
‘Transience' by The Creative Cubes examines impermanence at DIAC
The inaugural evening commenced with a welcome by Diyali Sen Bhalla, DIAC Chairperson, followed by the remarks of Swapnil, who introduced the exhibition's theme. 'This exhibition explores the fleeting, yet deeply beautiful nature of life – where every moment is both an ending and a beginning,' he said. 'Transience is a reminder that nothing in life is static — we grow, we evolve, we transform. Just like art, our identity flows in between form and formlessness.
'The show honours those invisible threads — of memory, culture, nature, and being — that root us in the present, while drawing from the past and dissolving into what's next.' The exhibition was officially inaugurated by Chief Guest Khurshid Vakil, Co-founder of Marina Home Interiors. Vakil's views resonated with the exhibit's theme, as he emphasised the emotional value of spaces, aesthetics, and the dynamic relationship between art and identity.
Anita Sahai's artwork depicting freedom.
The event also welcomed special guests including eminent Emirati artist Ahmad Al Awadhi Rukni, Art Senior Anjini Prakash Laitu, renowned water colourist Atul Panase, Dr. Supriya Kulkarni Sudhalker and Dr. Uday Sudhalker. Participating artists are Aakanksha Kshatriya, Anita Sahai, Asma Mehmood, Ayesha Yusuf Bhatti, Diyali Sen Bhalla, Gesere, Isabelle Alves, Kritika Iyer, Kiran Kumar, Marwa Elbadawi, Murugesh Thaigarajan, Nashwa Nagy, Pari Sagar, Ranjisha Raghavan, Ravindra Parkhi, Rooma Ejaaz, Saliha Hanif, Samishka Jawale, Sandeep Soni, Smithashree Balaji, Sonia Sahni, Srirupa Bose, Swaraj Jawale, Ulyana Okava and Vandana Arora.
Marwa Elbadawi's work Alignment radiates quiet strength; it is joined to minimalism. Rooted in Islamic metaphysics and the wabi-sabi philosophy, the Japanese aesthetic philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness, her art weaves together silence, material, and memory, embodying a sacred yet grounded presence. Murugesh Thaigarajan is an accomplished artist and educator. His work addresses the loss of humanity in a mechanised world and uses vivid colours to explore identity and emotional connection to Nature. Swapnil Jawale, who is also an artist, showcases a piece from his ongoing series Shivakala: Timeless Creations.
Marwa Elbadawi's artwork.
The work seamlessly blends Indian traditions with contemporary symbolic forms. A dedicated advocate of contemporary and traditional art, Swapnil has curated the Indigenous Artistry section at international exhibitions for several years, and continues to mentor and uplift grassroots artists. His vision for Transience brings together global voices, and staying rooted in shared cultural traditions. Ravindra Parkhi's artwork Jubilant Moments stands out for its sophistication and mature technique. Parkhi is known for his international presence and active participation in residencies and biennales, and a deep understanding of visual storytelling.
Kritika Iyer is a young, emerging talent. Her Malar series reimagines femininity through the metaphor of flowers. The work balances structure and softness, and is rooted in textile traditions and cultural symbolism. With an eye trained in architecture and a heart drawn to storytelling, she bridges structure and spirit, form and feeling. Sonia Sahni is trained in both science and art; her evocative canvases invite viewers into a layered experience of mystery, design, and vibrant expression — a reflection of her background in Ayurveda and space design.
Kritika Iyer's serial work.
Sandeep Soni is a petroleum engineer by profession and IIT graduate and a hobbyist artist who believes that art is the very essence of life. His surreal, story-driven artworks blend intellect, emotion, fantasy and philosophy. He also explores creative outlets such as music, graphic design and photography, embodying a holistic, artful existence. Isabelle Alves was born in Mauritius and is now based in Dubai. She is a mosaic artist whose pieces echo Nature's intricacies.
Her work, marked by meticulous craftsmanship fusing glass, stone and other materials, presents a harmonious, organic aesthetic. Ulyana Okava's emotionally charged works aim to awaken inner consciousness. Drawn from personal growth and spiritual reflection, Ulyana's art touches on ecological awareness and carries a message of light and healing to the world.
Samishka Jawale (left) and Swapnil Jawale.
Srirupa Bose's conceptual installation Imprints explores the integration of experiences across a lifetime. Drawing on the metaphor of tree rings, the piece invites viewers to reflect on the cumulative nature of time, insight, and self-awareness. It encourages a deeper understanding of how individual experiences layer over time to create meaningful transformation. 'Transience: The Flow of Being,' said Diyali Sen Bhalla, 'is curated by the dynamic duo of The Creative Cubes, Swapnil and Samishka Jawale. The Creative Cubes is more than just an art space - it's a movement.
