Tip on how to motivate your students

Motivation tip for young learners

Face to face with Tehseen Firaqi

in the hollow of my hands

the soulful alphabets on a sheet of paper dance to the tune of the wanderer sitting on the banks of a river overlooking the bridge and makes them fly across distant skies and into my outstretched hands. i wrap them in the hollow of my hands..

Life of Gia

                             Life of Gia

           She knew not what she was. There were far too many shadows around her. The light inside her was a single flame flickering in the winds of change. Sometimes fiery sometimes calm...With each breath she took the flame would dance.

Shadows diverge all around. Seven suns burst them forth, multiplied manifold when reflected

 in the crystal waters of her eyes she searches frantically for the self. Where is she in the quagmire of darkness grey and black and darkest blue?

But the light around her was dazzling...So bright that she closed her eyes when she looked up questioningly at the source of that light. What am I to the one who sees the footprint on the sands of time and that walked the beach in days gone by?

She knew not what she was. A friend. A companion .A lover. Or just a face in the crowd.

Some bonds were undefined, yet chained as concrete structures by norms of life...

Carpet weaving in Kashmir

Kashmir Carpets are known worldwide for their mesmerizing beauty and excellent artistry. The exclusive handmade carpets ranging from superbly crafted wool carpets to the high quality wool / silk blends and the epitome of luxury, the pure silk Kashmir carpets are widely demanded all across the world. Kashmir carpets are quite expensive though nowadays replica designs are also available at cheaper rates. However, no replica designs can match up with the original designs and Kashmiri carpets and rugs are a worthwhile lifelong investment. These carpets reflect the beauty of the place itself. Today, Kashmir carpet rugs especially those constructed from silk are the most sought after floor covering items in the world.

Kashmiri Carpets Rugs Hand Knotted

Kashmir carpets are always handmade. Apart from being always handmade, a noteworthy quality and feature of Kashmir carpets is that they are always knotted and never tufted. The knots determine the durability and the strength of the Carpet or Rug. Kashmir carpets are often woven either double knots or and single knot. As compared to double knotted carpets, single knotted carpets are fluffier. The double knotted carpet pile is less resistant to touch and pressure.

Kashmiri Carpets Art
The carpet weaving craft did not originate in Kashmir. It is said that the carpet weaving technique and style have been acquired from Persia. The carpet weaving initially was very much influenced by the Persian designs, styles and patterns. However in the late seventeenth century, Indian style began to replace the Persian style, though most carpet designs, even today, reflect a Persian touch.

Yarns used in Kashmir Carpets and Rugs

The yarns used are either silk or wool or a combination of the two. Pile is usually wool. While manufacturing woollen carpets, cotton is used as base; silk carpets may have a cotton or silk base. As compared to woollen carpets, silk carpets are expensive. Sometimes silk is used in the woollen carpets for extra sheen. Woollen carpets are soft and make thinner folds. They are more flexible and have the shine of the silk. The knots per square inches in these carpets are high. Silk Kashmir carpets have a distinct sheen with velvety soft touch.

Designs, Patterns, Colors in Kashmir Carpets

Carpet woven in Kashmir is a marvellous piece of art. If installed in homes, these carpets lend their beauty to the whole environment. Carpets are beautified by intricate patterns and marvellous designs. The most popular design of these carpets is the tree of life. Designs are mainly floral or zoological though geometrical motifs are also found. The designs are named after Iranian city like Kashan, Kirman, Ardabil, Meshad, Qum, Faraghan, Hamadan and so on. The colors of the Kashmir carpet distinguish it from the other carpets. The carpet colors are more subtle and muted. Vegetable dyes are used for coloring the yarn. All shades of red, green, yellow, blue are used predominantly. All the carpets are quite unique in themselves. Each piece is differentiated from others by their color-way and other details.

Kashmir Carpet Weaving Style

Carpet weaving technique used in Kashmir is called Talim. It is in fact a blueprint of carpet weaving. It is paper that is covered with interminable rows of twists, curves and hieroglyphs. After learning the design depicted on the Talim for months, the actual manufacturing starts.

Buying Tips

If you want to buy Kashmir carpet it is necessary to keep in mind certain things. As this carpet is very expensive and is one time investment, it is must that you keep the following factors in your mind before purchasing Kashmir carpets

·         Check carefully the material of the carpet. Take a close look to see that the carpet you are purchasing has been made of silk pile on silk base, silk pile on cotton base, silk and wool on cotton base or wool on cotton base.

·         You can enquire the knotting pattern just seeing the carpet from the reverse side

·         Look the carpet carefully and enquire whether all the design has been woven correctly

·         Also whether each motif or element of design has clear, crisp outlines

·         Also feel the edges with your hand to find out whether the edges are smooth or not. 

The loom has silk threads stretched across tightly through which the weaver weaves patterns.

A weaver at work..focus is the mantra

The patterns are first coded on a sheet of parchment.The weaver has to continuously refer to the code so as not to miss out a design.the designs are very well balanced and symmetrical.

Silk threads are imported from China

There are few coded patterns available.The weaver changes colour schemes to create novelty in designs.The codes are inherited from forefathers.

Mughal patterns are in great demand.

