An Evening With Friends At Historic Coffee House in Allahabad (Photo Feature)
“The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege.” (Charles Kuralt) That’s one of the reasons why I always look for moments when I can be in company of my old friends. Their company helps me to assess my one’s own growth in better light. It’s interesting that one always looks for substantial cause to enter into celebrations. That’s something which makes me uncomfortable since I love to celebrate even if there is no such weighty reason around! This time I managed to persuade all my old friends to be at historic coffee house, Allahabad, all in the name of celebrating grant of fellowship by Aavartan Research Institute, Gorakhpur. That was enough to tame the curious minds of some of my friends too anxious to know the exact reason! The real reason, however, was to spend some fun-filled moments with them. Life has become so hectic that it does not allow two individuals, however close they may be as friends, to sit together and get lost in old memories. That was the ultimate purport of organizing this get together with some chosen friends!
Why Coffee House? Allahabad has recently developed a lot having so many bright and glamorous food outlets but I selected Coffee House simply because being there means becoming part of its glorious history! This place is always occupied by legal hawks, writers and journalists during noon hours and by evening well-known oldies occupy the seats for long hours. This place in the past since early 50s witnessed development in lives of well-known geniuses belonging to Allahabad. Eminent literary figures like Firaq Gorakhpuri and Harivansh Rai Bachchan were frequent visitors to this place. Apart from them, the place has also witnessed rise of new creative wonders! The vibrations there ensure that there is no dearth of good souls in future!
I must thank to my friends from core of my heart that despite being trapped in busy schedules they managed to be part of this informal event at right time! It’s habit of the guests to worry the organizers with a deliberate delay! Mercifully, that’s not the case with events organized by me. I am spared this harassment for which I am really grateful to my friends. I must mention this fact that most of the friends who were part of this event have been my old friends and it makes me really happy when I state that they have all emerged as achievers! It was a moment of satisfaction for me to find them hale and hearty!
Obviously, the event was not solely attributed to dine together! We had some thought-provoking discussions. My friend Sheel, pursuing research in philosophy, rightly suggested that philosophy should also be taught at school level since that goes well with cultural legacy of this nation. Rajesh Kumar Pandey, legal correspondent associated with The Times Of India, lamented that Philosophy, of late, has become popular only because it helps students get good marks in competitive exams! It’s really hurting that a nation which is mired in philosophies of highest types has no mention about it at school level! My friend Ashish Nigam, on the other hand, asked me as to what was the method involved in my fellowship. I promptly informed him that besides books I was involved in interviewing concerned individuals. He also came to throw light on the glorious past of Coffee House, mentioning that visitors at this place love to sit here for long hours! It would not be out of tune to inform that most of the friends who gathered here were advocates associated with Allahabad High Court, who were also once upon a time had been my batch-mates!
There were some hilarious moments too when my childhood friend Pintu, lawyer at district court, got engaged in circulating images which showed us together as students in nursery days! Sangarsha Srivastava, who in past was a ferocious Communist leader and now an advocate, made everybody laugh by exhibiting that Coffee tastes less sweeter if you add more sugar in it! The only thing you should ensure is that stir it not well enough with a spoon and then drink it fast! Advocate Susheel Kumar Tiwary, Advocate Shashikant Kushwaha, Advocate Satyahdhar Dubey, Advocate Vinay Vishwakarma and Advocate Neeraj Shukla, who happens to be my brother-in-law, spent some qualitative time with me rising above constraints of time and without worrying about the fact that they have to return back home traveling long distance in night hours only to face ire of their anxious wives! It was heart-warming to hear Satyadhar ji asking me to make visit to this place till fag end of my life this way just like the oldies engaged in deep and interesting conversations sitting beside our gathering!
In the end I need to make special reference to contribution made on part of Arvind Kushwaha, advocate/computer programmer, and Arun Prakash Srivastava, District librarian. Arvind ensured that moments get captured in his camera while Arun ji ensured that all goes well in terms of management. Happily, the event ended on a high note with so many good feelings. That’s not possible without grace of Lord and, therefore, let’s thank the Almighty too for successful culmination of this event! “Take no pride in your possession, in the people (at your command), in the youthfulness (that you have). Time loots away all these in a moment. Leaving aside all these, after knowing their illusory nature, realise the state of Brahman, and enter into it. (Sri Adi Shankara in Bhaja Govindam; Verse 11)
With Friends At Historic Coffee House In Allahabad!
Happy to find old friends for one more time :-)
It’s a herculean task to ask friends to be present at one place on a working day! And they all appeared at appointed time!
Between interesting talks from philosophy to business we also ate :P :P :P
The ambiance inside Coffee House permits deep and meaningful talks! You can see few people engaged in deep talks :P :P :P
This time I did not say anything and simply enjoyed the whole affair. My friend Sangharsha did say few words in hilarious style :P :P :P
Coffee House is best known for South Indian dishes :-) Dosa is so delicious :P :P :P
Sheel Could Not Resist The Temptation Of Riding Royal Enfield :P
Some of us decided to sit again and taste Coffee for one more time :P It’s called partying after party gets over :P :P :P
The Party Virtually Ended :-)
Now Only The Memories Of This Get Together Prevail!!
The Party Ended On A Blissful Note! I Am Really Thankful To Lord For Sucessful Culmination Of This Event! Hope All My Friends Remain Hale And Hearty In Post-Party Life :-) Let me mention names of people who gathered: (From Extreme Left) Rajesh Kumar Pandey, Sangharsha Srivastava, Pintu Jaiswal, Sheel Kamal, Swajit Gupta, Arun Prakash Srivastava, Pankaj, Shashikant Kushwaha, Neeraj Shukla :-) The Author Stands In The Middle :P :P :P Those who are not in the frame Arvind Kuswaha, Satyadhar Dubey and Vinay Vishwakarma.
The Politics Of Rape In India
Mulayam Singh Yadav: Sometimes even wrong people say right things!
In early 80s one of the popular Hindi flicks revolved around a sensational theme wherein a girl accused a boy of attempting to rape her when she got caught during the seduction stage. As a result of that false accusation, the boy became victim of deep psychological disorder for lifelong. Similarly, a blockbuster Hindi movie released in early 90s shows the protagonist teaching a fitting lesson to her ladylove, who tries to take a revenge by feigning rape! The protagonist makes her very clear that a lady should not stoop down at this level wherein a sexual offence becomes a weapon to settle personal grudges. Not a long back ago the Supreme Court refused to grant relief to a girl who had feigned rape, which led to trial of two innocent youths. They had to ‘suffer the ignominy’ of being involved in such a serious offence!
