India Perspectives July 2010

Vol 24 No.
3/2010 ISSN 0970 5074

VOL 24 NO. 3/2010
India
Perspectives
Sketch of India House, London by Sir Herbert Baker, July 1930
Editor
Navdeep Suri
Assistant Editor
Neelu Rohra
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Amul
Editorial A Brand that Nourishes
and Empowers
I want to start by expressing our sincere gratitude to all our readers R.K. MISHRA 40
for their enthusiastic response to the last issue of India Perspectives
which was dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore. Your letters of Pharmacy to the World
appreciation are still pouring in and they motivate us to do better. N.B. RAO 46
Taking advantage of emerging tools, we have placed the Special Issue
dedicated to Tagore on our new website www.indiandiplomacy.in in Tapping the Sun
a much more reader-friendly format. We have also uploaded it on Solar Energy for
Scribd, at http://www.scribd.com/doc/34044322/India-Perspectives- 20,000 MW of Power
Special-Issue-on-Rabindranath-Tagore to make it accessible to new JOYDEEP GUPTA 52 Bismillah & Benaras
audiences. JUHI SINHA 84
National Institute of Design
In this issue, we bring you a glimpse of the cultural extravaganza that Changing with the Times
Neemrana Mother and Daughter
is being put together as part of the programme for the Commonwealth MADHUSREE CHATTERJEE 56 Where Dance is Life
Reliving History
Games that are being hosted in Delhi this October. From a travel
SANDEEP SILAS 2 LEELA VENKATARAMAN 90
perspective, the easy accessibility and grandeur of the Neemrana
Fort-Palace not only makes it a touristic delight but also a venue for
high-profile conferences. An article on the Inns of Goa, in a similar The Old Inns
A Journey
vein, brings out the quaint charm of a bygone era. Through a Slice of
Goan Heritage
The extra-ordinary Daksha Sheth needs no introduction. A purist who
has never been afraid to experiment, her passion for dance is shared RAMCHANDER PENTUKER 12
by her daughter Isha Sharvani, who has wowed audiences with her
gravity-defying performances while suspended on a single rope. A
different perspective of innovation in art is provided by the feature
on Dadi Pudumjee, whose Ishara Puppet Theatre has introduced an
entirely new dimension to an ancient art form. Kantha The Art of
An Artistic Stitchcraft India House, London
On the business side is a profile of Amul, which started as a humble BIMLA VERMA 62
cooperative of dairy farmers and has now grown into a household ASOKE MUKERJI 100
name for its full range of dairy products. A feature on India’s
India-Africa Revisiting Awaara
burgeoning pharmaceuticals industry highlights the growing A New Business Chemistry
importance of biotechnology with an interview with one of the SURESH KOHLI 68
MANISH CHAND 20
pioneers in this sector. A separate report outlines the plans being put in
place for India to reach the ambitious target of producing 20,000 MW Puppetry Today
of solar energy by 2022. Dreaming a New Future
CHANDANA DUTTA 72
We pay tribute to one of India’s greatest musicians, Ustad Bismillah
Khan, whose lifelong association with the holy city of Benaras brings
out the best of India’s secular ethos. And we have engaging articles on
Raj Kapoor’s iconic film Awaara, on Kantha embroidery and on the art
of India House, London.
For all our readers, thank you once again for your support an
and
Commonwealth Games
valuable feedback! A Cultural Extravaganza Cover: A contemporary dance and
puppetry collaboration on three characters
MADHUSREE CHATTERJEE & from the Mahabharata – Krishna/puppet,
Navdeep Suri
PRAGYA TIWARI 30 Gandhari and the Dead.
Photograph: Vipul Sangoi.
Neemrana
Reliving History
Text & Photographs: SANDEEP SILAS
T
he Fort-Palace of
Neemrana is about 125 km
from Delhi, on the road
to Jaipur. As you keep traveling
on the highway, you would
never get to know that such a
fabulous experience lies not
far away. Past a sign, a dusty
branch road, a sleepy village
down a small incline, and
you come to an impressive
brass studded gateway. The
unexpected grandiose structure
of this 15th century Fort-Palace
comes as a surprise.
The ruins restored to their
original resplendent glory and
shape by design simulation and
careful restructuring, become a
most gratifying experience for
surprised visitors to Neemrana.
Though the place appears small,
it is a destination in itself.
The place was built as a fort
and since it was the abode of
the descendants of Prithviraj
Chauhan III, who fled Delhi in
1192 A.D. after being defeated
at the hands of Muhammad
Ghori; it is palatial. In fact, the
legend of Prithviraj Chauhan
and Sanyogita’s famous and
heroic “swayamvara” from
history lessons is still fresh in
Restored grandeur – Neemrana today
INDIA PERSPECTIVES VOL 24 NO. 3/2010 2 INDIA PERSPECTIVES VOL 24 NO. 3/2010 3
our memories. But, I had often and ethical values. Each stone imagination and determination welcome drink over, I moved
been left wondering about of Neemrana speaks of a stepped in. In 1986 the ruins to the dining area past an open
the fate of the vanquished lineage of Kings who remained were acquired for restoration courtyard. This has open arches
Hindu Kings of Delhi after the unconquered. They lost their and by 1991 the fort-palace was all around and a breathtaking
establishment of the Sultanate Kingdom, but not their honour. resplendent and majestic once view of the fields, the village,
of Delhi, under Qutub-ud-din Their riches and palaces were again. and the forest hill. One is
Aibak in 1192 A.D. It is snatched away from them but treated like royalty in this place,
The fort-palace retains its
unfortunate that historic tales not their fate. Their crown was with an assortment of teas
charm and the names given
follow only the victors leaving taken away but they did not spread before one – just for a
to its rooms, open spaces
out the vanquished! bow their head. They kept on sip. The Nazara Bagh is a small,
and gates by the first royal
holding to a tale in ruins, till terraced garden but with a view
occupants. I could not restrain
Looking at Neemrana you get a it became difficult to literally across the fort and behind it is
myself and immediately set
feeling that even in defeat there plaster the façade. This place the Holikund. I could imagine
out to re-discover the palace.
is a sense of pride that one did of glorious history, would the thrill, the gaiety, and the
The check-in formalities and
not compromise on traditions have gone unnoticed had not splash of colour at this place
Steps to Mahal (right) and view through the
during festival times. The
Hawa Chhat (Airy Rooftop) arches (below). Kachcha Chowk, as suggested
by its name, is an open earthen Some windows are really
courtyard in front of Chandan tiny, allowing one to only
Mahal. The arched step door peep out, to observe what is
soon became a favoured photo happening outside. Just outside
opportunity, as it comes close to my Mahal, ie; palace (I can be
giving one the feeling of being presumptuous here to say that)
a famous model at a grandiose was a Shivalingam reverently
location. placed in an arch and another
My lodging was at Moonga close by under a canopy. The
Mahal, which surrounds choice of the room was not
another square Chowk. mine, but I remembered that
Fortunately, the restoration wherever I went, a Shivalingam
has not tampered or altered somehow managed to surface
any original design feature, near me. This has happened so
not even windows and doors. many times – in the mountains,
on forest roads, and amidst
Royal Descent (facing page); the ruins; that it appears to me
Kachcha Chowk arched step door (right)
and Hanging Gardens (below). a mystic sign of the Creator!
Incidentally, the Shivalingam this would become the highest this garden present a striking
represents the Hindu Lord placed garden, by virtue of its contrast to the color of the
Shiva who is regarded as placement in the fort-palace. stones used to build the palace.
both the god of Creation and The title Hawa Chhat (Airy
Destruction! Rooftop) attracts me and I move An Amphitheater catches my
to sit there for a while under attention. I find that at the far
Glancing out of my window I end, the Amphitheater is almost
a canopy. A lovely breeze
found an amazingly beautiful like the one I saw in the city of
brushes me and I almost feel I
swimming pool surrounded by Bath, built by the Romans. This
could be a kite in the sky with
some more luxurious Mahals. one is albeit bigger and more
just a little more wind. The
This high in the midst of a elaborate having been built
vista below overlooks a garden
labyrinth of alleys leading to much later.
called the Hanging Gardens.
Mahals, with stairs opening in
Rows of palms at the edges
courtyards, hidden passageways, Caravans passing by into the
and luxurious green plants in
and then suddenly this pool, desert terrain of Rajasthan, once
is like the truth dawning upon Fresco of a fish-maiden (right) and
used a nine-storey Stepwell
the mind that the body needs Dining in style (below). situated in the vicinity. The
rejuvenation and relaxation in
water.
Above is the Mukut Bagh,
another garden affording
privacy and exclusivity. Some
more renovation work is going
on at the area called Unchha
Bagh (High Garden). Surely,
Unchha Bagh area (right) and the

Shivalingam at an arch temple (below).
Flying Fox, a zipline experience, a stone spear-like projection on is greatly enhanced and the so much beauty spread around
sadly was not operational the fort ramparts in my frame. scene becomes very powerful. yet the eyes longed for more.
during my visit. It is a thrilling Perhaps, I held its march for a It is a moment when time
Listening to peacock calls,
experience, from the heights fraction of a second! gets suspended in between
looking at pigeons, doves,
soaring above trees and the the realm of the real and the
With dusk I moved to the red-breasted bulbuls, squirrels,
crags of Neemrana and its ethereal. Nightfall was not far
Shatranj Terrace and Shatranj I was transported to the world
environment. Today Neemrana away and the sky grew darker.
Bagh (Shatranj is Hindi for and voices of the past and I
has also become a hot spot for In contrast the lights of the
Chess). An old cart rests here, composed a song dedicated to
hosting cultural performances palace appeared to become
having played its role in this Neemrana in the early hours of
by maestros and weddings like brighter, till the whole palace
fort once upon a time. I took the morning. There is purity of
the erstwhile royalty! glowed like a spotlight in
some pictures of the brightly life felt in such moments and
the night.
The day had become warm. lit up palace in the twilight. this is a cherished memory that
Watching the sunset from the The approach of dusk has It was a night of wakeful I shall treasure till long after.
◆
palace was most unusually always appealed to me in splendour and joy. There was The author is a senior bureaucrat and
travel writer.
romantic. With my camera lens such surroundings. Somehow,
I balanced the Sun on the tip of the beauty of monuments Pool at Neemrana (facing page); Sunset Arch
(right) and Twilight view (below).
Siddharth Khandelwal
The Old Inns
A Journey Through a Slice of
Goan Heritage
Text & Photographs: RAMCHANDER PENTUKER
T
o most people visiting the former Portuguese colony of
Goa, its very name suggests palm-lined seaside avenues,
lovely beaches, pleasure boats, pubs, casinos, outdoor cafes,
seafood, port wine and so on.
No doubt, there is all that for one to explore in this evergreen
province. However, just a few intrepid travelers know that, beyond
these well-trodden paths, there are also some places which are
of great antiquity and historical value. A small area in Panjim,
marked as the Old Latin Quarter – known as Fontainhas – is
one such place. It is the historical heart of Goa. In this charming
old neighbourhood of Panjim you can discover a whole town,
where the Portuguese built their homes and lived until as late as
the 1960s.
Panjim, the headquarters of Goa is a city of gardens, with
beautiful red-tile roof buildings, tree-lined avenues, temples,
your attention as you stroll through when her seafarers set sail
the cobbled streets of the Latin making a series of discoveries.
Quarters. They were the first European
voyagers to set foot on the west
It would not be surprising to say coast of India, followed by the
that some of the inns have become French, Dutch and later the
recognized landmarks in the town English.
and continue to influence and
enrich the history and romance of The Portuguese voyager-poet,
this place. Luis Camoes in his epic, Os
Lusiadas, which he is said to
History attributes Goa’s founding have composed some 70 years
to the Portuguese seafarers in the after Vasco da Gama found the
year 1510, after Vasco da Gama sea route to India, immortalized
found the sea route to India in Portugal’s great period of
1498. That was the period when discovery and colonization of
the Portuguese became one of the Goa. One can see this poet’s
world’s chief maritime powers, mammoth statue now standing
churches and statues, situated overhanging balconies. Even

on the banks of the river their interiors exhibit little or
Mandovi. The Old Latin Quarter no extravagance. However,
is a maze of narrow alleys since the old ways always
lined with dozens of quaint interest people, they attract
little homes, villas and business quite a few guests daily. It
apartments. It lies close to the is because, as one German
left bank of Ourem Creek, traveler remarked, “I feel a
within walkable distance from certain nostalgia for its past
the city centre. significance, that I come here
everyday for my meal”.
Inherited from the Portuguese,
many of the buildings here,
What impressed me most about
including those belonging to
these inns, is the colour. Each
the direct descendants of the
and every building here is
Portuguese (as some of them
painted with an exultant clash
still live here) have now been
of eye-catching hues – ranging
converted to an appealing
from the traditional red-ochre
potpourri of colorful, stylized
to deep yellow, purple, green,
inns and restaurants, offering
blue; almost any colour under
tourists the best of Goan
the sun for that matter, which
hospitality.
is because of the tradition that
Most of these heritage inns all the buildings should be
look simple in their form, built colour-washed every year after
in typical Portuguese style, the monsoon. The brilliance
with shuttered windows and of these colours is what rivets
in the main hall of the museum, the reminiscences of the past. piped water supply in those
in old Goa. Not just that, the enduring days, women mostly depended
Portuguese influence is reflected on these fountains to fill their
The colonization of Goa by the
even in the contemporary water pots.
Portuguese continued for almost
language the people speak here
four and a half centuries, until As the town grew, many of
and the way some women wear
the liberation of Goa in 1961. these fountains – except the
their party dress.
one that I could locate later at
It is because of their long
a small square near a school,
presence that the Portuguese The name “Fontainhas”
gradually disappeared.
could influence Goa’s social apparently of Portuguese origin,
and religious life and nowhere probably derived from the All the heritage inns of Latin
else is this impact more name of a similar place existing Quarters are of the same
clearly visible than in the Latin in Lisbon, here means “place genesis and are conserved by
quarters, where several homes of small fountains” or public
and churches built during faucets, that the Portuguese
their colonization still retain built there. Since there was no Panjim Inn with its traditional decor, with
a picture of its original Portuguese owner
hanging at its entrance (below).
the sustained efforts of their
owners.
Perhaps it is for their picturesque

aspect or for their historical
association that these inns are
well preserved. The innkeepers
are fully aware of the substantial
advantage they derive by
preserving the antique character
and ambience of their premises
to reflect the atmosphere of the
old days.
The finest example in this

