Anugunj - The Lohar And Agaria Origin Myth

The iron frame and little figures within look like some antique look show piece of a modern Living room, but these metal figures represent some well preserved myths by the people of Chhhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in India.  Here goes the stories:-

The Agaria Origin Myth

Region - Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India

When God wished to create living beings, he found the earth submerged under the sea and Keechakmal, the earthworm feeding on it.  With the help of Kakamal (crab), the row and the earthworm itself, he manged to establish the earth on waters.  To ensure its stability, he commanded Agaris, Tamasu, Kansasur to secure it with iron, copper and (erazed text) respectively, thus stabilizing the earth for habitation.

The Lohar Origin Myth

Region - Bastar, Chhattisgarh, India

Sabarsi, the King of Loharipur had twelve sons, of whom Logundi was the eldest.  Angarmati was the only daughter.  All road in Loahripur were made of iron and all citizens subsisted on molten iron.  They were so self sufficient that even during the twelve year long famine, only the people of Loharipur did not seek divine intervention.  This roused the wrath of the sun God who trapped these unsuspecting people into touching water, an act, which robbed them of the gift to digest molten iron.  It was Angarmati, whose Jwalamukhi, later avenged his family by imprisoning Sun and Moon in an iron cage.

 

You may visit 'Anugunj' - a travelling exhibition based on myths and folk beliefs of India has been organised in theNational Museum, Janpath, New Delhi 

from 15 Sep 2011 to 11 Oct 2011. 

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Common Wealth Games And The Cultural Fiesta

It seems talking about Common Wealth Games is so passe now!  Nevertheless, I want to share some scanned images of handouts etc depicting the cultural fiesta the city was enjoying during the Common Wealth Games (phew! now I got time!).  In fact, we the Dilliwalas were visible all over the places from music concerts to exhibitions and not to forget the food festival.  No trace of tourists of other countries!



Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra showed a dramatic presentation of Ramayana.





Live music concert at Qutub Minar Complex



These were the singers who rocked the crowd, huge crowd! Two singers performed each evening.

So, during the games Dehi Govt had organised a variety of activities for promotion of culture of the city.  You had to pick up things of your choice.  You could enjoy live musical concerts, ghazals, Qawallis, food festival, book exhibition of Common Wealth countries, photo exhibitions (See Dilli Nama Pics - An exhibition on Delhi)

 You could enjoy the Ho-Ho ride (Hop on Hop off ride),  and visit the historical places of Delhi.  The known and unknown historial monuments were lit up, the museums, which are many in Delhi (I love them) were also showcasing the rich heritage of the country.  Also, the Nehru Planetarium, which was closed for quite some time for renovation was opened for public sometime on beginning of October. It's a must watch place, I will catch it up soon with my kids.

There were some very useful handouts and brochers given out by Delhi Government, which serve as a guide to the historial monuments and museums and other places of tourist attaractions.  Not just for foreigners, but even for the residents of Delhi, they will serve a great purpose, especially, if you a parent or are interested in visiting places apart from malls and PVRs.  I somehow love to go to such places where you get to learn something.  See the scanned pic of the map, though a small fragment it is, the map was huge.

And this is the pic of Nehru Stadium, which of course looked amazing! The purple colour as seen would change to different hues and it being huge, was visible for a great distance too

And let me share that the Youth Festival, ie Live Band performances and classical performances are still on in the Central Park of Connaught Place of Delhi.

Hope other Delhites too enjoyed the time, as I did.  If you are a Delhite, share your experience.

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Dilli Nama - A Photo Exhibition On Delhi

During the Common Wealth Games, I visited this photo exhibition called "Dilli Nama".   Actually being a Delhite at heart, it always interests me to know the history of the place.  This exhibition was organized by Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) at India Habitat Centre and Red Fort.  The one I visited was India Habitat Centre.  It was a treat for the eyes as it showed the so very different facets of Delhi be it colonial, migrant, old, cultural, sufi or the new face of Delhi.  The pictures of refugee Delhi was also touching. Have a look...

The exhibition was a collage of drawings, photographs and replicas of certain areas of Delhi showed the vast diversity of the city.

So, this is Delhi!



This is how the exhibition looked like





Well, this was an intersting question asked? "Dilli Kiski ?"



Delhi does not really have it's speciality in handicraft items, but is a beautiful fusion of art and hadicrafts from all the States of the India



The three faces of Delhi - Old, sarkari and millenium!

Enjoy!

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PS - All pics clicked by me for a change!