Browse Programmes
In this episode, join contemporary artist Soheila Esfahani as she delves into her installation, Cultured Pallets: Aga Khan Museum. Esfahani guides you through the inception, intricate painting process, innovative laser-cutting techniques, and the placement of her work within the Museum Collections Gallery. She shares her captivating journey from Iran to Canada, providing insights into her settling process and the inspiration she finds in the "in-between." The Aga Khan Museum's Head of Performing Arts, Amirali Alibhai, then sits down with guitarist Michael Murray and singer Jaasmaan Rathore from the Mekaal Hassan Band. Together, they discuss the formation of this unique version of the band. Finally, enjoy a stunning performance by the band on the Museum stage.
It’s the last day of the month, which means it’s time for our monthly round-up of exciting news in the June edition of The Ismaili Update.
For Imamat Day, Professor Azim Nanji joins Sheizana Murji for an interview, “The Imamat in History,” that explores the nature of the Imam's authority in Shia Ismaili Islam and how the Imamat has impacted the global Jamat and wider society. Learn more about our What Ismailis Believe series by visiting https://the.ismaili/whatismailisbelieve.
Join host Erum Fatima for the latest episode of The Ismaili Update, coming to you from Pakistan, where Prince Rahim recently concluded a five-day visit. During his visit, Prince Rahim met with government, Jamati and institutional leaders, and visited AKDN projects in Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan’s President, Asif Ali Zardari, conferred the Nishan-i-Pakistan on Prince Rahim for his “untiring efforts to improving the quality of life of peoples in resource-constrained regions of Asia and Africa”.
Delve into the captivating world of Shaheer Zazai with Art Lives — a short docuseries that provides an intimate glimpse into the working practices and conceptual approaches of contemporary living artists. Zazai explores the intersection of traditional Afghan carpet design and digital art, transforming his structured methodology by creating intricate carpet designs inspired by gardens in Microsoft Word. Additionally, join Amirali Alibhai, Head of Performing Arts at the Aga Khan Museum, as he engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Brandon Valdivia, also known as Mas Aya. They delve into Valdivia's artistic journey and sources of inspiration, culminating in a mesmerizing performance by the renowned composer, percussionist, and producer.
Join host Kawish Hussain for the latest episode of The Ismaili Update, coming to you from Pakistan, where Princess Zahra recently concluded six-day visit. During her visit, Princess Zahra and her son Iliyan reviewed projects of the Aga Khan Development Network that are benefitting tens of thousands of people in the villages and towns of northern Pakistan.
Join host Hassan Chagani for the May edition of The Ismaili Update, as we look back at some of the exciting stories from the worldwide Jamat over the past month.
Hosts Zahra Premji and Faizal Khamisa roll out the red carpet to celebrate exceptional athletes and artists who qualified and participated in the Illume 2023 National Arts and Sports Festival. Watch the talented filmmakers and visual artists share their creative journeys and inspire with their passion and artistry.
Sultan Allana, Director of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), speaks about the depth of AKFED's work, the strategic vision, and its practical implications for the lives of people in the developing world.
Join host Shamya Jaffer for the latest episode of The Ismaili Update, coming to you from the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, where Princess Zahra today attended the inauguration of a new Cancer Care Centre. With its world-class facilities, the Centre will help pave the way toward a healthier, brighter future for Tanzania and its people.
Join host Asma Gowani for the April edition of The Ismaili Update, as we look back at some of the exciting stories from the worldwide Jamat over the past month.
"This documentary profiles Pakistan’s Lady Health Workers during the historic 2022 floods. They were and still are indispensable healers, providing critical medical care on the frontlines of climate change while suffering the consequences themselves. The documentary also explores how women are impacted by climate emergencies, with a focus on maternal and neonatal care.
