Monthly Archives: February 2008

DRIVING THE LAST NAIL INTO THE COFFIN-THE DISMEMBERING OF YUGOSLAVIA

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NEHRU, NKRUMAH, NASSER, SUKARNO, TITO-THE FOUNDING LEADERS OF NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT

THE INITIATIVE OF FIVE :

The term ” Non-Alignment ” was coined by Indian Prime Minister Nehru during his speech in 1954 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The first official Non-Aligned Movement Summit was held in September 1961 in Belgrade at the initiative of Yugoslav President Tito and he was appointed as the first Secretary General for the Non-Aligned Movement. India, Yugoslavia, Egypt, Ghana and Indonesia became the leading advocates for this Movement and currently 55 percent of world’s population is represented by the Non-Aligned Movement.

I grew up in India and developed a sense of fondness for Yugoslavia and viewed it as a friend and a partner in a world that is divided into rival camps.

THE DISMEMBERING OF YUGOSLAVIA :

Yugoslavia is the largest of the Balkan countries of southeastern Europe, is bordered by Austria and Hungary in the north, Romania and Bulgaria in the east, Greece and Albania in the south, and Italy and the Adriatic Sea in the west. From the end of World War II until 1990, Yugoslavia was a Communist state. Hence, the West led by the United States had targeted this nation for destruction. The death of Tito in 1980 had provided an opportunity. Ethnic rivalries were encouraged and violent conflicts between various ethnic and religious groups were strongly supported by various outside forces and the country started falling apart into bits by 1991.

THE LAST NAIL IN THE COFFIN :

The unilateral declaration of independence on February 18, 2008 by Kosovo which is under occupation by U.S. led NATO forces is the final nail in the coffin and the West had successfully accomplished its mission of dismembering the State of Yugoslavia.

This event is of very great significance to India as the United States continues to support ethnic and religious rivalries in the Indian sub-continent. The United States over the last several decades had pursued a policy that would assure the dismembering of the Republic of India and it openly funds, arms and equips the secessionist elements and provides political patronage in public events such as the Party Conventions.

“IF ARRIVED, WILL DEPART, THE KING, THE SLAVE AND THE FAKIR”

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“Where are you searching for me, my friend ? I am with you. Not in temple, nor in mosque, not in Kaaba, nor in Kailash, but here right with you am I “.

KABIR DAS(Kabir-Arabic for “GREAT”, Das-Sanskrit for “SERVANT”) 1398A.D. to 1448A.D.(or 1440A.D. to 1518 A.D.)

Saint Kabir lived in Benaras(Kasi, Varanasi), India during 15th century. His contributions to the BHAKTI and the SUFI movements in India are well known. Some of his poetry was incorporated into the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’(Adi Granth), the sacred book of Sikhs. In this holy book, Kabir’s hymns appear at the head of ‘BHAGAT BANI’. Kabir pointed to the inward life of the mind as the source of contact with the Divine. Kabir grew up as a Muslim and his family was poor and he belonged to a community whose traditional occupation was that of weavers.

THE LEGEND ABOUT KABIR’S DEPARTURE

Kabir’s life, his birth and death, is shrouded in mystery and legend. One popular legend about Kabir’s death claims that after his death, his Muslim and Hindu disciples were fighting about the type of funeral rites as the Muslims believe in burial and the Hindus believe in cremation of dead bodies. When they had finally opened Kabir’s coffin and pushed the cloth that was used to cover the dead body, they were astonished to find that the body was missing. In lieu of the body, they found flower petals and an empty book. His disciples entered Kabir’s sayings in that book.

Humans, who had arrived on this planet earth, are certain to depart as well. The King would be gone after having climbed the throne. The Slave would be gone after having lived in shackles. The Fakir who had no worldly possessions or attachments also would be gone when his time to depart arrives. Kabir may have departed and as per the legend, his dead body had mysteriously disappeared but we still have his ideas and thoughts to inspire us.

