Thoufeek’s work and his dedication to study Jewish history and culture led to a close friendship between him and Cochin’s Jewish community
The Huffington Post
About Thoufeek Zakriya
In 2004 at an age of 15, he started his interest towards Hebrew language. He self taught and practiced Hebrew Calligraphy which motivated and enabled him to be in touch with the Jewish community of Cochin. Since 2007 he pursued his exploration about the Jewish history of Malabar, by 2009 he had started his academic research about “Cochin Jewish cuisine, culture and Tradition”, successfully completed in 2011 with the help of the Elders from Cochin Jewish Community.
Then he expanded his topic wider, Scholars, Historians, Journalists, history enthusiasts and students from various universities contacted him for information on Jews of Malabar, specially translating and deciphering old Hebrew epitaphs. In 2013 he conducted an exhibition about the Hebraica and Judaica by titled “an ethnic passage through the history of Jews of Malabar”, which gained the attention across the globe.
His life being a Calligrapher, Historian and an award winning chef is featured as a Documentary movie “Sarah, Thaha, Thoufeek”, a heartwarming real life story of human companionship. Late Sarah Cohen, the oldest surviving Paradesi Jew in Mattancherry, Kochi; Thaha Ibrahim, a local tailor who helped Sarah with her embroidery work, including making kippahs, and looked after her; and Thoufeek Zakriya, a history enthusiast and a Hebrew calligrapher. Theirs is an inspiring tale of brotherhood and communal harmony from India for the world to learn from.
He is also expanding his area to the history of Muslims of Cochin. As a part of it he had deciphered a 500 years ancient Tamil inscription inside an ancient Mosque in Cochin. Being a graduate and university topper in Hospitality management, he pursues Calligraphy as a serious hobby and history research as his passion all along with his professional and personal life.
He moved to Dubai in 2014 and continued his profession, hobby and passion as it is. In 2017 he took part in the Shirei Hodu, an international symposium about the Jews of India, where his calligraphy exhibition “The Scribe” was put up which features the epigraphs, epitaphs and manuscripts of the Jews of Malabar, which was first of its kind in India.
In 2018 He had joined with the public art project “Red Crown and Green Parrot” which is an art walk through the historic town of Mattancherry which deals with the forgotten cultural heritage of the Malabar Jewish community from the viewpoint of the artists. He has conducted lectures and talk on the history of Jews of Malabar and written articles in same subject. He was featured in the book “Can Art Aid in Resolving Conflicts? 100 Perspectives” he was selected as one among the hundred artists around the globe who speaks through art about the peace, tolerance and co-existence.
In 2019 he had exhibited his art work “The Scroll of Peace” in Greece which was exhibited along with other artist’s and activist’s work. A notable work was of sketches by Nelson Mandela which was exhibited near to Thoufeek’s artwork.
Post the historic Abrahamic accord, he was featured in few many Israeli medias and highly appreciated for his expertise in Hebrew Calligraphy. Since he lived in Dubai he was invited to Israel as part of the first delegates from UAE to Israel in Dec, 2020. He met the President and gifted one of his art work to him. He still continues bridging between community by his art and history and talks about peace, tolerance and co-existence through various platforms.
Thoufeek’s work and his dedication to study Jewish history and culture led to a close friendship between him and Cochin’s Jewish community
The Huffington Post
About Thoufeek Zakriya
In 2004 at an age of 15, he started his interest towards Hebrew language. He self taught and practiced Hebrew Calligraphy which motivated and enabled him to be in touch with the Jewish community of Cochin. Since 2007 he pursued his exploration about the Jewish history of Malabar, by 2009 he had started his academic research about “Cochin Jewish cuisine, culture and Tradition”, successfully completed in 2011 with the help of the Elders from Cochin Jewish Community.
Then he expanded his topic wider, Scholars, Historians, Journalists, history enthusiasts and students from various universities contacted him for information on Jews of Malabar, specially translating and deciphering old Hebrew epitaphs. In 2013 he conducted an exhibition about the Hebraica and Judaica by titled “an ethnic passage through the history of Jews of Malabar”, which gained the attention across the globe.
His life being a Calligrapher, Historian and an award winning chef is featured as a Documentary movie “Sarah, Thaha, Thoufeek”, a heartwarming real life story of human companionship. Late Sarah Cohen, the oldest surviving Paradesi Jew in Mattancherry, Kochi; Thaha Ibrahim, a local tailor who helped Sarah with her embroidery work, including making kippahs, and looked after her; and Thoufeek Zakriya, a history enthusiast and a Hebrew calligrapher. Theirs is an inspiring tale of brotherhood and communal harmony from India for the world to learn from.
