This small incident that I'm sharing here is one of many such stories that have been a part of my growing up. They have been, quite unknown to me, instrumental in shaping my thought process, because the kind of thinking and mind set that I seem to have developed is certainly thanks to the ideals that my elders held dear to their heart. As I saw them conduct their day-to-day life, they left their mark on my impressionable mind too.
And this rather obscure incident tucked away in time has... specially in recent times, shown me the way forward...guided me...taken me a step closer to being human.
This happened around the time when Partition of India had become inevitable. The air in the country was filled with the venom of distrust, confusion and rumours. One day my grandfather had just come home after a hectic day in court, and was going to freshen himself when his personal assistant came and informed that a group of men had come to meet him. My grandfather was a prominent personality in the town. It was not unusual for people, strangers and all, coming to meet him. But this was not the time he met outsiders.
His assistant informed that the visitors had come from a nearby village. And they look scared and worried, hence the matter might be serious.
So grandfather came out and asked them the purpose of their visit. One among them spoke in a hushed tone. He said they had heard that the "other party" had decided to desecrate a Masjid on the outskirts of the town in the darkness of the night.
My grandfather was quiet. He was not just a well-known lawyer in town, his knowledge of the scriptures and religious books was highly acclaimed too.
The visitors looked at him expectantly.
His forehead creased a bit as he frowned.
To their surprise he asked them :
"What do you want from me...?"
"Khan Bahadar Saheb! Don't you think it is our sacred duty to make an effort to save that Masjid?" one of them asked, showing obvious displeasure at my grandfather's rather blunt stance.
Khan Bahadar Saheb again went into a thoughtful pause, before speaking.
When he spoke, he said:
"You will agree that as a natural instinct we all have this habit of protecting our possessions. We often ask God's help in this endeavour. Be it our house, our children, our property, assets...etc etc."
He used to speak very softly and there always seemed a pleasant smile not very far away from his face. I can imagine he must have spoken slowly and patiently as he went on to say,
"Now...I understand that any Masjid is a house of God...do you think God Almighty needs you and me to ptotect His house ...is He not capable of protecting His own dwelling... ??? The Lord of This World, This Universe... The Lord of the known and the unknown...all knowlegeable, all powerful...depends on us for protecting His house...?!!!!! To me this sounds ridiculous..."
His visitors were far from satisfied.
So he explained to them:
"Let us all do our duty to Him...obey His message, try to be good human beings...and please I request you not to disgarce Him so much."
There was silence for a while.
Then one of the visitors said rather caustically, "And Sir! don't you think it is our duty to defend our faith, and the mosque which represents our faith?"
Khan Bahadar Saheb looked at him and replied politely,
"No! I don't think its our duty...at best it is your wishful thinking...Get rid of it..."
Saying this he excused himself and went in to offer his namaz.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Games Leaders Of The People Play
The two most talked-about things these days are Common Wealth Games and the Ramjanmabhoomi issue, which is also called the Babri Masjid dispute. CWG is perhaps taking the top TRPs if one is to talk in the television nework parlance. Kalmadi is the main villain. He is being profusely abused and disgraced by all and sundry for what he has done. And I agree that the people are absolutely right in hating Kalmadi. I am no different in my views on him.
But as for the Ayodhya issue the perpetrators of the crime of first destroying a heritage structure (which was our national wealth) and then being responsible for so many riots ,loss of property and life, are all people of high repute, enjoying the privileges of the highest offices in the country.
We all unite in demonstrating an impeccable proof of our patriotism when the target is safe (and soft) as in everyone knows there is not going to be any controversial fall out of condemning Kalmadi. But we develop cold feet and take refuge in religious values when the actual murderers and the real traitors are to be brought to book. Most of us are relieved to see serious filth (of injustice and corruption) being broomed under the carpet and blaming some weak link for it when it becomes huge and comes back disturbing us with its incessant and unbearable stink.
Of course the mismanagement of Common Wealth Games and the shameless corruption involved therein is unforgivable. But is Kalmadi alone to be blamed ? Is he the only one who has swallowed immeasurable public funds ?
And while we answer these and such other many more questions related to our national pride, it will be worthwhile to do an honest introspection of the other problem which is more long-standing and has done much more incaculable damage. Also it is still a dormant volcano that can errupt any time.
The High Court verdict on this dispute which was to come on 24th of this month and is now expected possibly later in the month is certainly not going to solve the issue. For the simple reason that one of the parties in the dispute is not ready to obey the court order if it goes against them, and secondly the other party has another higher court, the Supreme Court of the country to look up to if the verdict goes against them. So either way the dispute continues.
Not to mention that no action has been taken against anyone of those terror-mongers who openly say they will not obey the law of the land. They have shown a complete disregard for the Constitution of the country, but the law does not punish them.
Partition of India was also resorted to saying it was a solution to the Hindu-Muslim problem simmering at the time of our Independence struggle. What has it solved is for all to see.
And as for the Ayodhya issue (I will repeat myself here that) the only real solution is that the court must surprise the nation with a neutral judgement, if the parties to the dispute are not able to come to an amicable mature solution on their own.
Neither side should be allowed the possession of the site. The ownership should be given to the government of India with specific directions that within a stipulated time frame of say a year or two there would be a structure of public utility, specially benefitting the poor and underprivileged be built there.
I don't think this will be a difficult job if the court orders thus. Both the warring parties must then be strictly made to give in to this order in the interest of the nation and in keeping with teachings of the faiths or God/Prophet that they so ardently follow.
