For reprint rights:Times Syndication Service. Then you have to get into technical aspects, like the idea of form, the spatial aspect, the vocabulary that's used, etcetera. The College is committed to providing equal access and opportunity in employment and education to all employees and students. She has been honoured with Padma Shree in 2006 for her outstanding contribution to the fields of literature and education. This brought her to an interesting conundrum, says Tasneem Zakaria Mehta. Today, museums are more important than ever as safe spaces for critical thinking. During my gap year and for my summer after my first year at Wellesley, I was studying and interning in Spain. The physical and digital come together in many forms, not least because the Museum's entire permanent collection has been digitised. The daughter of Rafiq Zakaria, wife of former Shell CEO and current chairman of Brookings India Vikram Mehta and sister of Fareed Zakaria Tasneem Zakaria Mehta has mentioned so many big names to me in the first 25 minutes of our conversation that I wonder if she knows any regular people. The work was featured as part of the exhibition 'Asymmetrical Objects', curated by Tasneem Zakaria Mehta and co-curated by Himanshu Kadam. I am like the visual editor here and my task is to make sure that the overall product is great.". At the opposite end, there is a large table that displays some memorabilia, thick copies of annual reports and a few programme catalogues, among other things. Im not prepared to think about what happens next. IDEA OF LOVE: All my friends say Im a hopeless romantic. We will notify you when the book is released! In Photos: Bollywood celebs jet off to the Maldives for a lockdown break, Photos: Winners of the 67th National Film Awards, CM visits Shivneri on Shivaji Maharaj birth anniversary, Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta is an art historian, curator, designer, and cultural activist. She's got contacts with those on Page 3 and they support her," adds Deshpande, who says he has an MA in Political Science, done Marathi skits in college and owns a company that manufactures pillows. The colonial wrought-iron table is from Mehta's time in Alexandria, Egypt, where she lived for two years. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Wasim Kapoor: Peoples painter, Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. While the first half of the year saw the Museum get high praise for its various successes, it also had its share of controversy, as politicians threatened to oust Mehta and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation put her on six months' notice. We tailor your experience and understand how you and other visitors use this website by using cookies and other technologies. Mumbai : A City Through Objects - 101 Stories from the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum By Tasneem Zakaria Mehta 2,999.00 inclusive of all taxes Buy Now Or from your local bookseller. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta at Femina Women Awards. Copyright Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment, 1947: Madras Devadasis (Prevention of Dedication) Act passed, New BBC documentary puts Narendra Modi back in the dock, How Pathaan gives secular credentials of Bollywood a new boost of life, Beyond limits: On the Supreme Court order upholding J&K Delimitation Commission, IOC contradicts Adani over terms of port use agreement for LPG imports, Google India sacks 453 people from various operations, Barcelona 2-2 Man United highlights Europa League play-offs: No separating both the sides after a thrilling first-leg. Friday 17 February '12. The Arabian Sea rolls away boundlessly from her windows towards Mandwa and Alibag, broken only by Oyster Rock, a little fortified island owned by the Navy, like a benign Alcatraz. Visiting or Connecting with Mount Holyoke, Copyright 2021 Trustees of Mount Holyoke College. Mehta is currently busy evaluating event and exhibition proposals for 2016. Museum display has moved quite a distance from rows of glass cases but what is the present trend? Its a strong feminist statement when you enter the house, she laughs. Mehta's next six months are quite busy. "Video is an important part of our programming because it is an important form of visual culture," says Mehta, "Now there are a lot of artists who are creating film-based work. But Mehtas fierce love for the modern and contemporaryshes entirely responsible for transforming the fusty Bhau Daji Lad Museum into a dynamic showcase for Indian art todayfinds expression on every wall in her home. View cookie policy. Part of the reason why we [at Bhau Daji] are successful is that we are private-public; and if we were completely private, we would have been 10 times more successful. The book starts with the making of Bombay through maps, sketches and memorials. If you don't make that sale, i.e. With the renovation complete - and an expansion project underway - Zakaria Mehta, who is now honorary director of the museum, is focusing on recontextualising the space; safeguarding its history while encouraging contemporary discourse and creating a platform for public outreach. With degrees from Delhi University in English Literature, Sir JJ School of Art in Textile Design, Christie's in London in Modern and Contemporary Art, and New York's Columbia University in Liberal Arts, among others, Mehta has been deeply immersed in her love for both art and writing throughout her life. of 6. The book was released to honour the museum itself, the contributions of those who were instrumental. The image is a testament of forgotten and marginalised histories. ", Little notebooks and a phone planner are Mehta's tools to keep track of schedules that are planned 6-8 months in advance. What you get on Business Standard Premium? In 2010, she was elected Vice Chairman of INTACH, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage and has been the Convenor of the Mumbai Chapter and member of the Governing Council since 1996. ALSO READ: Forging solidarities across differences: Nancy Adajania. I think thats the main reason she inspires me she has never sacrificed her passion for anyone or anything and has become so successful following it. PASSIONS/INTERESTS: Ive always wanted to study law. Even if she invites controversies, of which there've been no dearth. What doesnt come with an artists name attached marks other milestones from the life of Tasneem Zakaria Mehta replica Louis XVI chairs from Christies London, from the time they lived there; verdigris-patinated scrollwork lamps from their two years in Egypt; ebony Chinese nesting tables and Burmese figurines; Krishna statues by a master craftsman from OrissaIts an art lovers utopia and every insurance companys nightmare. Whats their significance? When they are in town, Mehta hyperventilates if they wear shorts or hail taxis at night. I moved cases up and down. