Latest Art & Culture
After Pulwama attack Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar will not attend event in Pakistan

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After terror attack in Kashmir’s Pulwama distric, Lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar and his wife and actress Shabana Azmi cancelled their plan to attend her father Kaifi Azmi’s 100th birth anniversary celebrations in Karachi.
On Friday, Akhtar wrote on Twitter, “Kranchi art council had invited. Shabana and me for a two day lit conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry. We have cancelled that. In 1965 during the indo Pak war Kaifi saheb had written a poem. Aur Phir Krishan Ne Arjun Se Kaha.”
Kranchi art council had invited. Shabana and me for a two day lit conference about Kaifi Azmi and his poetry . We have cancelled that . In 1965 during the indo Pak war Kaifi saheb had written a poem . “ AUR PHIR KRISHAN NE ARJUN SE KAHA “
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) February 15, 2019
In one of the deadliest terror attacks on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, a suicide terrorist from the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad exploded a car with explosives right next to a bus carrying the CRPF soldiers.
- Pulwama Terror Attack: Yogi Adityanath announces 25 Lakh ex gratia for families of soldiers martyred
Shabana wrote on her twitter “@Javedakhtarjadu and I were invited for a 2 day event and we were truly looking forward to it. I appreciate that our hosts–the Karachi Arts Council mutually agreed to cancel the event in the wake of Pulwama attack.”
@Javedakhtarjadu and I were invited for a 2 day event celebrating Kaifi’s Centenary and were truly looking forward to it. I appreciate that our hosts the Karachi Arts Council mutually agreed to cancel the event at the nth hour in the wake of Pulwama attack.
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) February 15, 2019
Akhtar, who had penned the CRPF anthem which was launched in 2014, also took to Twitter to pay his condolences.
“I have a special relation with CRPF. I have written their anthem, before putting the pen to paper I met a number of CRPF officers and whatever I learned, my respect, admiration and love for these braves increased by many a fold. Today I share the grief of the dear ones of the martyrs,” he wrote.
Azmi condemned the attacks and said she stands united with the grieving families.
“Will there be no let to these heinous attacks? These mindless killings. This utter disregard for human lives? Extremely shocking news coming from Pulwama. I strongly condemn the worst terror attack on CRPF convoy,” she wrote.
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Art
Tamil Nadu: Artist designs a 1.5 inch tall model of Chandrayaan 3 using 4 gm of gold
According to a video shared on X, the talented miniature artist from Tamil Nadu, Mariappan, has ingeniously fashioned a 1.5-inch tall representation of Chandrayaan-3, utilizing 4 grams of gold.

An astonishing video showcasing a miniature gold model of Chandrayaan-3 has left viewers in awe. The footage, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), highlights the craftsmanship of Mariappan, an artist based in Coimbatore. In the video, Mariappan meticulously crafts a 1.5-inch tall replica of Chandrayaan-3, complete with a miniature Indian flag.
According to a video shared on X, the talented miniature artist from Tamil Nadu, Mariappan, has ingeniously fashioned a 1.5-inch tall representation of Chandrayaan-3, utilizing 4 grams of gold. Chandrayaan-3’s Lunar Lander Vikram is slated for a soft landing on the moon on August 23rd.
Mariappan revealed that he employs gold to create miniature models during significant events. In this instance, he designed this remarkable model using 4 grams of gold as a tribute to the dedicated scientists involved in the Chandrayaan-3 endeavor. Crafting the miniature took him 48 hours of meticulous work, as he expressed his pride in this achievement for every Indian.
The post, which was shared just a few hours ago, has already garnered nearly 19,000 views and continues to attract attention. A flurry of comments flooded in, with some offering inspiring words, others marveling at the creation’s magnificence, and many expressing their admiration with heart emoticons.
According to ISRO reports, the Indian spacecraft has come closer to the moon and is preparing for a landing attempt at the lunar south pole. Launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, Chandrayaan-3’s journey has reached a crucial stage. A senior ISRO official noted that the final landing maneuver is complex, with the decision to proceed made two hours prior to the scheduled action. This decision can be delayed if unfavourable conditions prevail.
The official further shared that if the landing is postponed, Chandrayaan-3’s operational time on the Moon might be reduced from the intended 14 Earth days to around 10 days. This implies that the lunar south pole landing of Chandrayaan-3 could potentially occur on August 26 or 27.
Art
Watch: Group of Kathak dancers perform to the tunes of Calm Down
Renowned dancer Kumar Sharma took to YouTube to share this remarkable creation, showcasing a group of Kathak dancers moving gracefully in harmony with the melodies of Calm Down.