Peacock immortalized ..a dream is woven

Omar Khayyam with his goblet ..this pattern symbolizes his love for wine and woman..both intoxicating.

Geometrical pattern in tribal colours

Weaver of dreams..magic carpets.Perhaps Alladin had such a carpet that took him across continents.These carpets are magical in the sense that one sees different shades and hues from different angles.

Michael Angelo

A poem written by the poet , Salauddin Parvez ...it is dedicated to my son Osman when he was two years old..it reflects the bond between my son Osman and my father,Shamim Hanfi.Osman calls him Baba..

   MICHAEL ANGELO

(Ek nazm kahaani Shamim Hanfi ke nawase ko dekh kar)

Baba ek lekhak hain

Burdbaar aur mateen

Unke buland maathe par shiv ke maathe ki chaandni

Mehekti rehti hai

Unke shabdon mein

Anginat  yugon ke gyan gagan

Ghan ghan gaajte rehte hain

Us meethi ghan ghan ko sun kar raaj hans

Jaana chaahte hain,jo maansarovar

Kanwal kaliyon ko le kar ur parte hain achaanak

Aasmaan ki taraf

Baba ka ek nawaasa hai,naam hai Osman

Pyaar se sab use Michael Angelo kehte hain

Us ki umr hai kewal do saal

Nayan naqsh mein us ke sansaar bhar ke chitrkaron ke

Sunder bachchon ke chitr baatein karte hue

Saaf sunai dete hain

Michael angelo ka ek shauq hai,ajeeb,bohot ajeeb

Woh duniya bhar ki saari cheezein

Kamre ki khirkiyon se bahar phenk dena chahta hai

Michael Angelo ki naani,isi wajah se

Hamesha,kamron ki saari khirkiyan band rakhti hain

Phir bhi woh jaane kis pal

Koi na koi cheez zaroor khirki se baahar phenk deta hai

Uski is phenka-phenki mein

Baba ke do nazar ke chashme,teen chappalen,

Paanch kitaben,naani ke saat purse,

Ma ke gyaarah hair pins,aur khud uske

Ek sau ek khilone shaamil hain

Un khilonon mein ek remote se control hone waala

Air india ka jahaaz bhi haiaur ek

Battery se chalne wali, japaan ki Suzuki gaari bhi...

Haan ek baat to bataana bhool hi gaya

Idhar kayii dinon se Michael Angelo bolna seekh raha hai

Ab woh koi cheez phenkta hai to ek

Lammmmbi si “”zoom” bharta hai

Aur ek shabd”Ooper” keh ke

Apni sharaarat se sab ko aagaah bhi

Kar deta hai

Woh oope kyun kehta hai!

Maano uske liye prithvi aakaash hai

Aur ghubbaron aur patangon ki tarah

Har cheez us aakaash mein

Urte hue dekhna chaahta hai

Ek din jab maina ki jhari lagi hui thi

Raat ke baarah baje ka samay tha

Michael Angelo ki Ma,Nani,sab so gaye the

Baba bas sone hi waale the apni study mein

Unhon ne kitaab aankhon se hataa ke

Seene pe bichhai thi

Chashma bhi aankhon se utaar ke

Takiye ke neeche rakh diya tha

Ki unhen...

Aahat si hui...deka Michael Angelo

Dabe dabe qadmon mein unki study mein daakhil hoke

Bilkul unke paas aake tehr gaya hai

(study ki khirki khuli hui thi)

Michael Angelo ne kai baar Baba ko hilaya

Jaag to nahin rahe woh...lekin Baba to

Use dekhte hi sone ki acting karne lege the

Michael Angelo ko jab poori tarha ho gaya itmenaan

Woh so rahe hain...usne apni nanhi munni baahon mein

Baba ke bade se wajood ko

Is tarha uthane ki koshish ki jaise woh unhein

Khirki se baahar phenk dena chaahta hai...

Aur phir waaqai usne Baba ko ek lammmmbi se ‘zoom’ bhar ke

Khirki ke neeche phenk hi diya aur zor se taali baja ke

Khud ko aagah kiya ‘ooper’

Baba ekdam jaise ghbra gaye

Deewan se uthe jaldi jaldi

Harbaraate hue rack se torch uthai

Sutt sutt slipper pehne

Darwaaza khol ke,bohot si seerhiyan utar ke

Jab khirki ke neeche pahunche,

Apne aap ko dhoondne...wahaan koi nahin thha!

(paani ab bhi ghan gha baras raha thha)

Baba bohot der tak yunhi haath mein torch roshan kiye

Gumsum khirki ke neeche khare hue bearish mein bheegte rahe

Bohot der ke baad jab aasman par

Bijli ki ek kamaan tooti aur uska ek ansh

Unki aankhon mein bhi chubha to woh gumsumi se

Bedaar hue...palte ghar ki jaanib...

Bohot si seerhiyan charh ke

Paani mein sharabor thhake thhake,

Bukhaar mein thhore se tape tape

Chheenkte hue jab apni study mein

Pahunche...dekha!

Michael Angelo,

Unka chashma lagaye

Bilkul unhin ki tarha

Kitaab apne seene par phailaye

Unke deewan par

Nihayat itmenaan ke saath so raha hai

Happy Father's Day!!