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A review of CD on Faiz Ahmad Faiz

The title of the CD

The sub-continent has never been void of the artistic ecstasies and poetic rhymes in any era. The modes of appreciating and acknowledging them have, however, varied. It was Technopak Media Creations pte. who teamed up with Enabling Technologies to bring an innovative yet highly desired tribute to sub-continent's one of the best poets after Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, in the form of an enhanced multimedia CD.

With more than two dozen people involved in different ways in the production, designing and R&D arenas, the end result remains one of the best works produced by any Pakistani firm to this day. Here we briefly review some of the features of the CD which might not be available in the market today but would remain one of the most important milestones in the history of Pakistan' digital world. This might indulge and motivate future designers and producers to come up with more innovative ideas and more captivating user-experience.

Packaging:

The CD is wrapped in hard-case box with fine printed booklet containing important credits and a short biography of Faiz Ahmad Faiz. The packaging and book design larger-than-life events that call for public participation and collective self-expression. It is this common spirit of India that unites the whole nation, bridges linguistic and cultural divides and geographical boundaries, and lends a unique identity to the very heart and soul of the country.

Regional Culture and Styles

Each region of India has a definitive style and culture which is echoed throughout the aesthetics of its homes. Kerala, on the southwestern coast, is known for its wooden houses which delight in strong lines with few flourishes, In Kashmir, Himalayan flora inspires delicate embroidered shapes mimicking the leaves of the chinar tree flowers and fruit designs appear in embroidery, carving and moldings, and embellish homes and houseboats of the state.

Cultural Influences

Indian culture has also been influenced by the influx of many cultures over many centuries. The Muslim influence is evident in the arches, domes and ornate filigrees seen throughout north India, where the Mughals ruled for over four centuries. Then came the Europeans; first the Portuguese (in search of spices) in 1497 who colonized Goa, Daman and Diu; then the Dutch in 1595, and the British who established their East India Company on the last day of 1600. 19th century colonial influence brought a love of both the Gothic and the baroque. As a result, it is not surprising to find a stiff Victorian edifice studded with gargoyles beside an ancient Hindu temple, sculpted with sensuous gods.

The Five Elements

The concept of the 'five elements' (air, water, fire, earth and space) has been woven into the fabric of india since befpre the arrival of the aryans around 1500BC. Indian be;oefs have always been animist - dedicated to the worship of nature. Although ancient western beliefs recognise the first four elements, the fifth-space - is a more abstract principle. To many Indians, the notion of space respresents the vast vacuum beyond ordinary perception, and symbolises the huge power of an unseen force. It is thus a source of inspiration in Hinduism and Zen Buddhism. The ancient animists worshipped trees and valued all plants, but the earth, rain and rivers were truly venetrated and destructive energy of primeval storms and earthquakes help people in awe.

Living Spaces

Figure 01 - Baithak
Click image to see larger view

Home and Heart

Few Indians entertain the Western notion of a separate room to dine in. In most towns and cities in the modern Indian home, the living room in which to eat. A complete suite of seating furniture is a western concept and many people prefer a floor-level seating arrangement called a baithak. This comprises a thick soft mattress which is placed against a wall to support the sitter's back, covered with a decorative fabric and scattered with cushions of different shapes, colours and sizes that are either embroidered, mirror-worked, painted or encrusted with tiny sequins.

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