‘Aai-Bo-Kaate: An Experience of Syncretism’
Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in collaboration with Tales Of City presents a ubiquitous one-of-a-kind cultural walk, ‘Aai-Bo-Kaate: An Experience of Syncretism.‘ Intrigued enthusiasts will witness ‘Daastangoi’ and participate in kite making and flying of Purani Dilli on National Independence Day of India, i.e. 15 August 2024 from 4 PM to 7:30 PM. Due to the traffic restrictions, it is advisable to arrive before the time at Jama Masjid, Gate No. 3.
In ‘City As Museum,’ KNMA collaborates with Tales of City to bring an enriching experience of ‘Pantang-baazi’ (Kite flying) in Old Delhi’s skies celebrating the ethos of freedom and the spirit of syncretism. Kickstarting with a session of ‘Daastangoi,’ we celebrate not just the stories of togetherness but also remember the wounds of Partition through ‘Daastan-e-Fahmida,’ the story of an Urdu ‘shaiyra’ (poetess.) The event culminates with fireworks against the silhouette of the Old Delhi skyline, and setting aflame the air-borne lamps of joy and unity, and truly cherishing the coming together of diversity.
Daastaan-e-Fahmida
Dastan e Fahmida is based on the life of renowned Urdu poetess Fahmida Riaz. The story begins at partition when Fahmida’s family (originally from Meerut) is forced to stay in Sindh in 1947. Fahmida therefore represents an identity which encompasses both India and Pakistan and her writings often bring up themes of displacement and the duality of cultural moorings. As she says herself in her ode to Delhi: ‘main kaun hoon maa? Teri jaayi hoon; par bhej naye se aayi hoon.’
This walk is open to all culture enthusiasts. You can easily register on any online platform. Daastangoi Collective and Tales of City serve as the facilitators.
About Organising Partner: Tales of City
Tales of City (ToC) is a cultural ecosystem and community hub that promotes, curates, and celebrates local heritage, art, and storytelling experiences and Indian Ethos. The micro-tourism platform allows you to partake in the immersive journey of each city’s culture, history, and hidden gems.
About Facilitators: Daastangoi Collective
Meera Rizvi has been the backbone of the Daastangoi Collective. She has been an advocate of sustainability since joining. She is a senior media professional based in New Delhi. Namita Singhai is a postgraduate in management and has been associated with the Daastangoi for 10 years due to her love for the language and the ‘Tilism’ of dastans that it contains. She has performed several shows of the tales of ‘Tilism-e-Hoshruba’ and ‘Dastan-e-Chouboli.’
About Kiran Nadar Museum of Art
Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) opened its doors to the public in January 2010. It is a pioneering private museum of Modern and Contemporary art in South Asia, with two spaces located in New Delhi and Noida. It is a not-for-profit institution with an extensive and creative engagement with exhibition-making, educational and public-focused programs, and publications. The museum houses a growing collection of more than 10,000 artworks from South Asia, with a focus on the historical trajectories of 20th-century Indian art, alongside the experimental practices of young contemporaries.
To Book: Click here Image Courtesy – Kiran Nadar Museum of Art via Facebook
