Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The glorious pages of our rich history

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
Khusrau espies Shirin bathing, a page from the ‘Khamsa-e-Nizami’ book. / Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Khusrau espies Shirin bathing, a page from the ‘Khamsa-e-Nizami’ book. / Photo: Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Bearing excellent paintings, richly illuminated and gilded, the fine-bound manuscripts at Salar Jung Museum are real treasures.

Salar Jung Museum contains some ‘valuable books of art’— illustrated manuscripts — of Persian and Deccani languages. Bearing excellent paintings, richly illuminated and gilded, fine-bound and owned once by royal personages the Museum’s manuscripts are real treasures.

Manuscript illustration was greatly prized by Mughal emperors, their nobles and Deccani Sultans. Akbar who had 100 artists – painters, illuminators, scribes, book binders – in his atelier had many manuscripts including Hamza Nama, Ramayana, Mahabharata illustrated. His principal noble at Ahmedabad, Khan Khanan, built up a world class library containing illustrated manuscripts. Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, who ruled Golconda from 1550 to 1580, had set up a studio in his palace for calligraphers, painters, gilders and book binders and had manuscripts of fine quality produced.

‘The art books’ of the royal workshops form a priceless heritage, “at times of regal splendour…. and always a joy to behold” (Karl Khandalavala).

Of Salar Jung Museum’s famous illustrated manuscripts, a description of four books is attempted here. They are: Tuhfe-e-Sami, Majalis-ul-ushshaq, Khamsa-e-nizami, and Diwan-e-sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.

1. Tuhfe-e-Sami: The author of this 229-folio Persian manuscripts is Prince Sam Mirza (1517-76), son of Shah Ismail, the founder of Safavid dynasty in Persia. Prince Sam Mirza dedicated Tuhfa containing biographies of poets, painters, calligrgaphers and other learned men to his brother Shah Tahmasp (1524-76), the ruler of Persia who, however, put ‘Sam’ to death in 1576 when he rebelled against him. The manuscript is gilded and highly ornamented. Done in Shirazi style of Persia the Thufa’s ten miniatures “are of excellent quality and very colourful with charming colour contrast’’ (Karl Khandalavala).

The manuscript scripted in fine Nastaliq bears a seal of the year of A.D. 1651 of one Mustafa Khan Lari, who was probably a Golconda noble.

2. Majalis-ul-ushshaq ( Assemblies of lovers): Purchased by Sir Salar Jung I (1829-83), ‘Majalis-ul-ushshaq’ is an account in Persian of the Sufi saints being in love with women and men. Sufi doctrines explain that to experience the beauty of the ‘unseen’ God the first step is the worldly love – love of women and men. The power and course of such love as experienced by some Sufi saints is depicted in majority of the 71 miniatures contained in the manuscript.

The book has a lot of gold used in decorating its 237 folios, headings and borders. The painting style of its miniatures is of Shirazi school of Persia.

The author of this manuscript is Mansur bin Baiqara (1469-1506) who wrote it in 1552. The script is good Nastaliq and the scribe is Amir-al-katib.

3. Khamsa-e-nizami: The Khamsa (five-piece verse collection) of the poet Nizami, a Persian poet, is one of the most famous Persian works and there are numerous illustrated copies of it in Persian and Mughal schools of painting. The Mughal style Museum’s Khamsa was purchased in 1739 for the library of Nawab Munirddoulah Wakil-us-sultan (Prime Minister). It consists of five ‘mathnavis’ (long poems) dealing with the stories of Laila-Majnun, Khusrau-Shirin, King Behraum Gaur, Sikandar and Sufism.

It contains five unwans (title pages), gilded and highly ornamented. Its 325 creamish folios are gold sprinkled. Its eleven full-page miniatures show animals, brilliantly drawn and figures, finely painted. Dated A.D.1618, the scribe of Khamsa is Fatah Muhammed bin Moulana Sahib Katib and the script is good Nastaliq.

The manuscript bears the seal of Lutfullah khan, a noble of Mughal family, who appears to have died in Golconda when Aurangazeb was engaged in conquering the fort.

