The need to socially move away from others in the time of the pandemic has made me look within. Philosophical though it may sound — much has been said about introspection, from Rumi to Adi Shankara — the truth is that this phase has led to much thinking and analysing, learning and unlearning. I...
Neel Dongre Awards and Grants
The Neel Dongre Awards/Grants for Excellence in Photography was established in January, 2012. Neel Dongre (1944-2009) was one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country who took a keen interest in mentoring young people, encouraged them to dream, and helped them fulfil their ambitions. The grants are aimed at recognizing young, emerging and...
Transcending Jerusalem: The City through Indian Lenses
Parthiv Shah, from CMAC, was invited to join a delegation of prominent Indian photographers to visit Israel (from the 17th to the 22nd of December, 2017), under the auspices of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to tour Jerusalem and take pictures of the city. The photographs were then showcased in the exhibition...
Women On Record
Women On Record combines newer technologies with contemporary art practices in collaboration with artist communities traversing across film, photography, scenography, dance, theater and music. The art practices come together to recreate the ambience of the gramophone era. The idea of reviving interest in the immense contributions made by these artists in the late 19th...
Akhtari: Remembering the Diva of the Ghazal and the times she lived in
Begum Akhtar was a “rockstar” of her times. Hundred years of the Begum and this Malika-e-Ghazal (queen of Ghazal) is still remembered, loved and revered like very few other artists have ever been. But what is the life of a Bai (a songstress) who becomes a Begum? Through this production where music and storytelling...
Hum Sab: Celebrating Cultures of Resistance
Music and poetry have played an important role in raising discussions on issues of social justice, against communalism and towards responsible citizenship. There have been efforts in the past by groups like IPTA to use poetry and music to kindle a spirit of questioning the given order. Sadly this repertoire is now unfamiliar for...
Haman Hai Ishq
“Haman Hain Ishq” (That Love Is All There Is) was a concurrence of arts, music and poetry combined with digital works to revisit ancient values of religious pluralism and harmony in the contemporary age. The painter Haku Shah and the internationally renowned musician Shubha Mudgal, two very well known artists in India, participated in the exhibition-concert Haman Hain...
Framing Obama
CMAC was invited by American Embassy to design an exhibition on the eve of visit of president Barack Obama. The exhibition was mounted at the American Center, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, from November 1st till November 30. Curated by photographer, filmmaker and graphic designer Parthiv Shah, the exhibition, titled U. S. President Barack Obama showed the various sides...
Mere Paas Raho
Mere Paas Raho, an audio CD As part of a centenary tribute to the poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, CMAC produced an audio CD called Mere Paas Raho. The CD includes an array of songs composed and performed by Vidya Shah, based on the work of Faiz. Mere Paas Raho was produced in collaboration with the Faiz...
Art as Witness/ Voices of Dignity
Art As Witness Art As Witness was a photo-exhibition curated by Parthiv Shah and jointly conceived by CMAC & Amnesty International, India. The exhibition featured images by eminent photographers from all over the world on the harsh realities of day-to-day life as experienced by ordinary people in South Asian zones; and specifically, of infringes from...