aspect is Panjim Inn, one of
the most recognized landmarks
in the town, situated on the
Ourem Creek road, facing an of the chapel. Named after

arched walkover bridge. Portugal’s first king, Afonso
Henriques, Afonso is owned by
The red-ochre pigmented Mrs Jeanette Afonso who claims
Panjim Inn retains much to be a direct descendant.
of its ancient character and
traditional Goan ambience. These heritage inns may not be
Its kitchen serves both local of the glamorous type, but still
and continental cuisine at its you can be certain about the
vintage verandah restaurant. real homely comfort they offer;
Built in 1880, this elegant structure and no doubt, some of them are
was home to an elite Hindu scrupulously clean and green.
household. It also served as a While trudging along the alleys
school for some time, before of the Old Latin Quarters, the
being converted into a hotel. desire to discover the charm of
a bygone era is strong. It is like
Not all the inns are as big and
taking a step back in time and
reputed as Panjim Inn. There
reminds one of what the place
are also some smaller ones,
was like in the olden days.
noisy and bustling with the Statue of Portuguese voyager-poet
Luis Camoes in the hall of old Goa Museum
locals sipping the local beverage Why do old ways interest
‘Fenni.’ people more? This, one will
House, standing right under understand only when one has
While on my way back to my the shadow of this chapel is an taken a leisurely stroll through
hotel, I paused at another small interesting structure. Painted in this old part of the town.
square near the St. Sebastian deep yellow, it stands in striking ◆
The author is a noted writer and lensman.
chapel. The Afonso Guest contrast to the pearly white
India-Africa defied the global recession to
continue their upward economic
non-alignment and Afro-Asian
solidarity.
and agriculture to education,
small and medium industries
A New Business Chemistry trajectory.
One could see this business
and telecommunications but the
tension that goes with deal-
Driving this new business chemistry at work at the
making was missing. Instead, the
MANISH CHAND synergy are India’s apex 6th India-Africa conclave
businessmen chatted amiably,
business body, Confederation held in mid-March that saw
cracked jokes and, yes, shared
of Indian Industry (CII) and participation from 34 African
I
n May, India’s telecom giant growing win-win partnership ideas and talked business.
Bharti Airtel acquired the between the world’s second EXIM Bank, who joined hands countries. Around 1,000 Indian
African assets of Kuwait’s fastest growing economy and to craft a pioneering initiative, and African businessmen, When business combines
Zain at a whopping $10.7 the resource-rich 53-nation called “The India-Africa Project political leaders, bankers and with a sense of camaraderie
billion, marking a new high African continent. Partnership Conclave,” in 2005. policymakers descended on and ideological kinship, one
in blossoming business ties The conclave, supported by the Indian capital to mine the gets more than deals. “It’s a
between India and Africa. The The deal, which made headlines India’s External Affairs and new business alchemy between sustainable partnership with
largest overseas acquisition of in India and the international Commerce Ministries, has now two of the regions in the a long-term future,” said
assets in the continent by an media, capped years of steady become a much-awaited event, world which have continued H.E. John Dramani Mahama,
Indian company has shifted the cumulative growth in trade epitomizing the economic surge to grow amid the meltdown. Vice President, Republic
spotlight to Africa’s booming and investment between India of an old trusted relationship The stakes were huge: projects of Ghana and the Guest of
middle class market and the and Africa, both of which have that harks back to the shared worth $10.06 billion were on Honour at the Partnership
legacy of the anti-colonial the table. They were in areas Conclave. “In such a positive
Mr. S.M. Krishna, Minister for External Affairs Government of India; H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, struggle and the idealism of ranging from power, fertilizers ambience, there are no hurdles
Vice President, Republic of Ghana and Mr. Anand Sharma, Minister for Commerce & Industry, Government of India
at the inaugural of the 6th Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership (on 15 March 2010). Audience at the inaugural session of the Conclave
Above: Mr. Jonathan Wutawunashe, Mr. Jardine Omar, Counsellor (Economic), Sanjay Kirloskar, an industrialist (i) strengthening of the special
Dean of the Diplomatic Corp & Ambassador High Commission of South Africa in India;
of Zimbabwe to India; Mr. Sanjay Kirloskar, Mr. Jose Maria Morais, High Commissioner with diverse investments in relationships between India
Chairman, CII Africa Committee; of Mozambique to India; Ms. Maria Gustava, Africa and Chairman of the CII and Africa; (ii) development
Mr. S.M. Krishna, Minister for External Director for Asia & Oceania, Ministry of
Affairs, Government of India; Mr. John Foreign Affairs & Cooperation; Mr. Robert Africa Committee, placed the of our rural economies; (iii)
Dramani Mahama, Vice President, Republic Appelbaum, Director, Edward Nathan
of Ghana; Mr. Anand Sharma, Minister Sonnenburg, South Africa; Mr. Sumanta
relationship in the larger context promotion of skills development
for Commerce & Industry, Government Chaudhuri, Joint Secretary, Dept of of the shifting geography of and capacity building for Africa
of India and Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Commerce & Industry and Ms. Donnée
Director General, CII. Kruger Manager, Trade and Investment economic power from the West tomorrow; and (iv) driving the
Right: Mr. Sanjay Kirloskar, Chairman, CII KwaZulu-Natal. to the East. “This conclave green agenda.
Africa Committee & Chairman, Kirloskar presents a great opportunity
Brothers Ltd; Mr. Vivek Katju, Secretary (West), Indian investment approach by Led by the private sector, with
Ministry of External Affairs, Government for us all to explore the infinite
of India; S.E.M. Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, focusing on capacity building a “Focus Africa” policy of the
Prime Minister, Republic of Togo and possibilities of India-Africa
and skills training that could Indian Government, bilateral
Mr. Syamal Gupta, Chairman Emeritus, CII cooperation, strengthen the
Africa Committee & Chairman, TCE Ltd. spur the development of Africa. trade has grown to $39 billion,
synergistic partnerships and
“The India-Africa relationship an over ten-fold increase in
develop a new vision statement
to the enhancement of business has evolved and matured into the last 15 years. Almost every
for long-term India-Africa
and entrepreneurship,” said a vibrant one. In many parts of week, an Indian firm announces
engagements, the likes of which
Mr. S.M. Krishna, Minister for Africa we see Indian investors a new business venture in an
will determine the course of
External Affairs, Government and businessmen enhancing African country. Tata buses and
South-South Cooperation.”
of India. He lauded the trade, capacity building and the Kirloskar pump, made by
private sector for expanding contribution to the development The conclave identified four Indian companies, have become
their profile in the continent goals of our African partners in key areas to take India-Africa iconic brand names in many
and sought to distinguish the a visible manner,” he said. economic ties to new heights: African countries. Jonathan
Wutawunashe, Ambassador of of optimism among Indian $120 million in a Greenfield
Zimbabwe to India, is fond of entrepreneurs towards investing ferrochrome venture in South
telling everyone that if someone in Africa. Africa. The Vedanta Group has
loses his way in the African spawned 55 learning centres
villages, he is told to go to the There is now virtually a to train 28,500 learners each
Kirloskar pump and find his scramble to invest in Africa, year, and has trained nearly
way! with big Indian companies 150,000 students since 1997.
leading the charge. The Essar ONGC Videsh, the overseas
Adi Godrej, a top Indian Group has invested $100 arm of India’s oil major Oil
industrialist, is the latest to million in Essar Telecom and Natural Gas Commission,
join the African dream of the Kenya Holdings. Essar’s Yu operates $2.1 billion oil assets in
Indian corporate world, with brand has 400,000 telecom Libya, Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire and
Right: South African Cricketer Jonty Rhodes
addressing the Conclave. his eponymous company subscribers in Kenya. It has Egypt, making it India’s biggest
Below: Signing of Exim Bank LOC with recently buying Nigeria’s Tura a 50 per cent stake in Kenya investor in Africa.
Government of Senegal: seen in the
picture Hon. Karim Wade, Minister for
Group. Africa is “the continent Petroleum Refineries where it
International Cooperation, Infrastructure, of the future,” says Godrej, plans to invest $300 million. Although the Indian private
Land Development and Air Transport,
Government of Senegal and Ms Ravneet encapsulating the mood Tata Steel KZN has acquired sector has been in the forefront,
Kaur, CMD, Exim Bank of India.
MOU signing during the 6th Conclave between BEDIA, Botswana & CII, India
terrific example Africa can areas of human knowledge. businessmen from his country,
learn from the trajectory of With India increasingly is upbeat about this emerging
development in India and seen as a source of triple A, India-Africa business alchemy.
the Indian experience,” says appropriate, affordable and Pointing to wider horizons,
Prime Minister Gilbert Fossoun adaptable technologies, New he said India and Africa can
Houngbo, Republic of Togo Delhi is increasingly seen as collaborate to develop Africa as
and Guest of Honour at the providing a viable alternative the next economic powerhouse,
conclave. Says former President to the traditional dependence just a day after the two sides
of Ghana John Agyekum of Africa on Western sources launched the India-South Africa
Kufuor: “If India’s experience of technology, products and Chief Executives’ Forum in
is married to Africa’s vast services. “Africans gain from Mumbai.
resources, it will result in the transfer of technologies by
“India and South Africa could both
the accelerated development India,” Hannah Tetteh, Trade
make a significant contribution
of Africa.” and Industry Minister, Republic
to the establishment of Africa as
of Ghana said in an interview.
the next global growth centre,”
This symbiosis opens up limitless
President Zuma told top Indian
possibilities of engagement in President Jacob Zuma, Republic
business chambers in New Delhi.
Delegates from Africa and India discuss business at the Conclave areas ranging from agriculture, of South Africa who came on
food security, infrastructure and a three-day state visit to India There are mutual gains for both
the Indian Government, too, aluminium to copper ore and hydrocarbons to IT and frontier in June with over 200 top as India can help Africa move
has shown the way by forging cashew nuts.
Exhibition during the Conclave
a proactive Africa policy and
The fundamentals of
offering incentives to spur
India’s development-centric
two-way trade and investment.
engagement with Africa have
Outlining India’s approach
been reinforced by the joint
towards the African continent
action plan India and Africa
focused on the triple Ts – Trade,
launched early March this year.
Technology and Training,
The action plan envisages India
Prime Minister Manmohan
setting up 19 institutions in
Singh announced a slew of
Africa with the African Union
measures at the maiden India-
Commission and member states
Africa Forum Summit in April,
in areas of diamond polishing,
2008 that included granting
IT, vocational education and
preferential market access to
foreign trade. The action plan
34 least developed African
builds on such pioneering
countries. He also announced
initiatives like the India-aided
doubling of the lines of credit
Pan-Africa e-network project that
to $5.4 billion and pledged
seeks to bring tele-education and
over $500 million in capacity
tele-medicine to the African
building and human resource
people by bridging the digital
development projects. The
divide across the continent.
market access is expected to
boost African exports ranging African leaders have responded
from cotton, cocoa and enthusiastically. “India is a
up the value chain with skills
and technology transfer. A new
report by international investor
McKinsey, fittingly called “Lions
on the Move,” says economic
growth accelerated in 27 of
the continent’s 30 largest
economies, resource-rich
and resource-poor alike.
The number of cell phone
subscribers has gone up to
316 million, more than the
entire population of the USA.
Bucking global recession,
India, too, is resurgent and is
confident of achieving 8.2 per
cent GDP growth in 2010-11.
This economic surge, animated
by a larger strategic vision
of seeking a bigger role in
international affairs, including
seats in the UN Security
Council, is set to drive the
two sides closer to create the
century of Asia and Africa.
“India wishes to be a partner
in Africa’s resurgence. Working
together, the two billion people
of Asia and Africa can set an
example of fruitful cooperation
in the developing world,” said
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
memorably at the 2008 summit.
◆
The author is Editor, Africa Quarterly
published by the Indian Council for Cultural
Relations, New Delhi.
A cultural evening during the Conclave
The inaugural exposition that The danseuse said the
Commonwealth Games officials describe as “the much-
awaited prelude to the Games”
choreography will document
the ancient cultures of India
A Cultural Extravaganza will feature dance choreography that have inspired the myriad
by Geeta Chandran, Shovana classical dance forms – dictating
Text: MADHUSREE CHATTERJEE & PRAGYA TIWARI Narayan and Astad Deboo – both content, styles and
Photographs: DEEPAK MUDGAL
three leading Indian dancers. evolution.
A
colourful showcase of Indian culture will occupy pride of place The spotlight will be on group Eminent dancer Shovana
at the Commonwealth Games to project India’s soft power to the recitals. Chandran and her Narayan is working on a
world at the 19th edition of the quadrennial sporting event from troupe will stage an hour-long group show drawing from
October 3-14 that will see 8,000 athletes from 71 countries and territories dance drama, “Ananya”, at the Bharatanatyam and Kathak
competing in 17 disciplines. 16th century Purana Qila (Old traditions to trace the
Fort) in the heart of the capital, movements of Indian dance
The cultural extravaganza that is the heart of a mammoth Commonwealth the venue of the cultural event. forms and the influences it
tourism initiative to position India as a culture and sports tourism has assimilated over the years.
destination will be spread over nearly a fortnight. It will be a collaboration Veteran contemporary dancer
between the Delhi government and the Commonwealth Games 2010 The Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi
will focus on Indian culture for nearly a Astad Deboo and his troupe
Organising Committee led by Suresh Kalmadi. fortnight. Shovana Narayan will present will stage a dance opera that
Bharatanatyam and Kathak traditions
(right) and a group dance recital (below). will narrate stories from ancient
Shera – the mascot joins in a dance performance
Indian texts placed in modern to bring out the new multi-racial
contexts. ethos sweeping through the
country’s cultural mosaic,” an
The music will be essentially
official said.
classical, with maestros coming
together to pool their talent The government has selected
in a mega opening vocal and 15 venues across the city for the
instrumental concert. cultural festival from Oct 3-14.
“But keeping in mind the “The programmes have been
fact that the bulk of the selected carefully as we want
Commonwealth audience will spectators to treasure the
be young – below the age of memories of the events for a
35 – we have invited fusion long time,” the official said.
troupes from across the country
Theatre director Amir Raza
Hussain will stage a play at
The India Gate memorial to the Unknown Red Fort and at Quli Khan’s
Soldiers (facing page); 16th century
Purana Qila (old fort) – the venue of the fort in Mehrauli, two important
cultural events (right) and Astad Deboo, the
veteran contemporary dancer will perform
historical monuments. The
with his troupe during the Games (below). 45-minute multi-media capsule
will augment the capital’s period currently one of the capital’s of the Games as part of a series,
appeal with special sound and most popular archaeological the Wall Project.
light shows encapsulating the sites that attracts thousands
In March, leading contemporary
history of Delhi for visitors of visitors every day. It is also
artists began to colour a 200-ft
during the Games. from the Red Fort that the Prime
canvas as part of a relay
Minister of India addresses the
The show at Mehrauli, titled Commonwealth art project.
nation on Independence Day,
Dastaan-e-Dilli, will narrate
August 15. The art initiatives will culminate
the “Dilli story” from its
in a grand finale at a travelling
royal heydays to becoming Children from more than 2,000 exhibition in mid-September
independent India’s centre of schools will take part in an art that will touch the venue of the
power. competition, “My Dream Sport”, Games.
A movie production company is to bring arts and sports on a
common platform and promote The cultural aspects apart,
designing an elaborate sound-
new talent to mark the inclusive the Commonwealth Games
and-light show at the Red Fort
nature of the Games. will enable the Indian capital
chronicling its history from
to showcase itself as a major
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s A group of free-wheeling artists global sporting destination
seat of power to a military are painting walls across the and not surprisingly, a sense
hub during the British Raj and capital to capture the colours of excitement and urgency
The towering Qutub Minar (right) and the
of the Commonwealth and to pervades New Delhi as an army
Humayun’s Tomb (below). beautify the capital on the eve of officials work at a frenetic
pace to ensure that everything
is shipshape for the event.
In the process, and with
the government spending
a whopping Rs.150 billion
($3 billion), the capital
has undergone a complete
transformation, what with
six venue clusters and five
standalone stadiums being
renovated with state-of-the-
art facilities, the Metro Rail
spreading its wings, shopping
complexes being upgraded,
tourist spots being developed,
flyovers being built to ease
traffic, major thoroughfares
being streetscaped and a
gleaming fleet of commuter
Geeta Chandran (left) will stage a dance

