Sunday, October 21, 2007

Dasshera /Vijay Dashami


Dasshera /Vijay Dashami
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

Dasara, also called "Navaratri",[citation needed] is among the most important festivals celebrated in India. Unlike Dussera, this is celebrated for 10 days in Southern parts.
The Festival of Dasara is celebrated on the occasion of Navaratri. Celebrations are unique ranging from worshipping goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga) to exhibiting colorful toys on the day of 'bombe habba' in Kannada.
See also: Navratri
Ayudha puja
This day is to worship weapons. People in the modern days worship automobiles, their machines on this day.
'Weapons' have been replaced with 'tools of the trade'. So people worship carpentry tools, computers, vehicles, cooking utensils etc etc.
[edit] Vijaya Dashami
The last day of all the celebrations is Vijaya Dashami. In Mysore, the tradition of holding a grand procession through the streets of this historic city, with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari riding in a golden Ambaari (Elephant-seat) heaved on Elephant-back has been in effect since time immemorial. Indeed, for many centuries, presiding over the 10-day festivities was the hallmark of sovereignty over the Kingdom of Mysore. The Wodeyar Maharajas of Mysore celebrated the annual event on a grand scale; "Mysore Dasara" has attained renown across the country and abroad. People from all over the world go to Mysore to witness this cultural event. Many cultural events are held at the main Palace in Mysore. Post Independence, the Government of Karnataka has taken over the tradition and is continuing the celebration every year in the same tradition as the Old Mysore Kingdom.The whole palace is illuminated with lights. The entire city has a festive look.
[edit] How to celebrate dasara
In Karnataka, Ayudh Puja, the ninth day of Dasara, is celebrated with the worship of implements used in daily life such as computers, books, vehicles, kitchen tools etc.
It is an effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses in daily life. Basically it includes all tools that help one earn one's livelihood. So knowledge workers go for books, pen or computers, plough and other agricultural tools by the farmer, machinery by industrialists and cars/buses/trucks by transporters are decorated with flowers and worshiped on this day invoking God's blessing for success in coming years. It is believed that any new venture such as starting of business or purchasing of new household items on this day is bound to succeed.
[edit] A festive meals for puja time
It is day when the best meals is cooked for a festival.
•Luchi
•Aloor Dum
•Cholar Dal
•Begun Bhaja
•Payesh
[edit] History
This day marks the triumph of Lord Rama over Demon king Ravana. On this day, Rama killed Ravana.
Rama was asked to go on exile because his stepmother, Queen Kaikeyee was tricked into asking King Dasaratha to exile him for 14 years. Rama's wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana went with him willingly.
News of Rama staying at an ashram while on exile spread rapidly. A demon, Shoorpanakha found her way there and demanded that Rama or Lakshmana marry her. When both brothers rejected her, she threatened to kill Sita, so that Rama would then be single again. Lakshmana then cut off her ears and nose.
Shoorpanakha's brother was the demon King Ravana. Ravana was incensed to hear what happened to his sister, and kidnapped Sita to avenge the insult.
The Ramayana chronicles Rama's travels and deeds as he searched for his wife, and defeated evil.
[edit] Celebrations
On this day, people spend the day decorating the entrances of houses & shops with flower studded strings called 'Torans' (Floral Gateways).
At night, effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghanad are stuffed with firecrackers and set alight. Children especially enjoy seeing this because of the beautiful fireworks on the ground. The festival, which is thought of as the "Victory of Good over Evil" and "Return of Rama from Exile" is celebrated in grand style. Because the day is auspicious, people inaugurate new vehicles, machines, books, weapons and tools by ceremonially asking god to bless the new items.
[edit] Variations across South Asia
Dussehra is celebrated in various ways in different parts of South Asia. In Bengal, the festival is celebrated as Kali Puja or Durga Puja, while in Tamil Nadu, the festival incorporates worship of the goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Shakti.
Some people feel that Dussehra and Dasara are not simply different transliterations of the same word, but two different festivals.
Dasara is the festival marking end of Navratri and the immersion of Durga idols which are worshipped for nine days prior to Dussehra. Dussehra is also the day when many families start formal education of their kids. The practise has been so old, that in some parts of Kerala, even after conversions to Christianity, some members of the community continued this tradition. In 2004, many churches in Kerala formally adopted the same tradition of introducing young children to education on Dussehra day.
The Dasara celebrations in Mysore are popular with tourists, and are conducted with great pomp. Dasara is celebrated in Nepal by the name of Dashain.
Vijayadashami (Hindi and Marathi: विजयादशमी, Kannada:ವಿಜಯದಶಮಿ), also known as Dussehra (Hindi: दशहरा, Kannada: ದಸರ, Marathi: दसरा), "Dashain" in Nepali, or Mohani Nakha in(Nepal Bhasa:मोहनी नख:), is a festival celebrated across Nepal and India. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashwayuja or Ashwina, and is the grand culmination of the 10-day annual festival of Dasara or Navaratri. The legend underlying the celebration, as also its mode of conduct, vary vastly by region; however, all festivities celebrate the victory of the forces of Good over Evil. It is also considered to be an auspicious day to begin new things in life. It is the largest festival of Nepal and celebrated by Hindu and non-Hindu as well.

