Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Works from Adil Shahi era to be available in Kannada

November 23, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Travel & Tourism, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Seven volumes of the translation are likely to be released in January

The Persian and Arabic literature dating back to the times of the Adil Shahi dynasty, that ruled Bijapur, will soon be available in Kannada, with the ambitious translation project nearing completion. The seven volumes are likely to be released in January.

Krishna Kolhar Kulkarni, director, Adil Shahi Literature Translation Project, hopes that some misconceptions about this phase of history will be dispelled once the project is completed.— photo: RAJENDRA SINGH HAJERI / The Hindu

Krishna Kolhar Kulkarni, director, Adil Shahi Literature Translation Project, says this was the first effort of its kind and a major portion of the work had been completed. He hoped that some misconceptions about this phase of history (from 15th to 17th century) would be dispelled once the project was completed.

In English

Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has expressed willingness to fund the translation works of these books into English. “The ASI officials said this when I was in Delhi to collect some books for translation,” said Mr. Kulkarni, adding that it will be taken up after the Kannada project.

He said in the first phase, 10 rare books of the Adil Shahi era written in Persian, have been taken up for translation into Kannada, of which the translation of six books is underway. Stating that most of the books taken up for translation were written in the 17th century, he said the project will translate some of the rarest books, some not even heard of.

Mr. Kulkarni said books include ‘Tareekh-e-Farishta’ by Mohammad Farishta and ‘Ibrahim Nama’ by Abdulla Dehelvi.

“Among them, ‘Mohammad Nama’ by Kazi Nurallah is believed to have only two copies in the world, that too are reproduced versions and not original. We have succeeded in getting a copy for translation,” he said.

Mr. Kulkarni said these books have been collected from the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, the archives of Andhra Pradesh and the ASI headquarter, New Delhi.

“We are making all arrangements to get some books from London Museum for translation,” he said.

While collecting some known books, he said he came across some unknown books of the era written by several foreign authors.

Informing that the committee has meticulously selected a dozen translators, Mr. Kulkarni said that some 3,500 translated pages in seven volumes will be released in January.

He added that the committee has also collected hundreds of manuscripts, Farmans (orders), Sanads (deeds) and poetries written in Persian, which will also be translated.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by Firoz Rozindar / Biijapur – September 16th, 2013

Tryst with Adil Shahi

November 23, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel & Tourism, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

The septuagenarian professor’s enthusiasm to translate, from Persian to Kannada, the ancient history of a dynasty that ruled Bijapur deserves to be recognised and applauded

Prof. Krishna Kolhar Kulkarni(74), historian and research scholar based in Bijapur, has been conferred the annual Kanakashree award, in recognition of his extensive research on Dasa Sahitya. He is also an expert on Gamaka art and is the president of Karnataka Gamaka Kala Parishat. He also heads the Adil Shahi Literature Translation Project. Prof Kulkarni has written over 50 books on various subjects.

Bijapur has a special place in the history of Karnataka (as well as that of south India). “The Adil Shahi dynasty ruled the Bijapur Sultanate in the Deccan region from 1490 to 1686,”explains Prof Kulkarni. “They developed Bijapur as a great city that at times it surpassed the glory of Delhi and Agra of the Mughals in the north. It was a seat of education, culture, trade and commerce. It was even called the Banaras of the South. The Adil Shahi dynasty invited scholars and writers from all over the world and several first- hand account of the visiting travelers are recorded in Persian and Arabic. As they covered the Gujarathi, Marathi, Tamil and Kannada provinces a peculiar language that was an amalgamation of all these languages came into existence called the Dakhani. Many literary works were published in Dakhani during their rule. In fact it was here that mushaira – poetic symposium evolved and later travelled to north.

