“मेरा रंगमंच मेरे बाह्य-जगत और अंतर-जगत के बीच का सेतु है- रतन थियम”

रज़ा फाउन्डेशन और इंडिया हैबिटाट सेंटर के संयुक्त तत्वावधान में ‘हबीब तनवीर मेमोरियल लेक्चर’ श्रृंखला का छठवां व्याख्यान चर्चित नाटककार रतन थियम द्वारा ‘MY THEATRE : MY JOURNEY’ अर्थात ‘मेरा रंगमंच : मेरी यात्रा’ विषय पर 19 सितम्बर 2018 को इंडिया हैबिटाट सेंटर के गुलमोहर सभागार में संपन्न हुआ। रज़ा फाउन्डेशन नियमित रूप से साहित्य, संस्कृति और कला माध्यमों में अपनी विविध गतिविधियों से विद्वत समाज का ध्यान आकृष्ट करता रहा है।

रज़ा फाउन्डेशन द्वारा आयोजित आठ व्याख्यान श्रृंखला अज्ञेय, कुमार गंधर्व, मणिकौल, हबीब तनवीर, वी.एस. गायतोंडे, केलुचरण महापात्रा, चार्ल्स कोरिया और दयाकृष्ण व्याख्यानमाला है, हबीब तनवीर व्याख्यान की प्रस्तुति में अब तक सदानंद मेनन, नवज्योति सिंह, शांता गोखले, नीलम मान सिंह, रुस्तम भरुचा का व्याख्यान संपन्न हुआ है। हबीब तनवीर व्याख्यानमाला की शुरुआत रज़ा फाउन्डेशन के प्रबंध न्यासी एवं हिंदी के सुप्रसिद्ध कवि अशोक वाजपेयी के स्वागत वक्तव्य एवं अतिथि वक्ता रतन थियम को गुलदस्ता भेंट कर के हुई। श्री अशोक वाजपेयी ने हबीब तनवीर का परिचय देते हुए हबीब तनवीर को भारत का महत्वपूर्ण प्रगतिशील मूल्यों का लेखक, नाटककार बताया। उन्होंने कहा कि रतन थियम हबीब तनवीर के परम्परा के नाटककार हैं। हबीब तनवीर के  स्मृति में रज़ा फाउंडेशन अपने व्याख्यानमाला श्रृंखला के तहत नियमित आयोजन करता रहा है। मुख्य वक्ता रतन थियम ने अपने विषय मेरा रंगमंच : मेरी यात्रा पर बोलते हुए कहा कि रंगमंच अभिनेता और दर्शक के बीच होने वाले संवाद की एक सतत प्रक्रिया है जो कि दर्शक को अपनी स्वयं की कल्पना का निर्माण करने में, अग्रगामी संभावनाओं को सोचने और सम्पूर्ण अभिनय को दार्शनिक दृष्टिकोण के साथ अपनाने में मदद करती है। रंगमंच एक सघन कला रूप है, जिसकी प्रस्तुतीकरण की प्रकृति और शैली अन्य सभी कलाओ के सहमेल एवं संबोधन से निर्मित होती है। उन्होंने अपनी बात आगे बढ़ाते हुए कहा कि रंगमंच में किसी भी प्रस्तुति को दोहराया नहीं सकता है। इसमें समानता या पुनरावृत्ति को प्रोत्साहित नहीं किया जाता है। एक अच्छा रंगमंच अभिव्यक्ति का वाहक है जो सांस्कृतिक, सामाजिक और भाषाई सीमाओं को तोड़ सकता है। रंगमंच की भाषाभिव्यक्ति अनेक कला माध्यमों की तरह समय-समय पर बदलती रहती है, पर यह एक सतत प्रक्रिया एवं चुनौती है जिसे समय की सूक्ष्मता और उसकी चुनौतियों को नूतनता के साथ पकड़ना होता है। रंगमंच में कोई भी दुहराव रंगमंच को कमजोर करता है। उन्होंने कहा कि रंगमंच मेरे लिए मेडिटेशन है जो मेरे बाह्य-जगत एवं अंतर-जगत के बीच एक सेतु का निर्माण करता है। यह मुझे अधिक मानवीय और रचनात्मक बनाता है। मेरा रंगमंच मेरे युद्ध एवं शांति का क्षेत्र है। उन्होंने कहा कि अगर मुझसे कोई पूछे कि थियेटर क्या है? तो मैं निश्चित तौर पर कहूँगा, मैं नहीं जानता हूँ कि  थियेटर क्या है। मैंने अपनी पूरी जिंदगी इसे समझने की कोशिश की है लेकिन जितना मैं आगे बढ़ता हूँ यह मुझे उतना ही जटिल लगने लगता है। इसके भाव और विचार कभी न ख़त्म होने वाला एक अभ्यास है। कला में जो कुछ भी शुरू होता है वह पहली बार इस तरह की दुनिया में पैदा होता है। इसलिए कल की नई दुनिया कला की दुनिया में पहले ही पैदा हुई है। हमारे पूर्वजों के संस्कार, दैनिक गतिविधि, अनुष्ठान, वनस्पतियों और जीवों से जुड़ाव हमारे पारंपरिक प्रदर्शन कलाओं के लिए मुख्य संसाधन हैं और वे हमारे थियेटर में प्रतिबिंबित होते हैं। रंगमंच मेरे रोजमर्रा की जिंदगी में मेरे अस्तित्व का जवाब है, मेरी परंपराओं की प्रेरणा को यह प्रेरित करता है। अज्ञात क्षेत्रों में प्रवेश करने की उत्सुकता, नई अनपढ़ विधियों को जानना, सटीक अभिव्यक्ति की खोज तकनीकों के साथ कुश्ती लड़ने के समान है। यह यात्रा स्वयं की संतुष्टि के लिए है और किसी और के लिए नहीं, लेकिन जब मैं अपना काम पूरा करता हूं तो प्रीमियर प्रदर्शन का अंत होता है। जिसे मैं वापस मुड के  देखना नहीं चाहता। मैं ताजगी के साथ एक नए गर्भ में पैदा होना चाहता हूँ।

