Latest news with #IslamGymkhana


Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘If Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar thought the same way…': Sarfaraz Khan looking to follow Mumbai legends' footsteps in bid to make India return
Sarfaraz Khan's ommission from the Indian squad for their recently concluded five-Test series in England raised quite a few eyebrows. As the epic series unfolded, images of Sarfaraz appeared in which he was much leaner than before. Sarfaraz is now avoiding having a long break from cricket by playing in the Kanga League. Playing for the Parkophone Cricketers, Sarfaraz scored 61 off 42 balls against Islam Gymkhana. 'During my childhood, I heard a lot of stories from my father [coach Naushad Khan] about how Sunil Gavaskar sir once turned up for a Kanga League match despite returning from England the same morning,' Sarfaraz is quoted as saying by Mid-Day. 'So, [his younger brother] Musheer and I have always taken pride in playing this tournament. While returning from Nagpur last evening [Saturday], we were hoping it wouldn't rain today. It rained a bit this morning, but when I reached Islam Gymkhana, the weather was good. I played my last Kanga League match three years ago. I was going through the league fixture book before this game and saw my name in it for scoring a century in 2018 and it felt nice.' Sarfaraz said that all Mumbai players should be playing in the league. Named after Hormasji Kanga, who played in the early 20th century, the competition was inaugurated in 1948. The overcast conditions and moisture in the pitch that tends to be prevalent around the time of the year in Mumbai when the tournament is held makes it difficult for batters to score runs and international cricketers generally have tended to give it a miss. 'All Mumbai players should play [Kanga League]. Some players feel that if they fail here, it'll be bad for their future. But if Gavaskar sir and Sachin Tendulkar sir thought the same way, they might not have gone on to become legends. If big players play in this tournament, it will be an inspiration for the city's youngsters. Kanga League is such a tournament that if you succeed here, you can score runs anywhere in the world,' said Sarfaraz.
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
a day ago
- Sport
- First Post
'If Gavaskar sir and Sachin sir...': Sarfaraz Khan makes big statement amid India comeback bid
Sarfaraz Khan cited examples of Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar as he urged Mumbai cricketers to play in the iconic Kanga League. The 27-year-old made this statement as he eyes a return to the Indian team. read more Indian cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, who is struggling to find a place in the national team despite proving himself on the biggest of stages, has made a powerful statement. Speaking to Mid-Day after an appearance in Mumbai's famous Kanga League, Sarfaraz urged all cricketers from the city to take part in the tournament, giving examples of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar. Sarfaraz urges Mumbai cricketers to play local league Playing for Parkophone Cricketers, Sarfaraz smashed 61 runs from 42 balls against Islam Gymkhana on Sunday, August 10. After the match, the 27-year-old said that every Mumbai cricketer should play in Kanga League even if they are afraid of failing at a smaller stage. He said that Tendulkar and Gavaskar never worried about it, and if they had thought the same way, they would never have become such great players. 'During my childhood, I heard a lot of stories from my father [coach Naushad Khan] about how Sunil Gavaskar sir once turned up for a Kanga League match despite returning from England the same morning. So, Musheer [younger brother] and I have always taken pride in playing this tournament. While returning from Nagpur last evening [Saturday], we were hoping it won't rain today. It rained a bit this morning, but when I reached Islam Gymkhana, the weather was good. I played my last Kanga League match three years ago. I was going through the league fixture book before this game and saw my name in it for scoring a century in 2018 and it felt nice,' Sarfaraz told Mid-Day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'All Mumbai players should play [Kanga League]. Some players feel that if they fail here, it'll be bad for their future. But if Gavaskar sir and Sachin Tendulkar sir thought the same way, they might not have gone on to become legends. If big players play in this tournament, it will be an inspiration for the city's youngsters. Kanga League is such a tournament that if you succeed here, you can score runs anywhere in the world,' he added. Sarfaraz was in the news recently for his impressive body transformation, losing more than 17 kgs by following strict training and diet plans. He is currently eyeing a return to the national side. He was among the candidates who were considered for selection during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, but missed out on a spot due to tough competition and lack of experience in England.


