bhojsala

IT was a dream to see the Bhopal for the Rashtriya Manav sangrahalaya, the Rang Bhavan, The Begum Bhopal’ heritage and legacy, the BHOJ Shala and all that which I became aware during my continued path of education.

IT was certainly a gift of GOD that I could visit the Bhopal, but alas, as foolish I am, due to laziness I could not utilize much of opportunity provided by the Almighty. I cannot complain to him about that.

SO what, I could actually breathe the air of the place. Was that anything less for me? NO it was great to feel the same air, the same sky, and the same vibrations as those people felt. By that I mean the Begum Bhopals (there were many of them), May be the Kings like raja Bhoj, The city I loved, where the shooting of the film the CUSTODY of Ismail merchant was done(as much as I know). The Bhopal is similar to Bhoj Pal.  Isn’t it?

The temple at high-rise in Bhoj pur (sala), no doubt, is of ancient origin. It looked to me as an assembled one. The etchings on the nearby rocks show some kind of the design plan for the temple and its different angles. The designs of arches, pillars etc are also drawn on the rocks. But Pity. After having known this temple for such a long time no steps have been taken to protect those engraving on rock from the onslaught of the weather. When I saw it Many drawings have faded and more are going to be washed by rains and destroyed by heat(may be).

At least few temp. sheds could have been erected on those engravings. Ironically there was an old looking building. Which as local people told it was a kind of guesthouse, where high privileged visited. If that is not correct then of course huge fund had been utilized in making these unused brick structures and on the other side the important engraving were left open under the sky.

Early in childhood I used to read the AMAR chitra Katha, stories of Raja Bhoj, Chandragupta Vikramaditya (both the pratham and dwiteeya). Now we get confused as who is who and what each has done and what each of them has significance to the Indian History.

Then there was a young child named Shalivahana, who, as legend goes, was born to an eight year old girl. Some “shraap” was on the Vikramaditya-I that a boy born to an eight-year girl would kill him. Legend has it that a “pot maker” or Potter, not the Harry potter, raised the boy and his mother.

The boy grew up amongst the commoners (at that time) and not in the elite class. He fought with the mighty king-The Vikramaditya-I. He is credited to introduce the language of the commoners into the court of the Kings. Earlier the language of God- the Sanskrit- was the court language. (the place is now taken by the elite English now days).   Which was never done before. As, the Shalivahana was a common man of that time, with lots of common sense. So he introduced it for the benefit of all.

Threads of social fabric

I am listening to the song HAJI ALI from the film FIZA. This recent film is touching upon a controversial topic of riots, fundamentalism and partition etc, I haven't seen this film till now but only few trailers on TV. While hearing this song on my computer, I noticed some eyes were full of amazement and looking at me. It was clear that there is doubt in their minds. How come this a Brahmin, enjoying the Qawali on “Haji Ali”. The song plays continuously on the media player till you close it.

In backdrop, Afghan war is ensuing for past 30 days. Many views appeared in the media from several quarters over the division/ polarization of the world into Muslims and the rest. Few in India took it to the division of Muslims itself. Fanatic and "liberal –moderate Muslims". Danger was that it was done vis-a-vis Hindu and fundamentalists. They are stretching the point too much. Terrorism is now world vide phenomenon.  And only those who want a tag of liberal or secular are using this kind of comparison. Mainly they are from English media. I think they think of themselves as a global citizen. The danger is that these are the people who can or may influence the political thinking of any country or community. Which will result in the exploitation of the poor the common man.

I am amazed to see Muslims of many countries are demonstrating against the US attack. By this they themselves creating this impression of linking the terrorism with the religion. It may be like If India wages war against the Dawood Ibhrahim and the Terrorism and by virtue of his being in PAK (as reported by the media) the Muslims of world start demonstration against India.

A report came up in the HT that talks between Afghan and US were going on for last three years to hand over Osama till the September 11.

I just want to confine myself to India. Why the protests were not held when there were killings in J&K. or they had some hidden agenda to give religious flair to the terrorism in J & K.  Neither the Muslims nor the rest of the world spoke at the brutal killings (either sikhs or others) in J & K. Whereas the country stood up when killing of two Christians was reported. The So-called the secular, were in the forefront and tried to build pressure on the Centre. It has to be accepted that people sitting in Delhi have a clout.

HAJI AlI of Bombay (now MUMBAI) has a special place in my life. Eight years in marriage they ran here & there, for search of a boon- a child. Though they might have performed puja daily to please god. But the single visit to the Dargah oF Haji Ali blessed them with a son -that is me. Later I also visited the Dargah and paid my obedience at Haji Ali. My parents also visited Ajmer Sharif and Salim Chisti Dargah.  they had wished that if their desires were fulfilled they would visit these Dargah of the famous Sufi saints. The belief now I have inherited.

Next time we visited these places again in 1976 & 1982. This time all the brothers and sisters prayed together to these saints. Tradition continues from generation to generation.

