Milad Celebrations in Delhi and Lahore: Popular Visual Islamic Culture of South Asia | Book Review

Milad Celebrations in Delhi and Lahore: Popular Visual Islamic Culture of South Asia, authored by Dr Ghulam Abbas, explores the vibrant visual and performative dimensions of the Prophet’s birthday (Mawlid/Milad) as celebrated in two historic urban centers of the subcontinent. Moving beyond doctrinal debates, the book situates Milad as a living tradition that bridges devotional practice, urban space, and material aesthetics. Through ethnographic observation, photographic documentation, and visual analysis, it traces how processions, illuminations, banners, and ephemeral decorations transform the cityscapes of Delhi and Lahore into luminous expressions of collective piety and cultural identity.

The book examines how artisans, organizers, and participants mobilize design, calligraphy, color, and light to produce a shared sense of belonging and sacred presence. It also interrogates the intersections of religion, politics, and media in shaping contemporary Islamic visuality—revealing continuities and contrasts between Indian and Pakistani contexts. By foregrounding everyday creativity and sensory devotion, the book argues that Milad celebrations constitute a dynamic vernacular aesthetic that redefines modern Muslim public culture in South Asia.