The Supreme Court in his verdict, without mincing words, stated that ‘evil of perjury’ has assumed alarming proportions and, therefore, girl deserves no sympathy for maliciously setting the law in motion. “It was a settled position in law that so far as sexual offences are concerned, sanctity is attached to a victim’s statement and that the evidence of victim alone is sufficient for the purpose of conviction if it is found to be reliable, cogent and credible.” It’s ludicrous that an absurd hue and cry is being made over Mulayam Singh Yadav’s alleged rape remarks. Before entering into interpretation of his remarks, it would not be offensive to state that there are few takers, including myself, of type of caste-ridden politics played by Mulyam Singh Yadav, Lalu Yadav and Mayawati. They are icons of regressive tendencies in Indian politics, who never allowed their followers to truly embrace progressive ideals. That’s the reason why Uttar Pradesh is still struggling hard to emerge as a developed state!
One needs to be sufficiently cautious while interpreting remarks of Mulyam Singh Yadav. True, his statement “boys…make mistakes” need to be severely condemned as it trivializes the gravity of a serious offence like rape. However, that’s not the only remark he made. One of the flaws committed by Indian and foreign journalists is that they tend to rely more on sensationalism and as a result of that they misquote and misinterpret serious remarks. That’s not only against the spirit of ethics based journalism but such tendencies also lead to volatile situation in various circles of society. I am sure that an ace politician like Mulyam Singh Yadav would have got his intent right when he pointed out a disturbing trend in Indian society, wherein sexual offences have become a tool to serve vested interests.
If law makers are truly interested in equity based legal system then their prime task should be to make laws gender neutral!
The mainstream media eager to cash-in-on the controversial remark failed to highlight the other portion of his speech wherein he stated that “those filing false reports will also be taken to task” so as to stop the misuse of anti-rape law. The mainstream media, controlled by the feminist forces, very shrewdly suppressed this part of the alleged speech. He was demanding a change in anti-rape law not because “boys make mistake” but because its misuse has attained alarming proportions: “Boys and girls fall in love but due to differences they fall apart later on. When their friendship ends, the girl complains she has been raped.” This statement needs to be interpreted in light of scenario prevailing in present day Indian society marred by perverse tendencies even if one has no place for brand of politics played by likes of Mulayam and Mayawati! This time a wrong person has said a right thing. Why are we hell bent to ignore a harsh reality of present age wherein women are not hesitant to put at stake their own dignity if that suits their interests?
Interestingly, cinema is said to be the mirror of society. The filmmakers were far ahead unlike the lawmakers, having their mindset caught in time-warp, in anticipating the disturbing changes in approach of modern Indian women. Unlike the lawmakers who remained glued to perception of “abla nari” (a woman is too innocent and weak to commit any wrong), the filmmakers were bold enough to depict newer trends emerging among women fraternity (refer to movies like Undertrial, Aitraaz, Corporate and etc.). It’s a very recent phenomenon that Supreme Court has taken cognizance of misuse of dowry laws besides being worried about growing trend of perjury cases while dealing with sexual offences. However, it’s quite ironical and travesty of present day grim tendencies that new anti-rape law has no place for gender-neutral provisions. That’s quite shocking. That means law still believes that only men could be perpetrators! How long are the lawmakers going to behave like ostriches having their heads buried in sand?
Needless to state that nobody is suggesting, or rather no one wants that people guilty of sexual offences of serious types should remain above stringent punishment. However, at the same time, it’s also pertinent that fair sex involved in unfair practise of misusing laws should not be allowed to get off scot free. At the same time if law makers are truly interested in equity based legal system then their prime task should be to make laws gender neutral. What’s the point in nurturing illusions of medieval ages? They need to take clue from filmmakers, who are at least honest enough to portray real face of Indian society as it is (even if they do so to ensure flow of cash)! And the journalistic circle should better restrain themselves from viewing everything from political angle. That would augur well for the welfare of Indian society. The media should be more governed by truth than by falsehood, confusion, and twisted truth sponsored by the corrupt feminist forces! It’s really pathetic that biased mainstream media is averse to anything remotely serving the cause of men and is quick to nasty interpretations of well-meaning sentiments. And it’s even more sadder to notice that even social media remained concentrated on personal attacks rather than framing a more logical perspective!
Justice Dhingra: New Anti-rape law could be misused!
References:
The Times of India
New York Daily News
Supreme Court On Misuse of Rape Law
Pics Credit:
Allahabad: A City Wherein Global Salutes The Local (Photo Feature Part 3)
I have no hesitation in admitting that Allahabad (ancient name Prayag) redefined my beingness.It made me down-to earth, allowing me to view life in its true shades. Although I tried my best to capture all the shades of Allahabad, I am sure I would have missed some beautiful locations. I hope future writers would explore these untouched places in a colourful way. However, in the last part of the photo feature, I have shifted my attention from modern landscape of Allahabad to areas which still remind of the ancient times. Infrastructural bottlenecks prevented me from using state-of-the-art technology in capturing the images and that made me bit depressed. However, now in the aftermath of the publication of photo features, I feel pretty satisfied that I still came to do some good work. These photo features are a tribute to great city Allahabad- my birthplace. A city that taught me how to emerge successful in rising above contradictions to have glimpse of the Absolute!
Such roads making their way through dusty colonies of Allahabad remind me of Varanasi! This road connects Anand Bhawan area with Katra. Katra is very poular among middle class section of Allahabad. It’s also most favourite destination of students; after all, it lies close to Allahabad University :-)
Katra resembles Varanasi city in its style and mannerism!
It was cold and foggy when I came to visit Katra but observe the rush at this place. On ordinary days, this popular crossing at Katra is so full of people that traffic policemen are reduced to caricature of sorts while managing them!
This road needs no introduction for Allahabadis :P It’s University Road :-)
One of the eminent hostels associated with Allahabad University. It’s named after Sir Sunder Lal, who in 1906 became the the first Indian Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University! He was by profession an advocate, who later also served as High Court Judge.
