Latest ratna-chotrani news, Today's Top ratna-chotrani news Headline | Awaz the voice

Top Stories

Mohammad Hasan Ali

Hasan, 14, created a robot to serve him

Dum rote

Hyderabad’s unique culinary traditions of Muharram

The famous eatery of Hyderabad

Bade Miya's kebab dominates Hydebaradi royal food

Ratna-Chotrani

personality-news

Hyderabad's Afsar Jahan helps women who are clueless about their rights

Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad I met her in the small interval between her making intense arguments for her client, mostly kin of the custodial deaths, before the judge to her sessions at the Mohalla family counseling centres. Afsar Jahan works almost without taking a break from her hectic schedule as a human rights lawyer and women's rights activist. Besides her routine legal work, she provides free legal aid at the Mohalla Family Counse...

Palestinian Kunafa of Karachi Bakery on Eid is a rage in Hyderabad

Ratna G Chotrani/Hyderabad Show stopper desserts like the Golden syrupy Baklava or delicate desserts like a Kunafa, chocolate coated dates stuffed with dry fruits or wafers sandwiched with date cream and nuts, or its delicate pastries or exquisite mithais. These mouth-watering and unique Eid specialties can only be obtained from a classy bakery like Karachi Bakery of the city. Karachi Bakery has a slew of offers for you this Eid. There...

Ghaghra, sharara in pastels with traditional jhumkas is the trendy Eid attire

Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad Gourmandizing and style are two factors that bond women regardless of faith and culture. Each one of us waits for the festivities to break the monotony of the mundane. No wonder women invited to the month-long Iftar parties and now the grand Eid-ul Fitr get-togethers don’t just think of the Rose Sherbet, Kebab, Biryani, and Sheer khurma, they have to think more about what to wear for the occasion. So w...

Anjum Pasha's home-cooked food is a rage during Ramzan in Hyderabad

Ratna G. Chotrani Anjum Pasha wears many hats; she is a lawyer and an educationist by profession and a home chef specializing in the Hyderabadi cuisine by passion. She borrows as much from tradition as she does from good old-fashioned ingenuity. Her food is much sought after by famous restaurants of the city during Ramzan as it’s the choice of guests for their post-Iftar meal. Her food is so famous that she enjoys the status of a...

Hyderabad's traditional Seviyan-makers do brisk business during Ramzan

Ratna G Chotrani/Ratna Chotrani Snippets of food wisdom have been woven into culture for thousands of years giving cities and towns its distinct heritage food. What attracts us to Hyderabadi food is the tradition and history behind it and one such ingredient is Seviyans which form an integral part of Indian festivities. In Hyderabad, the Ramazan platter often comprises food, made of recipes handed down from generations. Making Sevi...

A little Yemen in Hyderabad where Arabic food culture is thriving

Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad The Barkas locality in Hyderabad is home to a large population of Arab-origin people, mainly from Yemen. Today the tribe has assimilated into the local population, and yet retains its ethnic distinctive culture. Interestingly, Barkas comes from the English word ‘barracks’ and there is a story behind it. During the Nizam’s rule, the Barkas served in the Military and lived in Barracks. The Ch...

In Hyderabad, Ramzan nights are abuzz with cuisine, cultural fests and shopping

Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad The city of Hyderabad is bursting with life and energy during the holy month, particularly after sunset, as Muslims break their day-long rigorous fast. The night during Ramzan brings unique activities and exclusive experiences to residents and visitors. Those new to the city are astonished to see the cultural celebrations, thrilling outdoor adventures, tempting retail offers in Malls and shops, and incredibl...

Mohammad Ali Baig introduces the West to struggles, dreams of Indians through theater

Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad The Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation has changed the definition of Indian theatre with the sole motive of telling stories that speak the language of India. No wonder its founder Muhammad Ali Baig, a member of the Indian Diaspora, is breaking stereotypes and representing the multicultural Indian world to the West. Muhammad Ali Baig is often referred to as the Global face of Hyderabadi Theatre. Son of t...

Chef Prateek Mathur retrieves lost Hyderabadi recipes from the pages of history

Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad Beneath its touristy luster, Hyderabad preserves a deep traditional culture and a cuisine that has a long-standing Mughlai Turkic and Arabic influence. Known for its distinctive culture, countless traditions, artistic practices, and most importantly cuisine Hyderabad cuisine is one of the best favoured across the globe. Be it the famed Hyderabadi Kacche gosht ki Biryani or the Patthar ka ghost and many...

Using religion to unite through 'Meal at Masjid' on Milad- Un- Nabi

Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad (Telangana) In India, one cannot separate food from faith. Be it Muslims, Jews , Sikhs ,Christians or Hindus, the massive cooking in holy kitchens always amaze people. The large scale cooking satiates the hunger of millions of people who visit holy shrines. This holds good for special dishes made in all places of worship -whether it is Meethe Chawal in Dargah Sharif or it is the cauldron of Halwah during Ros...