As a child we used to visit Hardoi, the native place of my maternal grandmother. Bus from Hardoi city would take us to a spot on road to sandi. At the stop there were only shops and few houses on both side of the road. The road formed the mid rib of the village. One shop neighboring the well was of Jumman Mia the tailor of the area.  He was surrounded by the an old sewing machine, few glittering pieces of cloths few with faded colors, one assistant a boy of 14 to 15 years of age, nearby three four goats were enjoying there time jumping running eating all over the place. Two loyal dogs patiently looking at us the intruder to their territory. His beard was the only distinguishing sign from others. Noticeable things were an aluminum pot with a stout and the round cap over his head. He was a jolly fellow.

To his query that to whom I want to visit. I told about my grandfather. To my surprise, the place, which was looking deserted and inaccessible, suddenly became spacious and filled with energy and warmth. Takhat was empty he cleared of all the cloths etc. Three four persons from the other shop arrived. They fetched drinking water from the well and a bullock cart was arranged for us to reach Murauli village. Whenever Grand mother was with us we never faced any problem on the way. She was daughter of the village and aunty to all of the area. and people in that area were all in some way or the other were uncles, brother etc. Since she belonged to this village thus all residents of that village are my relatives..!!!. What a great place we belong to?

She would share jokes with Jumman Mia and his group. Some times she would curse somebody and also bless some. All this goes on in a very healthy atmosphere.

Back in city where my grandmother lived at the end of the lane there was a house full of Reshmas, aiyishas begums etc. Often they would come to fetch drinking water from our house in absence of any municipality tap. The well was inside of our house. These ladies call out for my grandmother standing at gate. My grand mother never denied for drinking water though there was some resistance from tenants.

At the end of the lane there was a Sarai, originally this place is meant for travelers for resting etc, this sarai must have been built during mughal period. It was big a rectangular compound eclosed by walls on all sides and two gates. The boundary wall was very high and huge domes were mounted on four corners. A pathway passed through the Centre. There was a huge well inside. This well would be full of buzz whole day.

Later I heard that one Saabir Mia bought this sarai. In sarai lived kallu my childhood friend. Whole atmosphere of the sarai was very pleasant. There were trees of Tamarind some of the pomegranate, few of guava and berry. Some were NEEM trees. The Street was full of activities whole day. In pre noon hours vendors would roam selling their items from the spices to many mysterious things. I came to know many things in the life through these activities on this street. How the Printing is done on the cloths, How the copper, brass etc utensils are polished, How the knives edge is sharpened. How the cotton is prepared for filling in the lihaf Rajai (quilt). How the wax toys are made. How the toys of sygar are made. How that sweet paste is made from which You could get watch, horse driven cart and bullock cart.  I think they were able to make any shape, only thing was you had to name it. Seeing men wet with sweat during Long hours of preparation of the stuff was very painful and noteworthy.

The sarai housed at least twenty families. Few dwellings were vacant. visitors used to occuppy these. There were street magician, toy makers, merchants etc. In the first house lived one Maulviji. He had prescribed few remedies for me also. He was considered to be having some mysterious powers. Whoever in need would rush for his help. He would simply close his eyes and prayed and then exhale air on the patient. Muttering some mantar (not the mantra, I prefer to write in this way) and a big PHOONK.

There lived a gang of notorious ducks (such was my experience). The leader was big black duck. While crossing the sarai I was chased by this devil. He with his elongated neck chased and squeezed on my leg. That was very painful.

There was 'kallu ki dai' as my grand mother called this lady, to whom my grandmother approached for eggs for me. A doctor prescribed one egg for me, hence my grand mother contacted this lady. She had few hens. One was without any feathers on the neck. Surprising thing was that the hen was kept tied with small rope in its leg. Even my household was strict vegetarian, but when doctor told one egg a day for me, My grandmother without thinking approached someone whom she knew would help.

I do remember that on one festival, girls in SARAI made small mud houses two to three story tall. Well decorated with colors. Proper staircase and rooms windows and domes every thing was there to see. I do not remember the actual name of the festival. But I used to take part in making of these houses.

Then there was another one when everybody made small Tazias. Some used the colored paper and some used the glittering papers. When this TAZIA procession was taken out on the streets the ladies, daughters would carry their babies under the tazia. Supposedly that would bring good luck and long life to the baby. Many families regardless of the religion did this.

I had on some occasion accompanied some friends from sarai to a local Masjid. Where I noticed they would line-up in front of the gate or staircase holding baby in their arms and the elderly or all those coming out of the mosque after prayers would give mouthful of air to the children. This is known as "Foonk" or "Phoonk" in our local dialect.
On the ID or EID my neighbours had always sent the raw SIMAI or semia gud (jaggery), dates, sootpheni, etc to our house, knowing that my grandmother and mother are strict vegitarian. Thus no cooked food will be allowed from their house. They thought thatat least this would be cooked in our house and we will eat it. Similarly we recirpocated all these in our Diwali, Holi etc. And i ams sure many of our people in Mohallas of old Lucknow, Kanpur etc always did this for generations. That was known as GANGA JAMUNI Tahzeeb. It had continued since 500 years or more so.

