AVID Learnings, Gateway House and The Mumbai Research Centre, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai present “UNCOVERNING URBAN LEGACIES Tracing the Sindhi & Parsi Heritage of Bombay”
Date and Time: Tuesday, 17th January 2023, Session: 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
6.00 p.m. – 6.30 p.m. Registration
Venue: Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road,Fort, Mumbai – 400001
Speakers: Saaz Aggarwal, Biographer and Oral Historian, Dinyar Patel, Asst. Professor of History, S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Sifra Lentin, Author & Bombay History, Fellow at Gateway House
Mumbai’s diverse urban fabric is built on the cultures and lifestyles of communities that call it their home. The communal diversity can be traced back to the 17th century which saw a flock of traders and merchants landing on the shores.
In the sixth edition of Uncovering Urban Legacies, our eminent speakers will explore the rich heritage of the Sindh and Parsi communities to understand their indelible legacy on the city and its surroundings. They will traverse through Bombay’s historical, geographical, and socio-cultural influences while illuminating the lesser-known ones, pivotally shaping the city.
Come and be a part of this fascinating journey to discover and re-discover the stories of not one but two communities that embraced and enriched Bombay.
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Mumbai Research Centre
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
Mumbai Research Centre
UNSEEN ALIBAUG (A Visit)
19th December 2022 – 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Ex-Chembur
Rs.2,200/- (for members Rs.2,000/-)
Payment link for unseen Alibaug (General) : https://rzp.io/l/AliGen
Payment link for unseen Alibaug (Members) : https://rzp.io/l/AliMem
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Chairperson, Mumbai Research Centre
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Mumbai Research Centre
The Nawab, the Letter and the Novel Dr. Kenneth Robbins, MD
13th December 2022 at 5 p.m.
This is the story of two Muslim feminist sisters Nazli and Atiya Fyzee (of the Tyabji family) and their husbands, Nawab Sidi Ahmad Khan of Janjira and the painter-writer Fyzee Rahamin respectively. When the Nawab took a second wife to produce an heir, Nazli Begum left to live in Bombay with Atiya and Fyzee. After the Nawab’s death, the Begum contested Janjira state’s claim that she was divorced. She wrote a long diatribe to Queen Mary against her late husband, claiming the state's progress to her efforts. All of her charges were expanded in Fyzee Rahamin’s novel "Gilded India". Nazli’s letter and Fyzee’s novel are important early feminist documents extolling the benefit of rule by women over that by men.
Kenneth X. Robbins is an independent scholar on South Asia. His major areas of interest are the Maharajas and Nawabs, minority groups in India (such as African Muslim elites and Jews), and religious traditions (Sufis, the Bhakti movement, etc.). He has published about 120 articles and edited or authored many books. As an archivist-collector, Robbins has curated many exhibits and scholarly conferences dealing with Maharajas and Nawabs in Indian history, paintings, photographs, art, religion, medicine, numismatics, and philately as well as multiple exhibits on Jews in India.
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Chairperson, Mumbai Research Centre
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary
The Literary Club of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai is delighted to invite you to a presentation of the works of the French Nobel prize winning author Annie Ernaux on Monday 5th December 2022 at 5 pm.
The Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai is pleased to present a nature walk with Mr Pracin Subramanian to know more about Mumbai's winged winter visitors. The Bhandup Pumping Station provides access to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, and has long been a favorite for watching migratory birds. The creek and its adjacent wetland and mudflats lie close to the Central Asian Flyway, through which birds like pipits, godwits, eagles, ducks, plovers, ospreys, starlings, pochards, harriers, geese, shelducks, falcons, stonechats, buntings, shovelers and rosefinches migrate south from Siberia. Mumbai's warm climate and abundant biodiversity make it a suitable wintering area for these birds, along with subcontinental migrants like egrets, herons, ibises, spoonbills, storks and flamingos.
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
Mumbai Research Centre
The Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai presents a specially curated visit to the Ambarnath Shivalaya with Dr. Kumud Kanitkar.
Built by three 11th century kings Chittaraja, Nagarjuna and Mummuni, the Ambarnath Shivalaya, on the bank of the Waldhuni, represents the zenith of Shilahara architecture, bearing a distinct iconography with outstanding sculptures. The oldest temple to be built in the Bhumija style, its garbhagriha is below ground, and open to the sky, and connected to the mandapa by a narrow antarala. It is richly decorated in sculptures, delivering a complete iconography of Shaiva and Vaishnava beliefs in stone.
This visit is a Darśaṇa; a mirror of society as it was then, located at the geographical and cultural crossroads, presenting an aesthetic blend of many styles, a seamless blend of reality, philosophy, emotions, and imagination.
The visit will be preceded by an orientation lecture (mandatory) by Dr. Kanitkar the previous evening (19th November). [Poster attached].
Date: 20th November 2022 (Sunday)
Time: 10.00 am to 2.00 pm
Venue: Ambarnath Shivalaya
(Participants to reach Ambarnath on their own)
Dr. Kumud Kanitkar is the author of the definitive monograph on the Ambarnath Shivalaya, and a renowned expert on Shaiva iconography. Her study has been followed by an equally masterly study of the Bhuleshwar Shivalaya of Pune.
Registration:
For members: ₹ Rs.750.00 | Payment Link: https://rzp.io/l/AmbMem
For the general public: ₹ Rs.1,000.00 | Payment Link: https://rzp.io/l/AmbGen
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande , Hon. Secretary
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Chairperson, MRC
- Dr. Madhu Kelkar, Convenor, MRC