Right in front of one of the gates of Allahabad University-Oxford of the East !
One of the things which separates Allahabad University from Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi, is the quality of roads spread in University area :P :P .. The streets adjacent to Benaras Hindu University are so much in love with potholes that while walking you have to look downwards all the time with fear ha..ha ..ha ..That’s not the case in Allahabad :P :P :P
On The Campus Of Allahabad University :-)
Once upon a time I always ventured on these beautiful roads situated on the Allahabad University’s Campus :-)
A beautiful park on the campus of University..Notice no love birds are present :P :P :P
In my days it was not a Central University. Today, it has attained the status of being a Central University!
Road adjacent to Allahabad University…When you move ahead on this road arrives Prayag Railway Station!
Loitering on these University Roads was one of the main activities during College days!
Don’t be confused :P We are still inside University’s Campus :P :P :P
Notice the activities on main University Road. Streets remain the same but faces of students get changed!
Main Katra Market!
A prominent Goddess Kaliji temple at Katra, Allahabad!
This time Lord Hanuman Ji is resting inside the Temple : -)
One of the street crossings at Katra :-)
A glimpse of life at Katra!
Lonely Road in Allahabad :P
The most prominent Sports Complex in Allahabad! It’s named after movie superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who hails from this city :-)
Maharana Pratap Crossing :-)
It’s getting dark :-)
CMP Degree College in Allahabad- a constituent college of Allahabad University. It has produced great students in past. And so it really saddens me when I hear about stories of violence, disruption of studies on its campus. I had been student of this college and we remember that in our batch most of the students came to score more than students of Allahabad University in prominent subjects like Philosophy, English Literature, Physics and etc. !
And under this great tree Philosophy and English Literature students often had great discussions. Long Live This Cute Tree :P :P :P
At this place it was so hard to control the tears..At this place I found some great teachers like Anand Srivastava Sir (Philosophy), K K Ghatak Sir (English Literature), K C Srivastava (Ancient History) and many others who imparted so many values to young and fresh minds like us! In fact, they were generous enough to give additional lectures in staff room during lunch hours!
Road that led to English Lectures in those days :-)
The park in which my science department friends played cricket during Chemistry hours :P
I hope new students who become part of this great college would keep its standards high. I am happy to notice that most of my friends from this college of that batch, from both Arts and Science Wings, have done exceptionally well in their post college lives! And I should not hesitate to state that I also fell in love with someone at this place :-)
This cute Krishna Temple in Meerapur area makes me smile. That’s because this area has prominent Shakti Peeths of Allahabad: Lalita Devi Temple And Kalyani Devi Temple!
Entrance gate of Krishna Pranami Temple :P ..Name itself is so cute :P
Goddess Lalita Devi Temple In Meerapur Area! It’s one of the Shakti Pithas in Allahabad!
Goddess Lalita Deviji :-)
Actvities like Ved Paatha always takes place inside Lalita Devi Temple :-) Sadly, I could not get a better image :-(
Outside Kalyani Deviji Temple :-) Beautiful structure :-)
Inside View Of The Kalyani Deviji Temple :-)
Another view of Kalyani Deviji’s temple :-)
And life goes on at its usual pace outside Kalyani Deviji’s temple!
Road Adjacent To Ewing Christian College!
On the way towards Muthiganj :-)
Life in another part of Allahabad away from the glamour of elite areas like Civil lines :-)
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Allahabad. It was established by by Swami Vijnanananda in year 1908! He was a monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna!
Front View Of This Important Spiritual Center in Allahabad :-)
It has got its own wonderful library! No wonder this Mission is so popular among students!
Meditation room inside this Mission having images of Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada Deviji, Swami Vijnanananda ji and Swami Vivekananda ji!
Books For Sale Inside The Temple :-)
Close Look At The Books :-)
Havana Taking Place On Occasion Of Vivekananda’s Birth Ceremony At The Mission :-)
Swami Nikhilatamanandaji, current head of this center in Allahabad, giving lecture on relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s views in modern times!|
Very Conscious Listeners :-)
Swamijis at Ramakrishna Mission are very well-informed, highly educated and down-to-earth people!
This tea stall has photo of Sri Anna Hazare :P :P :P
Sri Krishna Selling Jewellery :P :P :P
Khusro Bagh in Allahabad…A place that gives glimpse of Mughal architecture. It has “tombs of Khusrau Mirza (died 1622), eldest son of emperor Jahangir, Shah Begum, Khusrau’s mother (died 1604), a Rajput princess and Jahangir’s first wife, and that of Princess Sultan Nithar Begam.” (Text borrowed from Wiki)
This place cultivates best varieties of Guava. This park is about to get the status of National Eco-Knowledge Park!
It has been renovated to attract tourist :-) I am happy that it is close to my house :P
Peace prevails here :P
Besides Guava trees a large number of mango trees are found here!
As informed earlier such parks in Allahabad are often occupied by students preparing for competitive exams…See how they are engaged in studies :-)
Eco-friendly Hanumanji inside Khusro Bagh :P
One of the tombs situated inside the Khusro Bagh!
Green house plantation inside the Khusro Bagh!
Very old Banayan Trees inside Khusro Bagh…If you sit under them you are bound to engage in deep meditation :P
Very Beautiful Scene Inside Khusro Bagh…Leaves Everywhere…A Very Striking Image Both Philosophically And Aesthetically :-)
It was a delightful sight for me to see cricket match going on at such a romantic place :P
Cricketers giving a pose :P :P :P
I had a hard time bringing this squirrel under the lens :P :P :P
Such Scenes Make You Fall In Great Romance With Nature :-) :-) :-)
Another Tomb Inside Khusro Bagh!
A flower fallen on ground yet it has such a bright smile :P ..We should be like this flower: Broken and dejected yet always smiling :-) :-) :-) Anyway, it’s called flower of Semal Tree (Bombax cieba)
Khusro Bagh Has Awesome Sight :P
PINKISH BLISS :P :P :P…
That’s commonly called Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba). In India it’s called Semal and we often notice this tree along the road in Allahabad!
Noticed this depressed motor bike inside Khusro Bagh :P :P :P “Girls don’t trust me” :P :P :P
May Lord always give such unfortunate souls enough to eat! I wonder why state-governments do nothing for these abandoned souls? It’s really a sad scene!
