Entertainment

From coral to concrete: Dubai’s architectural evolution

While Dubai is famous for the elegant, contemporary designs of its towering glass and steel skyscrapers, a closer look will reveal older buildings dotted around the city amidst the high-rises.

Over the last six decades there has been a shift from using coral to construct buildings to steel, but many traditional mud and coral houses are still found on the outskirts of the city.

The architectural evolution of Dubai eludes to the Emirate’s rapid expansion and growth, with each new style of building marking a significant step towards the glitzy metropolitan city pictured in travel brochures.

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“It's incredible what has been built in such a short period of time,” architect Richard Wagner, who gives tours as part of The Guiding Architects, told Al Arabiya. “We can reflect on them to say there were four major phases. There was the early phase of Dubai, before the founding of the nations in 1971, then after the founding all the way into the ‘90s.

“In the 2000s there was the initiation of development phase number one, a big boom which lasted up until the financial crisis in 2009,” he added. “2014 was the announcement of Expo 2020 and I think that's when the current phase started, which I call it Boom 2.0.”

Around the 1890s, Dubai was still mostly desert, with small settlements along the coastline for fishing and pearl diving and the creek for trade. Now known as the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the area once known as Al Bastakiya showcases the oldest buildings in Dubai, built from mud plaster and coral.

The area was named after the Persian merchants from Bastak who visited the creek for trade, settled, and built houses in the Bastak style – narrow, high-ceilinged courtyard houses with wind towers – which the UAE later adopted.

“Whatever coral they had, they would cut it into pieces, stack it up and plaster is afterwards,” Wagner said. “There were hardly any windows on the outside. All of the light came in from the courtyard on the inside. The outer part of the building is very narrow because it was limited to the length of the longest wood that you would find locally, typically some kind of a date palm tree or mangrove tree.”

With the discovery of oil and subsequent founding of the UAE in the 1970s, things began to change significantly. In the 1980s, half of Al Bastakiya was demolished for more modern developments.

In 1989, the Dubai Municipality decided that the remaining half would also be demolished, but British architect Rayner Otter’s heritage preservation campaign resulted in the Al Fahidi district transformation instead.

“[Otter] took one of the old houses, renovated it, and showed the Emiratis the scope of what you can do with these beautiful courtyard houses,” Wagner said. “It was really that initiative that helped preserve these houses.

“They recreated an urban street area as it was back in the 1920s until maybe the 1950s,” he added. They're all based on photographic records from the 1920s onwards, which they analyzed and modeled the area after.”

In other parts of Dubai in the ‘90s to the early 2000s, the city was beginning to expand, elevating its skyline with taller buildings. Dubai was put on the tourist map with the construction of Burj Al Arab, and all of sudden appeared alongside the iconic images of the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.

Government-created development companies built most of the major modern real estate projects of Dubai. Nakheel was given offshore projects, such as creating the Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands. Emaar concentrated on high-rise developments like Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai and Business Bay.

“Things were looking a little bit old fashioned,” Wagner said. “There was always this clinging on to a heritage-style design. There was even a booklet from the municipality handed out to most of the architects who were doing anything in the city, listing the kind of ornaments, designs, archways and doorways that they should use. Dubai had to break through that to really make it to the top tier of international contemporary design cities.”

One on the most iconic buildings to break from that era was Zaha Hadid’s Opus building in the Burj Khalifa district, a mixed-use 20-story glass cube with a curving cutout in the middle of the building that began construction in 2007.

“[Hadid] never saw it finalized, as she passed away and they were still working on the building at the time,” Wagner said. “It has layered balconies and floating balustrades and a really nice aspect is that it’s an open space with these floating petal-like booths which you can reposition if you have an event. So it gives you a lot of flexibility on the interior.”

With the financial crash of 2009, many projects were delayed or never realized, but it also gave the city a chance to catch up in terms of infrastructure. Though new buildings were going up, tarmacking roads and connecting water and power lines took a little longer.

When Dubai announced the hosting of Expo 2020 in 2014, the economy picked up again and expansion resumed, with contemporary architecture in mind.

Wagner said that new city architects and planners employed by Dubai Municipality “were much more open to contemporary design.”