drama, Ananya, at the Purana Qila.
buses making travel in the city a administrator Randhir Singh that
lot more comfortable. he has suggested that the next
A spiffy Games village is stop could be the Asian Games,
coming up over 63.5 hectares of which India has hosted
near the bank of the river two editions, and even the
Yamuna that cuts through the Olympics.
capital. The village has 34 “The Commonwealth Games
towers with 1,168 apartments, will act as a springboard for
each disabled-friendly and hosting the Olympics. With
equipped with latest technology the present infrastructure,
from flat screen television sets we can bid for the Asian
to well-equipped kitchenettes. Games,” Randhir Singh, Vice
The new facilities have tempted Chairman of Commonwealth
Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Games Organising Committee
Dikshit to proudly term the and the Secretary General of
national capital an Olympic city. the Indian Olympic Association,
And so moved is veteran sports said.
A traditional welcome given by water cannons on arrival of the first international flight and the
immigration counters at the newly inaugurated Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport,
Delhi (facing page) and Delhi Metro Rail – the lifeline for Delhi (below).
Almost all the stadiums have from the Rashtrapati Bhavan
been tested even as they were (the official residence of the
being given the finishing touches. President), to the India Gate
memorial to the Unknown
Heightened security
Soldier, is being revamped.
arrangements were also in place
for the test events. On their The city’s monuments, an
part, Delhi Police say they are integral part of its rich heritage,
well prepared for the Games are being cleaned and restored.
and all necessary security As part of this Red Fort, Qutub
arrangements have been made. Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and
Purana Qila (Old Fort) will get
“Our ongoing security survey,
swish cafes for visitors.
checks and upgradation are
well on track. We have a regular Some 25,000 rooms will be
anti-sabotage search. Our made available to accommodate
security personnel are always the huge influx of domestic and
alert and vigilant,” Delhi Police foreign visitors. It is estimated
Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal said, that 11,028 rooms will be
adding: “We are planning a safe available at licensed lodges
and secure Commonwealth and this will be supplemented
Games.” by a “Bed and Breakfast
Scheme” launched by the Delhi
Delhi’s civic infrastructure is
government by roping in the
also undergoing a massive
owners of private houses and
overhaul.
apartments. Athletes and sports enthusiasts with the Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi
This is evident from the fact
The government has also
that Rs.3 billion ($64 million) that focuses on basic etiquette to And, like Beijing did for the
sanctioned Rs.700 million
has been allocated for the venue specific and safety training. 2008 Olympics, Delhi is using
(Rs.15 million) for developing
beautification of the city, the modern technology to make the
tourist destinations around the “Volunteering as a concept was
money being spent on building city pollution free during the
national capital. Agra, the home more or less unknown to India.
new flyovers, over-bridges, Games and for long after.
of the Taj Mahal, and Jaipur It is for the first time that so
roads, footpaths, providing
are the two cities identified many people are being trained Given all this, the optimism
better street furniture and
for this purpose. In tourism for an event,” said Devya of the Indian Olympic
cleaning up the city.
parlance, Delhi, Agra and Jaipur Patney, the head of the Games Association’s Randhir Singh
The city will also get a are referred to as the “golden organising committee looking on the capital’s ability to host
dedicated Metro line from the triangle”. after the training of volunteers. the Olympics is not misplaced.
airport to Connaught Place, the But then, the earliest that can
Then, the Commonwealth “Commonwealth Games 2010
central business district and happen is 2020, because the
Games promise to leave behind will leave behind a long lasting Come October, and Delhi will
Delhi’s main shopping area that 2012 edition has been allotted
a whole new concept - that legacy not only in the form be dotted with a uniformed,
is going through a facelift. to London and the 2016 edition
of volunteering, what with of infrastructure and sports well-behaved and informative
Rio de Janerio.
Rajpath, the grand two-and- a staggering 22,000 men venues but also in the way we army of men and women, ready ◆
a-half km long boulevard in and women signing up for a develop the skill of our human to show the world the face of (The authors are IANS journalists)
central Delhi that stretches three-tier training programme resources,” Pandey added. Indian hospitality.
Amul
A Brand that Nourishes and Empowers
Even so, nothing could change what destiny had in store for
Dr. Verghese Kurien – whose efforts towards the white revolution
earned him the World Food Prize and the Magsaysay Award, apart
from numerous other recognitions within and outside India.
R.K. MISHRA A Syrian Christian born in southern Kerala, Kurien moved to

the dusty town of Anand to set up a milk cooperative and his
achievement made people revere him as the milkman of India.
W
hat started as a small cooperative movement over six
decades ago in a mid-sized town in the western state of The best testimony to his work, perhaps, is the varied range of
Gujarat has now become an icon of rural empowerment, products that now line shelves in shops all over India and abroad
fashioning in the process what is called the ‘white revolution’ to – going way beyond just milk to pasteurised butter, cheese, ice
catapult India as the world’s largest producer of milk. creams, chocolates, clarified butter, sweets and other products,
In 1946 a bright youth was sent to study Dairy Engineering at the including probiotic milk and sugar-free ice cream.
Michigan State University on government scholarship but he came So much so that this brand name, along with its iconic mascot – a
back with a Masters in Metallurgy and Nuclear Physics instead. cute little girl in polka-dot skirt and catchy slogans – has even
IANS
tumultuous days before India’s cooperative, the triumph of
independence when the dairy indigenous technology, the
cooperative was set up under marketing savvy of a farmers’
the directions of Vallabhbhai organisation, a proven model of
Patel, the then Congress leader dairy development, high quality
who went on to become India’s products at reasonable prices
first home minister. - to sum it all up, a confident
nation on the move.”
Two years later, Kurien returned
from the US and in 1949 left According to Shri Ramsinh
his government job to help Parmar, Chairman, Kaira District
the newly-formed cooperative, Dr. Verghese Kurien Milk Union, the first effort to
Kaira District Cooperative Milk organize dairy cooperatives
Producers’ Union. In the financial year 2010-11, had actually started after the
the cooperative is expected to enactment of the Cooperative
IANS
This led to the birth of Amul log sales turnover in excess of Societies Act, 1912.
– the rest, as is often said, is $2.2 billion.
overtaken its parent, the Gujarat Amul,” said Kurien, who has history. “But it was in the 1940s
Cooperative Milk Marketing since retired. “Amul is the symbol of that farmers of Kaira district
In 1946, Amul procured just the achievements of dairy organised themselves into a
Federation, in terms of both
“This is what gives strength to 1,000 litres of milk a day, but cooperatives over the last 65 dairy cooperative and decided
name and fame.
Amul, and this is what is so today this has gone up to as years,” said B.M. Vyas, former to process and sell milk directly
“Amul is the brand name of special about the Amul saga.” much as 9.3 million litres. Managing Director of the after collecting it from its
nearly three million farmers, The $1.7 billion cooperative cooperative. own members,” Parmar said.
members of 15,300 village dairy Drawn from the Sanskrit word has 15,300 village societies as The birth of Amul at Anand
cooperative societies throughout “amulya”, or priceless, the members, covering 2.9 million “Simply put, Amul symbolises provided the impetus to the
Gujarat. This is the heart of Amul journey began in the milk producers. the genesis of a vast cooperative dairy movement in
the country. This was possible Marginal landholdings make up revolution using the same
due to the dedicated and 57 percent of rural households model in their country. Even
committed leadership of the in India and thanks to such the World Bank has announced
founder Chairman of Amul, cooperatives dairying is a viable ‘South-South Experience
Tribhuvandas Patel and the option even for the landless. Exchange Facility’ for replication
vision and professionalism Nearly 70 million Indian of the Amul model of dairy
of the father of the White households hold a total of 98 development in Africa.
Revolution, Dr. Verghese Kurien million cows and buffaloes. The cooperative dairy
who worked as a professional
A majority of milk producers movement is impacting lives
manager at Amul.
have one or two milch animals in many other ways as well.
Statistics show that though steps The Banas dairy, for example, From Banaskantha to IT capital
and these small producers
to improve the quality of milch a member of the Amul Bangalore, Amul has branded
account for some 70 percent
cattle began in the 1st Five Year cooperative, started a unique itself on the lives of every
of the milk production. On an
Plan (1951 to 1956), the absence initiative called the Internet Indian. The range of Amul
average, 22.5 percent of the
of a stable and remunerative Sewa Project in Banaskantha products includes milk and
income of rural households is
market for milk saw production district in Gujarat. pasteurised butter, curd, cheese,
contributed by milk.
stagnate. chocolate and ice-cream.
“Operation Flood essentially This is a village-level effort at
Between 1951 and 1970, milk bridging the digital divide by It’s all about Amul, and also
replicated the Anand pattern economically, socially as well
production grew by barely one providing information kiosks about India.
countrywide, joining village- as democratically. In the case of
percent annually while in fact level cooperatives to form at the village cooperative level. As Kurien put it: “Amul’s Amul, the surplus profits earned
per capita availability declined district-level unions, which Official forms, educational mission was the development of are ploughed back to farmers.
by an equivalent amount. in turn joined in state-level applications and local market farmers, nutrition to the nation This circulation of capital
marketing federations,” said prices are provided at the and, heart in heart, the real
Then came “Operation Flood”. with value addition within the
P.A. Joseph. information kiosk so that people development of India.”
“It was Operation Flood, structure not only benefits the
do not have to travel all the way
implemented for the National “The primary milk producer final beneficiary – the farmer
to the district headquarters for Amul cannot be viewed simply
Dairy Development Board thus governs this entire federal – but eventually contributes to
this information. as a business enterprise. It is
from 1970 to 1996 by founder- cooperative structure.” the development of the village
an institution created by the
chairman Dr. Kurien, who had Amul known for its topical humour in community. This is the most
The dairy major has also emerged advertising takes a dig at Paul the Octopus
milk producers themselves to
an uninterrupted spell of 33 significant contribution of the
as a role model of sorts, which
during the FIFA World Cup 2010. primarily safeguard their interest
years, that radically transformed Amul Model cooperatives.
many developing nations want
dairy development in India,” entrenched in villages and made Today Amul is a symbol of
to emulate. Earlier this year, high
said his close aide. modern technology available many things; of high-quality
level delegations from Tanzania,
to them. It also increased milk products sold at reasonable
This programme ensured milk Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda
production and augmented prices, of a vast co-operative
producers’ cooperatives get well visited Amul and expressed a
rural incomes, which went to network, of the triumph of
desire to replicate the white
the milk producer and not the indigenous technology, of the
middlemen. marketing savvy of a farmers’
More importantly, the programme organisation. Above all, it has
empowered small rural emerged as the most successful
producers, providing them with model of rural development.
◆
employment opportunities at The author is a journalist.
their homes with steady returns. Photographs: Courtesy Amul
drug – which earned Bristol IMS Health expects the global
Meyer Squibb more than pharmaceuticals market to grow
US$ 6.1 billion in sales in 2009 by four to six per cent in 2010,
– will lose patent protection in exceeding total sales of US$ 825
2012. The drug is being co- billion. Last year, global generic
marketed by Sanofi-Aventis. products accounted for sales of
less than US$ 85 billion.
GSK, which earns US$ 4 billion
from its asthma treatment drug, The US consulting firm predicts
Seretide/Advair, will see its global pharma market sales
patent expire in 2010. to grow at a four to seven
per cent compound annual
But non-branded (or generic)
growth rate (CAGR) through
drugs are expected to continue
2013, with the value of the
going strong over the coming
global pharmaceuticals market
years. According to IMS data,
expected to expand to nearly
PHARMACY global prescription sales growth
of generic drugs was up by
US$ 1 trillion in three years.
TO THE WORLD Clinigene, a subsidiary of Biocon, is a