Incidently in Hardoi, it is a saying that ancestors of my grandmother fought with muslim nawabs and won few villages. But they kept one village for themselves and chose to settle there. They had originally came from MATHURA region. They were known as PATHAK brothers. Thus the village is known as Pathakan ki Murauli.

khwaish 1- the wish

I got chance to see the film Pakeezah when i was quite young. Every frame was recorded on my memory-the mental-scape.
All the emotions felt by the Meena Kumari ji on screen were felt by my brain cells also.  
She was such a persona that no space will be enough to write about her. Now At the age of 40 I think of many dimensions of those memories.

Those women really suffered a lot. They were on one hand were exploited by men and  on the other hand ill-treated by the women of that time, which caused them double agony.

Well, if one says that they exploited men, then I would say it was not fault of these women.

One has to see the Umrao jaan, the film by shri Muzaffar Ali, who had lineage connection with the Nawabi culture.

Whenever I go to Lucknow, which is my birth place, I regularly go to the Kesar Bagh. From there a way leads to the Kathak Kendra and Bhatkhande music college. On the way we can see the Baradari and on both side are the remains of old Lucknow style of buildings. There is also a gate from which I used to come from the Golagunj.

At the Kesar Bagh chauraha on the road leading to the Baradari, there is one gate, There is wriiten something which i could not ignore. But i tried to peep inside. Just in case to get a chance to see Muzafar Ali. Once I asked someone at the gate that when I can see Muzafar Ali ji. He said he is not here and he did not know when he will come to Lucknow. At that moment I come to peace with the ground  and consider myself lucky as atleast I was able to  touch the gate of building which many time houses Shri Muzafar Ali ji.

But whenever I see Umrao Jaan movie I find that the places are familiar to me. Some scenes look like as if shot in Chota Imambara or some other such places. Then there was a scene where Umraao was in Kanpur and she sang the song at the birthday of nawab’s  son. The place I search was a house/building we find near the jajmau bridge on Ganga. While going to lucknow from jajmau on left side of road was a white building of the old style- I thought that the shoot must have been taken place there. So much admiration I had for the film. After Pakeezah the Umrao jaan was the only film, which I considered of that standard. There was art, music, dance, drama, literature, architecture, creativity, Culture, all the emotions were there-love, pity, envy, hatred. There is another movie UTSAV, but i realy dont know whether it was a succes story or not- two different views are taking rounds. For me that was also a movie worth preservation and it was a work of art. Had it been made in SANSKRIT- suppose- then what would have happened?. As if the Iyer( or the iyengar???) film the SANKARACHARYA. it was amazing film- i had seen it on doordarhsan early 80s. the concept of dualism was explained.

I really wish I could meet Shri Muzaffar Ali ji and ask him to take me in any dance sequence.

Rural Hubs as HIGHWAYS of FUTURE

This is what i wrote for a news item appeared in TOI during november december 2006.

RIL has to go for it. It was essential for them to become succesfull in the SEZ or their retailing project, which otherwise without rail/road and air cannot be a viable one. Now the thing left is that RIL has to make their CARGO fleet in place. If they can bring big planes offering the pax and cargo services together will be an added advantage. OR NEXT STEP they can work on MOU with the ministry of highways for making the famous quatriangle connecting metros DELHI KOLKATA CHENNAI MUMBAI (few additions like BANGALORE, KOCHI, ONE PORT in Gujrat for which RIL has already bidded)a dream come true and this is what RIL needs. The other vision is that if they can have fast transport like rapid transport system like metro trains side by side the roads that will be good option. It can be done under the PPP.

A multi storey or lateral road+rail system will be good thing. These structures can offer many services like communication (internet, tv, phones and whole lots of things) CITY gas pipelines, power lines, PETRO lines, WATER lines and many more to come in future. On Higways at few places we can have some sort of MULTIstorey transit places/structures where (as I Imagine)Helicopter or small planes or both land on upper deck the cargo or PAX come down to get on RAIL or ROAD to reach their destination. Since these quartriangle will connect all the major corners cities (as decided by the partners) [ one city in GUJRAT, Mumbai, GOA, BANGALORE, HYDERABAD, kolkatta or near kolkata, KANPUR, DELHI or GURGAON, LUDHIANA or JALLANDHAR] Reliance has already begun in this retailing business. thus they can think of it. These multistorey structure will may become small SEZs, with Storing, sorting, packaging units with sail outlets, WHEN these are SEZ whole lot of other service sector will be attached with it.
In second tier of network the states will be connected to these small SEZs. In GUJRAT or PUNJAB or BIHAR network of roads and rails or small AIR Taxis can be utilized to collect [or distribute]the produce of villages/towns within a state network having similar kind of lateral rail road system. These network in states will be backbone for quardtriangle.
In states like West Bengal inland water transport can also be linked. the RIVERs can also be tapped for transporting the produce from one place to other where rail or road is not available or if available then also INLAND WATER TRANSPORT system will be an added benefit. Specially to connect the RURAL areas.
RuralHUB concept is a good concept if it is implemented in light of nation building not as a corporate building exercise only.

