ABDUL MAKES BEAUTIFUL DRESSES FOR HINDU GODS
The Asian Age (Jan 2004)
By Skimmy Gupta
Abdul Rashid is a devout Muslim who designs some of the most beautiful dresses of Hindu idols in the world. Abdul, a 54 year Mumbai resident is the man stitching beautiful dresses adorning the idols at Iskcon temple, Juhu since past 27 years .He has stiched over 300 decorative dresses complete with gold embroidery, floral designs and heavy zardosi work for idols of Krishna, Radha, Ram, Hanuman at Iskcon, Juhu.Abdul is also designing dresses for idols in Iskcon temples located at Mira Road and Raipur.Till date in his 30 year career, he has stiched over 1000 dresses including some dresses which adorn Iskcon temples in America, Australia and other countries.
Originally hailing from Balia, U.P; Abdul arrived in Mumbai in 1966 in search of a livelihood. While stitching clothes for men and women at a suburban tailor shop, he used to make few dresses for idols at Iskcon, Juhu.But his innovative and colorful dresses completely metamorphosed the temple surroundings and became very popular with visitors. Infact, many visitors specially came to temple to view beautiful dresses. When the temple was built in 1977;Abdul bagged the job of main dress designer for all idols at the temple.” At Iskcon, I am involved in all stages of dress designing—right from selecting fabric, colour selection till the final embroidery .I do not repeat any designs. I put figures of parrots, cows, bells, trees..just about anything which comes into mind. Though I have no formal training in making clothes; innovative designs just churn out from my heart. I feel it is all God gifted,” says Abdul.
Speaking on frequent clashed between Hindu and Muslim communities in the country; Abdul opines, “I think it is uneducated people who create rifts in Hindu and Muslim communities for selfish motives. Otherwise its Allah or God; both shower their love on mankind. I have never given it a thought that I am a Muslim stitching clothes for Hindu Gods. Even the authorities and visitors have always treated me as part of a big family. Even I educate my kids to know the importance of communal harmony and mutual peace”
With fragnant agarbattis and echoes of ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna‘ mantras echoing in his ears; he is sincerely engrossed in his temple workshop creating new dresses. Abdul’s home is an amalgamation of Upwaas and Rojas as even posters of Lord Krishna adorn his home walls.” When people appreciate my designs, I feel very proud to be associated with Lord in some way or other. It does not matter if one is Hindu or Muslim unless you do selfless work and dedicated effort for betterment of mankind,” adds Abdul
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By Skimmy Gupta
Abdul Rashid is a devout Muslim who designs some of the most beautiful dresses of Hindu idols in the world. Abdul, a 54 year Mumbai resident is the man stitching beautiful dresses adorning the idols at Iskcon temple, Juhu since past 27 years .He has stiched over 300 decorative dresses complete with gold embroidery, floral designs and heavy zardosi work for idols of Krishna, Radha, Ram, Hanuman at Iskcon, Juhu.Abdul is also designing dresses for idols in Iskcon temples located at Mira Road and Raipur.Till date in his 30 year career, he has stiched over 1000 dresses including some dresses which adorn Iskcon temples in America, Australia and other countries.
Originally hailing from Balia, U.P; Abdul arrived in Mumbai in 1966 in search of a livelihood. While stitching clothes for men and women at a suburban tailor shop, he used to make few dresses for idols at Iskcon, Juhu.But his innovative and colorful dresses completely metamorphosed the temple surroundings and became very popular with visitors. Infact, many visitors specially came to temple to view beautiful dresses. When the temple was built in 1977;Abdul bagged the job of main dress designer for all idols at the temple.” At Iskcon, I am involved in all stages of dress designing—right from selecting fabric, colour selection till the final embroidery .I do not repeat any designs. I put figures of parrots, cows, bells, trees..just about anything which comes into mind. Though I have no formal training in making clothes; innovative designs just churn out from my heart. I feel it is all God gifted,” says Abdul.
Speaking on frequent clashed between Hindu and Muslim communities in the country; Abdul opines, “I think it is uneducated people who create rifts in Hindu and Muslim communities for selfish motives. Otherwise its Allah or God; both shower their love on mankind. I have never given it a thought that I am a Muslim stitching clothes for Hindu Gods. Even the authorities and visitors have always treated me as part of a big family. Even I educate my kids to know the importance of communal harmony and mutual peace”
With fragnant agarbattis and echoes of ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna‘ mantras echoing in his ears; he is sincerely engrossed in his temple workshop creating new dresses. Abdul’s home is an amalgamation of Upwaas and Rojas as even posters of Lord Krishna adorn his home walls.” When people appreciate my designs, I feel very proud to be associated with Lord in some way or other. It does not matter if one is Hindu or Muslim unless you do selfless work and dedicated effort for betterment of mankind,” adds Abdul
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Labels: City
posted by Skimmy @ June 19, 2008
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