And these are fortunate souls, who came to take a dip at Sangam during Kumbh Mela..Now they are happily returning back to their respective places! They come from distant lands, facing all sorts of hardships!
Unlike women from cities, these rural woman are quite tough both physically and mentally! The city women are usually bit lazy types :P :P :P
Varanasi sees foreign visitors throughout the year but in Allahabad foreign visitors come only during special occasions like Kumbh Mela, International Conferences and etc. Here they are seen waiting for train at Allahabad Junction!
Hope they had nice experiences in Allahabad :-) :-) :-)
A Bird’s Eye View Of My Locality From Rooftop Of My House :-) :-)
This pic is especially for the likes of Sucheta ji and Carmenji living in foreign lands :-) I hope Suchetaji, living in USA, comes to notice at least one cute activity taking place on Indian roof :P :P Kids from my family having a great time on the rooftop :-)
Allahabadis love flying kites :-) View of the beautiful sky over my roof :-)
And these are students of the year :P :P :P
Kids engaged in serious discussion right in the middle of the street! Kids have become so serious nowadays :P :P
This corner at my locality remains quite busy during festivals :-) :-)
A Railway Over-bridge close to my locality!! And notice one guy walking in the middle of the railway tracks! That’s why tragedies take place!
Sports Stadium Belonging To Railways!
And evening prevails :-)
On the road near Baluva Ghat! This area is in old Allahabad!
Activities Near Baluva Ghat. Well, ghat in India signifies that we are close to the bank of a river!
Lord Hanumanji in the making :P :P :P
Ma Yamuna ji ..She is very dear to Lord Krishna :-) And I am really disappointed to see so much garbage on its banks..Let’s not forget that it’s a very busy place owing to religious ceremonies taking place throughout the year.
Who has allowed black beauties (read buffaloes) to take dip in Sri Yamunaji :-( :-( :-(
Scenes around Baluva Ghat made me feel I have traveled back in time!
Black Beauties Have Now Attained Regular Moksha (liberation) :P :P :P
Myself at Khusro Bagh :-)
India is land of great rivers and great mountains. It’s our duty to keep them clean. Why are we so casual in keeping them in good shape? Hope Sri Yamunaji remains evergreen in this nation. Just see what we have done to her in Delhi area! Let’s not the same happens to her in Allahabad. Jai Sri Yamunaji..Pranama to Everybody: Sri Radha Krishna, Gopas, Gopikas And Cows :P :P :P
P.S. :- The copyright of these images rests with the author of this post. Anybody making use of them without prior permission of the author, or without giving due credit to the author, could be penalized as per legal norms.
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Reference:
Allahabad: A City Wedded To Realism (Photo Feature Part One)
Allahabad: City Of True Beauty, Real Romance And Mysticism (Photo Feature Part 2)
The Times Of India: Marriage Bill Is Anti-Men
This News Item Appeared In The Allahabad Edition Of The Times Of India On December 19, 2013.
It’s a matter of great satisfaction that prominent publications related with mainstream media have begun to embrace issues related with men in a fair way. The various bodies working for the cause of men across the nation have decided to ferociously protest against the recent amendments made in Hindu Marriage Laws which are not only anti-male but also do not augur well for the cause of society. I must appreciate The Times of India and its correspondents some of them whom I know personally quite well for being sympathetic towards issues sensitive in nature. The complicated issues cannot be dealt with in a proper way unless we know both the sides of story and this type of fair reporting allows us to be more informed about aspects which remain neglected owing to lack of dissemination. Right now some of the well known Men’s associations based in Bangalore, Pune, Nagpur and elsewhere are working hard to create awareness regarding misuse of laws, which they call legal terrorism. The activists right now are engaged in having dialogue with Members of Parliament with a hope to apprise them of with concerns of Men’s Associations. I am sure the day is not far when gender-neutral laws would get introduced to provide a better shape to Indian society now on the verge of disarray due to blatant misuse of power by the feminists, enjoying support of negative powers operating within the nation and in foreign lands.
Unleashing Magic Of “Triple S” Of Indian Cinema: Sahir Ludhianvi, Shakeel Badayuni and Shailendra!
Sahir: The Poet Very Close To My Heart!
(Also published in Northern India Patrika, December 22, 2013)
Once upon a time Hindi movie songs acted as anti-depressants. Now Hindi film music gives rise to depression! Modern songs devoid of meaning and set upon incoherent beats in the name of music give rise to headache instead of removing it! Earlier songs depicted certain philosophy, which added a new dimension in the script of the movie. The movies made by Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor effectively used songs to introduce new twist in the story. It’s altogether a different story in modern cinema. There are item numbers or poorly inserted hopelessly romantic numbers.
First, there is dearth of talented lyricists and, second, there is lack of good music directors. The bunch of music directors that we see are primarily technocrats, relying heavily on technology. Some will argue that we have talented lyricists but the ability to write one or two catchy one-liners doesn’t make anyone a lyricist! Listen the lyrics and it would be hard for you to decide whether it’s an English song, or a Punjabi song, or a Hindi song. Look at the music compositions. It’s either for the hip-hop generation or it’s for the night clubs. It’s not merely that times have changed and we need to adjust to new trends. There is something terribly wrong with the creativity involved in making of songs! Should we not assume that capitalistic traits have murdered real creativity? Overseas rights of distribution, heavy fees extracted from rights of satellite channels and numerous other equations enjoy greater concern than ensuring bliss!
I do not wish to appear stupidly nostalgic caught in the time warp. As an evidence of the creativity, which prevailed in 50s and 60s, I am presenting four songs of lyricists who have really inspired me a lot. Every time I come to hear a song written by them, it leaves me in state of intoxication. I am referring to trio comprised of Sahir Ludhianvi, Shakeel Badauini and Shailendra. These “Triple S” always stirred my emotions to no extent.
Shakeel Badayuni: Great Poets Are Always Down-To-Earth!
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Shailendra: He Always Lived A Simple Life. That’s Why He Emerged As Icon Of Simplicity!