“The 200 years of Adil Shahi rule with Bijapur as their seat of power is an important aspect of Indian history. They were the contemporaries of the great Mughals of the north. The Adil Shahi writings are as important as the Akbar nama, Babar nama and Jehangir nama that document the history of the Mughals. The Adil Shahis recorded the history of their time in Persian and Arabic and there are first person accounts of very important historical incidents. All these were not translated to Kannada or even to English. Only Captain Briggs translated some extracts to suit the purpose of the British government, failing which detailed translations are not available. In fact the Adil Shahi documents dispel some misconceptions about this phase of history (from 15th to 17th century). Hence, the importance of the translation project. We have completed seven volumes. In the first phase, ten rare books of the Adil Shahi era, written in Persian, have been taken up for translation into Kannada, of which the translation of six books is underway. Some books are so rare that they are not even heard of until now!” Prof Kulkarni himself has authored several books pertaining to this era.

“Actually I was researching about Mahipathidasa who carried several works of Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa and arrived at Bijpaur after the collapse of Vijayanagara empire. He was the treasurer at the court of Adil Shahi king. He renounced his position and gave up his wealth to become a dasa. There are not many Persian scholars who also know Kannada and can translate. With great difficulty I found some and started the translation project. Prof Kalburgi of Hampi University took interest and helped me. Now the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has expressed willingness to fund the translation works of these books into English, and we can translate them from English to Kannada.”

The seven volumes that are ready will be launched in January. Prof Kulkarni also has plans to establish a museum in Bijapur to preserve the valuable manuscripts. He has collected rare manuscripts from Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad, British Archives and other sources. “We need to preserve them for the next generation. Otherwise precious historical documents will be lost” he says with concern.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Entertainment> Lounge / by Pratibha Nandakumar, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / November 22nd, 2013

Idea of Taj Mahal was born here

November 23, 2013Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Ahmedabad :

The Moghul great Shah Jahan, who built the greatest monument for love anywhere in the world — the Taj Mahal — had his early training in Ahmedabad. The great builder was inspired by the architectural marvels of Gujarat and honed his skills as a builder in Ahmedabad. Also giving him company was Mumtaz Mahal who stayed with him in Ahmedabad around 1618 when he was serving as governor of Gujarat for his father Emperor Jehangir.

Today, Shahibaug in Ahmedabad is named after him and the present Sardar Patel Smarak was built by him to give employment to locals during a famine. Shah Jahan had not built any monuments before coming to Ahmedabad. Then, he was known as prince Khurram. If historian James Douglas is to be believed, Ahmedabad’s picturesque architecture, which was already two centuries old then, inspired Shah Jahan to erect great architectural marvels later in Agra.

Douglas notes in his book ‘Western India’ published in 1893 that the Moghul king acquired a taste for architecture and cultivated it during his stay in this city. He writes, “Shah Jahan in Ahmedabad was watching the flecked light as it fall on panement of marble or alabastar; alone and silent , observing, measuring, comparing, digesting, perhaps copying, drinking in all wisdom, deftness of hand, cunning craft and workmanship, beauty of colour, harmony of form.

Shah Jahan, who ruled as an emperor from 1627 to 1658, also got the Azamkhan Sarai built near the Bhadra fort. Taj Mahal, which was completed in 1653, sent Shah Jahan’s earlier construction into oblivion. But a connoisseur like Douglas was quick to recognise the roots of the architectural revolution in India . He paid the ultimate tribute to the city: “The bud was here: The blossom and fruit to be in Agra? Everything has a beginning, Greece before Rome, Damacus before Cairo , Agra follows Ahmedabad.”

He further wrote: “Ten of Ahmedabad’s mosques were built before Columbus discovered America…It was here the master builder drank in the elements of his taste which was to display such glorious results elsewhere.”

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Ahmedabad / by Ashish Vashi , TNN / November 22nd, 2013

Sharon Stone’s Taj memories set in stone

November 23, 2013Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel & Tourism, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

This wasn’t the typical Sharon Stone you see posing in glamorous gowns on red carpets across the world. The star decided to ditch the gowns for a much more casual black smock with her hair tied up in a ponytail, and traded the fashion poses for the more awkward touristy ones, as she went about dropping to her haunches and leaning alarmingly far back to capture her friends, with the Taj Mahal in the background, at the best angle possible.

