Saturday, May 24, 2014

God Oh God When Will My Journey End




sitting at the bandra talao
tears running down her
crumpled cheeks
she was once brave
now her spirit has
gone weak,she begs
she hardly speaks
the men watch her
pitying her future
bleak..she has come
to her journeys end
not god but death
she seeks ..

poetizing her pain
her irreversible fate
i could not tweak

choked on a river creek

 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth...yet death plays
hide and seek...

The Fate Of The Muslim Beggar Child





clinging to his mother
bravely into my eyes
he stares ..why are
you shooting us
he dares ..we did
not choose to be
beggars ..but you
your society made
us like this very
 unfair cruelty
 ignominy
humiliation
we bear ..
leftovers you
give us with our
family we share
you never passed
a fatwa  for a jihad
against poverty
illiteracy because
you are scared
we will understand
your game plan
your sectarian
machinations
spiritual
warfare
to keep our
community
 divided
broken fences
of trust faith
you will not
repair ..
we beg but
you within
the safety
of your
positions
became
millionaires

Allah is watching
your acts of omission
commission beware

the shadow of the
mullah hurriedly rushed
away for his juma
prayer ...

The Muslim Beggars Life is Cheaper Than the Sacrificial Goat of Bakra Eid


Oh God I Forgive You For Humanity


Blind Beggar Of Jain Mandir Road Bandra

He stands outside the gates of Jain Mandir Bandra , and he begs and this is the rustic Bandra of the common man.. this is not Pali Hill Band Stand or Carter Road ...

If you move ahead there are more beggars and this brings you to JJ Colony a predominantly Muslim market are and a sea of burkhas chicken mutton shops leading towards Bandra SV Road .

There is a tiny lane where you enter  which has a line of beggars and it leads out towards MTNL Bandra Reclamation

This blind beggar  id dressed in dirty white and like him there are are a few more blind beggars ..I have never tallked to any one of them as yet..

These are a few i=conic beggars of Bandra .. this road is an extension of Bandra Bazar Road..

Mere paas maa hai


Marziya Shakir Feeds The Beggars On Her Birthday ..





This is an old memory , and Marziya gave  sweets chocolates and food to the Muslim beggars .

And this is important to make children aware of those children that dont even celebrate their birthdays living from hand to mouth ..

Today Marziya is 6 years and has come a long way with me and the camera of life.

The Blind Beggar And The Territorial Dog ..

dogs are racists too
he was angry that
this blind man was
trespassing his
backyard  barking
he continued
immune to his anger
the blind man looked
calm cool subdued
the stick in his hand
would be the last
resource he knew
barking dogs are
like trolls on twitter
they will soon
meet their waterloo
thick skinned dimwits
hate they pursue

The Muslim Beggars And The Street Of No Return






every friday
with her child
at bandra bazar
road she sits
her pain of
motherhood
her life down
in the pits
her path
cobbled
devoid of
a destination
to her fate
she submits
a few coins
will not
rehabilitate
her to those
sanctimonious
dimwits a skull
cap on the head
on the soul of
humanity they
mockingly spit
male dominated
laid back  in their
stainless white
outfits ..only
gender based
fatwas as writ

Once A Beggar Always A Beggar



It is very tough coming out , or breaking free of ones fate , specially i it is manacled chained to impoverishment and such is the destiny of a Muslim beggar .. rehabilitation might never come .. even the grave of a beggar is a mound of despair. It is more expensive to die than to live .

There are vultures two legged ones in the graveyard you have to keep lining their pockets ..we born after Independence are products of a very indestructible corrupt system.

But in spite of all this I want to die in India . and I have retested my family to give my flesh to Medicine my spirit died the day I stepped out in the muck from my mothers womb.

And these are stray thoughts and depressing ones when I joined Twitter in 2008 it was a nice quiet place , now it has become a markets of hate thanks to the various Trolls and the Twitter heads are happy the more the merrier I dont think this was what Biz Stone visualized Twitter is a morgue where the dead come alive
unwilling to go back to sleep.

But I pimp my blogs on Twitter , and I am apolitical and I have friends who add peace and calm to my Twitterworld.

When I joined Flickr it was being daily hit by  hate comments for being born a Shia and my bleeding pictures of Moharam made hate churn more .. luckily all that has stopped I removed all my Hijra pictures so the lewd porn like  comments stopped the stealing of my hijra pictures stopped completely lol .ha ha .

Flickr is my cyber home .. my lounge my getaway.. New Flickr is better than No Flickr .