रिहर्सल मेरे लिए सबसे उबाऊ चीज है। मैं प्रीमियर के साथ मर जाता हूँ। नाटककार के रूप में नाटक का प्रीमियर होने के बाद मेरे संबंध का अंत भी है। मैं प्रीमियर के बाद रिहर्सल नहीं देखने की कोशिश करता हूं। मैं सपने देखता हूँ जो मेरी अंतर्यात्रा में मदद करती है। थिएटर बनाने के लिए श्रमिक प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम और वित्त पोषण की आवश्यकता होती है। वित्त पोषण की कमी थिएटर की गुणवत्ता से समझौता करती है। इसी समझौते के रूप पर भारतीय रंगमंच चल रहा है। हम नए सांस्कृतिक परिदृश्य के साथ एक दुनिया में रहते हैं। इस दौरान रतन थियम ने कलाकारों की असुविधा और भारतीय संस्कृति की विविधता पर भी अपनी बात रखी। शहर के कई गणमान्य और विद्वतजन इस कार्यक्रम में मौजूद रहे। हिंदी के सुप्रसिद्ध कवि विष्णु खरे के निधन पर इस कार्यक्रम में मौन रख कर श्रद्धांजलि भी दिया गया।

Hindustani vocalist Shatavisha Mukherjee and Odissi dancer Madhur Gupta in Delhi for Aarambh-X

New Delhi, September 11: Hindustani classical vocalist Shatavisha Mukherjee and Odissi dancer Madhur Gupta were chosen to perform under The Raza Foundation’s Aarambh series aimed at providing a platform for promising young Indian artists from classical music and classical dance.

Aarambh, launched in August 2017, invites two artists from different genres from various parts of India every month to perform before discerning audiences at two different venues in Delhi. In the first season (2017-2018), a total of 25 artists were given two venues to showcase their art.  The Raza Foundation organizes and fully supports the performances of the artists in keeping with the mission of its Founder, the late artist, S.H Raza, to support and nurture young talented artists. 

Kolkata based vocalist Shatavisha Mukherjee and Madhur Gupta, a Delhi based Odissi dancer gave their second performance as part of thr tenth edition of Aarambh at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi. Their first performance took place at Government Girls Senior Secondary School (Pandara Park, New Delhi) and Mother’s International School (New Delhi) earlier in the morning. 

The Hindustani classical vocalist, Shatavisha Mukherjee began her musical journey at the age of three under the tutelage of Pt. A Kannan. She then went on to pursue her education in music under Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar at ITC Sangeet Research Academy. She pursued dual Masters in Music and in History from Jadavpur

University. Accompanied by Pt. Vinod Lele  on the tabla, Shri Vinay Mishra on the harmonium and Umesh Soni on the tanpura, the young vocalist began the evening with an ode to the monsoons through Raag Malhaar followed by a bandish, ‘Saiyan mora re, main toh boli’ and ended the evening with the melodious composition ‘Naina mora re’.

Odissi dancer, Madhur Gupta began his initial training in Kathak with  Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj. He then went to pursue Odissi under Guru Madhavi Mudgal. After being trained in the fundamentals by Padma Shri Madhavi Mudgal at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and a galaxy of star gurus at Rudrakshya Foundation in Orissa, Madhur is currently in advanced training under the renowned danseuse, Guru Sharon Lowen in New Delhi. He began his recital with a choresgraphy of his creation, a Kamakshi Mangalcharan invocating

Goddess Kamakshi, the wish fulfilling benevolent Devi. The second composition, a Champu choreographed by his Guru Sharon Lowen, was an oriya abhinayacomposition was a satire on Krishna’s anxious reaction to getting a glimpse of Radha by the Sakhi.

The third and fourth compositions were a Shankaravarnam and Pashyati Dishi Dishi choreographed by Padma Vibhushan Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. The Shankaravarnam Pallavi is a pure dance composition exhibiting the lyrical technique of Odissi through the exploration of raga Shankaravarnam. The Pashyati Dishi Dishi is a Sanskrit abhinaya  composition depicting Radha’s delusionary and melancholic state when Krishna doesn’t arrive to meet her.

The second day of Aarambh shall take place at Alliance Francaise (Delhi) and will feature Hindustani vocalist Ashish V Ranade and Kathak dancer Siddhi Goel.

German artist Lisa Premke reveals her craft through ‘Singing Patterns’

 Kochi Biennale Foundation organizes ‘Let’s Talk’ session at Pepper House

Kochi, Sept 11: “The idea of nature taking its course and being part of the environment always strikes me. Every chain has a different tone and frequency in it depending upon the elements it is made up of and those surrounding it. There is no mono sound here. These chains depict the various communities and culture of the place,” said German artist Lisa Premke.

She was addressing the audience at a ‘Let’s Talk’ session on her installation “Singing Patterns”, organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) at Pepper House on Saturday evening. The programme encourages open dialogue by inviting prominent artists and thinkers to discuss their creative work.

The German artist has been part of the Pepper House Residency for the past one month, exploring the area and creating work as response. She is in India as part of the bangaloREsidency programme of the Goethe-Institut, Bengaluru.

German artist Lisa Premke speaking at the Let’s Talk session - ‘Signing Patterns’ organised by the Kochi Biennale foundation at the Pepper House, Fort Kochi on Saturday

Premke works with acoustics, sounds and cultural heritage. Her practice involves taking apart discarded systems and using their elements for transformation in acoustic objects and site-specific installations.