Stone took her sweet time on this visit. Not only was her camera trained on every stone carving, she’d also stop to point the lens at cows, cute Indian babies or other locals. When two Indian women pointed their camera at her, the actress was so fascinated with their sindoor that she started clicking them back. It took them 10 seconds to change their expression from bewilderment to a smile.

This was also not a typical Hollywood celebrity visit to an Indian monument. Missing, for starters, was the sea of paparazzi we’d witnessed when Tom Cruise was here in 2011. There wasn’t even one bodyguard in sight. Instead, Stone chose to sightsee with six of her closest friends, including family friend Tikka Shatrujit Singh.

“I have known her for eight years, she’s a crusader,” Singh said. When asked if he catches up with the star regularly, Singh replied, “It’s because she’s here in India for the first time that I got to spend so much time with her. Wahan pe kahan time milta hai? Bade Hollywood star hain.”

The Taj Mahal didn’t fail to impress the Basic Instinct actress, who was teary-eyed when the guide told her the story behind the monument, and she broke down at Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal’s graves. Stone continued to whisper ‘beautiful’ and ‘magical’, until it was time to leave.
When asked about her lasting impressions of India, Stone chose to be bitingly frank rather than politically correct. Calling India a poem that was both beautiful and sorrowful, she said, “I think that there are things that are required to gracefully bridge the gap between the eccentricity of wealth and the slumber of the poverty. For example, the millions of people that are defecating in the streets, I think it’s not only of service to those people to create a sanitary system, but also for the wealthy people. It’s not logical or intelligent to breathe that in the air. And so, for modern sense of grace, and a higher elevated sense of that same poetry, it seems logical to produce the sanitization system.”

She also spoke about CBI Chief Ranjit Sinha’s recent “rape is inevitable” remark. “When we see public officials making statements that, you know, ‘rape is inevitable’, ‘when it happens to you, enjoy it’ – it lacks the logic that rape is not a gender issue and that lacks compassion, and should be regarded in that way. So, I think it’s a sense of creating maybe one step further in the use of modern communication to achieve that goal,” she said.

“For example, if six out of 10 people aren’t registered to vote, it’s illogical that we don’t use the six billion cellphones or the cellphones that the six billion people on the planet have to register people to vote. Because, if you have everyone voting, then you have a more logical sense of fluidity among the people. And a more modern sense of the inevitable. Because the world, with communication as it exists, is taking an inevitable step towards understanding what’s happening on a global sense,” she elaborated.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Hollywood> Taj Mahal / by Kritika Kapoor, TNN / November 22nd, 2013

WRITE ANGLE : Who is Dara Shukoh?

November 23, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Gopal Gandhi’s Dara Shukoh: A Play raises the relevance of Dara Shikoh in contemporary India.

Few men who read history in school remember Dara Shikoh, the philosopher-prince of Mughal India. He is but a fleeting figure even if an enlightened one. The spotlight is well and truly on Aurangzeb, terse, taciturn, untamed. In a world looking for convenient, even if inaccurate, summations, Dara is reduced by our historians to being a favourite son of Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, a fratricidal ruler who did not hesitate to put to the sword his own. That almost all kings in the years of yore did the same matters little. That Dara had a life before the fatal battle of Samugarh with Aurangzeb, that he had a life quite removed from that of any of his brothers is never pointed out. For most, Aurangzeb is a convenient villain, Dara the easy but fallible hero.

However, today as our nation faces the prospect of being ruled by revisionist politicians — ironically, they seem to be getting mixed up with their history lessons too — it is important to take some time out, and realise what we lost when Dara lost, and what we can gain if we imbibe his spirit. With such a thought, I picked up Gopal Gandhi’s Dara Shukoh: A Play. It was released some time ago and I had all but left it on the shelf with the likes of Dilip Hiro’s Baburnamah for company.