HOW AND WHEN MAN HAD ARRIVED ? :

It is very interesting to note that Indian thinkers could be certain about man’s departure. It would be much more interesting to reflect upon as to how man had arrived here in the first place. If we understand as to when and how man had arrived on planet Earth, we could be more certain about man’s status in nature. Each human being arrives as a new object, one of its own kind, original, unique, and distinctive. The genome of each man who has arrived here has not existed before, and would not exist again after the departure of that man. If arrived, man has no choice other than that of existing as an Individual with Individuality. If there is no escape from death; there is also no escape from the fact of existing as an Individual while living. Man has to define the term life, and death and explain the basis for his existence as an Individual with Individuality while he cannot rule or govern even a single individual living cell in his body which comprises of over 100 trillion cells.

Bhai Gurdas ji scribes the Adi Granth while Gu...

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’50 Glorious Years of Popular Bhajans’, music cassette volume 1 to 5( SPHD 853212 to 853216) released by HMV( The Gramophone Company of India Ltd) in 1997 includes some of Kabir’s great lyrics and it would be a pleasure to listen to them.

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,

Danavaipeta Municipal/Corporation High School, Rajahmundry, East Godavari District, A.P,, India,

S.S.L.C.,  CLASS OF  APRIL, 1961.

Related articles

>SPIELBERG’S BOYCOTT BRINGS HOPE FOR TIBET

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> FILM DIRECTOR STEVEN SPIELBERG

I am filled with optimism when I heard the news about the boycott of the Summer Olympics Games in Beijing by film director Steven Spielberg and actress Mia Farrow. I am hopeful that movements like the ” Global Action Plan Day ” would one day liberate the Tibetan people and people across the globe can work together to end the illegal occupation of Tibet and restore their rights for freedom and preserve their Cultural Identity.

SPIELBERG’S BOYCOTT BRINGS HOPE FOR TIBET

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FILM DIRECTOR STEVEN SPIELBERG

I am filled with optimism when I heard the news about the boycott of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing by film director Steven Spielberg and actress Mia Farrow. I am hopeful that movements like the ” Global Action Plan Day ” would one day liberate the Tibetan people and people across the globe can work together to end the illegal occupation of Tibet and restore their rights for freedom and preserve their cultural identity.

Tibetans must get a chance to live under the Sun and we must support their struggle to get out of the Shadows of Illegal Occupation.

MYTHS, LEGENDS AND THE REALITY – DEFINING INDIAN IDENTITY

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SREE SEETHA RAMACHANDRA SWAMY SHRINE-TEMPLE OF LORD RAMA IN BHADRACHALAM

This temple town of Bhadrachalam, located on the northern banks of the river Godavari in Khammam District of the State of Andhra Pradesh, India, best describes my Indian Identity as it brings together our myths, our legends and our quest for the “Ultimate Reality”. This place is connected to events described in the epic poem of ‘RAMAYANA’ which narrates Lord Rama’s journey in our Land. Rama while living in exile, camped in the forest by the name ‘Dandakaranya’ and His spouse Seetha was abducted and eventually, Rama and His brother Laxmana cross the river Godavari at this place in search of Seetha. A pious man known as Bhadra had prayed at this place seeking Lord Rama’s return to this place. Much later, a simple woman who had lived in this area had discovered the idols of ‘Vaikuntha Rama’ with Seetha seated on His lap and the idol of Laxmana standing next to them. Kancharla Gopanna, a Tahsildar(revenue official) of Palvancha Paragana, built this temple in 1674 A.D. The legend about the divine intervention and the miraculous release of Gopanna from the prison at the Golconda Fort is narrated in my previous entry titled, ‘The Benevolent Shia Ruler of Golconda-Verily A Blessed Soul’.

ABOUT MYTHS AND LEGENDS :

Myths are traditional stories which serve to explain our connection to God and the universe and hence they are not the same like the fictional stories. Myths exist in a historical context but may not be true historical accounts that are supported by scientific verification. Legends are stories handed down for generations among a people and popularly believed to have a historical basis but do not qualify for inclusion in a text book of history. As an Indian, I depend upon myths and legends to derive a sense of direction, a sense of guidance and a sense of hope for my human existence. They help me to know who I am and where I am going.