Whether it is abandoned industries, or failed political systems, or the deconstruction of language—the artist experiments with the perception of absence and intimacy with immaterial commonalities. It is a re-enactment of familiar and at the same time completely unknown situations. Through friction, resistance and reverberation, the material finds a voice that narrates itself.

The artist in Premke can hear sound in everything that she sees. She was in Kerala during the monsoon and the sound of the rain chains so fascinated her that she started working with it. Her installation at the Pepper House includes plastic, unstained steel, and all kinds of aluminium, and she listens to the sounds they make when these singing patterns move. For her installation, she picked different materials to have different notes that she wanted.

German artist Lisa Premke

In the studio space of Pepper House, she finds a slice of real Kochi. “When I normally work I find traces of things; I’m interested in what people leave behind as individuals, but mainly as communities. I somehow found people don’t leave much behind here. I find it a surprising mix. The culture and heritage are so strong that everything gets carried, and yet there’s a constant fluctuation of things – there’s a huge mix of every culture, every religion. Everything is moving forward, and yet, everyone is carrying their history, culture and traditions. I don’t know how that works out yet in my practice, but it’s something new and something I quite like. I’ve worked with traces that are carried on and they transform very slowly. There’s an opposition to me here, because there are a lot of contradictory elements that come together here,” she noted.

KBF President Bose Krishnamachari, Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB-2018) curator Anita Dube   and a number of other renowned artists were present at the talk.

Her Installation was also showcased at the Open Studio on September 7 and 8 and later at the Residency show parallel to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, which gets underway on December 12.

गुम शहरों का दास्तान निर्वासन एवं विस्थापन का दास्तान है – आशीष नन्दी

रज़ा फाउन्डेशन का ‘दयाकृष्ण मेमोरियल लेक्चर’ श्रृंखला का छठवां व्याख्यान ‘लॉस्ट सिटीज एंड देयर इनहैबीटैंट्स’ अर्थात ‘गुम शहरें और उनके निवासी’ विषय पर चर्चित राजनीतिक, मनोवैज्ञानिक एवं आलोचक आशीष नंदी का 28 अगस्त 2018 को इंडिया हैबिटाट सेंटर के गुलमोहर सभागार में संपन्न हुआ।

रज़ा फाउन्डेशन नियमित रूप से साहित्य, संस्कृति और कला माध्यमों में अपनी विविध गतिविधियों से विद्वत समाज का ध्यान आकृष्ट करता रहा है। रज़ा फाउन्डेशन द्वारा आयोजित आठ व्याख्यान श्रृंखला अज्ञेय, कुमार गंधर्व, मणिकौल, हबीब तनवीर, वी.एस. गायतोंडे, केलुचरण महापात्रा, चार्ल्स कोरिया और दयाकृष्ण व्याख्यानमाला है, दयाकृष्ण व्याख्यान की प्रस्तुति में अब तक अनन्या वाजपेयी, प्रतापभानु मेहता, शिव विश्वनाथन, रामचंद्र गुहा, और रमिन जहान बेगलू का व्याख्यान संपन्न हुआ है।दयाकृष्ण व्याख्यानमाला की शुरुआत रज़ा फाउन्डेशन के प्रबंध न्यासी एवं हिंदी के सुप्रसिद्ध कवि अशोक वाजपेयी के स्वागत वक्तव्य एवं अतिथि वक्ता आशीष नंदी को गुलदस्ता भेंट कर के हुई। श्री अशोक वाजपेयी ने दयाकृष्ण का परिचय देते हुए दयाकृष्ण को स्वतन्त्र भारत का दार्शनिक बताया। उन्होंने कहा कि दयाकृष्ण संस्कृतियों में असामान्य रूचि रखने वाले और सांस्कृतिक सौन्दर्यशास्त्र इत्यादि विषय पर विचार करने वाले दार्शनिक रहे हैं। उनके स्मृति में रज़ा फाउंडेशन व्याख्यानमाला श्रृंखला के तहत नियमित आयोजन करता रहा है। मुख्य वक्ता आशीष नंदी ने अपने विषय गुम शहरें और उनके निवासी पर बोलते हुए कहा कि यह एक जैव मनोवैज्ञानिक तथ्य है कि हम अलगाव के यथार्थ को जानते हैं और हम अपनी यादों को नियंत्रित कर सकते हैं। भूलने और याद रखने का एक माध्यम खो गया शहर है। कल्पना का शहर एक रहस्यमय शहर है। लेकिन गुम हो गए शहर को सार्वजानिक यादों, कला और साहित्य इत्यादि के माध्यम से हम उसे याद रख सकते हैं।उन्होंने खो गए शहरों के पहचान के दो तत्व बतलाये, एक शहर को येरुशलम के रूप में तथा दुसरे को हिरोशिमा-नाकासाकी के रूप में चिन्हित किया। आशीष नंदी ने इस आधार पर कहा कि गुम हुए शहरों का दास्तान निर्वासन एवं विस्थापन का दास्तान है, जिसे धर्म और विज्ञान दोने ने संभव किया है। वास्तविक शहर में खोये हुए शहर का आंशिक अंश स्वायत्त होता है। उन शहरों के पास एक स्वायत्त अस्तित्व है। इस क्रम में उन्होंने लाहौर, हैदराबाद, लखनऊ, कलकत्ता, दिल्ली, ढाका, कश्मीर इत्यादि शहरों के उदाहरण से अपनी बात को विस्तृत ढंग से रखा।इस अवसर पर ओम थानवी, अपूर्वानंद, सौमित्र मोहन, सुधीर चन्द्र, गीतांजली श्री, ज्योतिष जोशी समेत शहर के विभिन्न वय के विद्वतजन उपस्थित रहे। व्याख्यान के बाद श्रोताओं ने वक्ता आशीष नंदी से प्रश्न पूछ कर कार्यक्रम को संवादी बनाया।