No religion in its pure and true form has ever endorsed violence and killing.
The courts have a duty to not just decide a case this way or that, they have a responsibility to guide the people too, setting examples in justice and ensuring peaceful working of a system.
The Courts must be courageous enough to set exemplary trends in such cases, as this is no ordinary case of a mere title to some property in a remote place. Taking into account the extraordinary nature of this case, our judges can for a change be innovative and intelligent , sending out a message that any religious place over which there comes a debate or conflict would be taken over by the State.
Do we always have to follow a precedent or are we indeed that super-power-in -the-making who can fearlessly set examples for the world to emulate...?
And as for the date of the announcement of court verdict and the beginning of Common Wealth Games being so close on heels, one can hope that the government would not allow any untoward incident as an aftermath of the Ayodhya judgement in view of CWG preparations and Kalmadi having tarnished the Indian Pride enough.
But as for the Ayodhya issue the perpetrators of the crime of first destroying a heritage structure (which was our national wealth) and then being responsible for so many riots ,loss of property and life, are all people of high repute, enjoying the privileges of the highest offices in the country.
We all unite in demonstrating an impeccable proof of our patriotism when the target is safe (and soft) as in everyone knows there is not going to be any controversial fall out of condemning Kalmadi. But we develop cold feet and take refuge in religious values when the actual murderers and the real traitors are to be brought to book. Most of us are relieved to see serious filth (of injustice and corruption) being broomed under the carpet and blaming some weak link for it when it becomes huge and comes back disturbing us with its incessant and unbearable stink.
Of course the mismanagement of Common Wealth Games and the shameless corruption involved therein is unforgivable. But is Kalmadi alone to be blamed ? Is he the only one who has swallowed immeasurable public funds ?
And while we answer these and such other many more questions related to our national pride, it will be worthwhile to do an honest introspection of the other problem which is more long-standing and has done much more incaculable damage. Also it is still a dormant volcano that can errupt any time.
The High Court verdict on this dispute which was to come on 24th of this month and is now expected possibly later in the month is certainly not going to solve the issue. For the simple reason that one of the parties in the dispute is not ready to obey the court order if it goes against them, and secondly the other party has another higher court, the Supreme Court of the country to look up to if the verdict goes against them. So either way the dispute continues.
Not to mention that no action has been taken against anyone of those terror-mongers who openly say they will not obey the law of the land. They have shown a complete disregard for the Constitution of the country, but the law does not punish them.
Partition of India was also resorted to saying it was a solution to the Hindu-Muslim problem simmering at the time of our Independence struggle. What has it solved is for all to see.
And as for the Ayodhya issue (I will repeat myself here that) the only real solution is that the court must surprise the nation with a neutral judgement, if the parties to the dispute are not able to come to an amicable mature solution on their own.
Neither side should be allowed the possession of the site. The ownership should be given to the government of India with specific directions that within a stipulated time frame of say a year or two there would be a structure of public utility, specially benefitting the poor and underprivileged be built there.
I don't think this will be a difficult job if the court orders thus. Both the warring parties must then be strictly made to give in to this order in the interest of the nation and in keeping with teachings of the faiths or God/Prophet that they so ardently follow.
No religion in its pure and true form has ever endorsed violence and killing.
The courts have a duty to not just decide a case this way or that, they have a responsibility to guide the people too, setting examples in justice and ensuring peaceful working of a system.
The Courts must be courageous enough to set exemplary trends in such cases, as this is no ordinary case of a mere title to some property in a remote place. Taking into account the extraordinary nature of this case, our judges can for a change be innovative and intelligent , sending out a message that any religious place over which there comes a debate or conflict would be taken over by the State.
Do we always have to follow a precedent or are we indeed that super-power-in -the-making who can fearlessly set examples for the world to emulate...?
And as for the date of the announcement of court verdict and the beginning of Common Wealth Games being so close on heels, one can hope that the government would not allow any untoward incident as an aftermath of the Ayodhya judgement in view of CWG preparations and Kalmadi having tarnished the Indian Pride enough.
Monday, September 13, 2010
This Independence Day, I thought of what Independence really means...
"Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others.", said Benjamin Franklin
"Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.", these words of depth come from none other than Coco Chanel
"Be careless in your dress if you will, but keep a tidy soul." disclosed Mark Twain
"A woman should be less concerned about Paris and more concerned about whether the dress she's about to buy relates to the way she lives." advised Geoffrey Beene.
All of this is fine. And coming from some great people there has to be some soul into these above-mentioned words of wisdom. Hence I conclude that while dressing well is important, it must not be just something expensive. It must be something decent as well. Also apparently it goes without saying that it is not only the clothes you wear that reflect your personality. It is the way you carry yourself, the accessories that you choose, the way you keep your hair...and many such other things that count in building up your image as others see it.
In places where a uniform or a dress code is to be followed it is easier to conform and that does not necessarily reflect the personlity of the individual, but rather the descipline and the character of the instution or the organisation, which in the long does shape the character of the individual too.
So when a child enters school, he learns for the first time in life that there are certain rules to be followed. There is a time to play, to eat (and even drink). There are basic etiqutte that must be strictly adhered to. Completing Home Work and Class Work is not optional. Being present in the school, and not being in your class is severly punishable.
Fast forward to one's college days, where the hither-to-child suddenly (and quite unknowing to himself) finds himself in a transitional stage. Adolecense can be very confusing for the child as well as the parents. For the parents the child has still not grown up enough to be mature. But the child feels the breath of freshness that freedom brings. He feels mature enough to take charge of his life.