ABOUT ” REALITY ” :

Indians are very concerned about the effects of ‘ TIME ‘. We practically witness in our daily lives the forceful consequences of time. Time changes the course of human life and time changes the physical world. However, the “Ultimate Reality” does not change, it is constant and it is eternal. Indians seek this Reality as it represents their natural home and that is their final destination on completion of the life’s journey. Since ‘TRUTH’ is unchanging in its character, is also described as the Reality that we cherish to experience. Millions of Indians express this desire for Truth and the Reality with a very simple statement. They claim that the name ” RA MA ” is eternal Truth. Our search for Truth and Reality becomes very easy if we just seek ” RA MA “. Great powers on this earth had vainly tried to destroy our belief in RAMA. Mughal Emperor Babur had destroyed the temple in Ayodhya which we consider as Rama’s birth place. The forces of Sultan Tughlak had destroyed the Rama temple in my home town Rajahmundry. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had destroyed countless number of temples and idols of Rama. Yet the myth and legend of Rama survives. At Bhadrachalam also known as Bhadra giri or Bhadradri(the hill of Bhadra), Sultan Tani Shah, a benevolent Shia Muslim ruler of Golconda, had helped Kancharla Gopanna to maintain this temple and this devotee of Rama is popularly known by the name ‘ BHAKTA RAMA DASU ‘.

WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO DESTROY RAMA ???

” Lo ! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the difference of night and day are tokens( of His sovereignty ) for men of understanding”. Surah III, verse 190, Holy Book of Quran.

Many have tried to destroy the idols and images of Rama. For example, if some one would destroy the temple of Rama in Bhadrachalam, we still connect this place and the forest and the river with Rama’s life journey. If some one would destroy the forest, level the ground and change the course of the river, I would still look for the signs of His presence in the creation of the heavens and the earth. I would describe the blue sky as the color of Rama. If some one could destroy the blue sky and when I look up and see the dark sky, I would say that I am reminded of Lord KRISHNA who is described as black in color as dark as the sky of New Moon’s day. Our myths remind us that Rama and Krishna are one and the same. I do know people take great pride in their physical power but it may not be easy to wipe out a belief system which is more than the Idols which represent the Belief. I had mentioned before in a previous entry and the Indian Identity that I had defined is willing to accept the challenge of ‘TEN COMMANDMENTS’ and the Indian Identity would survive as long as there is a sky above our heads and as long as the difference of night and day exists on this earth.

SHIA RULER OF GOLCONDA – VERILY A BLESSED SOUL

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SULTAN ABUL HASAN QUTB SHAH(MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM)
 

Golconda Fort near City of Hyderabad, the seat of Qutb Shahi Dynasty.

 Sultan Abul Hasan Qutb Shah was the seventh and the last ruler of the Kingdom of Golconda(Deccan,Southern India) under the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. He ruled from 1672 A.D. to 1687 A.D. He is also known as Abul Hasan Tana Shah and more popularly, he is known as ” TANI SHAH ” meaning ” benevolent ruler “. He did not discriminate against those of other ethnicities or religions. He had hired Hindus as his ministers and generals. Madanna was his Chief Minister. Madanna had a nephew by name Kancharla Gopanna. He had appointed Gopanna as a “Tehsildar”( a revenue official) of Palvancha county. Gopanna had inadvertently used the public funds for construction of RAMA temple on the banks of River Godavari at a place known as Bhadrachalam. Sultan Tani Shah found Gopanna was guilty of the misuse of the funds and had him imprisoned at the Golconda Fort.  

A LEGEND ABOUT DIVINE INTERVENTION :

   

This Lord Rama's Temple in Bhadrachalam is a testimony about Lord's Compassion, Grace and Mercy.