They have consistently given a platform to artists in different and interesting exhibitions. This exhibition is a collection of high standard artworks from acclaimed and emerging artists and offers a compelling exploration of technique, emotion and brilliance.' Diyali is also a visual artist, illustrator and fashion designer, who celebrates life through abstracts.
DIAC Chairperson Diyali Sen Bhalla.
The Creative Cubes was founded by Samishka Jawale and is a UAE-based gallery that champions diverse artistic narratives, from indigenous art to experimental forms. With a strong presence at major events like World Art Dubai, the gallery is committed to creating cross-cultural platforms for artists worldwide. The Creative Cubes nurtures and showcases both established and emerging talent. Since 2025, it has also been expanding its digital footprint, offering global access to curated collections and artist collaborations through its online platform.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Ashutosh Rana on becoming Raavan: The 'Humare Ram' star brings epic theatre to Dubai Opera
Long before streaming platforms began testing our nerves in unimaginable ways, Ashutosh Rana was already haunting the nation's collective imagination with some of Bollywood's most chilling performances — first as the menacing Gokul Pandit in Dushman (1998), then as the unhinged Lajja Shankar Pandey in Sangharsh (1999). These roles, over time, have cemented the actor's place as Hindi cinema's most unforgettable villain — an actor who could turn darkness into art. Now, over two decades later, he's stepping back into the realm of an epic, but this time, under the unforgiving spotlight of live theatre. During August 14–17, Rana will take the Dubai Opera stage in Humare Ram, playing Raavan in a production that has already completed over 200 shows in India. In a role that demands both ferocity and nuance — qualities that have defined much of his career — the actor is eager to bring forth a whole new side to this complex figure, often touted as the ultimate antagonist. In a conversation with City Times, Rana speaks about why Dubai was the obvious choice for the play's first international outing, his deeply personal interpretation of Raavan, the research that shaped his performance, and why, after years in cinema, the stage still holds a kind of magic that screen work cannot match. Edited excerpts from an interview, with parts translated from Hindi. You're bringing Humare Ram to Dubai for the first time. After over 200 shows in India, what made you decide this was the right time and place to take the production international, and why begin with Dubai? Ashutosh Rana: After 200 shows in India and such a warm reception from audiences, we felt it was time to take Humare Ram beyond our borders. The question was, where do we start? The world is huge: America, England, Europe, Australia. Dubai felt like the perfect choice because it's like a pocket-sized version of the world. People from every corner of the globe live there. Geographically it may be small, but in terms of diversity, it's vast. Our thinking was simple: if the play is well received in Dubai, we'll feel confident taking it to the rest of the world. And if it isn't, we'll refine it and try again there first. Dubai has a big, art-loving audience that is hungry for these kinds of experiences. Humare Ram is based on Valmiki's Ramayana, which is a timeless epic that can uplift human life, raise our standards of living, and shape the way we think. In Humare Ram, you play Raavan — a figure remembered as the great adversary in the Ramayana. What's your interpretation of him, and what drew you to this role? Ashutosh Rana: My personal belief is that you should make friends even with your greatest enemy. Your enemy should be bigger and better than you, because while friends elevate you, enemies can elevate you even more. The world often judges you by your friends, but the size of your enemy also reveals your own stature. And an 'enemy' doesn't have to be a person. It could be a challenge, a situation, a task, your ambitions, your life's aim. But it should be bigger than your present capacity. That's how you grow. For Ram, Raavan was powerful. For Raavan, Ram was powerful. Both elevated each other. Whether in friendship or enmity, there should always be grace. We often fail to remain graceful even with friends, so being graceful with an enemy is a huge task. Before performing as Raavan, I had already written my novel Ram Rajya in 2020, which was awarded and well appreciated. So I had prepared myself mentally, thinking deeply about how I perceive Raavan and his place in Ram's story. Because without Raavan, the Ram we know today would not exist. Ram became extraordinary by overcoming extraordinary challenges, and that is why, though human, he is remembered today as Narayan (the eternal man). Raavan has been portrayed countless times on stage and screen. How did you approach the role to break away from the usual stereotypes? Ashutosh Rana: I see Raavan in a completely different way. I believe that when you come into contact with an elevated person, they do not make you feel small. If Ram is elevated, then anyone connected to him — friend or foe — must also have grace, gratitude, and calibre. In Humare Ram, you won't find the stereotypical Raavan that people expect. Stereotypes happen when we perform the same image over and over. But if a story has lasted for centuries, there must be deeper layers to it. Creativity forces you to look beyond the obvious and reveal those unseen aspects. The Ramayana has been told in many ways. What kind of research and preparation went into playing Raavan for this production? Ashutosh Rana: Of course. There are at least 300 versions of the Ramayana. Valmiki wrote the first, but then