How ASI-protected 460-year Katora Houz at Golconda Fort is turning into a cesspool

Ratna G Chotrani/Hyderabad The heritage site of Katora Houz is in utter neglect. Flouting the heritage status of the monument, the Lake is being turned into a landfill leading to its slow death. The 460-year tank at Golconda, built by the Qutub Shahi rulers, as a freshwater storage tank resembled a septic tank. Once the elixir for the people of Hyderabad under Qutub Shahi Kings the travelers was wowed by the Lake’s majestic...

Sibghatullah Khan introduces Hyderbadis to their rich past through his Deccan Archives

Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad It’s January; there's a nip in the air and the humidity is low. It’s a great time to explore Hyderabad on foot. Whether you're traveling to a new destination or want to pull back the curtain on your city, these walking tours are the best way to rediscover the streets of Hyderabad. Mohammed Sibghatullah Khan co-author of Hyderabad Deccan, an architectural and visual designer by profession and ...

'Nizam' Mukarram Jah to be laid to rest in Hyderabad as per his wish

Ratna G.Chotrani The ceremonial 8th Nizam of Hyderabad Mukarram Jah, who passed away in Istanbul, Turkey, on January 12, was fond of cars and had married five times. Though he lived most of his life abroad- in Europe - as per his wish, his body will be aid to rest in his native place. Jah, 89. heir to the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad was the grandson of the last reigning Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. His body ...

Hyderabad's Numaish: world's largest consumer fair with a dash of fun

Ratna G Chotrani/Hyderabad Come January and it’s time for the Numaish in the city of Nizam. The venue is teeming with people, fairy lights of the Giant wheel create a magnificent view from far, the wafting aroma of sizzling kebabs, the sweet smell of the cotton candy, the sizzle of the frying Mirchi pakoras popularly known as bhajji’s, variety of eggs, samosas and endless foods lure families to spend time shopping and having fu...

Hyderabad to restore heritage monuments for UNESCO tag

Ratna G. Chotrani/Hyderabad The Hyderabad City authorities have decided to restore several monuments and heritage structures in Hyderabad to strengthen the city's claim for the UNESCO world heritage tag. While the work on the restoration of the 140-year Saidani Ma Tomb is going on, the authorities recently announced that Sardar Mahal, Mir Alam Mandi, and Mahaboob Chowk Market (Murghi Chowk) would also ...

On Muharram, Hyderbabadi mourn and eat Dum ka Roat

Ratna Chotrani/Hyderabad Hyderabad is not only famous for its pearls and Sherwani; Kebabs and Keema; and Biryani and Haleem; during the Islamic month of Muharram it is the season for Dum Ke Roat, a sweet baked round cookie, made of wheat flour, sooji (semolina), vegetable oils, sugar, honey, clarified butter and dry fruits Even now, though some make their Roat at homes, hundreds of people flock to famous eateries lik...

Hyderabad Parsees celebrate 175 years of fire temple

Ratna Chotrani/Hyderabad The Parsee population in Hyderabad may not be that large but they indeed have influenced business and culture in Hyderabad, and also the rest of India for centuries. Two Parsee brothers Seth Viccaji Meherji and Seth Pestonji Meherji, a native of Tarapore village came to Hyderabad state and became the most renowned merchant princes and philanthropists of the community. The tw...

Moinuddin's is first and last Radio repair shop in Hyderabad

Ratna Chotrani/Hyderabad Mohammed Moinuddin’s shop Mehboob Radio Service in the walled city of Hyderabad is a charming musical mess. The dingy and dimly-lit small room that exudes an old-world charm and looks more like a tinkering shop is choc a bloc with wind up radios of brands such as G Marconi, RCA, Normandy Germany, GEC, Grundig, Murphy, Philco, HMV, Phillips and many more some of which are a century old. It is a Monday...

Moinuddin's is first and last Radio repair shop in Hyderabad

RATNA CHOTRANI Mohammed Moinuddin’s shop Mehboob Radio Service in the walled city of Hyderabad is a charming musical mess. The dingy and dimly-lit small room that exudes an old-world charm and looks more like a tinkering shop is choc a bloc with wind up radios of brands such as G Marconi, RCA, Normandy Germany, GEC, Grundig, Murphy, Philco, HMV, Phillips and many more some of which are a century old. It is a Monday afternoon...

Last 'watchman' of the Nizam’s grand old beauties

Ratna Chotrani/Hyderabad The concept of time has been of great importance to mankind. In the olden days, people used to measure time in different ways some through the sun’s movements and some relying on the clucking of the hen. The sun was the most important indicator of time. As time passed one of the earliest of all devices to tell time was the sundial. Later mechanical clocks were used which were installed ...

Show more

In the times when negativity is becoming a USP in the news business, Awaz -The Voice (www.awazthevoice.in) has been bringing out positive stories of human resilience, cooperation, mutual existence, and peaceful living from across India.

We believe that across the fault-lines of faith, caste, region and language, many of our common concerns, shared challenges, and visions for the future, hold a lot of potential for bringing people and communities together. Read More