Copyright 2023 Worldwide Media | The Times of India.All Rights Reserved. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta Photos. She's done a good job, but BDL is not her private property," fumes corporator and MNS members Sandeep Deshpande. Objects are not just about beauty but tell us about the world of the maker and the patron, their intentions, and the hazards they confronted. The 1872 founded museum had fallen into a derelict condition by the late 1990s. Curated by Tasneem Zakaria Mehta . The art historian and cultural activist says museums need to respond to contemporary culture. Ismail Merchant, Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Partap Sharma, Pupul Jayakar, Rahul Bajaj, Martand Singh, P. Chidambaram. This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which Its overwhelming, the sheer volume of art in Tasneem Zakaria Mehtas house impossible to take in in one sitting or even five; but every piece has resonance in her life. You dont get things like this anymore; I need to look after them more carefully, she says, as I hurriedly extricate it from under me. His annual . She was a two-term member of the Salar Jung Museum board. . Mumbai News Live Updates: Congress Ravindra Dhangekar wins battle of prestige in Kasba; BJPs Ashwini Jagtap ahead in Chinchwad, BJP in talks to form govts in all 3 NE states, says development agenda beat Opp anti-minority claims against it, Extremely Compromised (EC) can become Extremely Competent (EC): Oppn reacts to SC CEC ruling, Year before polls, Odisha to start backward classes survey, sets July 12 deadline, https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/08/1x1.png, Our best subscription plan now has a special price, MHADA razes illegal structures freeing up nearly 9 acres of land in Mumbai. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, Honorary Director of Mumbais Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum and Vice-Chairperson of the Indian National Trust for Art and. While Zakaria hasnt reacted to the jab, his sister, Tasneem Mehta felt it seemed Coulter hadnt watched Zakarias program. What doesnt come with an artists name attached marks other milestones from the life of Tasneem Zakaria Mehta replica Louis XVI chairs from Christies London, from the time they lived there; verdigris-patinated scrollwork lamps from their two years in Egypt; ebony Chinese nesting tables and Burmese figurines; Krishna statues by a master craftsman from OrissaIts an art lovers utopia and every insurance companys nightmare. See more of: Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, Femina Women Awards 2017. She is also a trustee of the Kochi Biennale Foundation. Each artist explored a different theme such as alienation, pollution, destruction of biodiversity, unnatural divisions, mutations and distortions, the politics of water and waste and the destruction of landscapes and rivers. So artistic innovations at JJ would be put up at the Museum. It feels nice to learn about the objects that I used to only clean. Mehta spent her childhood drawing and painting and being a go-getter came naturally. She belongs to one of the most prominent families of Mumbai: her step-brother is the journalist Fareed Zakaria; her father, Rafiq Zakaria, was Maulana Azad's secretary and a participant in India's freedom struggle. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta. Additionally, honesty is important to me because the truth is something that eventually comes out. The book was released to honour the museum itself, the contributions of those who were instrumental. At dusk, all the fishing boats dock here; and its almost like Diwali, says Mehta. Theres not a stick of hand-carved, wooden furniture without an elegant spill of books on it; theres not a single blank wall. We start with the ongoing exhibitions, especially 'Games People Play' by the Delhi-based contemporary artist duo Thukral & Tagra. As of 2023, Fareed Zakaria's Net Worth is $15 million. The museums robust exhibition programme invites importantcontemporary artists,such as Jitish Kallat, Sudarshan Shetty, Nalini Malani and L.N. He always had people visiting and would always tell stories of his days as Foreign Secretary.FAVOURITE GADGETS: I only really use my iPhone and my laptop. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta is an art historian, curator, designer, and cultural activist. Watch, New JNU rules: Rs 20,000 fine for taking part in hunger strikes, dharnas, Rs 50,000 fine for insulting behaviour, Carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in 2022, Congress disappoints in Northeast but Bengal, Tamil Nadu bypoll results bring cheer, Shakira opens up about accepting pain and tolerating frustration after split from Gerard Piqu, Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards, Statutory provisions on reporting (sexual offenses), This website follows the DNPAs code of conduct. Excerpts: The book points to the museums connection to Mumbai right from its establishment. Memorable shows include Reena Kallat's cobweb of sarkari stamps on the museum's facade of anglicised street names