargah would be an occasion where the nationalists would be meeting to discuss nationalist ideas.

An intelligence report from 1922 contains the most explosive information. The report claimed that Muslims and Hindus in Rajputana had taken an oath of allegiance with Maulvi Moinuddin of Ajmer. Under his instructions, they were preparing for a war against the British.

An armed militant organisation Jamiat ul-Thaba was founded and arms had been procured from different places in the country. Jamiat ul-Thaba passed a resolution and declared that the British were enemies of religion, nation, and country and that revenge would be taken from them.

75 years have passed since Independence and most of us are unaware of the role of Ajmer Dargah in winning this independence. 

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Saquib Salim / April 02nd, 2023

Meet Akbar Allahabadi: Lisan-ul-Asr Who Used Wit, Sarcasm To Dissect Society

Arts, Culture & Entertainment,

Allahabad, UTTAR PRADESH:

‘Akbar Allahabadi’ does not enjoy the place he deserves in the pantheon of Urdu poets.

His verse still figures in familiar poetry: “Ham aah bhi karte hain to ho jate hain badnaam..”, can be found embellishing a popular qawwali like “Jhoom barabar jhoom sharabi“, and is an optimum example of devastating use of wit and satire to deliver a social message in an era of “clash of civilisations”.

Yet, ‘Akbar Allahabadi’ does not enjoy the place he deserves in the pantheon of Urdu poets.

Called “Lisan-ul-Asr” (‘Voice of the Time’) in his heyday, he is not entirely unknown due to ghazals like “Duniya mein hoon, duniya ka talabgar nahi hoon…”, as rendered by the immortal K.L. Saigal, and “Hangama kyun barpa, thodi si jo pi li hain..”, performed by Ghulam Ali, with that line reflecting Descartes’ ‘cogito ergo sum’ (“… har saans ye kahti hai ham hai to Khuda bhi hai“), as well as many more couplets on a range of issues and themes.

Take “Falsafi ko bahs ke andar Khuda milta nahi/Dor ko suljha raha hai aur sira milta nahi“, or the rather sarcastic “Chorh ‘literature’ ko apni, ‘history’ ko bhool ja/Sheikh-o-masjid se ta’alluq tark kar ‘school’ ja/Char din ki zindagi hai koft se kya fayda/Kha ‘double-roti’, ‘clerki’ kar, khushi se phul ja”, or this “compliment” on lawyers: “Paida hua vakil to Shaitan ne kaha/Lo aaj ham bhi sahib-e-aulaad ho gaye“.

These can also serve to showcase the bundle of contradictions that Syed Akbar Hussain Rizvi ‘Akbar Allahabadi’ (1846-1921), a government servant, lawyer, and judge (rising to a district judge and in line in elevation to the high court before he resigned in 1903 on the grounds of ill-health) was in his life, thought, and poetry.

An early beneficiary of Western education himself (in the mid-1850s) and sending his son abroad to study, he deplored Indians flocking to it as a sign of their modernism, questioned and attacked colonial rule and its impact though he was part of its structure for most of his life and did admire the British, mocked lawyers though being one himself before rising to a high post in the judiciary, was deeply religious but made it one of the targets for his satire, and vouched for traditional culture but struck a new trend by using English words in Urdu poetry.

And then, he was a staunch supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, even writing the ‘Gandhi Nama’ in his support and while deeply religious, was never a fanatic and opposed all attempts to drive a wedge between Hindus and Muslims.

In an article on the poet, author and literary critic Shamsur Rehman Farooqui opines that it is possible that ‘Akbar’ was conscious of the contradiction, and “perhaps this sense of duality” made his “denunciatory voice so much more vehement, his disavowal of Western and British mores and systems so much more passionate.

Certainly, he knew that no one could really swim against the current, but the tragedy according to him was that those who swam with the current too were drowned”.

The general tenor has been to represent ‘Akbar’ as a reactionary holdout against progress and moderrnism, conservative in social mores and customs, especially on the issues of ‘parda’ and female education (“Be parda kal jo aai nazar chand bibiyan/’Akbar’ zameen mein ghairat-e-qaumi se gadh gaya/Pucha jo main ne aap ka parda voh kya huya/Kehne lage ki aql pe mardon ke padh gaya”) and then terming his unique style — satire, verging on sarcasm — as a “non-serious” and “dated” poetry.