It is a crucial period and if differences between the parents and the child are more than superficial in this phase, it may ruin their future.
Often children dress up in a manner that would look weird to the adult eyes of caring parents who want nothing but the best for their children. There are various concerns in the turbulent mind of parents as to who their child is meeting. Oh! God they only hope the child is not into smoking, drinking or love affairs already. Why the concern, if history is repeating itself?!!
Or even if the parents have not done all that the child is doing, what is wrong? Can he not create history for his children???
Keeping cool is perhaps not easy for the parents. And I wonder how I did it when my elder son came home in the holidays with a ponytail and a thick beard. As I hugged him I admit to feeling rather proud. In fact I felt a strange sense of security. May be my happiness in seeing him after so many days was spilling over, and nothing at all could make me angry at that point in time.
Some years later was the turn of my younger son. He also grew a beard and let his hair follow the law of nature and grow in abundance as he entered junior college. Once again neither his crumpled shirt nor his cotton shoulder bag could make me loose my temper. In fact his hair bands and the care with which chose his shampoo and conditioner made me laugh.
One day he came home, and concealing his excitement as best as he could, smiling naughtily he told me that the college principal had given him the compliment of his life, saying his flowing tresses and the beard were so much "like that of the Lord Himself"!!!
And so seeing them trimmed or cut was out of the question for a long time. I enjoyed oiling my children's long hair on weekends. It was so much fun. Now that they keep their haircuts neat and tidy, I miss those lovely long ringlets of hair!!!
I love to see them enjoy their youth and do things that would help them grow with confidence in their persona and love in their hearts. The point is we all let ourselves loose at some point in life and live for the present, doing stupid things and deriving pleasure out of them. So never scoff at a youngsters for spending hours glued to mobile phones talking to the "opposite sex" (Isn't that normal considering the latest trends?). Also never judge a boy for his long tresses nor a girl for her boy-cut. The length of their hair, the excitement of wearing bizzare T-shirts, naughty mini skirts or a silly cargo is not going to affect their inner self as long as they know their responsibilities. The important thing is to let them grow into responsible young people with humanitarian values.
Homes must be places where the generation gap should melt into nothingness, and yet the care and concern the elders have for the young ones in the family as also the admiration and respect that the young must show for their elders must not be compromised.
And so while all the above mentioned wise thoughts of those great people must be respected, allowing a person the freedom to choose should be paramount as it complements freedom of ex-pression, and therefore is so much an integral part of the growth and all-round development of anyone.
I think as we celebrate yet another Independence Day, we must understand the meaning of freedom in this wider sense too.
Mr.Harsh Mander's views on this article :
-----------------------------------------------
Dear Zohra,
I just wanted to say what a lovely piece this is - not just about clothes, but about parenting, which is best if it gives children space to experiment, even on occasion be what one regards as 'foolish', and still make them feel accepted and safe.
There are many such insights I capture in your messages. Thanks for these.
Eid Mubarak and regards,
Harsh
"Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.", these words of depth come from none other than Coco Chanel
"Be careless in your dress if you will, but keep a tidy soul." disclosed Mark Twain
"A woman should be less concerned about Paris and more concerned about whether the dress she's about to buy relates to the way she lives." advised Geoffrey Beene.
All of this is fine. And coming from some great people there has to be some soul into these above-mentioned words of wisdom. Hence I conclude that while dressing well is important, it must not be just something expensive. It must be something decent as well. Also apparently it goes without saying that it is not only the clothes you wear that reflect your personality. It is the way you carry yourself, the accessories that you choose, the way you keep your hair...and many such other things that count in building up your image as others see it.
In places where a uniform or a dress code is to be followed it is easier to conform and that does not necessarily reflect the personlity of the individual, but rather the descipline and the character of the instution or the organisation, which in the long does shape the character of the individual too.
So when a child enters school, he learns for the first time in life that there are certain rules to be followed. There is a time to play, to eat (and even drink). There are basic etiqutte that must be strictly adhered to. Completing Home Work and Class Work is not optional. Being present in the school, and not being in your class is severly punishable.
Fast forward to one's college days, where the hither-to-child suddenly (and quite unknowing to himself) finds himself in a transitional stage. Adolecense can be very confusing for the child as well as the parents. For the parents the child has still not grown up enough to be mature. But the child feels the breath of freshness that freedom brings. He feels mature enough to take charge of his life.
It is a crucial period and if differences between the parents and the child are more than superficial in this phase, it may ruin their future.
Often children dress up in a manner that would look weird to the adult eyes of caring parents who want nothing but the best for their children. There are various concerns in the turbulent mind of parents as to who their child is meeting. Oh! God they only hope the child is not into smoking, drinking or love affairs already. Why the concern, if history is repeating itself?!!
Or even if the parents have not done all that the child is doing, what is wrong? Can he not create history for his children???
Keeping cool is perhaps not easy for the parents. And I wonder how I did it when my elder son came home in the holidays with a ponytail and a thick beard. As I hugged him I admit to feeling rather proud. In fact I felt a strange sense of security. May be my happiness in seeing him after so many days was spilling over, and nothing at all could make me angry at that point in time.
Some years later was the turn of my younger son. He also grew a beard and let his hair follow the law of nature and grow in abundance as he entered junior college. Once again neither his crumpled shirt nor his cotton shoulder bag could make me loose my temper. In fact his hair bands and the care with which chose his shampoo and conditioner made me laugh.
