The Delhi edition – presented by DLF Malls and Absolut Glassware and produced by BookMyShow Live – features an expanded footprint, which includes a lounge space and a bar…reports Asian Lite News
Van Gogh 360°, the immersive multimedia event that brings the eye-popping colours of Vincent van Gogh’s most iconic works to life, has announced an extended run in Delhi till May 31.
Van Gogh 360° India is the first such exhibition to open in India, and it has pleased thousands of visitors across Mumbai and Delhi. People of all ages and from various walks of life have flocked to the display in large numbers.
Later in the year, Van Gogh 360° will visit additional cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Kochi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Lucknow, Nagpur, Pune, Indore, Goa, and Surat. Registration is currently open for performances in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.
Using cutting-edge projection technology crafted by world-renowned audio-visual designers, Van Gogh 360° creates an engaging journey into the world of the legendary post-Impressionist painter.
Attendees are immersed in floor-to-ceiling stunning projections that animate the masters’ oeuvre, shining a spotlight on the mind of the genius. Wandering through giant projections that highlight brushstroke, detail, and colour, the multimedia exhibit takes the attendee into a three-dimensional world that exhilarates the senses.
The Delhi edition – presented by DLF Malls and Absolut Glassware and produced by BookMyShow Live – features an expanded footprint, which includes a lounge space and a bar.
Heartened by the extended run, Pushpa Bector, executive director, DLF Retail shares, “At DLF, we’ve always been committed to offering unparalleled experiences to our valued customers, and we’re elated to have had thousands of people enjoy this beautiful, immersive experience over the past two weeks. This unique exhibit featuring over 300 of Vincent Van Gogh’s works has been extended until May 31, and whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking for an unforgettable experience, this is an event you wouldn’t want to miss.”
Tickets for the immersive exhibition are now on sale till May 31 on bookmyshow.com.
About Van Gogh 360° Delhi
What: Van Gogh 360° Delhi, presented by DLF Malls and Absolut Glassware
From the Punjab, two magnificent suits of armour showcase the outerwear of the Sikh warriors of the period…reports Asian Lite News
Christie’s announced the Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Oriental Rugs and Carpets, a live auction at Christie’s King Street, London, on April 27. The sale features striking examples of manuscripts, paintings, ceramics, metalwork, and carpets.
The auction includes an impressive array of Indian manuscripts and paintings along with an important group of jewelled courtly objects from a private collection. Leading the Indian works on paper is a Mughal painting of A Royal Cavalcade of Hunters and Chenchu couple stalking deer by night attributed to Fath Chand, Mughal India, late 17th century (estimate £150,000-200,000), (illustrated page 6, top left). The painting belongs a group which depict the juxtaposition of the tribal and royal hunt. The nocturnal landscape in which the scene takes place is one that gained in popularity in the Mughal court, probably due to the fascination with European chiaroscuro effects. (Illustrated page 4, top right), An Album of Company School Paintings of Mughal Monuments North India, 19th century. Watercolour on paper, the album comprising 40 paintings depicting monuments of Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. (Estimate £20,000-30,000).
From the Punjab, two magnificent suits of armour showcase the outerwear of the Sikh warriors of the period. They are fine examples of the renowned Lahore workshop, and were produced at a time when the city served as the capital of the Sikh Empire under Ranjit Singh, ‘The Lion of the Punjab’ (1801-39). (Illustrated left), A Suit of Gold-Overlaid (Koftgari) plate and mail armour Lahore, Punjab, circa 1800-1850. Comprising helmet (kula khud), four plates (char aina), two armguards (bazuband), mail shirt and red cotton and silk robe. (Estimate £50,000-70,000). (Illustrated right), A rare ‘Ganga-Jamuna’ suit of mail armour Lahore, Punjab, first half 19th century. Comprising a helmet (kula khud), mail shirt (zereh), mail chausses (pyjama zereh), sword belt and pair of shoes. (Estimate £40,000-60,000).
The sale boasts an impressive array of Persian manuscripts and paintings from a number of single owner private collections. One of two masterpieces leading the sale is a Timurid painting, Baysunghur in the Guise of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Timurid Herat, first half 15th century. (Estimate £150,000-200,000), (illustrated on page 1). The painting captures the regal grandeur of a royal court scene, and is one of the earliest depictions of what later became a popular subject in Persian painting.
Another highlight is a Zand painting, arguably the best by the artist Muhammad Baqir who was one of the most celebrated artists active between 1740 and 1800, A Reclining Lady, signed Muhammad Baqir, Zand, Iran, dated AH 1173/1759-80 AD (estimate £150,000-250,000), (illustrated below left). A pair of Safavid album pages, one (illustrated below right) with the calligraphy signed Sultan Ali Mashhadi, Timurid Herat, late 15th or early 16th century Persian poetry on paper, (estimate £30,000-40,000), is also notable.
Ottoman ceramics are also well represented – in addition to a number of important examples of Iznik pottery, the sale has a small collection of ceramics from Kutahya, a kiln site that gained in popularity after the decline of Iznik. The highlight of this section is A Lavender Ground Iznik Pottery Jug, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1570, (illustrated below centre), (estimate £120,000-180,000), a wonderful example of a rare and visually striking group of Iznik pottery that was made for a short period around 1570, typified by the coloured slip decoration covering the bodies of the vessels.