But, this is rather unjustified. ‘Akbar’ was no reactionary but rather conscious of how the slavish and blind imitation of Western mores, habits, and education was going to sit only superficially on most Indians — with current times proving his case. He was not opposed to progress — but plumped for a more independent and reasoned adoption of attitudes and world-view of the modern, enlightened world, represented by the British.

And then, ‘Akbar’ plumped for Indians not to hanker for jobs in the colonial structure but instead, go in for business and trade so the country could rise. As he wrote: “Europe mein go hai jang ki quwwat badhi huyi/Lekin fuzun hai is se tijarat badhi huyi/Mumkin nahi laga sake do tope har jagah/Dekho magar ‘Pears’ ka hai ‘soap’ har jagah.

Let’s see more of his poetry, where he displays himself as a master wordsmith, be it being playfully romantic: “Jo kaha maine ki pyar aata hai mujh to tum par/Hans ke kehne laga aur aap ko aata kya hai”, mock heroic: “‘Akbar’ dabe nahi kisi Sultan ke fauj se/Lekin shaheed ho gaye biwi ke nauj se”, or trenchantly satirical: “Qadardano ki tabiyat ka ajab rang hain aaj/Bulbolon koi huyi hasrat ki woh ullu na huye”.

Then, take the master ‘deconstructions’ of the tropes of separation or union from the beloved: “Vasl ho ya firaq ho ‘Akbar’/Jagna raat bhar musibat hai”, or “Aai hogi kisi ko hijr mein maut/Mujh ko to neend bhi nahi aati”.

There is the tongue-in-cheek look at relationships: “Ta’alluq ashiq-o-mashuq ka to lutf rakhta hai/Mazze ab woh kahan baaqi rahe biwi-miyam ho kar”, and on ‘modern’ life: “Mai bhi hotel mein piyo chanda bhi do masjid mein/Sheikh bhi khush rahe Shaitan bhi bezar na ho”.

Like lawyers, he complimented the modern medical profession too:

“Inko kya kaam hai muravvat se apni rukh se yeh munh na morhenge/Jaan shyad farishte chorh bhi den doctor fees ko na chorhenge”.

There was a brilliant evocation of the slowness of British moves to home rule: “Reform ka shor hai, magar asar uska hain gayab/Plateon ka sadaa sunta hoon, magar khaana nahi aata”, or of electoral politics:

“Rahman ke farishte go hai bahut muqaddas/Shaitan ki jaanib lekin majority hai”.

And then, there is advice:

“Jab gham huya charha li do bottalen ikatthi/Mullah ki daurh masjid ‘Akbar’ ki daurh bhatti” and homage to his hometown: “Kuch Allahabad mein samaan nahi bahbud ke/Yaan dhara kya hai baa-juz ‘Akbar’ ke aur amrud ke”.

‘Akbar’ can be accused of many things, but never of being boring!

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Life & Style / by Vikas Datta, IANS / April 01st, 2023

Fazil Hussain Parvez becomes the first Urdu journalist to receive Press Council of India’s Award for Excellence in Journalism

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Hyderabad, TELANGANA:

Fazil Hussain Parvez receiving Press Council of India (PCI) award of Excellence in Journalism from Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

New Delhi:  

Noted journalist and editor of Urdu weekly “Gawah” from Hyderabad, Dr. Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez became the first Urdu journalist to win the prestigious National Award for Excellence in Journalism from the Press Council of India. He was honoured with the award at a ceremony held in the Constitution Club on February 26.

After receiving the award, he said he was humbled by this award and its reward for his hard work. Urdu journalism in India has a brighter future, but it depends on the sincerity and work of Urdu journalists, he added.

Dr. Parvez is a well-known journalist from Hyderabad, Telangana, who has achieved recognition internationally. He is the Chief Editor, Publisher, and Proprietor of “GAWAH Urdu Weekly,” the oldest and most prestigious Urdu News Tabloid in South India, as well as the Managing Partner of “Media Plus,” a renowned communications and public relations firm with a global clientele based in Hyderabad, India. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in journalism, and a Telangana University research scholar is currently working on a Ph.D. on his contributions to Urdu journalism and media.