  

Gopanna spent about 12 years in the prison. According to legend, God had intervened on behalf of Gopanna. Lord Rama in disguise had come before the King and returned the money owed by Gopanna and the debt was cleared with gold coins.God who had come to rescue Gopanna from the prison had met the Sultan but not the prisoner. Upon his release from the prison, Gopanna did express his sorrow for missing the opportunity to meet the Lord. Gopanna was released from the prison and he had successfully finished the construction of the Rama temple which stands even today. Sultan Tani Shah had publicly acknowledged that he had met ” ALLAH ” and had recognized the fact that Gopanna’s release from the prison was made possible by divine intervention. He made permanent arrangements for the upkeep of this temple. The funds that were collected as tax from Palvancha county were allocated to the temple and also he had established an annual tradition of sending pearls to shower the Deity during the annual temple festival. This tradition of offering pearls was continued by the rulers of the princely State of Hyderabad popularly known as the ‘Nizams of Hyderbad’, who had ruled the Telangana region continuously until India’s independence. The Hyderabad State became a part of the Indian Union and the State of Andhra Pradesh came into existence in 1956 and the Government of Andhra Pradesh followed the tradition established by Sultan Tani Shah in the 17th century and the tradition of offering pearls to Lord Rama still exists.  

VERILY A BLESSED SOUL :

Did Lord Rama actually visit Golconda Fort to obtain the release of Kancharla Gopanna from the prison? Sultan Tani Shah had believed that it was God or Allah who had come to him and cleared the debt owed by Gopanna. He had further expressed that belief in his actions. He had allowed Gopanna to complete the construction of Lord Rama's Temple in Bhadrachalam and had financially supported the maintenance of that Temple. By doing so, the Shia Ruler of Golconda gave us a chance to reflect upon Lord's Mercy, Grace, and Compassion.

 

   

This benevolent ruler defended the Golconda Fort for eight months when the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had attacked it in 1687 A.D. In October 1687, the Fort was captured by bribery and Sultan Tani Shah was taken as a prisoner and was imprisoned in Daulatabad Fort until his death. 

  

I would call Sultan Tani Shah is a Blessed Soul for he had recognized God’s plan and purpose and had supported Gopanna to build the temple and had provided for the maintenance of the temple and gave us the opportunity to know about God’s Compassion, Grace, and Mercy. Secondly, Sultan Tani Shah had received the biggest gift that a man could ever seek. Man always cherishes the idea of meeting his Creator, the Father in Heaven, Allah, the Lord, RAMA the divine reincarnation of VISHNU and very few actually realise that dream. Gopanna was rescued but could not meet RAMA. Sultan Tani Shah did not pray or ask for this favor from God. He is a Blessed Soul because God had granted him that gift. He had received a sensory experience of that Reality called God and I fully trust this experience he had shared with others. Sultan Tani Shah’s  actions substantiate his claim. Most importantly, he did not seek any personal reward or personal gain while he acted in obedience of a God he never actually believed and had never intended to worship in any manner. He had acted without seeking the fruits of his actions. I bless this Shia Ruler of Golconda and may Lord’s Peace be upon him for ever.  

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham,  

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, A.P., India.,  

M.B.B.S., Class of April, 1970. 
 

  

  

A REPLICA OF HEAVEN ON EARTH- ESFAHAN /HYDERABAD

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CHARMINAR-ARCHITECTURAL CENTER PIECE OF HYDERABAD 

Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth Sultan of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty of Golconda had described the then new city of Esfahan of Persia as ” unparalleled in the world and a replica of Heaven itself “. He ascended to the throne in 1580 at the age of 15 and ruled for thirty-one years. He founded the city of Hyderabad and this most well planned city was modeled on the city of Esfahan. Architects from Persia planned the lay out of Hyderabad city which was built on the southern bank of Musi River in 1591. Charminar(Four Towers) was built as the architectural centerpiece and it defines the center of the Hyderabad city. He had married a Telangana Telugu woman named Bhagmati and hence the city is known as ‘BHAGYA NAGAR’. He had given her the name Hyder Mahal and the city got its name from her new identity. He built JAMA MASJID in 1597. 

Please view the related blog post titled ‘Shia Ruler of Golconda – Verily a Blessed Soul’. 

http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/shia-ruler-of-golconda-verily-a-blessed-soul/ 

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, 

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India., 

M.B.B.S.,  Class of  April,  1970.