However, the events unfolding in the run-up to the general elections made me go back to it. Dara is relevant, even necessary today. The book instantly set in motion a series of conjectures: what if the heterodox Dara and not the more orthodox Aurangzeb had won the battle of brothers? If mid-17th Century India had thrown up a different victor, would the nation have been partitioned? Didn’t medieval India throw up a man who was wedded to pluralism of thought and faith much before the founding fathers of our Constitution made it a benchmark for future generations? And would Hindus and Muslims have lived here, as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan said, like the two eyes of the nation? Imagine if a Sufi had outlasted a warrior! Imagine.

The questions shall never be answered. But revisit Dara we must. Understand what he stood for, preach many of his things, and we might just end up with a nation that takes pride in its pluralist culture, a society where Hindus read both the Vedas and the Quran, the Muslims appreciate that the concept of one universal God precedes their arrival here; appreciation rather than mere tolerance of each other’s culture being the hallmark. Follow this, and the need to combat the challenge thrown up by communal elements disappears. Who can argue with a man who drinks from the common nectar of Sufis and bhakti saints?

And Gopal Gandhi, with an enviable and apt lineage for such a project, goes about demolishing many prejudices, exposing many lies. He chooses to spell him Shukoh, explaining beautifully that ‘Shikoh’ in Persian means ‘terror’ while ‘Shukoh’ stands for ‘glory’. Gandhi’s Dara is not a tragic figure; rather he is a man whose time is now. Gandhi chooses not to dwell much on a failed general — a poet is doomed to be a failure on a battlefield anyway. He stays focussed on the undercurrents of the thoughts of the man who translated the Upanishads into Persian — ideas that did not endear him to the radical elements on both sides of the religious divide. A play may not necessarily be an ideal substitute for a history textbook, but hey, did not Rajkumar Hirani’s Lage Raho Munnabhai do more for introducing Mahatma Gandhi to the bubblegum brigade than any academic book or lecture?

The best help often comes from the source least expected. A play, a film, a book, a philosopher may yet show us the way. After all, amidst all the political mudslinging and a society being rapidly polarised, we could do worse than heed Dara’s words. Remember what he said when his followers screamed, “Shuja — his brother and fellow claimant to the throne — murdabad”? Dara replied, “Let us not wish death to any one/That is base;/All of us have God’s breath in us,/In any case./We live and have our being/ With his grace.”

In this age, Dara deserves attention.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books> Columns / by Ziya Us Salam / Chennai – November 22nd, 2013

Sepia notes: Harbinger of change

November 23, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, LeadersDilip Kumar, Yusuf Khanmpositiveone@gmail.com

Dilip Kumar takes part at a special broadcast of BBC Indian Service during his visit to London in April 1953.

Born to a dry fruit merchant in December 11,1922, Yusuf Khan started his career as a manager at Bombay Army Canteen. But fate had other plans for him. A chance encounter with Devika Rani of Bombay Talkies landed this shy and debonair young man in Tinsel Town.

Of this Ashok Raj in his book Hero wrote: The Silent Era to Dilip Kumar says: “Devika Rani had gone out for shopping to a local market. At one fruit shop, she looked keenly at the young man engrossed at selling his merchandise. It was by mere chance that the shy shopkeeper had only replaced his father that day. Devika Rani found this young man with a sensitive face and expressive eyes quite unusual. She gave him her visiting card and asked him to meet her at the studio.”

Bombay Talkies not only changed his destiny but also his name — Yusuf Khan became Dilip Kumar and made his debut in Tinsel Town with Jwar Bhata (1944).