On receiving the award, he was felicitated at Institute of Objective Studies here on March 2 and a discussion on the future of Urdu journalism was also held.  Lauding his contributions to Urdu journalism, speakers hoped that the young Urdu journalists would emulate Dr Parvez in their profession. Veteran journalist Anjum Naeem said that Dr. Parvez was the first Urdu journalist who was honoured with the award.

President of the Urdu Media Association, Dr. Muzaffar Husain Ghazali, said that Dr. Pavez re-produced the writings of unknown journalists and introduced them through his newspaper. That was the reason why he was chosen for the PCI’s national award for excellence in journalism. He was the first Urdu journalist to receive the prestigious award.

Ahmed Javed, a senior journalist, noted that Dr. Parvez was one of the journalists who rose from the ranks to the top. The aforementioned award, according to him, was established in 2015 to honor Rajaram Mohan Roy, a notable social reformer. Nobody could survive without effort, so struggle was the natural order of things. He pointed out that the media was a business venture that needed significant upfront investment and a healthy market. It is important to conduct a case study on Syed Fazil Husain. There were many obstacles in today’s world, but there were always people like Fazil Husain to meet them.

Senior journalist Suhail Anjum, Shafi Ayub, DrAzeem Akhtar, Abrar Rahmani and others also spoke on the occasion.

In his address, Dr. Parvez said that if the future of Urdu journalism was not very bright, he noted, it was also not completely hopeless. Every party needed the media to connect with voters. He requested the Urdu journalists to inform the owners of the newspapers that they did not control their destiny. He offered a suggestion for a corpus to help journalists as his final point.

In the light of the experiences of his practical life, he could safely conclude that the opportunities in Urdu and its journalism had also increased. Urdu newspapers published from Hyderabad were a link between non-resident Indians and the country and its society. NRI boys were seeking the help of Urdu newspapers for matrimonial alliance with Indian girls. NRIs subscribed to Urdu newspapers in their homes as a good omen and accessed them on websites. He opined out that a journalist has to grapple with odd situations. If it were not true then the owners of the widely circulated Hindi daily, Jagran would not have purchased the leading Urdu newspaper, the Roznama Inquilab. Referring to the artificial intelligence, he said that one could easily access a 500-page article from the website within no time. Every institution needed a spokesperson to reach out to the people, he said.

He said that journalism is being taught in madrasas in Hyderabad. The madrasa managed by Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, general secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, was performing admirably in this regard.

Dr Parvez interviewed five Prime Ministers of India including Rajiv Gandhi, V.P.Singh, H.D.Deve Gowda, Inder Kumar Gujral and Dr Manmohan Singh and President of India  APJ Abdul Kalam. He also interviewed prominent personalities including many sportsmen, and diplomats and visited several countries including USA and UK.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim> Media> Positive Story / by Abuazeem / March 02nd, 2023

Repository Of Historic Islamic Manuscripts And Rare Artefacts Cries For Attention At Rajasthan’s Arabic-Persian Research Institute

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Royal Families, PreIndependence -Descendants (wef. Jan 02nd,2022), World Opinion, ,

Tonk, RAJASTHAN:

Jaipur:

A repository of historic Islamic manuscripts, documents, books and rare artefacts is crying for attention at the Rajasthan Government’s Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Arabic & Persian Research Institute (APRI) in Tonk. A significant project for the conservation and digitisation of manuscripts has come to a standstill following a change of guard at the institute.

Tonk, situated 103 km south of Jaipur, was the only Muslim princely state in the erstwhile Rajputana before Independence. It was considered a major centre of art and culture, as the Nawabs patronised the scholars and invited them to inhabit the town. As a result, many poets, artists and historians came to live in Tonk and made it a hub of intellectuals and professionals. In addition, the Islamic religious preachers established a culture of Quranic sermons and teachings in the town.

The APRI, established as an independent Directorate of the Rajasthan Government in 1978, boasts of a rare collection of historiography, orientology and Islamic studies and has over 8,000 hand-written volumes. Researchers from India and abroad have been visiting the institute to study manuscripts belonging to the medieval period. Besides, prominent people, such as the Vice-Presidents, Governors and Union Ministers, have visited the institute and seen its rich collection.