4. Diwan-e-sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah: Written in ‘Zubane-deccani’ by Sultan Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah who ruled from Golconda between 1581 and 1611 is regarded as the earliest poet in Deccani language(Urdu). He founded the city of Hyderabad and built the famous Charminar. His ‘Diwan’(odes) deals with subjects like sports and games, royal palaces, seasons and description of his 17 mistresses.

Dated 1595, the Diwan has eight miniatures, all gems of miniature art. It was written by Moulana Zainuddin, Khushnawis (calligrapher) of the Sultan. The paper used is gold sprinkled. The script is excellent Thulth. It has 138 handsome folios.

Deputy Keeper (Retd.), Salar Jung Museum

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by B. Kotaiah / September 19th, 2013

The book lovers’ delight is here

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Unlike previous years, entry to the Hyderabad Book Fair, which opens on Saturday, is free

The Hyderabad Book Fair is back.

NTR Stadium will play host to the much-awaited event organised by the National Book Trust in coordination with Hyderabad Book Fair Society from December 7 (Saturday) to 15. Interestingly, entry to the fair will be free.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan will inaugurate the event at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The fair will be open between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

With the National Book Trust assuming the mantle of the organiser, the nominal entry fee of Rs. 5 per head has been waived. This is expected to attract more footfalls, with the sprawling stadium premises housing nearly 380 stalls, up from last year’s 250.

According to the organisers, the refusal by the authorities to allow the exhibition at its regular venue – People’s Plaza on Necklace Road – is a blessing in disguise, as the rent payable has come down significantly, allowing space for more publishers.

National Book Trust director M.A. Sikandar  said a 10 per cent blanket discount would be available on all books at the fair.

Book promotion centre

The National Book Trust will soon open a book promotion centre at Literacy House on Andhra Mahila Sabha premises

, he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – December 06th, 2013

Finally, Araku gears up for annual fest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Visakhapatnam :

Preparations are on in full swing for the three-day Araku Utsav slated to be held between November 28 and 30, 2013, but the departments concerned are apprehensive of inclement weather playing spoilsport. Last year, the fest had to be canceled due to the strike by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) staff in October.

Araku Utsav, an annual affair, is organised by the department of tourism, Vizag, in collaboration with APTDC. Bhimashankar Rao, GM, APTDC, said, “Tourist inflow is slowly bouncing back to normalcy and we expect a good turnout at the festival provided the weather remains good. Unlike last year, when the festival was marred by staff strike, this time there’s no such problem. Hopefully, it won’t rain.”

Stating that the tourism department expects a tourist inflow of 3,000 to 4,000 at the festival this time, district tourism officer (DTO) S D Anita said the fest will be held at the Araku Tribal Museum premises. “A variety of tribal dances will be showcased, including those of the Banjaras from Nalgonda, Kummakoya from Khammam, Garagalu from East Godavari and Sambalpudi from Odisha. There will also be a photo exhibition depicting the tribal ways of life. Special counters to showcase the innovative methods they use to store seeds and their ways of organic farming are being put up ,” she explained.

While APTDC has already sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for the festival, the department is seeking another Rs 2 lakh, she said, expressing hope that the rains don’t spoil the mood of the entire fest.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam> Aptdc / TNN / November 24th, 2013

Roti fest arrangements inspected by Anam Vivekananda Reddy

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Women devotees exchange the rotis at Bara Shaheed Dargah at Nellore tank in Nellore city. — DC File photo.
Women devotees exchange the rotis at Bara Shaheed Dargah at Nellore tank in Nellore city. — DC File photo.

Nellore:

Nellore rural MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy reviewed the ongoing arrangements for the world famous week-long Rottela Panduga (Roti festival) to be held at the sprawling premises of Bara Shahid Dargah on the banks of Nellore tank at Dargamitta in Nellore city on Friday.

With over five lakh devotees from across the globe expected to take part in the festivities the MLA inspected arrangements in terms of Q lines, water supply, sanitation and so on.