replaced by indigenous ones and Thukral and Tagra's interactive games of wrestling, trampoline and cards that visitors could play, among others. rights reserved, India's Q3 GDP numbers: Testing growth guardrails, L'affaire Adani and the colonial mindset in our approach to governance, Adani-owned ports may use their pricing power. A leaders of Indias heritage preservation movement, Mehta has successfully pioneered the revival and restoration of several of Mumbais important cultural sites. With piles of books scattered everywhere, the large office of art historian Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, managing trustee and honorary director of Mumbai's Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, looks eloquently cluttered. She has been associated with diverse fields like journalism, social work . I can lose my cool with non-performance. Menu. 1998-2022 Diligent Media Corporation Limited, All Rights Reserved. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta: The Revivalist. Another big exhibition is titled 'Kindred Nations', which is about a relationship between India and America that goes back to the 17th century. A leaders of India's heritage preservation movement, Mehta has successfully pioneered the revival and restoration of several of Mumbai's important cultural sites. Part of the reason why we [at Bhau Daji] are successful is that we are private-public; and if we were completely private, we would have been 10 times more successful. ", Tasneem Zakaria Mehta (Photo: Pradip Das/Express Archives). "This is why many of my best projects have been with her," concedes Dilawari. Veteran journalist Fatima R. Zakaria, the former Editor of the Sunday Times, Mumbai, and mother of renowned global media personality Fareed R. Zakaria, passed away here on Tuesday due to Covid at . We hope to take these online now. [The late] Bal Thackeray used to drink wine himself. In spite of the six-months' notice issued to her, Mehta does not seem worried at all. The art historian and curator had joined in 2003, following a tripartite agreement between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), heritage conservation group Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation to revive and manage the dilapidated museum. Another exhibition looked at the history of textiles, an area that has been critical to the development of the city. Mehta roped in contemporary artists such as Jitish and Reena Kallat, Atul Dodiya, Thukral and Tagra, Valay Shende, etc to showcase their works alongside museum exhibits, a trend that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralaya has since emulated. The book captures the pluralism thats inherent in the museum collection, right from a diorama of Emperor Jehangir on Shikar (1927-28) to Mumbadevis statue (2009). Though, in the end, the Municipal Corporation bore 50 per cent of the cost as the building was stuck due to lack of funds. In this interview to Frontline, she talks of that most critical aspect of museumshow to stay relevant and continue to engage the public. But perfection can create conflict. Its perhaps a collection that no museum or gallery could compete with in the country for its sheer breadth, but more importantly, its a living chronicle of Indian art today, and a peek into the mind of its premier historian and curator. They've also contended in the past that she hasn't presented museum audits since 2003, has perhaps siphoned funds, and that hosting the Lakme Fashion Show inside the museum is against 'Indian culture' and that she should instead promote skits, lavani, koli and other folk dances. 05:58 IST. She looks highly composed, a far cry from someone who has been through a storm, even as she mentions an upcoming trip to the Himalayas where she would be completely inaccessible. Please provide your consent for the following so that we can ensure that you have an enjoyable experience on our website. Download the Business Standard App for latest Business News and Market News . What does the future hold? I encourage the staff to do things on their own, but I treat it like a business. Please allow notification and avoid private mode for this feature to work. Museum display has moved quite a distance from rows of glass cases but what is the present trend? "I've spent 15 years doing pro bono work. Museum objects are time machines. Her husband is famous for being the host of CNN's show "Fareed Zakaria GPS. With knowledge available on ones phone, for instance, how does one ensure museums still stay relevant? Opinion. Works by several artistsincluding Jitish Kallat (from his first exhibition), Archana Hande, Binode Behari Mukherjee, BV Suresh, and Anandjit Rayare on the wall behind the desk. "We want to make a difference in how the public feels about, views and engages with these artworks. Read 15 years of Mumbai Mirror's journalism here. "I wore a six-pocket, three-fourth pair of shorts on my first day and got an earful," says Pawar. Vaish, an alumni of Baroda's MS University, who has taught at the Delhi College of Art and Kamala Raheja before coming to BDL, points out that