2. Suhana Safar Aur Ye Mausam Haseen
Bimal Roy’s Madhumati (1958) is very close to my heart. Not only it strengthens our belief in re-birth, a prominent concept in Indian philosophy, but also it makes us believe in the power of true love. As per this movie the impact of true love transcend many generations. This movie is really a classic in world cinema. Right from the first scene till the last frame of this movie, it keeps the viewer in state of trance with its gripping presentation of the story and its enchanting music. I remember when I went to see this movie in a theater couple of months ago in a film festival, the theater was jam-packed. Not a single seat was available. And I saw many of the viewers sitting on the floor of the balcony and many others still having argument with the gate-keeper to move inside even as the movie had started. Shailendra and Salil Chaudhary made each song a masterpiece. Well, this time I wish to introduce first song of this movie “Suhana Safar Aur Ye Mausam Haseen”. Every time I move on a beautiful passage passing through the valleys, I always come to remember this song. Shailendra has borrowed the appeal present in poems of Wordsworth. Nature has come alive in this song where one can actually feel that clouds are kissing the earth! – “Ye Aasman Jhuk Raha Hai Jameen Par”. Notice the wonderful prelude of this song. It’s so impressive that it has virtually become part of my consciousness! Immediately you come to realize that this song features mountains! That’s the magic of these songs. One of my favourite past-time in school and college days was to identify the song after listening clip of prelude. Anyway, it’s time to listen the whole song! Also notice the way how great maestro Bimal Da has picturized this song!
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3. Aaj Purani Raho Se Koi Mujhe
That’s a song which speaks volume about the singing ability of Mohammed Rafi. It’s been so deeply and soulfully sung by Rafi that it leaves you speechless. Aadmi was released in 1968 which had music under direction of Naushad and songs were penned by Shakeel Badayuni. Naushad had a special place for Shakeel in his heart and he went out of the way to help Shakeel in his last days troubled both by financial crisis and bad health. The movie highlighted love triangle and fascinating performances on part of Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rahman and Manoj Kumar made it an unforgettable movie. The song makes it clear that one can be strong willed even if one’s heart and mind have been shattered by the cruel twists and turns of the fate. The song has tragic melody which not only depicts personal loss but also highlights that pain ultimately leads to realization of highest type- perfect union with the Lord! The camera work is wonderful in this song as it captures the roaring sea waves hitting the rocks! The song makes an appeal that someone who has begun a new journey should not be haunted by the past episodes of life!
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पुरुष अधिकारो से जुडी एक खबर जनसंदेश टाइम्स में!
पुरुष अधिकार से सम्बंधित ये खबर दो दिसंबर 2013 को जनसंदेश टाइम्स में छपी.इस खबर का सकारात्मक परिणाम रहा शहर में क्योकि छपने के कुछ अंतराल पर हाई कोर्ट के अधिवक्ताओ और कुछ बुद्धिजीवियो ने ये कहा कि ये बड़े स्तर की साजिश है हिन्दू परिवारो को तोड़ने की. सो ये समाचार पत्र बधाई का पात्र है और वो लोग भी जो इस मामले में भारत देश में पूरी तन्मयता से लगे हुए है. शायद लोगो को पुरुष उत्पीड़न का एहसास हो जाए!
पुरुष अधिकार से सम्बंधित ये खबर दो दिसंबर को जनसंदेश टाइम्स में छपी. विवाह कानून (संशोधन) विधेयक 2010 को लेकर पुरुष अधिकार संघटनो जिनमे सेव इंडियन फॅमिली फाउंडेशन और मेंस राइट्स एसोसिएशन प्रमुख रूप से शामिल है के द्वारा नई दिल्ली में सांसदो को अपनी आपत्तियों से पत्र के माध्यम से अवगत कराया जाएगा जो उनको व्यक्तिगत रूप से सौपे जायेंगे संसद के वर्तमान शीतकालीन सत्र में। इस बाबत ये महत्त्वपूर्ण खबर इलाहाबाद के इस प्रमुख हिंदी अख़बार में छपी जिसका प्रकाशन कई शहरो में होता है.
इस खबर का सकारात्मक परिणाम रहा शहर में क्योकि छपने के कुछ अंतराल पर हाई कोर्ट के अधिवक्ताओ और कुछ बुद्धिजीवियो ने ये कहा कि ये बड़े स्तर की साजिश है हिन्दू परिवारो को तोड़ने की. सही बात है क्योकि देखने में यही आ रहा है कि जितने घातक संशोधन हिन्दू विवाह अधिनियम में हुए है और वो भी पुरुष विरोधी किसी सुनियोजित साजिश का अंग लगते है. सबसे खेदजनक बात ये है कि हिन्दू हितु की रक्षा करने का दावा करने वाली संस्थाए और राजनैतिक पार्टिया इस मुद्दे पर आश्चर्यजनक रूप से खामोश और निष्क्रिय है. जबकि इसी मुद्दे पर अमरीका आदि देशो में कुछ सचेत हिन्दुओ ने इस बात को तीव्रता से महसूस किया है लेकिन हमारे यहाँ लोग अभी गहरी नींद में है इस मुद्दे पर.
सो ये समाचार पत्र बधाई का पात्र है और वो लोग भी जो इस मामले में भारत देश में पूरी तन्मयता से लगे हुए है. शायद लोगो को पुरुष उत्पीड़न का एहसास हो जाए.
Readers can read the content of whole letter on this post:
विवाह कानून (संशोधन) विधेयक 2010: सरकार को पुरुष संघटनो की तरफ से कुछ बेहद महत्त्वपूर्ण सुझाव
References:
वो जो तुमसे जोड़ता एक पुल है!
वो जो तुमसे जोड़ता एक पुल है!
कही न कही तेरे मेरे बीच
में एक पुल है
जिस पर से गुज़र कर मै
अक्सर पहुच जाता हूँ तुम तक
हां वो पुल दिखता नहीं है
इस यथार्थ से भरी दुनियाँ में
ठीक ही तो है कि दिखता नहीं
या फिर मैंने ठीक ही तो किया
जब मैंने इसे सच्ची दुनिया में
दोष बाधा से बंधी नज़रो से उलझती
हर इस तरह के तिकड़मो से ऊपर रखा
और नहीं बनाया सबको दिखने वाला पुल
वो एक पुल
जिस पर से गुज़र कर मै
अक्सर पहुच जाता हूँ तुम तक
बनता या बनाता इसे दुनियाँ में
तो निश्चित था कि वो ढह जाता
छल कपट से भरी हर निगाहो से
निकलती हर एक उतरन सें
और मिट जाता वो एक सहारा भी
जो अभी मेरे जीने की एक वजह है
वो एक पुल
जिस पर से गुज़र कर मै
यथार्थ के बीच से होता हुआ
अक्सर पहुच जाता हूँ तुम तक
हर रोज, हर एक गुजरते लम्हे में!