Mythology A pan India thing

The myth of rebirth is a pan India phenomenon. Years before I heard about the film Marichitrathazu, in which the Shobhana , the leading lady of the legend of Travancore sisters got acclaim for her performance. Then I just read through the print media that it is based on some dancing lady that’s all. In some of TV news also I heard these things. Later I got to see and know about a film called Chandramukhi, where the super star Rajni sir was also there. As the film was in tamil and as  I could make out that in the story some lady is there who still lives in a portion of house. Where nobody goes, however one lady goes there and everybody finds that the soul has taken over that lady. Some scenes of snakes were also there. Then in one film named as bhool bhoolayia, I saw a dance sequence on the song by Shreya Ghosal, Amije tomar or mere dholna sun. where the Vidya Balan appeared. By the way the male dancer was the same person who appeared in the film chandramukhi.

The story line was very similar, that means the same story was made film in three regions. Each localizing as per the regions. But each has Bharatnatyam as the base. There was not much kathak in mere dholna- or amije.  Rather it was a bollywood mix or Remix of everything, steps and dress of bharatnatyam some “bol” of TARANA, song in Hindi. But then it is a film, nobody call question them. But over all the song and music was very powerful. These concepts of rebirth etc are very well Commercially exploited. And the most famous rationalist (Mr Samuel, I think)  never speak against it. He only speaks against the jyotish.  Next time TV channel should call Jyotishi from Keral, vidyabalan, maker of film marichithrathazu, mohan lal the super start and him so that both from same state they can communicate in their language well and we can listen to them what they, hailing from same state have to offer for us. In old movies also I have seen few songs where the Waheeda ji and hema ji had performed some similar situation songs

Someone should make film on the life of Rai Praveen, panna dhai, Asgari bai, Allah jilai bai or let us dramatize the story of Gauhar jaan, or Begum Akhtar since now few biographical works are available in print and visual forms. There was a well known name of “Chappan Churi” of Allahabad or benaras.

Our Nation- Bharat

What is happening to our nation?, which was known as Bharat Mata. It is our Janani Janm Bhoomi. The most beloved mother, a personification of mother earth. Form north to south every part is resenting, somewhere it is for silly things like Language and somewhere it is for religious things. Where one should go and live in peace in this India. Almost every part have got infected with some disease or the other.

Since childhood, by grace of god and by efforts of my parents we were living in peace. That environment was better than in which my son is living. It was at IIT Kanpur campus, we grew up and had some kind of misplaced thinking of our great India.

now only I realize that it was wrong on our part to think that this land is of great people, who fought with the rulers and thought of getting freedom.

Years ago in 1992 when i went to Shillong for an interview in Assam Rifles. I stayed near Bara Bazaar or gadi khana. In those days as evening approached we used to listen that "Don't venture outside after dusk" stay at home. WHY? there i felt some tension.

However the journey from Guwahati to Shillong in BUS was the most memorable one for me. It was majestic. The mountains, green forests, The big FERNS, The huts and villages on both side of road, shops, the beautiful people, Majestic meadows, The great Himalaya, the crown of India. simply that was serene.

In 2011 again i got chance to visit the great Himalaya, the place of lord as i call it. I was in Gangtok during the September 2011. On the way and while in Gangtok I felt the difference. we were put in at Tashi delek hotel. On the way the magical and majestic forest enchanted me. I was fully engrossed by the beauty and grandness of  river valley and the hills. But i could also see the hard life of villagers. The labourers working to repair the mountain roads. How they had to travel back to their home after finishing work?.  How people made the temporary shelters alongside of road?, they were as if standing on ONE LEG. I mean the houses were made on a raised platform, which stood on long wooden logs resting on slope of hills and the platform rested on the road. People traveling with me know that on the sight of those houses i screamed and said My God how they are going to survive an earthquake?. Since i had experienced an earthquake followed by Tsunami in Andamans. So first thing i could notice was the threat from an earthquake. And it was bad luck that just after few days earthquake struck Sikkim and other parts of country. I tried to phone many people there, but the phone lines were also badly effected. But once i got to talk to somebody in Tashi delek hotel, the person on other side told that it was Ok and few cracks are there in building.

There is unrest in every part of our nation. Be it in Manipur, or Nagaland, The Arunachal pradesh-they have border tension and as few years back i got to read somewhere that the elders were worried to preserve their Tribal culture. There was tension in Kuki and Naga and Manipur etc. In Meghalaya also the tribal and non tribal difference of thoughts were going on. We had seen the Assam tensed with Bodo Andolan, the AGP won the election and ruled the state. Bengal region has a very long history of unrest since British times. Orissa, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chatishgarh had problem of Naxal type. Punjab had another kind of tension. i still don't understand their problem. When Guru Nanak ji himself was originally from an Indian Family and worked for upliftment for poor, ir-respect of religion. then in the name of guru nanak ji why they do not shun violence??