In Southern India, Eastern India and Western India, the festival of Navaratri which culminates with Vijayadashami commemorates the legend in which the Goddess Durga, also known as Chamundeshwari or Mahishasura Mardini, vanquishes the demon Mahishasura, an event that is said to have taken place in the vicinity of the present day city of Mysore in Karnataka. In Northern India, the same 10-day festival commemorates the victory of Rama, prince of Ayodhya in present-day Uttar Pradesh, over Ravana, the ruler of Lanka, who according to the Ramayana had abducted Sita Devi, the consort of the former, and held her captive in his realm.
[edit] Legend of the Shami Tree
There is another and little-known legend associated with this festival, one associated with the Mahabharata. For reasons impossible to delineate here, the Pandavas underwent a period of exile, being 12 years of dwelling in the forest followed by a year of exile incognito. Disguise being indispensable during the latter period, the Pandavas found it necessary to lay aside, for the length of that year, the many divine and distinctive weapons that they possessed#. These they secreted in a 'Shami' tree in the vicinity* of their chosen place of incognito residence. At the end of a year, they returned to the spot, found their weaponry intact, and worshipped in thanksgiving both the Shami tree and the Goddess Durga, presiding deity of strength and victory. Meanwhile, the Kauravas had invaded that area, suspecting the residence of the Pandavas there. Upon finishing their devotions, the Pandavas made straight to battle, and won the contest comprehensively. The day that all these events occurred on has since been known as "Vijayadashami", where "Vijaya" is the Sanskrit word for "Victory".
The fact of the comprehensive success of the Pandavas in their endeavour has been extrapolated to the everyday ventures of the common man today. Even to this day, people exchange Shami leaves and wish each other victory in their own ventures and efforts. The following shloka is used, sometimes, to signify this:
शमी शमयते पापम् शमी शत्रुविनाशिनी ।
अर्जुनस्य धनुर्धारी रामस्य प्रियदर्शिनी ॥
करिष्यमाणयात्राया यथाकालम् सुखम् मया ।
तत्रनिर्विघ्नकर्त्रीत्वं भव श्रीरामपूजिता ॥
shamI shamayate paapam shamI shaTruvinaashinI |
arjunasya dhanurdhaari raamsya priyadasrshinI ||
karishyamaaNayaatraayaa yayaakaalam sukham mayaa |
tatranirviGnakrtrItvam bhava shrIraamapUjitaa ||
# – Arjuna's Gandeeva bow was one among them.
* – It is said that the Shami tree chosen by the Pandavas stood inside a cremation ground. It was chosen to render detection that much less likely. The Pandavas wrapped their weapons in a white cloth and concealed this on that shami tree, making the weapons look like a dead body.
[edit] Celebration


