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Nomadic artefacts exhibits present a slice of lives on the go
New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) Traditional ‘Ektaras and ‘Bapangs’ crafted from dried vegetables, paintings of colourful Banjara turbans and sketches documenting nomadic kitchens in Rajasthan are on view at a gallery space here, depicting the lives of the state’s nomadic communities.
Held at the Art Spice Gallery here, “Romancing Nomadism” displays nomadic artefacts — traditional Morpankhi weaves, musical instruments, weapons, utensils, and visual documents.
According to the curators, it showcases artefacts from Maru Banjara, Bhopa, Jogi, Gadia Lohar, Kalbeliya and Bawariya communities from Rajasthan.
Along with Babita Gupta, it has been co-curated by Chinh India Trust, which is run by filmmakers Minakshi and Vinay Rai, who said they have been working with the communities on media literacy since early 2000s.
“Nomadic communities in the Indian subcontinent have displayed an amazing tolerance for Mughals and the East India Company. They, however, started to be penalised all over the world when urban civilisations started settling, nations’ boundaries started to be fixed, and the concept of ‘address’ came into existence,” Minakshi Rai told IANS.
Nonetheless, many free-spirited nomads — often called Banjaras — managed to live their lives on the go.
The exhibition, although not a comprehensive resource on nomadism, introduces a slice of the everyday life inside nomadic communities of the state.
Artist Sanjay Soni’s photorealist paintings of Banjara men staring intently at the viewer, also reveal a deeper stratification.
“If you see the colours of the turbans — yellow, burgundy red, and green — they actually reveal a certain hierarchy within the nomads. During our work, we found that the Banjara tribes, who don green turbans, eat before everyone else, and nobody eats till they have finished,” Rai explained.
Also featuring in the exhibition are musical instruments ‘Bapang’ — a string instrument made from goat skin — and ‘Ektara’ — another string instrument with its base traditionally moulded from dried pumpkin.
On close view, one can link the origin of these instruments from a larger nomadic ideology, that of sustenance and utilising what is available.
“The nomad ideology is that of need, not of greed,” Rai said, stressing on the essential frugality that is inherent in nomadism.
Other highlights of the show are exhibits of vivid Morpankhi (peacock stitch) embroidery, prepared by community members and generally used for bridal clothing, and pencil sketches of Banjara kitchens that now accommodate modern utensils like thermoses, along with ‘Kadahis’ and tumblers.
The exhibition is open for public viewing at the Art Spice Gallery (The Metropolitan Hotel) till October 25.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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