I don't know but, i have heard many times that in earlier times in punjab the families used to give their eldest son to the Guru Panth. thus that boy used to become a Sikh. But other sons remained with their family. Thus began the strength of Khlasa Panth or akali etc. Is that true?? if so, then why they are fighting with their own blood?

I think The tension in In Jammu and Kashmir has originated from some idea which is an imported one. The KALHAN wrote the RajTaringini which has the lineage of Kings who ruled Kashmir kingdoms. I do not know how many of us have read it?, since it is written in Sanskrit? Many old sites are their. all are lying in state of despair. why? And who knows how and when the AMARNATH cave came into being? and became a well known place in all parts of India?  do anyone knows when the Vaishnav Devi shrine got the fame??

Maharaja Pratap Singh and Maharaja Hari Singh were the rulers of the Jammu and Kashmir kingdom.

how come then the tension has been arosed on the lines of religion?  why so much tension?. I really wish to go to Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Dal lake, Chasm-e Sahi, Shalimar Nishat Bagh. again. all those places were very beautiful when we visited there in 1982. Tension should go away first. In TN, often i heard people start fighting over the issue of Srilanka? Why? or over the issue of River water. In another state from which the ChatraPati Shivaji and Guru Ramdas belonged, people have tension due to the language or Martha feeling? , Even if you try to google one can read somewhere that the Bhonsle clan has their connection with the Rana of Mewar, the kin family of Maharana Pratap, Uday Singh ji etc.. can we believe it? then why there should be tension?

I felt very bad when i heard that UP has been partitioned into Uttarakhand. I loved the Kumaun, Garhwal region, since i have had read about it through the works of Smt Gaura Pant "Shivani" ji. Almost all her heroines of her works (stories or novel) are from the Kumaun Hills. but they got separated from me? why?

While I stood on the mall road in Massuri, I was thinking all this and looking down the hill towards the Dehradoon?

The road (Mall road) is unique as one can see the clouds coming rising upwards on hills from the deep valley area. and also it risies above towards the hills behind you on mall road. The building on the sides of Mall road are also dangerously built. As i belonged to the plains, we found that area very dangerous. But to the people of Massurie they try to find any place on mall road to build their houses or shops. Lots of properties are being ocnverted into hotels, owing to the increasing number of tourists. On few places i found old hand driven cart displayed. Few Old buildings are still there standing in thier old grandeur. Towards the railway reservation counter of Indian Railways and the post office and further downside raods all look very magical .(and dangerous to me) Nobody could imagine that one can book Train ticket from Massourie. It has been a tradition since british times so that they could book their tickets in advance. And now i heard that this facility of rail reservation is available in many other hill stations also in Uttarakhand. The road from which trafiic comes towards Moussurie from Dehradun is through the Cantonment area, the route looks mysterious to tourist (outsider) in that area lot of people from India have purchased the land and have build their dream houses. It is fast becoming hot spot property in Dehradun.

Naxali problem is very notorius as it is claiming lots of Human lives. Konkan problem was there. Further we have now a problem of Telangana. I still dont understand why they want seperate state for Telangana. For us it is Telugu language that people from both areas speak. What is the difference. It is all Politcally motivated. Then there may be the Vidharbha? Bundelkhand has always trying to raise its head. Purvanchal, Khalistan, etc etc 

can't we live together. Looking at the map of USA, i wonder how people on this part of globe would think on those straight line boundaries of states??? We need Hazi ali, Guru Nanak, Kabir, Ramdas, sita Ram Raju, Ramananuja acharya, Adi Shankara, Basava, Eknath, Chaitanya, Vivekananda, Kalhan, Habba Khatoon, Jaisi, Raheem, Rashkhan, Khwaja Garib Nawaj, Khawaja Nizamuddin aulia, BuleShah, Lalan fakir, Nuzurul, Rabindra Nath, Shankar Dev, Meera, to be ReBorn on my mother India so that it can lead a path of wisdom and peace....

Food for thought- Take home a cook

Food for thoughts!!  The common saying has been that your thoughts are made from what you eat.

I am very fond of food, not the eating part I have been more interested in the cooking/making process of the food. I am addicted to the praising words, or the emotions when they love and find my cooking very good.

Earlier on Doordarshan rarely we used to get to see any program on cooking. But after 1982, some format changed at DD and with the advent of Sunday morning shows, and aaj savere aaj subah. Then channel became plural in numbers. Formats also increased. Few celeb used to come on TV to demonstrate their favorite, I remember when Smt Uma Gajpati Raju presented a cook show. Then there was e revolution. After the Siddhartha Kak, Sanjeev Kapoor, there were flood of these cookery shows and plurality in the shows. Then there was a gift from skies came and invaded our homes in form of Discovery channel, Star, Zee etc many more. Few I see belong to the Tamil, Keral, Kannad and Marathi channel. I liked the most the show on the Tamil channels. In one the Grand lady used to show the cooking and most precious thing was that she also used to sing the songs. She has got the real talent- bhuimiputri- means the daughter of the mother earth. The lady must have belonged to the pure land of mother India. I could not understand asingle word of those songs but since we the lover of music say that it has got no boundaries or barriers. So the beats the LAYKARI, the PURE “swaras”, the voice coming out of Heart reaches us. Another show is one man who always cook in the earthen pots. I love the stage design, the cooking in these mud pots, the simple way he describes each thing- here too my drawback of not knowing the Tamil does not deter me from listening and watching that show.