आयोजन का धन्यवाद ज्ञापन रज़ा फाउंडेशन के प्रबंध न्यासी श्री अशोक वाजपेयी ने किया। रज़ा फाउन्डेशन का आगामी माह का कार्यक्रम 07-08 सितम्बर 2018 को जवाहरलाल नेहरू विश्वविद्यालय के स्कूल ऑफ़ आर्ट्स एंड एस्थेटिक्स में परस्पर का, 11 सितम्बर 2018 को त्रिवेणी कला संगम में और 12 सितम्बर 2018 को अलायन्स फ्रांसिस में आरम्भ-10 का, 17 सितम्बर 2018 को इंडिया इंटरनेशनल सेंटर में आर्ट्स मैटर्स का, 19 सितम्बर 2018 को इंडिया हैबिटाट सेंटर में गायतोंडे व्याख्यानमाला का, 22 सितम्बर 2018 को इंडिया इंटरनेशनल सेंटर में कुँवर नारायण स्मृति का, 24 सितम्बर 2018 को इंडिया इंटरनेशनल सेंटर में आज कविता का दिल्ली में तथा 25-29 सितम्बर 2018 को पुणे में पेन इंटरनेशनल कांग्रेस का तथा 29 सितम्बर 2018 को देहरादून में आरम्भ देहरादून श्रंखला-1 का है। कार्यक्रम से सम्बंधित विस्तृत जानकारी रज़ा फाउंडेशन के वेब पेज पर पाया जा सकता है।

Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2018 announces first list of participating artists

Kochi, June 12: The Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) has announced the  first list of participating artists working across divergent forms, styles and disciplines for the upcoming fourth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. The list features prominent names like Marlene Dumas (Netherlands), VALIE EXPORT (Austria), Jitish Kallat (India), Guerrilla Girls (USA), Nilima Sheikh (India), Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook (Thailand) and Song Dong (China).

Curated by eminent artist Anita Dube, the fourth edition of one of the largest contemporary art biennales, known as the ‘People’s Biennale,’ begins on December 12, 2018.  Dube, who visited a total of 29 countries as part of her research, emphasised the importance of inclusion and collaboration in her curatorial approach, with a wide range of Indian and international artists.

Artists from India and of Indian origin include Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, B.V. Suresh, Madhvi Parekh, Sunil Gupta & Charan Singh, Vipin Dhanurdharan, Prabhakar Pachpute, Rina Banerjee, Shubigi Rao and Shilpa Gupta.

International artists participating in the Biennale include Aernout Mik (Netherlands), Akram Zaatari (Lebanon), Barthélémy Toguo (Cameroon), EB Itso (Denmark), Goshka Macuga (Poland), Heri Dono (Indonesia), Ines Doujak + John Barker (Austria + UK), Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba (Vietnam), Marlene Dumas (Netherlands), and Pangrok Sulap (Malaysia), Rana Hamadeh (Lebanon), Santu Mofokeng (South Africa), Shirin Neshat (Iran), Sue Williamson (South Africa), Tania Bruguera (Cuba), Thomas Hirschhorn (Switzerland), Vivian Caccuri (Brazil), Walid Raad (Lebanon), and William Kentridge (South Africa).

On curating an exhibition of this scale, Anita Dube noted: “My earliest intuitive vision for this edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale to explore the possibilities for a non-alienated life has remained with me. The need to listen, think, and learn with each other, particularly voices from the margins – of women, of the queer community, the oppressed castes, the whispers and signs of nature – with a spirit of freedom and comradeship is vital. In both the exhibition and the carefully designed interactive spaces, I hope the incredible range of exhibiting artists and visitors will become active participants and co-producers of the Biennale as a knowledge laboratory.”

KMB 2018, which will have a span of 108 days from 12/12/18 till 29/03/19, will be supported by an ancillary programme of talks, workshops, film screenings and music across a range of venues in Kochi.

Sahapedia marks International Museum Day with events in 15 cities

Museum walks, workshops and lectures from May 13-20 will explore history, culture and traditions

New Delhi, May 14: Sahapedia.org, the open online resource on art and culture that has undertaken one of the largest museum mapping projects in India, is marking International Museum Day by encouraging people to understand their histories and traditions through antiquities, artefacts and knowledge protected and conserved by museums in their cities.

Sahapedia is celebrating the International Museum  Day from May 13-20, 2018 with a host of programmes including museum walks, workshops andbaithaks (talks) across 15 cities, in partnership with a number of social, cultural and not-for-profit organisations.

Two cities, Delhi and Ahmedabad hosted the inaugural walks on Sunday, May 13. The walk in the national capital was organised in partnership with the Delhi Police and customised for children of their employees who were taken on a tour of the National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum that houses a vast collection of tribal and rural crafts as well as textiles and jewellery.

In Ahmedabad the participants visited the iconic Sanskar Kendra, marking the start of a week of walks and workshops led by a host of researchers and subject experts in cities including Srinagar, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Shillong, Baroda, Amritsar, Allahabad and Varanasi.

Sahapedia is a not-for-profit organisation carrying out extensive work in cultural documentation, research and conservation. One of its key projects is the free museumsofindia.org portal which was launched on International Museum Day on May 18 last year and aims to create an all-inclusive digital database of the more than 1,000 museums across India.

“One of the key objectives of International Museum Day is to raise awareness around museums and identifying them as significant spaces for cultural exchange and enrichment. Additionally, this year's theme — Hyper-connected museums: New approaches, new publics — is aligned with Sahapedia's Museum of India project 's vision of engaging with museum professionals and the audience through varied mediums available, both online and offline,” said Vaibhav Chauhan, Secretary, Sahapedia.

One of the key features of the International Museum Week, as with the nationwide India Heritage Walk Festival that Sahapedia had organised in February this year is ‘inclusivity’. The events scheduled over the week include specially crafted walks for underprivileged children in partnership with CRY in Bengaluru and Magic Bus in Mumbai.