Sara Plumbly, Head of Department, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds comments, ‘The April sale brings together an exciting and wide range of works of art from across the Islamic and Indian worlds. Of particular note is a number of private collections across a variety of fields – from Persian and Indian manuscripts and paintings to Ottoman ceramics. We are particularly excited to offer a very important group of Mughal jewelled objects as well as a number of Persian paintings from the 15th to the 19th centuries’.
ORIENTAL RUGS AND CARPETS
The forthcoming sale includes 96 highly decorative antique Oriental rugs and carpets, woven in cities, villages or nomadic encampments from all along the silk route. The highlight of the sale (illustrated below) is an extremely rare Anatolian ‘Phoenix In Octagon’ rug woven in the late 15th/early 16th century, Central or Eastern Anatolia. (Estimate £100,000-150,000). One of only 18 examples remaining from the Seljuk and early Ottoman, ‘Animal Carpet’ group, this carpet is unique in that it’s the only known carpet to survive bearing the mythical figure of the phoenix, imagery which is depicted in early Renaissance paintings, including one of The Annunciation by Jacopo Bellini in Brescia. WOVEN ART IN WESTERN PAINTINGS FROM THE 15TH TO 17TH CENTURIES
Carpets and luxury textiles have been symbols of power, status and great wealth for millennia, however due to their use and relative fragility they have not survived in great numbers. As a result, the importance of classical paintings for our knowledge of early carpets cannot be overstated, as they provide context for these weavings and allow us a glimpse of how they were traded, used and valued by their wealthy owners. The great European painters of the 15th – 17th centuries depicted these prized objects in royal, noble or religious settings. Seen beneath the feet of the Madonna and Child in 15th century frescos, or upon tables, beds and over balconies in portraiture settings depicting Royal or noble Europeans in the 16th and 17th centuries. Coined after these great early renaissance masters, the sale includes examples of a ‘Lotto’, ‘Ghirlandaio’, ‘Small-pattern Holbein’, and ‘Holbein variant’ rugs (examples illustrated below). (Illustrated below left), A ‘Ghirlandaio’ rug, West Anatolia, 17th century. (Estimate £50,000-70,000). (Illustrated below centre) A ‘Holbein’ variant rug central or East Anatolia, late 16th/early 17th century. (Estimate £80,000-120,000). All three carpets are from the same distinguished European collector and have not been seen on the market for the last 30 to 40 years.
Other carpets of note in the sale are two 18th century rugs woven in the Deccan in India. Due to strong trading ties with the Dutch East India Company, these rugs were traded with Japan where they were highly prized, and invariably only used in the annual celebration of the traditional Kyoto Festival where they were honoured by being used to decorate the festival floats (which explains their excellent condition).
Louise Broadhurst, Specialist and Christie’s International Head of Rugs and Carpets comments, ‘This sale has a wide variety of rugs and carpets that will appeal to the discerning collector. The theme of early eastern carpets that appear in the paintings of the early Renaissance and later Old Masters is a narrative that helps us contextualise these precious works of art, and appreciate them through the eyes of our predecessors. A large number of pieces in the sale are consigned from three significant collectors in the field, with an eye for colour, design and individuality’.
Estimates start from £1,000 – 1,500 for Islamic works of art, and from £1,500 – 2,000 for Oriental Rugs and Carpets.
The Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Oriental Rugs and Carpets view and exhibition opens to the public from April 22 – 26 at Christie’s, King Street, London.
Upcoming artists from across the country: Deval Ambani (Bombay), Tanushree Sarkar and Rukhen Rawla (Calcutta)..reports Asian Lite News
The Affordable Art show is back with its third edition with a whole lot more to offer. Starting April 21, the showcase will include contemporary, traditional, tribal and vintage art.
What makes this show true to its name and even more special this year is the special bargain on art by master artists like Souza and Jamini Roy. The show lends itself as a platform for not only upcoming and promising city artists but also supports artists from the tribal communities of India.
Date: April 21 – 30
Time: Everyday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., except Mondays
Venue: Method Kalagodha
Shop at: https://baromarket.in/
An Affordable art show that includes masters.(Photo credit:IANSLIFE)An Affordable art show that includes masters.(Photo credit:IANSLIFE)An Affordable art show that includes masters.(Photo credit:IANSLIFE)
The artist line up includes:
CONTEMPORARY: Gautam Bhatia, Sasha Sykes, Alberto Palini, Banoo Batliboi
Upcoming artists from across the country: Deval Ambani (Bombay), Tanushree Sarkar and Rukhen Rawla (Calcutta)
TRADITIONAL: Venkat Shyam (Gond) and Mahalakshmi (Mithila) doing a contemporary take on traditional styles
TRIBAL: Suresh Hegade (Warli), Lado Bai (Bhil), Jiyo (sourai)
VINTAGE: special curation of vintage pieces by The Blue Trunk and Beg Borrow Steal.
This book expands on the idea of ‘Giving’, which is another form of receiving and can be more fulfilling than just doing something for someone with a vested interest…writes Vishnu Makhijani
Author, business coach, and global strategist Manoj Gursahani believes the only way forward in the modern world is to change your lens from a transactional mindset that looks for what others can do for you to one of generosity.
“Adopt a giver’s mindset and this alone will change your life and open doors to unimaginable abundance and opportunities,” Gursahani, author of ‘The Human Connect’, told IANS in an interview about his debut book that details the secrets of effective networking drawn from his vast and diverse experience across the global business landscape.
“This is not a laborious read but relevant to current times where less is more. It has easy-to-follow, relatable, practical tips and anecdotes that will resonate with you and offer guidance that I wish someone had extended to me when I was just starting out.