Despite having built up so much already, Dubai is far from done with impressive architecture. Having already made world history with the Burj Khalifa, a new tower planned for the redevelopment of Dubai Creek will surpass the height of the famous skyscraper.

Put on hold due to COVID-19, the new $1 billion tower will evoke a slender minaret, anchored to the ground by a web of cables. It will stand at between 1,000m and 1,350m high, significantly taller than Burj Khalifa’s 828m and is potentially slated for a 2022 completion.

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Entertainment

Hollywood’s video game performers authorize strike if labor talks fail

Video game voice actors and motion capture performers have voted to authorize a strike if negotiations on a new labor contract fail, setting the stage for another possible work stoppage in Hollywood.

After voting closed on Monday, the SAG-AFTRA union said 98.32 percent of those who cast ballots had voted in favor of authorizing a strike.

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The union is scheduled to begin contract talks with gaming companies on Tuesday.

SAG-AFTRA is the same union representing film and television actors who went on strike in July, putting Hollywood in the midst of two simultaneous work stoppages for the first time in 63 years.

In May, roughly 11,500 Writers Guild of America members walked off the job. The writers union reached a preliminary labor agreement with major studios on Sunday.

The SAG-AFTRA agreement covering video game performers expired last November and has been extended on a monthly basis as the union negotiated with major video game companies.

The most pressing issues for SAG-AFTRA are higher pay, medical treatment and breaks for motion capture performers, and protection against artificial intelligence (AI).

These worries echo those brought by Hollywood writers and SAG-AFTRA members under a different contract.

“This is at an inflection point for our industry. In particular with AI, because right now there aren’t any protections,” Ashly Burch, “Horizon Zero Dawn” video game voice actor, told Reuters.

“So, there’s every possibility that someone could sign a contract and be signing away the right to their voice or their movement,” Burch added.

SAG-AFTRA is seeking wage increases for video game performers, saying their pay has not kept pace with inflation, and more protections for the motion-capture performers who wear markers or sensors on the skin or a body suit to help game makers create characters’ movements.

The union is asking for “on-camera performers to have the same five minutes per hour rest period that off-camera performers are entitles to,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement on its website.

The union will be negotiating with large video game companies, including Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Formosa Interactive and others.

“We will continue to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement that reflects the important contributions of SAG-AFTRA-represented performers in video games,” Audrey Cooling said Monday on behalf of the video game companies, following the strike authorization vote results.

“We have reached tentative agreements on over half of the proposals and are optimistic we can find a resolution at the bargaining.”

Striking writers, Hollywood studios to meet again to resolve five-month standoff

Striking Hollywood writers, studios to resume negotiations next week

Entertainment

Mohammed Sherif: Deep dive into the ancient martial art of ‘Kalarippayat’

‘Kalarippayat,’ originating in the South Indian state of Kerala, is considered “a complete martial art,” as it incorporates unique fighting techniques and scientific exercises based on the traditional understanding of human anatomy – something that the latest findings on exercise science and sports medicine are rediscovering.
“Kalarippayat is also the only martial art in the world that has a comprehensive traditional sports medicine for accidents and sports-related injuries, which is unparalleled in any other system,” said 69-year-old international Kalarippayat gurukkal or master, Chirammal Mohammed Sherif, who has spent more than 55 years, learning and perfecting the intricacies of a tradition and knowledge system that is 5,000 years old and has been transmitted through oral sources and also written down in palm leaf manuscripts, similar to that of Yoga and Ayurveda.
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‘Kalari Marma Chikitsa’ or therapy treats the vital body points, releasing positive energy throughout the body.
Sherif Gurukkal’s passion for Kalarippayattu and his dedication to preserving and propagating this traditional martial art have led him to become one of the pioneers in introducing Kalarippayattu to the West.