7.7 per cent for the 12-months
ending September 2009, as
India features among the seven
‘pharmerging’ markets – along
world-class Clinical Research Organisation. against 3.6 per cent in 2008. with the other BRIC nations
N.B. RAO
I
ndia is fast emerging as the IMS Health, the US-based
pharmacy to the world, with global healthcare information
domestic and international and consulting firm, estimates
drug producers investing that during the next five years,
huge sums in setting up products that currently generate
manufacturing units, research an unprecedented US$ 137
and development laboratories billion in sales are expected to
and other related facilities. face generic competition. These
products include blockbuster
The international
drugs (each with annual sales of
pharmaceuticals industry is
more than US$ 1 billion) such
undergoing dramatic changes,
as Lipitor (manufactured by
with governments – both in
Pfizer, one of the largest pharma
the developed and developing
companies in the world), Plavix
world – focussing on slashing
(Bristol Meyer Squibb, Sanofi-
their ballooning healthcare
Aventis) and Seretide/Advair
budgets. With a growing
(GlaxoSmithKline – GSK).
number of popular drugs going
off-patent over the coming Lipitor, the cholesterol-lowering
years, many countries would be drug, fetched US$ 12 billion in
opting for generic products that sales for Pfizer last year, but
would be available at far lower faces generic competition from
prices, to save on costs. 2011. Plavix, an anti-clotting
generics opportunity which international presence, the present-day challenges
‘Indian pharma companies MNCs are keenly eyeing. continuing with acquisitions of poor R&D productivity
can look forward to a Collaborative partnerships abroad? and emerging market
significant spurt in growth’ with Indian companies are a
win-win for both parties and Even as MNCs enter into tie-
opportunities by opting for
strategies that involve:
give MNCs a cost-effective ups with Indian companies for
An interview with Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and our domestic market, Indian • Portfolio diversification
entry point through their
Managing Director, Biocon Ltd, India’s leading integrated players are likely to continue to include products with
existing marketing network.
healthcare company. expanding their global shorter regulatory timelines.
What about exports of foot-print through mergers For example, diagnostics,
Indian pharma products? and acquisitions (M&As). devices, new drug delivery
How do you view the prospects India’s growing middle-class.
Are you bullish about Indian These acquisitions may not systems, vaccines, generics,
for the Indian pharma sector So, overall Indian pharma
companies expanding their be transformational – instead, bio-similars, etc
over the next few years, companies can look forward
especially with billions of to a significant spurt in overseas presence? they will add to strategic
• Focusing on emerging
dollars worth of drugs likely to growth. capabilities by helping the
As I said, Indian pharma markets to deliver top line
go off-patent? player gain intellectual
exports are going to scale growth
Do you see multi-national property assets or access to
companies (MNCs) taking new heights in the next few • Acquisition of late
Indian pharmaceutical marketing and distribution
advantage of this trend and years. Indian companies stage R&D assets to fill
companies are well-positioned networks.
setting up research and already have a substantial depleting R&D pipelines
to leverage the opportunity
development (R&D) facilities, presence in the United States, A good example is Biocon’s with programmes that can
provided by blockbuster
manufacturing plants and the biggest pharmaceuticals acquisition of our partner, accelerate time to market
drugs going off-patent over
distribution networks in market in the world, and in Nobex Corporation, an
the next few years. Not only • Reducing the risk and cost
India? several European countries. intellectual property (IP)
do Indian pharma players of R&D with new models of
company in the US. The
have a US Food and Drug Moreover, global companies I see more partnerships and We also enjoy a favourable risk sharing, co-development
acquisition provided us a
Administration-approved are adopting cost-cutting alliances on the generics front presence in emerging programs and outsourced
valuable IP platform as well
pipeline, but they are also strategies to increase margins like those forged between markets like Russia, Latin research services.
as ownership of our oral
equipped with a strong, after the economic meltdown. Pfizer and Aurobindo, America and Africa, which
insulin and oral brain-type
cost-effective production They are striving to discover Claris and Strides, and are also critical for growth.
natriuretic peptide (BNP)
ecosystem. and develop drugs at GlaxoSmithKline and Dr The pharmaceuticals sector
programmes for the treatment
lower costs by embracing Reddy’s Laboratories. I do has seen increased volume
Indian generics manufacturers of cardiovascular disease.
outsourcing and contract not envisage the need for of exports in recent years.
can make huge gains with the
research, which will help MNCs to set up R&D or Indian companies and What are the global trends you
US, the world’s largest pharma
India’s price-competitive manufacturing facilities in their subsidiaries have also perceive in the international
market, turning to generics
clinical research and India for generics since they secured approvals for several pharma business? What is the
to decrease pressure on the
manufacturing activities thrive. already have the marketing Abbreviated New Drug impact of bio-technology likely
healthcare budget costs and
infrastructure, which they may Applications (ANDAs) in the to be on the sector?
the pipeline of new drugs in Apart from exports, the
use to roll out generics. US.
the US drying up as the FDA domestic consumption of There are four clear trends,
becomes cautious in granting medicines is slated to increase Emerging markets such as Do you expect Indian pharma which indicate that the
approvals. with rising income levels of India are certainly a large companies to step up their industry is recalibrating to
including Brazil, Russia and firms, contract manufacturing than 200 countries around generic products approved by especially with the rapid roll-
China, besides Turkey, South and R&D – is also expected to the globe including regulated the US FDA, Indian companies out of medical insurance and
Korea and Mexico – which are double to US$ 40 billion by 2015. markets of the US, western accounted for 138 abbreviated the proliferation of top-class
expected to drive growth of the Europe, Japan and Australia. new drug applications (ANDAs). tertiary-care facilities in many
Leading Indian pharmaceutical
global pharmaceutical industry cities.
manufacturers including Cipla The growing presence of Indian International drug companies
in the coming years.
Ltd, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, drug-makers in the US has are also expanding their The healthy growth of the
Interestingly, the Indian pharma Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, Sun resulted in the US Food and presence in India, seeking to pharmaceuticals sector in
market is expected to grow at a Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Drug Administration approving leverage the R&D skills and the India will continue to attract
much faster pace. International Lupin Ltd, Piramal Healthcare, about 175 pharmaceutical expertise of Indian scientists huge investments, both from
consultancy firm, McKinsey & Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd manufacturing facilities in and technicians. With India international and domestic
Company, estimates that the and Jubilant Organosys Ltd are India. The US FDA has also being a signatory to the Trade- players, over the coming years.
domestic market will grow at among the companies that are opened offices in New Delhi Related Aspects of Intellectual And the world will increasingly
between 10 and 14 per cent expected to gain significantly and Mumbai to coordinate its Property Rights-compliant come to depend on India as a
annually, with total revenues because of the switchover to activities in the country. patent regime, international major source for affordable and
topping US$ 20 billion by 2015. generic drugs over the coming pharmaceutical companies are quality drugs.
Indian pharma companies ◆
years. enhancing their presence. (Source: IBEF)
The overall pharma sector in today have a significant and
India – including domestic sales, Indian drug manufacturers growing presence in the USA. India is indeed emerging as
exports, off-shoring by global export their products to more In 2009, for instance, of the 483 a major healthcare market,
The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Unit of Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Manufacturing facilities at Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd
TAPPING THE SUN
SOLAR ENERGY FOR 20,000 MW OF POWER
JOYDEEP GUPTA
A
n ancient civilisation Asserting that India has started
like India has always moving forward in utilising solar
worshipped the sun energy with the launch of the
as the god who bestows life Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar
and sustains it. And, as Prime Mission by the Prime Minister
Minister Manmohan Singh put earlier this year under the brand
it: “It is to this source of energy name Solar India, Minister for
players enter the field, the With its abundant sunshine and parity with coal-based
that humankind must turn to meet New and Renewable Energy
upfront cost of setting up a for most of the year, India is thermal power by 2030,” says
the twin challenge of energy Farooq Abdullah, says that about
power plant will reduce to in a particularly advantageous MNRE’s mission document.
security and climate change.” 1,000 MW of power would be
make its energy affordable to position to develop solar power.
generated through hundreds of The economics of solar power
Towards this end, India has all,” Abdullah says. The country gets about 5,000
solar power plants across the looks better as the price of
drawn up ambitious plans to trillion kWh per year over
country over the next three years. Solar energy can transform India electricity generated from other
generate a staggering 20,000 its land area with most parts
MW of solar energy by 2022, a “In the second phase, we intend in so many ways. As the Prime receiving 4-7 kWh per sq m per sources goes up. The price
hundredfold increase over the to generate an additional 2,000 Minister said at the launch, it day. of electricity traded internally
next 12 years. This makes it the MW by 2015 and strive to could be the country’s next has already touched Rs.7 per
world’s biggest solar energy achieve the target of 20,000 MW scientific and technological The major problem with the unit for base loads and around
project. by 2022. As more and more frontier after the atomic rapid roll-out of solar power Rs.8.50 per unit during peak
energy, space and information is its high cost compared to periods.
technology revolutions. other sources of power such as
coal. Current industry estimates This will rise further as the
The mission’s success “has are that it will cost Rs.17.50 to country moves towards
the potential of transforming produce a unit of solar power, imported coal to meet its
India’s energy prospects, and well over double the cost of energy demand. The price
contributing also to national as production through coal. of power will have to factor
well as global efforts to combat in the availability of coal in
climate change”. The Ministry of New and international markets and the
Renewable Energy (MNRE), the cost of developing import
The target of building 20,000 MW nodal Ministry for Solar India, infrastructure. It is also
of solar generating capacity by says the objective of the mission evident that as the cost of
2022 was “no doubt ambitious”, “is to create conditions, through environmental degradation is
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rapid scale-up of capacity and factored into the mining of coal,
admitted, “but I do sincerely technological innovation, to drive as it must, the price of this raw
believe that the target is doable down costs towards grid parity”. material will increase.
and that we should work
singlemindedly to achieve it as “The mission anticipates With energy shortages biting
a priority national endeavour”. achieving grid parity by 2022 harder, India is increasing the
diode) lamps are extensively
used for street-lighting,
government offices, commercial
establishments and households
to reduce use of conventional
bulbs and compact fluorescent
lamps (CFL) that are less
efficient and power consuming,”
Minister for New & Renewable
Energy, Farooq Abdullah says.
“We are planning to install solar
panels at about 200,00 mobile
towers across the country in
place of diesel gen-sets used to
operate them and check their
fallout on environment,” he also
notes.
use of diesel-based electricity, second phase, after taking mechanisms for certification and may need to explore hybrid To reduce use of firewood
which is both expensive – costs into account the experience of rating of manufacturers of solar solutions, combining solar and cooking gas in preparing
as high as Rs.15 per unit. It is the initial years, capacity will thermal applications. power generation with gas, mid-day meals for school-going
in this situation that the solar be aggressively ramped up to biomass or even coal-based children and at mass feeding
imperative is both urgent and create conditions for up scaled The mission will facilitate power,” he said. centres at religious and other
feasible to enable the country to and competitive solar energy promotion of these individual
gatherings, Abdullah advocates
meet long-term energy needs. production in the country. devices through local agencies Indian industry will obviously
increasing use of solar cookers
and power utilities, and support have to play a key role in
and solar heaters.
The Solar India mission will This, MNRE says, will be the upgrading of technologies ensuring the success of the
adopt a three-phase approach, achieved by creating 15 million and manufacturing capacities mission, and for this it should “Solar cookers are being
spanning the remaining period square meters of solar thermal through soft loans. set up “Solar Valleys” across the extensively used at Shirdi
of the 11th Five Year Plan and collector area by 2017 and 20 country along the lines of the in Maharashtra, Mount Abu
the first year of the 12th Plan million square metres by 2022. As the Prime Minister put it, “Silicon Valleys” that have been in Rajasthan and Tirupati in
(up to 2012-13) as Phase 1, the “technological innovation will set up, according to the Prime Andhra Pradesh to prepare
remaining four years of the “The ambitious target for 2022 be a key factor in ensuring the Minister. meals for about 20,000-25,000
12th Plan (2013-17) as Phase 2 of 20,000 MW or more will success of this mission”. of setting up a solar power people a day. This should
and the 13th Plan (2017-22) as be dependent on the learning “These valleys will become plant is high – Rs.15 crore be promoted in a big way to
of the first two phases, which “We will need to find ways of hubs for solar science, solar for 1 MW – but says in the
Phase 3. conserve natural resources and
if successful, could lead to reducing the space intensity engineering and solar research, long-term, electricity from decrease dependence on the
The MNRE says the first phase conditions of grid-competitive of current solar applications, fabrication and manufacturing. I such a clean and inexhaustible import of fossil fuels,” he says.
will focus on capturing the solar power,” says the mission including through the use of urge Indian industry to see the energy source would be ◆
easy options in solar thermal; nano-technology. Cost-effective The author is a freelance journalist.
document. national solar mission as the rewarding in more ways
on promoting off-grid systems and convenient storage of solar huge business opportunity that than from fossil fuels and Photographs: Courtesy Ministry of New &
Renewable Energy, Government of India.
to serve populations without The authorities will make solar energy beyond daylight hours it is going to be.” conventional sources.
access to commercial energy heaters mandatory by changing will be critical to its emergence
and modest capacity addition building by-laws, and ensure as a mainstream source of On his part, Minister Abdullah “Efforts should also be made
in grid-based systems. In the the introduction of effective power. In the meantime, we admits that the upfront cost to ensure LED (light emitting
The Institute, as its charter of to reorient its educational and that “while trying to chart a
objectives says, was intended outreach policy. more global course in creative
to pioneer industrial and designing, the institute is also
The increasing concern about
scientific design in the country maintaining its identity and
the environment and rising costs
in the 1960s, when the growth systems of traditional culture”.
have prompted the school to
model espoused by the
mull on more sustainable and “We are trying to take stock of
country’s first Prime Minister
eco-friendly future programmes. the courses and revamp the
Jawaharlal Nehru zeroed in
design education system and
on industrial hardware. It was “The NID is focusing on infrastructure so that it can
modelled on the Bauhaus design programmes that are sustain itself for the next 50
and Ulm Schools of Design in more inclusive, eco-friendly, years,” the institute head said.
Germany. responsible and sustainable
A major component of NID’s
with a global perspective,” its
But globalisation and the new design module is a catalytic
Director, Pradyumna Vyas, said.
growth of the secondary and intervention and outreach
tertiary industrial sectors that Vyas, who is spearheading the programme in the public and
are soft and design-driven new education module at the private industrial sectors. It is in
National Institute of Design have compelled the institute NID, however, made it clear consonance with the National
Changing with the Times