A typical scene of the public celebrations of the festival
In Northern India, the festival commemorates the victory of Rama, prince of Ayodhya and avatara of Vishnu, over Ravana, the ruler of Lanka who had abducted Rama's wife, Sita Devi. The festival is celebrated with much gusto. Crackers are burnt, and huge melas or fetes are organised. The Ramlila - an abriged dramatization of the Ramayana - is enacted with much public fervour all over northern India during the period of the festivities. The burning of the effigies of Ravana on Vijayadashami, signifying the victory of good over evil, brings the festivities to a colourful close. In some regions, Sikhs and Hindus celebrate Vijayadashami together.
The legend associated with the Shami tree finds commemoration during the renowned Navaratri celebrations at Mysore, which otherwise strongly emphasizes the Durga legend described above, as may be expected in the city built at the very site of the events of the Durga legend. On Vijaydashami day, at the culmination of a colourful 10-day celebration, the goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped and then borne in a Golden Ambari or elephant-mounted throne, in a grand procession, through the city of Mysore, from the historical Mysore Palace to the Banni Mantapa. Banni is the Kannada word for the Sanskrit Shami, and Mantapa means "Pavilion".
[edit] Duserah Carnival in South Tamilnadu
Dhasera festival, which celebrates the killing of a treacherous demon by the Goddess Kali, a native tribal deity is one of the most largest celberated function in South Taminadu.
Every year in the month of October at midnight of festival day, villagers assemble at Kulasekaranpattinam near Thiruchendur to offer their prayers.
Dancing like honeybees
After fasting for a good number of days and prayers, people throng the place dancing like honeybees and dressed like goddess `Kali", holding fire pots. On the concluding night many come and seek the blessings from people who dressed up as goddess Kali.

Kulasekarapattinam a coastal village in Thoothukkudi distric with a famous for its 300-year old Muthuraman Koil located on the seashore. During Dusserah more than one million people asssemble in the area and fine music resonates with the rhythmic beat of drums. Folk artistes from all over the State converge here to participate in the 10-day festival. The beach looks like a fair ground and the performances reminds one of the natyotsavs in large temple.Tuticorin, Nellai and Kumari district bustle with prepataion for Folk Carnival activities this year. There is no Royal patronage and the entire festivity veers round the presiding deity Sri Mutharamman of Kulasekarapattinam. Following an age-old tradition, devotees vow to go from house to house to beg for alms, disguised in various celestial forms such asKali, Siva, Vishnu and Narada, Animal Forms Such as Tiger, Monkey, Bear, Lion, . Some devotees transform themselves into mundane figuressuch as policemen, King, Queen, Justice,"narikurava rs" and beggars during the festival, and roam with begging bowls, to propitiate the Goddess. This year more than 150 vareities will be taken up by devotees. Virtually devotees from all villages have their own funds earmarked for the festival. It is the festival of communal harmony surpassing the barriers of religion, caste and social status

In several villages of South Tamilnadu, Tiger dances, known as Pulikali is a unique form of folk dance that fascinates the young and the old alike during the large assembly of carnivel. Since tiger is considered as the favored carrier of Folk Goddess (the Goddess in whose honor Dussera is celebrated), this dance is performed during the Dussera celebration . Performers,usually experienced youth or elderly man who paint themselves like tigers in bright yellow, red and black, and dance to the beats of instruments. Tiger dancers–men painted over with stripes and wearing tiger masks–lead the procession.
The tiger dancers, paint the big cat in its various moods on their bodies. Feline faces glare from the potbellies of the dances with each jiggle giving them expression. The almost life-like faces are the center of attraction at the "Pulikali" as the tiger dance is locally known. The dance which also features an array of tiger masks, is performed with great pomp and show every year. The performance is also a competition. Several performing teams , compete to have the most exciting performance. As the drumbeats reach a crescendo, so do the movements of the dancers. The feline movements of the dancers keep the audience spellbound. Traditional herbal colors that the dancers used to adorn their bodies. Big crowds gather to watch the performance.

The festival is celebrated with much fervour and splendour in Southern India.
See also: dasara and Mysore Dasara
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijayadashami

Happy Dasshera


Happy Dasshera
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

This is a couple that normally sells vegetables and they are devotees of Goddess Jari Mari, I shot them a night before doing the Kirtan at Ramesh Garuds house at Bandra.
The pictures I did not post, had I waited some more time I could have got pictures of the spirit of the Goddess entering into the body of the devotees , they gain power they go into a trance , but I was too tired, and let it pass.
Today the couple are seling marigold flowers at Bandra Bazar Road opposite Christs Grotto, and they are firm believers of this Grotto..this is Indian supremacy of respect for all Faith.
Well today is Dasshera, my house net is down thanks to You Telecom
So I came to my shop , to post a few poems, last night I wanted to shoot the Lokhandwalla Pandal but Mr Roy of the Bandra Durga Pandal told me that it would be overcrowded as Abhijeet the founder of the Pandal performs.
I gave it a skip..I shot the Bandra Pandal again at a lesser ISO..
In the evening I will go to shoot the Durga Visarjan..
I shall not shoot the burning of Ravan as I know that all photo journalists will burn with envy if they see me there..
Now something about Dasshera..

www.festivalsofindia.in/dussehra/

The festival of Dussehra is an important celebration in many parts of the country. It is celebrated with great fanfare in most parts of North India, Mysore and in the form of Durga Puja in West Bengal.