Chirammal Mohammed Sherif (left), in his younger days, honing his weapong fighting skills. (Supplied)

He started teaching European students as far back as 1986 and played a pivotal role in spreading the knowledge and practice of Kalarippayattu across Europe and other countries, with many of his students now teaching this ancient art in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, the UK, Turkey, USA, and Japan.
Sherif Gurukkal is visiting Dubai after having recently toured Europe.
Instead of mythologizing, Sherif Gurukkal is focused on the scientific benefits of Kalari and says that the latest medical findings on the neuromyofascial web (NFW), the fluid-like connective tissue within the human structure that overrides even our nervous system and correlates with the practice of Kalarippayat.
Sherif Gurukkal has also treated and trained world-famous sportspersons – among them, a World Kickboxing champion, an Olympic fencer, marathon runners, and others. He is of the opinion that Kalari treatment and practice are extremely useful in attaining peak fitness, quick recovery from sports injuries, and extending the sporting life of athletes at the highest level.
“The practice of Kalarippayat is very good for the training attributes necessary for almost every sport, particularly football, basketball, tennis, boxing, kickboxing, fencing, and athletics. With the Arabian Gulf region emerging as a center of excellence in sports, Kalari Marma treatment can play a very vital role,” he says.

Most ancient martial art in the world

Kalarippayat, or Kalari, is considered the most ancient martial art in the world. ‘Kalari’ can be translated literally as the place where exercises are taught and ‘payat’ as the art of combat. It is a holistic martial art involving training in armed and unarmed combat and a complete treatment system for injuries.

Kalarippayat is a holistic martial art involving training in armed and unarmed combat and a complete treatment system for injuries. (Supplied)

Kalarippayat training, being extremely comprehensive and scientific, allows students to develop high levels of fitness, self-confidence, and technical ability, thereby enabling very effective self-defense.
Traditionally, training is divided into four areas: body control exercises; training with wooden weapons such as longstick, shortstick, otta (in the shape of an elephant tusk); training with metal and sharp-edged weapons (sword, dagger, spear etc); and unarmed combat, using marmas of the vital/vulnerable body points.
The training helps develop abilities like speed, agility, strength, flexibility and coordination. These qualities are needed for a variety of stances, foot movements, kicks, blocks, strikes, and jumps.

Kalarippayat training helps develop abilities like speed, agility, strength, flexibility and coordination. (Supplied)

The weapon training, in tandem with a partner, includes striking, blocking, locks and other disarming and controlling techniques that also improve reflexes and focus.

Trained in three styles

Born in a North Kerala family with a warrior lineage of more than 300 years, Sherif was fortunate to train under the best masters of that time who came from authentic lineages from all three styles: Northern style, Southern style, and Central style, all of which are prevalent now.
Having lost his father at the age of seven, Sherif Gurukkal recalls the care and immense love he received from his Kalari teachers through the years, who instilled in him the quality of never giving up, no matter what. “This resolve took me on the path of a relatively obscure martial art at that time, mastering it and spreading it to different countries,” Sherif said.
“The philosophy of Kalari is of patience and perseverance, along with a very positive attitude and the ability to learn from one’s own mistakes,” he said, adding: “The training was very hard in those days: Non-stop training every day for three hours throughout the four months of the monsoon season and undergoing powerful Kalari massage every year for two weeks. This makes your body strong and flexible like a panther.”
In 1986, Sherif Gurukkal started receiving students from Europe. “Apart from being attracted to Indian culture, quite a few of them found out that Kalari helped them find an answer to life’s many challenges, such as troubled childhood, mental issues, and drug addiction. As soon as they started practising, quite a few of whom were depressed, they found out that they could shake off their despondence. Those who were diabetic soon brought the condition under control with a long-term effect,” he further said.

Mohammed Sherif gurukkal, with a group of his senior and junior students, pose in front of the Malabar Kalarippayat Academy in Kannur, Kerala. (Supplied)

