The catalogue “Piety and Splendour: Sikh Heritage in Art,” designed by Parthiv Shah of CMAC, takes a deep dive into Sikh art. It explores a variety of artworks including paintings, drawings, textiles, weapons, jewelry, and coins. Rather than covering everything broadly, this catalogue focuses on key elements of Sikh art, tracing themes like piety,...
Ravan Hattha
Ravan Hattha, a component of ‘Bharat ke Kaladharmi,’ endeavors to safeguard India’s cultural legacy during the pandemic, involving Govind and Sangeeta Bharathi in creating a children’s book to transmit the tradition of the Ravanhatta. Led by CMAC and co-published by BHOOMA Trust, the “Bharat ke Kaladharmi” project, generously supported by Coal India Limited, aims...
The Sound of the Gods (Kanan and His Nadaswaram)
A children’s book aimed to educate young readers about the cultural heritage of the Nadaswaram, part of the “Bharat ke Kaladharmi” project fostering pride and curiosity in India’s artistic legacy. “The Sound of the Gods: Kannan and His Nadaswaram” by Vidya Shah, with illustrations by Shivani J., is a captivating children’s book designed to...
Self-Portraits in the time of Social Distancing
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...