It has been 70 long years since Yusuf was ‘spotted’ and today he is considered as the ‘first modern Indian actor’ who freed himself from the theatrical mannerisms and developed a more natural and distinctive style, which stressed on silent pauses and hand gestures and films like Andaz, Jogan, Daag, Baabul, Aan, Daag, Foot Path, Madhumati, Devdas, Naya Daur and Ganga Jumna stand testimony to his versatility.

source: http://www.mumbaimirror.com / Mumbai Mirror / Home> Entertainment> Bollywood / by Mumbai Mirror / October 19th, 2013

Bidar only South Indian monument to figure in latest World Monuments Fund list

November 22, 2013Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel & Tourism, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

According to the World Monuments Fund, the sites in the list are crying for immediate attention for preservation, protection, and adaptive reuse. / The Hindu

House of Sheikh Salim Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri and Juna Mahal in Rajasthan are also on the list

The historic city of Bidar figures in the 2014 World Monuments Watch list released by the World Monuments Fund (WMF), a New York-based NGO working for the protection of monuments.

WMF president Bonnie Burnham announced the list in New York on October 8, according to P.C. Jaffer, Deputy Commissioner of Bidar. The WMF had received 741 proposals from 166 countries. But the final list contains 67 sites from 41 countries.

The three sites in India to figure in the list are the house of Sheikh Salim Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri, Juna Mahal in Rajasthan and “the historic city of Bidar”. These, according to the list, are sites are in need of immediate attention for preservation, protection, and adaptive reuse.

Benefits

Mr. Jaffer said the announcement would benefit the city in many ways. It would attract worldwide attention, leading to increased tourist footfalls. It would also help the government get technical advice and support from institutions specialised in the preservation of monuments.

“It could also help us raise funds from the government or donor agencies for protection and preservation of monuments,” Dr. Jaffer said.

Bidar has three national monuments - Bidar Fort, Ashtur tombs and the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan. / The Hindu — Bidar has three national monuments – Bidar Fort, Ashtur tombs and the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan. / The Hindu

Bidar has three national monuments – Bidar Fort, Ashtur tombs and the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan. The city also has 20 sites recognised by the State Department of Archaeology and Heritage and over 40 unrecognised sites of the medieval periods.

Facebook page

“We will upload the WMF recommendations on the district website. We will also open a Facebook page on Bidar on the WMF watch list and raise awareness about the issue,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

Two interpretations centres would be set up in the Bidar Fort and at Ashtur at a total cost of Rs. 80 lakh. This would provide information to tourists on the architectural and cultural aspects of monuments. In this background, an international seminar on Bidar’s heritage would be organised in January.

According to a release issued by Ms. Burnham, a copy of which was sent to the district administration, the list contains sites that are facing several preservation challenges like climate change, armed violence, neglect by authorities, lack of resources or even increased tourism activity that can damage monuments. An independent panel of international experts on archaeology, culture and preservation had prepared the list, Ms. Burnham said.

Over 150 sites have been preserved and protected by the WMF and its associate organisations in several countries since 1996. Famous sites restored by the WMF personnel include Venice in Italy, Gokarna Mahadev temple in Nepal, and the Citadelle Laferrière in northern Haiti.

The WMF also takes up restoration works on sites referred by Unesco.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Rishikesh Bahadur Desai / Bidar – October 10th, 2013

Daud Khan Sadozai

November 22, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainmentmpositiveone@gmail.com

His kamaycha follows wherever he goes. Hakim Khan, 75, who performed at the Jodhpur RIFF along with folk artists singer Kamla Devi and Algoza player Dode Khan Fakir is as particular about his music as he is about the instruments used in it, specially the kamaycha that is losing its popularity by the day.

A senior-most player from the Manganiyar community, he sings and plays the instrument simultaneously with perfect precision.