QUTB SHAHI DYNASTY OF GOLCONDA, DECCAN, INDIA

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GOLCONDA FORT- ”GOLLA KONDA”(SHEPHERD’S HILL) 

QULI QUTUB MULK  

Quli Qutub Mulk, a Shia Muslim from Persia(present day Turkmenistan) with friends and a few relatives had migrated to Delhi in the beginning of 16th century A.D. He migrated south to Deccan and served Bahmani Sultan Mohammad Shah. He conquered Golconda and was appointed as the governor of the Telangana region(about the size of France) in 1512 A.D. After the disintegration of the Bahmani Kingdom into the five Deccan Sultanates, he had declared independence, assumed the title of ‘QUTUB SHAH’ and established the Qutb Shahi Dynasty of Golconda in 1518 A.D. Qutub Shahis were great builders and patrons of learning. They not only patronized the Persian culture but also the regional culture of the Deccan, symbolized by the Telugu language and the Deccani idiom of Urdu. The Golconda rulers learned Telugu. 

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, 

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India., 

M.B.B.S.,  Class of  April,  1970.

IRAN HELPING INDIA TO RESTORE HYDERABAD MONUMENTS

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QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY-HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF HYDERABAD 

The Qutub Shahis was the ruling family of the kingdom of Golconda, DECCAN, southern India. They were Shia Muslims and belonged to a Turkmen tribe from the Turkmenistan-Armenia region. The dynasty ruled Golconda for 171 years until the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb’s armies conquered the Deccan in 1687. Amidst beautifully laid out gardens of Ibrahim Bagh there are seven tombs erected in the memory of the departed kings of Golconda and they are known as Qutub Shahi tombs. They are located one km away from Golconda Fort. The site is considered to be one of the world’s largest necropolis and nowhere in the world there are so many tombs in one place. 

Each tomb stands on a raised platform. It is a domed structure built on a square base surrounded by pointed arches. The quadrangular terrace is approached on all sides by flights of steps. The galleries of the smaller tombs are single storied while the larger ones are two-storied. In the center of each tomb is a sarcophagus which overlies the actual burial vault in a crypt below. The material used was Grey granite embellished with stucco ornamentation. The domes were originally overlaid with blue and green tiles of which only a few pieces remain now. The tombs were once furnished with carpets, chandeliers and velvet canopies on silver poles. Qurans were kept on decorated supports.Golden spires were fitted over the tombs of the Sultans. The tombs were surrounded by rose gardens and fountains. The tomb of founder of Hyderabad City, Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah is the most impressive, rising to a height of 42.5 meters with a large dome and 28 open arches on each side. He had taken Iranian help in the planning of Hyderabad. 

Iranian Government and the Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad have taken a great interest in the restoration work of these tombs. During August 2006, six Iranian experts had visited the site to draw up the plans for restoration which also includes the Prema mati Mosque, and the Badshahi Ashoor Khana where tears are shed over the martyrdom of the Prophet’s grandson Hussain. The underground drainage system, the fountains and the hamam(bath) that existed before would be restored. Gardens will be developed in and around the monuments. This project when completed will be like 20 Taj Mahals at one place.

Please view the related blog post titled ‘Shia Ruler of Golconda – Verily a Blessed Soul’.

http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/shia-ruler-of-golconda-verily-a-blessed-soul/ 

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, 

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India, 

M.B.B.S.,  Class of  April,  1970.

THE BLUE TILES OF ISFAHAN

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The entrance to Shah Mosque (aka Imam Mosque o...

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THE TRADEMARK BLUE TILES OF ISFAHAN  

The Imam Square in Isfahan houses two blue mosques which use lapis lazuli and gold and silver work with shades of turquoise and emerald, the entire structure gets a dazzling blue appearance. These pale blue tiles of Isfahan’s Islamic buildings is very unique and the historical Qutb Shahi monuments at Golconda, Hyderabad, Deccan, India would be restored on the same lines and would be preserved like the monuments in the city of Isfahan.  

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham,  

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India,  

M.B.B.S.,  Class  of  April,  1970.