Latest news with #Shakuntala
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Art students showcase creativity at group sculpture show Shilp Shristi in Lucknow
The group sculpture exhibition Shilp Shriti is currently underway at the Kala Srot Art Gallery in Lucknow. Created by five students from Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow, the exhibition has been curated by Prof P Rajiv Nayan, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts and Performing Arts at the university. Shamsher from Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand, Akash Kumar Rana from Lakhimpur Kheri, Taj Pratap from Aligarh, Shraddha Tiwari from Lucknow, and Sushil Yadav from Kushinagar have displayed their work garnering praise from art lovers. "The exhibition brings together two traditional mediums – terracotta and stone – highlighting their textures, forms, and techniques. Students have beautifully worked with traditional materials and tried to combine them, adding contemporary creativity. Each sculpture reflects a different idea or theme, giving the audience a chance to engage with the work in a personal way," says Nayan. He adds that such opportunities help them prepare for the future. "They are still students, but after college, they will put up exhibitions and sell their artwork. So, such exposure will help them significantly in the future," adds Nayan. Giving insight into her work, Shraddha says, "Nowadays, as people move away from nature towards a materialistic life, their existence is getting weaker. My sculpture shows that as we come closer to nature, we move towards positivity because we get introduced to ourselves." Mansi Didwania of the art gallery appreciated the variety of styles, and the effort put into making each piece. "The combination of terracotta and stone provides a strong visual contrast and balance throughout the gallery," she adds. The opening ceremony was attended by art lovers, students, and guests from the art community. The former principal of the College of Arts, Lucknow University, also appreciated the creativity of the students. The exhibition will remain open for public viewing till May 31.
Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Mango mania: 5 must-read books that celebrate the King of Fruits
Few fruits stir passion, poetry, and politics quite like the mango. In South Asia, it's more than just a seasonal delicacy—it's a symbol of abundance, heritage, and even seduction. Revered by ancient poets, worshipped by the gods, and dissected by food writers, the mango holds a mirror to the subcontinent's culture and cuisine. Here's a handpicked list of five must-read books that celebrate the mango in all its juicy glory: 1. Mango: A Global History by Constance L Kirker and Mary Newman A scholarly yet accessible passport to mango devotion worldwide Mango: A Global History, Reaktion, 2024, Rs 437 (paperback) A part of the Edible Series, this beautifully illustrated book serves up the mango's journey from sacred symbol to global commodity. It explores the fruit's mythological roots in Hindu and Buddhist lore—Kama's flower-tipped arrow, anyone?—and unpacks how Western commercialization has turned mangoes into shelf-stable shadows of their true selves. A delicious primer for global gourmands and cultural historians alike. 2. Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India by Madhur Jaffrey A sensory, savory portrait of a Delhi childhood through mango-scented memories Jaffrey, the doyenne of Indian cooking, writes a coming-of-age tale wrapped in the aromas of spiced poori and sweet mangoes. Whether sneaking mangoes with salt and chili from the orchard or reliving family picnics, her narrative blends nostalgia with the Partition's harsh undertones. Bonus: the book ends with thirty heirloom recipes that bring mango memories to your kitchen. 3. The Good Indian Child's Guide to Eating Mangoes by Natasha Sharma A hilarious, irreverent romp through mango-mad Indian childhoods Who knew eating a mango came with so many rules? Sharma's delightfully cheeky book for children (and nostalgic adults) asks: Are you a slice-and-scoop type, or a peel-and-suck purist? With character quizzes, messy illustrations, and mango math, this guide turns tradition into comedy—and makes mango season even more fun. 4. Mangifera indica: A Biography of the Mango by Sopan Joshi The definitive cultural, ecological, and historical biography of mangoes in India This lush new release digs deep—into Vedic rituals, Mughal orchards, colonial trade routes, and modern diplomacy—to map the mango's evolution. Joshi artfully merges science with storytelling, giving readers a panoramic view of how mangoes shaped Indian identity. A mango tree's tale has never been told with such rigor and richness. 5. Shakuntala by Kalidasa A classical detour: where mango blossoms pierce hearts like Cupid's arrows India's classical playwright Kalidasa uses the mango flower in Shakuntala as a symbol of love's awakening. In this fourth-century Sanskrit drama, the mango blossom appears not just as ornamentation but as a weapon of desire wielded by Kama himself. A reminder that mangoes have always been about more than just sweetness—they're about longing, too.