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta is synonymous with the 144-year-old Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum (BDL). | Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement. At dusk, all the fishing boats dock here; and its almost like Diwali, says Mehta. We introduced radical new ways of engaging audiences through contemporary exhibitions and detailed information labels; and extensive education programming targeting different age groups and trilingual audiences. She became editor of the coffee table magazine Taj. Mehta invited the then-municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar for a personal tour, and put forth her suggestion. Subscribe ALSO READ: Woman is as Woman Does: An ode to womanpower. "We want to make a difference in how the public feels about, views and engages with these artworks. Another big exhibition is titled 'Kindred Nations', which is about a relationship between India and America that goes back to the 17th century. Additionally, honesty is important to me because the truth is something that eventually comes out. She exudes true professionalism because he hasn't ever seen her shaken or stirred. bring in the audience, what's the point of the energy and effort?" "Today, I see her as a sedate Lady of the Arts, speaking elegantly about her passion museums. The public-private partnership was formed in 2003, when the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) got together to manage the Museum. Perched on the eastern flank of Colaba, the apartment complex where Mehta lives feels like a Bombay from long ago. Topics I have all my work, my notes, my music, pictures, etc on my laptop.ON YOUR iPOD: I love Bollywood music and Bollywood movies. Her father, Dr Rafiq Zakaria, was Maulana Azad's secretary and a representative from the Aurangabad constituency. We focus on how great we were in the past, but what about today? [9], Zakaria is regarded as a secularist and she took special care to cater to the educational needs of the Muslims. It is fascinating to see a museum take on a current critical issue. You can see the light constantly changing. Mumbai News Live Updates: Congress Ravindra Dhangekar wins battle of prestige in Kasba; BJPs Ashwini Jagtap ahead in Chinchwad, BJP in talks to form govts in all 3 NE states, says development agenda beat Opp anti-minority claims against it, Extremely Compromised (EC) can become Extremely Competent (EC): Oppn reacts to SC CEC ruling, Year before polls, Odisha to start backward classes survey, sets July 12 deadline, https://images.indianexpress.com/2020/08/1x1.png, Our best subscription plan now has a special price, MHADA razes illegal structures freeing up nearly 9 acres of land in Mumbai. We've maintained the ticket price at Rs10 for the last 13 years even though the Corporation has been wanting us to raise it. The models [of professions, ethnicities and religions] had become very popular at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and subsequent showings. The museum industry is still grappling with the long-term implications and faces a continuous challenge to reinvent and revitalise in order to keep up with the quickly evolving times and to create more engaging exhibitions and educational programmes for visitors. The exhibition was curated by Tasneem Zakaria Mehta and Puja Vaish and attempts to trace textile practices, traditions and histories in Contemporary Indian Art. It took me 2-3 years of research even for the restoration of the museum." They thought Indians didnt have the intellect needed to produce a Michelangelo-level sculpture. Last Updated at February 3, 2018 05:58 IST. "I've been doing everything according to the rule book." The Bhau Daji, she adds, was established in 1858 with the aim of showcasing contemporary art of the time. Let me go back in time. Another experience that comes surprisingly in handy at the Museum was her stint at Bloomingdales in New York. 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This work has a particular resonance in the museums space as despite the colonial interest, promotion and eulogising of Indian craftsmanship, the craftsman was rarely acknowledged, and remained anonymous and unrecognised in the museum space. So managing the museum came easy to me." Her elder biological son, Arshad Zakaria,[11] runs a hedge fund while her younger biological son, Fareed Zakaria, is an editor of Newsweek, and host of Fareed Zakaria GPS on CNN. Additionally, the school let her pursue her love for sports and while at the school, she was Sports Captain and represented her school and state at the Judo Junior Nationals Tournament. All rights reserved. Objects are not just about beauty but tell us about the world of the maker and the patron, their intentions, and the hazards they confronted. My husband was chairman of a multinational, so I am very fortunate," she says. The second is Mansoor Zakaria, a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur who is now a partner in a wealth management firm. She recently came under fire by the civic body when corporators alleged that Mehta planned to convert the existing playground into a parking lot as part of the museum's expansion plan. Zakaria died from COVID-19 at the Kamalnayan Bajaj Hospital in Aurangabad on 6 April 2021. Ive lived in a tribal village, interned in a foreign country, and travelled around Europe on my own. The objects presented innovation in design and form to suit new tastes. But perfection can create conflict. Zakaria was the second wife of Rafiq Zakaria, who was an Indian politician and Islamic religious cleric. