Cultures

Comparative Cultures

Subgroup:

The Comparative Cultures Subgroup through its sessions- trips, presentations, dialogue- attempts an exploration, understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. It draws upon social & aesthetic themes to understand how social identities, actions, and desires are produced and practiced and the forms that permeate everyday experience: subcultures, popular media (television, film, the internet), and a range of performance practices—dance, music, sports, and fashion.

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Subgroup Contacts

Subgroup Programmes:

Comparative Cultures - MUGHAL COSTUMES PRINTS, MOTIFS AND THEIR REPRESENTATION IN CONTEMPORARY ART

‘The costumes and turbans coming from the various states and provinces of the “undivided India” -characterized by the rhythm of decorative patterns, vibrancy of colour and finesse of the fabric- had distinct styles developing within various socio-economic classes and gender…’

The presentation will explore symbolism rooted in the costumes of the Mughal court – their prints, motifs and representation in the contemporary urban context particularly in musical videos and films. The contemporary media industry has tried to preserve the distinctiveness of the traditional attire through a lively exchange of experimentation that embraces a fascination for the nostalgic past, characterized with an indefinable balance of compositional elements, ideas, tonalities, moods, dazzling colors and floral ornamental aesthetic….

Adventure Club/Archaeology - TAKHT E BAHI- A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

A Day Trip

The Takht-e-Bahi Buddhist Monastery is one of the most impressive and well preserved pieces of Gandhara architecture in Pakistan. It is situated 14 km northwest of Mardan on the road to Swat (2 ½ hour drive from Islamabad). The reputation of Takht-e-Bahi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is based partially on the extraordinarily good state of preservation and partially on its glorious location. The site itself is located on the northern flanks of a rocky spur rising 150 meters (500 ft.) above the plains.

Comparative Cultures: Transition: A Retrospective Journey

“I go through phases where I don’t understand anything, but it’s not disturbing, it’s just a matter of surrender; surrendering to the fact that there’s nothing for me to understand.”

Join Shaykh Habib Chishti, is a Sufi Teacher, Ethnomusicologist and Spiritual Musician, for a ‘reflective’ evening. The dialogue will be coupled with a musical rendition of ‘Zikr.’