Facebook I have once again taken a sabbatical my fourth one ..I use Google+ once again to pimp my Flickr blogs .

And the only one who pluses me is Sukhi Hontu without Sukhi I would be the only sane person in a lunatic asylum .The world at large is a lunatic asylum.. lol

And I dont Photoshop my images at all as I type fondle molest my keyboard with one finger including inappropriate touch..I use Aviary on my old color images and add the intensity at will to lighten or darken the pathos in my images the poetry comes naturally the prose makes me feel I am walking on crutches Fuck Syntax .

And photography .. well Fuck F Stops Too

Am I am happy re christened in timelessness as the eponymous beggar poet of mumbai..

Hey I use Tumblr too thanks to Ms Marissa Mayer ..if she deprecates Twitter and Facebook I am sure she will spare Tumblr lol a two billion dollar trophy in the Yahoo Hall Of Fame and Fortune


The Muslim Beggars Of Murshidabad W Bengal.




Most of them have disappeared and return before Ramzan the Holy Islamic month ...
The normally beg in the slums and speak a Bengali dialect with some Urdu words.

I shot her though she was reluctant and was unsure why I wanted to shoot her picture ..but I shot her nonetheless at the time I shot her I just did it without any reason.. I wanted her in my gallery of Muslim Beggars .

There must be a great reason leaving their home family in W Bengal and begging on the strange streets of Bandra.
And Bandra is a very safe locality for beggars ,even in the slums of Bandra they get alms food etc..but there are unsociable elements in Bandra like drugaddicts who wont hesitate to rob them at knifepoint.

And our cops are busy not interested in these mundane matters , if you walk near the Bandra Station or up the skywalk there are many drugaddicts who scavenge the dustbins and sell recycled waste to buy their daily dose.

And they are not scared of the cops most of the time they are so doped they dont even know a civilian from a cop,,,

A Day In The Life Of A Muslim Beggar





from shop to shop
from house to house
from door to door
she goes outstretched
hands her pain misery
from the slits of her eyes
her misfortune up close
as she tries to recover from
some more worldly blows
the muslim beggar lady
 defenseless in her woes
who really cares sanctimonious
male dominated society in
deathly repose turned up nose
lowest of the lowly untouchable
among muslims only god knows
a moment of tragic timelessness
i froze ..from the cup of adversity
as tears it overflows a picture
i bring to life does it matter
stilted poem or prose ..when
fate becomes your foe ..


Ajmer Sharif 1913





Historical Background

Ajmer is situated at the foot of an 800-feet high mountain on the top of which stands, in solemn splendour, the celebrated fort of Garh Beetli or Bithali named after Bithaldas Gaur the trusted General of Emperor Shah Jahan, which is now called Taragarh (the star citadel). This city stretches out in all directions of a spacious valley and is hemmed in on all sides by picturesque hills. Its holy traditions are equally replete with Rajput chivalry and Muslim supremacy in the past history of Hindustan. Few cities of India can boast of Ajmer’s religious sanctity for both Hindus and Muslims, its glorious history and it natural beauty. It was in Ajmer that Khawaja Muinuddin Chishti laid the permanent foundation of Islam in India in 1192 A.D. by his spiritual powers and peaceful preachings. It was in Ajmer that Sir Thomas Roe, as ambassador of King James I of England, had his audience with Emperor Jahangir on 19th January 1616 A.D. which laid the steping stone of the British Raj in India through the charter of free trading granted to the East India Company by the Emperor. It was in Ajmer that Shah Jahan, on the death of Jahangir, proclaimed himself Emperor of India while returning from Udaipur and proceeding to Delhi in 1627 A.D. And it was in Ajmer again that a beginning of the decline of Moghul Empire was made with the victory of Aurangzeb against his brother Dara Shikeh after a furious battle on 11th, 12th and 13th March 1659 A.D. In addition to these major historical events, Ajmer has seen many vicissitudes of time in its long history of about 1400 years.

Why Ajmer Was Chosen

Why Ajmer was particularly selected to be pivot of Hazrat Khawaja Muinuddin Chishti’s mission in India? This is a pertinent question which may be asked by some critical readers. A careful study of the history of India before Khawaja Saheb’s arrival, and of the period of his stay in Ajmer will answer this question satisfactory. We have already thrown sufficient light on this point in one of the previous chapters. In this chapter, we trace a brief history of Ajmer and the Khawaja Saheb’s Dargah which attracts millions of people every year to seek spiritual blessings of the great saint.