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta has battled several odds to bring alive a once derelict bastion of culture. She has studied fine art, textile design, art history, literature and political philosophy. She received the award from President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam for her extensive work in the field of education. While Zakaria hasnt reacted to the jab, his sister, Tasneem Mehta felt it seemed Coulter hadnt watched Zakarias program. We start with the ongoing exhibitions, especially 'Games People Play' by the Delhi-based contemporary artist duo Thukral & Tagra. Museums have changed significantly from what they were even 10 years ago in India, and in many ways the BDL enabled this change. Her foyer is now a shrine to feminism, with powerful artworks by Chitra Ganesh, Reena Saini Kallat and Dhruvi Acharya. She has been associated with diverse fields like journalism, social work . [4], In 1963, Zakaria began her career in journalism as a children's columnist in The Illustrated Weekly of India and worked as Khushwant Singh's assistant editor. But she is still here (despite the notice). All images have been provided by Open Magazine. Navigating the spacious sea-facing apartment of Tasneem Zakaria Mehta the managing trustee of the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museumis a bit of an adventure sport, especially if youre a klutz like me. "I loved going on campaigns with my father in the jeep and shouting slogans like 'Vote for Congress!' I have always listened to Bach or Vivaldi but after actually learning how to play the piano last year, I enjoy it so much more. ULTIMATE VISION/DREAM: Ive tried planning my life and realised that things are constantly changing. And what plans are you making for Bhau Daji Lad? Mehta gets innumerable requests for such events but has to decline most. BDL has also hosted several online and in-person sessions on climate change, waste management, land ecosystem, ozone depletion, and so on, which have received an overwhelming response from schools and NGOs. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta is an art historian, writer, curator, designer, and cultural activist. It is very different to the normal path a museum treads. Mehta speaks to Benita Fernando about the connection of the museum to Mumbai and the importance of museums in contemporary India. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta is the honorary director of the museum and has a Board of Management and Trustees that include the mayor and the municipal commissioner of Mumbai. Continue readingFor 24x7 updates on Mumbai and Maharashtra. I have to constantly ask the government to make so many decisions, and that leads to a lot of delay. Buy Now | Our best subscription plan now has a special price. Contents: Education and Career Personal Life Net Worth. A leaders of Indias heritage preservation movement, Mehta has successfully pioneered the revival and restoration of several of Mumbais important cultural sites. Excerpts: How should museums evolve so that they do not become anachronistic? The positions of the curator of the Museum and the director of Sir JJ School of Art were held by the same person for over 100 years. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta Photos. Royalty-free Creative Video Editorial Archive Custom Content Creative Collections. The couple's two daughters study abroad Malika, 27, is pursuing public policy at Harvard and 21-year-old Ahilya is at Wellesley College. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. Today, thanks to Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, it holds its head high, like the monolithic basalt elephant once at the gates of the Elephanta at its entrance. BDL has already hosted exhibitions around this and will continue to engage with civic issues as well as questions around decolonisation, gender disparity, injustice and violence. We do workshops with the craftsmen as well. A bout of wrestling underway as part of 'Games People Play', an exhibition by the artist duo Thukral & Tagra. Pejoratives and putdowns hitting at immigrants have trademarked US presidential nominee, GST Mopup Rises 12% to 1.5 Lakh Crore in Feb, Decathlon in Talks with Indian Govt to Sell Other Brands, Moodys Raises India GDP Forecast to 5.5%, Tasneem Mehta bats Exclusive Stories, Curated Newsletters, 26 years of Archives, E-paper, and more! Could you tell us more about this? When they are in town, Mehta hyperventilates if they wear shorts or hail taxis at night. She adds, "Moreover, we haven't done anything wrong. No other museum has such a comprehensive collection of people of the city. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, Honorary Director of Mumbais Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum and Vice-Chairperson of the Indian National Trust for Art and. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta: The Revivalist. Memorable shows include Reena Kallat's cobweb of sarkari stamps on the museum's facade of anglicised street names replaced by indigenous ones and Thukral and Tagra's interactive games of wrestling, trampoline and cards that visitors could play, among others. Preferential invites to Business Standard events. Ms Mehta is the Managing Trustee and Honorary Director of the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum in Mumbai, a. Plans are you making for Bhau Daji, she adds, was Maulana 's! The overall product is great. `` Zakaria died from COVID-19 at museum! Second is Mansoor Zakaria, was established in 1858 with the making of Bombay maps. Multinational, so I am like the visual editor here and my task is to make so decisions. Felt it seemed Coulter hadnt watched Zakarias program about the connection of the Muslims n't done anything wrong marginalised.. Contributions of those who were instrumental been associated with diverse fields like journalism, social work pick your 5 companies. 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