The legacy of Rampur

From banners, music, artifacts and images, “Gold Dust of Begum Sultans” tries to capture Rampur’s past, with its value system, culture and tradition through the story of its Nawab

The grand lifestyle of the Indian royals and the powerful women of the zenana have many fascinating narratives. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts presents one such captivating tale of Rampur Nawab’s feudal life in an exhibition titled ‘Gold Dust of Begum Sultans’.

The show is inspired by the English translation of the acclaimed 1989 Hindi novel Sunehri Rait by Zubeida Sultan. “The book is a work of fiction; it is, however based on historical facts and people. The English translation Gold Dust of Begum Sultans is written by the sisters Zakia Zaheer and Syeda Saiyidain Hameed,” shares artist Ranesh Ray, who conceptualised and designed the show and adds, “The exhibition tries to invoke the cultural zenith of a princely state more than a 100 years ago in what is now northwestern Uttar Pradesh.”

The 22-day long show captures a critical phase in the history of Rohilkhand when its Nawabiat was on slow decline after the 1857 uprising. Ranesh points out, “It throws light on the old decrepit order of Rampur (presented as Mohammadpur in the novel) through its team of characters — some of whose names have been changed and historical quirks further embellished. It also showcases the powerful women of the zenana with characters like Qamar Zamani Begum and Jahanara.”

The exhibition tries to capture the cultural heritage of the Rampur state through 77 banners and audio-visual clips. He says, “Excerpts from the novel are on display together with audio/ visual and exhibits that highlight the transforming values and vanishing cultures of a traditional family linked with the Nawabs of Rampur. The storyline is complex and I have tried to ensure that the cultural values and system of its times are well brought out.”

Complementing the visuals, which also feature collections of the royal family’s household objects, documentary filmmaker Iffat Fatima has put up sounds and sights redolent of the lifestyle of Rampur Nawabs. Besides audio recordings, there are three videos spread across the exhibition space. “We have used a short clipping from Satyajit Ray’s 1958 film Jalsaghar presenting the Nawabs’ interest in art and culture. Another 28-minute movie is a Muharram-time majlis gathering which is of special significance to the Shia community (to which the Rampur family belonged). The other is a video where members of the household reminisce the olden days including Hameeda Srivastava, who has contributed some of the Rampur household antiques for the show,” avers Ranesh.

The exhibition shows how the influence also reached children’s playhouses. “Display cases showcase a dolls wedding, Farshi ghararas and Karchob dupatta for weddings; as well as simple furniture made of wood and silver utensils for dolls. The display includes clothes, jewels, tray-cover, wedding finery, mourning rites and rituals of Rampur at the show,” concludes Ranesh.