He has been practising music since he was 12, under the tutelage of late Shri Jusba Khan Manganiyar of Dangri village, Jaisalmer. “I spent more than a year with him, learning the nuances. He was a hard task master and there was no place for any errors.” he laughs.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Magazine / by Ayesha Singh / November 03rd, 2013

Dr. S.K. Kareem Khan, the Folklore Sage of Karnataka

November 22, 2013Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

It is a good fortune that Karnataka’s soil has been treaded by personalities known for their universal outlook and integrity. A melting pot for various languages, religion and culture, Karnataka had a number of persons belonging to Muslim community whose contribution to Karnataka’s secular traditions is immense. Historically we had Ibrahim Adilshah, the ruler of Bijapur whose work in Urdu, Kitab-e-Nauraspopularised Hindu music among the Muslims. Karnataka was the abode of Sufi saints like Baba Budan and Khwaja Bande Nawaz whose way of life and moral sermons inspired both Hindus and Muslims and paved way for Hindu-Muslim amity. In the 20^thcentury there was another similar figure who was not only a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity but also a freedom fighter, folklorist, singer, lyricist and a dramatist. He was the late Dr.S.K.Kareem Khan. Born in 1908 at Sakleshpur in Hassan district of Karnataka to an Afghan soldier, Abdur Rahman Khan, and his wife Jainabi, S.K.Kareem Khan studied classical Sanskrit and Kannada literature under Achangi Narayana Shastri of Sakleshpur and despite his informal education, mastered Sanskrit and Kannada.

As a Folk Singer: It was during his teens that Kareem Khan was attracted towards folk songs. His house at Sakaleshpur was a halting place for touring merchants selling brass and copper wares. After dinner they used to hum folk songs which young Kareem used to listen with rapt attention. Inspired by the call given by Mahatma Gandhi he Kareem Khan joined the freedom struggle and this took him to various places. This occasion gave him an opportunity to hear and chronicle folk songs which he came across and later he himself used folk as a medium to spread the message of the freedom. Later collecting and singing of folk songs became his life’s passion. He used to visit villages and standing under a platform or tree frequented by people used to sing folk songs. Mesmerised by his melodious voice people used to gather around him. At the end he used to urge the people to join the Congress party then involved in the country’s freedom struggle. He was jailed several times for his participation in the freedom movement. There his fellow jail inmates used to pester him to sing folk songs for them. Such was the sweet voice possessed by Kareem Khan.

Multi-faceted Personality: Kareem Khan’s was a multi-faceted personality. He penned screen play and song lyrics for Kannada films, wrote dramas, translated works from Sanskrit and Urdu to Kannada, was a researcher, essayist and a pioneer scholar in folklore studies. This apart he was fully involved in the country’s freedom struggle and Karnataka’s unification movement. During 1930s worked as an editor and sub editor of two publications Loka Mitra of Dharwad and Antharanga of Udupi. . In the early 1960s he launched `Janapada Prakashana’, an exclusive publication dedicated to folk literature, art and music; copies of which he sold at 50 paise each. Secularist to the core he led a simple life, true to the Gandhian principles which he cherished. Though he avoided power and publicity, such was his achievements that honours came in abundance. He was conferred the Janapadashri and Karnataka Rajyothsava awards by the government of Karnataka, Nadoja award by Hampi University, honorary doctorate from Gulbarga University and numerous other honours from various institutions and organisations. Given epithets like Janapada Jangama and Janapada Bheeshma, he was the President of Karnataka Janapada and Yakshagana Academy from 1987 to 1990. He passed away in Bangalore on 29th July 2006.

Modern Shishunala Sharif: It would be surprising to know that there is a lot similarity in the life and works of Santa Shishunala Sharif and Kareem Khan. Both were known for their simplicity and integrity. Both were secular in their outlook and had good knowledge of Hindu epics, traditions and culture. While Shishunala had Govindabhatta as his guru, Kareem Khan had Narayanashastry as his guru. While Shishunala was a mystic poet, Kareem Khan was a social activist cum folklorist. The composition of both these stalwarts will be evergreen in the minds of the Kannadigas.

source: http://www.karnatakahistory.blogspot.in / Home> Dr. S.K.Karim Khan / by S. Srinivas / May 22nd