Looked at them curiously wondered

Humans do such crazy things ..on my

Dainty paws I would never wear stupid

Rings ...this crazy man has a colorful

Turban on his head what a funny thing

In the first quarter of 19th century when the Moghul Empire in India was on its last leg and sectarian frenzy was being spurred up to establish British Rule in the country, a child was born in the quite little town of Dewa in this district, who was destined to influence the lives of a vast majority of people by radiating divine love for humanity with the centripetal brilliance of his soul to guide them on the path of righteousness and piety.

Sarkar Waris Ali Shah of Dewa came of a family of Hussaini Syeds distinguished for piety and learning. His genealogy shows that he was born in the 26th generation of Hazrat Imam Hussain. The date of his birth is disputed varying from 1233 A.H. to 1238 A.H. The author of Maarif Warisya has put the date of his birth as 1234 A.H. corresponding to 1809 of the Christian era. His father, Syed Qurban Ali Shah belonged to a land-lord class and was a man of considerable learning having completed his education in Baghdad.

Sarkar Waris Ali Shah was not yet three years old when he lost his parents and the burden of his upbringing fell on the feeble shoulders of his grandmother. At the age of five he started learning 'Quran' and committed it to memory. He seldom read his books but to the amazement of his tutor he could say his lessons correctly. He preferred solitude to books and often slipped away out of doors to spend long periods in retirement and contemplation. He was never seen playing with children of his age and took pleasure in giving them sweets and distributing money among the poor. It soon became evident to those around him that he was not quite of the earth. His brother-in-law Haji Syed Khadim Ali Shah who lived at Lucknow took charge of his education and initiated him in the mysteries of occult science, giving him the necessary training.

Portrait of Sarkar Waris Pak

It was not long before Haji Syed Khadim Ali Shah died and his mentle descended upon the boy at the age of fourteen. Sarkar Waris Ali Shah started initiating people in his order and had a number of disciples. When he was only fifteen, the burning glow of divine love impelled him to start on a pilgrimage to Mecca, he gave away all his property including a valuable library to his relations and destroyed documents relating to his estate.

For 12 long-years he traveled in Arabia, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Iran, Turkey, Russia and Germany, it is said that he performed Haj 10 times in the course of his travels. One day while inside 'KABA' he began humming a tune. The keeper of 'KABA' warned him and said 'You seem to forget that it is the house of God' . Quick cam the reply 'Can you tell me a place where God is not present?' From the date of his first Haj, Haji Waris Ali Shah discarded putting tailored clothes and started donning the Ahram (Unstitched cloth wrapped around the body). He traveled on foot and used no conveyance of any sort but got the boats only to cross the Seas. He visited Constantinople in the time of Sultan Abdul Majid who was so impressed at the sight of the holy stranger that he offered himself to be admitted in his order. Haji Waris Ali Shah was the guest of Prince Bismarck when he visited Berlin.

When he returned home his own people did not know him. His ancestral house was in ruins and when he went round the village no one came to welcome him.Some of his relations shunned him, lest he should claim back his property which they held in their possession. He smiled at their coldness and remarked 'They seem to think that I have come back for the sake of my property, as if I care for it' and went away to resume his wandering.

Sufism is based on love, which they say is the eternal order of the universe. All matter is composed of invisible particles or atoms by the force of gravitation. This natural phenomenon is interpreted in Sufism as the tendency of LOVE. Since God created man in his own likeness, the man as the highest form of creation must essentially claim affinity with the divine and the absolute.

Haji Sahab was so possessed of the divine idea that he practically lost all self-consciousness. His inward bent of mind prevented him from holding long discourses. He was one of those Saints whose thoughts are altogether absorbed in the contemplation of the Almighty and had no room for anything else.

Haji Waris Ali Shah never claimed any extra ordinary powers for himself. but there are innumerable instances of his having healed the sick by a glance or by a touch. Once on his way to Bahraich, he wanted to cross the river Ghaghra in floods, but no boat was available at the ferry. He decided to swim across the river with his companions. They were in the state of terrible fright and reluctant to follow him, but to their astonishment, the water was found to be only knee-deep, when they got in and simply waded through it. His feet never showed any sign of dirt though he remained bare-footed, nor did they leave any mark on the carpet when he stepped in the room.

INFLUENCE

Hindus held him in high esteem and regarded him as a perfect Sufi and a follower of Vedant. To the Hindus he said 'Believe Brahma Do not worship idols and be honest'. Thousands of Hindus, including Sadhus and Fakirs of different Panthas paid homage to him and entered his order. He always welcomed them with these words 'You and I are the same' he recognised God in every individual, because he had realised, Him in himself. He did not ask non-Muslims to abjure their religion on the contrary he advised them to follow it with greater zeal and sincerity.

Haji Waris Ali Shah was as popular with the English educated youth as with the people of the old generations, English knowing men flocked to him in hundreds and sat at his feet. He was the first Sufi Darvesh to have crossed the Seas and visited Europe and was also the first to have attracted the English knowing Class. A Spanish Noble by the name of Count Galaraza came all the way from Spain to visit him and had an interview with him at Dewa.

Haji Waris Ali Shah a monarch in the domain of Sufism passed away for his heavenly abode on April 7th, 1905, after a brief illness. His mission was to teach the love of God as well as universal love by rallying men of conflicting creeds under one common banner. He was buried at the spot where he died and this place is marked by a splendid monument erected in his memory by some of his devoted followers.

Hindu-Iranian Architecture

The mausoleum of Haji Waris Ali Shah is a monument of communal amity, constructed on a pattern, blending the Hindu-Iranian styles of architecture. The mausoleum is an emblem of communal harmony, universal brotherhood and affection, preached by the Saint. The tomb, the shrines and the latticed outer apartment girdling the inner shrine for 'Parikrama' (Tawaf) are indicative of the Hindu style of architecture while the towers and minarets present the Persian architecture.

It is noteworthy that Hindus along with Muslim devotees made a significant contribution to the construction of the mausoleum. The silver platted spire was donated by Raja Udit Narain Singh of Ram Nagar in this district, the silver covering on doors was done on behalf of the rulers of Kashmir and the entire marble flooring was completed from the Estate donated by Thakur Pancham Singh of Mainpuri at whose cost a mess runs to feed the visitors during the Mela. The mausoleum is surrounded by an array of Khanquahs and imposing gate in front of it. There is a trust to look after the management of the mausoleum and properties donated by the disciples.

Every year Urs is held at the scared tomb in the month of 'Safar' with non-stop quawwali recitals.

Haji Sahab organised Urs of his father, Haji Qurban Ali Shah in the month of 'Kartik' according to Hindu calendar when a big fair is held to commemorate the Saints. Relieved of agriculture operations in the month of the fair people from far and wide participate in it in a festive mood. Visitors from all the parts of the country come to pay their homage to the great Sufi Saint Haji Waris Ali Shah and his father. Pilgrims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia are also attracted to make the fair a cosmopolitan congregation.

HIGHLIGHTS OF FAIR AND EXHIBITION

The Dewa Fair, which attracts pilgrims and visitors from all parts of the country to the mausoleum of the great Saint, comes in full swing with the ceremony of Chadar presentation on the tombs of Haji Waris Ali Shah and his father. Embroided sheets of Varanasi Silk are placed on the tombs of Haji Sahab and his father Haji Qurban Ali Shah.

Opening Ceremony

These sheets are carried in silver plates in a procession. Quawwalis and devotional songs are recited all the way by professional singers as the procession wends its way to the mausoleums. Pilgrims also carry Chadars singing their way to the shrines.

There is much of interest to the peasantry in Dewa Fair. A big cattle market is the highlight of the fair and is the main source of its revenue. The cattle market has been split into various portions each being reserved for a particular species of animals.

The demonstration of improved agricultural implements and engines for pumping of water for irrigation draw large crowd of cultivators. Concerns dealing in chemicals fertilizers arrange free distribution of packets and literature explaining the use and effects of various types of fertilizers.

The cynosure of all eyes at the Dewa Fair is a decorated exhibition consisting of stalls of various departments, depicting the activities and achievements through colourful exhibits arranged in any eye-catching manner. The exhibits portray through pictures, photographs and models methods to contain the population explosion. In another stall are placed on view various exhibits showing the cultural life and historical places of the state and also national building schemes.

Some field demonstrations are also arranged by agriculture and Cane departments to explain improved farm strategies to agriculturists. Improved agricultural implements are also on show

A good treat of cultural programmes are held at the fair by conducting Mushaira, Kavi sammelan, Music Conference and Debate in a decorated pandal.

Sports loving people find great pleasure in events like Hockey, Volleyball, and Badminton tournaments as well as Rifle shooting and Kite Flying programmes.

The Dewa Fair which is regarded as one of the finest and neatest fair in the state has its own water supply arrangement. The exhibition association every year spend large amounts in maintaining sanitary and conservancy service to keep the Mela area spite and span. Treatment facilities and First-Aid services are provided free of cost during the ten days Mela period. An elaborate arrangement is made to maintain law and order and regulate traffic arrangement by having a full-fledged Kotwali, Wireless Station, Walkie-Talkie sets and central Loudspeaker system. Evenings, in the fair provide greater attractions for the visitors as the entire township in the fair is transformed into a fairy land with millions of coloured lights.

Fireworks display

A brilliant display of fireworks marks the conclusion of the ten days Dewa Fair. The Fireworks manufacturers of Dewa, Fatehpur, Zaidpur, Nawabganj and also from outside the district vie with each other in demonstrating their skill in letting

Fireworks display

off paper-balloons in the sky with a flame burning at its center, firing rockets with a flame burning at its center, firing rockets with a string of multi-coloured fireballs shooting in the air and depicting picturesque landscape by igniting gun powder inside the fast rotation wheels releasing mariads of twinkling star-like sparks of various tints..

kind courtesy

Shahnawaz Ahmed Malik Warsi

from wikipedia

The Mourning of Muharram is an important period of mourning in Shia Islam, taking place in Muharram which is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is also called the Remembrance of Muharram (Arabic: ذكرى محرم or مناسبة محرم‎). Many of the events associated with the remembrance take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia.

The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and a Shia Imam, was killed by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid I. The event is marked by arranging 'majalis' (gatherings) to review Islamic teachings and to commemorate Imam Hussain's sacrifice. The mourning reaches its climax on the tenth day, known as Ashura, on which the forces of Yazid killed the 72 individuals who fought, including Imam Hussain, his family and supporters. The women and children left living were made prisoners and transported to Yazid's court in Damascus.

