Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

International Women’s Day: Women of Bilal Bagh to take to the stage

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

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The cast rehearsing for the play, which is to be staged on March 8 in Bengaluru.   | Photo Credit: HandOut EMail

They are part of the cast of Safdar Hashmi’s play Aurat staged by Theatre for Change

Safdar Hashmi’s play Aurat, a commentary on patriarchy, was first staged in 1970, but remains relevant even five decades later. On International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, the Bengaluru-based Theatre for Change will be staging their version of Aurat.

What makes iteration of the play different is their decision to cast members from the Bilal Bagh community. Bilal Bagh in Bengaluru, and notably its women residents, made national headlines in early 2020, for their protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). It eventually came to be known as the Shaheen Bagh of the South.

Sujatha Balakrishnan, one of the directors of Aurat, said her decision to work with the women from Bilal Bagh stemmed from her firsthand experience of seeing them in action during the anti-CAA protests. “They were just amazing out there. I immediately thought I should do our next production for Women’s Day with them,” she said.

It proved to be an eye-opener for Ms. Balakrishnan. “Working with them showed me they enjoy far more freedom than many women from ‘privileged classes’,” she said. She added that the experience has only strengthened her belief that it is a lack of opportunity that holds people down. Theatre cannot be the privilege of a particular class, she said.

The usual trajectory of a girl’s life — childhood, higher education and marriage — form the premise of Aurat. “We wanted it to be a multi-lingual effort. So, each act will be performed in a different language,” she added.

The first part of the play, where a girl and her father are discussing the necessity for her to go to school, is in Tamil and has been directed by Sujatha. “Alfiya Shaikh, a 10-year-old from Bilal Bagh, is playing the daughter in the first act. I was pleasantly surprised by the way she picked up Tamil to deliver her lines, even though it is not her mother tongue,” she said.

The second act portraying a young girl’s fight to study in college is in Hindi, and is directed by Vandana Amit Dugar. The final act depicting her life as a married woman is in Kannada, and has been directed by Sachin Sreenath.

The play touches upon harassment, patriarchy, the toll of childbirth and other everyday problems of women.

Apart from Theatre for Change’s rendition of Aurat, actor Urvashi Goverdhan will be reading a few of Maya Angelou’s poems. This will be followed by school children from different sections of Bengaluru reciting from an anthology of Safdar Hashmi’s work Duniya Sab Ke, which deals with social justice.

(Venue: Lahe Lahe, HAL 2nd Stage, Bengaluru from 6-8 p.m. on March 8. Entry free)

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Ruth Dhanraj / March 02nd, 2021

Senior Author Mumtaz Begum Passes Away at 72

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Education, Karnataka (under research project), , , ,

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA:

Mangaluru:

On Tuesday morning, a resident of Belapu Military Colony, senior author, writer, Mumtaz Begum (72) passed away in a private hospital in Mangaluru. 

Mumtaz Begum, who was engaged in the field of literature and writing for five decades has written various works including Avyakta, Paradeshi, Vartula, Bandalike, Chimpi, Sarva Rathugalu Ninagagi, Ankura Sahita Kathe, poetry, novels, and various other books. 

For her contributions to the field of literature and writing, she has won various awards and accolades including Attimabbe, Chennashri, Jilla Rajyotsava, Matrashri Ratnamma Heggade Book Prize, Meevundi Mallaari Children’s Story Prize, Kittur Rani Chennamma Award, Kannada Literature Council’s Charitable Award, Senior Citizens Literary Award, and Basava Literary Arts Forum’s Basava Jyoti Award among various others.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / Vartha Bharati / April 06th, 2021

Urdu translator Syed Ahmed Esar dead

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

He translated Rumi’s 13th century magnum opus Masnavi

Noted Urdu writer and translator Syed Ahmed Esar, 98, known for his translations of classical Persian poetry of Allama Iqbal and Rumi into Urdu, passed away in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

His son Syed Sultan said that he was suffering from age-related ailments and was hospitalised on Tuesday night.

Born in the garrison of Mysore Lancers in Munireddy Palya to a World War I veteran in 1922, Syed Ahmed Esar lived in the narrow Sher Khan Galli off Avenue Road almost all his life. A former Indian Forest Service officer, he worked as the Chief Conservator of Forests, Karnataka, and retired from service in 1980.

