There was a time when sitar makers were paid handsomely and even commissioned by Mughal emperors down the ages to make their uniquely resonant instruments. These artisans, once the uncrowned kings of the music trade, are now struggling to survive. Miraj (Sangli District): Maharashtra: Around 40 km from the bustling city of sugar lords, Kolhapur,…
Mysuru: Ornamental gardens are the dream of plant-loving folks. Plants, foliage and flowering of different hues in various combinations can express the beauty of nature. An ‘ornamental garden’ developed by Hashmath Fathima won the first prize in the Annual Dasara Flower Show under the ornamental garden category. It is an artistic outdoor garden developed around…
The exhibition explores how poetry impacts the lives of Muslim men and women around the world. By Cameron Luttrell Lower East Side, New York: The popular traveling exhibition “Poetic Voices of the Muslim World” debuted on the Lower East Side, last fortnight. This exhibition explores how poetry impacts the lives of Muslim men and women…
The story of Sufiyan, his art, his family and village is as interesting as it has been challenging, but one which shows the true grit and determination of these artisans who claim to be carrying on an art form that finds its origins in the Indus Valley Civilisation. In 1634, the King of Kutch, Raja…
Working quietly from their home, Adeela and Junaid have created Sawab, an online store featuring contemporary framed art prints, stretched canvas prints and wall stickers. These products, with styles, themes and motifs derived from the rich Muslim cultural heritage, add aesthetic appeal to your home or office and make elegant gifts. By Nigar Ataulla Reading Enid Blyton tales as a little girl…
Pichhwai art is practised by both Hindus and Muslims in sync with their own socio-religious ethos. Pichhwai artists express themselves through paintings as well as embroidery. While among the Hindus, the Pichhwai artists paint large-sized murals with miniaturized mythological characters, mainly Krishna, the Muslims practised it in embroidery form. ‘Tree of life’ had been the…
Delhi based children’s author, Saniyasnain Khan, participated in the recently held Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature at Dubai. In a brief conversation with Mateen Ahmed, he shares his experiences of the Dubai Lit Fest, writing for children, the challenge of books in digital format and the representation of Indian authors there. Tell us something about…
Artist Ilyas Ahmed welds the pieces of junk material into fascinating object of arts. By Maqbool Ahmed Siraj Nothing really goes waste for Bangalore’s Ilyas Ahmed who would like to term his work of art ‘Scraptures’ i.e., sculptures out of metal scrap. A welder by training, Ilyas has pursued with passion the art of fashioning…
Bowl with Arabic inscriptions is being claimed as begging bowl of Buddha. New Delhi: A team of epigraphist led Dr. G. S. Khwaja, Director of Arabic and Persian Epigraphy and Numismatics will visit National Museum of Kabul to examine if the ‘Begging Bowl of Buddha’ kept there is indeed begging bowl of Buddha. The team…
Istanbul: The first issue of Ircica Journal, an interdisciplinary refereed journal of scholarship published by the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (Ircica), has just been released. Ircica Journal will be published two times annually (Fall and Spring) and will include scholarly articles in English, French and Arabic. The Editorial Office of the Ircica Journal is based at the…