Contents [hide]

1 Etymology

2 Background

2.1 History of commemoration

2.1.1 Azadari in Lucknow

3 Types of mourning

3.1 Ziarat Imam Husayn Shrine

3.2 Matam

3.3 Taziya

4 Shia Hadiths

5 Reason for Mourning

6 See also

7 Notes

8 Further reading

9 External links

[edit]Etymology

Majlis in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The words Azadari (عزاداری) which mean mourning and lamentation; and Majalis-e Aza have been exclusively used in connection with the remembrance ceremonies for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Majalis-e Aza, also known as Aza-e Husayn, includes mourning congregations, lamentations, matam and all such actions which express the emotions of grief and above all, repulsion against what Yazid stood for.

The term majalis has both a grammatical meaning and a meaning which relates to Aza-e-Husayn. In its technical sense, a majalis is a meeting, a session or a gathering..

Shia Muslims in Amroha Uttar Pradesh, India Children on camels in front of Azakhana or Hosania Juloos as part of the commemoration of Muharram

[edit]Background

Shi'a Muslims in Bahrain strike their chests during the Remembrance of Muharram.

According to Shia sources, The Azadari of Muharram was started by the family of Muhammad (the Ahl-ul-Bayt) after the death of Muhammad's grandson Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Following the battle of Karbala, Muhammad's granddaughter Zaynab bint Ali and sister of Husayn, began mourning for the fallen and making speeches against Husayn ibn Ali's opponents: Ibn Ziyad and Yazid I. News of Husayn ibn Ali's death was also spread by Imam Zain-ul-Abideen, who succeeded Husayn as the Shia Imam, via sermons and speeches throughout Iraq, Syria and Hejaz.

Zainab and Zain-ul-Abideen informed the people that Yazid had martyred Imam Husayn and seventy-two of his companions including his six month old son Ali Asghar, and that their women and children were taken as prisoners to Syria. When word of mourning reached Yazid he decided to release the captive women and children from the prison in Damascus, out of fear of public revolt against his rule. He sent for Zain-ul-Abideen, informed him of the impending release and asked if he wished for anything further. Zain-ul-Abideen said he would consult with Zainab. She asked Yazid to provide a place where the people could mourn for Imam Husayn and others of Muhammad's household. A house was provided, and here Zaynab binte Ali held the first Majlis-e Aza of Husayn and started the Mourning of Muharram.[citation needed]

[edit]History of commemoration

[hide]

Part of a series on

Shīa Islam

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Succession to Muhammad

Imamate of the Family

Angels

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Mourning of Muharram

Intercession · Ismah

The Occultation · Clergy

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The Qur'an · Sahaba

Holy days

Ashura · Arba'een · Mawlid

Eid ul-Fitr · Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Ghadeer

Eid al-Mubahila

History

Twelver

Two things

· Ismāʿīlī · Zaidi

The verse of purification

Mubahala · Two things

Khumm · Fatimah's house

First Fitna · Second Fitna

The Battle of Karbala

Ahl al-Kisa

Muhammad · Ali · Fatimah

Hasan · Hussein

List of Shia companions

Holy ladies

Fatimah · Khadijah · Zaynab bint Ali · Fatimah bint al-Hasan · Sukayna bint Husayn · Rubab · Shahrbanu · Nijmah · Fātimah bint Mūsā · Hakimah Khātūn · Narjis · Fatimah bint Asad · Farwah bint al-Qasim ·

v t e

The mourning and commemoration for Husayn ibn Ali originated in Iraq, as this is where Husayn was martyred. However, they were held in Iran as early as the twelfth century, when both Sunnis and Shias participated in them. In the Safavid period, the annual mourning ceremonies for Imam Hosayn, combined with the ritual cursing of his enemies, acquired the status of a national institution. Expressions of grief such as sine-zani (beating the chest), zangir-zani (beating oneself with chains), and tage-zani or Qama Zani also known as Tatbeer (hitting oneself with swords or knives) emerged as common features of the proliferating mourning-processions (dasta-gardani). Mourning for the martyred Imam also takes place in assemblies held in buildings erected especially for the purpose, known either as Hussainia or takia, as well as in mosques and private houses.

[edit]Azadari in Lucknow

Main article: Azadari in Lucknow

The Muharram, 1795: Asaf al-Daula, Nawab of Oudh, listening at night to the maulvi reading from the scriptures during Muharram, c.1795.

In Lucknow, India, the Muharram processions and rituals are known as Azadari. The processions, including the Chup Tazia, have been observed since the sixteenth century or earlier, when Lucknow was capital of the state of Awadh.

In the 20th century, beginning in 1906, Azadari became a focus of communal tension in Lucknow. In 1977, after riots broke out for the fourth time since 1968, the government of Uttar Pradesh banned the Azadari processions. Shia leaders protested the ban, and many Shia Muslims courted arrest by defying the ban each year.

In 1997 a hunger strike was launched to protest the Azadari ban. In April three Shia youths committed self-immolation and died. A noted Shia scholar called for a peace march on 18 April 1997 that reportedly drew more than 200,000 Shias.[citation needed]

Late in the year, after months of arrests and clashes between police and protesters, the government granted limited permission for Shias in Lucknow to hold Azadari processions.

[edit]Types of mourning

Main articles: Marsia, Noha, and Soaz

Shia Muslims take out a Alam procession on day of Ashura in Barabanki, India, Jan, 2009.

How the event is mourned differs between different branches of Shia and different ethnic groups. The event is also observed by many Sunnis, but to a lesser extent, and as a time of remembrance, rather than mourning[citation needed].

In the Twelver three traditional schools (Usooli, Akhbari, and Shaykhi), mourners, both male and female, congregate (in separate sections) for sorrowful, poetic recitations performed in memory of the death of Husayn, lamenting and grieving to the tune of beating drums and chants of "Ya Husayn." Passion plays are also performed, reenacting the Battle of Karbala and the suffering and death of Husayn at the hands of Yazid. They offer condolences to Imam-e-Zamana also known as Imam al-Mahdi whom they believe will avenge the blood of Husayn and bring justice to the world.

Bektashis and Alevis also mourn, and they keep themselves from eating and drinking ("fasting") the first 10–12 days of Muharram. In this period, the Alevis wear black clothes, do not shave themselves and avoid any type of entertainment and pleasure. Originally, it was also forbidden to bathe and change clothes during this period, but today most Alevis do not follow this rule. This is called "Muharrem Matemi", "Yas-i Muharrem" or "Muharrem orucu". But because it is also called "fasting", many people falsely think that Alevis celebrate the Muharram. The definition of the "fast" in this connection is different from the normal type of "fasting". Bektashis also greet each other by saying "Ya Imam! Ya Husayn."

The only Ismaili group which mourns are the Mustaali, who mourn similarly to the majority of Twelvers. Although, Nizari Ismaili commemorate Muharram through the tradition of not celebrating marriages, birthdays, and other religious celebrations during this time to show respect to there other Muslim brothers who are mourning.

Tabuiks (funeral biers) being lowered into the sea at a Muharram procession in West Sumatra, Indonesia

For the duration of the remembrance, it is customary for mosques to provide free meals (nazar) on certain nights of the month to all people. These meals are viewed as being special and holy, as they have been consecrated in the name of Imam Husayn, and thus partaking of them is considered an act of communion with Allah, Imam Husayn, and humanity.

Muharram procession: Shia Muslims in Malir, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan flagellated themselves during the Moharram procession to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of Muhammad.

In South Asia, a number of literary and musical genres, produced by both Shias and Sunnis, that have been inspired by the Battle of Karbala are performed during the month, such as marsiya, noha and soaz. This is meant to increase the peoples understanding of how the enemies fought The Battle of Karbala against Husayn and his followers. In Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica all ethnic and religious communities participate in the event, locally known as "Hosay" or "Hussay"[citation needed]. In Indonesia, the event is known as Tabuik (Minangkabau language) or Tabut (Indonesian).

[edit]Ziarat Imam Husayn Shrine

Main articles: Imam Husayn Shrine and Ziarat

Many Shia also tend to embark on a pilgrimage to the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala itself, as it is one of the holiest places for Shias outside of Mecca and Medina. Up to one million pilgrims a year visit the city to observe the anniversary of Husayn ibn Ali's death. [1] The shrine is located opposite that of Abbas ibn Ali.

[edit]Matam

Zanjir(Chain) used for 'Zanjir matam'

Many of the male and female participants congregate in public for ceremonial chest beating (matam) as a display of their devotion to Imam Husayn and in remembrance of his suffering. In some Shi'a societies, such as those in Bahrain, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Iraq, some male participants incorporate knives or razors swung upon chains into their matam.

[edit]Taziya

Main article: Ta'zieh

Indian Shia Muslims take out a Ta'ziya procession on day of Ashura in Barabanki, India, Jan, 2009.

One form of mourning is the theatrical re-enactment of the Battle of Karbala. In Iran this is called taziya or taziyeh. Theatrical groups that specialize in taziya are called taziya groups.[1] Taziyas were popular through the Qajar dynasty until the early twentieth century, but the re-enactments slowly declined until they were mostly abandoned in the large cities by the early 1940s. Nonetheless, taziyas continued to exist in Iran on a smaller scale especially in more rural and traditional areas. Reza Shah, the first of the Pahlavi dynasty, had outlawed taziyas. Despite some attempts since 1979, Muharram processions and various forms of the rawza khani are still more common.[2]

In South Asia where dramatic commemorations are less significant, ta'zīya came to refer specifically to the miniature mausoleums used in processions held in Muharram. It all started from the fact that the great distance of India from Karbala prevented Indian Shi'is being buried near the tomb of Imam Husayn or making frequent pilgrimages(ziyarat) to the tomb. This is the reason why Indian Shi'is established local karbalas on the subcontinent by bringing soil from Karbala and sprinkling it on lots designated as future cemeteries. Once the karbalas were established on the subcontinent, the next step was to bring Husayn's tomb-shrine to India. This was established by building replicas of Husayn's mausoleum called ta'zīya to be carried in Muharram processions. Thousands of ta'zīyas in various shapes and sizes are fashioned every year for the months of mourning of Muharram and Safar; and are carried in processions and may be buried at the end of Ashura or Arbain.[3]

[edit]Shia Hadiths

A banner (alam) being carried in a procession during the Remembrance of Muharram in Bahrain.