उस दुनियाँ में जहा कोई नही होता
सिवाय तेरे और मेरे अस्तित्व के.
For Non-Hindi Readers:
English Version Of The Same Poem
Pics Credit:
Beautiful Images That Strengthen My Deep Village Connection! (Photo Story Part III)
I am really happy that my previous two posts, namely, Some Breathtaking Images From The Land Of Ganges ( Photo Story Part One) and An Interaction With Ethereal Wonder In My Village (Photo Story Part II) received terrific response from the side of readers. It really overwhelmed me because being an amateur photographer I did not expect such encouraging review. I was not able to include few images in previous two parts because having given way to strict editing I felt that these images were not as important for creating a perfect impression. Now I feel that these images should also get published, after all, judging whether an image is perfect or not cannot be the sole discretion of the photographer! And ,therefore, I take the liberty to publish some of the images related with the same tour to my village. And by doing that I feel that I am granting moksha to these images- moksha ( total liberation) from my possession :-)
Train that steadily and slowly moved towards my station Pahara. Word “Pahara” refers to mountainous landscape which prevails in this region..
That’s the road which connects Allahabad and Mirzapur..It’s runs side by side the rail route to Mirzapur…
Scene around a railway station…
That’s the beauty which encircles Platforms !!!
Most Passengers I notice are involved either in sleeping inside the train compartment or if they are not doing that they are engaged in dull activities. And so they always miss such scenes…
Indian Railway Stations Have Their Own Charm :-)
Vindhyachal: A Shakti Peeth Held In High Regard By The Devotees…
Black Beauties Swimming :P :P :P
Life Never Stops!!!
Life Around Mirzapur Railway Station :P
Mirzapur : Place Associated With Kajaris ( Folk Songs)
Passengers Leaving Jhingura Station As They Got Off The Train :P :P :P
Beautiful Roads …..
Eyes so frequently meet beautiful scenes outside the train window…
So The Train Finally Reached At Pahara Station!
The train that brought me to Pahara station leaving the station :P
That’s The Small Post Office Operating At Pahara Railway Station….
Pahara Station Has Two Loop Lines ..This Is The First One…Loop Lines For Passenger Train Means Delay Hours..So We Passengers Pray That Train Never Stops On Loop Line…But Passenger Trains Run More On Loop Lines Than Main Lines Courtesy Controller Sahib In Love With Express and Goods Trains :P :P :P
Rice Fields That Belong To Me :P
And that’s the route I travelled to reach to my rice fields and home at Village Kanaura …That’s the route I always followed since childhood…
This beautiful muddy route, connecting Pahara Railway Station with Kanaura village, always haunts my consciousness!!!
Beautiful Birds Visit My Fields…In The Morning Time I Saw Many Peacocks But Could Not Click Their Images..However, This Fellow Got Clicked…But This One Was Not Very Camera Friendly :P :P :P
My Father Sitting Outside My New Home At Village…He Is Architect Of My Dreams At Village :P :P :P
Children going to school :P
Evening Hours In My Village…
Beautiful View Of My Fields…
Kids playing outside the road at my new village home :-)
Regular scene outside my new home in village :-)
Life begins with sunrise in villages :-)
Kids playing close to my old ancestral home :P
It’s never easy to click the image of birds..You have to chase them for hours :P :P …This one is called ” Kathphodva :P” in my village :P
Grandmother Of These Kids!!!!
Do you think it’s an easy task to walk on these pagdandis-the narrow muddy routes?
Hope greenery always prevails in form of these crops..Imagine if some calamity leads to destruction of these crops? Let’s crops always give good yield to farmers!
And hope my deep association continues with Ganges in hereafter journey as well!!
At Pahara Station…Dusk has prevailed and my train is late yet I am not worried…I am lost in memories of days spent at my village Kanaura…
Pahara Station Bathed In Evening Light…
An Express Train On Up Line Is Approaching Fast ( Main Line II) ..And you can notice that a passenger train is standing from quite a long time on loop line II :-(
Anyway, I was back in my city on the eve of Deepawali.. One of the corners of Allahabad City Right Before The Deepavali Celebrations…
Celebrating Deepawali With Cute Nieces ….One of the reasons I had to cut short my village visit so as to not miss the celebrations with them…
One of the reasons to be at Village is that it sustains my romance with nature..And one of the reasons to be in Allahabad is that it sustains my love for these cute kids ….They are not innocent as they appear :P :P :P…The third one from the left is my cousin :P
For The Readers:
All the images have been clicked by the author of this post. The copyrights of the pics rest with this author. So I request not to make use of any of the pics without prior permission of the author or, for that matter, they can be republished only after giving due credit to the author while using them in any way.
References:
Link To Part One Of This Photo Story: Some Breathtaking Images From The Land Of Ganges
Link To Part Of This Photo Story: An Interaction With Ethereal Wonder In My Village
An Interaction With Ethereal Wonder In My Village (Photo Story Part II)
I am really glad that the conscious readers worldwide made their presence felt on part I of this photo story. Although I have not learnt photography in professional way, I came to learn few tricks in company of expert photographers who also happened to be my friends. I realize photography is an excellent way to capture emotions which cannot be conveyed through words. My association with my village transcends the limit of words. It’s very very deep one. Luckily enough, I have found creative mediums to manifest the intrinsic elements of this emotional bond with my village. Indian villages are still the best place to discover real India. My village is no exception. However, what makes my village unique is the divine presence of Ganges in its full splendour. And I am sure if I venture again on this planet in my next births this alone be my place of birth and my karmabhoomi too ( a place where one is professionally involved).
This road leads straight to home built by my ancestors in the heart of villlage Kanaura. This road is right in front of my new home at the fields.