there's Ramcharitmanas, the spiritual Ramayanas, the Kamban Ramayana, and many more. Each one brings a new perspective. I immersed myself in the text and interpretations, but I also brought my own way of seeing him. I often say — when you touch a live wire, you feel the current. If you don't, it isn't truly live. In the same way, when you come into contact with a great person, story, or idea, you should feel its energy lifting you. If it doesn't, then you haven't truly connected with it. For me, it's about energy and aura. When your energy aligns with something, it elevates you. That's why I believe a story like the Ramayana can never be reduced to stereotypes. Its endurance as a timeless tale after all these years means there's always something more to uncover. After years of acclaimed work in cinema, why did you choose to return to live theatre now? Ashutosh Rana: This is a huge play, with over 127 people in the cast and crew. Felicity Theatre has taken a very big, courageous step in producing it. As an actor, I wanted my return to the stage to be with the character of Raavan in a production of this scale and vision. Live theatre gives you something films rarely do: the ability to communicate and connect with the audience at the same time. In life, you will meet people you can communicate with but not connect to, and people you can connect to but not communicate with. Both together are rare. On stage, both of those things happen, and it's magical. That satisfaction is unique to live performance. We're seeing more Indian theatre productions travel internationally now — something that perhaps should have happened years ago. Do you think platforms such as NMACC have helped open the doors for large-scale Indian productions to reach global audiences? Ashutosh Rana: There are many reasons, and yes, platforms like NMACC have created momentum, but in our case, we don't have a big sponsor or organiser behind us. Our creativity is our sponsor. The strength of our subject is our validation. Humare Ram has shown that theatre can be an industry in its own right. In the West, this scale of theatre is common, but in India it has been rare. That's starting to change now. Producing something this large is always a risk. It takes vision, money, energy, and people. But when the vision is strong enough, it's worth it. For me, this story was the perfect one to take that leap with. Theatre demands a kind of audience commitment that's hard to nurture in today's fast-paced, short-form entertainment era. Do you see Humare Ram as part of bringing that culture back? Ashutosh Rana: Absolutely. Theatre is like a school of art, it needs your time, your attention, your full presence. Today, with shrinking attention spans, it can be hard to get that. But Humare Ram has shown that meaningful, large-scale theatre still has a place, even in the age of instant entertainment. When something like this succeeds, it gives theatre the kind of recognition usually reserved for films. And that's not just important, it's necessary for art to grow. Finally, what are your expectations from the Dubai audience, and how do you hope to connect with them over your upcoming performances? Ashutosh Rana: I'm full of excitement. Dubai Opera is a world-class facility, and the audience is waiting for art that touches the heart and soul. I know there are passionate art lovers in Dubai who are hungry for work like this. Humare Ram is food for the soul. I am sure we will have a fantastic time, and I'm looking forward to the energy, the connection, and the reception we will get across these shows.


What's On
5 hours ago
- What's On
Only in Dubai: The wild, fancy and totally extra things to do in the city
At What's On, we find ourselves saying 'only in Dubai' so often at things we come across day-to-day and we've decided to make a list of the wonderful, over-the-top experiences that you can do when you feel like being extra. Stay in an underwater suite At Atlantis, The Palm, you can book an underwater suite where floor-to-ceiling windows look directly into the Ambassador Lagoon. Forget counting sheep, here you'll count the number of teeth on a shark, possibly find Nemo and drift off while giant rays glide by. Location: Atlantis the Palm Cost: from Dhs26,000 per night Get a caviar hair treatment In Dubai, Caviar isn't just for eating, it's also for your hair. Head to Alkemy Salon in Atlantis the Royal and get treated to the luxurious salon treatment where a rich caviar mask deeply moisturises, enhances shine and leaves your hair looking and feeling healthy for up to two washes. It will set you back Dhs500 but don't worry you wont smell like the sea. Location: Alkemy Salon, Atlantis the Royal Cost: Dhs500 Have your food prepared by an AI chef We know technology is developing quickly but this is a world first. There's a restaurant about to open in Dubai that is completely run by an AI chef. Developed by UAE-based culinary tech innovators UMAI, Chef Aiman (get it?AI-man?), is a fully integrated AI chef, capable of creating menus, designing recipes, recommending ingredients and even managing kitchen operations in the soon to open restaurant, WOOHOO. Location: WOOHOO, Downtown Dubai Rent a Maybach as your taxi If a regular Dubai taxi isn't cutting it for your next trip, arrive in style with a Mercedes Maybach S-Class instead and really make an entrance. You can book ultra luxury cars through the app Wheely, and they show up just like a normal taxi, just with a higher price ofcourse. Cost: from Dhs350 Get a Birkin bag for your birthday…cake Always dreamed of having a Birkin but can't justify the price tag? Well now you can get one for your birthday for a fraction of the price, and even better, you can eat it. Lot's of Dubai bakeries can whip one up for you, however this one (photographed) from