Anam Viveka called upon the officials to keep in view the last year’s heavy rush and ensure fool proof arrangements for the smooth conduct of the ongoing festivities.

Speaking to reporters on the arrangements, Anam Viveka said that the entire stretch, consisting of hundreds of acres had been cleaned and flattened for enabling devotees to exchange rotis as part of the celebrations.

The MLA added that necessary instructions have been given to the officials of the Nellore Municipal Corporation to keep a strict vigil on the Dargah surroundings till the completion of the festivities.

He added that in view of the increasing influx of dev-otees, works to provide long-term amenities to the devotees would be launched by the minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy on Saturday at a cost of Rs 11 crore.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / November 16th, 2013

Weaves of tradition and art

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

“There is a pride in dressing traditionally”, says Hyderabad’s very own Gaurang Shah known for his traditional weaves and handloom sarees. Showcasing his latest collection Paanchali in the city on Tuesday, Gaurang treated his patrons to a colourful melange of pinks, blues, yellows and whites, going against the typical sobre shades of nude and grey that usually feature this season.  His first solo show in the city, the fashion parade was a treat indeed.

Paachali brings the best of five states into one exotic collection that echo designs from the 15-16 century, with an elephant motif here, mango motif there, and plenty of flora.

As many as 50 hand-woven traditional sarees were presented, bringing together tradition and modern themes in perfect harmony. Inspired from Jamdani (fabric made out of cotton), the label Gaurang kept reiterating the beauty and elegance of Indian designs as double shades, geometric motifs of diamonds and zari came together. Sarees like Kanjeevaram, Paithani, Kota, Uppada, Venkatagiri that were woven in soft shades of purple, green and pink and contrasted by stronger shades of oranges and reds alluded to Gaurang’s trademark.

While models sashayed in shimmery fabric, a live rendition of classical music accompanied them, courtesy students of Arabhi School of Performing Arts. Present along with their guru Ashok Gurjale, the ensemble of the violin, ghatam and mridangam left the show with an almost ethereal mood.

The show was presented by Sanskruti, an organisation dedicated to promoting Indian traditional art, in association with Gaurang at Hotel Marigold Greenlands to create an awareness about the art. As many as 500 weavers from across the country worked along with the designer at the grassroot level to bring out the collection.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Sameera Jonnalagadda / ENS – Hyderabad / November 13th, 2013

The Turkish connection

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
Indialogue Foundation director Osman Kayaoglu talks about the places to see in Turkey as he holds a traditional Turkish vase. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Indialogue Foundation director Osman Kayaoglu talks about the places to see in Turkey as he holds a traditional Turkish vase. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

As the Turkish Consulate gets ready to set up office in Hyderabad, Neeraja Murthy finds a Turkey-Hyderabad connect

Enter the first floor of Learnium School on Road No. 44, Jubilee Hills and you’ll find a slice of Turkey in Hyderabad. On the walls is a Turkish Corner that displays photographs of ‘Turk folklor’, a Turkish bride, ‘Turk Lokumu’ among other things. Move around and there is a Indo-Turk Corner and photographs of famous Turkish palaces. As we soak in the pictures, we hear the booming voice of Sevim Kayaogolu calling out “Bir, iki, uch, dort… “(one, two, three four… in Turkish). She is teaching a Turkish dance to a group of young girls who are dancing to the beats of Yeni bir dunya, dressed in their traditional Turkish dresses.

Sevim (in the centre) joins a group of girls dancing to the tune of Turkish song ‘Yeni bir dunya’./ Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Sevim (in the centre) joins a group of girls dancing to the tune of Turkish song ‘Yeni bir dunya’./ Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

“The students are presenting this Turkish dance for the Parents Day meeting,” informs Sevim. The school (will be called Iqbalia International School) run by a Trust (which also includes Turkish people) teaches Turkish language art, dance and culture to its students, in addition to its regular CBSE syllabus. Osman Kayaogolu, director of Indialogue Foundation’s second year in Hyderabad, calls the city ‘historical’. “Among the different cities in India, Hyderabad has a beautiful history,” he says and adds, “Turkey and Hyderabad share a lot in common in culture. We have given our daughters here in marriage – Princess Durru Shehvar who married Azam Jah, Princesses Esin and Esra have also come to Hyderabad after marriage.”