A special blindfold tactile art workshop titled ‘Anubhuti’ is being organised in New Delhi on Friday, May 18 in partnership with Access for ALL.

Dr B. Venugopal, the former Director of the National Museum of Natural History will speak on accessibility and social inclusion in Kochi at the Kerala Museum of History on International Museum Day.

In Chandigarh a museum walk and a storytelling session will be held at the International Doll Museum on May 19.

“Sahapedia has always believed in making heritage engagement programmes more holistic and inclusive. These initiatives have the benefit of highlighting these issues to institutions, and indicating the need to alter heritage spaces into more inclusive spaces,” Mr Chauhan said.

देश के कलाकारों ने रची बिहार की स्वर्णिम गाथा

सदियों से कला-संस्कृति एवं रीति-रिवाजों के लिए बिहार का नाम अलग रहा है। यहाँ का अतीत काफी स्वर्णिम रहा है। भाषा बोली एवं परम्पराओं की विविधता के साथ ही कई योद्धा एवं ज्ञानी पुरुषों ने इस धरती के मान को बढ़ाया एवं भारतीय इतिहास में दर्ज कराया।

सम्राट अशोक, भगवान बुद्ध, भगवान महावीर से लेकर स्वतंत्रता संग्राम में योगदान देने वाले स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों की अलग-अलग कथा कहानी है। एक तरफ भोजपुरी, मगही , अंगिका, बज्जिका आदि बोलियों की अपनी संस्कृति है तो दूसरी तरफ मैथिल की अपनी सौंदर्य रचना है।

 विविधता की दुनिया में कल्पना करते हुए अपनी-अपनी सौंदर्य दृष्टि एवं कल्पनाओं के अनुरूप देश के २२ चित्रकारों ने बिहार म्यूजियम, पटना में चित्रों की रचना की।  कला संस्कृति एवं युवा विभाग, बिहार द्वारा आयोजित इस कला शिविर में अशोक तिवारी, नरेंद्र पाल सिंह, त्रिभुवन कुमार देव, भुनेश्वर भास्कर, नवल किशोर, राजेश चन्द, मानस रंजन जेना, राजेश श्रीवास्तव, के. के. गाँधी,  शिखा सिन्हा, अजय नारायण, मनीषा जैन, रविन्द्र दास, धर्मेंद्र कुमार, मिलन दास, मनोज बच्चन, कुसुमलता शर्मा, सोनल गुप्ता, विम्मी इंद्रा, डगलस, अनिल बिहारी, अनूप चाँद आदि हैं। शिविर के क्यूरेटर अमृत प्रकाश साह एवं म्यूजियम के निदेशक श्री युसुफ से कार्यक्रम के दौरान काफी गंभीर बातचीत होती रही। कलाकारों एवं कलाप्रेमियों के बीच आठ दिनों के इस शिविर में कई सुखद अनुभवों का एहसास हुआ। रंगों की आकृतियों में आनंद का अनुभव होता रहा   ........ काफी सुखद क्षण रहा   ........

भुनेश्वर भास्कर ___________  

Pioneering exhibition on Indian Civilisation opens at National Museum

New Delhi, May 5: A wide swath of the millennia-old Indian civilization came alive through a cluster of artefacts of astonishing brilliance as the National Museum today began a nearly two-month transcontinental exhibition that takes the viewers on an intriguing and exhilarating trip of the country’s spectacular past and its links with the outside world since antiquity. 

Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, President, IGNCA inaugurating the exhibition India & and the World: A History in Nine Stories, at the National Museum today. Also seen Dr. B. R. Mani, Director General, National Museum.

‘India and The World: A History in Nine Stories’, the first of its kind event in India, marks an unprecedented collaboration in museum exhibition with the British Museum, London; National Museum, New Delhi; Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai; and some 20 private collections pooling in their resources for the phenomenal show.     

Chief Guest Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, President, IGNCA, formally inaugurated the exhibition, unveiling a unique line-up of around 200 ancient and modern exhibits which offer a chronological and thematic depiction of the evolution of India with multiple expressions of art and artefacts, stories and aesthetics. 

Some of the eye-popping objects on display include the oldest known hand-axe in the world (1.7-1.07 million years) from Attirampakkam, Tamil Nadu; a replica of the Dancing Girl of Mohenjodaro (2500 BC); a gold-horned Harappan humped bull (1800 BC); a Mughal miniature-inspired work by Rembrandt; an Ashokan Edict (250 BC); and an imprint of the Constitution of India having more than 50 paintings supervised by the renowned artist Nandalal Bose.

Shri Rai described the exhibition as a “journey through history”, taking Indians to “moments in history that are a matter of pride for us”.

“This is also a celebration of cultural exchanges and a moment to remember that our civilization has existed for millions of years and what it has given to the world in terms of culture, science and spirituality,” he said.

In a message, Mr. Matt Hancock, UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Culture is at the heart of the UK-India relationship and the living bridge that connects our two nations. This exhibition not only explores our shared history, but shows how our institutions are building partnerships that will last well into the future.  I am delighted that it has reached new audiences in Delhi and I look forward to seeing it myself when I host a launch event next week.”

A host of dignitaries, including British High Commissioner to India Sir Dominic Asquith; Shri L.N. Sharma, Chief Post Master General, Delhi Circle, Dr. Hartwig Fischer, Director, British Museum; and Shri Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Director General, CSMVS were present at the inauguration.

Dr Mahesh Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for Culture, and Shri Raghavendra Singh, Secretary (Culture) were unable to attend the inaugural due to pressing engagements, but they conveyed their good wishes for the success of the exhibition.

The 7-week epical exhibition at the museum, which comes after a successful showing in Mumbai, commemorates 70 years of Indian independence and a year of major cultural exchange between India and the UK. By offering 124 objects, the British Museum has become the biggest lender for the show and some of these exhibits have never been shown in India earlier.

