“Islamic Monuments of India”

Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo is organizing an exhibition of photographs of Benoy Behl and Abhinav Atris titled “Islamic Monuments of India”. The exhibition will be inaugurated by Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem, Minister at 6.00 pm on February 8 at J.D.A Perera Gallery, 46 Horton Place, Colombo -07. Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha will preside over the function. The exhibition will remain open from 11 am to 7 pm from February 9 to 13.

45 photographs of elegant historical monuments of Islamic architecture that are spread in various parts of India will be on view in the exhibition. India has an architectural tradition that travels deep into the history, as old as the human civilization itself; these photographs will definitely narrate how philosophy and the lifestyle prevalent at a partic- ular phase in history affect the style of architecture.

The Indian mainland was exposed to the philosophy and faith of Islam as early as seventh century A.D. Several marvels starting from the city of Delhi, including the celebrated Quwattul Islam mosque, Qutab Minar, the tomb of Balban, Hauj Shamsi, Alai Darwaza , the lesser known but exquisite Jamali Kamali complex and many more are part of the exhibition.

With the passage of time, the regional kingdoms and administrative units, emulating the imperial style, gave rise to a number of variations in the form of Shargi style of Jaunpur, Deccan style of Bijapur and Golcunda, the Malwa style, and several others. The photographs on display will exemplify the regional variations in the Islamic architecture also.

One can also observe how the garden was integrated with architecture as a new innovation that later matured with the Tomb of Humayun, a World Heritage site. Sculptural embellishments are also found refinement in the architectural traditions finding its pinnacle in the tomb of Ittimad ud Daula and finally in the celebrated Taj Mahal at Agra.

The lively traditions that reverberated throughout history including the Charminar of Hyderabad, Tomb of Safdarjang in Delhi, and Imambara of Awadh, the Charminar of Hyderabad, Tomb of Safdarjang in Delhi, and Imambara of Awadh, are a visual feast to the viewer. The photographers have taken much care to bring forth the essential elements of Islamic architecture through the

photographs.