A series of articles on

Imam of Islam

Husayn

Life

Family tree · Battle of Karbala

Remembrance

Maqtal Al-Husayn · Mourning of Muharram · Day of Ashura · Arba'een · Imam Husayn Shrine · Hussainia · Majlis-e-Aza · Marsia · Noha · Soaz · Ta'zieh · Tabuik · Hosay · Chehel Minbari · Chup Tazia · Tatbeer

Perspectives

The Twelve Imams · The Fourteen Infallibles

v t e

Muhammad said:

Surely, there exists in the hearts of the Mu' mineen, with respect to the martyrdom of Husayn, a heat that never subsides.[4]

Muhammad said:

O Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the eye which has shed tears over the tragedy of Husayn for surely, that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the bounties and comforts of Paradise.[5]

Ali ibn Hussein said:

Every Mu'min, whose eyes shed tears upon the killing of Husayn ibn' Ali and his companions, such that the tears roll down his cheeks, God shall accommodate him in the elevated rooms of paradise.[6]

Ali said to Ibn Abbas:

(Once when he happened to pass by Karbala), Isa (Jesus) sat down and began to weep. His disciples who were observing him, followed suit and began weeping too, but not comprehending the reason for this behaviour, they asked him: "O' Spirit of God! What is it that makes you weep?" Isa (Jesus) said: "Do you know what land this is?" The disciples replied: "No." He then said: "This is the land on which the son of the Prophet Muhammad shall be killed.[7]

[edit]Reason for Mourning

Zaynab binte Ali Sister of Imam Hussain after Karbala vowed that as long as the people do not recognise the actual cause of Karbala, the followers of Hussain will continue to protest on the streets and in the dwellings as to what happened in Karbala. Though besides Sunnis several Shias do not know that it's a protest and invitation to people to come and listen to mourners as to what happened in Karbala. It is believed by many[who?] that Hussain's journey to Karbala was to claim his Imamat over the people of Kufa who had written letters inviting him to Kufa. Whereas per Shia's belief Husain knew he was to be killed there. He undertook this journey to deny his approval or Bait to Yazid becoming Caliph because he considered Yazid to be a danger to the Muslim Ummah and a threat to Islam. His sacrifice and revolution were to preserve Islam and his Grandfather's Ummah against the innovation, hypocrisy, wickedness as well as the attempts to destroy and alter Islam and the quest for worldly pleasures and worldly gains by Yazid and his people. It was a matter of right and wrong, just and unjust and Hussain chose what is just, despite the consequences.[citation needed]

[edit]See also

Tatbeer

Azadari

Marsia

Noha

Qama Zani

Talwar

Soaz

Ta'zieh

Hussainia

Carpet Washing Ceremony

Hosay

Markazi Imambargah Shah e Najaf

I shoot the simplicity of life here and beyond

every teardrop from their eyes into a great pond

through the soul of innocence god bonds ..holding

in his weathered shaking hands a magic wand ,,

My tribute to all at #ello ..freedom of speech should not hurt others ..

Check out @firozeshakir's Tweet: twitter.com/firozeshakir/status/864336602654322688?s=09

Situated in Rustam Nagar in the old city, Dargah Hazrat Abbas is the oldest shrine of the Shia Muslims in Lucknow.

In Iraq, on 10th of Muharrum 61 Hijri (680), when Imam Hussain was forced to camp on the banks of river Eupharates (Faraat) at Karbala, there was not a drop of water in the encampment as the enemy (Yazid's army) had banned the fetching of water from the river since 7th of Muharrum. Hazrat Abbas, the step-brother of Imam Hussain, sought the Imam's permission to fetch water for the thirsty children in their camp. To restrain Abbas from provocation, he was asked to take the alam [a standard with a metal crest crowning the flag] in one hand and the mashkeeza (camel-leather water-bag) in the other. He was thus left with no defence when attacked by the enemy. His mashkeeza was pierced with arrows and his hands were chopped off as he tried to reach the water to the camp. For Shias, the martyrdom of Hazrat Abbas has special significance.

The dargah (shrine) of Hazrat Abbas came into existence during the reign of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah (1775-1797). A poor man, Mirza Faqeera Beg, was visited by Hazrat Abbas in his dream and directed to dig out his alam from a specific location in the city. Faqeera went to the site the next morning and discovered a large bronze alam in the shape of a hand (five fingers and a palm). He placed it reverently in his house in Rustam Nagar. Soon the news of the miraculous discovery spread and people started visiting his place with offerings and prayers for the fulfilment of their wishes. Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah also visited the place and ordered that a dome be erected over the place, in order to convert it to a dargah (shrine).

People from different localities began assembling in the dargah with alams on 7,h of Muharrum [a day which is particularly specified by Shias for honouring Hazrat Abbas]. Later on, the first Thursday after the sighting of moon, called the Nauchandi Jummeraatwas considered auspicious for visiting the shrine and a large number of devotees crowded the dargah on this day. When Asaf-ud Daulah's step-brother Nawab Saadat Ali Khan, was unexpectedly made the ruler of Awadh by the British, after the deportation of the former's son Wazir Ali in January 1798, after a short term of just four months, Saadat Ali Khan got the dome of the dargah gilded in gold. He also built two separate enclosures for male and female visitors to the shrine.

His son, Ghazi-ud-din Haider, who was crowned the first King of Awadh in October 1819, provided a Naubat Khana for the entrance to the dargah in the form of a double storeyed gateway. Naqqara (large drums) were sounded from the gallery on the upper storey of this gateway to inform the hour of the day as well as for ceremoniously greeting members and guests of the royal household on their visit to the shrine. The King also provided the inner sanctum of the shrine where the iconic alam was preserved, with silver foiled doors. He made the further provision of a mimbar (pulpit) fashioned in silver.

Malka Zamani, the favourite queen of Naseer-ud-Din Haider, the second King of Awadh (1827-1837), set up a kitchen at the shrine for free distribution of food to the poor. She visited the dargah on every nauchandi jummeraat with an offering of ten thousand rupees. People on the streets waited eagerly to have a glimpse of her entourage, a procession consisting of a hundred elephants with silver howdah (mounted seat) and gold embellishments. It had a number of palanquins and oxen driven carriages for the accompanying ladies. The queen sat in a large sukhpal (decorated carriage) covered with a brocade silk canopy.

The dargah is also linked with the first Indian war of Independence. In 1858 it became the headquarters of the native sepoys and soldiers in the city who were in rebellion against the British. A leader of the freedom struggle in 1857-58 and one of the chief commanders of Begum Hazrat Mahal's forces, Shah Ahmadullah camped here before leaving for Bareilly. Captured by deceit through the Raja of Pawaian (a State near Shahjahanpur), he was killed in front of the fort at Pawaian by the Raja's brother who was rewarded by the British.

After the rebellion failed, British soldiers plundered Nawabi buildings and the dargah too was not spared. The gold in the dome and alam was removed by the plunderers. Much of the decorative valuables placed in the shrine were taken away and auctioned by the British along with the valuables of Wajid Ali Shah.

Source:

Hindustan Times, City Scan, A Time in History

Wednesday 23.7.1997 — Dargah Hazrat Abbas: A revered shrine

lucknow.me/Dargah-of-Hazrat-Abbas.html

From Wikipedia

"The UnReal Times" is an Indian satire, spoof, parody and humour portal featuring satirical articles on politics, entertainment, cricket, media, international affairs and society. Founded in 2011, the portal publishes fake news reports, comic strips, mock transcripts, fake Facebook and Twitter conversations among other formats, marrying irreverent humour with biting satire in its commentary on current events. The Unreal Times has often been referred to as The Onion of India (after American satire portal The Onion), most notably by tech blog makeuseof.com.[1]

History[edit]

The UnReal Times was born in 14 April 2011,[2] when the founders CS Krishna and Karthik Laxman, drained by months of mind-numbing work on a "Shadow Union Budget" under former Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha,[3] wrote an article titled "Government mulls direct cash transfers by dropping money bags from the sky" taking a dig at the government's much hyped Direct Cash Transfer schemes. Buoyed by the response to the article, the founders booked the domain name www.theunrealtimes.com, created the first version of The UnReal Times and began to publish one satirical article per day.[4]

Through social media websites, Facebook and Twitter, the website began to gain traction and rapidly grow in popularity, aided from time to time by viral articles such as "Manmohan Singham",[5] "BCG hires McKinsey to advise it on how to become number 1",[6] "Journalist mistakenly interviews Bollywood actor Imran Khan instead of Pakistani cricket legend",[7] "Stunning Revelation: West Indies' Cricket captain, Darren Sammy, is a Tamil Brahmin!"[8] and so on.

Features and Columnists[edit]

The UnReal Times features a variety of article formats including fake news reports, mock transcripts of cabinet meetings and cricket dressing room conversations, picture series, fake Facebook wall snippets, fake Tweet series and videos. The picture series format is particularly popular among readers, and the columnist responsible for its popularity, Ashwin Kumar, is regarded as one of the top writers in this genre.[9] Other popular columnists are Ajayendar Reddy, whose article on Dr. Raghuram Rajan was widely referenced in mainstream media and became a cult hit,[10][11][12] Anand Walunjkar, Divya Srikanth, Lokesh Bahety, Pankaj Vaidya, Pritam Chatterjee, and Srini Chandra. Some columnists write under pen names, among them are D-MAN, Hitler Swamy and Insane Insaan. The editors write under the pen name UnReal Mama.

Acclaim from celebrities and mainstream media[edit]

The UnReal Times is followed by several eminent Indian personalities

Union minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh reportedly emailed his friends an Unreal Times article parodying his hairstyle, to convey that satire and humour isn't lost on India's politicians.[13]

Actress Gul Panag, who follows The UnReal Times on Twitter said, "I love their satirical take on current affairs. To get comic relief while being to follow a topical matter is always welcome."[14]

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has been known to use some of UnReal Times wisecracks while he's criticising his political opponents. For instance, his quote[15] that Dr. Manmohan Singh should win an Oscar for acting as India's Prime Minister and his labelling[16] of Dr. Singh as 'Singham' for his pro-FDI policies are thought to be inspired from similar UnReal Times articles,[17][18] leading some to believe that the CM or his PR team follow The UnReal Times. The CM also shared an UnReal Times article from his Twitter account in a rare moment of levity on Twitter.[19]

Other eminent figures who are known to follow The UnReal Times are BJP leader Arun Jaitley,[20] Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy (on Twitter), economist Bibek Debroy (on Twitter), actress Konkana Sen Sharma (on Twitter), journalists such as Pritish Nandy(on Twitter), Swapan Das Gupta,[21] Barkha Dutt,[22] Sucheta Dalal (on Twitter) and several others. Several other prominent personalities such as Shashi Tharoor,[23] Chetan Bhagat,[24] Lalit Modi,[25] Ajay Devgn[26] have shared Unreal Times articles on social media from time to time.

The UnReal Times has also been mentioned in mainstream media several times.

