Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Kathkram honours Nasera Sharma with annual award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Lucknow:

Felicitating renowned Hindi writer Nasera Sharma under the aegis of ‘Anand Sagar Smriti Kathakram Samman’ for year 2014, the Hindi literary festival ‘Kathakram’ brought together readers, writers and critics on one stage. The 22nd edition of the annual event with its 19th consecutive stop-over at Lucknow, commenced with a discussion on ‘Lekhak, pathak aur aalochak: Sehmati/Asehmati ke aadhar va aayaam’ (Writer, reader and critic: The basis and scope of agreement/ disagreement).

Receiving the award, Nasera Sharma informed the audience about her love for the Hindi language over Persian and Arabic that were taught extensively at her school and home. “I would never understand the Arabic verses taught at school and so would write in Hindi, which was more than a sin for my classmates to see. Perhaps, I was born to extend the due to Hindi literature from my family of Urdu and Arabic laureates,” she said. While she was guided by Premchand’s son Sripath Rai to keep introducing Urdu words in Hindi literature for the fear of their fading out, Sharma pointed out at the amalgamation of cultures and languages which was well received earlier.

Commenting on the role of readers as well as critics to the writer, eminent Hindi writer Dr Giriraj Kishore said, “The reader in ancient times had no voice abiding by what was taught to him. In today’s time too the reader is not very confident and shies from opining. It becomes the author’s responsibility to connect the reader with literature.”

The discussion held an imperative stance on need for critics to read varied literature available and compare different types so as to be aware of the good and bad. The critic should also be aware of the circumstances and sensibilities of an event or a character in the way it is dealt with.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / November 16th, 2014

Canberra designer, buried in Lucknow, cited at G20

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

Brisbane/Lucknow:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott and US President Barack Obama the fascinating story of an American architect who had an emotional link with their countries.

The discussion among the leaders who met for the G20 summit here centered around Walter Burley Griffin, the well-known American landscape architect who designed Australian capital Canberra and who is buried in Lucknow.

Around 15 students from department of landscape, University of Western Australia will do a joint studio with second year Master of Architecture (M Arch) students of faculty of architecture (affiliated to UP Technical University) for the design of a memorial for Australian architect Griffin on the banks of river Gomti.

Christopher Vernon of the Australian delegation had earlier told TOI, “Griffin died in Lucknow on February 11, 1937 at the age of 61 years. He was buried here. Griffin and his wife Marion in their memoirs talked about walking on the banks of Gomti and so we thought it would be appropriate to have a memorial there.”

Griffin’s house in Butler Palace was destroyed. The only place which still exists is his house in New Hyderabad.

The prime minister shared with Abbott and Obama the fascinating story of Griffin, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted. A couple of photos of the three leaders engaged in the discussion were posted on the spokesperson’s Twitter account. A photo of the final resting place of Griffin at Lucknow Christian Cemetry was also among them.

He is known for designing Canberra, Australia’s capital city and has been credited with the development of the L-shaped floor plan, the carport and an innovative use of reinforced concrete.

Influenced by the Chicago-based Prairie School, Griffin developed a unique modern style. He worked in partnership with his wife Marion Mahony Griffin.

In 28 years they designed over 350 buildings, landscape and urban-design projects as well as designing construction materials, interiors, furniture and other household items.

Through their contacts during their time at the Greater Sydney Development Association, Griffin won a contract in 1935 to design the library at the University of Lucknow in Lucknow.

Although he had planned to stay in India only to complete the drawings for the library, he soon received more than 40 commissions, including the University of Lucknow Student Union building; a museum and library for the Raja of Mahmudabad; a zenana (women’s quarters) for the Raja of Jahangirabad; Pioneer Press building, a bank, municipal offices, many private houses, and a memorial to King George V.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / November 16th, 2014

How Begum Hazrat Mahal got her share of fame

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Travel

Lucknow :

Begum Hazrat Mahal’s wouldn’t have been an inspiring tale of patriotism had it not been for Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The Royal Family of Avadh is in possession of testimony written by Begum’s descendant Prince Anjum Qader.

Great grandson of Begum Hazrat Mahal, Kaukab Qader was present at function to honour martyrs of 1857 revolution in Lucknow and was saddened that the contribution of his ancestor was second to none, yet she was ignored. He and his younger brother Anjum decided to meet Pandit Nehru. In Anjum’s own confession written two years after Pandit Nehru’s death, “I prepared a memorandum and, picking up our youngest brother Nayyer from Aligarh Muslim University, we arrived in New Delhi on August 15, 1957.”