MADHUSREE CHATTERJEE
T
he National Institute of unveiled a yearlong bouquet of
Design (NID) situated in events that will run through the
the textile and business year to culminate in a glittering
town of Ahmedabad in Gujarat finale in December 2011.
on the western seaboard of
At the heart of the golden
the country, will step into its
jubilee calendar, however, is a
50th year in 2011.
core shift in the design policy
The Institute, which functions as of the Institute, which is now
an autonomous body under the promoting a more inclusive
Department of Industrial Policy and green approach to design,
and Promotion of the Ministry unlike the last four decades
of Commerce and Industry, – when it channelled creative
is listed as one of the top 25 energy to build a dynamic army
Design Schools in Asia and of designers who could shape
Europe. It is often described as the temples of a developing
the country’s design backbone, India in three eventful decades
spearheading the design with their specialised education.
movement over the decades. The Institute’s area of expertise
lies in product, textile, graphic,
In the run-up to its 50th automation, transport and
birthday celebrations, NID has interior designs.
Design Policy announced in The programme, conceived enterprises through workshops, The scheme, though futuristic, painting, anthropology” to
2007 that seeks to strategically and conducted by NID sensitisation seminars and direct fits within the ambit of the evolve modern production
consolidate the importance of in collaboration with the interventions over a period of institute’s conceptual motto designs.
design in societal, industrial government, will help the two-and-half years. of a multi-disciplinary design
and economic development to country’s micro, small and programme – both in terms of “The growing speed of
improve the quality of products medium industry sectors move The school is also helping education and outreach, Vyas production and training cries
and services; and position India up the value chain by helping the government develop a said. out for some sober unit of
as a viable international design them include design as a G-Mark, a design standard like informed concern sufficiently
brand globally. the International Organisation In a preparatory study in 1958, insulated to act as a steering
mandatory head in the industrial
for Standardisation (ISO) titled the “India Report” by device in terms of direction,
production process.
The NID’s new Design Clinic, certification to ensure qualitative American industrial designers quality and ultimate values,” the
started at an estimated cost of Most micro, small and medium uniformity in designs. Charles and Ray Eames, the Eames couple said.
Rs.730 million ($15 million), industries in India still do not duo stressed the need to “bring
is an unique intervention realise the importance of design “These are the areas where the together all the disciplines The couple, who came to
programme for the country’s in their output processes and NID can play the most decisive that have appeared in our India on a Ford Foundation
thriving micro, small and packaging – thus losing out in role in helping India map a time – sociology, engineering, Scholarship, was approached
medium scale enterprises under the global markets, Vyas said. sustainable, eco-friendly and philosophy, architecture, by the government to assess the
the National Manufacturing The clinics will reach out to market-oriented design course,” economics, communications, need for product and industrial
Competitiveness Programme. 200 micro, medium and small Vyas said. physics, psychology, history, designs in India in the 1960s.
The overall structure of NID’s
programme is a combination
of theory, skills, design
projects and field experiences,
supported by cutting-edge
design studios, skills and
innovation labs and knowledge
management centres. Inter-
disciplinary design studies in
science and liberal arts widen
the students’ perspectives.
The Institute is trying to cash
in on the boom in design as a
sought-after career choice.
Earlier this year, it set up the
India Design Council led by
industrialist Anand Mahindra,
to act as a regulatory body for
The report, a carry-forward It offers professional education
design education, prepare a
of the concerns and strategies programmes at the under-
data base of design institutes
that arose from India’s 1953 graduate and post-graduate
and to guide students and
Industrial Policy Resolution, levels with five faculty streams
parents in helping them choose
further stated: “...We and 16 diverse design domains.
the best design programmes.
recommend an institute of
It has established exchange
design, research and service The Council is looking at tax
programmes and pedagogic
which would be an advanced benefits for design investment in
relationships with over 35
training medium. It would be industry, research organisations
overseas institutions. It reserves
connected with the Ministry and institutions.
10 percent of its seats for
of Commerce and industry
overseas students. To make itself more socially
– but should retain enough
relevant as part of its greater
autonomy to protect its prime The Institute is ready to expand
outreach efforts, the NID is
objective from bureaucratic its footprint to four more
working with the International
disintegration.” locations across India in Andhra
Institute of Information
Pradesh, Assam, Haryana and
The report formed the basis for Design in Japan to evolve
Madhya Pradesh.
the creation of the NID. design-related developments
“The new campuses will be and changes in the lifestyles
The NID has three campuses, independent like the IITs of communities across India,
a post-graduate facility under (Indian Institutes of Technology) as also improve healthcare
construction at Gandhinagar in their operations, but NID- delivery.
◆
in Gujarat and a Research Ahmedabad will structure The author is a journalist.
and Development hub in their strategies, curriculum and Photographs: Courtesy NID.
Bengaluru and the primary infrastructure development,” the
learning centre in Ahmedabad. NID Director said.
Heritage Craft
Kantha
The most popular Indian hand sarees are layered and sewn
embroideries are Phulkari of together. To keep the layers
An Artistic Stitchcraft
Punjab, Chikankari of Lucknow, uniform and straight, weights
Kasauti of Karnataka, Toda are placed on the four corners
embroidery of Tamil Nadu, and the layers sewn together
Dr. BIMLA VERMA
Mirror work of Gujarat and using close running stitches.
Rajasthan, Kasida of Kashmir,
K
anthas are essentially and garments. Excavations have
Chamba embroidery of There are a variety of Kanthas
made from layers of old revealed bronze embroidery
Himachal Pradesh, Appliqué to serve different purposes.
materials, sarees etc and needles dating back to 2300-
work of Orissa, Gujarat, Rumal is a handkerchief.
embroidered in running stitch. 1500 B.C. as also figurines
Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu and Rumals generally have a lotus
It has a number of traditional wearing embroidered drapes.
Kantha of West Bengal. design in the centre with other
patterns based on religious Similar embroidered textiles can
motifs around it. Arshilata in
symbols, tales from epics, also be seen in the Buddhist
Kantha was essentially worked Bengali means a wrap which is
scenes from villages, flowers, sculptures of the second and first
by women and it is still carried used for wrapping ceremonial
birds, animals and plants in century B.C; Kushan sculptures
out only by the women folk books, valuables etc. It is square
enchanting colour schemes. and the frescos of Ajanta.
Dilip Banerjee
of Bengal. Women work on in shape, with wide borders
Since ages hand embroidery has In India every region has its Kantha in their leisure time. A of rows of figures, of humans
been used to decorate textiles distinctive style of embroidery. number of worn-out and old and animals with a lotus in the
Dilip Banerjee
Dilip Banerjee
centre and floral patterns in the background is filled with
the corners. They also prepare running stitch in a scale pattern.
specially designed pillowcases Quilt is also just like Sujni but
which have longitudinal it is always padded and thick,
patterns of straight lines, well designed and decorated
conventional trees and birds. with many colours. It is just like
Besides these they prepare a a blanket and is used in the
most decorated Sujni, used as winter season.
a bedspread. It is rectangular
in shape and has a variety of Sujni and Quilt give full
designs and borders. freedom to embroiderers
to utilise their skill in using
In the Sujni design a lotus in motifs, making patterns and the
the middle is surrounded by a selection of colour schemes.
variety of motifs of creepers,
animals, birds, flowers etc. If the embroiderers wish to
Sometimes the embroidery have a traditional design, then
Dr. Bimla Verma

Dilip Banerjee
Dilip Banerjee
is worked right through with the motifs are traced on the
cotton yarn, the ornamentation surface. The ground of the
done in chain stitch while motifs is filled up with close,
Dr. Bimla Verma
Dr. Bimla Verma
long and short running stitches, peacocks, flowers – lotus from
using thread drawn out from five petals to hundred petals.
the border of the old sarees. They love to make a variety of
Here I wish to mention that designs with the help of plants
Bengali cotton sarees have and flowers. They also make
beautiful borders in many patterns on popular themes
colours. Kantha embroiderers such as wedding scenes, an
are very fond of motifs of lotus, entourage of musicians, harvest
animals – especially elephants scenes, bullock carts, hunting
and horses, birds – particularly scenes, and scenes from the
Dr. Bimla Verma
Dilip Banerjee
Dilip Banerjee
Dilip Banerjee
Dilip Banerjee
Dr. Bimla Verma
Dilip Banerjee
Ramayana, Mahabharata and start from the centre and work old cotton sarees. Many Kantha
other Hindu epics. Sacred round in a circular shape. In items are now prepared with
symbols such as fish, conch, other designs, it starts from the cotton, silk, tussar, monga silk,
shell, lotus flower, tree of life, corners, like the tree of life and cambric, semi cotton materials,
mandala and kalash are also reaches towards the centre. At terry cotton and even synthetic
widely used. times, the stitches are made so fabrics in many beautiful artistic
cleverly that the design appears colour schemes.
In general, embroiderers
the same on both sides and it is
take full liberty to introduce Embroiderers use both
almost impossible to distinguish
innovation in design. Though traditional and modern designs.
the right side from the reverse.
Kanthas have endless motifs Many fashion designers are also
and designs but the “Mandala” using Kantha embroidery with a
The most popular colours are
and “Kalash” designs are combination of mirror or sequin
blue, yellow, red, black or
especially made on festive work.
brown and white. Nowadays ◆
occasions in fulfilment of certain The author is a freelance writer and
embroiderers are using many
Dr. Bimla Verma
vows. photographer.
colours on different coloured
Whenever the embroiderers use backgrounds. Traditionally they
the motif of a lotus, they always used only white or off white
Book Review
REVISITING AWAARA during the making of Aag