National Museum Director-General Dr B R Mani in his welcome address said the exhibition has introduced new features in its Delhi leg, including Braille tactile feature for the visually challenged “for creating a tangible experience and a wide range of connections with the objects”.

He said the newly renovated National Museum library has set aside a collection of books in Hindi and English relating to the exhibition for scholars and interested visitors.

Among the iconic objects lent by the British Museum are the Greek copy of the Roman discus-thrower Discobolus (2nd AD), Olduvai handaxe, Head in the style of Alexander, a fishtail dagger, and the 2002 Throne of Weapons made from melted down machine guns and rifles used in Mozambique's civil war.

The exhibition has objects representing the focal theme  in the nine specially-designed galleries, each representing a pivotal moment in history: Shared Beginnings (1,700,000 years ago to 2000 BC), First Cities (3000–1000 BC), Empire (600 BC – AD 200), State and Faith (AD 100–750), Picturing the Divine (AD 200–1500), Indian Ocean Traders (AD 200-1650), Court Cultures (AD 1500–1800), Quest for Freedom (1800–Present), and Time Unbound.

In each gallery, about 6-7 Indian objects are centrally placed, and these are encircled by objects from world cultures, belonging to the same period, for comparable viewing within a global context. Conversations between objects from different places and times, between cultures and nations, are at the heart of the stories told by the exhibition. 

Dr. Hartwig Fischer, Director, British Museum said India and the World represented a new approach and new model of museum exhibition that sets one culture in a global context of shared histories and common ground, looking at similarities and differences and combing the strength of their collections and expertise.

Gallery view of one of the stories at India & and the World: A History in Nine Stories

“This is a history you will not find in textbooks and schools, in that provides a better understanding of how one culture has been in communication and exchange with another. It marks a new dimension and new stage in cooperation between global museums,” he said.

Shri Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Director General, CSMVS, described “India and the World” as a conversation between objects, cultures, religion and human minds.

“The nine galleries in the exhibition highlight nine iconic moment in Indian history in the context of happenings in other parts of the world,” he said. “It is articulation of India’s place in the world and provides an opportunity for discourse and cross-cultural encounters.”

On the occasion, National Museum released three books: Divyambara: Masterpieces of Costume from the National Museum Collection by Smt. Lotika Varadarajan; Kaivalyam: Jain Painting in the National Museum by Dr S.V. Tripathi and Pawan Jain; and An introduction to the Indus Valley Civilization by Sanjib Kumar Singh and Gunjan Kumar Srivastava.

Unveiling a special postal cover brought out by the Department of Post, Shri L.N. Sharma said the exhibition  showcases Indian history from two million years ago to the present day, not just displaying the regional connects but global links  that provide visitors with a lifetime opportunity and a great learning experience.

Souvenirs including T-Shirt, Designer Jewellery and Canvas Bag with the logo of National Museum were also released.

Dr Anamika Pathak, Curator and In Charge of Exhibition, National Museum proposed the vote of thanks.

Conceived over a period of two years of intense planning and curatorial brainstorming, ‘India and the World’ has been jointly curated by a team in the UK and India with Jeremy David Hill from the British Museum and Prof.  Naman P Ahuja of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi as the co-curators. 

The exhibition is being backed by events such as curatorial walks and talks, besides educational activities like stone tool, Harappan seal and bead making, currency design, scroll painting, clay moulding, blindfold photography and sculpture making, keeping in mind audiences across ages and tastes. There will also be theatre workshops, guided tours, thematic walks for kids and events like treasure hunt and online weekly quiz on the event’s website (https://www.indiaandtheworld.org).

A special feature of the exhibition is its tactile exhibits which, together with supporting aids, provide a multi-sensory experience to the audience. For this initiative, National Museum is collaborating with Access for ALL, Delhi Art Gallery and Radio Mirchi.

The exhibition, which is supported by the Union Culture Ministry, Tata Trusts, the Getty Foundation and the Newton Bhabha Fund, will run till June 30 from 10 am to 6 pm, except on Mondays and public holidays.

Applications open for second edition of Sahapedia-UNESCO Fellowship

New Delhi, April 30: Sahapedia.org today announced the second edition of its Fellowship programme with UNESCO for cultural research and documentation. This follows the successful completion of the inaugural 2017 edition which generated scores of detailed audio-visual records of fascinating and often little-known aspects of Indian art, culture, tradition and heritage.

Convocation Ceremony

 The first edition of the Fellowship came to a close on Saturday (28 April) with a convocation ceremony. Awardees who were granted the Sahapedia-UNESCO Fellowship in 2017 received their certificates from Mr. S. Ramadorai, President, Sahapedia on the grounds of Sanskriti Museums in New Delhi.

Sahapedia.org, an open online encyclopaedic resource on Indian arts, has begun featuring the content, and contributions of this edition shall be published in entirety by May 2018.

“One reason we launched the Sahapedia-UNESCO Fellowship was to encourage the practice of mentorship and relationships between those in the field and those in the academy. The stronger the connections between experts, both practitioners and researchers, the greater our chances for successfully nurturing our cultural diversity and for its impacting other development goals,” Mr. Ramadorai said.

“All of us who are interested in any aspect of India’s arts and knowledge systems need to work together toward an ecosystem that strengthens the diverse and inclusive cultural foundation, which has sustained and moulded us as a country,” he added.

Presidential Address by Mr. S. Ramodarai

The research projects undertaken during the first edition reflect the geographical and cultural diversity of India — ranging from kolam-s (the ancient floor art that is still ubiquitous in homes across Tamil Nadu), Nirgun songs in the Bhojpuri language and Bengali Qawwali and traditional Muslim wedding songs from West Bengal to the marriage rituals in the Rong-Chu-gyud region of Ladakh and Ottoman Hammams in use during Mughal era.