“I hope that it will help every reader who picks it up to have deeper personal and professional relationships, create the blueprint of a successful, inspired, enriched life and build a thriving business,” added Gursahani, who also advises various corporates on mergers and acquisitions across the world.
“The book is my way of reaching out to young Indians who are completely overwhelmed by technology and social media and have lost an organic connection with the world. I wanted to remind them of the beauty of synergy over competitiveness and was inspired to change the lens of transactional networking which is a western concept.
“This book expands on the idea of ‘Giving’, which is another form of receiving and can be more fulfilling than just doing something for someone with a vested interest,” Gursahani explained.
That explains the inspiration behind writing the book.
“The quest to find the key to a happy life led me to understand that meaningful relationships, if nurtured and sustained over a period of time, can empower our personal and professional journey and help us to grow in unimaginably enriching ways. This is the thought that lies at the core of this book.
“When I started researching the subject of networking, I figured that most of the books we have in fact approach networking from a transactional mindset of ‘You scratch my back and I will scratch yours’. I wanted to change this narrative and approach it from a giver’s mindset and the perspective of genuinely investing in relationships.
“I did not want this shift to be superficial, and instead argued for the need to actually change our lens when we meet someone. The point is to have a genuine and sincere approach and the attitude of what we can do for someone rather than what they can do for us.
“The book illustrates this point with several examples and stories. Trust me, the adherence to these principles in our day-to-day life, will turn us into human magnets and open doors and opportunities beyond our wildest dreams,” he maintained. Why is a book like this important for young India?
“In the times we are living in, life is becoming increasingly dominated by technology-driven tools like Chat GPT and the youth are missing out on human connections due to their dependence upon social media and cell phones. We are all living in isolation in our respective silos and the young generation in particular has a shrinking attention span and an urgent need for instant gratification.
“I have something important to say and my book says it in a crisp, succinct way. It is a fast read and after each chapter, gives practical mantras that young readers can derive benefit from,” he added.
If readers apply even 20 per cent of the principles he has shared in the book, “it will help them build more meaningful bonds. Strong relationships are crucial for their well-being and will help them to overcome bouts of depression, habits of overthinking, and anxiety and adopt positive attributes like gratitude, empathy, and social responsibility,” Gursahani contended.
How can this book help readers recognise their flaws and skills, and how to work on them?
“A conscious awareness of our flaws and skills helps us to evolve and grow. Once we become cognizant of our weaknesses and strengths, we can then change or pivot our approach. Once we start radiating this energy of inner transformation, it will help us build better and long-lasting business and personal relationships.
“Changing for the better, also makes us happier as human beings. The book elaborates how by remembering names, cultivating the art of effective listening, improving our body language and staying in touch with people can help us to forge stronger bonds. I have also offered a list of do and don’ts which can serve as navigation guide and self-help tool kit,” the author sad.
To that extent, each chapter ends with a mantra: For instance, “It’s in giving that we receive”, “Develop sincerity in your giving nature without expecting in return” and “Listening is not a skill, it’s a discipline”.
Not surprisingly, his favourite chapter is the 19th, which elucidates his take on “an unimaginable return on investment (ROI).
“This is actually the crux of the book and can help us to build relationships that are not based on networking and are incredibly fulfilling,” Gursahani concluded.
So there you have it. Here’s a book that takes the concept of Human Resource Development to a whole new level in a world driven by technology and social media.
Ambedkar ensured his wife was cremated according to traditional Hindu rituals, though wearing her favourite white sari rather than the green one tradition required. He then retired to his room and wept all night…writes Sashi Tharoor
In an unusual instance, Ramabai had wholeheartedly participated in Ambedkar’s idiosyncratic shraddha ceremony for his deceased father. Instead of offering a meal and sweets to Brahmins after the ceremony as the ritual normally requires, Ambedkar offered a meal of meat and fish to 40 students from his community.
Ambedkar was shattered by the death of his beloved Ramu (the diminutive by which he called her). She had suffered much for him, endured his neglect and his preoccupation with public life stoically, starved to keep her family fed, borne the burdens of the years when the family could barely make ends meet, and mourned the loss of three sons and a daughter.
“She did not flinch from carrying basketfuls of cow dung on her head during periods of financial distress,” Ambedkar had written in a revealing article in ‘Bahishkrit Bharat’ in 1928. “And this writer could not find even half an hour in 24 hours for this extremely affectionate, amiable and venerable wife.”
Ambedkar ensured his wife was cremated according to traditional Hindu rituals, though wearing her favourite white sari rather than the green one tradition required. He then retired to his room and wept all night.
Five years later, when he published his book ‘Pakistan or the Partition of India’, Ambedkar dedicated it to Ramabai: Inscribed to the memory of Ramu.
“As a token of my appreciation of her goodness of heart, her nobility of mind and her purity of character and also for the cool fortitude and readiness to suffer along with me which she showed in those friendless days of want and worries which fell to our lot.”
Ambedkar was an early feminist. His relationship with his first wife, Ramabai, founded upon friendship and debate despite disagreement, in many ways is an accurate representation of one of the most powerful feminist slogans of the twentieth century, ‘The Personal Is Political’.
Ambedkar’s feminism within the home was certainly unusual for an Indian and practically unknown at the time for an Indian male. He spoke extensively on the role of women in Indian society; he did not exclude women from his emphasis on equality, placing equal emphasis upon both caste and gender-based discrimination.