Notice my new home and the metal road that runs at a stone’s throw from it, leading straight to both my home built by the ancestors and banks of Ganges :-)
I am so lucky that such scenes prevail almost every-time when I take a morning walk on this road…
On both sides of this road one notices Mango and Mahaua Trees…During childhood favourite past-time was to target green mangoes with stone avoiding the eyes of the owners :P :P :P
That’s the most common scene you notice on village roads…Love Cows..Love their owners- the gwalas…However, what I hate is that they mix so much water in milk that when I prepare tea I do not feel the need to add water :P
That’s the defunct canal which runs side by side to both metal road and muddy road leading to my village..I remember in my childhood it was so alive with waters of Ganges..Now no one uses it anymore! Ganges does not have sufficient waters to sustain it..
So Beautiful Trees….
Lord Is Truly Artistic Guy :P
Walking Under The Shade Of Trees :-)
As we reach close to village scenes change…The village life becomes more visible…See the “Upalis” piled up in artistic way :P ..They are prepared from cow-dung and are used as primary source of fuel in Indian villages…
They are first dried under the sun like this way before being piled up :P
Right now fields are lush green with rice crops…However, many farmers have “Bajra” and ” Jhunri” crops in their fields!
In my childhood sugarcane farming was popular in my village..Now very few farmers grow it in my village…Found this field having sugarcane crop :-)
Moving closer to my ancestral home :P
The metal road you just saw takes this form as it enters inside the village :P
Most of the homes in my village have given way to modern style of architecture…Very few huts can be noticed in my village..Even this one is made of bricks and not mud…My own original home made of mud collapsed sometimes back due to heavy rains!
Ganges flowing at the outskirts of village :-)
Hope Ganges Always Remains Behind My Back :-)
The outskirt of village!!
Felt tired after a long walk….So resting under shade of tree :-)
That’s the ancestral home built by my grandfather…The vacant space you see is cricket pitch prepared by me..Since childhood seen all village kids gathering here to play cricket…And even now at this age I play cricket with them with same zeal even as it leads to minor quarrels with the neighbours ! Right now some trespassers have captured it with the Upalis :P :P. So while playing cricket we ensure that ball hits them for maximum number of times :P :P :P
My real self lives in my village at this home..And please my home number is not 65 as inscribed on its wall…It’s the highest score scored by one village kid in five overs :P :P :P
At my home amid greenery :P
The other end of vacant ground.. The home built by the ancestors was a huge one..Today nothing remains…Since I do not live here villagers use it for their personal affairs…And when I am here I remove all the encroachments and make the cricket ground bit large :P :P
At Small Shiva Temple Built By My Ancestors…Hope to find His blessing always :-) :-)
This Neem Tree Is So Special For Me..In Childhood All My Friends Played So Many Games Under Its Shade All The Time…Today neighbours complain that its branches hang dangerously over their houses…I am in serious dilemma :-( :-( :-(
If The Tree Falls My Own Home Would Be The First One To Collapse But I Am Not Making Any Hue And Cry Like My Arrogant Neighbours..View From The Top Of My Cricket Ground :P
Ideally my vacant space should be neat and clean this way…That’s the vacant space owned by my neighbour …See cute village kids playing on it…We have been bold enough to defy the orders of neighbour not to play cricket here..Anyway, once I start living here my first priority would be to make my vacant space as neat and clean like this one :P
My village is really beautiful :P
An ideal village home has such beautiful plants planted outside their homes..Me too wish to have these plants at my vacant space..Right now it’s being used by the trespassers!
And I will love to own cows..I like them so much…My ancestors had many cows and we had separate cowshed for them….After all, it fills one with bliss when one sees such scenes…
Inside View Of My Villages..
View of Ganges Between The Neem Trees From My Rooftop :-) :-) :-)
My Favourite Pagdandi :P …Pagdandis Are Narrow Muddy Routes :-)
An Ideal Hindu Brahmin Family.. Misconceptions Have Been Deliberately Spread By Foreign Historians That Hindu Brahmins Do Not Promote Daughters…This Famiily Has Only Daughters ( Five Daughters) And No Sons…And Above All Very Proud Of Their Talented Daughters…Stop Painting Brahmins In Wrong Colours!
With Vijay…He Is one of my best childhood friends…Gentle one and not naughty like others :-)
Bold And Beautiful Cow….She Was Aware That I Was Going To Click Her Image..And So Look The Way She Is Staring It Me :P :P :P
This Child Has Just Taken Cold Water Bath…Now Taking Sun Bath :P :P :P
Small Kids Always Remind Me Of The Lord’s Face :-) :-) :-)
Kids Playing Cricket….
That’s the most popular venue for playing cricket….And you can notice a match is going on ….I have played many memorable matches …In fact, before this match I came to play two match series Brahmins Vs Yadavs :P :P :P
Although village hand pumps are working smoothly, it’s the scenario when tube well’s supply is available :-)
On The Banks Of Ganges One Always Notices Shiva Temples…My Village Is No Exception..This wonderful Shiva Temple Greets You As You Move Towards The Ganges :-)
During my frequent visits to banks of Ganges I always came to notice these three doggies :P :P :P
O Boat Take Me To The World From Where I Never Return To This Cruel World!
Even Boat Has A Partner Boat :P
Lovely Sight…It Reminds Me Of The Song “O Manjhi Rein” :P
Lovely Landscape :-)
To Be Near Ganges Makes On Feel So Refreshed :-)
This pose was asked by the one who was clicking my image ..He made me try different poses but all in vain since he was clicking image for the first time..Still he managed to click few image of mine satisfactorily :P :P :P
He Is The Naughtiest Boy In My Village..Happily For Me He Agreed To Act As Photographer With Zero Nuisance Impact :P :P :P
Anyway, camera in my own hands gave birth to these sensational images :-)
Ganges Shows Her Real Charishma In My Region :-)
What Can Be More Beautiful Than This?
Speechless!!!
Beauty Should Be Divine!
It’s proving to be a tough task to find suitable expressions for these wonderful images !!!
Again And Again I will Be Born Here :-) :-) :-)
Morning Sun :-)
My Mornings And Evenings Are Usually Spent Here :-)
Trying To Carve Fitting Expression For These Images Dipped In Divinity :-)
Clouds Meet The Earth :-)
When Beauty Transcends The Human Expressions!
Awesome Sight :-)
Lovely Banks ….Take A Walk On Them And Your Senses Attain Instant Nirvana :-)
Krishna Must Have Played Cricket On These Type Of Banks Alone :-) See The Animals Grazing The Grass :-)
Stillness Always Resides Here…
Trees Hugging Each Other….