and Barsaat had realised the
importance of a trustworthy
Text: SURESH KOHLI team for converting his fantasies
Photographs: S.M.M. AUSAJA
into reality, and how he went
about his mission. So when
“I really don’t think Raj Kapoor next production. But when
Jal Mistry refused to come on
has made a better film than Abbas insisted on the casting
board, preferring to remain
Awaara. I have probably condition, Mehboob Khan
a freelance cinematographer,
seen it a hundred times. In backed out. He did not mind
Raj Kapoor brought in
addition to all the deserved casting Prithviraj but not his son
Radhu Karmakar.
praise heaped on the film’s who had given him a run for
many aspects, Raj Kapoor his money during the making Next, he lured in a reluctant
also made history by featuring of Andaz. Instead, he wanted M.R. Archekar “skilled in
four generations of our family to cast his favourite, Dilip photography, lithography, portrait
of actors – from my great- Kumar. When Raj Kapoor heard painting and draughtsmanship”
grandfather, grandfather, father, of the incident, he approached to the world of arc lights;
uncle and finally to me,” says Abbas for a narration, and on Shankar and Jaikishen, assistants
Randhir Kapoor in his Foreword the spot bought the script by to composer Ram Ganguly, had
to The Dialogue of Awaara by giving him and Sathe One rupee already redeemed themselves
Nasreen Munni Kabir (Niyogi as the signing amount. There with the music of Barsaat. A
Books). But before one talks is also then the tale of how the bus conductor doubling up as
about the import of this three- giant Pathan, Prithviraj Kapoor a poet, Hasrat Jaipuri, whom
in-one language script edition was roped in through clever he met at a mushaira and was
until one day much to his shock
(Hindi, Urdu and Roman) word-play to essay the role of impressed by his lyric Jiya
and dismay, his own wayward
in preserving or reinventing a father at a time when he had bekaraar hai and the Marxist
son was booked for robbery.
immortal Bollywood movie lore, been essaying the roles of the railway employee, Shailendra
The story dealt with the theme
or the elegance and aesthetic leading man. were the next inducts. Some
but limited itself to a father-son
production values, it is important others were brought up from
conflict. Abbas narrated the The prime reasons for the
to recall a little bit of the film’s the Prithvi Theatre staple to
story to his publicist friend, longevity and magic of Awaara
pre-production history. complete the back-up team.
and collaborator, V.P. Sathe and were the novelty of theme,
With a dotting heroine, Nargis
Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, a converted it into a screenplay casting, taut script, simple, the paying-public pronounced flashbacking on the mind’s
and a committed writer in
well-known Urdu writer, and a keeping in mind the casting of meaningful dialogue and it a hit, the industry folk had screen the visual interpretation
Abbas, Raj Kapoor was destined
journalist in the 1950s first wrote Prithviraj Kapoor, and his rising imaginative direction. In Abbas’s declared it a flop on the night of of the screenplay, and the
to scale great heights of
a short story about heredity actor son, Raj Kapoor. The idea own words: “Raj Kapoor took the film’s premiere – though it subtle touches that, according
success to be eventually called
and environment that had been of this casting coup came from two years to produce Awaara. was not the first or the last time to Abbas, Raj Kapoor introduces
‘the Great Showman’.
culled out of a real life incident the Prithvi Theatre production It was a unique production – it the box office returns vindicated without compromising
from the illustrious family’s Pathan in which the father-son had all my scenes and dialogue, the maker’s faith in his product the narrative structure. In “Following an intense year of
history. The poet Maulana Hali duo had first worked together. but it was embellished by – or even vice versa. the introductory chapter pre-production, the filming of
was Abbas’s great grandfather. Raj Kapoor’s own comedy appropriately called ‘The Road Awaara began on Raj Kapoor’s
But this story was related to When Mehboob Khan, basking touches, songs and dances The Dialogue of Awaara is an to Awaara’, Nasreen Munni twenty-fifth birthday (14
his deceased uncle, a Sessions in the glory and success of which Raj made pertinent to the elegantly produced profusely Kabir brings alive the evolution December 1949) at Rang Mahal
Court Judge who strongly Andaz, heard the story he story – specially the reel-song illustrated coffee table book, of the quick-learner Raj Kapoor Studio in Dadar. The entire
believed in genetic nobility, wanted to take it up as his ‘dream sequence’.” And before the stills from the film literally as a complete film maker who Kapoor family was present to
see him film the mahurat shot murder of Judge Raghunath (the
of Prithviraj offering prayers,” excellent Prithiviraj Kapoor),
notes Kabir and goes on to state the thief Raj (Raj Kapoor) has
that the “biggest challenge Raj for his defence lawyer the love
Kapoor faced was in bringing of his life, Rita (Nargis), who
alive the dream sequence which also happens to be Raghunath’s
was always part of the original ward. Following Rita’s
screenplay. R K Studio was still interrogation, both Raghunath
under construction in those and Raj are forced to reveal
days, but Raj Kapoor wanted past events. The story unfolds
the dream sequence to be the in two flashbacks: the first
first scene filmed there – even shows how Raghunath came to
if it meant building the sets on abandon his wife (Leela Chitnis)
a roofless stage.” The famous and their unborn child who
nine-minute song sequence turns out to be Raj – a fact both
was choreographed by Madame father and son are unaware of takes to crime (the bandit had soundtrack and reproduced it original screenplay of Henna,
Simkie, a French dancer who (‘Kya aap bata sakte hai aap kidnapped the pregnant wife of in Hindi, Urdu and Romanised for the launch of which Raj
had worked with Uday Shankar. ne kyon aur kis haal mein apni the Judge Raghunath to avenge Hindi while the English Kapoor had done all the
The title song Awaara Hoon patni ko ghar se bahar nikala’ his punishment at the hands of translation attempts to retain paperwork, had again been
“remains by far the most famous in Nargis’s shrill voice still Raghunath).” the intelligent layering of Abbas’s brainchild (though not
Indian song in the world.” reverberates in memory). The the original” it “also includes acknowledged in the credit
The purpose behind the book extensive endnotes that provide titles of the film) though its
second reveals how the ten-year is to bring alive for posterity
Kabir best reconstructs the story old Raj, under the influence of information and commentary.” direction by Randhir Kapoor
and preserve in permanent Nothing gets left out as the after his father’s death left a
thus: “On trial for the attempted the bandit Jagga (K.N. Singh), form the wonderful screenplay original narrative unfolds itself lot to be desired). The K.A.
and dialogue by K.A. Abbas script and dialogue wise while Abbas-Raj Kapoor team lasted
– based on a story by Abbas the photographs provide the four decades. The coincidence
and Sathe (it should have visual graph in the absence of their deaths, (as if their souls
been the other way round, of actual footage. The colour were to meet again in heaven),
Nasreen!). The Hindustani photographs of the R K Studio being separated by exactly one
(a mix of Urdu and Hindi) by New York based Adam year – Abbas breathed his last
dialogue is smart, witty, full Bortos not only lend credence in a suburban Mumbai nursing
of irony and abounding with to the legacy of Raj Kapoor but home on 1 June 1987, and
an elegant use of language… also to the immortality of his Kapoor’s still body was shifted
The dialogue also has an cinema. Raj Kapoor had himself from a New Delhi hospital to
early use in Hindi cinema of conducted the first tour of the the R K Studios on 2 June 1988.
a character catchphrase which complex, and the Sanctum Abbas died at the age of 73
later “became hugely popular Sanctorum for the benefit of while Raj Kapoor met his end
in Hindi films and the dialogue the present writer way back in at 63 – both in a semi-comatose
of many films are remembered the mid-seventies, memories of state.
thanks to a catchphrase.” ◆
which still sometimes return to The author is a documentary film maker.
haunt one.
The book has “meticulously
transcribed the entire dialogue Flashbacking, certain similarities
and song lyrics of the original stare one in the face. The
Puppetry Today
Dreaming a New Future
CHANDANA DUTTA
I
t was almost thirty years back when I first read an article on
puppetry in Target – a popular children’s magazine. My interest
stemmed from the fact that it featured my brother and some of
his friends, receiving hands-on training on making puppets from
the renowned and iconic puppeteer Dadi Pudumjee. Though I was
overwhelmed by the joy of sibling celebrity, the field of puppetry
held immense interest for me even in those early days. With time,
I have come to know the art form and its pioneering practitioner
Masked figures (below) and a contemporary dance and puppetry collaboration on three characters
from the Mahabharata – Krishna/puppet, Gandhari and the dead.
Dadi Pudumjee
Vipul Sangoi
better. What follows is a brief that portrays life and for the Academy of Performing
overview of a form which has scholar a never-ending source Arts in Ahmedabad that he
deep roots in the narrative of tales and images linking and encountered the vast gamut
traditions of this country, stimulating our subconscious. of techniques and styles of
which has seen far-reaching But, for the puppeteer, it is Indian puppetry under the late
transformations over time a sacred image that should Meher R. Contractor. Later, in
and which has managed to not be taken in jest as just the mid-seventies in Sweden
overcome a phase of dormancy another inanimate object that under Michael Meschke
to reinstate itself afresh in is temporarily brought to life, of the Swedish Marionette
popular public taste and elicit a trap that one often falls into Theatre Institute he began to
appreciation that continues to in modern times. For him, understand and appreciate
increase. very much in keeping with the what the form was really all
traditionalist notion, the eyes about. Meschke’s outlook
Puppetry is an art form and of the puppets are the focus to puppetry was radically
Dadi Pudumjee
Dadi Pudumjee firmly believes and the main feature. In India, different, incorporating ideas
in its divine origins. He says, most puppeteers and puppet from various other art forms
for a child, a puppet could makers will, even today, paint and transforming puppetry into
be a plaything, for an adult in the eye at the very end of a means to something and a
Kalpataru – a shadow puppet, object and movement piece based on The Giving Tree.
perhaps an intriguing mirror completing the figures, thus form that did not simply remain
infusing them with life. In many as well as contemporary. For an end. This philosophy had a
Satya ke Pratirup (Images of Truth) – a performance on the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi tremendous influence on Dadi.
of our languages, therefore, for Dadi, and perhaps for many
example in Hindi, Sanskrit and other practitioners as well, In fact, Dadi has always valued
Bangla, the word for a puppet this is also what holds the key the inherent similarities of
is putli or putul, panchalika, to making puppetry a global puppetry around the world and
puttikaa or putulika, all of form, one that originates across still acknowledges the power
which share a double meaning countries in individual ways but of the form he witnessed in
– of the pupil of the eye and which also has a deep-rooted certain other traditions such as
that of a puppet. Many other shared history and import. the Bunraku of Japan and the
languages have similar sounding puppet styles of the erstwhile
variations as well. In fact, the Dadi Pudumjee entered the socialist block which have
English word puppet derives field as a young enthusiast in had a lasting influence on the
from the Latin Pupa or Pupula, 1958. Today he is well known conceptualization and creation
which describes equally well and established as a pioneer of his own characters.
a little girl and a doll. Pupula of modern puppetry in India,
also means the pupil of the but by his own confession, Looking back anew at his
eye. In German the word is in his early days in Pune he first creative phase, he says,
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
Puppe, while the French one is treated puppetry mainly as a “My first job at ISRO SAC in
Poupee. These words ascribe hobby, playing around mostly Ahmedabad was with the serial
to the puppets a quality of with string puppets. He had Hun and Hann where I used
observation, of being able to very little information on the modern puppets for TV. At
look back into the past as well subject and the knowledge the time it possibly was the
as of possessing the ability to that he possessed was limited first puppet serial made for
see into the future, that makes to the puppets of Rajasthan. It TV using puppet-characters
the art form at once traditional was only later at the Darpana specially made and scripted for
that medium and not theatre
puppets shot for it.” Reflecting
on the traditional-modern mix
then and now, he finds that
the traditional forms are rarely
stagnant and where they haven’t
died out, they have surely
changed, some for the better and
others not so. In all, he
considers that puppetry in India
has used its time very well,
with the art form having had a
successful stint and a winning
revival.
As a puppeteer he is joyous,
glad to have made his hobby
into a profession after having
studied it in Ahmedabad and
Sweden. And it is no mean
moment for India to have him
for the last two years as a proud
first non-European President in
the eighty-year old history of
the world body UNIMA, which
is the world’s first registered
international puppet-theatre
organisation (www.unima.org).
To celebrate this feat in its true
spirit, one has to be aware not
only of India and its varied
local traditions but of some
sixty-four worldwide national
centres involved in working
with puppet traditions, their
aspirations and the problems
they encounter, and their efforts
to continuously overcome them.
It is essential as a puppeteer to
be aware of the terminologies
and ideas of the west which can
S. Thyagarajan
Dhola Maru – based on the Gatha Dhola