Outlook magazine, in one of its articles, said, "...on the other hand, it has also inspired some brilliant satire in web magazines like The UnReal Times which almost daily brings out rollicking spoofs on the Gandhis and Congress luminaries..."[27]

India Today in a feature on The UnReal Times says, "Do we have the ability to laugh at ourselves? Two IIMA graduates are testing our humour quotient with a website that pokes fun at all and sundry, especially politicians..."[28]

FirstPost.com based one of its articles on an UnReal Times spoof titled 'Kejriwal widens attacks, demands thorough probe into how Priyanka Gandhi could fall for a chap like Vadra'.[29]

The Economist cited articles from the The Unreal Times in its article on political satire in India [30]

A tweet from The UnReal Times Twitter handle (@theunrealtimes) was mentioned in Malayala Manorama's weekly "The Week". The magazine also acknowledged The UnReal Times on the same page.

The UnReal Times or its articles have also been featured or linked to in DNA,[31] Sydney Morning Herald,[32] Bloomberg[33] New York Times[34] and so on.

Controversies[edit]

In August 2011, The UnReal Times released a video titled Manmohan Singham, featuring Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (morphed over Singham protagonist Ajay Devgn) as an action hero fighting evils such as inflation, corruption, terrorism and so on. The video went viral on Facebook and Twitter, and was also shared by Ajay Devgn on his Twitter and Facebook. However, Congress party workers in some states were not amused, and went on to file complaints with cyber crime cells of their respective states.[35]

In early 2013, an UnReal Times article on IIPM founder Arindam Chaudhuri titled 'Dare to think beyond Google: Arindam Chaudhuri launches Ponytail Search' was blocked by the Department of Telecom along with over 70 other URLs on the basis of a court order after Arindam Chaudhari sought legal action against pages critical of his organization.[36]

UnReal Elections[edit]

In April 2014, the founders of The UnReal Times launched "Unreal Elections" a satirical novel published by Penguin Random House. The book traces key political events in the year leading to General Elections 2014 with imaginative and fictitious accounts of backroom machinations, eventually resulting in an unexpected climax towards the end. The book received positive reviews in mainstream media - Business Standard wrote that the book "will leave you breathless with waves of irresistible and uncontrollable laughter".[37] Mid-day.com wrote: "Be prepared to laugh a lot at the humourous proceedings but also to feel a tinge of sadness about the murkiness of politics".[38]

When the young Ali took the mantle of Imamat, times were hard on the Ahlulbayt of the Prophet. His is the saddest story of all time. On the 10th of Muharram at the time of Asr Prayers, when his father Hussain (AS) was alone in the battlefield ready to do battle, he withdrew to the camp of his ailing son, came beside his bed, woke him and told him that the story of Karbala was over, that he was about to go to sacrifice his own life for the cause of Islam. It was at that time the father transferred the mantle of Imamat, the spiritual guidance, to his son to lead the Muslim Ummah towards the Right Path.

He was born in Madina some 22 years ago, on 5th Shabaan 38 year of Hijra. In some history books his date of birth is shown as 15th Jumada Awwal 38 AH. His mother was Shahr Banu the daughter of Yazdjurd II, the last of the Persian Kings before Islam. She was taken prisoner when Muslim armies conquered Persia. When she was brought in Madina Imam Ali (AS) spoke to her and she embraced Islam and was married to his 2nd son Imam Hussain (AS). She had died after giving birth to her only son. He was only two years old when his grand father Ali (AS) was martyred in the Mosque at Kufa. After that the whole family of the Prophet returned to live in Madina. For the next 10 years under Imam Hasan (AS) as Imam and after his martyrdom, his father Imam Hussain (AS) as the Imam, the young Ali was growing in their shadow and watching the workings of the Imamat without the worldly authority. People knew they were the grand sons of the Holy Prophet and followed them by their hearts but outwardly because of the fear of the Ummayad ruler in Damascus, there was very little following of the Ahlulbayt of the Prophet.

In 60 Hijri when his father Imam Hussain (AS) had to leave Madina for Makka and then for Karbala, he was with him all the time. In Karbala all male children of Ali (AS) and Hussain (AS) were killed except Ali Ibne Hussain (AS) who with providence became so ill that he was unable to participate in the Jihad with his father and survived the massacre. His life and with that the line of descendents of Hussain (AS) survived because the Imamat had to go on. He became the 4th Imam on the 10th of Muharram 61 Hijri. He was taken captive and was brought to Kufa and then to Damascus in chains. In spite of his illness and humiliating position in front of Yazid the Ummayad ruler, when Yazid addressed him in an insulting manner saying that his father wasted his life by refusing to give the oath of allegiance to Yazid, Imam replied, it was to save Islam. They were wondering how Islam was saved. When time for Azan came and the Moazzin screamed from the minaret "I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah", Imam shouted to Yazid, this is the way Islam was saved. People would have forgotten the name of Muhammad as the Messenger of Allah if his grand son would not have shown the world that you were a ruler by default. Yazid ordered his swordsman to kill this young man, but by the intervention of his aunt Zainab his life was spared. He remained in prison for one year with the whole family. There was turmoil in all parts of the Islamic empire on this brutal killing. In the end Yazid was afraid that if he kept the family of the Prophet in prison any longer, he will loose his kingdom. So he sent orders to bring the family before him and told him that he was releasing them. He also asked what they wish to do now. In reply to this His aunt Zainab said that they would wish to hold a gathering in Damascus so that she can tell the people what happened in Karbala. Yazid agreed and the first Majlis was held in Damascus. In this Majlis most of the women of Damascus took part who were secretly following the path of Ahlulbayt which included Yazid's wife Hind. Then they all returned to Karbala to pay homage over the graves of their beloved father, uncles and brothers. It was on the 20th of the month of Safar 62 Hijri that they arrived back in Karbala. The first Majlis of Arbaeen was held in Karbala in which his aunt Zainab and all the surviving family attended. It was at that time that one of the companions of the Prophet Jabir Ibn Abullah Ansari visited the grave of Hussain (AS) who later narrated the whole story of Karbala to many of his listeners in Madina and many other towns he visited. The message of Hussain (AS) was spreading from town to town and from country to country.

The whole family then returned to Madina except the wife of Imam Hussain (AS). Her name was Umm-e-Rabab. She said that she would not return back home, for her home was here where her husband lay buried. She stayed in Karbala until she died a few years later. A small town flourished for the up keeps of pilgrims who began to visit the grave of Hussain (AS) and all the martyrs of Karbala.

Having being released from confinement in Damascus, Imam came to live in Madina with his family and to lead a quiet life. But the city was in revolt against the cruel regime of Yazid. Many tried to persuade the Imam to join them, but Imam knew their unreliability and he declined. So when Yazid's army invaded Madina, they left the Imam's family alone. Yet he was greatly shocked to see how for three days the invading army led by Muslim Ibn Aqaba who was charged with invading Madina, tied their horses in the Prophet's mosque, turning the sacred place into a filthy stable, killing hundreds of innocent people and playing havoc with chaste women. For three continuous days these beasts from Damascus ravaged the city and destroyed it. Imam had so much control over his emotions that he kept quiet. When different revolutionary parties rose to avenge the blood of Imam Hussain, he wisely kept aloof from them whose uprisings he deemed untimely. No doubt Sulaiman Ibn Surad al-Khuzai and Mukhtar Ibn Obaidah ath-Thaqafi avenged Imam's precious blood. Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen had compassion for them; he prayed for them and for their success and often enquired about those who were captured and executed by Yazid's cruel regime. Certainly Mukhtar relieved the Imam's wounded heart by punishing the culprits. But the Imam was so cautious that his outward appearance gave the impression that he was indifferent, so much so that the cruel Government could not implicate him of any subversion.

Times were hard in Madina for the family of the Prophet. Imam Ali Ibne Hussain (Sajjad became his title because of his intense prostrations in prayers) lived for another 35 years after the event of Karbala. He was the Imam of the time and it was his duty to spread guidance to the people. But how he would do that when a single word in favor of the Ahlulbayt would have meant certain death. No one dared to say that he followed the family of the Prophet. The Imam survived with the sheer will power and providence. He used to go to the mosque of the Prophet and some times prayed there all night. These were special prayers in the shape of supplications with great significance than mere ritual. These prayers were memorized by his companions, written down by his two sons, Mohammad and Zaid. Mohammad became the 5th Imam after the death of his father while Zaid rose against the rulers of his time and was martyred in Kufa. All these supplications were later collected by his companions in the shape of a book which was named "Al Saheefa el Sajjadiya". Several copies of the book were made and distributed among the followers.

Normal teachings of the Qur'an by the family of the Prophet were not allowed. With these supplications Imam taught his followers the relationship between God and the people. In ordinary language it is not possible to enhance the knowledge of God. But in the language of prayer, when one bows down before the creator, one realizes ones own meager self, in comparison with the immensity of the universe. All vanity or ego disappears. All thoughts of self indulgence vanish. He relates himself with his creator in all humility and sublime self. His true self awakens which only exists to help others for they are all creatures of God. Emotions that were attached to his own Self disappear. He feels alone in the wide world. His only hope rests with his creator. God alone gives him hope and meaning of existence on earth. Side by side these supplications also gave the human race their Rights and duties with each other. In the name of "Risalat-el- Huqooq" which was an addition to Saheefa, completed the meaning of Islam as a Deen of deeper spiritual understanding as well as the ways and means of lion this planet earth with other people.

Imam's whole life was spent in helping all the people in the city of Madina. He was seen going during the darkness of the night with a sack full of bread for the hungry people of the city. They never knew the identity of the person, who gave them food night after night, but Imam's own companions knew the fact and they passed it on to the later generation to know and to learn. It was after his death that those hungry souls came to know the identity of their benefactor.

Imam performed thirty pilgrimages in all after the event of Karbala. Sometimes he would go for Hajj on the back of a camel, but sometimes on foot for 250 miles to Makka. Once he was traveling with a companion. When they reached the outskirts of Makka, the crowd of pilgrims going towards Makka was enormous. His companions shouted, "There is a lot of crowd for Hajj this year." Imam replied, "There is only you and me and this camel, the rest are animals." He was again teaching the meaning of Hajj which was to reach out for God with all your heart and do not just regard it as another ritual.

An incident occurred that is said to have provoked the jealousy of Hisham Ibn Abdul Malik who was heir apparent to his father and arrived in Makka with great pomp and a retinue of servants. But in spite of this, he was not able to reach for the Black Stone in the Ka'aba. In pilgrims garb Hisham was unrecognizable. He sat down on a high place waiting for the crowd to move so that he could also kiss the black stone. While he was waiting he saw an old man arrive and watched the crowd give way for him. He reached the Black stone, kissed it and returned back to his place. Hisham, being the son of the caliph was astonished and enquired about the identity of the person. Farazdaq the famous poet was standing right there. He composed a Qaseeda in praise of the Imam to introduce him to the Heir apparent of the throne. He said, "He is who that the whole Makka knows him, every stone in the Ka'aba knows him. He is the son of the grand son of Fatima and Ali and of the Holy Prophet. Hisham, in his arrogance of power, imprisoned the poet who died in prison some years later.

