Breaking faith barriers, Shia Muslim artists create Hindu wedding mandaps
Jaipur, July 8: For centuries, their creations have been used in sombre processions to commemorate and reconstruct the narrative of the 7th century Battle of Karbala in Islamic history. But now, these artists, mostly Shia Muslims, make Hindu wedding mandaps, replicating the design of the shrine of Prophet's grandson Imam Hussain Ali, who was killed in that war.
Hundreds of couples in the country have exchanged wedding vows under these mandaps, representing the replicas of the complex, housing one of the oldest mosques in the world and a holy site of Shia Muslims in the Iraqi city of Karbala. These replicas, also called tazia, which otherwise Shia mourners use during their annual Muharram processions, are also used for decorating venues of birthday parties.
The art of tazia making arrived in India from Central Asia and is said to have flourished during Mughal rule. One of these artisans, Muhammad Bilal Azimuddin, speaking to IANS, said they were in Mumbai recently to design a Hindu marriage mandap at the Hotel Grand Hyatt there.
"Our clients wanted us to design something exquisite, which we did," he said, adding that caste and creed never comes into picture.
"Our designs have been used in Hindu weddings as well as in birthday parties of children. What clients love is the exquisite adorned minarets which have won millions of hearts and are making waves across the nation," he said.
Many art connoisseurs have also decorated their residences, offices, theme parties and corporate events with tazia-inspired minarets and lamps, he added.
Basically, these artisans make tazias during Muharram processions. As this symbolises sorrow to their community, they never charge any price for it. "It is a service to God," says Muhammad Bilal Azimuddin, who learnt this craft from his father who was known as Azimuddin Bhai (brother) in community circles.
Meanwhile, their socio-economic standards have witnessed a sudden rise as they started taking up commercial projects.
The fortunes of this tazia community changed when a leading designer of the country, Geetanjali Kaswaliwal, owner of globally reputed Anantaya which is committed to development of ideas using local crafts evolved over centuries, watched a tazia procession for the first time in Jaipur. Anantaya is known for showcasing Unesco award-winning luxury cutting-edge objects, furniture, textiles and accessories inspired by the culturally-rich artisanal world.
She was moved by the attractive presence of tazias on the streets. Soon after, when her husband's firm, AKFD Studio, got the order for making markers for the entire city during the Jaipur Virasat Heritage Festival 2007, she thought of using tazia-inspired designs for the city.
"We wanted to make something sculptural for this event to ensure guests bask in the glory of cultural craft. We created a huge structure of tazia. The task was commissioned to tazia artisans who were adept with the artistry associated with it. The project was headed by Azhimuddin bhai. With nine kids, he was keen to work with us and hence we had their designs and skills which helped them earn name, fame and revenue also," she told IANS.
It was more like a pure engagement with these artisans who created impressive spheres. Even the tazia artisans enjoyed doing something innovative, said Kaswaliwal.
Later, she brought tazia-inspired designs to her house while celebrating birthday parties of her daughters. Instead of plastic balloons, tazia artisans decorated the venue with handmade craft. The big balloons and lamps were quite authentic which caught the attention of all those present.
Kaswaliwal ensured this art was taken to the next level and asked the artisans to decorate the wedding mandap of her sister's marriage solemnised in New Delhi in 2009.
"They did it with their heart and soul and the response was amazing. Everybody was talking of these designs and this is how their art gained wings and reached heights from where there was no looking back," she added.
"No one in our family had any resistance anywhere when my sister's wedding mandap was being designed by Muslim artisans. They loved their integrity and engagement with which they did the decor," she recalled.
There is another positive side to the story. The designs crafted by tazia artisans is via paper and bamboo which gives a strong message of sustainability and ecological balance.
When asked about remuneration, Bilal said it's the size of the mandap and party venue which defines their remuneration and the number of people also depends on the quantum of work.
"Seeing our work, we have received orders to design the Rajasthan Heritage Week Festival. Also, we did the design in 2009 when Art Institute of Chicago delegates were in India. We used bamboo-made sets which were praised a lot," said Bilal.
"What we love is the fact that people of all castes and communities admire our work -- and tell others about it. What else does a grassroots artisan want?" Bilal asked with a smile.
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B'luru: "Least priority, shifted late," says brother of patient who died in Ramaiah hospital fire
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Bengaluru: Hours after a fire broke out at the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of the MS Ramaiah Memorial Hospital on New BEL Road on Thursday, a 34-year-old patient, Sujay Sujathan Panicker, tragically passed away. His family has accused the hospital authorities of negligence, which they claim led to his death.
The fire at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is believed to have been caused by a short circuit. Initial reports suggested that there were no casualties in the incident.
Sujay, originally from Kollam in Kerala, had been residing in Bengaluru with his family since 2004. He was undergoing treatment for pneumonia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and H1N1 since September 1 at the hospital.
Sujay's wife and father released a video accusing the hospital of negligence. In the video, his wife, Rohini Jayan, alleged that the hospital authorities took no action against those responsible for the fire.
Sujay’s brother, Sujin Sujathan Panicker, speaking to Vartha Bharathi, detailed the family’s ordeal. He said that despite his sister-in-law requesting assistance during the chaos, the hospital staff pushed her away, assuring her that all patients had been safely evacuated to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). However, Sujin claims that his sister-in-law did not see Sujay being shifted.
He further stated, “Sometime later, when a doctor arrived, she (Rohini) inquired about Sujay. It was only after the doctor questioned the staff that they rushed to evacuate him.”
Sujin added that by the time his brother was evacuated, 50 minutes had already passed since the fire broke out. "He was still inside, while all the other patients were taken out first. He was admitted to the hospital with a respiratory illness, yet he was given the least priority during the chaos. He was the last one to be evacuated."
He also claimed that Rohini had already noticed that Sujay’s condition had deteriorated and believed he had passed away, though the hospital authorities did not officially declare his death.
Sujin further stated that the hospital authorities called him and his father to the board room at the 8th floor of the hospital, where senior executives and doctors who had treated Sujay were present “During the interaction they (hospital authorities) claimed that Sujay was still alive and that his condition had worsened amid the smoke and that his chances of survival were less, which was not true.”
"Despite staff being present to evacuate my brother, they remained negligent. The fire broke out at 1:00 p.m., so why did it take 50 minutes to get him out? He was in a corner bed in the CCU, and it seemed they either overlooked the room or ignored it. Even after repeated requests, it took them 50 minutes to evacuate him," Sujin added.
Sujin also expressed concerns that the hospital authorities might attempt to influence the investigation. "They can influence anyone—any hospital, any report."
At the time of the interview, Sujin stated that neither anyone from the government nor from the health department had contacted the family.
A complaint has been filed in connection with the incident at the Sadashivanagar police station. "The statements of the family members have been recorded, and an investigation into the matter is underway. An FIR has been lodged under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) Section 106 (causing death due to negligence)," said Sadashivanagar police station Sub-Inspector.
Meanwhile, officials from Ramaiah Memorial Hospital were unavailable for comment.