One day he came home, and concealing his excitement as best as he could, smiling naughtily he told me that the college principal had given him the compliment of his life, saying his flowing tresses and the beard were so much "like that of the Lord Himself"!!!
And so seeing them trimmed or cut was out of the question for a long time. I enjoyed oiling my children's long hair on weekends. It was so much fun. Now that they keep their haircuts neat and tidy, I miss those lovely long ringlets of hair!!!
I love to see them enjoy their youth and do things that would help them grow with confidence in their persona and love in their hearts. The point is we all let ourselves loose at some point in life and live for the present, doing stupid things and deriving pleasure out of them. So never scoff at a youngsters for spending hours glued to mobile phones talking to the "opposite sex" (Isn't that normal considering the latest trends?). Also never judge a boy for his long tresses nor a girl for her boy-cut. The length of their hair, the excitement of wearing bizzare T-shirts, naughty mini skirts or a silly cargo is not going to affect their inner self as long as they know their responsibilities. The important thing is to let them grow into responsible young people with humanitarian values.
Homes must be places where the generation gap should melt into nothingness, and yet the care and concern the elders have for the young ones in the family as also the admiration and respect that the young must show for their elders must not be compromised.
And so while all the above mentioned wise thoughts of those great people must be respected, allowing a person the freedom to choose should be paramount as it complements freedom of ex-pression, and therefore is so much an integral part of the growth and all-round development of anyone.
I think as we celebrate yet another Independence Day, we must understand the meaning of freedom in this wider sense too.
Mr.Harsh Mander's views on this article :
-----------------------------------------------
Dear Zohra,
I just wanted to say what a lovely piece this is - not just about clothes, but about parenting, which is best if it gives children space to experiment, even on occasion be what one regards as 'foolish', and still make them feel accepted and safe.
There are many such insights I capture in your messages. Thanks for these.
Eid Mubarak and regards,
Harsh
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
My thoughts on hearing of Benazir Bhutto's assasination
My evenings are usually spent in the pleasantness of my spacious kitchen, which I turn into quite a mess by the time I'm through with the cooking chores. I usually begin with brewing the evening tea that I like with a dash of ginger and tulsi. For me a cup of tea in the evening is more of a luxury and a time to relax when amidst sips of the rejuvenating beverage I also decide on the menu for the dinner.
On the evening of December 27, I was waiting for the fish curry masala to turn golden brown and leave the sides of the vessel in the glow of the hot shimmering cooking medium. I felt satisfied, and with some amount of self-pride I imagined the accolades I'd get for my hard work at the dinner table when the family sat to eat that evening meals.
The time was some minutes past seven-thirty. And as is a usual practice, before I begin with my daily dose of soaps on the idiot box, I like to get updated on all the news and current affairs of the day. So the television was switched on...and my ears heard the unbelieveable even before my eyes could adjust themselves well to interpret the images of people running helter-skelter, screaming and searching for cover.
Benazir Bhutto was shot dead.
All the news channels were reporting the gory act of extreme cowardice with whatever information and footage they could get. And soon reports of rioting in major Pak cities began to pour in. I was reminded of Mrs. Indira Gandhi's assasination almost two decades ago, though apparently there seemed no similarities between the two, in fact they seemed more than poles apart.
Yes, they were both women and had been Prime Ministers of their countries. But other than that, could the two be compared. No, I thought with the firmness of steel as I reminded myself of Mrs.Indira Gandhi's stature as a politician and leader of the people. However on a personal level, as far as family tragedies and losses were concerned, they had both gone through immense pain and distress.
But while Mrs.Indira Gandhi was fortunate to have lived in a democracy, Benazir Bhutto had to bear the misfortune of going through life in exile while her country slogged under unscruplous military leaders. Benazir Bhutto could have lived in Dubai or London peacefully with her children and husband. Was she so innocent as not to have read the writing on the wall and the risks involved in throwing herself in the rising fires of Pak politics? Did she care for her countrymen more than her own children? Was she the true daughter of Pakistan?
Honestly, I wouldn't know.
But strange are the ways of this world. The dead are never bad...all their sins are forgiven, if not forgotten. So we Indians also shower petals of love and may be even shed some tears for the departed leader (of an enemy nation), who, if she had won the coming elections, would have brought democracy in Pakistan. But would the relation between India and Pakistan see much change?
I don't know what will be the fate of elections in Pakistan. There's already speculation whether they'll take place at all. But I surely know that the most hurt and the most scarred for life are Benazir Bhutto's children...how much time they got to spend with her and how close they were as a family is a debatable point, but the fact is their mother is gone forever...
A woman may be good or bad, but as a mother she is goodness personified. Benazir Bhutto's children, Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Aseefa are truly bereaved. They have lost the protective shade of their mother's care and love. This is the price they have paid for being the children of a politically ambitious woman, who perhaps in an emotionally imbalanced moment chose to sacrifice the contentment of motherhood over a dangerously insecure political future.
I wonder if her children realise that their mother could have opted to provide them with a better and much more secure normal family life. I wonder if they realise that she had no right to hurt her family to realise her political ambition.
On the evening of December 27, I was waiting for the fish curry masala to turn golden brown and leave the sides of the vessel in the glow of the hot shimmering cooking medium. I felt satisfied, and with some amount of self-pride I imagined the accolades I'd get for my hard work at the dinner table when the family sat to eat that evening meals.
The time was some minutes past seven-thirty. And as is a usual practice, before I begin with my daily dose of soaps on the idiot box, I like to get updated on all the news and current affairs of the day. So the television was switched on...and my ears heard the unbelieveable even before my eyes could adjust themselves well to interpret the images of people running helter-skelter, screaming and searching for cover.