Their claim to the 1857 legacy made news and attracted the PM’s attention. Anjum was bowled over by Nehru’s ‘disarming charm’. All praises for the Queen of Oudh, he inquired about her grave so that something to perpetuate her memory there could be done. In response, Anjum said it was government’s duty to search for it and honour the Begum’s final resting place. Jawaharlal Nehru frankly admitted the lapse and promised to do the needful.”

The 10-minute appointment lasted for an hour and ended with the family providing the PM some reference material. Two months later, Indian government informed the family that the Begum’s grave was found in Kathmandu city and Indian Embassy in Nepal was taking care of it.

On May 9, 1958, Indian government announced state recognition for 1857 Freedom Struggle leaders including Begum Hazrat Mahal. UP government too promised a memorial. “Although we are not aware of the happenings behind the scenes, Mr. Nehru’s hand could easily be felt in the changed attitude,” Anjum writes. Soon after, the famous Victoria Park in Lucknow was renamed after the nawab begum who never gave in to British. Months later, Nehru held his public meeting in the same park.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Shailvee Sharda, TNN / November 13th, 2014

16 new awards for Hindi promotion in UP

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Lucknow:

The state government on Wednesday constituted 16 new awards in the name of renowned writers and poets including Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Bhartendu Harishchandra for promoting Hindi among the state employees.

A decision to this effect was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. The awards will be given by Hindi Sahitya Parishad, an institution of the Hindi department, to writers and poets who are working with the state government.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / November 13th, 2014

No remains of house where Nehru was born

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Allahabad:

House number 77 in Meerganj locality, where India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was born in 1889, doesn’t exist. The rented accommodation was demolished in 1931 by the then municipality as part of its development drive, much after the Nehru family moved out. Its exact location is now unknown.

There is still a house bearing number 77 in the area but as per records, address was re-allotted after the demolition drive. Now, what remains is a rare photograph of the house taken by Baldev Ram Dave, the then chairman, Improvement Trust (now Allahabad Development Authority). It was taken before the building was getting demolished. The photograph was later gifted to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in early 1980s by his family members.

“Original caption of the photograph mentioned the location, longitude and latitude of the house, also stating that Jawaharlal Nehru was born in the only room on the upper floor of the house before sunset. Now, the caption has been changed,” a senior member of the family, who do not wished to be named, said.

Jawaharlal was around three years old when his father Motilal Nehru moved out to a posh location at 9, Elgin Road in Civil Lines. After gaining success in the legal profession, Motilal shifted to a big bungalow, now known as Swaraj Bhawan, in Colonelganj area in 1899.

“On the suggestion of Mahatma Gandhi, the bungalow was dedicated to All India Congress Committee in 1930. Motilal Nehru had by then, built a new two-storied building adjacent to Swaraj Bhawan and had named it Anand Bhawan. He shifted to Anand Bhawan in 1928, which is now a museum,” SP Mal, assistant director, Anand Bhawan Museum, said.

He added: “Swaraj Bhawan was the residence of the son of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, founder of Aligarh Muslim University. He sold it to SN Pandey, who later passed it on to Raja Jai Kisen Das in 1894. Motilal Nehru, then purchased it for Rs 20,000. Swaraj Bhawan served as the headquarters of the freedom struggle activities till Independence.”

Anand Bhawan and Allahabad Museum have exhibited a replica of the two-storied 77 Meerganj. Old timers claimed that it was a red-light area then. When business started flourishing in the area, the area became a hub of flesh trade.

Mal claimed that attempts were not made to build a memorial at the place probably because the area was congested. The locality never finds mentions in any function related to Nehru probably due to existence of red light area there. Even Congress workers refrain from mentioning anything about the place.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Vinod Khanal, TNN / November 12th, 2014

Christian community remembers departed souls

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Lucknow :

Observing the All Souls Day, Christians in the city prayed for departed souls in their family on Sunday evening.

Many of them went to the graveyard to clean graves and lighted incense sticks and candles on them. Some of them read a portion or two from the Bible while others prayed. Families also offered special prayers at their homes in the morning.

“It is an occasion to remind ourselves that we arise from soil and this is going to be our fate some day. therefore, we repent asking God and our ancestors to forgive us for deeds that went wrong consciously or unconsciously,” explained R F Bunny, president, United Christian Welfare Association UP which organised a programme at Nishatganj graveyard.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / November 03rd, 2014

IFS officer awarded for being alligators’ saviour

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Lucknow :

Lucknow-based Indian Forest Service officer, Sujoy Banerjee, has been conferred green warrior award by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for his efforts to save alligator population in the National Chambal Sanctuary and working towards the protection of wildlife.