Dussehra is a very popular Hindu festival, which marks the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.


The 'Ramlila' - an enactment of the life of Lord Rama, is held during the nine days preceding Dussehra. On the tenth day (Dussehra or Vijay Dasami), larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son and brother - Meghnadh and Kumbhakarna are set to fire.

The theatrical enactment of this dramatic encounter is held throughout the country in which every section of people participates enthusiastically.

In burning the effigies the people are asked to burn the evil within them, and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind the instance of Ravana, who despite all his might and majesty was destroyed for his evil ways.

Legends

Dussehra is also known as Vijaya Dasami, because of the victory of Ram over Ravana. On this day in Satya Yug, Ram (the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu), killed the great demon and king of Lanka, Ravana.

Puranas also opined that in this day warrior Goddess Durga defeated and killed the buffalo demon Mahishasura.


Rituals

Worship of the Goddess is the oldest tradition, signifying the female deity's supremacy over the male Gods who are unable to destroy the demon.

The worship of Durga Mata has also social implications. As Goddess of war, she is a particular favourite of the Kshatriyas, the warrior caste, once constituting the ruling elite and aristocracy.

During this time people decorate the entrance of their houses with torans, and flower studded strings. The leaves of the Apta tree are collected and exchanged among friends and relatives as gold.

Dussehra Puja in India varies from place to place and is influenced by local myth and religious beliefs.

The festival is also celebrated with intense fervour and zest, in West Bengal. The vibrant festivities last for ten days, of which nine nights are spent in worship, 'Navaratri'.

The tenth day is devoted to the worship of goddess Durga, who occupies a special position in the Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses. She is 'Shakti', the cosmic energy that animates all beings. Beautiful idols of the Mother Goddess are worshipped in elaborate pandals for nine days, and on the ninth day, these are carried out in procession for immersion (visarjan) in a river or pond.


Celebrations

In Himachal Pradesh, a week long fair in the hill town of Kullu, is part of the Dussehra celebrations. From the little temples in the hills, deities are brought in procession to the 'maidan' in Kullu, to pay homage to the reigning deity, Raghunathji. The celebration actually begins nearly 10 days in advance as per tradition.

In Mysore, Karnataka the Mysore palace is illuminated for a whole month during Dussehra and caparisoned elephants lead a colourful procession through the gaily-decorated streets of the city. It is the most colourful celebration of Dussehra in world. The spectacular procession taken out on this day is really enjoyable.

In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity, the next three days to Saraswati, Goddess of learning and arts and the last three days to Shakti (Durga).

In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, families arrange dolls (Bommai Kolu) on artificially constructed steps and prepare an elaborate spread of lamps and flowers. Women traditionally exchange gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets.


The whole set up is put on the very first day of Navaratri. Vijaya Dashamiy is an auspicious occasion for children to commence their education in classical dance and music, and to pay homage to their teachers.

In Punjab, Navaratri is taken as a period of fasting. In Gujarat, the evenings and nights are occasions for the fascinating Garba dance. The women dance around an earthen lamp while singing devotional songs accompanied by rhythmic clapping of hands.



In northern India, the festival wears the colourful garb of Ramlila wherein various incidents from Rama's life are enacted. Ramlila draws large number of people every year. The entire night of Dussehra passes in an enthusiastic and enchanting fair like ambience and people enjoy every bit of it. After Dussehra, the excitement of the Diwali grips the whole of India. (DOU 15102007)

Racism does not have a Color..in racist Australia


Racism does not have a Color..in racist Australia
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