Benazir Bhutto was shot dead.
All the news channels were reporting the gory act of extreme cowardice with whatever information and footage they could get. And soon reports of rioting in major Pak cities began to pour in. I was reminded of Mrs. Indira Gandhi's assasination almost two decades ago, though apparently there seemed no similarities between the two, in fact they seemed more than poles apart.
Yes, they were both women and had been Prime Ministers of their countries. But other than that, could the two be compared. No, I thought with the firmness of steel as I reminded myself of Mrs.Indira Gandhi's stature as a politician and leader of the people. However on a personal level, as far as family tragedies and losses were concerned, they had both gone through immense pain and distress.
But while Mrs.Indira Gandhi was fortunate to have lived in a democracy, Benazir Bhutto had to bear the misfortune of going through life in exile while her country slogged under unscruplous military leaders. Benazir Bhutto could have lived in Dubai or London peacefully with her children and husband. Was she so innocent as not to have read the writing on the wall and the risks involved in throwing herself in the rising fires of Pak politics? Did she care for her countrymen more than her own children? Was she the true daughter of Pakistan?
Honestly, I wouldn't know.
But strange are the ways of this world. The dead are never bad...all their sins are forgiven, if not forgotten. So we Indians also shower petals of love and may be even shed some tears for the departed leader (of an enemy nation), who, if she had won the coming elections, would have brought democracy in Pakistan. But would the relation between India and Pakistan see much change?
I don't know what will be the fate of elections in Pakistan. There's already speculation whether they'll take place at all. But I surely know that the most hurt and the most scarred for life are Benazir Bhutto's children...how much time they got to spend with her and how close they were as a family is a debatable point, but the fact is their mother is gone forever...
A woman may be good or bad, but as a mother she is goodness personified. Benazir Bhutto's children, Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Aseefa are truly bereaved. They have lost the protective shade of their mother's care and love. This is the price they have paid for being the children of a politically ambitious woman, who perhaps in an emotionally imbalanced moment chose to sacrifice the contentment of motherhood over a dangerously insecure political future.
I wonder if her children realise that their mother could have opted to provide them with a better and much more secure normal family life. I wonder if they realise that she had no right to hurt her family to realise her political ambition.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
"Mughal e Azam" touches gold...
"Kya Mughal e Azam bana rahey ho...pagal ho???"
This is often heard when someone is seen indulging in a crazy extravagant affair. The reason indeed is that a film like Mughal e Azam is perhaps impossible to make. As yet nothing like it has been repeated in the history of Bollywood.
Recently, on August 5 to be precise, "Mughal e Azam" completed fifty years of its release. It is no wonder that memories of the making and the glory of its success came rushing back to those who were associated with this magnum opus, which took the master maker late K. Asif about fifteen years to complete.
When a film as huge as "Mughal e Azam" is made it is indeed history. From the intricacy that went into making it an unparalelled genius feat to the arrangement that went into its premier show, all of it can be listed as lessons in making and executing a masterpiece. The invitations that went out were like the "Ruquanama" wrote in the Mughal Era. The war scenes involved 8000 extras including real Indian Army soldiers, 4000 horses and 2000 camels.
Tailors were especially brought from Delhi to stitch the costumes and specialists from Surat-Khambayat were employed for the embroidery. Goldsmiths from Hyderabad designed the period jewellery. Kolhapuri craftsmen designed the crowns adorned by the actors while Rajasthani ironsmiths crafted the weapons and the elaborate footwear was ordered from Agra.
A Lord Krishna idol in one scene was actually made out of real gold. Also, the jewellery that Rani Jodhabhai (played by the aristocratic Durga Khote) wore, was designed in the authentic Rajasthani style of that era. Such was the magnitude of the film fifty years ago.
Naushad made Lata Mangeshkar sing the immortal "Jab pyar kiya to darna kya..." in a bathroom to create the required reverberating effect...and the master-of-romantic poetry Shakeel Badayuni wrote about 105 drafts of this song before it was okayed by Naushad...no wonder it has been a timeless clssic ever since!
A beautiful piece sung by Badey Ghulam Ali Khan in the background of Salim romancing Anarkali cost Rs.25000/-, while the set of Sheesh Mahal is supposed to have cost fifteen lakh. The film at that time was worth a whopping.1.5 crore.
It is said that three days before its release people had lined up for tickets and tickets costing less than Rs.3/- were sold for upto Rs.100/-!!! Dilip Kumar himself could not see the entire film for the first three-four days...and then he bought a ticket for Rs.100/- to watch the film!!!!
Shammi Kapoor describes the film as "mind blowing" while Alka Yagnik is memsmerised by "Mohabbat ki jhooti kahani pe..."
It is supposed to be the craziest of love stories ever told. Four writers, among them late Kamal Amrohi and Zeenat Aman's late father, who worked on the dialogues and screenplay, and what a remarakable work they all did. As a friend recollects,
"My father was in Lucknow that time and he visited Delhi to watch the movie with friends. Prithviraj Kapoor essayed the role in a way that people started thinking of Akbar like Mughal e Azam's Akbar. What a movie ..what a role and what a wonderous urdu pronunciation..."
Subhash Ghai's words sum up the sentiment. He says: "Classics just happen, they are not designed".
But of course one has to work tirelessly and very hard to create one, that stands the test of time for so many years, and indeed stands so much class apart that it cannot be touched for at least another fifty years to come..."Ae Muhabbat tu zindabaad"!!!