Little-known traditions of the North East, including Folk Musical Instruments of the Poumai tribes, the Myths and Legends of the Angami Nagas and the Ka Poong Tai dance-drama of Tai Khamtis of Arunachal Pradesh have been recorded for posterity. Indian miniature art of the 17th-18th centuries from the collection of the Dresden State Museum in Germany was the subject for one award grantee.

The Sahapedia-UNESCO Fellowships for 2018 are being supported by the Ministry of Culture,  through their scheme for Financial Assistance to Cultural Organizations with National Presence.

In the second edition of the Fellowships, Sahapedia has outlined a set of focus areas that will be given preference in the selection process. Details are available here: https://www.sahapedia.org/sahapedia-unesco-fellowships-2018

The Fellowships include a grant of Rs 40,000 each. Post-doctoral scholars, doctoral candidates, post-graduates, and graduates (including those students due to graduate in the summer of 2018) may apply.

The last date for applications is 15th June, 2018. Selected applicants are expected to begin their projects by August 2018 and complete it in six months.

Music Concert by Mala Ramadorai

“The Sahapedia-UNESCO Fellowship is one process by which we support research on the diverse fields of arts and cultures of India, on both the well-known and the comparatively lesser known forms and expressions. It encourages both young scholars and field practitioners alike to engage with their areas of interest,” said Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director, Sahapedia.

“Through this Fellowship, we want to support individuals with their work on communities and practices that often do not get the attention they deserve and bring them to the notice of a wider public,” she added.

पटना को कला के केंद्र बिंदु के रूप में विकसित करने की दिशा में एक सार्थक पहल

अलका पांडेय दीप जलाकर उद्घाटन करते हुए 

कला एवं संस्कृति किसी भी देश की आत्मा है। इसके बिना देश का निर्माण संभव नहीं। अगर अपने देश की बात करें तो इसका महत्व और भी बढ़ जाता है क्योंकि भारत विभिन्न संस्कृतियों का सर्जक रहा है। यहाँ की कला और संस्कृति आदि काल से ही विश्व के कई हिस्सों में अपनी गहरी छाप छोड़ती आई है। भारत को सोने की चिड़िया बनाने में न जाने कितने ही कलाकारों ने अपना पसीना बहाया है , पर दुःखद है कि यहाँ के कलाकार, पिछले कुछ दशकों को छोड़ दें तो लम्बे समय से शोषित ही रहा। पर पिछले कुछ दशकों से कला के साथ-साथ कलाकारों ने भी सुनहरे सपने देखने शुरू कर दिए है। कारण है आर्थिक उछाल के साथ-साथ सरकारी और गैर सरकारी स्तर पर कला की महत्ता को गंभीरता से समझने की कोशिश और साथ- साथ रूचि पैदा करना। आज अगर हम राज्य के स्तर पर देखें तो बिहार नई संभावनाओं के साथ शीर्ष पर खड़ा दिखाई देता है।

अभी हाल ही में पटना के नवनिर्मित बिहार संग्रहालय में उद्योग विभाग, बिहार सरकार, उपेंद्र महारथी शिल्प अनुसंधान संसथान तथा पटना की कला संस्था रंग विकल्प के संयुक्त तत्वावधान में एक सिम्पोसियम का आयोजन किया गया।  विषय था "आर्ट फिलेनथ्रोपि एंड इन्वेस्टिंग इन फ्यूचर " । 

इस अवसर पर बिहार सरकार के मुख्य सचिव अंजनी कुमार सिंह ने अपनी बात रखते हुए कहा की बिहार सरकार, बिहार को कल्चरल हब बनाने के लिए सतत प्रयत्नशील है, बिहार संग्रहालय इसी का एक बड़ा उदहारण है। निर्माण के कुछ ही समय के भीतर अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर अपनी छाप छोड़ने वाले इस संग्रहालय में अब तक कई राज्य, राष्ट्रिय एवं अंतर्राष्ट्रीय ख्यातिप्राप्त कलाकारों के कृतियों की प्रदर्शनी आयोजित हो चुकी है। इन आयोजनों से स्वस्थ कला का माहौल बनाने काफी मदद मिली है।

इंडिया हैबिटेट सेंटर, नई दिल्ली की अलका पाण्डेय ने भी अपनी बात उपस्थित श्रोताओं के सामने रखी। उन्होंने बिहार संग्रहालय को कलाकारों के लिए उपयुक्त मंच बताते हुए इंटरनेट के इस ज़माने में कलाकारों को भटकाव से बचने और अपनी जड़ो को न भूलने की अपील की।  

अपने सम्बोधन में उद्योग विभाग के सचिव एस. सिद्धार्थ ने कला बाजार को महत्वपूर्ण बताते हुए कहा कि इससे कला और कलाकार दोनों को उचित सम्मान मिलेगा साथ कलाकारों को जीवन यापन का रास्ता मिलेगा ।

रंग विकल्प के सचिव सन्यासी रेड ने सरकार के साथ-साथ निजि स्तर पर लोगों से कला में निवेश पर बल दिया।

कार्यक्रम का संचालन विकास नन्द ने किया।    

Kochi Biennale Foundation gets Asia Arts Game Changers Awards

Kochi, February 10: Acknowledging the immense contributions made by the Kochi Biennale Foundation towards the development of modern and contemporary art, Asia Society Centre on Thursday honoured the KBF founders Mr Bose Krishnamachari and Mr Riyas Komu with the prestigious Asia Society Asia Arts Game Changers Award 2018 at an event in New Delhi.

They were felicitated with the Asia Arts Vanguard award, which acknowledges and celebrates the work of eminent artists whose practice has brought a deeper understanding of the region to the people of Asia and beyond. 

Dedicating the award to the entire Indian art world, artists, patrons, the Government of Kerala and the people of Kochi, Mr Bose Krishnamachari, Director, KBF, said he and Mr Komu are proud to play a role in the project.