Mister Baker looks stylish and delicious. Location: Mister Baker Cost: Dhs630 Ski in the desert Dubai is known for its sand and not its snow however that doesn't stop visitors and residents from skiing in Dubai. In the Mall of the Emirates, you'll find a full sized ski slope with a chairlift, a zipline, a ski school, and so much more. You can even have lunch or dinner with penguins at Ski Dubai too. Location: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates Get gold from a vending machine In the city of gold, the precious metal is added to so many things like facials and coffees. However actual gold bars are easy to get your hands on too and you can now grab them from a gold vending machine. Locations are in Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, Atlantis the Palm and Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Location: across Dubai Cost: Normal gold rate according to weight Go deep diving, but indoors Deep Dive Dubai holds the record for the world's deepest pool and this underwater attraction is designed to mimic a sunken city. It's such a cool concept and you can experience it regardless of your level from specialised divers to snorkellers. Location: Deep Dive Dubai, Nad Al Sheba Cost: from Dhs400 Dine with fake waves lapping at your feet At 101 Restaurant in One&Only The Palm, the private dining experience is one to be remembered. Enclosed by curved, coral-inspired screens, this intimate space features customisable lighting and a mesmerising LED floor where you can watch the waves but not feel them. Location: 101 Restaurant in One&Only The Palm, Dubai Visit one street where it rains constantly Everything is possible in Dubai, we've established that, but having a singular street where it rains is almost pushing it for us. Head to The World Islands and feel like you're in a European city experiencing a gorgeous summer shower. Bring your umbrella though. Location: Voco Monaco, The World Islands, Dubai Buy a shark in a petshop Yep, you heard that right. We're not telling you to buy a shark, but in Dubai if you wanted to, you could. Cost: Dhs6,000 to Dhs10,000 Visit a life-size A380 plane made of flowers You may have spotted this one already, but if you haven't, it's impressive. Head to the Miracle Garden and see the life-sized plane made from flowers. It's a world record, the largest floral installation. Location: Dubai Miracle Garden, Al Barsha South Cost: Dhs95 for adults, Dhs80 for children Experience a rollercoaster, in a shopping mall Shopping and suddenly fancy an adrenaline hit? Head to Dubai Hills Mall and strap in for The Storm Coaster, the world's fastest vertical-launch indoor rollercoaster. Location: Dubai Hills Mall Cost: from Dhs65 Try a floating cinema It's closed for the summer, but when the weather cools down Floté cinema is a gorgeous spot for an evening date. Watch a movie cuddled up in a little private boat and grab some snacks from the cafe. Location: Mangrove Beach, Umm Al Quwain Cost: Dhs400 per boat


The National
6 hours ago
- The National
Dubai resident Nadeen Ayoub to represent Palestine at Miss Universe 2025
Former Miss Earth finalist Nadeen Ayoub will represent Palestine at Miss Universe 2025. This will be the first time Palestine has been represented at the competition. Now in its 74th year, the long-running beauty pageant is set to be held this year in Pak Kret, a city in central Thailand, on November 21. Ayoub, who lives between the Dubai and Ramallah in the West Bank, was crowned Miss Palestine in 2022. She made history that year by becoming the first representative from her country to take to part in the Miss Earth pageant, where she was one of the top five finalists. She says she delayed her international pageant participation due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine, adding that she will be the first Miss Palestine to take part in the Miss Universe competition. "I am proud to walk this path especially in this time, when we all need to be a voice for Palestine," Ayoub tells The National. "I am honoured to have this platform to speak and I want to use it to help my people, especially the people in Gaza and Palestine suffering everyday." Ayoub made the announcement on social media on Wednesday. In the post, she is wearing a traditional dress with tatreez detailing by Palestinian designer Hiba Abdelkarim, whose creations have been worn by several notable figures and celebrities, including Jordan's Queen Rania. Her decision to join Miss Universe stems from her mission "to humanise Palestinians and challenge global stereotypes". "I want to show the world that Palestinian women are not only resilient and beautiful, but are also leaders, innovators and changemakers." A certified wellness and nutrition coach with a degree in literature and psychology, Ayoub was raised between Palestine, the US and Canada. Since her crowning in 2022, she's dedicated much of her time for Sayidat Falasteen, the philanthropic and media platform of the Miss Palestine Organisation, which works to uplift women by sharing their stories, supporting their businesses and showcasing their impact across Palestine and the diaspora. She's also the founder of Olive Green Academy, which promotes sustainability through training and awareness programmes. Through that platform, she helps Palestinian women receive education in environmental advocacy and digital media to grow sustainable businesses and become climate ambassadors. "As Palestine endures heartbreak – especially in Gaza – I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced. I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see," she says in a social media post to announce her Miss Universe participation. "We are more than our suffering – we are resilience, hope and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us."