In another incident while the Imam was about to begin his prayers a man came round and began to use abusive language against him. Imam ignored the man first. But when he repeated the abusive language pointing to him directly, Imam said to him, "what you are saying about me, if it is true then I asks God's forgiveness, but if it is not true, then only God can forgive you." The man was thoroughly ashamed of his behavior and apologized. Later on he became a great devotee of the Imam.

Some people say that the Imam spent his life after Karbala in weeping and crying for the atrocities committed to his family. Indeed it was true that he wept profusely and that some times the glass of water he drank would soil with tears so that he would not be able to drink that water. And when people said why you weep so much, for martyrdom is the inheritance of the Ahlulbayt. He would say, "Yes indeed, I do not weep for the killing of my family, but for the humiliation we the whole family faced on the way to Damascus which was beyond description. I weep for that disgrace of women and children." He would then call the people around and tell them the story of Karbala and the plight of the captives after Karbala. People would also weep and cry loudly. The message spread. This was the means to tell the people otherwise people would not want to know. Through tragedy the message reached the hearts of the people and that message is still alive after 1400 years. And with this the line of demarcation drawn in Karbala between truth and falsehood is still visible.

Imam's aunt Hazrat Zainab was organising gatherings in the city of Madina to tell the assembled ladies in the majlis the events of Karbala and these participants spread the message to all corners of the town and in Makka and other cities of the province of Hejaz. This method was so successful that the Governor of Madina wrote to Yazid about it and on the orders from Yazid, Hazrat Zainab was escorted back to Damascus. She lived there for a while then she was moved to Egypt on the orders of the monarch because even in Damascus her speeches in private gatherings were successful in spreading the story of Karbala. Hazrat Zainab stayed in Egypt for few years but then she was brought back to Damascus where she was martyred. Her mausoleum is in Damascus, just outside the City and pilgrims visit the place all the time. Many miracles have appeared at this place and people suffering from incurable diseases have come to pray on her grave and have found good health.

Imam (AS) in Madina through his silent teachings left many pupils; the most prominent of them was Abu Hamza-e-Thumali, who remained to spread the teachings of Ahlulbayt in the Islamic world. Abu Mikhnuf was also one famous pupil of the Imam who later on the instructions of the fifth Imam wrote the story of Karbala in the narrative form which became the part of the Majlis all over the world.

The calm and peaceful life of the Imam was not to be tolerated by the Ummayad's cruel regime. They realized that the Imam was succeeding in his mission of spreading the message of his father Hussain (AS). The Syrian monarch Walid Ibn Abdul Malik had him poisoned. He died in Madina on the 25th of Muharram 95 Hijri. His eldest son Muhammad Ibn Ali al Baqir arranged the burial and laid him to rest in the grave yard of Jannatul Baqi beside his uncle Imam Hasan (AS).

article courtesy

www.ezsoftech.com/islamic/infallible6a.asp

I normally wear turbans at one-time I had the largest collection of hats stetsons bowlers derby etc I loved hats I still have some and some of my stetsons were worn by Mr Adnan Sami and Mr Amitabh Bachchan ..I was crazy about Australian cowboy hats two of them I gifted to Mr Girish Mistry .

I gave Govinda a unique one in Maharajah and all the hats caps in Tridev worn by Mr Naseerudin Shah were from my collection.

Now I have a lot of Karakul kashmiri caps my love for wearing turbans began from Khuda Gawah as Mukul Anand Sab made me tie the Pathani safas for Dannyji that I got from a son of Mr Karim Lala who had their shop at Dongri .

But wearing the pathani safa used to get me into trouble at the naka bandis with the Mumbai cops ..so I began tying it the Rajasthani way more of bandani etc the length of my safa has been 4 .5 meters but this Urus at Makanpur Syed Masoom Ali baba advised me to grow my dreads and wear a 9 meter safa I got this 9 meter safa from a friend it was his family safa so today I wore a black 9 meter safa made from imported Egyptian muslin I had it dyed I will post the picture later I will get another dyed in saffron for the Hindu part of my cultural ethos .

My dreads are on hold till my diabetic dry boils heal...the only problem in long hair is they make it very difficult for me to do Kamazani during Moharam.

And my bald head has more furrows than you will see on a field ..

Lol .

Last night I was at Mr Shakti Kapoors house I had tailored two sexy waistcoats for him and he is a real rock star ..he has been my guardian angel in Bollywood ..I have given him unique looks but the best look was as Marathi women with Mr Kadar Khan in Eena Meena Deeka ...we go a very long way back .

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Goud (also spelt as Gaud or Gawd) Saraswat Brahmins are a Hindu Brahmin community in India and a part of the larger Saraswat Brahmin community. They are popularly referred to as GSBs. They are Konkani people and primarily speak Konkani as their mother tongue. They are the first Rigvedic Brahmins.

They claim their origin to the Brahmins who lived on the banks of the now-extinct river Saraswati of Pakistan Punjab or Kashmir. They derived their name from either the river Saraswati or from their spiritual leader, the sage Saraswat Muni(sage) who lived on the banks of Saraswati. These Brahmins were one of the Pancha Gawda Brahmin groups who lived north of the Vindhyas. They belonged to Smarta tradition and primarily worshiped the five deities: Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya and Ganesha. Throughout the course of history, the Saraswat Brahmins have migrated to a variety of locations and are found mostly in Western coast of India.

Mutts[edit]

Lord Shri Krishna (Kota Kashi Math)

Shri Gaudapadacharya Math (Kavale, Ponda, Goa), Advaita school with Gaudapadacharya as Adi Guru

Gokarna Partagali Jeevottam Mutt (Partagali-Cancona, Goa), Dvaita School with Madhva Sampradaya

Sri Kashi Math (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh), Dvaita Sampradaya

Sri Chitrapur Math (Shirali, Karnataka), Advaita School with Gaudapadacharya as Adi Guru

Rituals[edit]

During the eighth month of pregnancy, a woman moves to her mother's house, especially during the birth of her first child. The expecting mother also performs Ganapathi Pooja for a successful delivery and a healthy child. On the 6th day, a pen and lamp are kept near the child's head, symbolic of a wish for an intelligent child. On the 12th day, the naming and cradling ceremony is performed wherein the paternal grandmother whispers the child's name into his/her ear and a horoscope is cast.[citation needed] When the child turns three months old, they are taken to the temple, and thereafter the child goes to the father's abode.[1]

Festivals[edit]

GSB's celebrate almost all festivals in Hinduism, and follow the Hindu lunar calendar (Panchang in Konkani) that gives the days on which the fasts and festivals should be observed.[2]

Cuisine[edit]

Main article: Saraswat cuisine

Notables[edit]

Main article: List of Gaud Saraswat Brahmins

See also[edit]

Goud Saraswat Brahmin[edit]

Goud Saraswat Brahmins of Cochin

List of Goud Saraswat Brahmins

Other Saraswat Brahmin Community[edit]

List of Goan Brahmin Communities

List of Saraswats

Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins

Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin

References[edit]

Jump up ^ "Welcome to GSB Konkani". Gsbkonkani.net. Retrieved 12 July 2012.

Jump up ^ "Fasts and Festivals". Gsbkonkani.net. Retrieved 12 July 2012.

Further reading[edit]

Suryanath U Kamath (1992). The origin and spread of Gauda Saraswats.

Venkataraya Narayan Kudva (1972). History of the Dakshinatya Saraswats. Samyukta Gauda Saraswata Sabha.

Ramachandra Shyama Nayak. Saraswath Sudha.

External links[edit]

GSB websites[edit]

www.gsb.in

www.gsbkonkani.net

www.gsblagna.com

GSB Community[edit]

GSB – Kerala

GSB – Coimbatore

GSB – Mumbai

GSB – UK

GSB – UAE

GSB Organizations[edit]

GSB Seva Mandal – Mumbai

GSB Sarvajanic Ganesholsava Samiti – Mumbai

GSB Samaj Seva Sangh – Vasai, Thane (Dist.)

[hide] v t e

Ethnic groups, social groups and tribes of Goa and the Konkan region

Saraswats

Goud Saraswat Brahmins Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahman

Daivajnas

Daivajna

Karhades

Karhade Padye Bhatt Prabhu

Konkanasthas

Chitpavan Brahmins Kramavant Joshi

Maratha

Maratha 96 Kuli Maratha Konkan Maratha

Bhandaris

Bhandari Samaj

Gomantak Maratha

Gomantak Maratha Samaj Naik Maratha Samaj Nutan Maratha Samaj

Vaishya

Vaishya Vani

Vishwakarmas

Vishwakarma Manu Maya Brahmins Kansar

Kulvadi

Gauda and Kunbi Kunbi

Kharvi

Kharvi

Others

Madval Dhangar Gavli Chamar Mahar (Mhar) Siddis of Karnataka

Roman Catholics

Goan Catholics Karwari Catholics Mangalorean Catholics

Islam

Goan Muslims Konkani Muslims Nawayath

#gudipadwa2019

#shobhayatragirgaum

#firozeshakir

Gudhi Padwa (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा IAST: Guḍhī Pāḍavā) and Konkani: संवसार पाडवो,Sanvsār Pādvo) is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus.[3] It is celebrated in and near Maharashtra and Goa on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. The word पाडवा (pāḍavā) or पाडवो (pāḍavo) or पड्ड्वा/पाड्ड्वो (pāḍḍvā/pāḍḍvo) comes from the Sanskrit word प्रतिपदा (pratipadā), which refers to the first day of a lunar fortnight. The festival is observed with colorful floor decorations called rangoli, a special Gudhi flag (garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, topped with upturned silver or copper vessel), street processions, dancing and festive foods.[3][4]

I have been documenting Moharam in Hyderabad for several years now specially Ashura and the intensity , piety dedication to Ghame Hussain by the Hyderabadi Shias overwhelms you ..every tear becomes an out pour of pain ..and humility hospitality centers around Azadari.. you will hardly find this anywhere in India ,,not even in Lucknow Delhi or Mumbai.. During Ashura nobody cooks food at home it is Niyaz e Hussain that feeds hope and Humanity .

For 2 month 8 days the Hyderabadi Shia only wears black..

