The event provided not just a platform for celebration of the arts, but it also brought to light the Jamat’s artistic potential. Over 700 artists, performers and filmmakers, ranging from five to 84 years in age, participated regionally, with the hope of qualifying for the National and International Jubilee Arts Festivals.
For many aspiring artists, it was an opportunity to explore a talent that had not been previously realized, while for professionals such as Sahib Nazar and Zamila Karimi, the Jubilee Arts Festival provided an outlet for sharing the products of years of artistic development and refinement.
Guests who walked the halls of the art gallery and viewed the films and performances were in awe of the artistic ability of the Jamat. Shaniza Manjiyani, Project Manager of the event said, “It was amazing to see how the community came together to support family and friends, along with all others who participated, in this first-ever Diamond Jubilee initiative.”
In the weeks leading up to the submission date, sculptor Amisha Popatiya and henna artist Arzina Jamal were unusually busy with work and family commitments. Both friends were disappointed that they may not be able to contribute to the Jubilee Art Gallery.
On the morning of the final submission, their day freed up, surprisingly. Amisha and Arzina individually rushed to the art supply store, gathered their supplies and ideas, worked nonstop the entire day, and managed to submit their art pieces just minutes before the deadline. They were proud to see their pieces displayed in the gallery and hoped to pass on memories of this experience to their future generations.
Also displayed in the Jubilee Arts Gallery was a large canvas, painted with a multitude of colors and shimmering, silver stars. This was the work of the special needs students of the Southeast Creative Center. Zehra Sohani, an organizer of this group said, “It is very difficult for these students to talk, move around, or dance. Art is a medium that they are comfortable with.” Through this painting titled, ‘Stars in the Galaxy’, 17 special needs students, ranging in age from four to 46 years, participated in the festivities of the Diamond Jubilee.
Kamadia Saheb Aneel Ismaily and Kamadiani Saheba Fatima Ismaily of Atlanta Northeast Jamatkhana and two senior Jamati members, Gulshan Vastani and Laila Khimani, teamed up to create the ‘Green Lung of Cairo’. Through crochet, calligraphy and paint, their mixed media piece artistically depicted a bird’s eye view of Al-Azhar Park.
Nine-year old Aarya Tejani and her grandmother Shirin Tejani, both submitted pieces to the Jubilee Art Gallery. Aarya painted a picture of a cow looking out of a barn window. Using bold colored paints, pastels, pencils and sharpie, she reminded us, “we should care for all of Allah’s creations.”
Aarya’s grandmother submitted a cross-stitch tapestry with a Diamond Jubilee greeting. At the start of the Jubilee year, Shirin began working on the piece and was looking for some way to gift it to the Imam. The Jubilee Arts Festival provided the perfect opportunity for Shirin to present her work.
As the lights of the auditorium dimmed and the stage lit up, numerous musicians, singers, dancers, orators, and performers took to the Jubilee Talent Showcase stage, while the audience cheered them on.
Zeniya Jalia used her passion for dancing to present a devotional piece. Dancing since she could walk, Zeniya has trained in ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. She said, “being able to perform at the first Jubilee Arts Festival means the world to me. I wanted to show that dance is a devotion, not just an art.” She hopes to open up the world of dancing, particularly to females, for whom this form of art might sometimes be out of reach due to cultural norms.
Another performer on the stage was Amir Ali, who composed and recited an Urdu poem titled, ‘Waqt’, or time. He led the audience through a journey on the various facets of time, and brought on the realization of how the meaning and value of ‘time’ changes through a lifetime. Amir hoped to inspire the audience to “wisely manage their time so that it can be used to better the quality of life of the Jamat and in service to our Imam.”
Sana Hashim, together with her friends Shireen Pirani and Shaheen Pirani, performed an acoustic devotional medley titled ‘Izhaar-e-Jubilee’. It combined a qawwali with geets from the silver, golden and diamond jubilees, weaving in the themes of time and devotion. On stage, these performers hoped to “be the bridge between the audience and the music,” bringing to the audience “a piece that hopefully embraces and enhances all of our feelings regarding this special occasion.”
Georgia is now a leader in the US film industry, so it was no surprise that Jubilee Film Festival participants took on a variety of roles, including director, producer, scriptwriter, videographer, and actor, in the films that were submitted.
Farah Remtulla, a passionate dance teacher and performing arts enthusiast, was one of the judges and could not contain her excitement at the Festival. “Art is such a powerful medium, to be able to showcase not only talent but bring out messages of devotion, ethics, values…it is a great communication medium where nobody has to speak the same language, yet can understand the common message,” she said. “And I’m so happy to see so many parents and family support their children to professionally pursue this craft,” she added.
A talented singer herself, Nida Moledina was also a judge for the Performing Arts section. When asked to give advice to the budding artists, she said “Don’t be afraid to pursue your passion, your talent…what has been given to you has not been given to many others, so value it, nurture it and then share it with the world.”
Regardless of the medium, participants repeatedly remarked that the Jubilee Arts Festival gave them a way to express their love and devotion to Hazar Imam, especially on the occasion of his Diamond Jubilee. The festival also inspired others in the Jamat to consider their own artistic ability and use art as a means of universal expression.
