A recently launched book, celebrating the life and legacy of Mughal-era poet Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana, brings to light his contributions to Indian literature, art, architecture, and culture.
"Celebrating Rahim" was launched by InterGlobe Foundation, in association with Aga Khan Trust for Culture, as a part of a joint conservation and cultural revival project of Rahim's tomb that started in 2014 under the guidance of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The book locates Rahim's life, his artistic and political approach in the intellectual and imperial framework of the Mughal durbar through essays by noted scholars that shed light on his contribution to literature, art, architecture, culture and Indian society.
Simultaneously, the ongoing project is focussed on physical restoration of Rahim's tomb by setting up the arcades, stitching of cracks, marble, sandstone cladding, canopies and dalans, interior and external surface, as well as landscaping of the site of the mausoleum, which is expected to reach completion by April 2018.
Speaking at the launch Ratish Nanda, chief executive, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, India said, "Coupled with the mammoth conservation project on Rahim's tomb, the book 'Celebrating Rahim' captures Rahim's cultural legacy and varied personality.
The ambitious conservation effort and this publication, with contributions from a dozen scholars, has been possible only with the support of InterGlobe Foundation."
The evening also witnessed Dastangoi performance by Aamir Ahmed and Prateek Garg under the direction of Ankit Chadha and musical presentation of Rahim's verses by renowned artists- Harpreet Singh, Dev Narayan Sarolia, Swaransh Mishra and Netai Das.
Commenting on the initiative, Rohini Bhatia, director, InterGlobe Foundation, said, "At InterGlobe Foundation, we have always believed in sustainable development and have lent our voice to critical issues that the world is facing today.
We hold preservation of heritage and culture to be of paramount importance, as we believe that the future is nourished by the past. For us, the association with Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Archaeological Survey of India, in the restoration of Rahim's mausoleum and bringing to the fore his many contributions, has been immensely satisfying, special and an incredible learning experience.
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