Geographically, Ajmer is situated in the heart of Rajasthan, at one time the citadel of India kingdom, and thus it suited the grand mission of Khawaja Saheb best. Politically, Ajmer the seat of a most powerful kingdom of the last Rajput Emperor of India, Raja Prithviraj Chauhan (1179-1192 A.D.) whose whole life was “one of unbroken chain of chivalrous deeds and glorious exploits which have won for him eternal fame and a name that will last as long as chivalry itself.” Prithviraj was the son of Someshwara (1170-1179 A.D.) who was the 29th descendant in the lineage of King Vasudeva who flourished as far back as 551 A.D. Vasudeva has descended from Chahuan (the founder of the Rajput clan of Chauhans) whose date is untraceable in the description of Ajmer. As given in Sarga IX of the famous documentary “Prithviraj Vijaya”, runs as below:-

The city was so densely populated and there were so many gardens, tanks and wells that not more than one-tenth of the earth was visible to sun, and water in the wells was only two cubits from the ground surface. Karpurdevi (mother of Prithviraj) under whose regency he was brought up also founded a town”.

Describing Ajmer in his “Picturesque India” (p.77) Mr. Caine, says:-

“It is an ancient, beautiful city full of interest, both historical and architectural; its gay busy bazars and its old houses with carved fronts, some of which are among the finest in India, giving added attractions to its superb situation. A well built stone wall with give gateways surrounds the city”.

Anasager Lake

According to “Prithviraj Vijaya” Arnoraja or Raja Anaji (1130-1150 A. D.) the grandfather of Emperor Prithviraj Chauhan, had built the picturesque lake of Anasagar at Ajmer in order to purify the land which was alleged to have been despoiled by the spilling of the Mussalman blood in a battle fought at this place. (It is the same Anasagar lake on the banks of which the Khawaja Saheb had stayed after his arrival in Ajmer in 1192 A. D. The exact place of his stay is known as ” Chilla Khawaja Saheb ” which is situated on the top of the Anasagar Ghati). In 1637 A. D., Shah Jahan built five beautiful pavilions (called Baradaris) of polished marble on the embankment of Anasagar which are still preserved in their original glory.

Jama Al-Tamish Or Dhai Din-Ka-Jhonpra

One of the oldest and most interesting historical building of Ajmer, is Jama Al-tamish popularly known as Dhai-din-ka-Jhonpra, situating in Ankerkot at the foot of the Taragarh hill According to Tod Rajasthan ” it is a relic of nobler days and architect and the antiquarian because of its multifarious artistic attractions.

The monumental mosque has, however, been the subject of diverse opinion about its origin. According to Ajmer Historical and Descriptive (by Dewan Bahadur Harbilas Sarda) it is claimed to be a Saraswati Mandir which is said to have been built in 1153 A. D. by Raja Visaldeva who was the first Chauhan Emperor of India. But according to the Arabic inscription appearing on the marble arch in the centre of the mosque and the convincing arguments advanced by the author of Main-ul-Arifin (P. 150-154) it is recognised to be a mosque ever since its origin which was built by Sultan Shahabuddin Ghori in 595 A. H. (12th century A.D.) wherein Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti himself (who came to Ajmer in 587 A. H.) is said to have offered his prayers for a considerable time. Later on, Sultan Shamsuddin Altamish of Delhi (607 to 633 A. H.) is reported to have built its present massive structure of red stone which was completed in 614 A. H. by Ali Ahmed mason under the supervision of one Mohammed Ariz – a claim which is also substantiated by another Arabic inscrition on its central arch. (Ahsan-us-Siar, P. 87-92). In any case, this magnificent mosque is one of the rare historic monuments of India.

General Cunningham., Director of Archaeology Government of India, who inspected this mosque in 1864 A. D., appears to have fallen into the error of accepting the common belief that it was built in Dhai-din i.e. two and a half days, as its name implies out of the material released from some demolished temples – a judgment which is difficult to believe in view of its extensive and massive stony structure replete with extremlely fine and most intricate workmanship on stone. It seems that only the smaller marble arch in the centre of the mosque may have been finished in 2-1/2 days to meet an emergency but the whole massive structure, with its elaborate Arabic tracings and delicate engraving details, is definitely a work of many years sustained labour.