For Sherif Gurukkal, teaching students from the West was a challenge because they wanted to know the ‘why’ of everything. “So, I had to learn more and always keep updating myself – just like a student.”
Recalling his younger days, he says: “I was concentrating more on learning fighting skills, but eventually, I realized I was missing something that I saw my teachers practise. I observed that they were always helping the poor who could not afford modern treatment. They considered it as their duty towards the community. In many cases, Kalari ‘marma’ treatment was highly effective – even more than other systems – cost-wise and also in terms of less time consumed.”
In the past, it was very common in Kerala to approach the Kalari masters for treatment of any sort of neuro-muscular-skeletal injuries because the knowledge for this treatment form was garnered over thousands of years, coupled with first-hand experience of taking care of injuries sustained during the practise of Kalari.
In Europe, too, Sherif Gurukkal finds that Kalari Marma (vital body point) treatment is becoming popular among leading sportspersons as it often helps them avoid surgeries – especially of the knees and the back – which could sometimes end their careers.
“Apart from my own experience as a healer, I have observed that Kalari treatment is highly effective for various types of sports injuries, as well back pain, neck and shoulder issues, migraine, headaches, vertigo, knee pain, tennis elbow, postural problems, proprioception (perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body) issues, emotional problems arising out of physical reasons,” he said.
“The various therapies practised can lead to a dramatic improvement in many common disorders, such as lumbago, rheumatoid arthritis, tendinitis, and cervical spondylosis,” he added.
To further illustrate the point, he says: “For example, a person who gets angry very quickly can be having a neck problem as well as depression, according to the science of Marma.”
He says it has been recently observed that Kalarippayat training and treatment are highly effective for differently-abled children, especially those with autism and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Some of Sherif Gurukkal’s European students are professional athletes who found Kalari training very useful for their specific sport.
Sherif has had the privilege of training and providing sports injury treatments to an impressive roster of international athletes, notably Joppe Lemmens (Germany), two-time world title holder in kickboxing under WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations); Mark Leo Lemmens (Germany); European kickboxing champion; Jessilyn Morton (USA), marathon runner, winner of Bighorn100; Eduardo Lupiere (Italy), Italian Olympic fencer, under-18 champion in Youth Olympics 2010, under-20 youth world championship 2011, and European Champion 2011, with multiple silver medals in Junior World Championships; Srdjan Jovanovic (Czech Republic), basketball player for the Czech Republic team. Numerous Yoga instructors were also treated by him.
“Leading kickboxing champion Joppe Lemmens suffered multiple injuries during training and fighting. Doctors advised him to stop performing. However, our treatment helped him win the world title,” says Sherif Gurukkal, who believes that Kalari Marma treatment “is a boon for humanity in terms of pain relief.”
“More professionals are coming forward to learn Kalari Marma, along with Kalarippayat training,” he added.
Some of Sherif Gurukkal’s advanced students include Steffen Geissler, a manipulative and physiotherapist from Hannover, Germany, for the past 28 years; Nelly Dargent, an osteopath for the past 18 years from Toulouse, France; Gero Gorancy, exercise science specialist from Hamburg, Germany; and Kamila Ewa Hitzer, a massage therapist from Hamburg, Germany.

Importance of the fascial web

Sherif Gurukkal says today, there is a newfound interest in the medical field in the study of the fascial system of the human body, also known as the fascial web, in relation to the health of the individual.
Modern medical science has come to realize the vastness of this neuromyofascial web (NFW) within the human body, and since then, researchers throughout the world have been investigating the significance of this discovery. Much more research is needed to clearly identify the role of NFW, but it appears the fascial web communicates joint position sense and even muscular tension faster than the nervous system.
Interestingly, Sherif Gurukkal notes that Kalari Marma treatment reaches deep into the body and works on the muscles, ligaments, bones and the Marma points located under the fascia, predated thousands of years of modern fascia-based forms of therapy.
“This knowledge was part and parcel of our society in Kerala for thousands of years and integrated through the practise of Kalarippayat and its parallel Kalari Marma treatment,” Sherif said.
The massage practice in Kalarai Marma treatment is paramount in the application of the concept of rehydration of the body. Undergoing this treatment for a prescribed period once a year restores body functions and facilitates overall well-being.
The theory of Kalari highlights the physical substrate of an energetic body. By applying pressure through massage and acupressure, it can not only release adhesions and tensions in the gross body, helping one to return to normal function, but can also open up the nodes in the body and facilitate the return of energy flow within an individual’s body. In the same way, martial arts trains a practitioner to attack and defend these Marma points, as this is the simplest way to stop the aggression of any opponent without causing any lasting harm.
Just as acupressure to the Marma point encourages energy flow, a correctly aimed attack can hinder energy flow, leading to numbness, paralysis, pain and /or loss of consciousness.
A revival technique can later be applied to return the aggressor to normal function. This way, there is no lasting harm.
“In both martial and healing art, there is a deep understanding of the NFW and expert knowledge on how to keep it in good condition. This knowledge remains intact to a great extent in the stronger lineages of Kalarippayat in Kerala and those practitioners carry an understanding that may prove vital in our future investigation of this body-wide intelligence,” says Sherif Gurukkal.
Unlike modern anatomical understanding, muscles are not seen as segments but as an interconnected chain. So, if one chain is affected, it gradually affects all other chains.
“Therefore, if you had an ankle sprain in the past, it will affect this chain, gradually producing knee pain, then back pain, and possibly the shoulder will gradually be affected, leading to migraine attacks. It all started from an ankle sprain, which was not treated properly,” he says.
International recognition
Sherif Gurukkal has donned the role of a cultural ambassador. He was sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the Ministry of External Affairs, representing India and its rich martial heritage at prestigious platforms abroad, from the East to the West. He has also been featured in leading martial arts media and publications.
“I have a dream to have an international center for Kalari Marma treatment in Dubai, addressing sports injuries to athletes from all over the world because the UAE and the Gulf countries are promoting sports and tourism in a big way that is creating waves internationally,” he reasoned.
Sherif Gurukkal’s journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving, promoting and advancing the ancient art of Kalarippayattu. Through his tireless efforts, he has not only showcased the rich cultural heritage of India but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the profound wisdom and grace of this form of martial art.
His contributions continue to resonate globally, leaving an indelible mark on the world of martial arts and healing practices.

