National Museum Delhi, Connecting Indian & World History

Invitation To A Special Walk-through  Of The Exhibition Led By Chitra Sarkar..

We have studied Indian History. We have studied World History. But how many times have we had a chance to connect the two, to discover how India was impacted by its contemporary world in the course of human evolution?

I’m just back from a preview of an amazing exhibition which opens on 5^th May at the National Museum in New Delhi. It is a collaborative effort between the British Museum and Mumbai’s CSVS Museum, featuring artifacts lent by museums all over the world.

The oldest object is a hand axe, discovered in 1863 near Chennai and could be one million years old. It comes from one of the first stone age sites discovered anywhere in the world. Next to it lie similar axes, found in Europe and Africa, which demonstrate the common history that all human beings share. All the axes have a similar shape. It is an important marker in the evolution of human thought itself.

Next come the fired pots discovered in the Northwest of India, Egypt, Turkey and Mesopotamia. In this exhibition we get a chance to compare them side by side. Urbanisation is explored next. The most famous object which represents the Harappan Civilization is the Dancing Girl. Now you can meet her contemporaries – a lady from Mesopotamia and a Pharoah from Egypt among others.

By now, you may feel immersed in many philosophical thoughts about the oneness of humankind…and there are still many more stories that will unfold before you. In addition to the displays there will be special programmes and curator walks. It is a collaborative effort between the various museums, to celebrate 70 years of our Independence. Do go see it for yourself.

A Editor’s Note : A walk through of this exhibition has been arranged for the readers of Habitat Times.

Please email us at ecohabitat.times@gmail.com your 'interest to attend' with name and mobile number for receiving your e-invite.

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Shubho Nobo Barsho!

In the pre-dawn darkness, long before the sun was scheduled to rise – at 5:56 am – devotees had started gathering on the lawns of Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir. Everyone stood in orderly lines facing east. It was Nabo Barsho – 15^th April, Bengali New Year’s Day. We were waiting to catch the first auspicious glimpse of the Sun God, the giver of Life and ruling deity of our oldest scripture, the Rig Veda. We held palm leaf bowls with rose petals, til and Ganga jal, which we would offer the God as soon as he made his appearance through the verdant tree tops that surround the temple. Since there remained a good half hour before sun rise, we listened to a rendition of Tagore’s “Aguner Parashmani”, about the light that touches  our vision and dispels the darkness. 

The Chief functionaries welcomed all devotees who numbered in the hundreds by now. A priest recited verses from the Rig Veda, in praise of that most ancient of worshiped beings – the Sun, who was about to appear before us in its everyday , glorious form. Is there anything more breath-taking than that first sight of the newly risen sun? We raised our flowers to him and prayed for a serene, peaceful and happy New Year.

At the end of the prayers, the palm-leaf bowls were collected for orderly disposal – the lawn remained pristine, except for the thousand or so devotees embracing each other with New Year greetings.

And the Bengali year 1425 had begun.

May it bring happiness, good health and peace to all our neighbours.

By Chitra Sarkar ,J Block CR Park, New Delhi

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All India Kitchen Garden Show

Delhi's Biggest Two Day Fruit, Vegetable And Flower Show To Begin On February  24 & 25, 2018..

The Show To Focus On  Kitchen Garden Nurturing.

More Than 12,000 Plant,Fruit And Vegetable Varieties Will Be On Display..

BSF IG Administration Alok Kumar To Be Chief Guest

Delhi's biggest two day fruit, vegetable and flower Show is being organised by All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA) and will open on February 24 , 2018 at Gulmohar Park Club . Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forests and Climate Change- Government of India likely to  inaugurate . Inspector General Boarder Security Force  (BSF) Alok Humar to be guest of honour.

The All India Kitchen Garden Association, an all India body had completed its 50 years  last year in May 2017.

" More than 12,000 varieties plants, vegetables and fruits spread in 21 sections including landscaping, pots and containers, ornamental plants, trey gardens , bottle gardens, cut fruits, vegetables and flower arrangements  will be on display during the two day show. There will also be herbal plants, roses, hanging plants and potted plants on display" said Mrs Bella Gupta, Secretary, All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA) .