Ambedkar had argued in his pioneering 1916 Columbia lecture on ‘Castes in India’ that endogamous marriage — marriage exclusively within the same caste and community — was the primary reason for the perpetuation of caste. His challenge to privilege and hierarchy extended to questioning the norms that extended these notions within the home.
He elaborated further on the thought in a talk to a female audience at the All-India Depressed Classes Women’s Conference (1942): “Give education to your children. Instil ambitions in them… Don’t be in a hurry to marry: marriage is a liability. You should not impose it upon children unless financially they are able to meet the liabilities arising from them… Above all let each girl who marries stand up to her husband, claim to be her husband’s friend and equal, and refuse to be his slave.”
His courageous undermining of the sanctity of marriage in a society where great importance is given to the marital status of a woman, and his demand for women to stand as equals with men within marriage, constituted an unparalleled and audacious assertion of dignity for Indian women within their own families. In this he was a rare and pioneering male voice in a tradition of Dalit feminism ranging from Muktabai Salve in the mid-nineteenth century to Jaibai Chaudhari in the early twentieth.
Ambedkar would go on to declare in 1938 to the Bombay Legislative Assembly, “If men had to bear the pangs which women have to undergo during childbirth none of them would even consent to bear more than a single child in his life.”
In his work in the Assembly, Ambedkar also highlighted women’s limited recourse to medical assistance, and loss of lives due to inadequate affordable healthcare, an issue that is still largely unresolved.
Instead of having children in rapid succession, and subsequently opting for risky abortions, Ambedkar boldly recommended birth control in the interests of the woman’s health and well-being. Ambedkar sought to pass a resolution in support of government-funded birth control in the Bombay Legislative Assembly in 1938, but his resolution was defeated with 11 members voting in favour of the Bill and 52 members opposing it (on the grounds that it would spread immorality and cause a breakdown of the Indian family unit). His reaction can only be imagined.
From Independence to Emergency: India’s Finance Ministers 1947-1977 is the story of India’s unforgettable finance ministers who shaped India’s economy in the first thirty years after Independence…reports Asian Lite News
Book reading has taken on the characteristics of a cult, where there is no one leader but rather a shared passion for reading that drives us all to look everywhere for books to read and helps us develop these traits. Here is the new list of books you may want to read.
Best reads for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)Best reads for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)Best reads for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)
Eating the Present, Tasting the Future by Charmaine O Brien
Eating the Present, Tasting the Future ventures ‘off the plate’ to journey through India’s contemporary foodscape to discover the myriad forces transforming what, how, and where Indians are producing, trading, and eating their food. At a time when food and our relationship with it are topics of increasing global interest, this is a timely, and important, work, offering a unique insight into a complex society.
Sovereigns of the Sea by Seema Alavi
This definitive book on the Sultans of Oman is a thrilling historical account of their action-packed battles, daring expeditions, epic triumphs, and ingenious politics in the long nineteenth century. It puts the optic of ‘micro-history’ on their fascinating lives as they navigated the geopolitics of their time and propelled the politics of the Western Indian Ocean. Keeping a sensitive finger on the specific temporal and spatial moments in the maritime space that they navigated, it explores their key role in shaping the politics of the Ocean and nurturing the Omani Sultanate on their terms. The groundbreaking narrative sheds light on the role of the Sultans as agents of change, challenging the Eurocentric narrative that views the Indian Ocean as framed in the history of Western imperialism and capitalism alone.
India’s Finance Ministers by A.K. Bhattacharya
From Independence to Emergency: India’s Finance Ministers 1947-1977 is the story of India’s unforgettable finance ministers who shaped India’s economy in the first thirty years after Independence. The book highlights the significant difference that these finance ministers made to the management of the Indian economy and to the policy evolution of the government, and who thus left an indelible mark on the psyche of Indian citizens. It attempts to measure the impact these decisions left, not only on India’s economic system but also on its political system, and looks at to what extent the decisions were influenced by the socio-economic backgrounds of the finance ministers. Full of interesting anecdotes, the book is the first in-depth account of the crucial role these finance ministers have played in the functioning of India’s economy.
Best reads for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)Best reads for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)
India in Search of Glory by Ashok Lahiri
Economist and political leader Ashok Lahiri in his new book has studied and presented a chronological account of the evolution of economic policies, starting from 1947. The book chronicles the evolution of economic policies since Independence. “This book is an attempt to decipher improvements in the political calculus, as the country develops and the backwardness of the people diminishes, for democracy to start yielding better dividends in the Indian search for glory,” Lahiri writes. Customer in the Boardroom by Rama Bijapurkar
Rama Bijapurkar presents a compelling treatise on how to develop a business strategy around the world of customers rather than the world of competitors. She draws a sharp distinction between the ‘market = industry size’ and the ‘market = customers with needs’ bases for developing business strategy. Replete with anecdotes, examples, and cases from India Inc, the book draws on the author’s vast experience in consulting and teaching and places equal emphasis on both the theory and the practice of bringing the customer into the boardroom. Oblivion and the other stories by Gopinath Mohanty
Oblivion and Other Stories is an anthology of twenty short stories by Gopinath Mohanty, the doyen of Oriya (now Odia) literature. Originally written in Oriya by the Padma Bhushan awardee, these have now been translated for the first time into English and recreate the social life of mid-twentieth century India. The embellished past in the stories is not one of nostalgia but a full-toned portrait of society. Marginalisation is the running thread: dispossession, disenfranchisement, class/caste social exclusivity, and lack of education. Unfiltered – The Leader and His Coach by Saurabh Mukherjea
A pioneering book, Unfiltered: The CEO and the Coach, for the first time, opens the doors that normally shield the confidential world of coaching conversations. The book, through its candour, helps readers fully grasp the life-changing impact that coaching can have. Conceived as a leadership development book, the authors share the narratives (both individual and mutual) of their partnership over the course of five years. The resultant narrative provides not just unique insights that executives and entrepreneurs will find useful for their own development but also deep insights into how, by understanding ourselves, we move towards mastery over the world at large.