This is often heard when someone is seen indulging in a crazy extravagant affair. The reason indeed is that a film like Mughal e Azam is perhaps impossible to make. As yet nothing like it has been repeated in the history of Bollywood.
Recently, on August 5 to be precise, "Mughal e Azam" completed fifty years of its release. It is no wonder that memories of the making and the glory of its success came rushing back to those who were associated with this magnum opus, which took the master maker late K. Asif about fifteen years to complete.
When a film as huge as "Mughal e Azam" is made it is indeed history. From the intricacy that went into making it an unparalelled genius feat to the arrangement that went into its premier show, all of it can be listed as lessons in making and executing a masterpiece. The invitations that went out were like the "Ruquanama" wrote in the Mughal Era. The war scenes involved 8000 extras including real Indian Army soldiers, 4000 horses and 2000 camels.
Tailors were especially brought from Delhi to stitch the costumes and specialists from Surat-Khambayat were employed for the embroidery. Goldsmiths from Hyderabad designed the period jewellery. Kolhapuri craftsmen designed the crowns adorned by the actors while Rajasthani ironsmiths crafted the weapons and the elaborate footwear was ordered from Agra.
A Lord Krishna idol in one scene was actually made out of real gold. Also, the jewellery that Rani Jodhabhai (played by the aristocratic Durga Khote) wore, was designed in the authentic Rajasthani style of that era. Such was the magnitude of the film fifty years ago.
Naushad made Lata Mangeshkar sing the immortal "Jab pyar kiya to darna kya..." in a bathroom to create the required reverberating effect...and the master-of-romantic poetry Shakeel Badayuni wrote about 105 drafts of this song before it was okayed by Naushad...no wonder it has been a timeless clssic ever since!
A beautiful piece sung by Badey Ghulam Ali Khan in the background of Salim romancing Anarkali cost Rs.25000/-, while the set of Sheesh Mahal is supposed to have cost fifteen lakh. The film at that time was worth a whopping.1.5 crore.
It is said that three days before its release people had lined up for tickets and tickets costing less than Rs.3/- were sold for upto Rs.100/-!!! Dilip Kumar himself could not see the entire film for the first three-four days...and then he bought a ticket for Rs.100/- to watch the film!!!!
Shammi Kapoor describes the film as "mind blowing" while Alka Yagnik is memsmerised by "Mohabbat ki jhooti kahani pe..."
It is supposed to be the craziest of love stories ever told. Four writers, among them late Kamal Amrohi and Zeenat Aman's late father, who worked on the dialogues and screenplay, and what a remarakable work they all did. As a friend recollects,
"My father was in Lucknow that time and he visited Delhi to watch the movie with friends. Prithviraj Kapoor essayed the role in a way that people started thinking of Akbar like Mughal e Azam's Akbar. What a movie ..what a role and what a wonderous urdu pronunciation..."
Subhash Ghai's words sum up the sentiment. He says: "Classics just happen, they are not designed".
But of course one has to work tirelessly and very hard to create one, that stands the test of time for so many years, and indeed stands so much class apart that it cannot be touched for at least another fifty years to come..."Ae Muhabbat tu zindabaad"!!!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Law-makers, Law-enforcers and the Common Man
I am a very ordinary citizen, a home maker, who hardly tries to meddle with the law of the land, and have not really asked for many rights from anyone leave alone the government. Have always tried to be as good a citizen as can possibly be while trying to mind my own business, paying my taxes and bills on time.
And surely I'm not the exception. In this vast democracy of usually law-abiding citizens, people as a rule do not actually dare to meddle with anyone's affairs anyway. We are conditioned very early in life to rest assured that no harm can come to us because we are lucky to be born in a democratic country, where the Constitution has promised us some basic fundamental rights.
Those who do not have the first hand knowledge and experience with the working of the system, believe in this sacred sermon, but are surely and sadly indeed, in for a shock at their first brush with the law and judiciary.
There have been numerous instances where law and order has shown itself to be in a state of decay. Here I am not talking of how inefficiently both NDA and UPA governments have been tackling the terrorist menace. With absolute power at their disposal, they let themselves appear as sitting ducks, saying shamelessly that there cannot be a foolproof system to check terrorism. I put on record that I am not satisfied with this lame excuse. But for the moment let that be.
Just days back the nation saw a wailing mother who had lost her son because the child could not get medical aid on time. This was beacuse the road and traffic was blocked for the Prime Minister and his entourage to pass.
I could not bear to see this piece of news on television, but in the evening Sardesai and Vikram, on their respective channels, sat dissecting the unfortunate event, the guests even putting "ifs" n "buts" to the story, saying "...if this is true..." etc etc...
Can there be more cruel heartless rogues than in the bureaucracy and the corporate world?
What happened to IndiraJi or RajivJi inspite of all the security?!!
And Madhavrao Scindia, Rajesh Pilot and some others like them? Are we to believe that they were killed in accidents?
I don't think anyone from among the common people going about their daily routine, has the time or the inclination to see which VIP or V VIP is going in which car. The best security measure for our endangered political class would be to travel silently in an ordinary Maruti 800 without fanfare. And also dress up like normal people.
Let the PM, CM and such other VIPs who call themselves the peoples' representatives also experience traffic snarls and potholes. At least the wait at a signal would perhaps introduce them to the people they represent.
Also let me be a little blunt and ask a question that nags each one of us:
Has a PM, CM or other VIPs come to live eternally on this planet?