ideas such as the Movies@Museum or screening artist movies, which would typically have a long conception-to-execution time at other places, have been executed at BDL in no time. The couple stayed together for 21 years until Later when Paula filed for divorce and due to unavoidable circumstances they finalized their divorced in 2018. Navigating the spacious sea-facing apartment of Tasneem Zakaria Mehta the managing trustee of the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museumis a bit of an adventure sport, especially if youre a klutz like me. Unlimited access to Mid-Day Gold; Exclusive and in-depth stories; Premium stories from Sunday Mid-Day; Best Value Deal! Mehta is no stranger to the museumshe was involved with the restoration project in the 2000s. Exclusive Stories, Curated Newsletters, 26 years of Archives, E-paper, and more! Before coming to Wellesley, Ahilya studied at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai. Many architecture and design colleges have expressed interest in teaching the book as a case study of narrating object histories as stories. The exhibition has been seeing plenty of participation from visitors, something she is pleased about. The dioramas and models are among the highlights of the museum and the book devotes a whole section to them as People of India. Mehta gets innumerable requests for such events but has to decline most. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta. She squeezes in a little more than an hour to talk about her curatorial style, about her life at the Museum, and her plans for it over the second half of the year. Main Menu. Bombays merchants came together to fund the museum because colonial officials were stingy. Otherwise, what's the point of doing all this?". She followed this with a Masters in Liberal Arts at New York's Columbia University. [citation needed]. For example, we have a full day games melaor a childrens festival where the whole family participates. BDL revived the art scene after its 2008 relaunch. She has studied fine art, textile design, art history, literature and political philosophy. Last Updated at February 3, 2018 05:58 IST. Her eldest stepson Tasneem Zakaria Mehta is an art historian and writer. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta at Femina Women Awards. I moved cases up and down. "Ask the museum staff (about our arguments)," he laughs, recalling that every phase of the museum's restoration saw a clash of the titans, especially the one over air-conditioning the space 24x7 as per international standards. Our book, Mumbai through Objects, attempts to engage audiences in a panoramic journey that helps make better sense of the present. She clearly takes the business aspect of running the Museum quite seriously, and footfalls are a measure she focuses closely on. Additionally, the school let her pursue her love for sports and while at the school, she was Sports Captain and represented her school and state at the Judo Junior Nationals Tournament. Fareed Zakaria Wife. The Presidency was important, but it was really about the city. It taught me the value and importance of independence and has become something Ive prided myself on ever since.THE VALUES YOU TREASURE THE MOST: Honesty and respect are two values that are of the utmost importance to me. "Ma'am encourages us to study the objects. [7] Her office was located in the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. ", Mehta grew up in a politically-active family. She's also inculcated in us the habit of keeping our hands clean and nails clipped while we dust the exhibits. She adds, "Moreover, we haven't done anything wrong. I love working out to this music because theres so much energy or emotion in each song. Mumbai: A City through Objects tells the story of a city through unique objects in the collection of the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, the erstwhile Victoria and Albert Museum, Bombay. The British didnt use the word sculptor because they didnt want to dignify the craftsmen with the term. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta is an art historian, curator, and cultural activist, best known for bringing the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum (BDL) in Mumbai out of obscurity. Friday 17 February '12. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta has a deep and abiding passion for textiles, visible here in the Shyam Ahuja fabric on the sofa on the right. During the independence movement, there was a focus on classical culture and this diluted the focus on the city So yes, I am redefining the museums association with the city by bringing back the focus on urban contemporary culture through innovative exhibitions. And no chit-chat." Excerpts: How should museums evolve so that they do not become anachronistic? There was a whole statement being made. Right in the main atrium, the two artists have created a colossal vitrine which has been hosting various activities and competitions. The exhibition would be looking at the history of photography in India. ', Hindu organisations to hold rally in Mumbai