 “ The main theme of the show this year is ‘ The  Kitchen Garden’ as Several factors are involved in planting a vegetable garden. As much work goes into planning as it does into the actual growing of the vegetables. Choosing a spot, preparing your soil, and deciding on which vegetables all have to happen prior to the actual process of planting.” these all parts will be taught and displayed for visitors” said Ms Bella Gupta.

 “It has to be emphasized during the show that this is not only a FLOWER Show but mainly Vegetable and Fruit also for Members of the public who are keen to grow organic food and thereby contribute to a greener and cleaner environment.” she said.

" Apart from members of the AIKGA , the other participants will include  Government organisations including  Delhi Government,  DDA, MCD and PWD. The theme of the show this year is "Colour and Aroma"  Grafted and non-grafted cacti, aromatic plants and herbs, decorative dahlias, vegetable carving and floral human, animal and bird arrangements will be on display", Mrs Gupta said.

" Major highlight of the Fruit, vegetable and flower show ill be focus on food preservation and nutrition, number of  competitions have been organised for its visitors. These include arranging cut flowers into a beautiful bouquet to hanging basket competition to a tray-landscape of bonsai, nutrition recipe contest the options are many," said Bella Gupta.

                                         

Contact Bella Gupta 9810021628/26532495

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Vivan Sundaram's 50 Year Retrospective

Vice President of India Mr Venkaiah Naidu visited Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) on 14th February 2018, to support the landmark exhibition ‘Vivan Sundaram: Step inside and you are no longer a stranger’, A Retrospective: Fifty Years, which opened on 8th February 2018.

Ms Roshini Nadar, Executive Director and the CEO of HCL, Mr Shiv Nadar, Founder and Chairman of HCL, and Shiv Nadar foundation leadership, were accompanied by the students of the Shiv Nadar Foundation institutions to warmly welcome the honorable Mr Naidu to the museum.

Speaking about the importance of Indian arts heritage and the evolution of contemporary art across the country, Mr Naidu congratulated the museum’s founders for their innovative public programmes and exhibitions, which he said have made “significant contributions to arts and culture across the country and internationally, that support nation-building”. He also said that the museum's founder Kiran Nadar was a “key individual in the activation of South Asian arts”.

Ms Roshni Nadar speaking on behalf of the museum and the Shiv Nadar Foundation, talked about KNMA’s history and development over the last eight years, instigated by Mrs Nadar who opened the space in 2010, to share her art collection with the public, “I was also acutely aware of the existing dearth of institutional spaces for the public, and wanted to bring visibility to modern and contemporary art from India and the subcontinent, and share the incredibly diverse talent of our artists”, says Mrs Kiran Nadar about the museum.

KNMA works on bringing art into the public sphere by activating art appreciation and nurturing a museum-going culture in the capital.

KNMA aspires to become a place for confluence, through its curatorial initiative and exhibitions, school and college workshops, art appreciation discourses, symposiums and public programs. It is focused on bridging the gap between art and the public.

Mr Naidu, acknowledged KNMA’s vision of bringing important Indian artists to the public via innovative exhibitions, publications, educational, and public programmes, and described his great pleasure in experiencing the rare and extraordinary works of one of India’s highly celebrated and influential artists, Vivan Sundaram, whose 50 year retrospective, Vivan Sundaram—Step inside and you are no longer a stranger, will be on display at the museum until June 30 2018.

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Phool Walon Ki Sair

The Phool Walon ki Sair is a festival which is celebrated in the capital city of Delhi in India. Phool Walon ki Sair is a festival or a colorful procession of the flower sellers. In this festival, the Hindus and the Muslims participate with equal enthusiasm. The Phool Walon ki Sair festival is celebrated by everybody in Mehrauli in south Delhi.

It is a week long festival and a unique phenomena when Hindus and Muslims together offer the floral chaadar and pankha at the Dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar 'Kaaki' in Mehrauli and floral pankha and chhatra (canopy) is offered at the ancient temple of Devi Yogmaya, also, in Mehrauli. The pankha has become a symbol of communal harmony and national integration.

The Festival is being being celebrated since the Mughal period (1812). This year it was celebrated from 30th October to 4th November 2017.

