Posts

Institutions that built India: NIFT - Where creativity meets innovation and tradition

Image
The National Institute of Fashion Technology is a premier institution that blends creativity, innovation, and tradition to shape the future of fashion education and industry Established in 1986 under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has cemented its position as a global leader in fashion education within less than four decades. With sprawling campuses spread across the country, NIFT provides a comprehensive platform for nurturing creativity and fostering innovation. Its 19 campuses, located in various parts of India, serve as melting pots of cultural heritage and modern trends, offering students the best of both worlds. NIFT’s educational approach is built on the pillars of creativity, inquiry, and independent thinking. Its pedagogy ensures that students are exposed to a blend of traditional values and contemporary trends, enabling them to develop a holistic perspective. The curriculum includes immersive exp...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ustad Zakir Hussain: A Legacy That Transcends Time

Image
The Tabla Maestro’s Legendary Journey Through Rhythm and Music The death of Ustad Zakir Hussain, a name synonymous with the tabla, who breathed his last at the age of 73 on December 15, 2024, in San Francisco, USA, marks the end of an era for Indian classical music and the global music community. A dazzling tabla player, composer, and cultural ambassador, his extraordinary talent and innovative contributions to music transcended the boundaries of tradition, leaving an indelible mark on the world stage.  Zakir Hussain with his father Alla Rakha Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, Zakir Hussain was immersed in the world of music from an early age. The eldest son of the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha, Hussain’s early exposure to rhythms and melodies shaped his prodigious skills. His father, a towering figure in Indian classical music, was a direct disciple of the great tabla guru Ustad Ahmed Jan Thirakwa. Zakir’s earliest performances were at the age of 12, where he sho...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Indian Constitution: Where art meets governance

Image
A unique blend of law and artistry, the Constitution of India, turning 75 this week, stands as a testament to India’s heritage, democratic values, and cultural brilliance. Adopted on 26th November 1949 and coming into effect on 26th January 1950, the Indian Constitution stands as a testament to the nation’s democratic ethos. Turning 75 this year, it remains a symbol of India’s commitment to justice, liberty, and equality. To commemorate its adoption, India’s first Constitution Museum was inaugurated on 23rd November 2024 at O.P. Jindal Global University at Sonipat in Haryana by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This state-of-the-art museum offers an immersive journey through the Constitution’s principles and the historical events leading to its creation. However, the history of the making of this document is also the history of artistic brilliance that India cherishes. The Constitution of India, drafted under the leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, refle...
Post a Comment
Read more

Institutions that built India: NID - Pioneering India’s Design Revolution

Image
The National Institute of Design (NID) has transformed India’s creative landscape, blending tradition with modernity in various areas of design. From its visionary beginnings inspired by the Bauhaus philosophy to its globally recognised campuses, NID continues to shape innovative design professionals, fostering a culture of creativity and excellence across the nation. The National Institute of Design (NID) stands as a testament to India’s far-sightedness in recognizing the role of design as a bridge between tradition and modernity. Established in 1961 in Ahmedabad, NID’s origins trace back to the vision of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who understood that design, alongside technology and management, was critical for industrial development. This vision was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of pioneers like Pupul Jayakar, the Sarabhai family, and international influences such as Charles and Ray Eames, who were invited by the Government of India to study ...
Post a Comment
Read more

A landmark year for women in literature

Image
2024 has emerged as a historic year for women writers, with two of the most prestigious literary accolades recognising their extraordinary talent and contribution to the world of letters. Last month, the Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to South Korean author Han Kang, praised “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.” Meanwhile, British author Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize for her novel Orbital, a masterful narrative set aboard the International Space Station. Together, these achievements spotlight the growing prominence of female voices in literature, reshaping the global literary landscape. Han Kang Han Kang, born in Gwangju, South Korea, grew up in a literary household that nurtured her sensitivity to art, music, and words. Her early exposure to literature, thanks to her novelist father, deeply influenced her path as a writer. She began her literary journey as a poet in 1993 and made her prose debut two year...
Post a Comment
Read more

Institutions that built India: Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

Image
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), one of India’s foremost scientific research institutions, was born out of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata’s belief in the transformative role of scientific research and higher education for national progress. In 1890, Tata, with his immense wealth and vision for India’s future, decided to establish a top-tier university focused on scientific research. His vision was supported by Mysore State’s Regent Queen, Maharani Kempananjammani Vani Vilasa Sannidhana, who contributed land and funding. Tata’s passing in 1904 left the project in limbo for several years, but in 1909, the Indian government passed a resolution to establish the institute in Bangalore. Under the leadership of its first director, chemist Morris Travers, IISc opened in 1911 with 24 students in two departments: General and Applied Chemistry, and Electrical Technology. Guided by Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the Dewan of Mysore, IISc’s focus quickly shifted toward research that would address India’s u...
Post a Comment
Read more

Celebrating Gandhiji’s legacy through art and creativity

Image
 An event that that honours Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of non-violence and tolerance, inspiring young minds to express his values through art. All true art must help the soul to realize its inner self  - Mahatma Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi, though not an artist himself, had a profound connection with art, viewing it as a medium for expressing deeper truths and moral values. He believed that art should serve humanity and reflect simplicity, truth, and beauty - principles he upheld in his life. Gandhiji’s use of the charkha (spinning wheel) symbolized self-reliance and was itself a form of artistic expression, blending craft and ideology. He also inspired artists across various mediums, from painting to literature, who depicted his vision of non-violence, social justice, and human dignity in their works. Glimpses from the event It was in the backdrop of such visions of the Father of the Nation that, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi, Velammal Knowledge Park (VKP), a renowned educational...
Post a Comment
Read more