Maru from Rajasthan, performed with large
masked figures, actors, puppeteers and
traditional Rajasthani kathputlis.
sometimes greatly differ from of the early nineteenth century. themes while simultaneously Dadi also happens to be the
those of the east and near east. In terms of an actual palpable addressing these areas in a Founder-Director of the Ishara
shift in the form, content, story, fresh manner. The first schools Puppet Theatre Trust, started
As Dadi sees it, in India
import, and so on, between the and trends of modern Indian in 1986 to acquaint people
there was a traditional phase,
old and the new, between the puppetry were chiefly from with puppetry. After several
followed by a modern one
first crop of modern puppeteers Kolkata and Ahmedabad, but successful years and growth,
which saw many changes
and the younger ones today, today many young puppeteers the team thought of the Annual
made to the older forms. Then
the major changes, rather work, have taken these ideas and Ishara Festival, now in its
there was a cohesive phase,
seems to be happening mostly evolved new expressions of eighth year. This has grown
where a balance was worked
in the urban pockets. There their own. For Dadi the fear tremendously in scale with
out between the two major
seems to be a far greater need also is that puppeteers today major support from the Ishara
phases, especially in terms of
for exposure for many groups seem to be getting obsessed Puppet Theatre Trust, helped
their content and expression.
to modern and contemporary with technique to look by Teamwork Productions,
Today, there are many young
trends that are also continuously “modern” while overlooking the and some support from the
artistes who are carving a niche
essence of the art form. Indian Council for Cultural
for themselves within the field. evolving. There is an urgency to
Relations, the Sangeet Natak
However, some others are stuck create our own, individualistic
Dadi Pudumjee
Transposition – based on a Vikram Betal Akademi, the National Centre
in the past or in the beginnings vocabularies, contexts and story and Thomas Mann’s Transposed Heads,
performed with dancers, puppets and for Performing Arts and the
masks (right & below). Ford Foundation. Besides its
Giant processional puppets for Commonwealth Youth Games, Pune
Dadi Pudumjee
Sanjoy Roy
own productions, the Ishara After much hard work, puppetry in the last two years where has languished unnoticed for
Trust has been working with now seems indeed to have too it has seen great success. many years.
collaborators and agencies, managed to “break even,” Now Dadi is working hard on
producing puppets and masks with its audience willing to a plan to take it around other There are, of course, some
for various TV and video pay to enjoy themselves. It cities of India. The Ishara cautionary points, the most
programmes and events. It has seems, therefore, well on its Festival has definitely created important perhaps being to
spread the use of Muppets and way to being a commercially a platform for puppeteers to come to a happy balance
Marrots in education through sustainable art form. Having showcase their work in India between the modern and the
folk tales and satires. Ishara also witnessed eight years of but the puppeteers are sure traditional. Though the modern
conducts workshops in various encouragement from audiences that they will still need support successes of puppetry have
forms of puppetry, for children, in Delhi and Gurgaon, the team from government authorities, given a boost and focus in
adults and theatre groups. at Ishara was encouraged to cultural organizations, corporate some ways to the traditional
Dadi’s ultimate ambition is to extend the Festival to Mumbai houses, and other suchlike styles and artistes in India,
modernize the art to a degree institutions in order to ensure certain practitioners take
Haran Kumar
when puppet theatre can Simple Dreams – a visual poem on life and a fulfilling future and a world- recourse to the very strong
nature (left) and Chunouti (The Challenge)
become an acceptable medium – a performance to create awareness against
class presence for a form that techniques of the older ways
of education by itself. HIV and Substance abuse (below).
Giant Puppets in a dance and performance piece
Dadi Pudumjee
Dadi Pudumjee
Vipul Sangoi
Anay Mann
Dadi Pudumjee with old man Parsee puppet (left) and in a contemporary dance & puppetry collaboration
Dadi D. Pudumjee, Managing Artistic Director and Founder in the use of puppetry for
Trustee and Artistic of Sutradhar Puppet Theatre, education and entertainment,
Director of the Ishara Shri Ram Center for Art and both in India and abroad.
Dadi Pudumjee
Puppet Theatre Trust, is Culture, New Delhi; Curator His performances and
currently the President of Man, Mask and Mind workshops have taken him
of UNIMA. He trained in Exhibition of Masks, IGNCA, to Europe, USA, Russia,
Visual Communication from New Delhi and Festival Japan, Canada, Indonesia, Nukad Natak (Neighbourhood Drama) – a It may be apt to conclude with
the National Institute of Director, Sangeet Natak Iran, Turkey, Singapore, masked performance to create awareness
against HIV and Substance abuse (above); Dadi’s own words on what
Design, Ahmedabad, and Akademi, National Puppet Brazil, Australia, UK, Sri Ishara Workshop – giving life to the puppet puppetry means to him as an
(right) and masked figures (right below).
subsequently in puppet Festival in March 2003. He Lanka and China amongst art form. “I consider myself to
theatre from the Darpana has received the Sangeet others. Considered one of be at par with a painter, writer
Academy of Performing Arts, Natak Akademi National India’s most creative and without giving credit to it. This or dramatist who uses new
Ahmedabad, the Marionette Award for work in puppetry, modern puppeteers, he displaces the respect due to techniques in a given context
Theatre Institute Stockholm, the Sanskriti Pratisthan combines puppetry with each style. At the same time, to elevate his work to universal
Sweden and the Vår Theatre Award for Puppetry, the dance, theatre and the allied traditional puppeteers also and contemporary levels of
Dadi Pudumjee
Stockholm, Sweden. Among Delhi Natya Sangh Award arts. He works with socially need to understand that times acceptability. If this art form
his numerous professional for Puppetry and the Delhi relevant themes using are changing and they need remains static it will definitely
positions have been Guest Parsee Anjuman Cultural puppetry and object theatre to be conscious enough to lose its audience.” And it is this
Director, Puppen Theatre, Award. He has worked and and has been commended for evolve their styles, techniques stasis that he is trying to work
Berlin; Pedagogue at Vår collaborated with several the creative synthesis of the of production, the quality of against.
◆
Theater Stockholm, Sweden; individuals and organizations medium and the message. manipulation and storytelling to The author has worked as Assistant
fit in with audience tastes. It is Director for the publishing wing of Katha,
a pioneering non-profit venture in the field
urgent, therefore, for all those of translations, set up the publishing outfit
involved with the form to grasp Indialog of which she was the Chief Editor,
and has also been Editor, Indian Horizons,
well the language of puppetry a quarterly journal on art and culture
as well as the vocabulary of the published by the Indian Council for Cultural
Relations, New Delhi.
times.
Tribute
Avinash Pasricha
Bismillah
&
Benaras
JUHI SINHA
M
y team and I had been
in Benaras for the last
seven days, of which
two, had been spent waiting
to meet Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Our shooting of Benaras
town, river, the ghats and the
Ramnagar fort was over, but
our meeting with Bharat Ratna
Ustad Bismillah Khan was still
pending, and I could not leave
Benaras, without meeting,
its most famous personage,
Bismillah Khan. Finally, when
I had almost given up hope, I
got a call to say that I had an
Juhi Sinha
Benaras: Temples, Mosque and Ghats.
appointment with Khan Sahib at power. His advice to his men at evening soirees and
eleven the following morning. grandson was simple – “No some of India’s most talented
health, no breath, no music.” singers hailed from Dal Mandi.
Born on the 21st of March
Thus began Bismillah’s strict Fascinated by the snatches of
1916, in the small town of
regimen of exercise on the music that wafted out from
Dumraon, in Bihar, in Eastern
banks of the Ganga. ‘Kushti’ their homes, Bismillah narrated
India, Bismillah’s father and
or wrestling was an ancient how he would pause outside
grandfather before him were
practice of Benaras, and each home, enjoying the songs
Shehnai players at the court of
Bismillah made it a part of his and their distinctive melodies.
the ruler of Dumraon. When
daily routine; after hours of In later years, many of these
Bismillah Khan was four, he,
music practice, exercise, a bath became a permanent part of
his mother, and elder brother,
in the river he then headed his repertoire, and he played
Shamsuddin moved to Benaras
home for another round of them even at formal concerts.
to live with Bismillah’s maternal
‘riyaz’. It was during his walk through
grandfather and his family.
Dal Mandi that Bismillah Khan
Bismillah’s father, Paighamber
On his way home, Khan Sahib smoked his first surreptitious
Avinash Pasricha
Bux felt that Benaras, as a major
passed through Dal Mandi, a cigarette “A Wills!” he said, his
centre of music and the arts
locality famous for its singers. eyes sparkling with remembered
would offer better opportunities
The women here entertained glee.
for his sons. Moreover, their
uncles in Benaras were well
He was, after all, eighty-seven Ali Baksh, a skilled Shehnai
known Shehnai players and
years old. player who played regularly
could guide the two brothers in
at the Vishwanath Temple. As
the world of music. The first thing that struck me
was the custom, the deities
about Khan Sahib was his smile
On my way to meet Bismillah of many temples in Benaras
– it was warm, spontaneous
Khan, I travelled down the were ‘awakened’ at dawn, by
and creased the corners of his
narrow road in Benia Bazar, the auspicious music of the
eyes, in genuine amusement.
which led to an unpretentious Shehnai. Ali Baksh took his
Soon my camera began to roll
house that looked at least a nephew under his wing, and
and Khan Sahib began to talk.
hundred years old, which in fact introduced him not only to
It was immediately obvious that
it was. In the living room, I was music, but to the many culinary
he was a born raconteur – he
greeted by Khan Sahib’s son-in- delights of Benaras. The town
loved telling a story – from
law and secretary Javed, and the was famous for its sweets,
mischievous anecdotes of
second of his five sons – Nayyar and Bismillah loved the many
his childhood, to his days
Hussain. The room was cold, delicacies that the city offered.
of adolescence, his spiritual
and I was glad to learn that Uncle and nephew specially
experiences along the banks of
Bismillah Khan was upstairs on enjoyed ‘mallaiya’, a light
the Ganga, his forthright views
the rooftop terrace. My team frothy concoction of cream.
on music and his conviction of
and I, were taken upstairs to But on a visit to Dumraon,
its divinity. “Music, Sur, Namaz
meet Khan Sahib. He lived in Bismillah’s grandfather, Rasool
– they are all the same. They all
the single room on the terrace, Bux warned him of the pitfalls
Avinash Pasricha
lead to Allah!”
as moving up and down the of over indulgence, more
narrow old fashioned stairs, was Khan Sahib’s guru and mentor so since Shennai playing
difficult for his arthritic knees. was his maternal uncle, Ustad demanded tremendous lung
As Khan Sahib grew into his anything he had ever seen –
teens, he, like his ‘Mamu’ Baba Vishwanath’ standing tall
(maternal uncle) before him, beside his Shehnai – he asked
would get up at 4-30 a.m., walk Khan Sahib to play for him, but
to a small room high above the the terrified young boy could
banks of the Ganga, and start not. The apparition laughed
his daily practice. and blessed Khan Sahib telling
him that he would enjoy life.
“On one side was the temple of Throughout his life, Bismillah
Balaji, on the other the Mangala Khan believed that it was the
Maiyya temple. There was blessings of Baba Vishwanath
Gangaji flowing below, and, in that he had received. And
between all these sacred sites, blessings or ‘dua’ was the
I practiced my Shehnai every most precious thing a man
morning in the pre-dawn quiet.” could have, which “not even
a thousand men” could take
And it was here that Khan
away.
Sahib had his first, and
most unforgettable spiritual Benaras gave India many great
experience. He saw an artists – but only a few chose The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh releasing the commemorative postage stamp on Ustad Bismillah Khan in New Delhi on
apparition – ‘more beautiful than to live there throughout their August 21, 2008. The Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Shri A. Raja and the Minister of State for
Communications & Information Technology, Shri Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia are also seen in the picture.
lives. But Bismillah’s attachment My meeting with Bismillah On 21st of August 2006,
to the town and to the river Khan was over, and as I left Bismillah Khan passed away.
Ganga, was such a strong I knew that I would always The nation mourned the loss
emotional bond, that for him to feel privileged that I had met, of one of the greatest artists of
leave Benaras was unthinkable. not only one of the greatest India. He was honoured by a
Many cities beckoned but his artists that India had, but a 21-gun salute and the Indian
heart remained firmly anchored man of such extraordinary flag flew at half mast. Tributes
in Benaras. Once on a visit to and disarming simplicity. His poured in from across the
the United States of America, monumental stature as an artist, world, and all the television
a wealthy admirer asked his enormous success in the channels carried live coverage
Bismillah Khan to live in the world of music, was at complete from Benaras. I, too, shared
USA permanently. Anything that variance with his persona and the outpouring of grief, but
Bismillah could want would lifestyle. He won every national somehow my enduring memory
be provided for, he promised. award, including the country’s of Bismillah Khan was of the
Bismillah then asked him, if he highest civilian award the man I had met in Benaras, a
could bring Gangaji, the Shiva Bharat Ratna, and every concert man who had lived a full life,
temple and his mosque to the earned him large sums. Yet his and at nearly ninety, could still
USA? If not, then nothing could own needs were minimal. His smile at the vagaries of life and
persuade him to leave Benaras, earnings supported not only the world.
Avinash Pasricha
◆
for wherever he traveled in the his large, immediate family but The author is a documentary film maker.
world, he said, his heart was many other deprived families in
always in Benaras. the neighbourhood.
lived life on her own terms, body proudly erect and moving
Mother and Daughter undaunted by its vicissitudes.
“Destiny wove my fate with
with a queenly gait) adds, “Her
mother brought her to me as
Where Dance is Life Dance. Otherwise, how does a little girl. Seeing her shoes
one explain the happenstance resting on the shoe rack tilted,
LEELA VENKATARAMAN of my mother, who was due to more wear and tear on
furiously looking around for a the one side, I decided that the
A
n exceptionally talented mother-daughter combination, good Kathak teacher for me, initial emphasis had to be on
Daksha Sheth and Isha, while sharing the same burning in far off Ahmedabad, (where training her to balance her body
passion for dance are refreshingly different, each a very even the word Kathak was weight equally, on the full feet.
distinctive personality. Daksha has an established reputation as unknown), suddenly ran into Today I can say, she is one of
choreographer/dancer with expertise in Kathak, Mayurbhanj Kumud Behen (Kumudini the best artists I have helped
Chhau and Kalarippayattu. Young Isha, is an expert in fencing and Lakhia, renowned Kathak mould.”
Kalarippayattu, is a dancer, a theatre and film actor as well as an choreographer/teacher), who
having just married a Gujarati, Indeed, Daksha on the stage, is
aerialist, adept at Kerala’s Mallakhamb rope balancing technique. a transformed presence, every
had come to Ahmedabad to
One may be fooled by Daksha Sheth’s casual, unpretentious settle down!” Her primary move of hers, potent with
exterior, However, it takes very little to discover that this slender, Kathak Guru, Kumudini Lakhia, dramatic power and stillness
Subi Samuel
quiet figure, hides a mind of steely resolve, of a person who has (to whom the dancer owes Isha (left) and Daksha (below) in
her regal carriage, holding the captivating poses.
Daksha and Isha in the green room
Devissaro
Devissaro
Dhiraj Chawla
– qualities that a dancer striving and its conventions, Daksha
for years may not acquire. With and Devissaro were soon
her superbly balanced body, inseparable companions,
she is a natural for Mayurbhanj Daksha going to the extent
Chhau, with its elaborate leg (even surprising Devissaro) of
sweeps in the air, with just trusting herself to hitchhike
one foot grounded. Even rides perched on the backseat
while performing in a group, of Devissaro’s much repaired
she always stands out from bicycle, its various parts
the rest of the dancers. It was calibrated many times. A juicy
in the early 1980’s during the twosome for gossip mongers at
prestigious Kathak Mahotsav, Daksha with Devissaro (above) and in
a time, when girls riding pillion
mounted by the Kathak Kendra, Search for my Tongue (facing page). with boys was unthinkable, the
that this dancer in her solo couple decided to get married.
understand the depths of
presentation offered “The Daksha’s parents (father a
tradition. I did not seek new
Seasons”, her choreography businessman, of comfortable
choreographies from Maharajji.
of chaste Kathak movements, means) were not a bit amused,
He is a ‘gharanedar’, (from the
matched to legendary western when she showed them a
tradition), I went to him to get
composer Vivaldi’s score. photograph of Devissaro in
fresh insights into the secrets of
Even as traditional eyebrows his Yogic garb (one of the
tradition, and he gave that in
shot up in mingled disbelief phases in his life), confirming
ample measure.”
and disapproval, most of the their fears about their daughter
younger generation of Kathak But Daksha’s insatiable having made a weird choice.
performers surrounded her hunger for dance experience, A telegram about her mother
backstage with ecstatic cheers. despite all that Pandit Birju being sick, meant to wean
“Creating my own Toda, Tukda Maharaj and Kumudini Lakhia Daksha away from Devissaro’s
or Tihai was for me a matter of had bequeathed, led her to presence, only elicited Daksha’s
great pride and satisfaction. Isn’t Mayurbhanj Chhau, after she calm reply, that there were four
that the best gift a disciple can witnessed Guru Krishnachandra other siblings at home, to attend
present to her guru? It is like Nayak during classes at to mother if need be. But with
parents who feel proud when Bharatiya Kala Kendra. It was time and closer interactions,
their children outgrow them and also here at the much sought her parents soon changed their
prosper. This way of bringing after restaurant on the premises, mind and, to quote Devissaro,
freshness into one’s own art and that she ran into the footloose “After the initial reluctance, my
adding to what a teacher like and fancy-free Australian parents-in-law have been most
“Kummiben” and Maharajji had Devissaro, destined to become sweet and cooperative.”
given me, was soul filling.” her life partner. Sharing a room
with a disciple of Dhrupad Defying her Kathak gurus,
Ask Daksha why she sought Fahimuddin Dagar, Devissaro, Daksha went to Baripada
training under Pandit Birju sold out on Dhrupad, had an (in Orissa), the home of
Maharaj, after so many fruitful amazingly profound knowledge Mayurbhanj Chhau. Sticking
years evolving an innovative of Indian music. Like-minded it out in the district town,
Devissaro
mind, under Kumudini Lakhia, in their independent ways, despite its deep caste divisions
she is quick to reply, “To not intimidated by society (dancers regarded highly were
Devissaro
Devissaro
Daksha in different compositions (above and facing page)
on one side of the river nearer of Kathak. With its delightful Govindlila, to make it suitable
the palace, separated from aerial leg sweeps, Chhau gave for dance. We were exposed
the lower castes on the other me just the right balanced to some of the oldest poetic
side), she ignored disapproving vocabulary to work with.” treasures of this area. When I
elders, asking her to return, choreographed Kathak dance to
since Chhau was an all male After marrying, the couple these compositions, audiences
discipline and not meant for shifted to Brindavan. “I have loved it and soon temples like
a ‘high caste girl’. Learning always taken intuitive decisions, Radha Raman, Banke Bihari,
much from persons like Lal never bothered about the Govindlila – all started inviting
Mohan Patro, a musician who pros and cons. And Brindavan me to perform Kathak as an
knew a lot about the dance, with an octogenarian poet offering to the God. What an
Krishnachandra Sen and others, Kavi Kalyan Sharma, became unforgettable experience – for
Daksha mastered plenty of a haven of opportunities with when dance becomes an
compositions – an American his incredible sung verses. offering, (nritya-seva), its tone
friend’s tape recorder helping Claiming Vallabhacharya as is indescribably beautiful. It was
her to record all the songs. his family guru, Dhrupad, just the dance and me, with the
“Chhau changed my perception Dhamar, the entire Ashtachhap God in front.
and opened many doors for me, poet collection, became
for I had always been fascinated available through him. “I “We made a strange sight, for
Avinash Pasricha
by the idea of aerial movements had a wonderful singer by that time I had had both
with the legs, contrasting with from Barsana, and Kalyanji children and Isha six years old
the completely grounded strength rewrote his own composition and Tao a toddler would pile
Devissaro
Isha in Sarpa-gati (facing page) and in Bhukham
in, with both of us into one them moving around, for years, who came to learn, instead of
rickshaw, while the musicians in a two-wheeler vehicle was being paid for teaching. But
followed in another. We became no picnic and they all escaped despite very difficult times, the
a strange roving, performing serious injury, in an accident. quality of our work and the
troupe – the people giving us Daksha’s father promptly sent invitations to perform outside
the greatest encouragement. But them his car saying, “Use this. the country, sustained us. Our
those magical years abruptly No more two-wheelers for I am professionalism, our lighting,
ended when Kalyanji who was not prepared to hear about any our impeccable organizing
a terminal tuberculosis patient mishap.” skills were appreciated.” The
(we never knew) passed away, troupe is booked to perform
Establishing themselves in
and living in Brindavan became at the Kennedy Centre in New
this land of Kathakali and
difficult. We decided to leave”. York next year. Having traveled
Kalarippayattu, was never going
to several countries, Daksha
Then, the family started on to be easy. Though misfits, they
says performing for Indonesian
another adventure moving acquired a few eager stragglers
audiences has been her best
to Thiruvananthapuram as disciples, “who were on
experience “though we get
(Trivandrum) in Kerala, where our pay role for learning and
standing ovations everywhere.”
after the initial difficult years, being part of the troupe. I think
Devissaro
the couple established a we were the only example of That the heart is where the
beautiful campus. The four of teachers paying the students home is, is apparent from how
Devissaro
the couple talks about their With its blend of what Daksha in awe. Mahishasura-mardini, vegetables – sharing our land
home. “We have planted 600 has imbibed from Kathak, from Bhukham, Kal Chakra, Vastra with creatures, working at our
trees on our campus. We share Kalarippayattu, from Chhau and (work in progress), Silence is a productions for hours each day,
the beautiful land with a family her own movement inventions, Rhythm, Govindlila, Ashtayam, eating satvik food. It is not just
of dogs and cats – not forgetting her works have a unique Yagna , Chhaya, Time Piece, Yoga as an exercise but leading
cobras which often visit us in flavour – of the traditional and – Daksha’s works are in many a yogic life. My brother who
the studio during rehearsals. the contemporary mingling in a different manifestations. It is is part of a Band, and great at
We slowly shoo them away and new garb. ‘Sarpa-gati’ in 1996, as if the vitality and rawness rhythm, and I, love this life.”
they quietly leave, and we carry with Isha and her male partner of folk idioms vibes with the
How does it compare with a
on with the work. Everybody doing Mallakhamb, slithering sophistication of classical forms.
film career?
knows that here no one can kill up and down the ropes hanging In Search for my Tongue dancer
any living creature. We must from the ceiling like graceful Daksha suddenly emerged “So different” she laughs. “In
share this earth,” says Devissaro snakes, now entwined and now from under a mound of dry my studio I would not think
decidedly. unentangled, had the audience leaves in a dramatic move. twice about taking a broom and
Period costume, lights, music cleaning up the dance floor.
Daksha in a striking posture conceptualization and aural I can’t do that while rehearsing
direction come from Devissaro. for a film. But I do not care for
Calling herself a gambler by glamour like that. Life is too
nature, Daksha admits to being short. I want to live it fully – the
comfortable with uncertainty. more skills I gather, the better.
“I enjoy success, but I do not I give my best to whatever I am
fear failure”. doing.”
The children of a couple, so Rope duet in Sarpa-gati What about romantic

