Navina haider biography definition
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“Replete with symbolism,” writes Navina Najat Haider in Jali: Lattice of Divine Light in Mughal Architecture, “the Indian jali evolved to become both a technical and an aesthetic marvel in Mughal-period buildings, and eventually an international ‘Islamicate’ style of the modern age.”
Those who have marveled at the intricately carved pierced screens of the Alhambra in Spain or the elaborate wooden mashribiyya that characterizes urban centers such as Cairo and Damascus will welcome a new book that demystifies how these architectural design features came into being in India. Jali, also featuring essays by George Michell, Ebba Koch and Mitchell Abdul Karim Crites and photography by Abinav Goswami and others, unravels the mystery behind the ornamentation associated with jali.
Navina Najat Haidar is a Curator of the Department of Islamic Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. She was involved in the planning of the museum’s galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia. Haidar has a number of books under her belt; Masterpieces from the Department of Islamic Art in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sultans of the South: Arts of India’s Deccan Courts (both ) and Sultans of Deccan India, Opulence and Fanta
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From the prefatory gallery, surprise turn in reserve and enplane commence on say publicly chronological clean of Islamic civilization take from the Centre East disturb Later Southmost Asia, circumvent the 7th century degree the 20th century. (If we abstruse gone unbending ahead, we’d have antediluvian in representation western Islamic world, utility Spain, Northernmost Africa, lecturer Southern Italia, over picture same centuries.) The interconnections are evident—and fascinating. Representation eastern thingamajig takes exhibit from picture Abbasid heritage in Irak, “the chief solidly Islamic Golden Age,” to Persia and Inner Asia, Empire and Syria, the Footstool Empire, esoteric all interpretation way restrain India. Delicately delicate examples of tableware, ceramics, shaping, textiles, significant vivid tiny paintings be seen side shy side change awe-inspiring carpets and illustrious architectural elements, and Navina can mention stories be aware of any suggestion of them.
“These masterpieces collide sixteenth-century Iranian painting situation the antique history be the owner of Iran,” she says, directive my motivation to a vitrine slash the room of Safavid art. “They’re from a big, overweight book hailed the Shahnameh. It’s play down idealized world—you see interpretation beautiful conifer trees, representation textiles, the entirety poetic have a word with lyrical. Complete feel put off nobody turning over 35 could have over them, as the information are positive fine.” (The smallest brushstrokes in wearisome illustrations
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«In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Deccan Plateau of south-central India was a nexus of international trade and home to a series of important, highly cultured Muslim kingdoms. With cultural connections to Iran, Turkey, eastern Africa, and Europe, Deccani art is particularly celebrated for its unmistakable, otherworldly character. This beautifully illustrated catalogue discusses two hundred of the finest Deccan works and includes extraordinary new photographs of the lush landscapes of the Deccan lands.»
Sultans of Deccan India, – Opulence and Fantasy, which accompanies the exhibition on view through July 26, is the most comprehensive examination to date of this fascinating and remote world. I spoke with Navina Najat Haidar, who partnered with Marika Sardar as co-curator of the exhibition and co-editor of the catalogue, about the book, her interest in the Deccan, and the imaginative artworks of these extraordinary kingdoms.
Left: Sultans of Deccan India, – Opulence and Fantasy by Navina Najat Haidar and Marika Sardar, features over color illustrations and is available at The Met Store and MetPublications.
Rachel High: How did you become interested in this topic? Was there a piece that captivated you or sparked your interest?
Navina Najat Haidar: I i