Islam
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‘A 15 feet taziya [symbolic representation of the mausoleum of Imam Hussain (a.s.)] made of abrak [mica flakes],’ a gentleman from Barabanki tells a taziya maker in Rudauli, Faizabad, over the phone while trying to place an order while standing in Lucknow’s Rauz-e-Kazmain (a replica of the shrine…
in Article
An important part of the Muharram celebrations of Muslims as well as non-Muslims, taziya, (Fig. 1) made in numerous forms and types, is a replica of the mausoleum of Imam Hussain (a.s.), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Taziya can be brought home on any day between the eve of the first…
in Overview
He is an alumnus of the Aligarh Muslim University and currently a faculty member at Lucknow University. He regularly writes a column for the newspaper Awadhnama, and has authored books including Lucknow 1857: The Two Wars of Lucknow: The Dusk of an Era, Lucknow Monuments: Conservation Methodology,…
in Interview
Jani Mirza is one of Lucknow’s finest paper taziya artists. Even at the age of 82, whatever he makes every year is bought with admiration and interest by the buyers. Over time, he has tried his hand at many occupations like his father’s kite business, embroidery, as well as watch repair, which he…
in Interview
A taziya, made in numerous forms and types, is a mausoleum of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was killed with about 100 of his men in the battle of Karbala in AD 680 by the then Syrian ruler Yazid’s army. Though the literal meaning of taziya comes from the Arabic word aza, which…
in Module
There is remarkable richness of imagery and while the scientific nature of the visualisations in books such as those in the copy of the Mir’at al Nujum (‘Mirror of Astronomy’) that Prof. B.N. Goswamy came across at a bookstore during one of his travels. He believes that the volume, and others of…
in Article
The observance of the holy month of Ramzan is an important element of Islamic religious practice. However, not many know that the concept of fasting and Ramzan/Ramadan as ‘month of abstinence’ is actually pre-Islamic. Sahapedia traces the history and development of Ramzan as a religious practice. (…
in Article
In Kerala, mahal (mahallu in Malayalam) commonly refers to the local unit of Islamic social organisation, with a Cathedral Mosque (Juma Masjid) at the pivotal position. The origins of this organisational structure are not clearly known as there is little evidence regarding the communal life in…
in Module
Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr are the two primary holidays observed by Muslims across the world. Although both are known as ‘Eid’, there are many differences between the two, including the reasons for their celebration as well as the nature of festivities. (Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Culture [GODL-…
in Article