And so I leave Mumbai and come here become one with Hussain at Hyderabad for me Hyderabad is Karbala ,,the sea of black clothes , recitals matam noha ..I dont care about Akhbaris and other stuff I simply come here for Hussain..I remove all blinkers and on the day of Ashura at Badi Bargah , I start cutting my head when Parwane Shabbir starts reciting Aye Sher E Nayastane Haidar Abas .. and than rush out to catch the Bibi Ka Alam,, and with my dear friend Sajjad Bhai rush towards Charminar take a shot and at Irani Gully I cut my head again .. with the most hardcore kama and sword matamdars ,,,and as my satchel with my kama was with Sajjad Bhai ,, we got lost in the crowds I grabbed a guys kama and cut myself.... than once I caught up with him I moved with the procession towards Dar Ul Shifa ,,, I cut my head here again .. and returned to Akthar AMC house , each year he lets me stay with him,, and I have made some great friends in Hyderabad lots of them , but Sajjad Bhai Abid Bhai Lutfi brothers Naqi bhai the younger ones Qaim Abid and others take care of me ,,and than I wonder I have another friend who helped me in my bad times he stays at Banjara Hills but we have never met at all.. a hardcore Amitabh Bachchan fan a devout Shia ..my online friend Zain Hussain who lives in Dubai..So Hyderabad in Ashura ,,,and Chehlum in Lucknow .

I keep away from Mumbai Moharam completely save our house majlis ,, I do not go anywhere ,,,too many deep scars on my soul...

Sher E Jawan Mar Gaya

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

Kartay thay ro ro ke ya hazrat bayan

toar gaye meri qamar bhayi jaan

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

Roti hay khayme me Sakina wahan

Sote ho Abbas zamin par yahaan

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

1) Aray lash uthaye ga kon, Shere jawaan mar gaya

Aray qabr banaye ga kon, Shere jawaan mar gaya

Aray humko sambhale ga kon,Shere jawasn mar gaya

Toro na gurbat me meri aas utho

Utho Husain aaye hain Abbas utho

Rota he mazlum basad yas utho

Utho bas ab ghar me chalo bhayi jaan

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

2) Aray kon khabare le meri, Shere jawan mar gaya

Haey meri bekasi, Shere jawan mar gaya

Chalti hay dil par churi, Shere jawan mar gaya

Kya huwa sawwaye Sakina ko aa

Kisne kiya mere bhara gar tabah

Kya huwi abbas biradar ki chaah

Ab gaye wo pyaar ki baate kaha

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

3) Aray mar gaya Akbar pisar, Shere jawan mar gaya

Thaam lo meri qamar, Shere jawan mar gaya

Aray lut gaya bekas ka ghar, Shere jawan mar gaya

Quwate bazu mera kya ho gaya

Zeenate pehlu mera kya ho gaya

Aashiqe dil yu mera kya hogaya

Kya huwa afsos mera qadr daan

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

4) Aray jhume khayme me wa, Shere jawan mar gaya

Karti hay Zainab fugaa, Shere jawan mar gaya

Aray kis say karoon may bayan, Shere jawan mar gaya

Hath se khoya dile gamkhwar ko

Paoon kahaan apnay alamdar ko

Geri huwi khanjar-e khu khar ko

Jalad gale par ho mere ab rawaa

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

5) Aray ab koi chara nahi, Shere jawan mar gaya

Aray zeest gawara nahi, Shere jawan mar gaya

Aray koi hamara nahi, Shere jawan mar gaya

Maa hai bani hasheme wala nahi

Usme mere mehru ka ujala nahi

Haaye mere chahane wala nahi

Nazro me tarikh ha sara jahan

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

6) Aray lash uthayenga kon, Shere jawaan mar gaya

Aray kabre banayanga kon, Shere jawan mar gaya

Aray humko sambhalenga kon, Shere jawan mar gaya

Toro na gurbat me meri aas ko

Utho Husain aaye ha abbas utho

Rota he mazlum basat yas utho

Utho basat gar me chalo bhayijaan

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

7) Aray ankho ka tara mera, Shere jawan mar gaya

Aray chand ka tukra mera, Shere jawan mar gaya

Are gar ka ujala mera, Ruhe ali jaan-e nabi alvida

Ashiko shaidai akhi alvida

Laasha-e abbase ali alvida

Aate hain ab ham bhi chalo bhayijaan

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

Kartay thay roro ke ya hazrat bayan

toar gaye meri qamar bhayi jaan

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

Roti hay khayme me Sakina wahan

Sote ho Abbas zamin par yahaan

Aa Alamdar haey alamdar (x3)

Marziya Shakir Photographerno1

www.flickr.com/photos/firozeshakir/6964075713/in/photostream

mumbaiya tapori language

Mumbai Slangs (Tapori Words)

Meaning

Kya Haal Hai BossHow are you dear

Kidhar Ja Raila HaiWhere are you going ?

Abe ChindiWord Chindi is kind of teasing and saying you are behaving cheap.

Buskya yaarCommon Dear (Or Exa: Common you know it dear)

Khali WaliActually words from a hindi song, But in Tapori slang it is used to say ‘Move Away’

Locha Hogaya or Lafda HogayaMessed up Or There is some problem

Chava Lagraha haiYou looking handsome

Kalti MarleLets Move Quitely From Here

Jhol Kiya Kya ?Did you used some wrong way of doing thing ?

On Mumbai Street boys talk looking at beautiful girl (Slang : Mast Item Hai Re)Wow what a beautiful babe.

Hilgaya yaarI was kind of amazed or astonished (Depends on how and what they use it.)

Abe SaaleCasual way of calling when other friend is not ready for something.

Chal Hawa Ane DeMove out of my way or be away, Kind of threatening (Typical Tapori language)

ChayylaA word used when are angry or made fool of yourself (Typical Slang).

Bohot keeda hai tere meinMeaning goes like : U messing up unnecessarily.

Chal milte haiCya OR See you later

Pakka (A word Commonly used in market or between friends)Means : Confirm right

Alibaug ka samajta Hai kya ?You think i am a fool ?

Kaat Dalega samjha kyaWill kill you

ChakkaasA word used when he feel very good about some thing, like seen a movie he says ‘Kya Chakkas movie tha re’

Fulltoo haiHe is drunk

Dimaag Ki Nas Mat KheechDont irritate me okay

Fattu haiHe is afraid or panicked

Kharcha Pani Du Kya ?Typical Tapori Language (Means : Do you want beating from me ?)

Waat lagayi re.I made a mess

Khopche Mein Lu KyaDo you want a slap from me

Raag Mat deAn action word to make someone afraid

Wo Line De Rahi HaiThat girl is intersting and giving positive signals.

Sumdi mein vatakleMove away from this place quitely

Abe DhakkanYou Fool

AtrangiWeird

LalluIdiot

ChamatA Slap

Dhed Shane (used like ‘Wo Dhed Shana Hai’Acting Smart (Means : That guy acting smarter ha..)

Abe langoorAgain this one word slang means, You Fool / Idiot

Hul De Raha Hai Kya ?Are you scaring me ?

A ChoteHey Small Brother

WatakleHey Small Brother

Cutting ChaiHalf Cup of tea

Chal Nikal LeScaring other guy by saying ‘Hey You move out from here.”

Vulgar SlangsMeaning

GanduA vulgar word, just like one uses ‘You F*c*er’

Chutiya Samjha Hai Kya (Vulgar Language)using this bad word, trying to prove that i am smart and not fool me around ok.

Bumboo Lag GayiScrewed badly

College Campus LingoMeaning

PingingTrendy word use in replacement of ‘texting’ in mobile sms conversation.

BlabberTalking continuously on a topic, Chattering whatever comes in mind

RADLike we says, Its cool.. Now said its RAD. Actually a short word for ‘Radical’

NubeUsed to mock a person who does use much of his / her wit.

Fizz OutAn Alternate word for ‘Chill Out’

EMOAn Alternate word for ‘emotional’. Like “His is getting very EMO about her’

THE PITSUsed when referring a worst condition.

ZonedRefers to state of mind. Its like i was zoned out after such long lecture in college..

SpazzedAn old English word some times used in some idiotic situation happened. E.g : Every one was looking at him as though he was spazzed (a crazy situation happened)

FacchadShowing oneself a newbiew or fresher. E.g Even i am a Facchad i was well recognized by all.

www.mumbai77.com/pages/mumbai-slangs/

I was very tired when I returned from the Indiblogger meet , my wife had already left for Lucknow by the 3.15 pm train,, my phone was on silent I did not say goodbye to her I was all Blogs .

I bought Roshan Sorcerer home from the Meet we chatted a bit than I got busy feeding Marziyas Flowerhorns and Blackghosts .. and than her Java Finches .

Showered had some snacks I was full of Bluefrog delicacies and the most filling lunch.

Later I uploaded the mobile phone pics ..and after a few hours the camera phone pics that I placed for uploading and crashed , I am up now ..

I have documented most of the Mumbai Indimeets passionately ,,as I owe a lot to Renie Ranvin Father of Blogs ,, he has been a great friend inspiration , and almost family to say the least he and his Indiblogger Hit Team.

This entire set is dedicated to him his core team and all at Indiblogger but hey wait this set is also dedicated to Magic Eye my Blogger Bidu , the guy who pushed me towards Flickr from Fotothing , we have been Internet friends since 2004 - 2005 ..

Magic Eye Deepak Ambebal is on a 70 day trip to discover his world along with another dear dear friend Aaditya Raj Kapoor ..the only humble down to earth Kapoor after Mr Rishi Kapoor .

I hav been very close to the Kapoor family since the time Mr Raj Kapoor Sab use to feed his pet chickens at his DeonarBunglow .I use to style stuff for Chimpu Kapoor ,,, a great big bear hugging Kapoor .

I digress an inherent flaw in my blog that waver between photoblogging and storytelling.

This was the first interesting Indi Meet thanks to Renie and a bigger thanks to Big Rock.. they made water into wine into blogs ,the Big Rock team fro top to bottom was hospitable humble accommodating and condescending ,,in a way they made it happen.. all the best to all of them.

The Bluefrog catering under Firoze was just out of the world I shot his gracious staff too.. the Blue Frog bouncers were fish out of water they could not find anyone heavily drunk on tea to throw out for not asking questions ,, even when Sherry the best speaker of the lot ,, stole our hearts and attention..though she did cutely mention her fiance that put the Romeos of Indiblogger back to Sleep.

I am kidding but all the speakers hit the Bulls Eye and even Mr Vinit Goenka of BJP..Though we are still waiting for Acche Din in Blogging too ,, so fasten your seat belts I used my Canon D after a very long time ,, it was once used passionately by my 4 year old grand daughter Marziya Shakir ,, now 7 and the youngest street photographer in my family , the very youngest is Nerjis Asif Shakir 3 year old ,, both are Indibloggers , have Twitter handles and Flickr accounts and their Godfather Guru of Photography is Dr Glenn Losack from Manhattan New York ,, my last but not the least 2 year old grand daughter Zinnia Fatima uses the Canon 60 D better than she uses her Dads Motorola G for taking pictures .