Few other programs I saw. One program in Kannad or malyalam was very different. In that show they tell the medicinal property of the herbs And also the cooking. Then many times I watched the show on BANGLA, either the star Bangla, or the doordarshan in bangle I get to know many dishes.

But since the advent of the TLC I am glued to it. Whenever I get time I just switch the TLC.

Earlier there were Nigella, Kylie Kwong, Floyd, Anthony bourdoin (if the name I spelled correctly), then there was program named FOOD BAZAARo the Feast . Most famous Madhur Jaffery is also there. Sanjeev kapoor doesn’t come on TLC? Few episodes I saw of Padma lakshmi. There was Rhode’s scholars. Now I am also familiar with Dr Sikha!!!. Two years back I was on the top of clouds, when I saw the “Take cook to home” Curtis stone- Most handsome and sexiest cook ever came on my television.

Many days I tried to workout how I can work like him!!!. When I went o Lucknow I thought will this type of profession work or viable in Lucknow? I am nobody in Lucknow so who will let me enter their homes. Then immediately I got answer to stop horses of my brain. But I must tell the hangover of Curtis is still there I am not able to come out of it. He always remains behind my head. After that many more came on TLC but no one matched that class!!. There was one who I think was drink maker in some hotel, now tried  a cook show-as I could make out by watching him. Few things he told were very good. His show is so so. In this year few more came on the air (Sky) but same actually by looking at them I got pain in eye as I felt I have to make efforts to keep my eyes on him. Since they always dance or move their bodies while doing everything from chopping the fish or onion, or pouring the oil, and keeping tray in oven always their bodies moving in some fashion which I find irritating- means their body language is not correct. They need to work hard but Sky has no limits!! I cannot criticize the people on TLC. I don’t find their program attractive- They are FUNKY type or so to say since I belong to old fashioned age, it was like when in 70s or early 80s the hippies were defined. Then, there is another very handsome program of James martin( read the person not program). To me he is very good looking too.  but what I found is that he is most innovative of kind. When he made mango ice-cream or something the way he plans all his ingredients and process and when the last products comes out on screen my eyes lit up in wonder!.  how come he is able to decorate so innovatively?.(which,  I never could have imagined).

Bizare food is always bizarre!

The most innovative and most refreshing show is the FOOD SAFARI on FOX TRAVELLOR. The concept is full of research and planning. Lots of things packed in a short time capsule And mostly everything available in Australia. By Kismet production. This programme is so nicely edited and presented that you don’t need any coffee table book to know the food of a particular region. I think this program is also most suited for the mobile APPlications. Where in , through the mobile one can know about food of a region. The cooking session are shot in a very friendly way/ambient. And most importantly the involvement is evident. That is most essential for nice cooking. Unlike- If I may say so’ not like Floyd’s idea. Where the presenter is always looks somewhat detached from the nice things of cooking. Sometime the cook does the things in haste. Sometimes  I feel the program is full of the aristocratic lookout of India, for them it is still like a COLONY. I mean the programme format is of like of colonial era. But I like the way Madhur does the things. No aristocracy, no sophistication just everything raw, everything is dropped in the pan in very simple way. Most naturally and not in a decorative way. As is happens in james show, every now and then I see the towel cleaning on the kitchen table etc. And other thing which I found in programmes of west is that when they taste something they use the last finger of right hand. But I think if I would ask anybody from India Mostly I would find them using the first finger for tasting anything or they would use the spoon.

In Floyd show the cook while feeling hotness of the furnace or the stove still enjoys a sip of his drinks! How? In James show everything is kept on that circular wooden piece on that the cutting/chopping is done, on same the bread or some other vegetables are also kept or the pots or utensils are kept. Some thing on my back of head thinks that it is not hygienic, But the towel cleaning is edited I think which is evident in other of his show. Jokes apart these shows are good enough to watch.

These days some shows are becoming trap of pluralism! Since the quality, the content is being diluted.

In India now we have got a new dedicated channel on food. Nobody could have imagined this type of thing 30 years back. Everybody was looking down upon these creative fields. Be it performing arts or the hotel/house keeping or the chef. Now Indian Television even had Master Chef program, though there had been a program on Master chef in Australia. Through the star world channel one can know from where the Indian television is inventing its programmes. Be it  Idol, talent search, quizzes, KBC, even cookery shows are being localized. But never mind “der aye durast aye” Now platter is full for Indian Audiences.