The award was given to Banerjee in New Delhi on Monday. The award is an extension of work done by RBS through RBS Foundation India in the field of environment and wildlife conservation.

Conferring the award, RBS said it “recognizes the commendable work done in conservation of wildlife, natural resource management, environment protection, human lives and property” by Banerjee while serving as deputy conservator of forests at the National Chambal Wildlife Division.

Speaking to TOI, Banerjee said conservation of wildlife is a regular process that can’t be completed in toto. “Caring for wildlife is a sustained effort and natural habitats are at serious risks these days. Illegal activity in protected areas, lack of awareness among the villagers residing nearby the area along with degrading environmental conditions are some of the serious pointers that we need to protect and preserve wildlife,” he said. Banerjee added that illegal mining and fishing in the protected areas are the two main causes of concern for wildlife conservationists.

On the award, Brijesh Mehra, country executive India at RBS, said, “The dedication of the numerous nominees and winners of the Earth Heroes Awards is truly inspiring. They are actually making a difference to our vital environs. We believe that collective efforts of government, organisations and local communities can place a higher emphasis on environmental protection and spread awareness.”

Commending the help offered by his team at the vast wildlife habitat, Banerjee said only a few people work round the clock in shifts to protect and preserve the natural habitat of the near-extinct flora and fauna. “Alligators or their meat, skin and other parts are not directly used for any purpose. They are killed because they come in conflict with humans who try to illegally smuggle sands from the protected area. Also, many alligators get caught in the fishing nets and the illegal fishermen kill them without any motive,” he said.

During 2012-13, 55 nests of the alligator species were protected by the team of 41 conservationists which resulted in more than alligators being added to the wild. They also protected 74 nests of the critically endangered Red Crowned Roof Turtle.

Banerjee is currently posted in Noida and is working on a tree height measuring instrument ‘Sujoy’s altimeter’ which is under commercial production. Also, he is working on a new method of mitigating human-elephant conflict called the “chilly cracker technique”, which is currently under field trial.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Jayanta Deka, TNN / November 03rd, 2014

Doodnath Singh to get Bharat Bharti Samman

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

City-based doyen of literature Doodhnath Singh has been selected for the state’s highest literary honour Bharat Bharti Samman by the Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan. The announcement was made in Lucknow. Singh would be felicitated with cash award of Rs 5 lakh, citation and a shawl.

Besides, litterateur Mamta Kalia would receive Lohia Sahitya Samman and Vibhuti Narayan Rao would be given the Sahitya Bhushan Samman.

Besides, Tamil litterateur M Govindrajan has been named for ‘Sauhard Samman’ for his works in Hindi while writer Dinesh Mani has been selected for ‘Sarjana samman’. Media analyst Dhananjay Chopra would be felicitated with Baburao Paradkar Samman.

Doodhnath Singh who was taking care of his wife admitted to a private hospital was not available for the comment.

It may be mentioned that 78-year-old Doodhnath Singh has authored popular novels like ‘Akhiri Kalam’, ‘Niskashan’ ‘Namo Andhakaram’, a collection of stories ‘Sapt Chehare wala admi’, ‘Dharmashetre Kurushetre’, a collection of poems, plays, memoirs and interviews. He has also edited several literary books.

Similarly 74-year-old Mamta Kalia is known for her lucid expression. Known for her short stories, she has also authored novels like ‘Beghar’ and ‘Narak Dar Narak’. She has been awarded with UP Hindi Sansthan’s ‘Yashpal Samman’.

She has also been awarded with ‘Bhartendu Samman’, ‘Sharad Joshi Smriti Samman’ and ‘Sahitya Bhushan Samman’.

Similarly, M Govindrajan has helped in propagation of Hindi literature in the Sangam City. City authors and theatre artistes have congratulated the litterateurs for their achievements.

“The honour will definitely motivate the writers to continue with their creative approach,” said Yash Malviya, noted lyricts and poet.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / TNN / November 01st, 2014

30,000 farmers attend Kisan Mela

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

The three-day Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Mela conducted by Chandra Shekhar Azad Agriculture University concluded on Friday. More than 30,000 farmers from different villages participated in the fair and gained knowledge about latest agricultural techniques.