 

Riyas Komu, Arpita Singh, Bose Krishnamachari and Benitha Perciyal winners of Asia Arts Game Changers Awards 2018

“The project is only possible through the support of an ever growing art eco-system in India and we are proud to play a role in its evolution. Our work and mission continues and we hope this award will encourage greater philanthropy, corporate giving and government support for the arts across India,” he noted.

Mr Riyas Komu, Director of Programmes, KBF, expressed happiness on receiving the award and said it is a great honour for the biennale.

“It is a great honour for Kochi Biennale foundation to receive award from the Asia Society for being the Game changers in the modern and contemporary art. I would like to dedicate this award to the people of Kochi, a community which lives and celebrates the diversity of human existence,” he said.

Mr Komu also congratulated the other three winners.

The award was bestowed on them along with renowned artists Miss Benitha Perciyal from India, who had earlier associated with Kochi Biennale, Miss Arpita Singh and Mr Sun Xun from China.

This signature event brings together major art collectors, artists, gallerists, dignitaries from the art world, and Asia Society trustees and patrons to honour artists and arts professionals for their significant contributions to contemporary art. 

India Heritage Walk Festival 2018:

Month-long online film festival opens with Ray's Rabindranath Tagore

New Delhi, Feb 4: Biographies of timeless legends, the stories of forgotten men and women,

vanishing traditions, and unseen vignettes of India captured through the lens of the wandering

filmmaker feature in the line-up of documentaries that will be screened throughout February

during the month-long Online Heritage Film Festival.

The film screenings are part of the India Heritage Walk Festival 2018, a multi-city event organized

by Sahapedia, the online encyclopedia of Indian arts and culture, and YES Culture, the cultural

division of YES Global Institute, a practising think tank of YES BANK, to encourage people to

explore the tangible and intangible heritage of their cities and towns.

The Sarangi- Story of a Museum

A total of 25 films, including well-known classics as well as entries selected by a panel of eminent

arts and culture practitioners, including renowned dancer and former CBFC head Leela Samson,

are in the line-up for the festival which opened on Thursday (February 1) with Satyajit Ray's

award-winning 1961 Films Division documentary on Rabindranath Tagore.

Sahapedia willrelease one film nearly every day throughout the month on its Sahapedia will release one film nearly every day throughout the month on its  ww.youtube.com/user/sahapediaonline/featured at 10:00 am, and each is an exploration of

a remarkable facet of the subcontinent’s heritage in the form of people, arts, traditions or

architecture.at 10:00 am, and each is an exploration of a remarkable facet of the subcontinent’s

heritage in the form of people, arts, traditions or architecture.

Weavers of Maheswar (2016) by KeyaVaswani and Nidhi Kamath tells the story of people who’ve

worked hard to revive a vanishing handloom craft; The Sarangi- Story of a museum (2015) by

Manoj Bhandare and Raju Hittalamani is a journey through Kathmandu's museum of music and

musical instruments from Nepal and The Battle of Bhima Koregaon (2017) by Somnath

Waghamare celebrates the valour of the forgotten Mahar (untouchable) soldiers who overthrew

the Peshwa rule in Maharashtra.

Rabindranath Tagore

The lives of legends like Kalamandalam Gopi (1999), the Dhrupad maestros of the Dagar family

(Dagarvaani - 1993), and Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (Bhavantarana – 1991) are documented in

some of the classics, while other films introduce viewers to lesser-known gems like The Shillong

Chamber Choir (2008) ; Mystique of Murshidabad(2014); Little Magazine Voices (2014)and

Hyderabadi tryst with Ittar(2017)

The screened films will be available for online viewing throughout the month.

The Film Festival is one among the many events scheduled for IHWF 2018 in February, 2018. The

month-long, multi-city event features nearly 70 public engagement events, including heritage

walks (themed, curated and guided tours conducted by experts), baithaks (talks), workshops and

instameets in nearly 20 cities, focusing on diverse aspects such as architecture, food, heritage,

crafts, nature, and art that make up the cultural fabric of our country.

Details of IHWF 2018 are available on: www.indiaheritagewalkfestival.com

Vaibhav Chauhan, Festival Director (IHWF) and Secretary, Sahapedia, says, “When we made a film

festival a part of India Heritage Walk Festival, it was an attempt to resonate with Sahapedia's

vision of providing varied forms of content on our rich heritage and culture. While there is

tremendous amount of multimedia content on Heritage, that deserves and requires promotion,

there is much still to be documented in an authentic and comprehensive fashion. We hope to

encourage this through the film festival, and highlight Sahapedia's role in providing a platform for creative work in this domain.”

Rana Kapoor, MD & CEO, YES BANK and Chairman, YES Global Institute, says, “India is blessed with a rich heritage and cultural history, which is abundantly manifested in monuments and

architectural sites across our country. Civil society participation in our Nation’s heritage, aided by

activities such as heritage walks, is integral to the preservation and conservation of these sites.

Such heritage tourism initiatives, with the whole hearted participation and involvement of local

communities and citizens, has the potential to instill immense national pride and further the

agenda of heritage development.”

Preeti Sinha, Glocal Convenor, YES Global Institute and Senior President, YES BANK, ‘As we move towards a ‘Digital India’, our vast and rich cultural heritage needs to leverage technology for the new digital age. Digital audio guides for heritage walks, videos and info-graphics for social media

platforms and high quality images of arts and monuments on app based platforms are changing

the way we consume and absorb India’s heritage. The online heritage film festival of India

Heritage Walk Festival is one such initiative to document and promote the various facets of Indian

civilization from some of the most enterprising film-makers. The IHWF is a free festival for the

people of India. We hope our citizens use this opportunity to reconnect with their past and its rich

creative history to build a new digital future.’