NDTV
a day ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Sarfaraz Khan Sends Huge Statement Of Intent To BCCI: "If Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar..."
Ignored Indian cricket team batter Sarfaraz Khan believes that all Mumbai cricketers should play the Kanga League competition. Sarfaraz turned up for the tournament that is held during Mumbai's monsson season and said that cricketers should not skip it due to the fear of failure. Sarfaraz was ignored by the BCCI selectors for the five-match Test series against England but the youngster found himself in the headlines due to his stunning body transformation. Sarfaraz scored 61 off 42 deliveries while playing for Parkophone Cricketers during the match against Islam Gymkhana. It was a big statement of intent from the cricketer who is looking to regain his spot in the Indian cricket team and he namedropped Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar in his big message for Mumbai cricketers. 'I was so excited about this Kanga League match that the reporting time was 8.30am, but I reached at 8am only. More than being satisfied with my performance, I was delighted to be able to spend time in the middle. The pitch was not easy to bat on, and I even got hit on my helmet once. Also, there was a thick grass cover across the outfield so boundaries were hard to come by,' Sarfaraz told Mid-Day. "During my childhood, I heard a lot of stories from my father [coach Naushad Khan] about how Sunil Gavaskar sir once turned up for a Kanga League match despite returning from England the same morning. So, Musheer [younger brother] and I have always taken pride in playing this tournament. While returning from Nagpur last evening [Saturday], we were hoping it won't rain today. It rained a bit this morning, but when I reached Islam Gymkhana, the weather was good. I played my last Kanga League match three years ago. I was going through the league fixture book before this game and saw my name in it for scoring a century in 2018 and it felt nice,' Sarfaraz added. Sarfaraz will be one of the names who will be considered while picking the squad for the two-match Test series against 'All Mumbai players should play [Kanga League]. Some players feel that if they fail here, it'll be bad for their future. But if Gavaskar sir and Sachin Tendulkar sir thought the same way, they might not have gone on to become legends. If big players play in this tournament, it will be an inspiration for the city's youngsters. Kanga League is such a tournament that if you succeed here, you can score runs anywhere in the world,' he concluded.


Time of India
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Calligraphy a therapeutic & creative pursuit for women
Mumbai: A few years ago, Hajra Aijaz Farahi faced a personal crisis. Negative thoughts weighed her down, and bouts of nervousness began affecting her productivity. Then, a computer teacher and her elder sister suggested she learn calligraphy. Next, she walked into senior calligrapher Mehmood Shaikh's calligraphy class in Jogeshwari West. "I went there just to see what it's about as I did not know anything about this art," says Farahi, an Arts graduate from Bhavan's College, Andheri West. She fell in love with this beautiful art instantly. As she picked up the pointed pen and began giving strokes, it calmed her nerves and restored her confidence. "It worked like magic. I got involved in it so deeply that I forgot the worries that nagged me endlessly," says Farahi, now a trained calligrapher whose recent show at Islam Gymkhana received huge admiration from viewers. Apart from attending Shaikh's classes at Jogeshwari, Farahi honed her skills also at senior calligrapher Aslam Kiratpuri's classes at Mumbai University's Kalina campus. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai As World Calligraphy Day (August 13) nears, it seems relevant to talk about this vibrant form of visual art as among its many takers increasingly are Muslim women. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo No longer just a hobby, many are using it as a therapeutic tool, a medium to express their feelings. Students, homemakers, professionals, and women from diverse backgrounds are learning it. "Social media has enhanced scope in calligraphy. More and more people, especially girls, are learning it," informs Mazgaon-based senior artist and calligrapher Salva Rasool. She says calligraphy brings the artists closer to their creators. Learning it online may not give the desired perfection. You need hand-holding by an ustad. "I first learnt it from an ustad in Bengaluru, then approached a master calligrapher in China, and a calligrapher in Istanbul (Turkey) is my latest ustad. Calligraphy during the Ottoman rule was an evolved and fabulously popular art, and I want to dive deep into it," says Rasool, a J J School of Art graduate whose works decorate private homes and pilgrim guesthouses, from Mumbai to Panjim, Cairo to Karbala (Iraq). And if you think only Muslim men or women are learning it, meet Kritika Shrivastava, an artist engaged in creating Urdu fonts. Originally from Lucknow, this city-based artist became fascinated by the very lettering that calligraphy deals with. "I grew up imbibing the composite culture of Lucknow and was exposed to the sweetness of Urdu quite early. But then I realised that calligraphy could help me appreciate the language better. Mehmood Shaikh Sir has been a great guide," says Shrivastava. "She has shown great diligence and picked it up fast," appreciates Shaikh, a calligraphy teacher in the city for nearly four decades. Shaikh's student, Taniya Javed Shaikh, says she found her "mentor" online. "It helped me concentrate more on my studies. This art needs encouragement as opportunities have opened in it," says the Commerce graduate.