In the treasure trove of historical books, the main attractions include a 17th-century copy of the Holy Quran in bold Naksh calligraphy, autographed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Hamail Shareef (commentary on the Holy Quran) of 11th century and Unwan-ul-Sharaf of 19th century, comprising five subjects with a single running text. The APRI also has the world’s largest copy of the Holy Quran, prepared in Tonk in 2014.

Most of the rare books and manuscripts in the institute are those shifted from the Saeedia Library of the erstwhile Tonk princely state after 1961 when it was established as the district office of the Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute. The books were collected by Mohammed Ali Khan, the third Nawab of Tonk, who was deposed by the British and exiled to Varanasi.

The collection of books in the APRI may be ranked equal to those in the famous Raza Library in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur and Khuda Baksh Oriental Library in Patna. The copies of famous books of the Mughal era, Shahjahannama and Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, are also in its collection. In addition, the institute has about one lakh judgements of Tonk’s Adalat Sharah Shareef (canonical courts), which have been published in several volumes. Besides, there are documents related to Rajasthan’s political and cultural history with special reference to the Tonk state.

The project for the conservation and digitisation of these books and manuscripts was launched four years ago, but it slowed down during the covid pandemic. It picked up pace after the pandemic when the task was assigned to the Patna-based Heritage Consortium in view of the expertise required to deal with the fragility of papers and ink used in the books. A 20-member team was engaged in testing the material of books and their treatment with the appropriate chemical elements.

The local youths were also given a fortnight-long training to join the conservation work with the de-acidification of papers, consolidation of ink, flattening of folios and stitching and binding of books. As a result, the team working at the institute completed the preservation of 80,000 folios after a sluggish pace during the pandemic. In the tedious work, the experts could conserve only 10% of the APRI’s collection, but they also preserved the threads and glue used in the books for research in future.

The digitisation project in the institute adopted the meta data format prescribed by the National Mission for Manuscripts and the National Archives of India. The digitisation was carried out by the APRI staff with the state-of-the-art scanners, while the State Government-owned Rajcomp Info Services Limited was also involved in the exercise.

All of these activities have reached a standstill with the recent change of guards at the institute. Syed Sadiq Ali, the new Director of APRI, who took over on February 22, said the State Government’s Art & Culture Department had appointed a Curator to review the conservation and digitisation work and decide on its continuation. The move followed the appointment of a committee on the project in December 2022, when the Director’s post was vacant.

Even as the art and culture experts have expressed concern over the conservation project having been halted, the APRI is organising a series of events, seminars and festivals to promote the Khattati (calligraphy) art and Chaar Bayt (four stanzas) performances. Ali, a retired Associate Professor in Urdu Department at the Government Post-Graduate College, Tonk, has evinced interest in holding the events regularly.

A five-day calligraphy art festival, organised from March 15 to 19, witnessed the participation of a large number of experts and different days were devoted to Chaart Bayt, Mushaira, Ghazal rendition and Qawwali singing. Similarly, a three-day seminar on Insaniyat Ka Paigham (message of humanity) was organised between March 15 and 17 with the participation of 40 experts from across the country. These events elicited a huge response and witnessed the enthusiastic participation of students, researchers and the public.

Ali pointed out that the international researchers also regularly visited the institute since he took over as the Director. They included a research team from France and individual researchers on Islamic manuscripts from Jordan and Iran. Ali said the classes in Arabic and Persian languages, which were stopped earlier, would be restarted, an extension lecture series would be organised during the Rajasthan Mahotsav in March-end, and all the vacancies in the APRI would be filled up shortly.

Former Vice-President Mohammed hamid Ansari at APRI, Tonk

The institute also plans to establish a museum on its premises to display rare manuscripts and artefacts in different sections. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced the construction of a Publication and Museum Block in the APRI while replying to the debate on the Finance and Appropriation Bill in the State Assembly on March 17.

Former Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari during his visit to APRI, Tonk.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by India Tomorrow Correspondent / March 27th, 2023

Hafiz Karnatki plays important role in expanding repository of Children’s Literature

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

KARNATAKA:

Despite the unprecedented popularity of J.K. Rowling’s fantasy novel series, “Harry Potter’ and Jeffry Kinney’s Wimpy Kid series, it is widely believed that the book faces an existential crisis as the dazzling visual culture will soon make it archaic.

