The Tragedy Queen of Indian Cinema Early Life and Background Meena Kumari, born Mahajabeen, was born on 1 August 1933 at Meetawala Chawl, Dadar East, in the Bombay Presidency, British India (now Mumbai, India). She was one of the daughters of Ali Bux, a Parsee theatre actor, singer and music teacher, and Iqbal Begum, a […]
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The First Star of Bengali Cinema Early Life and Entry into Films Kanan Devi, born as Kananbala, was born on 22 April 1916 at Howrah, Bengal, British India (now West Bengal, India). She began her career as a child actress, making her debut in the film ‘Joydev’. Early in her career, she worked under contract […]
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The First Lady of Indian Cinema Early Life and Education Devika Rani was born on 30 March 1908 at Visakhapatnam, British India (now in Andhra Pradesh). She was the daughter of Colonel Choudhury, the Surgeon-General of Madras, and the grandniece of Rabindranath Tagore, one of India’s greatest literary figures. Exceptionally accomplished, she pursued higher studies […]
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Poet, Philosopher and Universal Humanist Birth and Family Background Rabindranath Tagore, the fourteenth child of Maharshi Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi, was born on 7 May 1861 at Jorasanko, Kolkata. From an early age, he displayed extraordinary creative abilities that would later place him among the greatest cultural figures of the modern world. Education and […]
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Poet, Philosopher and Universal Humanist Birth and Family Background Rabindranath Tagore, the fourteenth child of Maharshi Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi, was born on 7 May 1861 at Jorasanko, Kolkata. From an early age, he displayed extraordinary creative abilities that would later place him among the greatest cultural figures of the modern world. Education and Vision for Learning Dropping out of […]
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India–Africa Relations: A Renewed Engagement India’s historical relationship with Africa has been revitalized in the 21st century with a focus on functional cooperation. India’s long-standing political support for Africa has been further strengthened through enhanced economic cooperation, including development assistance, functional partnerships, soft loans, and increased private sector investment. First Africa–India Forum Summit, New Delhi […]
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India–Africa Relations: A Renewed Engagement India’s historical relationship with Africa has been revitalized in the 21st century with a focus on functional cooperation. India’s long-standing political support for Africa has been further strengthened through enhanced economic cooperation, including development assistance, functional partnerships, soft loans, and increased private sector investment. First Africa–India Forum Summit, New Delhi (2008) In April 2008, […]
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Harmony of Light, Air and Ornamentation The stone jali, or latticed screen, is one of the most refined architectural elements employed in the design of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Skillfully integrated by Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, these delicately carved stone screens reflect a successful synthesis of Indian architectural traditions with Western classical planning. Mughal Inspiration and Indian […]
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From Imperial Edifice to Democratic Symbol The Rashtrapati Bhavan, formerly known as the Viceregal Lodge or Viceroy’s House, was conceptualized in 1911 following the Delhi Durbar, under Lord Hardinge, the then Viceroy and Governor General of India. The architectural responsibility was entrusted to Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, an architect of exceptional originality, ably assisted by […]
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Symbol of Authority and Spiritual Harmony The Central Dome of Rashtrapati Bhavan is its most commanding architectural feature, rising majestically above the building and crowned by the National Tricolour. Conceived by Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, the dome stands as a powerful visual and symbolic focal point of the former Viceroy’s House, now the official residence […]
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