Time of India
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Calligraphy becomes a therapeutic and creative pursuit for women
Mumbai: A few years ago, Hajra Aijaz Farahi faced a personal crisis. Negative thoughts weighed her down, and bouts of nervousness began affecting her productivity. Then, a computer teacher and her elder sister suggested she learn calligraphy. Next, she walked into senior calligrapher Mehmood Shaikh's calligraphy class in Jogeshwari West. "I went there just to see what it's about as I did not know anything about this art," says Farahi, an Arts graduate from Bhavan's College, Andheri West. She fell in love with this beautiful art instantly. As she picked up the pointed pen and began giving strokes, it calmed her nerves and restored her confidence. "It worked like magic. I got involved in it so deeply that I forgot the worries that nagged me endlessly," says Farahi, now a trained calligrapher whose recent show at Islam Gymkhana received huge admiration from viewers. Apart from attending Shaikh's classes at Jogeshwari, Farahi honed her skills also at senior calligrapher Aslam Kiratpuri's classes at Mumbai University's Kalina campus. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai As World Calligraphy Day (August 13) nears, it seems relevant to talk about this vibrant form of visual art as among its many takers increasingly are Muslim women. No longer just a hobby, many are using it as a therapeutic tool, a medium to express their feelings. Students, homemakers, professionals, and women from diverse backgrounds are learning it. "Social media has enhanced scope in calligraphy. More and more people, especially girls, are learning it," informs Mazgaon-based senior artist and calligrapher Salva Rasool. She says calligraphy brings the artists closer to their creators. Learning it online may not give the desired perfection. You need hand-holding by an ustad. "I first learnt it from an ustad in Bengaluru, then approached a master calligrapher in China, and a calligrapher in Istanbul (Turkey) is my latest ustad. Calligraphy during the Ottoman rule was an evolved and fabulously popular art, and I want to dive deep into it," says Rasool, a J J School of Art graduate whose works decorate private homes and pilgrim guesthouses, from Mumbai to Panjim, Cairo to Karbala (Iraq). And if you think only Muslim men or women are learning it, meet Kritika Shrivastava, an artist engaged in creating Urdu fonts. Originally from Lucknow, this city-based artist became fascinated by the very lettering that calligraphy deals with. "I grew up imbibing the composite culture of Lucknow and was exposed to the sweetness of Urdu quite early. But then I realised that calligraphy could help me appreciate the language better. Mehmood Shaikh Sir has been a great guide," says Shrivastava. "She has shown great diligence and picked it up fast," appreciates Shaikh, a calligraphy teacher in the city for nearly four decades. Interestingly, most of the master trainers in calligraphy in the city today are former employees of Urdu newspapers which either folded up or have embraced technological evolution in typing and printing. "Many of my fellow calligraphers at Urdu newspapers became reporters. Some of us remained in it and are now trying to transfer the legacy to the new generation of learners," says Shaikh, who received critical appreciation also for doing calligraphy of many copies of the holy Quran. Shaikh's student, Taniya Javed Shaikh, says she found her "mentor" online. "I was interested in learning it, and an online search led me to Mehmood Sir's class. It helped me concentrate more on my studies. This art needs encouragement as opportunities have opened in it," says the Commerce graduate.