Description of Phool Walon ki Sair:

The Festival of Phool Walon ki Sair in Delhi was started in the 19th Century by the Mughal Emperor Akbar Shah II. The festival, however, became popular during the reign of Bahadur Shah Zafar. Shah Zafar was chosen to be the next emperor by the British. But Queen Mumtaz Mahal wanted to make her son Mirza Jehangir to sit on the throne. But later on, Mirza was sent in deported to Allahabad. His mother Mumtaz then took an oath that she would make a contribution of a four-poster flower bed at the sacred shrine of Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki at Mehrauli if her son was permitted to return. When Mirza was at last allowed to return, and rightfully given the throne, according to the promise, a beautiful flower canopy was created to which the flower sellers added an intricate flower pankha at their own cost. This was carried in a procession to the saint’s tomb.

During the Delhi Phool Walon ki Sair, floral tributes are offered at the dargah of the Saint. On the occasion of the grand festival of Phool Walon ki Sair, huge pankhas made of palm leaves decorated with shiny flecks and flowers are offered. Performances of Kathak dances and Quawalis also take place. Fire dancers lead a large procession across the streets carrying flower pankhas. The cultural program of the Festival of Phool Walon ki Sair is held at the Jahaz Mahal.

The Phool Walon ki Sair Festival in Delhi is a festival of joviality and merriment. The festival is celebrated every year in the months of October-November.

Phool Walon ki Sair Phool Walon ki Sair Phool Walon ki Sair Phool Walon ki Sair Phool Walon ki Sair

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Fire And Ice, An Exhibition By DPS International, Gurgaon

The future generations will make this world – I have the conviction and confidence not to say “break”! And that was amply displayed by a stunning exhibition of exceptional works of art conceived, created and curated by the young tots of DPS International School, Gurgaon, at Select City Walk Mall foyer on 11th October 2017.

The exhibition depicted the children’s pain and concern for their environment & surroundings.  From traffic snarls to mobile addictions, from non – adherence to traffic rules to being careless on the roads while crossing, from road rage to drunken driving – they had captured every aspect of today’s disturbed world in spectacular proportions and depicted them in the most striking manner eliciting the requisite alarm and worry in the viewers’ minds, and sufficient food to think through to rectify oneself. The purpose of the school to conceive of such a thought provoking concept was well served!

 Each painting was created using acrylic, poster and oil colours using the most innovative mediums such as leather sheets, paper cutting instruments, scalpels and several other instruments. The children however worked with the sharp instruments under close supervision of their teachers, to ensure no child was injured.

The flawless finishes of the paintings were arrived at by the students themselves, each of whom have a precise and discerning eye for detail, that was commendable.

Each child was supremely confident about his/her concept and rattled off the thought behind the painting complete with the detailed process, mediums used and the use of colours for each segment of the painting.

Habitat Times heartily congratulates each child, teacher and the entire school to present such a commendable concept through colours and brushes, firing the minds of the viewers immensely!
Keep up the great work!!

By Jaya Ray ( rayjaya72@gmail.com)
Photo Credits : Anindita Roy ( Anindita1110@gmail.com)
Habitat.Times@gmail.com

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The Unsaid- An Art Exhibition...

Delhi is hosting the First India-Bahrain Arts Exchange 'The Unsaid' by ArtBAB supported by Tamkeen at the Bikaner House, New Delhi.

This unique exhibition will host 18 exceptionally talented Bahraini artists who are coming to India to showcase their innovative artworks and foster a connect between creative enthusiasts from both countries.

"Art reflects cultural evolution and progress of a nation" says Rouble Nagi, Founder of Rouble Nagi Art Foundation. Being an art connoisseur, curator and collector, Nagi is delighted about "The Unsaid" a collective exhibition of 18 Bahraini Artistes which opens to public on 10th & 11th Oct, 2017 at the Bikaner House , New Delhi.

"The beauty about ArtBAB is that its a reflection of what Bahrain is" says Kanika Subberwal, Fair and Program Director of ArtBaB. Subberwal is hugely excited for this first ever India-Bahrain Art Exchange which was premiered at New Delhi on 9th October, 2017 at the Bikaner House.

Anindita Roy (habitat.times@gmail.com)

http://www.habitattimes.com/p/featured-events_22.html (IKAT SHOW AT BIKANER HOUSE)

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