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Tanweer Sacred Music Festival to bring world’s cultures to Sharjah’s Mleiha desert

Sharjah is preparing to welcome the nation, the region, and the world, to a 3-day experiential event like no other, as the inaugural ‘Tanweer Sacred Music Festival’ descends upon the mystical Mleiha desert from November 24 to 26, 2023, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Envisioned by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, to be a testament to tradition, wisdom, and the power of togetherness, this groundbreaking festival will feature some of the biggest names in world music who will deliver novel and culturally reverent performances, promising to be an unforgettable experience for all.

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Tanweer Sacred Music Festival, the region’s first-of-its-kind concept, invites everyone to discover the secrets of ancient cultures through a captivating program featuring musicians, immersive art installations, an indigenous craft-market, wholesome cuisines, as well as mind and body wellness activities and workshops by renowned masters.
In a world that often feels disconnected from its roots, Tanweer aims to bring people closer to heritage, diverse cultures, and to each other.
Commenting on the announcement of the upcoming festival, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and Visionary of Tanweer Sacred Music Festival, said, “Tanweer’s aim is to rediscover and celebrate our ancient wisdom through the beauty of culturally rich music — music that evokes our global heritage and preserves our customs. Tanweer, which translates to enlightenment, symbolizes a gathering of minds and hearts. We extend an open invitation to all those seeking deeper connections, mindfulness, a journey into the past, or simply a moment of presence. Tanweer is a festival that celebrates our shared humanity, inviting everyone to join us in embracing moments of profound unity.”

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and Visionary of Tanweer Sacred Music Festival. (Supplied)

One of the festival’s most captivating features is the global music performances that will take centre stage — featuring some of the world’s biggest names in traditional music, enhanced by laser projection mapping projected onto the dunes and mountains — creating a visual and auditory spectacle that will leave all in attendance in awe.

Tanweer Sacred Music Festival is not just about music; it is an experiential journey that welcomes all to discover mindful activities such as yoga, breathwork meditation, and Zikr; indulge in nourishing culinary delights; explore an indigenous marketplace; and partake in unforgettable worldly experiences that are unprecedented in the emirate of Sharjah and the entire region.

Beacon of eco-consciousness

Beyond its enchanting performances, Tanweer sets itself apart by emphasizing sustainability. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi’s vision extends to making the festival a beacon of eco-consciousness, proving that large-scale events can coexist harmoniously with our planet. As pioneers in sustainable music festivals, Tanweer aims to protect the ancestral land of Mleiha and conserve its natural ecosystem.
The festival unfolds over three days and nights, through an immersive and performative experience from talents around the world, leaving visitors connected to each other as well as the one hundred million year old archaeological wonder that is Mleiha, a recipient of TripAdvisor’s prestigious ‘traveller’s choice’ award for the sixth consecutive year, provides the perfect backdrop for this unique cultural celebration, and all steps are being taken to protect the environmental impact on the mountain and desert landscape during the experience.