During the closing ceremony, textile minister Shiv Kumar Beria said that organic fertilizers, seeds and other technologically advanced farming equipment should be provided at low cost to farmers for better yield. “India is an agricultural country. It is must that farmers are provided necessary equipment at a low cost. Farmers should also look towards animal husbandry,” Beria said. Kalyanpur MLA Satish Nigam was also present.

The highlight of the event was ‘Krishak Conference’ that gave a platform to farmers to discuss their farm and crop related problems with agricultural scientists and got useful tips. During the conference, the farmers also shared their beneficial experiences with others. A quiz session for farmers was also organised and the winners got prizes. As many as 92 stalls were set up that included 20 stalls by different departments of the university.

CSA vice-chancellor Munna Singh highlighted the achievements of the university in terms of education and research work. He asked farmers to adopt crop diversification and integrated farming system.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / TNN / November 01st, 2014

Nawabs and their love to see self on canvas

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Lucknow :

Narcissism omnipresent now in the form of ‘selfies’—pictures people click of themselves—was manifest in the form of portraits the high and mighty got painted of themselves for posterity. Nawabs of Avadh contributed immensely to the Company School of Painting, a genre of portraits during the British Raj, providing opportunity for many artists. They created vivid testimonies of the socio-cultural practices of the period.

The nawabs’ patronage to painters became a tradition. At a workshop in the city, Indian and Bangladeshi painters drew inspiration from ‘How nawabs patronised the palette’.

* Tilly Kettle’s Father and Son

Tilly Kettle (1735-86) was a portrait maker from London who traveled to India with the East India Company. He met Shuja ud Daulah in Calcutta where he painted his portrait and later accompanied him to Faizabad. He captured many facets of the aristocratic life but his most famous work was portrait of Shuja-ud-Daulah with his heir apparent Asaf ud Daulah. “The nuances of their work are remarkable. The intricacies as in the bejeweled ‘bajuband’ (armlet), and poise on the face of the two kings is an inspiration,” says Vipul Varshney, a city architect. Painters from Delhi such as Mir Kalan Khan also found refuge in Avadh with Mughal aristocracy declining.

* John Zoffany’s Cock-fight

The tradition of patronising painters was inherited by Asaf ud Daulah. This benevolent nawab is given credit for making Lucknow a subject for painters. The grandeur of his personality was captured on paper by Johann Zoffany (1733 – 1810), a painter of German origin and the work became a stencil for many local artists. Myraid representation of cock-fight match in the court of Avadh speaks volumes of the times. Claude Martin and another painter Ozais Humphery (of the Jane Austen portrait fame) are also in the picture. Later, Martin became a route for entry to the nawab’s court. Ozais made the painting of Haider Beg Khan (1786), a royal in nawabi court. The work, now in Victoria and Albert museums of London, showed that painters found clientele in people other than nawabs too.

* William Hodges, the first professional

Better known for a voyage to the Pacific Ocean, Hodges came to Avadh in 1778, under the patronage of Warren Hastings. He was one of the first British professional landscape painters to visit the country. He remained here for six years, staying in Lucknow with Claude Martin in 1783. His painting of (Fatehpur Sikri) is in Sir John Soane’s Museum. His depiction of the nawabi palace in Faizabad is noteworthy.

King Nasir-ud-Din Haider’s role

This nawab would be remembered more for promoting local artists. One of the paintings of the King with an English lady, probably the wife of Lord Bentinck, is quite striking. It shows the influence of British lifestyle on Avadh. A research work by Neeru Mishra has studied over 300 paintings on Krishna done by artist Ram Prasad who was known to be patronised by Nasir-ud-Din Haider, bringing to fore the nawab’s faith in the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.

Fusion of genres

Researcher Pran Neville has noted that Indian artists took the opportunity to work for their new British patrons, especially because the traditional patronage of Indian rulers and their courts was rapidly declining. “While adopting some features of Western art they took care to preserve traditional elements. Since their own skills were more than adequate, they did not need formal training from the British,” he writes. Scholars at Colombia University also noted that Zoffany was being imitated by local artists. One of his famous works, portrait of Nawab Asaf-ud-daulah, has seven versions besides the original.

Price of vanity

Getting a portrait made was a costly affair. Artists even advertised in newspapers to reach out to clients. One such advertisement that appeared in April 1798 was given by one lesser known artist named Morris. He charged 15-80 gold mohurs for different sizes such as bead size, three quarters, kit cat, half length and whole length. Zoffany charged Rs 2,500 from the wife of a British officer. “The well-to-do, in fact, were ready to spend any amount to get their portraits made for it was a fashion statement,” suggests Neville.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Shailvee Sharda, TNN / November 02nd, 2014