SHIKAST (1953)

Shikast, which means 'defeat' is a classic movie of Indian Hindi cinema. Released in the year 1953, the movie had famous actors of those times legendary Dilip Kumar and Nalini Jaywant.

The story of the plot of the movie goes as follows:

"After a seven year absence, Dr. Ram Singh returns to his village intending to sell his land and go back to the city. He finds that the peasants are being mistreated by the local landlord and the landlord's sister, Sushma. The doctor and Sushma were once in love but in his absence she has become an embittered widow. Unwilling to see the peasants suffer further, Ram decides not to sell and opens a school and a hospital instead. When plague breaks out, the doctor saves Sushma's son and the flames of love are rekindled. However, social mores prevent any opening of hearts and (unable to express her feelings in any other way) Sushma resorts to further acts of cruelty in order to prevent Ram from leaving. Meanwhile, her brother stirs up hostility against the pair by spreading malicious rumours which excite the superstitious villagers leading to a trial and a watery climax."

I remember watching the movie as a kid of not more than 9-11 years old, but still the memory of the movie are fresh in my mind specially the memorable songs of the movie.

The movie, being made in the independent India, has the blend of patriotism and sense of appreciation among youth for the well being of peasants and villagers. The decision of Dr. Ram Singh (dilip kumar) to stay back in the village and cure peasants, against the social and medical miseries ascribed to the fact that many young educated men and women of those times beleived in this thought and followed their instinct to do so. The two major issues of that times whih were taken with serious note in the movie were widow remarriage and plague. which had remained major sore for almost every village.

The movie had tremendous touch of rural life and folk culture and mute love of Ram Singh (Dilip Kumar)and Sushma (Nalini Jaywant)adds to the melodrama and nostalgia of good old times of Black and White cinema. Along with many of its folk base beautiful songs, one which remains most hummable and favorites of many is Kare badra...shot in the backdrop of monsoon, it remains relevant and melodious forever, now when I look to the weather around which is windy and filled with rain, no doubts leaves one little withdrawn to set this song in motion again.

When now I recall myself I try to remember the movie again, but did the love of Sushma and Ramsingh saw the optimistic end that is a mystery to me, so...no doubt I need to search now for the movie again in the market so to know what exactly happened in the end!!!

Dilip Kumar and Nalaini Jaywant were two great yet temperament wise fairly different actors, Nalini remains for all the cinema viewers a docile and low profile actress who was more like an obedient performer dancing and acting as per the storylines, Dilip Kumar on the other hand remains a flamboyant romantic, therefore it seems so strange that I am not getting no picture of this pair of the movie together in google!...

 [After 13 years I am editing this blog again and found few more images of the movie through google images, what does this imply...people are more conscious and curious about past, cinephiles are searching and updating contents through archives... History becomes more fascinating and invigorates more interest as it reaches few more generations of the future. Its like fine wine, older it gets treasured it is... :-)] 

Btw, I could recollect now, the movie ended with a positive note, Ram could save the son of Sushma and blurred end came with melody of bliss. 

Content copyright BINA SENGAR

 HERITAGE WEEK: 18th to 24th November, 2021

Day-4: NAMAMI NARMADE, Origin of river Narmada

While writing this seven day blog, I am revisiting many of my collections and realising, how under-rated and not so known to many of us are the heritage places of India. Yesterday when I decided to write on the 'Narmada-Kund', the temple dedicated to origin of river Narmada in Amarkantak as part of heritage week write ups... I went in search of pics I took few years ago when I visited the place. In August 2017 when I went to Amarkantak for a conference, I took time to visit the amazing place of origin of river Narmada too. To my dismay I lost a lot of pics somewhere in my massive data storage around... The trouble of taking too many photos and then we not able to catalogue and classify them in our chaotic work schedules... made me cry. On serious note will now catalogue, classify and put all data :-) 

The place is serene and reverberates with mystic life of devotion and sacred strength.  Like river Ganges, people have huge respect for Naramada Udgam temple.