The captivating and soothing melody of Calm Down by Rema and Selena Gomez has resonated deeply with fans all around the world, prompting numerous enthusiasts to share videos of themselves joyfully dancing to its rhythm. Recently, an awe-inspiring video surfaced on social media, featuring a group performing a mesmerizing Kathak dance routine to this chart-topping track. The enchanting allure of the performance is such that you might find yourself watching it repeatedly, perhaps even swaying along.
Renowned dancer Kumar Sharma took to YouTube to share this remarkable creation, showcasing a group of Kathak dancers moving gracefully in harmony with the melodies of Calm Down. The ensemble cast includes dancers such as Kumar Sharma, Anmol Sood, Rahul Sharma, Eshika Choomer, Meghna Thakur, Khushboo Gupta, Smriti Bhandari, Jidnyasa Kurtadkar, Nandini Sonavane, Enakshi, Yogesh Thombre, and Hriday Parash Kalita.
Unveiled on YouTube on August 4, the dance video has rapidly garnered over 22,000 views and continues to draw in a growing audience. A comment from a YouTube user resonated with enthusiasm, describing the choreography and execution as mind-blowing. The creative prowess demonstrated by Kumar and the Kathakrockers group in their interpretation of Kathak is truly remarkable. Their consistent excellence never fails to impress, consistently offering performances that are invigorating and bring smiles to faces. The admiration for their work is resounding, and the encouragement to continue the exceptional efforts is heartfelt. Three cheers for Kumar and the Kathak rockers!
Another commenter echoed a sentiment of precision, perfection, coordination, and seamless flow. They noted the absence of any misalignment in movements, and how each member’s speed harmoniously synchronized, a testament to the collective excellence of this accomplished group of artisans. The acclaim continued with a third person joining in, expressing awe at the meticulously composed brilliance of the performance. They were left virtually speechless by the impeccable choreography and the tabla’s flawless beats, appreciating the visual delight it offered.
Art
Social media hails artist who creates shadow portrait of Virat Kohli
In the video, Mourya dedicates three days to meticulously assembling a stack of matchboxes and thin wooden sticks, skillfully wielding a glue gun to bind them together. Once the masterpiece is completed, he places the intricate sculpture in front of a light source, resulting in a breathtaking shadow that remarkably resembles a portrait of Virat Kohli.

In today’s world dominated by digital art, it’s a delightful surprise to discover artists who embrace unconventional methods. Shintu Mourya is one such artist who recently gained attention for his extraordinary shadow portrait of former Indian cricket captain, Virat Kohli. What sets this artwork apart is that it was crafted solely using matchboxes and wooden sticks. A viral video showcasing the entire process of creating this remarkable shadow art has captivated audiences worldwide, and it’s easy to see why.
In the video, Mourya dedicates three days to meticulously assembling a stack of matchboxes and thin wooden sticks, skillfully wielding a glue gun to bind them together. Once the masterpiece is completed, he places the intricate sculpture in front of a light source, resulting in a breathtaking shadow that remarkably resembles a portrait of Virat Kohli.
The video, shared on Instagram on June 9, has since garnered immense popularity, amassing over 12.5 million views and more than 1.6 million likes. The post has sparked an influx of comments, with many users expressing awe at the artist’s remarkable talent.
Some users expressed their wish for Virat to witness this masterpiece. Others praised the artist’s unique talent and prayed for his continued success. The artwork was even referred to as a treasure, with one user hoping that Virat would have the opportunity to see the magic behind it.
However, not all users shared the same sentiments. Some suggested that the artist should refrain from gifting his creation to Virat, as they believed that the value of art may not be appreciated. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority marveled at the artist’s exceptional skill and expressed a desire to share the story widely, hoping it would eventually reach Virat Kohli himself. One social media user even suggested that the artist should make portrait of Shri Ram and Lord Krishna