And if one day they also have to die why are they so scared? Why do they make others die instead of them?
Rules should be for the smooth running of the system, and to ease the peoples' distress. But usually, under the pretext of following rules and abiding by the law, the common man is thoughtlessly harassed, be it at traffic signals or various government offices, making him distraught and disillusioned.
My younger son's name has been entered wrong in his class XII marksheet. To just get one word corrected my son and I have been running from pillar to post for the last one year, and the officers admit that it is a genuine case, but they cannot help, "rules have tied our hands", says the senior most officer who now has to sign the papers. So I am back to square one and do not know what to do.
It is time we become more practical and instead of asking for new rules and laws, let us ask for the existing ones to become more friendly to the common man. And then let these better laws be implemented too in the right spirit. The basic question that needs an urgent answer is:
Are the laws there to kill and trouble the people or to save their life, property and honour and to help them live in peace?
And surely I'm not the exception. In this vast democracy of usually law-abiding citizens, people as a rule do not actually dare to meddle with anyone's affairs anyway. We are conditioned very early in life to rest assured that no harm can come to us because we are lucky to be born in a democratic country, where the Constitution has promised us some basic fundamental rights.
Those who do not have the first hand knowledge and experience with the working of the system, believe in this sacred sermon, but are surely and sadly indeed, in for a shock at their first brush with the law and judiciary.
There have been numerous instances where law and order has shown itself to be in a state of decay. Here I am not talking of how inefficiently both NDA and UPA governments have been tackling the terrorist menace. With absolute power at their disposal, they let themselves appear as sitting ducks, saying shamelessly that there cannot be a foolproof system to check terrorism. I put on record that I am not satisfied with this lame excuse. But for the moment let that be.
Just days back the nation saw a wailing mother who had lost her son because the child could not get medical aid on time. This was beacuse the road and traffic was blocked for the Prime Minister and his entourage to pass.
I could not bear to see this piece of news on television, but in the evening Sardesai and Vikram, on their respective channels, sat dissecting the unfortunate event, the guests even putting "ifs" n "buts" to the story, saying "...if this is true..." etc etc...
Can there be more cruel heartless rogues than in the bureaucracy and the corporate world?
What happened to IndiraJi or RajivJi inspite of all the security?!!
And Madhavrao Scindia, Rajesh Pilot and some others like them? Are we to believe that they were killed in accidents?
I don't think anyone from among the common people going about their daily routine, has the time or the inclination to see which VIP or V VIP is going in which car. The best security measure for our endangered political class would be to travel silently in an ordinary Maruti 800 without fanfare. And also dress up like normal people.
Let the PM, CM and such other VIPs who call themselves the peoples' representatives also experience traffic snarls and potholes. At least the wait at a signal would perhaps introduce them to the people they represent.
Also let me be a little blunt and ask a question that nags each one of us:
Has a PM, CM or other VIPs come to live eternally on this planet?
And if one day they also have to die why are they so scared? Why do they make others die instead of them?
Rules should be for the smooth running of the system, and to ease the peoples' distress. But usually, under the pretext of following rules and abiding by the law, the common man is thoughtlessly harassed, be it at traffic signals or various government offices, making him distraught and disillusioned.
My younger son's name has been entered wrong in his class XII marksheet. To just get one word corrected my son and I have been running from pillar to post for the last one year, and the officers admit that it is a genuine case, but they cannot help, "rules have tied our hands", says the senior most officer who now has to sign the papers. So I am back to square one and do not know what to do.
It is time we become more practical and instead of asking for new rules and laws, let us ask for the existing ones to become more friendly to the common man. And then let these better laws be implemented too in the right spirit. The basic question that needs an urgent answer is:
Are the laws there to kill and trouble the people or to save their life, property and honour and to help them live in peace?
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Hate Love Stories...???
I have joined what they call a mobile library. It works this way: you fill in a form, pay an annual fee in lump sum, and their man comes (at irregualr !!!)intervals to your home with a bagful of novels and magazines, from which you can choose and
keep the books for about a fortnight...or of course till the man shows up again. Suits a slow and relaxed reader like me very well. I was told that I can give my choice in advance also so that on his next round the librarian could cater to my request.
This was a delight. Ever since the children have grown up and my household responsibilities have reinvented themselves, I've started a wonderful journey of rediscovering myself. It is a joyous experience. And a rather unheard-of one in today's fast-paced life, where taking things easy and living each minute of the day as per one's own liking is either considered to be a criminal waste of time or the refuge of the lazy. But I know it is a luxury of which people are regrettably unaware of.
Or simply cannot afford to have due to a demanding lifestyle, that includes work pressure.
As I am on this expedition of rediscovering myself, I often sit back and think what I have missed or had to give up in life because I had more pressing duties. I realised that spending time with myself is wonderful. Sitting in my home or going out all by myself, tending to the plants in my balcony, rearranging the furniture in my house, buying colourful cushion and table covers...listening to old Hindi songs and reading.
Reading reminded me of my collection of Mills and Boon novels, which I had so graciously given away (one by one to anyone who asked for it) years ago when I had found my real-life "tall-dark-and-handsome" life partner. So now I asked this mobile
librarian to get me Mills and Boon books. He looked at me as if I was from Mars (or more appropriately Venus?!!!).
After his long pause and my expectant gaze, he said very slowly,
"Ma'am! You will actually read them?!!"