Some poets have 5 identities
To rate their own poems
At poem hunter rating facility
Some have friends who rate them 10
They return the same in kind
Reciprocation of a falsity
To be one among the Top 500 poets
At Poem hunter is very easy
You scratch my back I scratch yours
This conniving hypocritical coterie
Hogging poet lime light for free
The stats statuesque Arsewell
1000 poems deduct 929 home free
Bowels of groaning grammar
Punctuation spellings style
From the grandmaster of Wycombe
County..
“Racism does not have a color “
426 in Top 500poems
Is the biggest Mockery
By a Racist poet of Australia
Blue blood criminal yobo
Proud of his criminal ancestry
Hate and only colored hate exists
Racism in Poetry
The Buddha sits silently
Watching the chaos
Poetic pestilence perfidy
From Bodhgaya
At Lumbini

firoze shakir photographerno1

Order Order Order


Order Order Order
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

Order Order Order
At poem hunter forum
Only venomous hate and Disorder
Getting even with poetic brickbats
Food and revengeful fodder
Words of racist hate in poetry
A world with bleeding borders
Surround sound home theatre
Of grievous hate screeching
Tape recorders

firoze shakir photographerno1

929 Australian White Racist Rat


929 Australian White Racist Rat
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

929 Australian White Racist Rat

He hates black rats
Specially the Indian Bandicoot Rat
Poetic droppings on his mat
That he sees gets into a wordy spat
This pompous Australian who talks
About etiquette and chat
This and that
On bloated ratings of friends
Has gone fat
Bowen the Boswell Ian Brat
English man in a Bowler Hat
Night watchman who loves to bat
Breaking Indian heads without helmets
A tit for tat
Deserves the White Racist Dead Societies pat
His friend from down under short of a 1000 poems
I can donate him some of mine
If at the finishing post he cannot arrive at
This killjoy of a Kangaroo Rat
A room awaits for him at Peachester Cemetery
With a floral wreath and a Welcome Mat
Life’s tyre with his racist hate for Indians gone flat
Well this photographer poet blogger is ever ready for
An asymmetrical combat

firoze shakir photographerno1

Indian Tiger Brew


Indian Tiger Brew
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

'And amber nectar to be now called
Indian Tiger brew.
And on the coins and banknotes
to Bruce’s dire dismay
there now would be the image of
a photographer from Bombay'

Lines of Mr David Hazell
from his poem at the Forum

My reply

Thank You Mr David Hazell
I had decided not to post anything at the forum, as eminent poets like Mr Ian Bowen, Linda Orr her strait jacket Boss, come to this watering hole for Forum quotes and find me ejaculating my stuff on Allen James Shit Heads Ass, so they get upset, and I am unlearning poetry so to speak.
I deleted all my offensive abusive forum posts, someone who I respect sent me a message that if I leave the Forum they win, I told her they won, the day I was born, my brown ass wrapped in a newspaper by the midwife, as I was delivered at home in a hovel of a house, my father had impregnated my mom and run away to Bombay.The newspaper words remained as tatoo on my posterior..but my 15 year old mother did not give up, she single handedly uneducated pursued my dad from Lcknow a hick town, , caught him humping his English Bosses wife..I talk of early 50s.
The rest is History.
I studied at a Weslyan Church, headed by an English lady Mrs E Lester the school was Private European School, my father a coat maker those days paid Rs 50 per month for my primary education, a princely sum by any standard.
So the Hoggs, the Bowens, Arsewlls, Top 500 asslicked poets dont impress me at all, after two years writing my drivel and I am 279 to Elysabeth Faslunds 280, tells me something is seriously wrong, in selecting me.
Elysabeth Faslund is what poetic dreams are made of yes I am just a speck on the dust of her feat, ..
I still think I am not a poet more of a photographer.I squeeze words out of pictures in the viewers mind.That Ian Bowen called me a mischief monger hurt me the most, I am million light years from the way he writes his poems is a blessing in disguise.The Bowens who lick Australian ass and drool, the Tai Chi Italys who get easily offended when I hit back at her English Racist Chum, what am I supposed to do, remove my pants, and say Mr Bowen.. Please do it to me one more time..
Fuck off.. Those who provoke me I will give them back whoever it be..
Firoze Shakir.

firoze shakir photographerno1

Spiralling Shadows of Pain


Spiralling Shadows of Pain
Originally uploaded by flickr photographerno1

out of the shadows of despair
face kissed by a stream of blood
eyes spiraling shadows of pain
sculpted sorrow
no time to spare
wastelands
inner karmic kundalini bare
sadness that shrieks
solemnly swears
silhouettes speechless
dreams within dreams
that read as nightmares
truth a blasphemy that also scares
innocence hunted in poem hunter lairs
yes to be born colored in a white mans land
a feeling of remorse that takes time to outwear
a White God who mocks us
Pigmentation unfair
War on Humanity
He did declare
Lashes on our colored souls
In the Market Square
Emptiness void
In between two lines
Of Hope and Despondency
Man building castles
In the air

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