Narmada Kund temple

source facebook page: @Amarkantak

When we visit the temple, in the monsoon-winter season (August-October)a lot of pilgrims visit the place and it is believed. the river nourishes and gives blessings as one moves ahead for the Kartik months festivities. The living cultures of the temple traditions in Narmada kund, empower us with wisdom and connects us with cultural vibes inherent in people of India. While, I was moving around between Narmada Kund and Kalachuri temple and a huge Jain temple in making in these premises I was accompanied by an elderly couple. They came for their annual pilgrimage to the sacred place. While talking to them I got to know several aspects about the cultural legacy of the place. The pics below are of famous Jain Temple of  and Kalachuri temples of Amarkantak. (Images taken by me)

Besides these the Narmada temple, we have 11th century Kalachuri temple, patronized by Kalachuri King Laxmi-Karana (1041-1073 CE). One of the most famous king of Kalachuri dynasty from central India. The compound of Shaiva temples has one temple devoted to King Laxmi Karan himself. Legend says that; Adi Shankaracharya reinstated the venerable status to Pataleshwar and Narmada Udgam temple. He also laid the foundation of these temples. Later under patronage of the Kalachuri dynasty these temples gained massive following and enhanced sanctity got added to the place. To every person dedicated to understand and value of our Indian heritage, Amarkantak remains a place of devotion and learning.

So much to know...so little we could reach...

Text copyright: Bina Sengar

Images copyrights: Bina Sengar 

Image Credit: Facebook blogger @TravelManiac and @Amarkantak

Website: http://ruralsouthasia.org/

Blogger: https://draft.blogger.com/profile/00688098669082299426

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Reference links

https://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/ancient-temples-of-kalachuri-period-amarkantak/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarkantak

HERITAGE WEEK: 18th to 24th November, 2021

Day-3: Sikkim-Enchey Monastry, Gangtok

What lives in abode of Kangchenjonga mountains is pilgrimage city of Gangtok. It is believed that Gangtok was actually a serene valley in the Himalayan trails. It was Lama Druptub Karbo who came here and had his hermitage. In the pristine valley of Kanchenjonga Lama Druptub Karbo had his place to meditate. According, to the legends Lama Druptub a propounder of Nyingma school of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism had the powers and abilities to fly, so, he flew from the territories of South Sikkim and made himself at ease at Gangtok and established the Enchey Monastery which literally means 'Solitary'. While staying in Enchey through his meditative powers the sacred Himalayan deities Kanchenjonga (The second highest mountain peak of the Himalayas)and Mahakaal also accompanied him. Eventually, around Enchey started growing a small hamlet and later a city.

Gangtok, remains major trade route town via Nathula pass for Indo-Tibetan-Chinese trade route since ancient times and even today.  As the prominence and faith of Enchey monastery grew among people of Sikkim and Darjeeling, Gangtok grew as a major pilgrimage centre. In 1700's Enchey monastery started shaping as a prominent religious-cultural centre. In 1840's the then Chogyal (King of Sikkim)patronized construction of a larger monastery in Enchey and in 1894 Thutob Namgyal the Sikkimese monarch shifted his capital from Tumlong to Gangtok. Till today Enchey monastery remains in the cultural centrality of Gangtok, for people of Gangtok it is their sacred place of peace and protection. 

When in 2006 I visited this sacred place I met elderly people of the city coming their and offering their prayers... a culture which continues to live... 

Text copyright: Bina Sengar

Images copyright: Bina Sengar 

Website: http://ruralsouthasia.org/

Blogger: https://draft.blogger.com/profile/00688098669082299426

Twitter: https://twitter.com/binasengar

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/binasengar/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/binasengar/

 

Reference links

http://gorkhapedia.wikidot.com/gangtok

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchey_Monastery

 

 HERITAGE WEEK: 18th to 24th November, 2021

Day-2: Kashi and Sarnath

Part-1: ‘Kashi Karvat Temple’

Living in India and not taking a pilgrimage to Kashi is often considered an incomplete life. We take birth live our several dreams and then we go back to universe as one part of it. Kashi symbolises that spirit of human innate life and its subliminal connections with the universal cosmos. From the ‘Assi Ghat’ of beginning where saint poets like Kabir, Tulsi, and many more gave spiritual sermons of life and its many facets. Thereafter, in the same passage of 86 ghats we come across Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat where we see the temporality of life, when human life forms take the transition of karmic cycles of death… the corpses are burnt in pyres with sacred funerary rituals and solemnly sought blessings from Mother River Ganges so that the karmic balance may give the passing soul blessings to give solely the righteous karma henceforth.