I wanted to give him a piece of my mind, but don't have much to spare so keeping my cool I said: "Yes"
He looked at me sheepishly and still not sure, he told me that people actually never asked for M&B...even the young girls preferred more "realistic" stories, often based on the writer's own experiences as they were closer to life. The youth today were no day-dreamers.
I should have known. My children had laughed out loudly when I had asked them to present me with Mills and Boons on my birthdays.
I had to think seriously about this.
Was I being ridiculous and out of sync?
Was it some other fantastic world that I was living in ?
Was I trying to run away from realities?
Oh! My God! It was not so serious after all I hoped.
But it kept nagging me and I kept exploring the issue.
And then one evening the picture clicked.
We wanted to go for a family outing. Usually it would mean a film and dining-out or dining-out and film in that order. But it seemed really difficult to decide on the film. Men of the house preferred Hollywood...but I am a complete desi in every sense
of the word. Nothing but "Bollywood and associates" works for me. Disappointingly Bollywood had not come up with even one good film in quite sometime. Violence and sex were the only subjects they were churning out in the name of "realism" and "being different" (which was indeed far from "being different" as they all would turn out to be remakes of this-or-that).
Then "Jab We Met" happened. Some years back "Hum aap ke hain kaun", "Dilwaley Dulhaiya Le jaaengey", "Kuchh Kuchh hota hai", "Dil Chahta Hai" had also worked wonders with the audiance. But somewhere down the line, somehow, tender love and sweetness seemed to be goning out-of-date. We are convinced that films are a reflection of the transition the society is going through. They mirror current situations, and we must face facts.
So I seriously wondered if love had become obsolete. Had it gone out of fashion? Worrisome thought it was.
But thankfully not so worrisome when I thought of the success of "Jab We Met" in most recent times. I am thoroughly convinced now that love and honesty can stand every test. These are the only two things that work for Bollywood... and fortunately for everyone and everthing else too. Time can never fade the magic of love. And the integrity that honesty brings cannot be traded.
It is a huge comfort to know that love is always in fashion. Let it be coupled with honesty. It can then reach new horizons.
Whoever said "I hate love stories" must think it over again...
keep the books for about a fortnight...or of course till the man shows up again. Suits a slow and relaxed reader like me very well. I was told that I can give my choice in advance also so that on his next round the librarian could cater to my request.
This was a delight. Ever since the children have grown up and my household responsibilities have reinvented themselves, I've started a wonderful journey of rediscovering myself. It is a joyous experience. And a rather unheard-of one in today's fast-paced life, where taking things easy and living each minute of the day as per one's own liking is either considered to be a criminal waste of time or the refuge of the lazy. But I know it is a luxury of which people are regrettably unaware of.
Or simply cannot afford to have due to a demanding lifestyle, that includes work pressure.
As I am on this expedition of rediscovering myself, I often sit back and think what I have missed or had to give up in life because I had more pressing duties. I realised that spending time with myself is wonderful. Sitting in my home or going out all by myself, tending to the plants in my balcony, rearranging the furniture in my house, buying colourful cushion and table covers...listening to old Hindi songs and reading.
Reading reminded me of my collection of Mills and Boon novels, which I had so graciously given away (one by one to anyone who asked for it) years ago when I had found my real-life "tall-dark-and-handsome" life partner. So now I asked this mobile
librarian to get me Mills and Boon books. He looked at me as if I was from Mars (or more appropriately Venus?!!!).
After his long pause and my expectant gaze, he said very slowly,
"Ma'am! You will actually read them?!!"
I wanted to give him a piece of my mind, but don't have much to spare so keeping my cool I said: "Yes"
He looked at me sheepishly and still not sure, he told me that people actually never asked for M&B...even the young girls preferred more "realistic" stories, often based on the writer's own experiences as they were closer to life. The youth today were no day-dreamers.
I should have known. My children had laughed out loudly when I had asked them to present me with Mills and Boons on my birthdays.
I had to think seriously about this.
Was I being ridiculous and out of sync?
Was it some other fantastic world that I was living in ?
Was I trying to run away from realities?
Oh! My God! It was not so serious after all I hoped.
But it kept nagging me and I kept exploring the issue.
And then one evening the picture clicked.
We wanted to go for a family outing. Usually it would mean a film and dining-out or dining-out and film in that order. But it seemed really difficult to decide on the film. Men of the house preferred Hollywood...but I am a complete desi in every sense
of the word. Nothing but "Bollywood and associates" works for me. Disappointingly Bollywood had not come up with even one good film in quite sometime. Violence and sex were the only subjects they were churning out in the name of "realism" and "being different" (which was indeed far from "being different" as they all would turn out to be remakes of this-or-that).
Then "Jab We Met" happened. Some years back "Hum aap ke hain kaun", "Dilwaley Dulhaiya Le jaaengey", "Kuchh Kuchh hota hai", "Dil Chahta Hai" had also worked wonders with the audiance. But somewhere down the line, somehow, tender love and sweetness seemed to be goning out-of-date. We are convinced that films are a reflection of the transition the society is going through. They mirror current situations, and we must face facts.
So I seriously wondered if love had become obsolete. Had it gone out of fashion? Worrisome thought it was.
But thankfully not so worrisome when I thought of the success of "Jab We Met" in most recent times. I am thoroughly convinced now that love and honesty can stand every test. These are the only two things that work for Bollywood... and fortunately for everyone and everthing else too. Time can never fade the magic of love. And the integrity that honesty brings cannot be traded.
It is a huge comfort to know that love is always in fashion. Let it be coupled with honesty. It can then reach new horizons.
Whoever said "I hate love stories" must think it over again...
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