The Madan Mohan Malviya Auditorium at Hansraj College, University of Delhi, witnessed an inspiring event as the literary society of the college, in collaboration with the Bougainvillea Art Foundation, hosted the launch of two coffee table books by Dr. Kaynat Kazi, Author and Founder of Bougainvillea Art Foundation. The event unveiled “The Monasteries of Bodhgaya: Abode of Cultural Amalgamation of South Asia” (English) and “Bodhgaya ke Vihaar: Dakshin Ashiyaee Deshon ki Vividh Sanskrti ke Vaahak” (Hindi).
The event was graced by eminent personalities, including the esteemed author and philanthropist Mrs. Sudha Murty, who officially unveiled the books, and Mrs. Vanathi Srinivasan chaired the session. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), attended as the Guest of Honour, along with renowned archaeologist and Padma awardee Mr. KK Mohammed, who enlightened the audience with his insights on cultural documentation. Professor (Dr.) Rama, Principal of Hansraj College, warmly welcomed all the dignitaries, and the program was eloquently conducted by Dr. Prabhansu Ojha, Assistant Professor, Hindi Department.
Dr. Kazi’s books, a culmination of detailed cultural documentation at 41 monasteries in Bodhgaya, aim to conserve India’s heritage and make it accessible to a global audience. The project emphasizes the importance of cultural preservation and the democratization of knowledge by offering free e-book downloads on the Bougainvillea Art Foundation website.
Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Sudha Murty remarked, “These books beautifully capture the soul of Bodhgaya’s monasteries, weaving a narrative that transcends borders and unites South Asia’s diverse cultural heritage. Dr. Kazi’s work is not just a literary accomplishment but a valuable resource that opens windows to our shared history for students, scholars, and culture enthusiasts alike.”
The event also featured an engaging discussion led by Mr. KK Mohammed on the significance of cultural documentation in shaping national identity. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi further emphasized the role of institutions in preserving cultural narratives and fostering academic research.
Dr. Kaynat Kazi reflected on her journey, “Documenting Bodhgaya’s monasteries has been a profound experience, uncovering stories of unity, diversity, and resilience in their walls. These books are my humble attempt to preserve these cultural gems and make them accessible to all, proving that our history belongs not to a few but to everyone who seeks to learn and grow from it.”
Students and attendees lauded the initiative for its inclusive approach, particularly the availability of books in both English and Hindi and free e-books, ensuring their reach across diverse audiences.
About Dr. Kaynat Kazi
Dr. Kaynat Kazi is the first female sole traveller in India and has a collection of one lakh memories in the form of photographs. Over the five years of her travels, she has covered a distance of about three lakh kilometres in India and abroad. Kaynat is a photographer, travel writer, and blogger, but travelling is the closest to her heart. That is why she prefers to be introduced as a solo female traveller. Travelling is her passion, and photography is her hobby. Her love for literature and research has also strengthened her passion.
She’s had a long history with academia. She previously worked for Shiv Nadar University for about a decade and managed the center for culture and arts at the University of Petroleum Energy Study for two years, where she published much research on cultural documentation and contributed to the pilot study of cultural mapping in Uttarakhand under the national cultural mapping mission, IGNCA, ministry of culture, government of India. Kaynat holds a PhD in Hindi literature and has authored eleven books to date.
Kaynat has received many awards and accolades for her travel writings. She has been awarded the Paryatan Ratna Samman, the ABP News Best Hindi Blogger Award, and many more. Kaynat launched the first Hindi travel photography blog named Rahagiri (rahagiri.com) and continues to successfully manage it till today. Many of her photo exhibitions have been held.
Kaynat has been writing articles on tourism and culture in the country’s well-known Hindi newspapers for a long time. Currently, she is heading the Bougainvillea Art Foundation located in Greater Noida, under which she is engaged in the preservation and promotion of the diverse culture of India.