The Portrait of a Secret by Tarun Mehrishi
A novel inspired by true events, a page-turner in the true sense of the term, The Portrait of a Secret by Tarun Mehrishi. Tracing the story of two paintings by legendary artist Nicholas Roerich and their central role in a battle for geopolitical power between the Indian RAW, the Pakistani ISI, and the American CIA, The Portrait of a Secret is fast-paced and unputdownable, thanks to a gripping non-linear plot that culminates in an astonishing ending. Weaving path-breaking historical events, such as the Bolshevik revolution, the creation of Bangladesh, the accession of Kashmir to India, and Osama bin Laden’s end, into this work of fiction, the book has everything that fascinates a reader.
Best reads for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)Best reads for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)
Gen Bipin Rawat Biography by Rachna Bisht Rawat
Bipin: The Man Behind the Uniform is the story of the NDA cadet who was relegated in the third term for not being able to do a mandatory jump into the swimming pool; of the young Second Lieutenant who was tricked into losing his ID card at the Amritsar railway station by a 5/11 Gorkha Rifles officer posing as his Sahayak; of the Major with a leg in plaster who was carried up to his company post on the Pakistan border because he insisted on joining his men for Dusshera celebrations under direct enemy observation; of the Army Chief who decided India would retaliate immediately and openly to every act of cross-border terrorism; of the Chief of Defence Staff who was happiest dancing the Jhamre with his Gorkha troops. Written by bestselling author Rachna Bisht Rawat and featuring in-depth interviews with Bipin Rawat’s friends, family members, and comrades, this book is a befitting tribute to one of India’s greatest and most controversial Generals.
The Big Bull of Dalal Street by Neil Borate, Aprajita Sharma, Aditya Kondawar
This book looks at the life of India’s big bull, as Rakesh was famously known, both as a person and as a professional. Providing a fascinating account of his journey, it analyses the records of Jhunjhunwala’s investments and interviews he has given over the years. More than just a biography, a large section of the book is devoted to understanding the stocks that made him rich and the mistakes he made. Looking at the journey of the legendary investor, the book offers retail investors some useful insights–into the benefits of long-term investing, mistakes one should avoid in the stock market, and risks associated with leveraged trades, among others.
Best reads for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)Best reads for 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)
Cyber Encounters by Ashok Kumar and O.P. Manocha
Cyber Encounters delves deep into this nebulous cyberspace, to bring twelve fascinating accounts of cybercrime. Ashok Kumar, DGP, Uttarakhand Police and a veteran in the systematic fight against cybercrime in the state, and OP Manocha, an ex-DRDO scientist, unfold a specific type of cybercrime in each tale, based on a true story. Packed with information on the crime, its investigation, and the apprehending of the criminals, this illuminating insider account is a must-read. As technology has evolved, so has crime. Digital technologies have brought with them a whole host of crimes committed online-unsuspecting people are cheated of crores of rupees, duped by false advertisements on fake websites, incited to click on suspicious links through payment gateways, and download apps that give remote access of their device to criminals. From credit card fraud to phishing, the list is endless.
The JCB Prize for Literature is funded by India’s leading manufacturer of earthmoving and construction equipment, JCB India Ltd, and administered by the JCB Literature Foundation…reports Asian Lite News
As it enters its sixth year, the JCB Prize for Literature, one of India’s most coveted and richest literary awards at Rs 25 lakh, on Tuesday named author and translator Srinath Perur as the head of its jury.
Its other members are Mahesh Dattani, playwright and stage director; Somak Ghoshal, author, critic and learning designer; Kavery Nambisan, author and surgeon; and Swati Thiyagarajan, conservation journalist and filmmaker.
The jury will announce the longlist of 10 titles in September (subject to change), followed by the shortlist of five titles in October (subject to change). The winner of the prize will be announced in November 2023. If the winning work is a translation, the translator will be awarded an additional Rs 10 lakh. Each of the five shortlisted authors will receive Rs 1 lakh; if a shortlisted work is a translation, the translator will receive Rs 50,000.
Representing a range of backgrounds, languages and mediums of expression between them, the jury brings a set of diverse points of view to the task of selecting the best of fiction from India for the year.
The JCB Prize for Literature is funded by India’s leading manufacturer of earthmoving and construction equipment, JCB India Ltd, and administered by the JCB Literature Foundation.
Commenting on this year’s jury, Mita Kapur, Literary Director of the JCB Prize for Literature, said: “Last year has truly been a milestone year for us. For the first time, our jury put forth a shortlist that were all translations. India speaks and reads in so many languages, and the books that are submitted for the JCB Prize are a true representation of the many Indias that reside within one.