The readership of books on different themes in various genres has stagnated. However, contrary to this, young adult literature seems to be a thing of feathers as it judiciously juxtaposes the elemental art of storytelling with poetic sensibilities. If it is short stories or novels, one can find easy-to-understand text structures,   different focalizations and multiple narrators with strong moral bearings. In the era of book decline culture, the popularity of children’s literature in verse and prose goes beyond geographical boundaries and language barriers.

It is heartening to note that the celebrated Urdu poet Hafiz Karnataki has provided the “sweet spot” to Urdu publishing. It did not happen in the famous centres of Urdu literature and culture –Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Patna and the like; this remarkable feat was achieved by a poet who lives in Karnataka.   Recently his hundredth book, Baagh e-Atfal (The Garden of Children), was launched in the presence of eminent Urdu authors and poets, including Khaleel Mamoon, Professor Irtiza Kareem, Professor Ejaz Ali Arshad,  Dr Shaista Yusuf, Dr  Dabeer Ahmad, Dr  Abdullah Imtiyaz, and many others during a three-day national conference on children literature held in Shikaripur, Karnataka.

Hafiz  Karnatki, a recipient of the prestigious   Sahitya academy award for children’s literature(Urdu ), is an accomplished poet who uses various verse genres such as Ghazal, Rubaiyee, Masnavi, Nazam and others with equal ease. His evocative and multi-sensory verses covering a plethora of themes indicate the ever-increasing range of creative dexterity. He meticulously rendered the life history of the Prophet in verse for children. He made it a point to explain the moral and ethical contribution of the Prophet to humanity. Perhaps he is the first Urdu poet who blazed a new trail in Urdu’s age-long tradition of hagiography by composing it in verse fully alive to children’s cognitive level and expectations. His two books, Hamare Nabi and Zikre  Nabi, impeccably summarise the life and teachings of the Prophet.

Hafiz Karnataki is fully committed to fulfilling children’s cultural and literary aspirations and produced nursery rhymes, limericks,  short poems and long poems on single topics in a fresh idiom. He gives   credit to children for  his  creative sharpness and cerebral outpourings.” I always strive to stitch up a warm and ceaseless dialogue with young minds, keeping me fresh and mentally alert. Their appreciation and feedback unfailingly hone my writing. As long as this conversation is continued, my literary pursuits bear more fruits,” Hafiz unassumingly asserts.

At the insistence of his young admirers and living up to their expectations, a teacher turned poet  Hafiz Karnatki, who has written forty-six books in prose and sixty in verse, started composing much – admired genre of Urdu poetry, Ghazal for children. He compiled six collections of ghazals titled Massod Ghazlen, Nanhi Munni Ghazlen, Bachoon ki Ghazleyen, Ghazal Saaz,  Shaane ghazal, and Jan e Ghazal. The poet went further ahead and started meticulously setting ghazals to the tunes and Raags cherished by the children by using Urdu prosody. His verses drawing sustenance from religion, traditions, convictions,  cultural, literary and linguistic sensibilities got tremendous applause,  and his poems are popular on social media. His latest collection of exclusive poems praising God, Allaho Ahad, has just hit the stand. His hundredth book,  Baagh-e-Atfal, carries more than one hundred succinct and didactic poems,  zeroes on the topics that directly impact day-to-day life. A distinct tilt towards universal human values and moral framework binds through poems that poignantly harp on different themes. It looks incredible that a person fully trained in traditional knowledge and a scholar of oriental learning has a penchant for new technology. New information technology is an empowering tool that opens its door to all and ushers in a new era of equality. The Internet has subverted the concept of entitled and privileged living, and now everyone is equal as far as the use of technology is concerned. The collection is replete with poems on the tools that shape our lives. Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others surface repeatedly. Spelling out how  Instagram lends a  helping hand to its users, Hafiz saheb says, “Tehzeeb bhi yahan hain tammadun ke saath saath/ har shai yahan milegi Tawaazun  ke saath saath (One can find culture and civilization simultaneously here/Everything is available here proportionately). Why Twitter has become the handiest medium, Hafiz poetically reasons out, “Jo baat Dil mein na rakh sakho bol do yahan /aik aik kar ke greyhen khol do yahan (pour out whatever you can not keep it to yourself/ Untie the knots one by one here).