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Tazeen Bari"
"High in the precipitous Hindu Kush mountains, the majestic markhor has made an incredible comeback after its population critically dropped to roughly 200. But markhor kids struggle to survive in one of the world’s most hostile terrains. With drying freshwater springs, lack of food and the threat of more efficient predators, like lynx and feral dogs, the world’s largest wild goat is nearly threatened to become endangered. Scientists warn that the environment is out of balance.
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Abdullah Khan"
"There may be only 2,500 Red Pandas left in the wild. A native species of the Eastern Himalayas, these beautiful creatures are especially susceptible to rising temperatures and high-altitude land use changes. In a new upcoming episode of Voices from the Roof of the World, we see panda cubs growing up in an Indian zoo and the difficulty of breeding Red Pandas in captivity. Dr. Basavaraj Holeyachi and zoo biologist Pranita Gupta, lead the breeding program which aims to release this charismatic species back into the wild bamboo forests bordering India and Nepal. That is where Red Pandas will face the challenges of competing with farmers who are often denuding the lush landscape.
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Munmun Dhalaria"
"Nested in a remote corner of #Nepal, the village of Halzi thrives in virtue of the 11-century Waltse Rinchenling Buddhist Monastery. The monastery is a cultural treasure and the heart of a 500-people community. But lying just 6.5 kms below a dangerous glacier, this sanctuary faces the ever-looming threat of being wiped away by violent glacial lake floods. Residents cannot imagine abandoning the cultural treasure to its fate. The people of Halzi are running out of time.
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Tashi Lhazom"
"High in the foothills of Pakistan’s Hindu Kush mountains, the villages of Chitral faced a punishing series of disasters. Avalanches that buried schools and entire villages; monsoon mudslides that blocked out entire communities.
Watch, ‘Under the Hindu Kush’, a film that focuses on the emotional toll paid by the families of those buried by these disasters. Watch their stories interwoven with the film crew’s dangerous journey to reach them - a testament to their courage and resilience while living on the frontlines of climate crisis.
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Karim Shallwanee"
"In the heart of Nepal’s majestic Himalayas lives the iconic Bearded Vulture - a threatened species in the country. But with #Nepal’s rapidly changing climate, the future of the Vulture and the livelihood of the mountain communities is in danger.
Watch ‘Wings of the Himalayas’ to follow the footsteps of two biologists who delve into the captivating world of the Bearded Vulture and how it contributes to the culture of the Himalayan communities.
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Kiran Ghadge and Munir Virani"
"Teresken – the main shrubby plant in Tajikistan’s Pamir mountains, holds down mountain soil and prevents the spread of high-mountain deserts. Every truck load of teresken carried away to be used as fuel seriously degrades the soil and speeds up the spreading of high-mountain deserts. Wild animals like Marco Polo sheep, Siberian ibex and wild yaks have nothing left to feed on. Watch ‘Teresken in Trouble’ to see all that is at stake if local fuel alternatives are not available soon.
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Sayohat Khalilova"
"When the Floods come is a 30-minute adventure film exploring the human impact of Pakistan’s historic 2022 floods, by way of an unforgettable 3000km road trip, starting from the famous glaciers of the northern areas, following the flow of the Indus River, to the hottest and worst impacted areas of northern Sindh. It is also a personal odyssey by the filmmaker exploring the village where he grew up and the people who still remember him 20 years later.
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Nyal Mueenuddin"
"Water levels have declined drastically in Upper Mustang Nepal, forcing the villagers in Himalayan mountains to abandon homes of many generations.
Watch Dhye Dreams to experience the stories of three resilient women fighting against their fate and surviving through climate change.
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Shanta Nepali"
"In 2022, Pakistan's monsoon floods destroyed millions of acres of farmland and killed millions of livestock, triggering an extreme food crisis. With nearly 10 million children suffering from stunting and extreme weather changes restricting crop production, how do we recover from the destruction and feed the children of Pakistan?
Series Producer: Andrew Tkach
Episode Director: Cyrus Viccaji"