The 2022 JCB Prize for Literature was awarded to ‘The Paradise of Food’ by Khalid Jawed, translated from the Urdu by Baran Farooqi, and published by Juggernaut. The book is a brutal and mesmerising account of the contemporary body, home and nation told through the food and kitchen. In a world consumed by hyper-consumerism, the book provides a bracing counter-narrative making it an important piece of work.
With an aim to increase inclusivity in readership, the book along with the other four shortlisted novels of 2022 was also made available by the JCB Literature Foundation in a digitally accessible format for anyone in the visually impaired spectrum.
“I am happy to be part of the jury for the JCB Prize for Literature 2023. It represents an opportunity to celebrate books that speak to our times, and bring to notice books that may have been unfairly overlooked. In this regard, I particularly appreciate the Prize’s efforts at encouraging publishers to send in translations,” Srinath Perur said.
About the Jury
Srinath Perur is the author of the travelogue ‘If It’s Monday It Must Be Madurai’. He has translated Kannada novel ‘Ghachar Ghochar’ (by Vivek Shanbhag) and the memoir ‘This Life at Play’ (by Girish Karnad). He writes on a variety of subjects including science, travel and books.
Somak Ghoshal has worked in publishing and media with major Indian organisations for over 15 years, especially as a critic and book publisher. His work has appeared in Mint, HuffPost, The Telegraph, Open, The Hindu, The Voice of Fashion, Mekong Review, Index on Censorship, CNN Style, and other Indian and international publications.
Srinath Perur to head jury for Rs 25-lakh JCB Prize for Literature 2023
Mahesh Dattani is a playwright, stage director, and mentor. His works as a playwright have been translated and performed in many languages across India and abroad. For his anthology Final Solutions and Other Plays, Dattani received the Sahitya Akademi Award.
Kavery Nambisan started her writing career with children’s books. Her adult novels include The Scent of Pepper, A Story that Must Not be Told and A Town Like Ours. Her non-fiction book A Luxury Called Health is her most recent work. She also contributes articles and essays to national newspapers and international anthologies.
Swati Thiyagarajan is a multi-award winning conservation journalist. She is the former Environment Editor of NDTV and helmed and created one of their flagship shows Born Wild. She authored the book Born Wild, Journeys into the Wild Hearts of India and Africa.
The awe-inspiring story of one of the stalwarts who laid the foundation of Indian economy and industry. An exclusive feature by columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International.
About the Book
Lala Shri Ram was among the earliest industrialists who could foresee the usefulness of an organised approach by the country’s business community. Joining DCM at the age of twenty-five in 1909, Shri Ram went on to not only create a textile giant but a conglomerate that gave wings to an aspiring nation—venturing into sewing machines, sugar, hydrogenated oil, chemicals and becoming a market leader in a short span. Shri Ram established new benchmarks in labour welfare, education and business innovation that was hitherto unheard in the Indian business space.
This book celebrates the man, his vision and the entrepreneur’s zeal that made it all possible. Startups today will find it inspiring and a useful guide as they go about building the businesses of their dreams.
This book is a treasure trove of learnings for modern-day entrepreneurs, this book celebrates a legendary industrialist and his vision, grit, determination and spirit of entrepreneurship. One of the first books to focus on the theme of entrepreneurs who built post-Independence India, capturing the pre-liberalization days and presenting the landscape, culture and history of that period. The first book in the series, on Gujarmal Modi, has been a stellar success. This is the much-anticipated second book in the series.
About the Author
Sonu Bhasin is one of the early and senior women professionals in the industry. In her career of over 30 years, she set up and managed large businesses, and diverse teams, across financial and non-financial sectors in India and overseas.
Sonu led various businesses in senior leadership positions during her corporate career. She began as a TAS (Tata Administrative Service) Officer with the Tata Group and spent 13 years with the Group before becoming a Banker. As a Banker, she was a Director at ING Barings, President Axis Bank, Group President Yes Bank before going back to the Tatas as COO Tata Capital Limited.
Sonu is an Independent Director on Boards of well-known and reputed domestic and multinational companies. She now focuses on family businesses and is the Founder of FAB – Families And Business. She is a family business historian and is the Editor-in-Chief of Families & Business magazine – India’s only stand – alone magazine that addresses the concerns of family business owners/promoters/entrepreneurs.
Sonu has worked extensively with both, the patriarchs and the inheritors of family businesses and has enabled them to focus on building multi-generational businesses.
Sonu Bhasin
Sonu is also a Business Author and her first book The Inheritors – Stories of Entrepreneurship and Success, published by Penguin Random House, is a bestseller in the business books category. Her second book, Unstoppable – Kuldip Singh Dhingra and the Rise of Berger Paints, published by Penguin Random House is the biography of the owner and promoter of Berger Paints. Her third book – Gujarmal Modi : The Resolute Industrialist – is the first in the multi-book series titled Entrepreneurs Who Built India published by HarperCollins. Her latest book, Tata’s Leadership Experiment – Story of the TAS is the untold story of the elite cadre of the Tata Group.
Sonu is also a columnist with The Economic Times, the leading financial daily of India. Her YouTube Channel is a place for people who want to listen to her meaningful conversations with a cross section of successful people – including family business owners.
She has been named as one of the Global 100 most Influential individuals for family enterprises in 2020. She was inducted into the FBU Family Business Hall Of Fame in 2022. Sonu has a degree in B.Sc (Hons) Mathematics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University and a MBA from Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University.
