Persian evening

On most days, Bagh-e-Bedil near Mathura Road in Delhi is nothing more than a tangled forest. But on Thursday, the dead poet who lies forgotten in a simple dargah in this park came back to life. Mirza Abdul-Qader Bedil, a 17th century Persian poet lived in India and died in Delhi, and his grave is one of the city’s unknown landmarks.

Qawwals Chand Nizami and group brought alive Bedil’s poetry at a special performance held at Bagh-e-Bedil as part of the ongoing International Festival of the Sacred Arts. Conceptualised by Sohail Hashmi, the event included three kalams of Bedil among other works, all delivered in an energetic, peppy rhythm. “I had tears in my eyes when I was asked to prepare Bedil’s poetry for the festival. We specially learnt his Persian verses for this performance,” Nizami told the crowd that had gathered at the poet’s grave.

Full report here Indian Express

The scared secrets revealed

From A to Y (Ant to Yak), Nanditha Krishna’s new book Sacred Animals of India traces 56 animals and how they were associated with the Indian culture.

The book was launched in Chennai by animal rights activist and MP Maneka Gandhi and received by wildlife conservation filmmaker Shekhar Dattari at a function organised by the Penguin Books India and CPR Environmental Education Centre.“In the introductory part I talk about various issues and the book starts with ant,” says Nanditha. The book also answers the question why animals were made sacred and also about the vahanas to God that are considered sacred.

“We worship Ganesha and the elephant is considered to be sacred. But, what about those in temples which are chained.We treat them cruelly,” said the author, who did a lot of research.By the end of the year, the author plans to launch her other book Sacred Plants of India.

Full report here Express Buzz