Though his interest in classical Persian poetry began at a very young age and he began trying his hand at poetry adopting a pen name “Esar”, which he later added to his name, his first collection of translation was published only in 1997, 17 years after his retirement.

Persian poetry was his constant companion on lonely postings in the forests during his service, Syed Ahmed Esar said to Frontline in April 2020.

His work

He translated the entire seven volume corpus of Allama Iqbal’s Persian poetry into Urdu. He next took up the challenge of translating Rumi’s 13th century magnum opus Masnavi of over 27,000 verses into Urdu. The work took up almost two decades of his life and the six-volume poem was published by the National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language in 2019.

He has also published a collection of his own poems and an autobiography. He was given the Rajyotsava Award in 2017 and was the recipient of several literary awards.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by K.V Aditya Bharadwaj / Bengaluru – April 21st, 2021

India Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan dies of COVID-19

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, Leaders, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , ,

Azamgarh, UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI :

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, right, in New Delhi [File: Mohd Zakir/Hindustan Times via Getty Images]
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, right, in New Delhi [File: Mohd Zakir/Hindustan Times via Getty Images] / pix: aljazeera.com

Ninety-six-year-old Khan, who authored more than 200 books including a two-volume commentary on the Holy Quran, died on Tuesday.

Indian Islamic scholar and peace activist Maulana Wahiduddin Khan has died in the capital New Delhi after contracting novel coronavirus, his family members announced on Tuesday.

Ninety-six-year-old Khan was recently admitted to a hospital in New Delhi after testing positive for COVID-19.

“The great Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan breathed his last, late this evening. Doctors failed to revive his sinking heart. Pray for his maghfirat [penitence] and high station in Paradise. Amin,” Zafarul Islam, Khan’s eldest son, tweeted on Tuesday.

The author of more than 200 books, Khan has been honoured with several awards. This year, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour.

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Twitter

Zafarul-Islam Khan @khan_zafarul . 2H

Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan was buried at noon today in Panjpeeran Qabristan near Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin. Buried in same qabristan are his mother Zaibunnisa n wife Sabi’a Khatoon. Seen are his grandsons lifting his body to place in grave. Pl pray for his maghfirat.

2:06PM – Apr 22, 2021

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Born in Azamgarh, India, in 1925, Khan has been internationally recognised for his contributions to world peace.

In 2009, Georgetown University in Washington, DC’s list of 500 Most Influential Muslims of 2009 named him “Islam’s spiritual ambassador to the world”.

In 2001, he established the Centre for Peace and Spirituality to promote and reinforce a culture of peace. Khan went on a 15-day Shanti Yatra (peace march) through the western Maharashtra state in the wake of the demolition of the 16th-century Babri Mosque by Hindu hardliners in the state of Uttar Pradesh in 1992.

He also wrote a two-volume commentary on the Holy Quran.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “saddened” by the news of Khan’s loss.

“He will be remembered for his insightful knowledge on matters of theology and spirituality. He was also passionate about community service and social empowerment. Condolences to his family and countless well-wishers. RIP,” Modi wrote on Twitter.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind said he was “deeply grieved” by the demise of Khan, saying: “Maulana Wahiduddin made significant contributions to peace, harmony and reforms in the society. My deepest condolences to his family and well-wishers.”

source: http://www.aljazeera.com / Al Jazeera / Home> News / source: News Agencies / April 22nd, 2021

Selected For Awards

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), ,

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Mysuru:

Book-lover Syed Isak and senior journalist-publisher R. Poornima have been selected for ‘M. Gopalakrishna Adiga Pustaka Parichalaka Prashasti’ and ‘Nanjangud Tirumalamba Prashasti’ respectively. The awards are being given by Ankita Prakashana and Sringara Prakashana.

Addressing a press meet yesterday, Karnataka Prakashakara Sangha President Prakash Kambattalli stated that Kannada poet Siddalingaiah will present the award to the recipients at  a function to be held at Kendra Sahitya Academy Auditorium, Central College in Bengaluru on Apr. 23 at 11.30 am, as part of World Book Day celebrations.

The awards carry a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and a citation. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 24th, 2021

Obituary – Abdul Rahman Khan

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Karnataka (under research project), , ,

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Abdul Rahman Khan alias Gowher Tarikervi (82), retired lecturer at Teachers Training Institute, Vasanth Mahal and a resident of Rajivnagar near Makkah Masjid, passed away yesterday in city.