It is ..6.30 am

For Fuck Sake please dont ask me what is Blogging ,, What is Blog ,,

I learnt all that from Mr Brandon Stone and the one and only one Mr Biz Stone ,,

I am learning photography online from Mr Thomas Hawk ,,,my inspirational Flickr Photographer Top of the Pops ,,,

So Good Morning out there ,,thats the Java finches that blog with sounds in our house ,,

Aditya Iyer The Nameless One future gamer filmmaker deserves an honorary mention,, and Nimmi housemaker blogger seated at my table her first Indi Meet was great company too.

abbas ay shere nayastane hyder

deti thi sada zainab rokar

abbas ay shere....

kya isi din ke liye maangi thi baba ne dua

aake pardes may hojaoge tum humse juda

sotay ho chain se darya ke kanaare bhaiya

kya sunayi nahi deti tumhay halmin ki sada

abbas tanha hai khade ran may sarwar

abbas ay shere....

ay mere shere jawan ay mere bhai ho kahan

shaakh hai dil pe mere teri judaai ho kahan

dayr se deti hoo bhaiya mai duhaai ho kahan

lut-ti hai fatema zehra ki kamayi ho kahan

abbas khanajr hai halqe sarwar par

abbas ay shere....

kya isi din ke liye saath behan thi aayi

aagayi neend jo darya ki tarayi paayi

phir palat kar hame soorat bhi nahi dikhlayi

aagaya ran se alam tum nahi aayi bhai

abbas phat-ta hai mera sadme se jigar

abbas ay shere....

girke ghoray se sada baap ko akbar ne jo di

dibare fatema zehra ki ajab haalat thi

haath malte thay kabhi ghaat ko taktay thay kabhi

thaam kar tooti kamar kehti thay farzande nabi

abbas laaun kaise laashe akbar

abbas ay shere....

haal shabbir ka ab to nahi dekha jaata

hai kamar kham nahi aankhon se soojhayi deta

ye zeefi ye jawan laal ka sadma bhaiya

thaam lo badke zara haath tumhi bhai ka

abbas khaate hai thokar par thokar

abbas ay shere....

bhai ko bhool gaye dhyaan na behno ka raha

yaad aaya na koi paayi jo darya ki hawa

haye kis dil se kiya tum ne gawara bhaiya

har tamache pe sakina ne tumhay yaad kiya

abbas jab cheene gaye kano se gohar

abbas ay shere....

hai qayamat ka saman loot hai har simt machi

koi pursa nahi haalat ajab bachon ki

taaziyane koi khaata hai tamache koi

aag daaman may hai masoom sakina ke lagi

abbas bhaiya utho lo jald khabar

abbas ay shere....

chor kar dashte musibat may behan ko bhai

tumne acha hi kiya door basayi basti

dekh sakte thay kahan tum to haye halat meri

balwaye aam may bhaiya mai khule sar hoo khari

abbas aada le gaye chaadar

abbas ay shere....

azmato izzate saadat bhula di bhai

aag qaimo may layeeno ne lagadi bhai

masnade ahmade mursal bhi jaladi bhai

taaziyano se hai abid ko saza di bhai

abbas ghash may hai pada mera dilbar

abbas ay shere....

Ali Rizvi "Aye Sher-e-Nayastan-e-Haider Abbas

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT42dMAgyfM

I left home for Lalbagh Chya Raja visarjan in the morning at 6.30 am, I could not get a cab or a bus so I hitched a ride in a tempo going to Dadar market , chatting with the Marathi vegetable vendor ladies and the North Indian vendors ,,,from Dadar Plaza where they dropped me I took a cab for Lalbagh Chya Raja pandal as per my blogging tradition I was barefeet .

Entering in even at 7 am was tough but I managed , though I was confident once Sumit Kale my Facebook friend reached the pandal he would pull me in , he stays at Vashi but I had already got my darshan and this time I was careful about my belongings , the folks at the pandal know I am a diabetic so the volunteers gave me batawada and water ,,

I shot on my Canon EOS 7D .. however I had decided I would shoot the Lalbagh Chya Raja arti his exit from the pandal and return home.,,, instead of following him till Do Tanki,, I think I dont have the strength to walk barefeet ..that far now.

I met Rose she is a educated transgender a great believer of the Lord , no barricades can stop her from entering the pandal, she climbed the baricade of the main podium touched the Lord and came and stood by me,, I had shot her pictures last year that card including all my other cards and my wallet was stolen near Nagpada last visarjan..

I have talked about her to show you her devotion she walks from Oshiwara to be with the Lord... and the Lord leaves no stone upturned to give her darshan.. she came in simple clothes without make up.

I shot the Lord from Sumit Kales shop than followed him to the main gate , I obviously could not get him against the gate , after shooting some frames I decided to come home .. and I met my friend Shyam Kabre he was in the Shiv Sena darshan platform , he pulled me up and I got some glorious shots of Lalbagh Chya Raja ,,

From Lalbagh after shooting Tejukaya Cha Raja , Ganesh Gully Chya Raja and Parel Cha Raja I returned home via Sion..

I wont go to Girgaum Chowpatty .. as I had planned to be there with my guru Mr Shreekanth Malushte .

Mein rahun ya na rahun

(Ya Hussain) x2

Ma’bud taqabbal minna

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

1. Ay foje ashqiya mera islam rahega

Quran rahega mera peghaam rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

2. Jab zohr tak hussain bahattar ko rochuke

Akbar ko rochuke Ali Asghar ko rochuke

Ik dopahar mein bawafa lashkar ko rochuke

Phir foje bad nasab se mukhatib huwe imam

Hujjat tamam karta hun sunlo mera payaam

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

3. Farmaate the hussain ke mein be kasoor hun

Roshan he tumpe chashme payambar ka noor hun

Faqon se mein nidhal hun zakhmon se chhur hun

Zakhmon pe zakhm pyaas ki shiddat mein khawunga

Lekin mein nana jaan se wada nibhaunga

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

4. Darya ko tum ne chheen liya maine kuchh kaha

Pani dikha dikha ke piiya meine kuchh kaha

Daagh akbare jawaan ka diya meine kuchh kaha

Haq par hun mere haq mein sina bolrahi he

Sun lo who azan meri zubaa(n) bol rahi he

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

5. Maqsad he lailah ki baqa aur kuchh nahin

wada ho zere tegh wafa aur kuchh nahin

Iske siwa labon pe dua aur kuchh nahin

Razi ho mujhse mera khuda chahta hun mein

Mein hun hussain sab ka bhala chahta hun mein

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

6. Maqsad nahin he jang hamara khuda gawah

Khat bhejke he tumne bulaya khuda gawah

Bejurm tumne mujhko sataya khuda gawah

Khanjar tale baland mein takbir karunga

Apne lahu se khak pe tehreer karunga

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

7. Mein aur karun yazeed ki bay’at nahin nahin

Badlun ajal ke dar se shariyat nahin nahin

Jeene ke badle chorun shahadat nahin nahin

Tum kon ho naqaab rukhon se hataounga

Mein kon hun ye noke sina par bataaounga

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

8. Aakar dare khayam pe zainab ko di sada

Aa ay mere ghareeb behen aakhri dua

Le aakhri salam hussaine ghareeb ka

Maqsad he mera ka ye sabaq tujhko yaad he

Meri shareeke kaar mujhe etemaad he

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Zainab tarap ke boli ke bhaya samajhgayi

Bhaiya tere ishaare ko behna samajh gayi

Mein kya teri ghareeb Sakina samajh gayi

Khutbon se mein hilaungi qasre yazeed ko

Marne na dungi ab mein kisi bhi shaheed ko

Hal min nasirin yansurna

9. Uthtaa ghobar zulm karakti he bijliyan

Zee(n) se gire hussain uthi surkh aandhiyan

Nagaah sar hussain ka aaya sare sina

Quran suna ke sayyade mazloom ne kaha

Lo nanajaan wada wafa meine kardiya

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Mera islam rahega

Mera pegham rahega

(Mein rahun ya na rahun) x2

Ma’bud taqabbal minna

10. Ay “sarwaro rehan” ye lamha ajeeb he

Neze pe lab kusha ye hussaine ghareeb he

Zainab tumhari shame gharibaan kareeb he

Sab kuchh tere hawaale he ab tum sambhalna

Apna khayaal rakhna Sakina ko paalna

From the makers of the original and legendary #IndiMum, it's an all-day, invite-only, super-charged, [insert superlative here] event on blogging, and nothing but blogging. Word up!

The speakers so far:

Lakshmi Rebecca

Middle class Indian girls are awesome. Ask me! I’m a filmmaker and anchor. I own Red Bangle, a film production house that’s made over 300 films including Ad Films, Corporate Films, Web Films and Animated Films. My debut online talk show, ‘Chai with Lakshmi’ has had over 30,00,000 views. The show features people positively shaping India for the future. I have a second series on Youtube titled ‘India Ahead’, which is a short documentary series offering progressive Indians a platform to celebrate their efforts. [more][twitter]

Sunit Singh

One of the cleanest and the most clutter free of Indian sites, Cleartrip serves as a benchmark in many respects when it comes to design. Sunit Singh, a graduate in fine arts from the Sir J.J.School of Art and a post graduation from Industrial Design Center at IIT Mumbai, has been obsessed with design ever since he started working for Paper Plane Solutions. From there on, he moved on to Burrp and Yahoo! and is now at Cleartrip. [more][twitter]

Vinit Goenka

Vinit is a fervent nationalist, technocrat, educationist, social activist, people’s man, & visionary with a tenacious drive to inspire and bring about change within society. After spending over a decade in the private sector, he quit his growing and lucrative career to join politics and serve his nation. Today, as a National Co-Convener for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Information Technology Cell, his responsibilities include, industry interaction, policy & e-governance and better governance with the help of technology.Vinit devotes a lot of his time to finding ways in which technology can be effectively used by not only the party but also the nation. He is a great believer in the power of e-governance, transparency, and works tirelessly to create synergies between the industry and government. [more][twitter]

Scherezade Shroff

She already has over a million views on her YouTube channel and a huge subscriber base from all over the world. Scherezade uploads fashion & beauty videos, makeup & hair tutorials, DIY's and lots of other fun videos on her YouTube channel. She also has a fashion blog called www.fashionalized.com. [more][twitter]

Varun Krishnan

Founder of FoneArena.com, he is probably one of the biggest fans of mobile phones and gadgets. He is currently in his mission of finding the ‘perfect phone’, so he ends up buying almost all the phones that makes its way into market. Varun is also the founder of Mobile Monday Chennai Chapter – which is basically an event where enthusiasts get to exchange ideas, opinions and of course knowledge. FoneArena.com is one of the popular sources for mobile consumers and technology enthusiasts from across the globe. The publication strives to deliver all the latest news and updates from the world of mobile phones [more][twitter]