He is also expanding his area to the history of Muslims of Cochin. As a part of it he had deciphered a 500 years ancient Tamil inscription inside an ancient Mosque in Cochin. Being a graduate and university topper in Hospitality management, he pursues Calligraphy as a serious hobby and history research as his passion all along with his professional and personal life.
He moved to Dubai in 2014 and continued his profession, hobby and passion as it is. In 2017 he took part in the Shirei Hodu, an international symposium about the Jews of India, where his calligraphy exhibition “The Scribe” was put up which features the epigraphs, epitaphs and manuscripts of the Jews of Malabar, which was first of its kind in India.
In 2018 He had joined with the public art project “Red Crown and Green Parrot” which is an art walk through the historic town of Mattancherry which deals with the forgotten cultural heritage of the Malabar Jewish community from the viewpoint of the artists. He has conducted lectures and talk on the history of Jews of Malabar and written articles in same subject. He was featured in the book “Can Art Aid in Resolving Conflicts? 100 Perspectives” he was selected as one among the hundred artists around the globe who speaks through art about the peace, tolerance and co-existence.
In 2019 he had exhibited his art work “The Scroll of Peace” in Greece which was exhibited along with other artist’s and activist’s work. A notable work was of sketches by Nelson Mandela which was exhibited near to Thoufeek’s artwork.
Post the historic Abrahamic accord, he was featured in few many Israeli medias and highly appreciated for his expertise in Hebrew Calligraphy. Since he lived in Dubai he was invited to Israel as part of the first delegates from UAE to Israel in Dec, 2020. He met the President and gifted one of his art work to him. He still continues bridging between community by his art and history and talks about peace, tolerance and co-existence through various platforms.
Thoufeek’s work and his dedication to study Jewish history and culture led to a close friendship between him and Cochin’s Jewish community
The Huffington Post
About Thoufeek Zakriya
In 2004 at an age of 15, he started his interest towards Hebrew language. He self taught and practiced Hebrew Calligraphy which motivated and enabled him to be in touch with the Jewish community of Cochin. Since 2007 he pursued his exploration about the Jewish history of Malabar, by 2009 he had started his academic research about “Cochin Jewish cuisine, culture and Tradition”, successfully completed in 2011 with the help of the Elders from Cochin Jewish Community.
Then he expanded his topic wider, Scholars, Historians, Journalists, history enthusiasts and students from various universities contacted him for information on Jews of Malabar, specially translating and deciphering old Hebrew epitaphs. In 2013 he conducted an exhibition about the Hebraica and Judaica by titled “an ethnic passage through the history of Jews of Malabar”, which gained the attention across the globe.
His life being a Calligrapher, Historian and an award winning chef is featured as a Documentary movie “Sarah, Thaha, Thoufeek”, a heartwarming real life story of human companionship. Late Sarah Cohen, the oldest surviving Paradesi Jew in Mattancherry, Kochi; Thaha Ibrahim, a local tailor who helped Sarah with her embroidery work, including making kippahs, and looked after her; and Thoufeek Zakriya, a history enthusiast and a Hebrew calligrapher. Theirs is an inspiring tale of brotherhood and communal harmony from India for the world to learn from.
He is also expanding his area to the history of Muslims of Cochin. As a part of it he had deciphered a 500 years ancient Tamil inscription inside an ancient Mosque in Cochin. Being a graduate and university topper in Hospitality management, he pursues Calligraphy as a serious hobby and history research as his passion all along with his professional and personal life.
He moved to Dubai in 2014 and continued his profession, hobby and passion as it is. In 2017 he took part in the Shirei Hodu, an international symposium about the Jews of India, where his calligraphy exhibition “The Scribe” was put up which features the epigraphs, epitaphs and manuscripts of the Jews of Malabar, which was first of its kind in India.
In 2018 He had joined with the public art project “Red Crown and Green Parrot” which is an art walk through the historic town of Mattancherry which deals with the forgotten cultural heritage of the Malabar Jewish community from the viewpoint of the artists. He has conducted lectures and talk on the history of Jews of Malabar and written articles in same subject. He was featured in the book “Can Art Aid in Resolving Conflicts? 100 Perspectives” he was selected as one among the hundred artists around the globe who speaks through art about the peace, tolerance and co-existence.
In 2019 he had exhibited his art work “The Scroll of Peace” in Greece which was exhibited along with other artist’s and activist’s work. A notable work was of sketches by Nelson Mandela which was exhibited near to Thoufeek’s artwork.
Post the historic Abrahamic accord, he was featured in few many Israeli medias and highly appreciated for his expertise in Hebrew Calligraphy. Since he lived in Dubai he was invited to Israel as part of the first delegates from UAE to Israel in Dec, 2020. He met the President and gifted one of his art work to him. He still continues bridging between community by his art and history and talks about peace, tolerance and co-existence through various platforms.