Captured in Miniature by Suhag Shirodkar

Nick Barnard illuminates the social context and symbolic meanings as well as the varied techniques employed by craftsmen. This book draws on over 100 exquisite pieces from the Victoria & Albert Museum's superb collection, many never published before. The workshop which includes a painting competition and a quiz, will be held tomorrow at Reliance Time Out at 11 a.m.Indian jewelry is among the most opulent and finely wrought in the world.

I enjoy making history accessible to children.” And Suhag is doing just that with her book and an interactive workshop on appreciating Mughal Art. “The books that are available are not very interesting. What is good in an earlier time might not be acceptable now.”Ībout revisionist history, the pharmacist-turned-writer with a day job in technical writing, says: “One needs to go to the primary source, which in this case are the paintings.” And also make it clear that one cannot judge from a today’s perspective. “I wanted to talk about the reality of the time. The book has an involved picture of the royal hunt with a question about what one would think about hunting. After the book was done, I visited the British Museum and saw the original paintings, which was quite an awesome experience.” Beach, curator of the Smithsonian Museum who was very encouraging. I researched it and sent the manuscript to Milo C. Suhag admits to having no background in art. Also my twins were showing an inordinate interest in the paintings and I realised there is not much accessible literature for children on the subject.” That was one of the reasons for the book. I have noticed that children are fascinated by little things. The writer who divides her time between Goa and Bangalore, says the book is targeted at children in the age group of “ten and up.

For instance, the Portuguese ambassador brought a turkey to Jehangir’s court and since the Mughal emperor was fascinated by wild life, he immediately got his painters to paint the bird.” One learns so many fascinating things about the Mughals. Like I say in the book, Mughal art started when Humayun returned from Persia with two painters. “I know it is a problem when it comes to classification and where to place the book in stores,” says Suhag Shirodkar who has written the fascinating book. One would not think that history, art and children’s books can come together, but the impossible happens in “Captured in Miniature”, a wonderfully-illustrated book on Mughal art. Author Suhag Shirodhar talks of her fascination with Mughal Miniatures

Captured in Miniature by Suhag Shirodkar