Writing of the beautiful details of this marvellous edifice, Mr. Furgusson, author of the Eastern and Indian Architecture (P. 513 ) says – “As example of surface decoration, the Jhonpra and the mosque of Al-tamish at Delhi are probably unrivalled. Nothing in Cairo or in Persia and nothing in Spain or Syria is so exquisite in detail and can approach them for beauty or surface decoration. The gorgeous prodigality of ornamental work , the fascinating richness of tracery, the delicate sharpness of finish, the fascinating richness of tracery, the delicate sharpness of finish, the endless variety of detail and the accurate and laborious workmanship, are eternal credit to its past Indian engineers and masons”. There is a rich variety of Quranic verse inscribed all over the building to tax the brains of both inquisitive historians and the antiquarians alike . In short, it is a model of excellence in the art Indian architecture.

Dargah Of Miran Syed Husain

On the highest point of Taragarh fort stands the Dargah of Hazrat Miran Syed Husian Asghar Khangswar who was the governor of Ajmer after its conquest by Sultan Shahabuddin Ghori.. On the death of Qutubuddin Aibak in 1210 A.D., the Rathor and Chauhan Rajputs joined in a night attack on the Taragarh Fort when most of the men of Miran Saheb were out collecting taxes in the district, and the number of his garrison was, therefore, numerically very small. The Rajpurs thus massacred Miran Saheb and his garrison to a man on 18th Rajab.

The Fort Of Taragarh

According to Akhbar-ul-Akhyar, the first fort built on a hill in India was the fortress of Taragarh at Ajmer. Its unique defence and strength lie in the impregnable ruggedness and acclivity of the mountain upon which it is built. This ancient fort has seen many historic battles and nerve-wrecking sieges and has changed hands with the Rajput, Muslim, Maratha and the British conquerors during its long and checkered history. Ajameru Doorg, as it was originally called, was built by Raja Ajairaj Chauhan who was the king of Sapadlaksh territory having Sakambhari (now Sambhar as his capital in the early part of 6th century A.D. He also built the town of Ajmer and the village of Ajaisar, lying in the south of Foysagar lake, still commemorates his name.


courtesy
http://dargahajmer.com/ajmer-sharif/

Misplaced Motherhood

This  was shot at Bandra close to where I stay , and for a moment if you forget the mother , what are the feelings of her daughter  , no play no school just the heat and dust of begging assisting the mother on the street ..

Many of these beggar families come from the far suburb , and Bandra being an influential area , they do get alms food clothes ration too .

The people in Bandra do a lot of good work, this  I know for a fact.

But when will all this change .. when will their good days come I really dont know..

And  must make you aware in this picture the main person who might be the cause is the father of the child , dead or alive , I dont know I dont talk to beggars at all.

I shoot pictures with unanswered questions but I also know  that in the end it is the wife who suffers and not being educated I stress educated , there is no option but to beg when bad times come ..

And there is no Muslim counselling arm that could take her aside find out her problems and try to rehabilitate her to the bare necessities .

As a photographer I shoot pain as it blooms on the streetwalk....like dying shrubs growing on a rock.. they need a healer who will come touch them take stock..


The Muslim Beggars Of Bandra Bazar Road

He is one of the most congenial person , he begs in my area , but I have not seen him since a very long time.
I dont know his name but he either sits in the mornings at Boran Road or in the evenings outside the gates of the Jain Mandir .

Of late before he disappeared he always inquired about my 2 year grand daughter Nerjis Asif Shakir who had shot him , he is one of her great ardent fans.

He is very quiet by nature and blesses all who offer him alms.

I heard he stays at Bandra East but as much as I would like to sit with him and talk to him I am in a hurry on my job when I meet him..

My grand daughter Marziya too has shot him on the Canon  7 D ..and that was with Nerjis in my lap outside the  East Indian 16 century grotto in our area.

And these people make up the cosmopolitan characteristics of Bandra Bazar Road..

Shooting beggars is simply showing you their will to survive against all odds , and the heavy rains is really bad for this daily wage worker ..


The Muslim Beggar Lady from Murshidabad W Bengal




begging on the streets of bandra
enduring the pain wondering
how did this befall a migrant
sometimes accused of being
a bangla deshi .,,an illegal
person she is called
threatened blackmailed
this beggar lady a muslim
of murshidabad w bengal
she pays hafta to stay
on her back to the wall
if madam mamta had done
something for her kind
i am sure she would have
never have to beg in mumbai
not at all ..but than the tragedy
of our head counting democracy
is about collecting votes
taking the public for a ride
all in all..

india against corruption
what a call they  lock  up
the very person who fights
for all..hats of to you mr kejriwal
gutless media hates you ..calls
your efforts nautanki dramabazi
on twitter writing your political
epitaph on a facebook wall

it is the system it is not your fault

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