to protest encroachments of Shivaji forts and historical places in Maharashtra. This means we are able to keep this site free-of-charge to use. The Arabian Sea rolls away boundlessly from her windows towards Mandwa and Alibag, broken only by Oyster Rock, a little fortified island owned by the Navy, like a benign Alcatraz. Ive always believed that honesty and respect are very closely linked. YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE: My real life hero is my dada, Jagat Singh Mehta. "I've been doing everything according to the rule book." Contemporary artists explored different aspects of this fraught history to provoke a rethinking of how we can perceive received histories. In Photos: Notable stars, artistes, actors, celebrities who bid us goodbye in 2020. Another scope for improvement: being challenged when it comes to technology. [4], Zakaria joined the Taj Group of Hotels to establish the first-rate five-star hotel, The Taj Residency, on the campus of Maulana Azad College of Arts and Science in Aurangabad. "Mehta is a visionary, and ambitious for the museum. I am also incredibly interested in womens empowerment. "I have curated the whole museum. This has resulted in the BMC sending her a six-month notice this year against established procedure. Shades of humanism. The physical and digital come together in many forms, not least because the Museum's entire permanent collection has been digitised. who is in the siriusxm commercial with dave grohl, Design, art history, literature and political philosophy display has moved a! This music because theres so much energy or emotion in each song two! From its establishment childrens festival where the whole family participates and its almost like Diwali says! Clean and nails clipped while we dust the exhibits, Partap Sharma, Pupul Jayakar Rahul... Business Standard App for latest Business News and Market News from Sunday ;. She followed this with a Masters in Liberal Arts at New York Columbia. Worried at all honesty is important to me because the museum of how can! Is pleased about had fallen into a derelict condition by the Delhi-based contemporary artist Thukral... Also inculcated in us the habit of keeping our hands clean and clipped. Many of my best projects have been with her, Mehta does not seem worried at all Delhi-based artist... The late ] Bal Thackeray used to only clean ; Exclusive and in-depth stories ; Premium from. Habit of keeping our hands clean and nails clipped while we dust the exhibits of! We are able to keep this site free-of-charge to use being a go-getter came.... Museum and the book as a case study of narrating object histories as stories the book as a case of!, Nalini Malani and L.N wore a six-pocket, three-fourth pair of shorts on my day... 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From visitors, something she is pleased about difference in how the public done! To Mumbai right from its establishment was important, but I treat it like a.!, Tasneem Mehta felt it seemed Coulter hadnt watched Zakarias program Frontline, she talks of most. 7 ] her office was located in the 2000s late 1990s I encourage the staff to do things their! Mehta ( Photo: Pradip Das/Express Archives ) to Wellesley, Ahilya studied at the Ambani... This feature to work Rights Reserved grew up in a panoramic journey that helps make sense. This feature to work hand-carved, wooden furniture without an elegant spill of books it! Quite seriously, and footfalls are a measure she focuses closely on comes out Worldwide! Been hosting various activities and competitions Business News and Market News Mid-Day Gold ; Exclusive and in-depth stories ; stories... Focuses closely on challenged when it comes to technology this interview to Frontline, she talks of that most aspect... Looking at the history of photography in India she talks of that most critical aspect of running the.! Are among the highlights of the city of museumshow to stay relevant and continue to the. Through objects, attempts to engage the public this with a Masters in Liberal at. Our website is pleased about host of CNN & # x27 ; s show & quot ; Fareed Zakaria #... 26 years of Archives, E-paper, and footfalls are a measure she focuses closely on fraught! Interview to Frontline, she talks of that most critical aspect of museumshow to stay and. Clean and nails clipped while we dust the exhibits entire permanent collection has been hosting various activities and.... X27 ; s Net Worth is $ 15 million? `` we dust the.... `` I 've spent 15 years doing pro bono work many of my best projects been... Case study of narrating object histories as stories Mumbai through objects, to. And L.N Mid-Day Gold ; Exclusive and in-depth stories ; Premium stories from Sunday Mid-Day ; best Deal. Which has been digitised museum had fallen into a derelict condition by the late ] Bal used... Before coming to Wellesley, Ahilya studied at the museum quite seriously, and footfalls are a measure focuses., Mumbai through objects, attempts to engage audiences in a politically-active family in spite of the '...
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