The opening of Ishara Art Foundation at Alserkal Avenue in March 2019 was a significant stride for local representation of contemporary South Asian artists. While there were other spaces that presented works by artists from that region and its diaspora, there wasn’t a dedicated institution that incorporated a South Asian focus into its core mission.
“I felt there was a lack of space that focused on these nations,” says Smita Prabhakar, the foundation’s founder. It was surprising, given that India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have had a long-standing relationship with the Gulf, going back to when fishing and pearl diving were the pillars of the regional economy.
Ishara was founded to fill that gap. The non-profit included Abdelmonem Alserkal as an honorary chairman of the board of trustees, as well as key cultural figures from the local scene, such as Myrna Ayad, Hoda Barakat, Mustafa Hashemi, Abdul Hamid Juma, Colm Mcloughlin, Samer Saifi, Rajan Sehgal, and Abdul Fattah Sharaf. The team was also bolstered by an advisory board that included Richard Armstrong, former director of the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, as well as curators Maya Allison, Sandhini Poddar, and artists Bharti Kher and Chittrovanu Mazumdar.
To have a space in Dubai that showed the dynamic artistic landscape of South Asia was pivotal, Prabhakar says. But there was another angle that inspired the entrepreneur, who is also the director of the AMS International Group, to launch Ishara.
As political tensions and rifts splintered relationships between several South Asian countries, the Gulf – specifically the UAE – had the potential to provide a space to explore artistic links in that region, an endeavour that would be much harder to do back home.
“Because of the political issues that are in play [in South Asia], a lot of people are not able to show in other countries. They can only show in their own countries,” Prabhakar says. She adds that she finds the fact tragic, especially considering how intertwined the histories of the different countries are.
“It's very, very sad that people, that artists, are not able to meet each other,” she says. “And the public in these countries is not able to see what their counterparts [in neighbouring countries] are doing.”
“There is actually tragedy in that,” she says. “It’s a subcontinent. We were all one people. Unless you hear the name, you couldn’t even tell which country we were from.”
The inaugural exhibition at Ishara tried to reflect on some of these issues, from displacement and the shifting concept of identity to the migrant experience in the Gulf.
Altered Inheritances: Home is a Foreign Place, opened in March 2019 and ran until July of that year. The exhibition put the works of artists Shilpa Gupta and Zarina in an intergenerational conversation. The use of texts and visual metaphor were an overlap between their disparate practices. While Zarina’s works drew from her own journeys, Gupta’s art materialised from the travels of others.
In Altered Inheritances – 100 (Last Name) Stories, for instance, Gupta highlighted the stories of 100 individuals who chose to forgo their last names, either because it put their lives at risk or simply because it facilitated their professional success. Zarina’s Home/Ghar, on the other hand, presents the layout of the artist’s childhood home in Aligarh, a city in India’s Uttar Pradesh. Her print Faasla/Distance, meanwhile, lists the miles that spanned her past in Aligarh with her life in New York’s Manhattan.
“When I went to first meet Zarina in New York, she [lived] in a neighborhood that was very Asian, there was a kebab shop, a tandoori chicken shop, things like that,” Prabhakar says. “I went up to her room to her apartment, which was also her studio. And she had a very simple bed. The bed was actually very reminiscent of her. We have in India these beds that are made of wood, which are called takhet. All her works were under this takhet.”
Prabhakar had got the artist a box of dates from Dubai and when it was time to part ways, Zarina insisted on presenting her with an artwork. The meeting, which took place some time in 2017, left an impact on Prabhakar, and alongside the nature of Zarina’s artwork, Prabhakar says she thought back to that moment as plans to open Ishara materialised.
She had already amassed an impressive collection of Zarina’s works, but the foundation still needed another artist to feature in its inaugural exhibition. Prabhakar had also known Gupta for some time, and to her, their works naturally resonated with each other. She says she was touched by the “trust that Shilpa placed in me”.
While Gupta was able to attend the opening, Zarina unfortunately was not. It was especially a shame given that Zarina’s work was pivotal to the foundation’s visual identity. Its logo, after all, which combines a circle and a square, is rooted in an ideogram by the artist that alludes to the word "aasman", or sky, derivatives of which can be found in Arabic, Hindi, Persian, Swahili and Urdu.
“It was my deepest regret that Zarina was not able to come,” Prabhakar says. “She was not well.” Zarina, who was in her early 80s at the time, was seeking medical treatment. The artist died in August 2020.
Over the past five years, Ishara Art Foundation has organised several moving and memorable exhibitions that have been distinctive offerings in the local arts scene. Prabhakar says she is immensely proud of the team, headed by curator Sabih Ahmed, and the effect they have had on the foundation and its vision.
“The fact that they've been able to achieve world-class shows on a limited budget, because we are completely self-funded, is amazing,” she says. “The fact that Ishara is so well thought of, and that I am able to be its chairperson. What more can I ask?”
The foundation itself owns no works, and while its exhibitions may occasionally draw from Prabhakar’s collection of contemporary South Asian works, she emphasises that her personal considerations have little to do with the team’s daily efforts.
“We don't buy or sell, I don’t want to go there,” she says. Even when it comes to her own personal collection, Prabhakar says it remains distinct from the mission and focus of the foundation.
One of the things the entrepreneur, however, is proud of contributing, is helping to establish a space that is modular.
“The lighting is world class,” she says. “We spent a fortune on lighting, and I don't regret it for one minute.”
The space’s flexibility, lighting and ability to adapt to the nature of each show is evident to anyone who has visited the space for more than one exhibition. The foundation puts on an average of two shows every year, and dramatically adapts to reflect upon the themes and content of each exhibition.
The foundation is currently showing Sheher, Prakriti, Devi – a group exhibition that brings together works by Chamba Rumal, Chiara Camoni, Gauri Gill, Ladhki Devi, Mariam Suhail, Meera Mukherjee, Mrinalini Mukherjee, Rashmi Kaleka, Shefalee Jain, Sukanya Ghosh, Vinnie Gill and Yoshiko Crow.
Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
Honeymoonish
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
THREE
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The years Ramadan fell in May
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
MWTC
Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.
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Company%C2%A0profile
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
More on animal trafficking
Results
Stage three:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-43
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
4. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
5. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
6. Mikkel Bjerg (DEN) UAE-Team Emirates, at 24s
General Classification:
1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-13-02
2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s
3. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin Fenix, at 12s
4. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s
5. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s
6. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