Food is also the most basic things human or any living being needs. Since child age every human get acquainted with the food and fooding with the help of their mother or family. First the mother, then family after that neighbourhood, then school, then the region affects the fooding habits in that order. Then off course now-days people get trapped in their surrounding fad. There are so many fad now-days which comes through the beaming of Media. Now-days people from small semi urban or rural areas are becoming addicted to the noodles, chowmein, now they now the Italian pasta, spaghetti etc.

When I attend any marriage or social functions in the area near Kanpur, Lucknow, Unnao, Hardoi I find that people keep stalls of such things, like chowmein, pasta, cheese salads, sprouts salad, veg or chicken rolls-(which in my 40 years of life never had been anywhere in these places)

Song of Bird

While listening to the songs of Allah jilai bai(Allah zillai Bai)  I felt as if I traveled a long journey. A very immense and thought-full journey. this journey tells how the life is or what is a life??.  

Listening Maand song of Smt Allah Jilai bai, the Kesariya Baalam Padharo Mhare Desh, we get to imagine the difficult life with great valour of Rajputana, the Mewar, the Chittorgarh, the jaipur and its relation with the Mughal empire, Dhola Maru Ratan etc.   But for me she and her life was more important. How a girl, lived a hard life in those days. When girls were exploited the most. Moreover since they belonged to the community meant for singing. But I feel proud that it is due them only that India is boasting of great cultural heritage all over the world. But time has not changed much. Look at our backyard, in post Independence India how we treat those who belonged to this community!!. In those days, girls were prohibited to be seen by anyone other than their patrons. When I say girls, it means those belonging to the singing community. Shri  Muzaffar Ali has correctly made a film touching these topics. People kidnapped girls and sold them. That time the community get few Umrao Jaan and other girl becomes the Begum of the kingdom and not leaving behind the Husaini Bua ji, who must have been also a stolen girl??? who knows?

Allah Jilai Bai, belonged to the family of singers. She was appointed as court singer in court of Maharaja Ganga Singh ji. She also got training under ustads and Achhan Maharaj, the star of Lucknow Gharana of Kathak.

Then another gem is Asgari Bai of Tikamgarh of famous princely state Orcha. She was also a rare gem of India. Once I watched her on Doordarshan. In that interview she came out as a frank but courteous lady. She was telling one incident about singing in front of deity/mahant in a temple. she sat just next to the door so that she should not face the deity of temple. To that she frankly said how can i face the presiding deity and adding to it she said "nobody in this world is so capable of  facing the lord?? !!! Very true indeed.
But the hurt and pain which she might have felt at that moment... was so enormous. Since she was from that community thus she herself was not confident to sit facing the deity in temple???.  But what she said about that incidence means they were most intelligent also. Due to situations they became victim. She once commented on the Dhrupad rendition of Dagar Bandhu that  “I didn’t find the tum num na na or re re da neem etc  good, what Dagar people sing”  It is not dhrupad”. it is actually for riyaz purpose. It meant for practice at home not for concert singing.   I am unable to understand all this. If people want to sing the Dhrupad they should sing in the correct way.  
In those days singers used to learn many things including dhrupad. Since they had to sing everything as per the wish of patrons or audience.
One famous example is Begum Akhtar. She made gazal singing famous. That does not mean she did not know singing other styles. She knew many styles, Thumri or dadra etc. She sang Gazal decorated with “Raag”.  In those times being a singer was tough in comparison to modern times. we have various forms, easily available in various media. Dhamar was sung by a particular community on Holi. 

http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/in-a-male-bastion-asgari-bai-held-her-own-tune/10304/1

in this article it is written that she picked up Dhrupad singing in 1980s. How wrong is this statement? She was court singer at Teekamgarh, She had learnt from Ustads, other wise how she could have become a court singer of Teekamgarh. Her mother and grandmother had been court singers themselves. Then if anyone says she picked up dhrupad? She and other singers of her time had to undergo rigorous training of classical music. Then only they become famous and thus appointed as court singers of princely states. Thus she had mastered the art of singing, i guess she might have learnt Dhrupad also. As she commented on singing style of Dagars, her teaching was to sing a bandish based on Dhrupad and not those swara vistara as Dagars used to do. in the article itself Gundecha brothers said her style was different from Dagar style. 

VIDEO

5. another for Asghari Bai



6. a video

another one echos of silence

Thus, whenever the name of Teekamgarh will be written, name of Asgari Begum will have to be added. Without her name history of Teekamgarh is nothing. It is sad that not much of archives are available on her(of her young age).
Another Gem from Orcha i remember, she was Rai Praveen. She was also a singer of Orcha. It is said that son of Madukar Sah, Inderjeet Singh loved this lady singer. He wanted to marry her, as per one legend, but he could not. Then this Akbar heard about her. He sent message that if she is not sent to Mughal court, mughal army will capture Orcha? Thus as per legend to save Orcha she went to Mughal court, and as the prince/king was weak and could not fight with Mughal Army.
In court of Akbar She might have sang? 
a couplet he said:  Vinti Rai Praveen ki, suniye sah sujan. Juthi patar bhakat hain, bari, bayas, swan.
 
