Saleem is the key figure and a catalyst in bringing the new Lal Ded Museum into existence
(Mr. Mohammad Saleem Beg, 61, was born and raised in Srinagar. He was educated at the S.P. College and the Gandhi Memorial College, receiving his Bachelor's degree from the latter. He was awarded a EEC fellowship in 1998 which allowed him to attend study courses at Universities of Luven, Belgium, and Trinity College, Dublin. Mr. Beg entered the State government service in 1975 and retired in 2006 as the Director General of Tourism. In the 31 years of public service (which included two deputation assignments in New Delhi), Mr. Beg promoted local arts and crafts, and raised public awareness of Kashmir's rich heritage and architecture. He was a leading figure in getting Srinagar listed as one of the 100 most threatened heritage cities by the World Monument Fund in 2008. Mr. Beg has traveled extensively and has attended numerous conferences, including the 1997 UN Special Session on Environment in New York, and the 1997 Kyoto Convention on Climate Change in Japan. His articles and essays have been published in various publications. Since retirement, he has remained active as the Convener of the J&K Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage - INTACH.)
The ground floor of the building also houses the photographs depicting culture, heritage and life of the old city.
(Mr. Mohammad Saleem Beg, 61, was born and raised in Srinagar. He was educated at the S.P. College and the Gandhi Memorial College, receiving his Bachelor's degree from the latter. He was awarded a EEC fellowship in 1998 which allowed him to attend study courses at Universities of Luven, Belgium, and Trinity College, Dublin. Mr. Beg entered the State government service in 1975 and retired in 2006 as the Director General of Tourism. In the 31 years of public service (which included two deputation assignments in New Delhi), Mr. Beg promoted local arts and crafts, and raised public awareness of Kashmir's rich heritage and architecture. He was a leading figure in getting Srinagar listed as one of the 100 most threatened heritage cities by the World Monument Fund in 2008. Mr. Beg has traveled extensively and has attended numerous conferences, including the 1997 UN Special Session on Environment in New York, and the 1997 Kyoto Convention on Climate Change in Japan. His articles and essays have been published in various publications. Since retirement, he has remained active as the Convener of the J&K Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage - INTACH.)
INTACH awards photographers
Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar: If you want to know about the heritage of Srinagar city as
old as 18th century,
just pay a visit to recently reconstructed Lal Ded Memorial Museum on the banks
of river Jehlum at Habba Kadal and you will get to know the history.The display
of paintings, photographs, historic maps, old wooden tools and machines like
spinning wheel, Kashmir’s prized handicraft products like carpets, shawls,
papier-mâché, copperware, and earthenware will take you to Kashmir’s rich art,
craft, heritage and life of the people in old city.
Earliest Map of Kashmir by
Germans
The
reconstructed museum which describes history itself has a prized possession of
the earliest map of the Kashmir written in German language. The map drawn in
1802 by Germans shows how much important Kashmir art, craft and heritage was.
The map was used by the visitors to know about the land of Kashmir.
Map on wool
Another map was drawn
by the great Mughals during 18th century. One of the maps embroidered on the fine wool cloth
drawn in the 3rd quarter of the 19th century is a masterpiece of Kashmir art. Kashmiri artisans
have intricately crafted the map of Srinagar City on cloth showing lakes,
canals, bridges, gardens and places for which city is famous for.
Asia map showing Kashmir part of
Mughal province Kabul
Another political and
geographical map was drawn in 19th century which shows the territorial boundaries of Asia of
18th century when Kashmir was conquered by Mughals and was under the
administrative rule of Kabul government in 1586 AD. During that period, Kashmir
formed the part of Mughal province of Kabul that included territories from
Kashmir to present day Afghanistan. One the maps also show the historic silk
route.
The ground floor of the building also houses the photographs depicting culture, heritage and life of the old city.
The
photograph of the old houses in the back drop of the Koh-e-Maran heritage fort
in the city reveals how Srinagar is blessed with heritage which used to draw
foreign tourists.
“Now
city is turning into concrete structures. The heritage in old city is lost into
these concrete structures. Preserving the Lal Ded Memorial School is a
beginning which will help bring home locals the importance of our own heritage.
We don’t have to preserve the old city heritage only for tourists but for
locals also who need to know their culture,” said Convener Indian National
Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage INTACH-JK Chapter Saleem Beigh while
interacting with the tourism stake holders at the museum on Tuesday.
Besides
holding an interactive session, INTACH organized an award ceremony to honor
photographers who won prizes for their photographs which portray culture,
heritage and life of the Srinagar city. Director Tourism Kashmir Talat Parveez
was the chief guest who gave away the certificates to the photographers.
Later an interactive
session with the hoteliers, tour operators was organized to sensitize them
about the importance of the city’s rich heritage.
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