Delhi
... melting pot of cultures where rural and urban live in symbiosis
Prof BB Lal | Cityscapes - Delhi NCR | Fairs, Festivals & Events | Kaleidoscope
Prof. Braj Basi Lal
(2017)
Archaeologist and Author, Padma Vibhushan Prof Braj Basi Lal is a world renowned Indian archaeologist. He was the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1968 to 1972. From being awarded the Padma Vibhushan Bhushan (earlier Padma Bhushan) to being hailed as a doyen of Archaeology, Prof Lal continues to be an inspiration to many.
In conversation with Prof Braj Basi Lal, our Co-founder Pallavi takes him on a journey back in time discussing some candid moments of his life, starting from the time he joined Allahabad University as a young boy and a UP Govt. scholarship holder, to his accidental diversion towards Archaeology; from him playing the part of 'Shakuntala' in a collage drama, to him receiving the Padma Bhushan Award (now Padma Vibhushan as on January 2021). Prof Lal, in his own inimitable style and pace, takes us through a variety of subjects which have been a major part of his work life; from his run-ins with his Guru, Sir Mortimer Wheeler, to him busting several myths attached (and adapted) with the great Indian civilization, be it the dating of Rigveda or the Aryan Invasion Theory. He talks of subjects such as the wedlock between Archaeology and Literature that solved many deadlocks, the Historicity of Ramayana and Mahabharata, and much more. He touches upon many such aspects of his life and works, and hence our terming this, might we take the liberty of calling -biographical film- , "Life and Works of Prof B.B. Lal". This cinematograph is full of anecdotes from Prof Lal's life and also a great bit of insight, knowledge, shear commitment to logic and process based findings which are sure to open us up to a series of facts that most of us, especially Indians are unaware of.
Braj Basi, here seen at 96 years of age (in mid 2017), is one of the sharpest individuals that our team at Tadaamyaham has ever come across. He is inspiration personified. Ever so careful in quoting exact information contextual to any subject pertaining to the many areas that have been part of his study, be it Archaeology, Epigraphy, History, Literature or Life, Prof Lal baffles us by marrying these with his infectious enthusiasm, his childlike curiosity, razor sharp wit, tearing humor and logic that is hard to beat.
We hope we have done justice on our part in summarizing and presenting our extensive conversation with Prof Lal (spread over 2 days) into these precious 37 or so minutes. This film is produced by 'Tadaamyaham- the Design Studio', New Delhi Supported by - IGNCA New Delhi, Ministry of Culture, Government of India
The film was launched by the Hon Vice President of India (Shri M Venkaiah Naidu in 2019) at his official premises in New Delhi, premiere launched by the Hon Minister of Culture (Shri Prahlad Singh Patel) and presented to the Hon President of India (Shri Ram Nath Kovind in 2020).
'Life and Works of Prof BB Lal' (Film): Assimilation of our conversations with Prof B. B. Lal on 1st & 2nd July 2017
Link 1 Watch a 2:30 minute Promo of the film 'Life and Works of Prof BB Lal'
Link 2 During the filming of biographical film on Prof Braj Basi Lal - "Life and Works of Prof B. B. Lal", we touched upon many subjects and areas of his work that throw great insights on the History of India. Not all could be included in the final film because of the time restraints, yet, we intend to publish as many subjects/talks that were a part of our conversations with Prof Lal, and serve as much credible and relevant information in our times today.
In this exclusive video, Prof B. B. Lal briefly talks on his work on Indraprastha and the archaeological finds thereof during his time as the In-charge of Delhi Circle of the Survey (ASI) in 1954-55.
Cityscapes | New Delhi
Holi, Rangotsav or Rang-Panchami is a festival of colors. These visuals are stitched together from our residential locality, Siddharth Extension (and adjoining market), in New Delhi, Holi of 2018, hand held.
Arti | Holika | Rangotsav
Link 1 | Humayun's Tomb: a Walk in the Park | Time-Lapse An evening walk in the park with a camera for company. Humayun's Tomb is said to be the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent, and is located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, India. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's wife, Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a Persian architect.
Link 2 | Super Blue Blood Moon 31.01.2018, New Delhi 31st January 2018 witnessed a rare treat, a blue moon that was also a super moon and a total lunar eclipse. So we set camp on the 5th floor terrace of a friend's house around our own in the thick of lights, sounds, haze and clouds of NEW DELHI. The drill started at 1745hr but the moon wasn't visible till around 1912hr, owing to the non-conducive astro shoot conditions listed above. We promptly realized that complete documentation of this event went beyond possibility for us here, so we might as well just make the best of what we have in front. Here is the video.
Please note that this video contains both time-lapse sequences, and sped-up videos captured between 1745hr to 2145hr IST on 31.01.2018. Creative discretion and articulation in actual motion of the moon has been exercised in this cinematograph for some clips. Though we collected lots of technical video data, the only place one can find the actual-speed-and-motion footage in this film is in the last sequence (@ 01:32).
More from around our New Delhi residence : Humayun's Tomb - and - Lunar Eclipse 31.01.2018
Heritage Festivals and Events
The most effective component of heritage promotions has always been the cultural festivals and events which boast of significant fanfare. The exposure and awareness achieved through the righful depiction of the living heritage array of a country tugs at the heart strings of the world. Our team has consistently been a part of such fairs and festivals in various capacities. Our work has put a direct emphasis on the connect between the roots and the flower that blooms.
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Cityscapes | Greater Noida (NCR)
kaleidoscope
Our team's favourite hangout is to witness the sometimes subtle and sometimes strong nuances of a city that creates history everyday for as long as history has served us right. The changing hues, the bi-polarity in its organic nature, the shades of aspirations and the very frame of the city drives us to celebrate, set out on a quest to investigate and at times just purely meditate. This page is dedicated to Tadaamyaham's many spontaneous and some delibrate works and captures of the city that everyone hearts ( <3) ... Delhi's Dilli