Author Sonu Bhasin said, “Entrepreneurs who worked and set up industries before independence and also before the start of liberalisation were the ones who laid the foundation for the new, confident India we see today. Sadly, many of them are in danger of being forgotten as their businesses do not exist today, or exist in diluted forms. The book series titled Entrepreneurs Who Built India is our attempt to shine the spotlight on these entrepreneurs and take their stories further and wider. Lala Shri Ram, the name synonymous with DCM, overcame initial business failure and fragile health to build a solid business empire which was rated among the top five in the 1960s. This book tells his story and brings out the many facets of the man.”
Sachin Sharma, Executive Editor, HarperCollins India, said, “In the history of Indian business, Lala Shri Ram stands out for his ability to see the future. Not only did he built his business empire with great foresight but was a rare entrepreneur who believed in the potential of education for the Indian youth. The institutions he built have proved that when one has the will and the vision, magic happens. Through this book, Sonu Bhasin has given the perfect tribute to the man who was an institution in himself.”
The Highly Anticipated Book Launch of ‘Mountain Goddesses’ by Manu Khajuria Singh in London. An exclusive feature by columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International.
‘Mountain Goddesses’, hot off the press book by author Manu Khajuria Singh, was officially launched on Thursday, March 30th, 2023 at the cultural wing of the Indian High Commission UK, The Nehru Centre in London. The event was attended by a diverse group of guests, ranging from publishing industry insiders to reading enthusiasts.
Since a long time, conversations around feminism have been largely dominated by stories and narratives of progressive women in western societies. This new book ‘Mountain Goddesses’ follows author, Manu Khajuria Singh, through her discovery over time of the deep-rooted feminine power within her motherland in Jammu. This mountainous region in northern India has a rich heritage of folklore. Narratives surrounding goddesses, female folk deities and warriors have been preserved by its vibrant oral tradition, which have been passed down through generations.
After moving to the UK and seeing the younger generation become influenced by contemporary female icons, Manu was inspired to document the vast yet lesser-known female-centric stories from her homeland. These empowering tales offer alternative indigenous role models and an illuminating perspective on femininity.
Manu in her book explores the vast history of feminine icons in the Jammu & Kashmir region, and how their stories can serve as a source of inspiration and feminine power. Singh takes the reader on a captivating journey, uncovering the unique and somewhat undocumented history of strong women and feminine role models in the mountainous regions of Jammu & Kashmir.
Through these stories, Singh shows how people of the region have found their strength and resilience in the deep-rooted history of feminine power in their region. At the housefull launch event recently in London, Singh shared her inspiration and personal journey behind the creation of this remarkable book. Guests and attendees also had the opportunity to meet and interact with the author after the launch, who signed copies of the book for many and engaged in thought-provoking conversations with the attendees.
The event was also marked by the presence of several prominent personalities from the publishing industry who praised the book for its narrative and its message. World Renowned author Amish Tripathi joined the event virtually to share his praise for the book “Mountain Goddesses.” He commended the book for its insightful portrayal of the native traditions in Jammu & Kashmir, which stemmed from the author’s own experiences. He also praised the author’s ability to capture the ‘Indian gaze towards feminism,’ which is starkly different from the western view of feminism.
The audience also had the privilege of hearing from a special guest, Mr. Sarvjeet Soodan, First Secretary (Political, Press & Information) at The High Commission of India, who is also from Jammu. In his speech, Mr. Soodan praised Manu’s efforts in documenting the history of feminine icons in the region, which has largely been passed down through oral traditions so far. He emphasized the importance of preserving this history for future generations to understand and learn from.
Manu is a UK based freelance writer, international speaker, commentator and Dogra Community activist from Jammu Kashmir. A native of the Jammu Region, her focus is the region, its history, culture, and also the current issues. Manu is also the Founder Voice of Dogras, a community organisation which supports and promotes the Jammu region’s unique culture, history, and its people.
“Mountain Goddesses” is now available for purchase in the UK at www.elephanteditions.co/project/mountain-goddesses. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the rich cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir and the inspiring stories of powerful women in the region.
The Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur in Kerala in India is probably the oldest mosque in the subcontinent. The mosque, which was built in 629 AD, features a design influenced by Hindu architecture. A lamp that is believed to be around 1000 years old burns constantly within the mosque. It also boasts of a special white marble believed to be brought from Mecca. Another salient feature is that it may be the only mosque in India that faces the east while all other mosques face west towards Mecca. A special report by Maheep &Hafeezur Rahman
The Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, Trissur district of in the Southern State of Kerala in India is probably the oldest mosque in the subcontinent. Purportedly built in 629 AD, meaning in the Prophet’s lifetime, it is an inalienable part of Kerala’s rich cultural history that epitomizes the free traffic of cultures in ancient India.
Cheraman Juma Masjid is located along a calm semi-rural road, with no visible clue about its great antiquity. At first glance, it may even seem unusual, since it does not look like a conventional mosque with domes and minarets. It looks no more than a tharavad (a traditional house found throughout Kerala), with tiled roof and ornate wooden doors. Only inside, however, you find a qibla pointing towards Mecca, and prayer mats, like many other mosques. Hanging lamps, which are part of a traditional Kerala house and classic temple architecture, form yet another unique feature.
Kodungallur was a bustling trade hub for the world on account of its location near the ancient port of Muziris. Dating back to even 400BC it was a vibrant emporium of trade with East and West. It was a settlement of traders, standing as the gateway to India for varied cultures and races, thus emerging as a cradle of several civilizations. The Chera kingdom used to carry out trade with the Middle East and Europe since Harappan times, trading everything from spices to precious stones.