A well known Urdu Poet of the State, he leaves behind his wife, three daughters, two sons, grand children and a host of relatives and friends.

Namaz-e-Janaza was held at Masjid-e-Azam on Ashoka Road this morning followed by the burial at the Muslim Burial Grounds near Tipu Circle.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Obituary / April 19th, 2021

Ayesha Nazneen’s solo art exhibition gave a peep into her dreams

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Dabeerpura (Hyderabad), TELANGANA :

This promising artist who hails from Dabeerpura, describes her works as impressionistic, abstract and contemporary.

Bad times often bring out the best in some people. It happened with Ayesha Nazneen. When most persons found the lockdown unnerving, for her it was a godsend opportunity to indulge in her passion. No, she wouldn’t be able to travel, see waterfalls or be one with nature. But surely she could do all this with her canvas, colours, brushes and palette knife.

She did just that. She did not let the pandemic to come in the way of her creativity. Each day was a new start, a new opportunity to explore her feelings and put them on the canvas for the world to see. The other day Nazneen had her ‘Dreams Unlocked’. Her solo art exhibition gave a peep into her dreams.

While it was her first art show, it was also the first such event for the Luqma Kitchen Studio, the newly-opened women-only space at Dar-ul-Shifa. “Women in this part of the city have a lot of skills which need to be tapped,” remarked Rubina Nafees Fatima, president, Safa Society.

This promising artist who hails from Dabeerpura, describes her works as impressionistic, abstract and contemporary. Most of her exhibits relate to dreams of women. She makes use of circles to create an illusion of cage — to indicate how women have traditionally been confined. She also paints the theme of education as the liberating force. Judicious mix of vibrant and contrasting colours is her hallmark. Her favourite work remains the ‘Dream of Final Abode’. This acrylic on canvas depicts a milky waterfall, the artist’s perception of the luxurious life promised in Paradise.

A self-taught artist, Nazneen has been sketching right from her childhood, drawing inspiration from her artist-grandfather, Azeemuddin. An assistant professor at Shadan Women’s College of Pharmacy, she plans to explore sculpture next. Her aim is to use art to illuminate, educate and motivate people.

source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home> Features / by J S Ifthekhar / April 12th, 2021

Hubballi professor gets a surprise from ‘Gulzar Sahab’

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

Hubballi, KARNATAKA:

Prized possession: Mustaque Ahmed S. Mulla displays the books sent by lyricist Gulzar.  

The award-winning poet calls up Mustaque Ahmed S. Mulla after he reads the latter’s letter

Never in his dream had Mustaque Ahmed S. Mulla thought that a letter he wrote to award-winning poet and lyricist Gulzar would lead to a moment he would cherish for life.

It was in the second week of March that Prof. Mulla, principal of Tippu Shaheed Institute of Technology at Old Hubballi, happened to watch a reading of Mirza Galib’s poem by Mr. Gulzar in the ‘Jashn-e-Rekhta’ programme.

A fan of ‘Gulzar Sahab’, Prof. Mulla could not resist penning down what he felt. He also wrote about Mr. Gulzar’s determination on reading and writing in Urdu in its own ‘Rasmul Khat’(script) and his views on learning Urdu and expressing it Devanagari script. Mr. Gulzar’s 1972 film Koshish revolved around visually-impaired characters and Prof. Mulla related to it as his father was disabled. He wrote on how the film changed his view of his father, posted the letter and had almost forgot about it.

One afternoon, a few days later, Prof. Mulla’s cell phone rang and to his surprise, the person identified himself as Gulzar. He could not believe that a Dada Saheb Phalke award winner would personally call him and checked to confirm what he had heard.

The conversation extending to over 15 minutes will remain etched in the memory of Prof. Mulla and his daughter Nikhat Sameen, who was by his side. “Gulzar Sahab thanked me for my letter and sought to know about Hubballi and its literary culture. His poetry, films, the region, my father, his struggle, Koshish… all figured in the conversation,” Prof. Mulla recalled.

Mr. Gulzar asked Ms. Sameen, a postgraduate students, about the city, its literary circles and her literary inclination. She requested Mr. Gulzar to send an endorsed copy of his latest Urdu poetry collection Bal o par sare.

