A mushaira performed by students at the Seventh Institute Day celebrations, 1966

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Institute Events , Students

This photograph was taken during the variety programme which consisted of entertainment shows including band performances, plays and a magic show. The student seated second from left is Mr. V. Srinivasan (1969 B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering), while the other performers are yet to be identified.

Traditionally, a mushaira is a poetic symposium where Urdu poets gather to perform their works. The symposium is a part of the culture of North India, the Deccan and Pakistan. It is popular among Hyderabadi Muslims. The mushaira that was staged during the Seventh Institute Day of IIT Madras was most likely an adapted and modified version of the traditional mushaira. The word mushaira is derived from Arabic which translates to ‘vying in poetry’ suggesting that traditional mushairas were contests. This does not seem to be the case in the mushaira performance staged at the Seventh Institute Day.

An identical photograph can be found in the Gourishankar Collection in Album 0206 under the ID: 001/0206/IMG_0153

Collection:

Central Photographic Section Collection

Album Name:

Seventh Institute Day

Photograph ID:

001/0017/IMG_0606_1

Album ID:

0017

Date:

12 March 1966

Place:

Open Air Theatre (OAT)

Photographer:

C. Gourishankar (1936-2002). A geologist by qualification, Gourishankar started his career as a photographer after working for many years with the Geological Survey of India. In everything that he did, Gourishankar strove to achieve flawlessness and impeccable quality. Thus his photography too was characterised by this drive for perfection. Every photograph that Gourishankar took was meticulously planned and shot and printed with diligence and patience. Gourishankar carried out most of the official photography at IIT Madras in the 1960s.

Event:

Seventh Institute Day