The latest collection of the remarkably prolific poet Hafiz Karnatki  is braced for making an invaluable contribution to children’s literature, and his efforts deserve accolades from all quarters

Shafey Kidwai, a prominent bilingual critic, is a professor of Mass Communication at AMU, Aligarh

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by Shafey Kidwai / March 23rd, 2023

Will continue to act in films that touch the heart: Dr. Jahanara Begum

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

ASSAM:

Dr Jahanara Begum in the lead role in film Anur
Dr Jahanara Begum in the lead role in film Anur

Dr. Jahanara Begum, a doctor and a well-known actor in Assamese films and theater says she would continue to act in thought-provoking films that touch the heart.

She said this after receiving the prestigious Aideo Handique Award for Best Actress of the Year from the Government of Assam. 

Speaking with Awaz-the Voice Dr. Jahanara Begum said, “I’m a theatre person. Acting is my addiction. I am a doctor by profession. So, I can’t be a professional film actress too often. However, if a producer or director comes to me with a good story and a character, I will act in the film. I am always keen to act in thought-provoking films that touch the heart,” said 

Poster of the film Kanin

She often receives offers to act in films but has never acted in a film that has not touched her heart.

“I acted in the film Kanin in 2018. I am very excited to receive the Best Actress Award from the state government. I would like to thank and congratulate all the cast of Kanin at this moment,” she said. “First of all, I would like to thank Dr. Rita Chowdhury for scripting the story of the film. I cherished her novel Rajiv Ishwar for many years. I had never met Manjul Barua till on an auspicious occasion in 2016 when I handed the novel to him. And Manjul created Kanin with his valuable thoughts. I am grateful to Manjul Baruah. Similarly, my husband Dr. Gopendra Mohan Das took on the major responsibility of making the film, giving love and respect to my imagination. How can I thank him? I don’t have words; I am truly a lucky woman.”

Dr Jahanara Begum, who played the lead role in the hit film Anur, won the Best Actress Award for her role in the 2019 film Kanin. The actress received the prestigious award from Assam Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Bora at the 8th State Film Awards ceremony held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on March 13.

Dr Jahanara Begum action in Kanin

The film is based on the novel Rajiv Ishwar by Dr. Rita Chowdhury, directed by Manjul Baruah, and produced by Dr. Gopendra Mohan Das. 

Dr. Jahanara Begum won the Best Actress award for 2018 for her lively performance as Mandira Baruah, a woman who became a virgin mother.

“I was yet to play my dream role. Because the characters in the films I have played till then were characters from different novels or stories. When I read Dr. Rita Chowdhury’s novel Rajiv Ishwar, it touched my heart. Similarly, when I read the story Bhalpowar Samay by Anuradha Sarma Pujari, which reflects the loneliness, conflict, and suffering of old age, I wanted to make a film called Anur. I have recently starred in a web series of the same name based on the novel Andolita Akas by Monalisa Saikia. The stories of these films touched my heart and I gave my best to bring the characters to life,” Dr. Jahana Begum said.

She is an avid stage actor despite her medical profession. She received the prestigious Veena Prasad Utkarsh Award last year for her outstanding contribution to the radio, stage, and film industry of Assam. 

Dr Jahanara Begum with Dr Rita Chowdhary

“It’s probably because of being a doctor that I’ve been able to do other things in my life or theatre on time. It’s my habit to do time work on time. Even if not a doctor, I would have continued to practice theatre even if I was involved in other professions. Because theatre is my life. I cannot live without it. I have to act to survive. Acting is in my soul,” she said.

Dr Jahanara Begum is currently the Deputy Superintendent of Tezpur Medical College.

She made her stage debut at the age of three in a one-act play written by her father. 

She received her MBBS degree from Guwahati Medical College. 

She was awarded the Best Actress award for her wonderful performance in the play Chaknaiya in 1973 while studying in class VIII at Fuleswari Girls High School. 