Structure of the old mosque (Picture Credits: Wikipedia)
Indian black pepper was found stuffed in the 3,000-year-old mummy of Ramses II, the famous Egyptian Pharaoh. The palaces of Nebuchadenazzar (7th century BC) and the Sumerian Ziggurat Temple of Ur in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) from the 6th century BCE reportedly used teakwood from South India. Arab sailors held close trade links with the Chera kings. It did not take long therefore to spread the news in Malabar about Prophet Mohammed in Mecca and Islam.
The local oral tradition claims that CheramanPerumal Rama Varma Kulashekhara, the Chera king of Kerala with Kodungallur as its capital saw in a dream the splitting of the new moon into two halves at the horizon, which is an event described in the Holy Qur’an (54:1-5). Stunned by what he had seen, the king sought answers from the court’s astrologers but failed to get a convincing reply.
Around the same time, an entourage of Arabs led by Shaikh Sahiruddhin Al Madani visited his capital and sought permission to anchor in the port. When the King shared his dream with the merchants, they informed him that it was actually a miracle performed by the Prophet. This event finds mention in several books dealing with the early history of Kerala, such as William Logan’s Malabar Manual and K Balakrishna Pillai’s History of Kerala.
The King was so moved by the interpretation of Shaikh Al Madani that he decided to meet the Prophet and embrace Islam. He arranged for the division of his kingdom into three parts and handed it over to his sons and nephews. When the Arab visitors, who had meanwhile proceeded to Ceylon for trade, returned, the King sailed with them to meet the holy Prophet. The King later converted to Islam in front of the Prophet and performed Hajj as well.
He was on his way back, with a team, to propagate Islam in Kerala, but unfortunately fell sick during the journey and passed away. Cheraman was buried in Zafar (now Salalah) in Oman. Nonetheless, he left a letter for his sons to receive the team of missionaries and offer them all the necessary help. His letter was eventually delivered to his relatives, the ruling chieftains of Malabar, through his
friends Malik bin Dinar and Malik bin Habib who visited Kodungallur along with their companions. The local rulers gave them permission to build a mosque at Kodungallur.
Researcher Anjali Mohan, who is working on a book called, ‘Cheraman Juma Masjid: Caritraom, Sanskaram’ (Cheraman Juma Masjid: History and Culture), observed that despite occasional disputes about the veracity of the story of conversion, there had not been any version to dispute this account. This shrine now stands as a testimony to the peaceful entry of Islam into the subcontinent. It is also a symbol of the harmonious co-existence of religions for centuries and the flourishing commerce between Arab countries and India.
The mosque was built and designed in a Hindu Architectural style. There is a lamp in the mosque which always burns that is believed to be about 1000 years old. Devotees, which include people from all religions, bring oil for the lamp as an offering. The mosque authorities allow followers of other religions to enter and offer prayers. People of all religions visit the mosque and many non-Muslims perform Vidhyarambham (initiation ceremony to the world of letters) of their children here.The festivals of Ramadan and Eid are observed with great pomp. At the same time, the Hindu festival of Vijaya Dashami too is reportedly celebrated in this mosque. The mosque also boasts of a special white marble believed to be brought from Mecca. Another salient feature is that it may be the only mosque in India that faces the east while all other mosques face west towards Mecca.
It has seen several renovations and reconstructions over its long history. It is believed that major renovations were done in the 11th, 14th and 15th centuries. The recent renovations were carried out in 1974, 1984, 1994, 2001 and 2020. The most notable one was probably in 1504 when the Portuguese admiral Lopo Soares de Albergaria razed it to the ground. In 1984, some extensions were added, which made the building look like a modern mosque. Concrete structures — mainly corridor and hall — were built to organize prayers at the mosque. Those extensions almost totally concealed the old structure. However, renovation work which started in 2020 has since removed those unwarranted accretions.
Replica of Cheraman Juma Masjid gifted by Prime Minister Modi to the Saudi King during his 2016 visit.
The Muziris Heritage Project (MHP) took up the task of renovating the Cheraman Juma Masjid in an effort to bring back the heritage structure. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan inaugurated the renovation work on November 10, 2019.
Before the renovation, the mosque had lost some of the unique classic flavor, after structural additions including domes and minarets were made in the 1970s and 1990s. The MHP was commissioned for the restoration of the ancient heritage in original form. The additional concrete structures were demolished, and the heritage architecture was restored using teak wood. Clay tiles have been used to restore traditional Kerala-style roofing. Since the renovated mosque removed the existing space for prayers, the management decided to build an underground prayer hall. The underground facility is large enough to accommodate up to 2000 worshippers without interfering with the structure’s architectural integrity.
Latest pictures of Cheraman Juma Masjid, Kodungalloor undergoing renovation works (Pictures by Asian Lite)
The Kerala government adopted the Muziris Heritage Project as part of the State’s attempt to preserve its ancient culture. Under this scheme, Benny Kuriakose and Associates took up renovating the Cheraman Juma Masjid. The older part of the mosque including the Sanctum Sanctorum is left untouched and is still preserved.
The unique architecture and rich history of the mosque make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Islamic architecture and heritage or Indian history. The mosque’s continued existence is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Kerala and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
(This article is written by Dr Maheep, an Expert in International Relations with specialisation in Arab & Islam and Dr Hafeezur Rahman, a renowned scholar of Islamic Cultural Heritage and Founder President of Sufi Peace Foundation, New Delhi)