Osman talks about the ‘royal’ similarity between the two regions. “The Chowmahalla Palace looks like a replica of Dolmabahche palace, only the former is smaller. It is said that the Chowmahalla was built for Durru Shehvar so that she would feel at home in a place that reminds her of Turkey,” he smiles.

Indialogue Foundation, the Turkish cultural centre acts as a hub for the 15 Turkish families living in Hyderabad. “We get together here during religious ceremonies like Eid and we organise inter-faith seminars, talks, conferences and cultural programmes. We arrange business meetings between Turkish and Indian businessmen and also organise Turkish celebrations.”

Osman says the Turks enjoy their stay in the city. “The climate is nice and we enjoy eating biryani which is like our not-so-spicy Osmani pulao. We have made many friends here and people are affectionate too.”

What baffles Osman however is the way friendly Hyderabadis behave while driving on roads. “During busy traffic, they are not at all friendly and act differently,” he says with a smile. The Turkish women volunteers try to spread their art and culture in the city. Osman and his group of friends also play football every Sunday. “We don’t know about cricket, but now our children are picking up the game in Hyderabad.”

There is also good news for the Turkish families in the city with the Turkish Consulate coming up here. “The Turkish Consulate General Murat Omeroglu is in Hyderabad with his family and the work to establish the Consulate has begun. The process might take six months,” says Osman.

Osman says Turkish people in the city do miss their family and friends back home as well as Turkish food; but they have found a home away from home here.

“Hyderabad is our second home. Merhaba Hydarabad (Salaam Hyderabad),” he signs off.

Short film contest

Indialogue Foundation and Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad had organised a Indialogue Short Film Contest 2013on the theme ‘Peaceful Coexistence” which aimed to foster universally shared values among public .

The contest had two categories – YouTube award and Jury award. Emrah Alpaslan from Saritha Vidya Niketan with his short film titled Dedicated Life won the YouTube award with 2100+ views. Jhilam Chattaraj, from University of Hyderabad with her movie In Search of History was selected for the Jury award.

Both the awards carried a prize money of Rs. 35,000 each.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Neeraja Murthy / November 19th, 2013

International Children’s Film Fest begins in Hyderabad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

Hyderabad:

Promising to be a rich ensemble of films from across the globe, the 18th International Children’s Film Festival of India (ICFFI) would get underway here.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy would inaugurate the week-long event in the presence of Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tiwari, veteran lyricist Gulzar and Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor.

State Information and Cinematography Minister D K Aruna said the government had made elaborate arrangements for the jamboree.

About 200 films from 48 countries would be screened in 12 theatres across the city during the festival and an estimated 1,50,000 children are expected to turn up.

The minister said 3-D movies would be shown for the first time, along with 20 best films sourced from Cannes, Berlin and Toronto international festivals.

Czech films will be the ‘Country Focus’ in the festival, which would showcase a diligently curated package of children’s films from the Czech Republic, right from 1950s to some of their recent productions.

Debates and open forums would also be conducted on topics like film-making, animation, script-writing and child rights as part of the festival.

“The Children’s Film Society of India has selected ‘Gopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya’ for screening at the inaugural of the Children’s film festival of India,” said an official release.

The 78-minute animation film, directed by Shilpa Ranade, is the fabulous story of Gopi and Bagha, a pair of musicians gifted with magical powers by the King of Ghosts, which has been a stellar success, it said.

The film is the Hindi version of the iconic film-maker Satyajit Ray’s popular Bengali film ‘Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen’.