Dr Jahanara Begum acting in a play

She was awarded the Best Actress award for her performance in Chaknaiya in 1973. At that time she was in class VIII at Fuleswari Girls High School. She made her full-time theatre debut at the age of 15 in Guwahati by playing the lead role in Chor of the late Abdul Majid and directed by Shyma Prasad Sharma. She then acted in Rupalim (1978) produced by New Art Player, Mrityunjay (1978) directed by Dhiru Bhuyan of Pragati Shilpi Sangha of Birinchi Bhattacharya directed by Indra Bania in Dipak Sangha.

She was awarded the Best Actress award at Guwahati Medical College for five consecutive years. At the same time, she also started acting in plays for All India Radio Guwahati and had the opportunity to work with famous playwrights 

Dr. Begum, who has acted in nearly 40 plays so far, founded JB Productions in 2009. Since then, she has continuously produced and acted in plays. She is currently rehearsing a play called Raktapushpa. The Marathi play has been translated by Dr Jahanara Begum and is ready for stage performance.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Mukut Sharma, Guwahati / March 17th, 2023

US based philanthropist Dr. Qutubuddin holds felicitation ceremony to honor ‘the makers of Narayanpet’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Narayanpet, TELANGANA / U.S.A:

Nagu Rao Namoji senior BJP leader addressing the gatherings.

US-based philanthropist Dr Mohammad Qutubuddin held a felicitation ceremony in honour of the people who struggled to realize the dream of making Narayanpet a district, which was announced on 17th February 2017.

The ceremony, organized in collaboration with the Indian chapter of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian origin (AFMI) and Hayat Foundation USA, was held in Narayanpet district, Telangana.

Dr. Qutbuddin, who remained the key figure in organizing the event, lauded the role of politicians, regardless of their political affiliations, and common people who campaigned for making Narayanpet a district. He thanked the residents of the district for their contribution.

“I might live in the USA but my heart yearns for Narayanpet,” said Dr. Qutbuddin, expressing hope that the new district would flourish in future.

On the occasion, local MLA S. Rajender Reddy pledged to transform Narayanpet’s landscape over the next three years and take the district to new heights of prosperity.

Narayanpet MLA S. Rajinder Reddy presenting Shawl to Dr Qutubuddin.

Reddy lauded Dr. Qutbuddin for his efforts and said that his “immense love for Narayanpet and his tireless efforts for the development of the district prove that he’s a visionary leader”.

Editor of noted Urdu daily Siasat, Zahid Ali Khan spoke about his family’s root in Mehboobnagar and Narayanpet. Ali, who was chief guest on the occasion, recalled that his father Abid Ali Khan was born and raised in this region.

He said that his family understands the region and the community’s intellectual, artistic, and literary endeavors as well as the sincere attitudes of its residents have always given them great heartfelt satisfaction.

Dr. Qutbuddin played a prominent role in representing the people of the region, he said while thanking the efforts he made in the development of the people’s life.

Nagu Rao Namaji, a senior state BJP leader, claimed that he has consistently been in the forefront when it comes to preserving peace and harmony in Narayanpet and vowed to maintain it in future. He pleaded with the MLA to link Narayanpet to the Railways as the Center was prepared to do so. In addition, he stressed the necessity of Reddy’s pledge to complete irrigation projects.

AFMI’s regional president, Prof. Sana Qutbuddin also addressed the gathering and said that her father Dr. Qutbuddin is passionate about his native district Narayanpet. “My father has promised that he will devote more of his time towards the development of the district in the future,” she said.

In this ceremony, Nagu Rao Namaji, K Sudarshan Reddy Principal, Muhammad Nawazi, Moosa, Abdul Saleem Adv, Ameeruddin Adv, Dr. Tabrez Hussain Taj, Mohammad Taqi Chand, Abdul Qadar Maisoori Mujahid Siddiqui, Hafiz Mohammad Taqi and others were felicitated.

The editor-in-chief of the weekly Gawaah, Fazil Hussain Pervez, prominent personality of Arungabad, Maulana Mirza Abdul Qayyum Nadvi, Journalist Sadiq Ali, Rasheed, Telugu speaker, Maulana Abdul Qavi and others participated in the event as special guests. MLA S. Rajinder Reddy was presented with the Narayanpet Seva Ratna Award in recognition of his services.

The proceeding of the event was conducted by Abdul Saleem Advocate while the program ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Tabrez Hussain Taj.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Positive Story / by Muslim Mirror Network / February 25th, 2023