Spellbound!!!
In The Land Where Clouds Bend To Kiss The Earth :-)
Now I Walk On This Pagdandi To Reach My New Home At Fields….From Where I Will Walk Towards The Railway Station!
My Rice Fields :-) :-) :-)
Noticed This Chameleon Called Girgitaan At My Village :P :P :P..It’s becoming a rare specie since most have taken birth as human beings to become Indian ministers :P :P :P
Evening Prevails In My Village!
In Its Company I Feel Composed Inside!!
The Canal Divides Into Two Parts Adjacent My New Home…And Notice That A Minor Pagdandi Runs Parallel To It…It Leads To Railway Station….
Going To Railway Station Amid These Lovely Fields :-)
This Farmer Asked Me To Click His Image :P :P :P
It was getting pretty dark and I had yet to cover a long distance !!! And above all, I ran the risk of missing the train as well the way I stopped again and again to capture the scenes :P :P :P
Noticed This Kid Asking Her Mother To Stop Work And Take Her Home!
Now Very Close To The Railway Station …This Beautiful Muddy Road For The Time Being Would Be In My Memories Now..
Such Beautiful Images Will Keep Me Happy And Peaceful For A Very Long Time….
When I Will Come Back Next Time Rice Crop Would Be Ready To Be Harvested !
Left The Rice Fields Far Behind To Come Close To The Railway Station…
I Am Never Happy Faced As I Wait For Return Train…And That’s The Case Since Childhood….Friends Are Sarcastic About My Village Love..They Say People Leave Villages To Move Towards Cities And You Plan To Do The Reverse….I Have A Fitting Response But Prefer To Make Them Live In Their World Of Ignorance!
Happily Train Was Late…My Beautiful Station Looked Awesome As The Dusk Came To Envelop It..Sipping The Tea I Remained Lost In So Many Thoughts…
I Never Get Annoyed When Train Gets Late At My Pahara Station :P :P
Night View Of The Pahara Station…
The Evening Passenger Train ( Mughalsarai-Allahabad Passenger Train) Makes You Feel Like King…See The Empty Coach..And You Would Not Believe It’s Empty Like This Through The Whole Journey :-) :-) It’s A Very Romantic Affair To Be All Alone This Way :P
Managed To Find One Passenger In My Compartment..But He Too Left Me All Alone After Two Stations…Anyway, This Sort Of Royal Feeling You Can Never Get In Jam-packed Mail/Express Trains :P :P :P
And I Keep Looking Outside To Meet Such Scenes Outside The Train’s Window….
For The Readers:
All the images have been clicked by the author of this post. The copyrights of the pics rest with this author. So I request not to make use of any of the pics without prior permission of the author or, for that matter, they can be republished only after giving due credit to the author while using them in any way.
Link To Part One:
Some Breathtaking Images From The Land Of Ganges ( Photo Story Part One)
Vishal Bhardwaj: A Genuine Music Composer In Times When Indian Music Directors Have Become Copycats
Vishal Bhardwaj: A Truly Talented Filmmaker And Music Composer
( Also published in Northern India Patrika, December 08, 2013 )
One needs a great musical mind to appreciate the music of Vishal Bhardwaj. We are well aware of his directorial skills, having seen his ability to deal with complex themes in movies like Omkara, Maqbool, Kaminey and Saat Khoon Maaf, to name a few. In my eyes he is a music director par excellence, who still have guts to introduce original compositions in Bollywood given way to borrowed tunes. If we analyze deeply the happenings inside Bollywood’s musical landscape what prevails is recycling of works of others in most blatant manner with no credits to original composers who composed these compositions in the first place.
Very recently I watched “Ek Thi Daayan” which dealt with supernatural elements. It was a theme which had not much scope for a romantic number. However, Vishal managed to create magic with his “Yaaram” song. Gulzar after demise of his best friend RD Burman felt a great sense of loneliness. He wasn’t all wrong in feeling that way. Only RD Burman had that capability to lend perfect musical notes to newsy type lyrics penned by Gulzar. Thanks to the arrival of Vishal Bhardwaj, which allowed Gulzar to breathe a sigh of relief. Vishal didn’t disappoint Gulzar. The chartbusters like ” Yaaram”, “Naina Thag Lenge”, “Darling”, “Chod Aaye Hum Wo Galiyan”, “O Saathi Re”, “Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji”, “Raat Ke Dhai Baje”, “Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola” and “Sapney Me Milti Hai” etc. are the ones which bear testimony to the fact he knows what treatment very sensitive verses of Gulzar actually need.
This very highly conscious music director, dealing in experimentation and improvisation in unorthodox manner, loves to introduce best of the literary works, which until now remained unexplored by Indian movie-makers. The cinematic versions of Shakespeare’s Othello, Macbeth and Hamlet really impressed all film-goers. At the same time, movie versions of Ruskin Bond’s “Susanna’s Seven Husbands” and “The Blue Umbrella’ also left the lovers of cinema spellbound. In fact, even in movie meant for kids like Makdee you can notice the variation he introduced in his music. He has received National Award for his music in Ishkiya and Godmother. Today Bollywood is dominated by musicians who first don’t know what music really means, and second, they are not musicians but technocrats depending on arrangement of music done by the computers. A reason why film music sounds so mechanical and jarring to the ears. Worse, it’s so humiliating when foreign composers make allegations that Indian music makers totally copied their compositions in the name of inspiration!
Happy That This Man Has Got So Many Awards!
Against this backdrop, this genuine music composer evokes a sense of self pride within with his creativity. Let’s hope his fabulous compositions which make wonderful use of various instruments like Piano and Guitar keep enthralling music lovers. One is not against Western music and use of latest technology but against ignorance of richness present in Indian music. There is calculated attempts on part of movie makers to diminish the aura of Indian classical music. Vishal Bhardwaj is the best example of how to blend western notes with Indian classical music. This art needs to be learnt by new age Indian music directors, who, sadly, are more interested in making money instead of truly enriching the world of film music. Anyway, Vishal Bhardwaj needs to be complimented for keeping the roots of Indian classical music green and fresh.
Some of the songs composed by him:
Pics Credit:
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