“He said he would send it. A few moments later, he called back to ask whether she knew Urdu. At that moment, I said, I too had the right to an endorsed copy, being her father,” Prof. Mulla told The Hindu. Ms. Sameen told her father that more than a poet and lyricist, Gulzar Sahab was a great human being who respected others’ sentiments.

After the conversation, Mr. Gulzar sent two books, one in English for Prof. Mulla and one in Urdu for Ms. Sameen, with endorsement.

These days, Prof. Mulla’s house has visitors who comes to see the books with Mr. Gulzar’s handwriting. Prof. Mulla never gets tired recalling the pleasant surprise.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Girish Pattanashetti / Hubballi – April 16th, 2021

Now Muslim women have a place to unwind in Hyderabad

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

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

The Luqma Studio started by Safa Society provides a platform for like-minded women to network and exchange ideas.

There aren’t many places for women to hang out and unwind in Hyderabad. But now, they can boast of a women-only space. Yes, Darulshifa, the heart of the old city, offers such a legroom for them. At Luqma Studio, they can let their guard down and relax — leaving their worries behind.

The unique initiative is the brainwave of Safa Society, the city-based NGO, which aims at socio-economic empowerment of women. The one-of-a-kind studio provides a much-needed platform for women to engage in dialogue, network and exchange ideas. No, Muslim women are not making a beeline to the studio as yet. That will take some time but the very idea of women-only area has gone down well with the fair sex.

Those who dropped in at the inauguration of the studio, along with the Luqma kitchen, last week were pleasantly surprised at the idea of women having a place of their own. “Don’t we need such a place in the #MeToo era,” remarked a young woman pleading anonymity.

The all-female studio is well-furnished and has room for about 25 persons. The pink-coloured walls are decked up with art portraits of women. Adjacent to the studio is the spacious Luqma kitchen, the food brand of Safa, aimed at turning ordinary women into foodpreneurs. “We want Muslim women to make use of the studio and engage in meaningful discourse. They can also showcase their talent here,” says Safa Society president, Rubina Nafees Fatima.

Rubina Nafees Fatima

The studio can be an oasis for women seeking rest and relaxation. They can order something sizzling from the kitchen next door and chit-chat leisurely, something the presence of men would hinder. The homely ambience only adds to the pleasure. There will be special events with prominent women from different fields addressing them on a range of subjects.

There are many myths about Muslim women. What adds to the confusion is people judging them through the prism of stereotypes. “Women from different communities can now intermingle and discover each other,” says Rubina.

With its safe and supportive environment, will Luqma Studio open up new vistas for women?

source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home> Features> My Hyd / by J S Ifthekhar / April 04th, 2021

Film on Tamil Muslims wins international award

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TAMIL NADU :

The 17th century mosque in Keezhakarai is the finest example of Dravidian-Muslim architecture.  

Yaadhum , a documentary film, tracing the history and identity of the Tamil Muslim community, has won the Bronze Remi award at the 48th WorldFest -Houston – the third longest running International Film Festival in North America.

“The film is a Tamil Muslim’s journey in search of his roots and identity,” says Kombai S. Anwar, the film-maker who won the award under the Cultural/Ethnic category. There were participants from 33 countries and more than 550 international film-makers attended the festival. The film was also screened at The Hindu Literary Festival.

Distorted history

Mr. Anwar said his objective was to set right the distorted history of Muslims constructed by Western historians.

“Contrary to the popular perception that Islam made advances through violent conquests, in Tamil Nadu the religion arrived with trade. The sculpture found in the Tirukurungudi temple explains the maritime trade with the Arabs,” he said.

Inspiration

Two incidents — late writer Sujatha’s argument that thousands of Vaishnavites were killed during the Muslim invasion and Anwar’s role in helping the local community preserve the Kallupalli (the mosque made of granites) — became the inspiration for the film.

“Muslims in Tamil Nadu adapted themselves to the local cultures and combined the elements of Dravidian architectures while constructing mosques,” he said.

Dravidian architecture

Even though there are a lot of mosques built following the Dravidian architecture, the 17thcentury mosque in Keezhakarai constructed by Seethakathi, known as Vallal Seethakathi, remains the finest example of Dravidian-Muslim architecture.

The film  covers excavations, inscriptions, old mosques built in the architectural traditions of Tamil Nadu and  Kerala, literature and interviews with well-known historians. 

It attempts to correct the distorted historical account of how the community came to the State

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by B. Kolappan / Chennai – May 15th, 2015