strongly different from the engagements?
comes the reply “I think of
usual artist world, had to be myself as belonging to only one “Nothing so far. I am too happy
individuals in their own right. category – that of a performing just doing what I want to do. I
And they are. artist. And my mother has do not want to do commercials,
Son Tao, a rhythm machine planned my career that way – I am not making any statement.
when barely two years old, so that I can be ready with any Being myself is important.”
comfortable with playing skill wanted in a role at any
Daksha sums up her career.
7,9, and 11 matras when he time. I do Yoga too, and that is
“For me working is life. I am
had barely begun to talk, is what sustains me through such
not bothered about how one
now a wizard on all types of heavy schedules of work.”
calls it – success, failure.
percussion instruments. “What do you regard as your I am never after a fashionable
greatest achievement in life so wardrobe or gorgeous clothes.
Ask Isha, if you can get a
far?” I am what I am. The joy is
moment with her, amidst her
in the journey itself, not in
punishing grind of rehearsing “For all times, I value the satvik
reaching some imagined end.
from 6-30 a.m. to 8-30 p.m. life style, in my Kerala home,
Happiness lies in the quest
every single day of the week, if that my parents have drilled
Avinash Pasricha
itself.”
she regards herself as an actor, into me. We work close to ◆
the earth, loving its flavours, The author is a dance critic and has written
who also dances or a dancer a number of books on Indian classical
who occasionally acts, and pat growing our own food and dance.
The Art of was opened officially on July 8, 1930 by King George V, and was
completed in January 1932.
India House, London The most striking feature of the art of India House is its organic
link with contemporary movements in Indian art, especially the
Bengal School. This was due in no small measure to the vision
ASOKE MUKERJI of Rothenstein, who had been active in the Royal Society of
Arts, London. Along with Ernest Binfield Havell (1861-1934), the
W
hen Sir Herbert Baker designed the new building of the former Principal of the Government School of Art in Calcutta
High Commission of India (India House) in London in the from 1896 to 1905, Ananda Coomaraswamy (1877-1947), Lady
1920s, he provided high vaulted ceilings on the ground Christiana Herringham (1852-1947), and Thomas Arnold, among
floor, as well as a huge central dome, as readily available spaces others, Rothenstein founded the India Society on 13 January, 1910
for decoration. India’s High Commissioner, Sir Atul Chatterjee, who in order to encourage an appreciation of Indian fine art. It was
had proposed the building of India House in 1925, was persuaded Coomaraswamy who introduced Rothenstein to the works of one of
by Sir William Rothenstein (1872-1945), the Principal of the Royal the leading artists of the “Calcutta” school, Abanindranath Tagore.
College of Art in London, to select artists from India to paint
Rothenstein recounts in his essay, “An Indian Pilgrimage”, how his
these vacant spaces in the reception areas of the new building.
decision to travel to India in 1910 to see Indian art for himself was
The actual painting of the murals began only after the building
due to Lady Herringham. Prior to his visit to India, Rothenstein had
The western Quadrant painted by Sudhansu Sekhar Choudhury The Eastern Quadrant was painted by Lalit Mohan Sen
Childhood (Balyavastha) by Dhirendra Krishna Deb Barman Work (Karma) by Dhirendra Krishna Deb Barman
been warned by Sir Richmond Ritchie, Secretary in the Political which became known as the “Bengal School”. They looked to
and Secret Department at the India Office, that his “sympathy for ancient murals and medieval Indian miniatures for inspiration in
Indians and for things Indian would encourage the Nationalists” but their choice of subject matter and in the use of materials such as
he did not heed this advice. tempera. Significantly, these styles and influences were to find
exquisite expression in the art of India House twenty years later.
Rothenstein’s visit to Benaras left vivid impressions on him, “the
crowded, coloured, agitated scene” reminding him of “a classical It was at Jorasanko, in February 1911, that Rothenstein first met
city; of Corinth or of Carthage; and again, in the densely packed Abanindranath’s uncle, Rabindranath Tagore, Rothenstein was
streets, of medieval Rome”. His painting “Sunset at Benaras” was deeply impressed by Rabindranath, whom he described as “one
presented to India House after the building was opened in 1930, of the most remarkable men of this time”. The meeting between
and hangs in the Nehru Hall of the building today. the Indian poet and the British artist was to prove significant
When he reached Calcutta, Rothenstein was met by Abanindranath in propagating the appeal and creativity of Indian nationalist
Tagore, along with his brother Goganendranath, who took him thought in the West. Rabindranath visited England during 1912 and
to their family home, Jorasanko. Rothenstein interacted with the 1913. On board the ship, he took up the poems of his Gitanjali,
artists of the Indian Society of Oriental Art in Calcutta. Apart filling up a notebook with translations of the collection from the
from Abanindranath and Goganendranath Tagore, this group original Bengali into English. Soon after his arrival on June 16,
included Nandalal Bose and Asit Halder. Abanindranath and his 1912 Tagore sought out Rothenstein, who took the notebook of
contemporaries had popularized their contemporary art movement, English-language translations of poems from Tagore and had copies
Each of the artists was relatively unknown, yet their paintings were
imbued with the spirit of contemporary Indian art and technique.
Lalit Mohan Sen, born in the town of Nadia in Bengal in 1898, had
moved to Lucknow in 1912. After studying mural art at the Royal
College of Art, London, in 1926, he had returned to Lucknow to
work as Superintendent, Drawing and Teacher’s Training Class
in 1929. That same year, Sen had been chosen to decorate the
Viceroy’s House – today, Rashtrapati Bhawan – in New Delhi,
subsequently appearing in the competition for painting murals in
India House.
Ranada Charan Ukil was the youngest of the famous Ukil
brothers. Sarada Ukil (1889-1940), had been an early student of
Abanindranath Tagore, coming to Delhi in 1918 as the first Arts
teacher of Modern School, located at 24, Daryaganj and run by
Sarada’s friend Lala Raghubir Singh. The Sarada Ukil School of Art
was established in Delhi, in 1926. Two years later, through the
“active and keen initiative of the illustrious Ukil brothers, Sarada,
Barada and Ranada”, the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society
(AIFACS) was founded in New Delhi, to “propagate art and culture
in India and abroad, and to look after the upliftment of artists in
India in particular”.
Dhirendra Krishna Deb Barman, born in 1903, studied art at
Santiniketan under Nandalal Bose between 1919 and 1928. He
The magnificent Central Dome
went on to specialize in mural painting at the Royal College of Art
in London. After working on his project in India House, he was
typed. On July 7, 1912 Rothenstein arranged for the poems to be appointed Principal of the Kala Bhawan at Santiniketan.
read at his rented house in Hampstead by the poet W.B. Yeats. On
The floor of the entrance hall has twelve beautifully inlaid symbols of the provinces of India
November 1, 1912 the India Society published a limited edition
(750 copies, of which 500 were for its members and 250 for general
sale) of Gitanjali: Song Offerings containing English translations of
103 poems, with an introduction by Yeats and a pencil-sketch of
Tagore by Rothenstein. Gitanjali won the Nobel Prize for Literature
in 1913. Tagore dedicated the publication to Rothenstein.
High Commissioner Sir Atul Chatterjee referred the proposal for

painting the interiors of India House to the Government of India.
The Chief Commissioner of Delhi, Sir John Perronet Thomson,
chaired a high-powered committee that selected four artists from
the eighty who applied. The successful artists were Lalit Mohan Sen
(Lucknow), Ranada Charan Ukil (Delhi), Dhirendra Krishna Deb
Barman (Santiniketan) and Sudhansu Sekhar Choudhury (Calcutta),
and they travelled to England to be further trained at the Royal
College of Art under Rothenstein.
Sudhansu Sekhar Choudhury, born in 1903, studied under
Abanindranath and Gogendranath Tagore at the Indian Society of
Oriental Arts, Calcutta. He visited Thailand and Cambodia in 1928,
appearing in the competition to select artists for the murals of India
House a year later. Choudhury, who lived in England between 1929
and 1932, had a solo exhibition at London’s prestigious Fine Arts
Society on New Bond Street. After his return to India, Choudhury
painted murals in various cinema halls in northern India.
The four young artists were sent to London on scholarships in August
1929. They visited Florence, Rome and other European cities to study
the technique of painting on plaster. On completion of their training
the artists were employed for the decoration of India House.
They started preparatory work in a temporary studio set up in a
room (with a skylight) on the top floor of India House. It took them
approximately ten months to finish their preparations. On April 9,
1931 the artists began painting. Technical reasons prompted their
decision to use egg-tempera – made by mixing powdered pigments
with yolk of egg and water – instead of oil. In the tradition of the
Bengal School, Indian mythology and Indian history provided their
thematic inspiration.
Roza (The Fast) by R. Ukil (facing page) and

Buddha with his disciples by Lalit Mohan Sen (below).
Varsha (monsoon, July/August) Sheet (winter, December/January)
In the Entrance Hall, two of the artists, Ukil and Choudhury, painted December); Sheet (winter, December/January) and Basant (spring,
eight sections of pendentives depicting India’s six seasons, and dusk March/April).
and dawn. The delicate brushwork in the choice of theme was
In the lunettes of the Visitor’s Room/Reading Room on the ground
beautifully worked around the poet Kalidasa’s lyrical poem
floor there is the poignant legend of Anarkali, as well as the theme
Ritusamhara, or “The Pageant of Seasons”. The seasons were Grishm,
of Shasti Puja (worship of the folk-goddess of fertility) painted by
(summer, May/June); Varsha (monsoon, July/August); Sharad (early
Choudhury. The other two lunettes, the End of Roza (The Fast) and
autumn, September/October); Hemant (late autumn, November/
the theme of Todi Ragini, were painted by Ukil.
On the first floor lobby, Barman painted a set of eight pendentives to The full splendor of the murals of India House is most visible in the
represent the eight phases of life: Birth (Janma), Childhood (Balyavastha), magnificent Central Dome, which is by far the most dominant feature of the
Student Days (Vidyarthi Jeewan), Love (Prem), family life (Grahstha), work building. The murals on the dome merge together harmoniously, depicting
(Karma), renunciation (Vanprastha), and finally Nirvana. four rulers from the history of India. All four artists laboured over a period
of ten months to transform spectacular historical events into richly coloured
In the Library Hall where King George V formally inaugurated the new
murals; 24-carat gold leaves were used for the gold background at the
building of India House in July 1930, Sen painted the lunette Buddha with
then staggering cost of nearly a thousand rupees. The soft, impressionable
his Disciples.
metal allowed for impregnation with various tints and tones, combining
beautifully to create the rich effect visible in the dome of India House.
Shasti Puja (worship of the folk-goddess of fertility) painted by Choudhury
The Southern Quadrant was painted by Ukil, portraying the scene
in which Alexander the Great saluted the chivalry of the Indian
King Porus after the latter’s defeat in the Battle of the Hydaspes
(today Jhelum) River in 326 BC. The western Quadrant was painted
by Choudhury, showing the Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, who
acceded to the throne of Magadha in 322 BC, acknowledging a
morning salute from his bodyguard of women soldiers. Deb Barman
painted the Northern Quadrant visualizing the Emperor Ashoka
(304 BC-232 BC) sending his daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka to
propagate the teachings of Buddha. The Eastern Quadrant was painted
by Sen, depicting the Mughal Emperor Akbar (1542-1605) and his
architect, discussing plans for the new capital Fatehpur Sikri.
Both Ukil and Choudhury painted “Sky and Birds (Balaka)” on the
coved ring above the dome and the dome and the ceiling at the base
of the hanging lantern. These are in a series of eight panels, worked in
light pastel colours, portraying birds in fight in a sky of clouds.
Fittingly, Rabindranath Tagore visited India House in 1931 with
Rothenstein to meet the artists. He was delighted to discover that all
the subjects and themes selected for the murals were typically Indian.
The painting of all the murals was completed in January 1932. The
spirit of Indian nationalism had found creative expression in the heart
of London.
◆
The author has served as Deputy High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom.
“Sunset at Benaras” by Sir William Rothenstein (below) and Todi Ragini by Ukil (facing page)
INDIA PERSPECTIVES VOL 24 NO. 3/2010 112

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Vol 24 No.

3/2010 ISSN 0970 5074

Sketch of India House, London by Sir Herbert Baker, July 1930

Restored grandeur – Neemrana today

Unchha Bagh area (right) and the

churches and statues, situated overhanging balconies. Even

Perhaps it is for their picturesque

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R.K. MISHRA A Syrian Christian born in southern Kerala, Kurien moved to

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Benaras: Temples, Mosque and Ghats.

The children of a couple, so Rope duet in Sarpa-gati What about romantic

High Commissioner Sir Atul Chatterjee referred the proposal for

Roza (The Fast) by R. Ukil (facing page) and

INDIA PERSPECTIVES VOL 24 NO. 3/2010 112

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