In the passage of these life and death and transition of soul of this sacred city… we have the ‘Kashi-Karvat Temple’, there are many legends associated to the history of this temple. For its hard to ascertain the absolute truth. Nor the documents nor the orality can tell us fully what was there in past, which brought us to the present state of events and truths. Therefore, to my understanding I will go with the legend of ‘Matru-Rin Temple’ (Mother’s debt temple). According to folkloric tradition, one of the contingent ‘cavalry soldier’ of Raja Mansingh, was asked by his mother that its her wish that a temple of ‘lord shiva’ ‘also known as Ratneshwar Mahadev’ to be constructed besides river Ganges in Kashi. The ‘cavalry soldier’ son took his mother’s words with serious note and constructed the temple, however, in elated pride he started saying around, that he gave back his mother’s debt by constructing the temple. As we know, mothers are the ultimate giver, and no one can ever pay back their debt to mother’s. This made the temple start to lean, eventually, soldier repented, and temple came to be known as ‘Kashi Karvat Temple’; ‘Which means Kashi turning temple’. The temple has a leaning of 9 degrees which is more than the leaning tower of Pisa. During monsoon the temple remains almost half submerged in the river Ganga.

Definitely, as we visit the heritage city of Kashi, we experience the solemn essence in this city through this temple.

 

Part-2: ‘Dhamekh Stupa’

The essential spirit of India is co-existence of different philosophies together. Therefore, in the oldest city of Indic philosophy neighbours the Buddhist philosophy and its genesis. As we intensely delve into grounding spirit of life and death in Kashi, hardly ten kilometres from there we come across the ‘Dhamma-Chakra Parivartan’ foundation grounds. Almost 2800 years ago, in the land of Sarnath Lord Buddha went and gave his first sermon of Buddhism. Thereafter, five of his first disciples followed him with his teachings. In the same land of first sermon, later in 250 B.C. onwards emperor Ashoka the greatest follower of Buddhism constructed the Dhamma chakra Parivartan Stupa, which eventually known as ‘Dhameka Stupa’. What is calming about this place is…its serenity. The peace reverberates in this place, with message of Buddhism.

 

Text copyright: Bina Sengar

Images: By Bina Sengar and Wikicommons

Website: http://ruralsouthasia.org/

Blogger: https://draft.blogger.com/profile/00688098669082299426

Twitter: https://twitter.com/binasengar

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/binasengar/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/binasengar/

 

Source

https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2020/05/16/ratneshwar-mahadev-kashi-karvat-banaras-varanasi/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhamek_Stupa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratneshwar_Mahadev_temple

 HERITAGE WEEK: 18th to 24th November, 2021

Day:1: Rani Ki Vav

These are images of excavation of #RanikiVav conducted by ASI Gujarat in 1980's for seven years. Image credit from former excavation officer of Rani ki Vav #ShriNarayanVyas

As part of World Heritage Week, we will try to explore some seven unique heritage sites of India which are not so very well highlighted, yet amaze it's visitors for life long.

As Day-1 of Heritage week: let's see and know about this unique heritage site which was also a major public welfare building as source of water for community.

RANI KI VAV or QUEENS STEPWELL was restored and reconstructed by Queen Udaymati, as her inscription and icon was also found during excavation in 1986 from the site. It's believed that Queen Udaymati got this monument restored in respect of her husband and king Bhima (1022-1064) in 1063 C.E., which took 20 years of construction. The step well was already in use in the capital city of #Patan of the Chalukyan kings of Western India. Queen Udaymati restored it with venerated inverted temple of 7 levels with over 65 metres layered depth. The structure is ornately carved with over 500 principal sculptors.
The site remained submerged for over 700 years after a possible flood of river Saraswati in 1300.