The special film will be the main attraction at the inaugural event at Lalit Kala Thoranam tomorrow, the release added.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / IBN Live / Home / by Press Trust of India / Hyderabad – November 14th, 2013

Hyderabad to get sunburned

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

sunburnHF27nov2013

Music lovers in the city won’t have to travel all the way to Goa to let their hairs down. Asia’s largest three-day electronic music festival, Sunburn, will be held in Hyderabad in February. The brand Sunburn is crafted by the most successful pair of hands in Indian media industry. Shailendra Singh better known as SS, was in city recently and discussed with City Express the motifs and vision behind creating Sunburn, besides also confirming that Hyderabad will be hosting its first Sunburn Fest by February 2014.

“Sunburn is very keen to bring it’s festival or Arena experience to Hyderabad. After Goa, Bombay, Delhi and Bangalore, we are eyeing Hyderabad to be the next destination. We have huge requests and massive fan connect between the fans and Sunburn.”

“Not everyone can make it to our flagship Goa Festival,” says the man behind the Sunburn brand, Shailendra Singh. “So last year, we decided to bring the Planet Sunburn experience to them. Who doesn’t deserve the chance to leave their world behind and come be who they want to be? With both Mumbai an Bengaluru partying, it’s sure to be the biggest EDM celebration in India.”

Sunburn Mumbai and Bengaluru Festivals will bring all the elements of a full-fledged festival. Lounges, chill-out zones, libraries, movie projections, graffiti walls, art installations, flea markets, and climbing walls are just some of the activities to keep Sunburners busy throughout the two-day festival.

“Sunburn Arena gigs — like SHM , Hardwell, Tiesto — focus purely on that one artist.” says Singh.  “The stage, sound and lights are super advanced to make them look amazing. For Sunburn Festivals, we devote a lot of energy to the festival vibe. Sunburners can come all day long, meet old friends and make new ones, and have a true escape.”

“Of course we have the best lineup possible on the planet right now — Paul Van Dyke is a complete legend, Fedde Le Grand is a defining figure in house music, and who doesn’t know about the rapid rise of Tomorrowland Resident DJ’s – Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike? Showtek, Orjan Nilsen and Josh Wink are huge names. And if Sunburners haven’t yet heard about Orjan Nilsen, Worlfpack and Adam Beyer, then they are in for a mindblowing surprise. Sunburn Mumbai Bengaluru line-up is freaking unbelievable.”

Sunburn has expanded itself to set a new bar for ‘arena’ format gigs with renowned international DJs, the most recent being Swedish House Mafia’s One Last Tour and Avicii’s debut in India marking the rise of a unique concepts such as Sunburn Arena.

Sunburn has brought together renowned Indian and International Djs to entertain crowds of lakhs all around the year, with a variety of experiences to choose from, and caters to a wide Indian and international audience, highlighting India as a Dance Festival destination to the world.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Swati Sharma – Hyderabad / November 12th, 2013

Park Hyatt Hyderabad named best luxury hotel

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Park Hyatt Hyderabad has been named the Best New Luxury Hotel in the Country at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2013.

The very best performances of top hoteliers from across the world were recognised and celebrated at the 2013 World Luxury Hotel Awards at a ceremony in Thailand hosted at the Indigo Pearl Resort Phuket earlier this month. The event had participation from top luxury hotels, casinos, lodges and resorts.

“We are honoured to receive this award as it is an inspiration to the nominees to raise their levels of service excellence in order to feel comfortable in competing on an international level and to set a benchmark for themselves,” Sven Hoffmeyer, General Manager at Park Hyatt Hyderabad, said in a statement.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards is about congratulating hotels that have taken the extra step with regards to their facilities and service excellence differentiating themselves from ‘good hotels’ to ‘exceptional hotels’.

The awards were presented to almost 144 hotels around the world. Winners and finalists were selected from votes cast by guests, travel industry delegates, tour operators or independent travel consultants.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National / by The Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad – November 12th, 2013

Quiz contest at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Quiz enthusiasts in the city gear up for Enigma – a multi-city, national-level general quiz competition organised by students of BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus as part of its annual techno-management festival ATMOS 2013.

The Hyderabad regional round will be held on Saturday at 10.00 a.m. at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus,

The quiz competition is open to college and school students. Each team must comprise two members from different institutions. The national finals will commence on the same day at 1.00 p.m.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / October 12th, 2013