Arunabh Kumar

Arunabh, also known as "TheQtiyapaGuy” has become synonymous with New Age Entertainment and is hailed by Media as the driver of revolution in Content Creation. The Viral Fever' Brand has been hailed as India's most Progressive Content Company by some of the best & biggest minds in M&E Industry. With approximately 690,000 subscribers, 48 million views and less than 100 uploaded videos; these numbers are something every YouTube user would crave for and media moguls will pay universe to get, but it was never easy to reach these figures. Arunabh’s story is nothing less than inspiration and passion personified [more][twitter]

Harsh Agrawal

Harsh Agarwal is a passionate blogger who loves computing, the internet, and manages ShoutMeLoud. He's an engineer by education and a blogger by profession. Once employed at Convergys, he decided to become a professional blogger despite having an opportunity to join Accenture in 2009. Why, you ask? To become his own boss! Technology has been his passion since he was a child, and after starting a few tech blogs and communities, he now blogs full-time via Shoutmeloud. [more][twitter]

Anshul Tewari

Anshul Tewari is a journalist and entrepreneur. He is best known as the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of YouthKiAwaaz.com, an online platform for young people to express themselves on issues of critical importance. As per popular media, he started YouthKiAwaaz.com for news and views of the youth that found no place in the mainline media, and to break the stereotype of the Indian youth being apathetic. [more][twitter]

Snigdha Manchanda

Snigdha Manchanda is the founder of TeaTrunk and Story Ninja. As a Tea Sommelier she rigorously trained under a Japanese Tea Master in Sri Lanka. She started Tea Trunk as a medium to provide people with good-quality tea.

Through Story Ninja she reaches out to content creators, marketers, teachers, bloggers, entrepreneurs or just about anyone who enjoys a story well told. She has been conducting various workshops focusing on understanding patterns in storytelling, story building & narrative techniques and digital storytelling. [more][twitter]

Amit Agarwal

Amit Agarwal is a personal technology columnist and founder of Digital Inspiration, a popular how-to blog since 2004. He is the chief curator of the IndianBloggers.org directory. Amit has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from IIT Roorkee and, other than blogging, he also enjoys writing web apps and scripts that enhance productivity. [more][twitter]

C S Krishna

C S Krishna is a self-proclaimed legendary development consultant. He wants to make it big as a public policy guru but three years of writing satire for The UnReal Times under the pseudonym Unreal Mama has rendered him incapable of thinking seriously. He is also the co-author of the political satire novel, Unreal Elections. [more] [twitter]

www.indiblogger.in/bloggermeet.php?id=269

Syeda, Tahira, Abida, Zahida, Taiyaba, Raziya, Marziya

Aadila, Sajida, Hura, Batool e dosara x2

Surah e Qadr ka yeh nara hai

Aap kya jane Fatima kya hai.

Jis ko mukhtar e amr kehtehain

Jis ki ratoon ko qadr kehte hain

Subho ko jiski fajr kehte hain

Shaam ko jiski asr kehte hain

Har zamane pe jiska kabza hai

Aap kya jaane Fatima kiya hai.

Qadr jisko sada kaza ne kaha

Sayada jis ko Murtaza ne kaha

Apni maa jis ko Mustafa ne kaha

Kanze maghfi jise Khuda ne kaha

Jiski chokhat pe Kaaba jhukta hai

Aap kya jaane Fatima kia hai.

Jiske dar se ho hallaata ko aata

Innama ki amaan ka hai gosha

Kul kafa jiska khud gawah bana

Fateha kar rahi hai jiski sana

Pura Quran hi qasida hai

Aap kya jaane Fatima kiya hai.

Jiska baba Rasul aashiq e Rab

Jiske bete Hassan Hussain lakab

Yeh jahan mein hai sab say acha nasab

Jiska shohar Ali ameer e Arab

Surah e Noor jiska shajrah hai

Aap kiya janein Fatima kiya hai.

Jiski chadar ko aasman kehiye

Apnay bachoon ka sahiban kehiye

Isko alhumd ka nishaan kahiye

Hashr ki dhoop main amaan kahiye

Kulay emaan ka jo musala hai

Aap kya janey Fatima kya hai.

Yeh gharana sakhi mila humko

Isi ghar se Nabi mila humko

Har wasih, har wali mila hum ko

Ek wali kya, Ali mila hum ko

Isi ghar se Khuda bhi paya hai

Aap kya jaane Fatima kya hai.

Jiska ek beta hai Imam e Hassan

ek beta Hussain Shah e Zaman

ek Abbas misle killa shikan

Jisne seekha Ali se jang e kafan

Jiska darya pe ab bhi kabza hai

Aap kya jaane Fatima kya hai.

Ghazi bola mizaj kehr main hai

Mera hum pala koun shehr main hai

Piyas ka sad e bab nehr main hai

Nehr yeh Syeda kay mehr main hai

Mehr yeh khud Khuda nay rakha hai

Aap kiya janein Fatima kiya hai.

Dar pay jo sar jhuka nahin sakta

Deen e majid woh pa nahin sakta

Har koi dar ko paa nahin sakta

Aira ghaira tou aa nahin sakta

Malakul Maut aa kay rukta hai

Syeda, Tahira, Abida, Zahida, Taiyaba, Raziya, Marziya

what is her story

I really dont know

that she is Muslim woman

she begs through

this picture I show

she and her child

a destiny they tow

her hijab

her protection

part of her

shadow

her enduring faith

she wont forgo

had she

been given a proper

education

learnt some skill

it would have reduced the blow

quid pro quo

but early marriage

part of our tradition

adds to their woe

some build mosques

some build madarsas

some build bunglows

muslim women

on street s nowhere to go

muslim poor women

the underprivilged

chattel human cargo

this is truth that hurts

but part of her portfolio

her womanhood cursed

as an unborn embryo

borrowed todays

mortaged tomorrows

life laid low

as a mother

motherhood

against a tidal flow

living dead

soon to be buried below

empty talks

empty hope

eternal emptiness

that they will bestow

they who

with sectarian rhetorics

sectarian violence

seeds of hatredness sow

dividing Islam

God alone knows

power politics

all a big show

the Muslim woman is

what a Muslim woman was

since a long time ago

at the end of the tunnel

there is some light

although..

it is to our muslim

women our life

our religions life

we owe

Outside mosques , on Fridays, near Dargahs, you see the truth, at someplace like Haji Ali , there is beggar mafia at work but overall the sights are horrendously painful..what really hurts , is the Idd Namaz , the starched clothes , the fragrance of attar, close at hand breaching all human kindness , in tattered clothes, burka clad women .. with empty palms..yes they celebrate Idd too who beg…

April 29th, 2007

#muslimbeggar

#firozeshakir

#beggarpoet

I leave to shoot Moharam with two world famous photographers , who also are my Flickr friends .

We will shoot Ashura in the Pearl City of Universal Peace , Hindu Muslim Shia Sunni amity .. all this and more is Hyderabad.

I first shot Moharam in Hyderabad in 2003 - 2004 and later 2009 and 2012.

I love Hyderabad , its people and I have friends from all over the religious canvas , Hindus , Sufis and others ,

I love Hyderabad for its austerity during Moharam , Shia house dont cook food for 10 days eating Niyaz e Hussain that comes from Majlis .

I prefer to be at Choti Bargah at Chatta Bazar with some of my finest friends elders and the younger ones like Qayam...Akthar .

I have a friend in Hyderabad a benefactor who has helped me in my bad times a great Amitabh Bachchan fan Mr Zain Hussain but we have never met just online friends ,, when I am in Hyderabad he is in Dubai.

I also like shooting 8 Moharam with the Nwabas of Hussain Koti.. but this time I dont mind not getting pictures but I want both my American and French friend to document Moharam in Hydrabad .

This means a lot to me , they wanted to shoot Moharam in Mumbai with me but I dont shoot Moharam in Mumbai because of the few bigots that have misplaced the meaning of Hussain and his Hussainiyat .

I will be off the net for a week.. might use Twitter

Goodbye ,,

vimeo.com/62771565

Shot By Kim Dorff

255,695 items / 2,084,576 views

asr e ashoor tha shabbir thay tanhai thi

mahe zehra pa ghata zulm ki jab chayi thi

shah pa jab noke sina suye zameen laayi thi

girte girte labe zakhmi se ye sada aayi thi

garm reti pa mai....

ghir gaya hoo mai kisi ki bhi mujhe aas nahi

qatl sab hogaye ab koi bhi mere paas nahi

mera qasim nahi akbar nahi abbas nahi

tum mujhe aake kaleje se lagalo amma

garm reti pa mai....

laash qasim ki uthayi hai nazar zakhmi hai

zakhm akbar ka jo dekha hai jiiar zakhmi hai

qalb zakhmi hai badan zakhmi hai sar zakhmi hai

do sahara mujhe baba ko bulalo amma

garm reti pa mai....

mai jo ghoday se giroo tum mujhe taskee dena

pyar karna meri himmat ko duayein dena

daal kar baah galay may mujhe lipta lena

ha dame zibha magar haath hatalo amma

garm reti pa mai....

ab koi ban may mere halq pa khanjar hoga

aur seene pa mere shimr e sitamgar hoga

khoon ka hoga kafan khaak ka bistar hoga

aakhri naaz ye bete ka uthaalo amma

garm reti pa mai....

apne waade ke liye maine har eeza sehli

ye bhi arman mera nikle to iniyat hogi

zibha ke waqt meri tumse tamanna hai yehi

sar mera khaak se zano pa uthalo amma

garm reti pa mai....

www.nohayonline.com/GarmRetiPa2.html

A story my children's

children to their children

will recount ,,a great great

grandfather ,,,died with his

dreams with no money

in his bank account ,,

a story if remembered

his critics will discount

incorrigible romantic

his hopes dashed

on the Venus of her

Mound ,,what goes

up must oneday come

down a tale going

round and round

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRkONodnvdk&feature=youtu.be

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Dec 2017 • 25 days so far...

I stayed in this are at Chand Society Juhu in 1993 in a safe house during the Hindu Muslim riots this was for a short time than my ex boss Mr Nitin Manmohan shifted me a bungalow on JVPD Scheme close to Mr Danny Denzongpas house from here we shifted to Andheri link road and finally lived in a few places on rent in Bandra at Mount Mary and Bazar till we bought our own house at De Monte Street Bandra .

We now live at Bandra Reclamation since 2007.

But I never forgot this cross in the lane that leads to the Hare Rama Hare Krisna Temple ISKCON.