0' good and intelligent! Please listen to the prayer of Rai Praveen. Only bari (a low caste among Hindus), barber and dog(?) eat from a plate, food from which has been partaken by someone else. 
Akbar, an intelligent person himself, understood the import of Rai Praveen's couplet immediately. he rewarded her and allowed her to return to Orchha with full dignity and honour. 

Prince Indrajit Singh constructed Rai Praveen Palace for his belloved. The walls of the central hall on second story bear many paintings depicting several moods of Rai Praveen.  The Rai Praveen was a great beauty whose main accomplishments were dancing, horse riding and poetry. The famous poet Keshavdas compiled Kavi priya to honour Rai Praveen and praised her beauty comparing her to Roopamti & Mriganayani. 

Rai Praveen Mahal at Orcha having paintings of Dance

 
I heard Rasoolan Bai, Sidheswari Devi, Gauhar Jaan, Hira Devi Mishra, Mohamad bandi, Jaddan Bai, Malka Pukhraj, Reshma and many more. I also read about the Malka Jaan, Moti Bai (Choti and badi) Janaki bai of Allahabad, All and each tell a story of our bygone era.

There is very good work on Begum Akhtar written by Shivani ji named as Koyaliya mat kar pukar. In the end the writer wrote that on listening story the Begum Akhtar commented "nobody else has written on her like this ever before". Begum Akhtar sang Koyalia mat kar pukar, lagat karejawa pe chot. The same song Begum Akhtar sang in Bengali, Koyalia Gaan thama ei-bar.
I have heard that Malka Pukhraj of Jammu became famous in Delhi at the age of 12 or 14. Later she was appointed in the court of Maharaja Harisingh ji. She has brought out her memories in the book "Song Sung True".
The Hindustani Music was prevalent from Jammu Kashmir to the Madurai. Once i read that M S (Subhbulakshmi, the Bharat Ratna) used to hear songs in neighbour's radio. She heard many Hindustani songs. Down south in Dharwad, Smt Gangu Bai Hangal was also impressed by Hindustani Music after listening LP records of Gauhar Jaan etc. She at age of 12 was learning music by making journey to her guru. Everybody used to laugh at her. All these tender aged girls singing reminds the little singing birds. Thus it is a song of birds.

Dance, Dancing, etc

On 3^rd November I saw a dance programme TV channel. The background was quite good. But at first I was amazed by the anchor, what a change? I was not able to recognise Smt Arshiya initially, I was watching her after a gap of almost 20 years. At home in black and white TV (UPTRON) she used anchor the national programme of dance on Sundays. But I saw her at the triveni in Delhi, when a festival called as VIDESHI Kalakar utsav was organised and also various other programme used to be performed in that MANDI HOUSE campus, housing not only TRIVENI but also the KAMANI, BHARTI, so many others. At one programme a dancer from HUNGARY was performing and I was siting on the stairs of TRIVENI, there I saw her also among the audience. It was way back in 1992 or 1993 around that time. So almost gap of 20 years was there. Then once the camera also paned and guru Munnalal Shukla was visible. I had met him at the Kathak Kendra, when I used to visit kathak Kendra almost everyday, in search of my god Pt BIRJU MAHARAJ. Those days his room was I think on ground floor. The main office used to be on first floor. Just next to the staircase was the gallery that lead to the door of his room. I used to roam around that door, in hope that atleast once I could catch hold of his darshan. Lots of many used to visit him there but mostly the students. Those times once he also served as director of kathak Kendra. I had once an opportunity of watching the HOLI choreographed by him. That was performed in the lawns of kathak Kendra, since national school of drama was also there in same campus, and on the ground floor the CCRRT, was housed. Puppet workshops and similar activities used to go on in this campus. And given my kind of MIND I used be there as a WANDERER. Most innovative dance sequence was there in HOLI, the dancers were throwing the colors from the first floor on persons sitting on groundfloor. Whole concept was very good. The regular item in HOLI the DAPli item was also there. But Shri Munna Shukla ji never tested me nor shown any interest in teaching, He could have asked me to perform something or he could have said you come in my school on such and such day and time I will take an examination and if you pass I will admit you. But alas I could not impress him, My appearance must not have impress him, I come from very poor background I could not afford very good quality of cloths, perfume or car etc so.

The dancer was Smt Nisha Mahajan. I have never had seen earlier nor I knew anything about the dance 20 years back. But the costume told that the dancer was from conservative school, since the mughal court attire was used in performing the kathak bols etc and the dress usually is worn while performing the tarana, however nowdays dancers have started innovating in the costumes also. I was impressed by the persona of Smt veena shroff. Many used to talk about her as the collector of accessories of hair dressing. And the kathak Kendra students have changed the attire fashion also.

Doordarshan should enhance time and quality of dance and music programmes so that new generation gets exposure to our national heritage and that too having a quality.