The monument stands tall and amazingly making people live in awe in Western India and Inspiring generations to come as UNESCO declared world heritage site.

#RaniKiVav

Text credit: Bina Sengar
Source and image information: 
#arcehologicalsurveyofindia Narayan Vyas
#Wikipedia #Unesco

Remembering Zohra Sehgal

Zohra Sehgal (27 April 1912 – 10 July 2014) is not a name to be just taken as it is she is an artist who has lived the life in the most astounding manners in Indian and World theates, movies and teleseries, giving them her own special touche' of specialty of skill. Her acting is so very special which could leave you feel one in her part of persona.

Her famous appearance in the series: Amma and her Family, made her a household name. Equally her appearances in the movies like: Bend it Like Beckham, Cheeni Kum Make her doyennes of the cinematic viewers at large.If she is venerated as Amma in South Asia, then she receives applause for her performances in the tele series like: Tandoori Nights and Jewel in the Crown.

Recently in a ceremony she released her autobiography: "CLOSE-UP", could be as confessions or revelaing some of the secret linings of her life. But when asked about the secret man in her life, this witty 98 years old actress in her most charismatic style told; "I wont tell you."

She is one of those rare surviving actors who lived the best of the times of their genres. After working with thespians like Pritviraj Kapoor and Sir Tyrone Guthrie. She could well acclaim that: Having seen the glorious years of Prithvi Theatre where her sister Uzra Butt was the leading lady, Zohra says her idea of beauty revolved around blue eyes, blonde hair and gorgeous body. "I also wanted everything. But now I believe inner beauty is better." Having seen the best of theatre, British and Hindi cinema, Zohra's fans missed an autobiography. Zohra reflects: "When I was in Britain, publishers used to say I have spent my formative years in India so I should approach an Indian publisher. Later, when I returned to India, Indian publishers told me I have spent a major chunk of my career in Britain, I should look for an international publisher." However, Zohra has a biography in the form of little-known Stagers.

She is loved, she is adored, she is languished to have a company of at least a cup of tea. Because there is something truly captivating about this legendary and smiling Zohra Sehgal. After living almost 9 decades of her life in hearts of peple,how she feels with her evets the secret behind it, then she says: "Main roz raat ko kachchi chipkali khati hoon."[I eat daily at night a raw lizard]. As one more correspondent quoted, asking her secret of her active, healthy and happy life: "She is in her nineties, but nervousness is the last thing on her mind. Ask her the mantra of sustenance and Zohra Sehgal shocks you: "It is sex, beta." But the shock is short-lived as Zohra confirms what you and I generally attribute longevity to — a disciplined and organised lifestyle and certainly a sharp sense of humour."

Fondly remembering Zohra Sehgal

30 Jul
10:48 AM

Talking Heads Once in a Lifetime (1984)

Once In A Lifetime


And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful
wife
And you may ask yourself-Well...How did I get here?

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.

And you may ask yourself
How do I work this?
And you may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
And you may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.

Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...

Water dissolving...and water removing
There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Carry the water at the bottom of the ocean
Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean!

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/in the silent water
Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground.

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.

And you may ask yourself
What is that beautiful house?
And you may ask yourself
Where does that highway go?
And you may ask yourself
Am I right?...Am I wrong?
And you may tell yourself
MY GOD!...WHAT HAVE I DONE?

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/in the silent water
Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground.

Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground.

Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...


Acknowledged from the Talking Head Band; after reading biography of Steven Culp and his trivia comment on his role as Rex. Talking about his Rex character from "Desperate Housewives" (2004): "He's like the guy in the Talking Heads song. He's like 'This is not my beautiful house, this is not my beautiful wife, how did I get here?'"
 
http://scontv.com/desperate_housewives/desperate_housewives_122/dh122.html