Bibi Ka Alam Hyderabad 2009

Bibi Ka Alam Hyderabad 2009, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.

This is my third new set on Moharam in 2009 Hyderabad at my Flickr photo stream.
After I had shot the Ashura proceedings from 8 am to 3.30 pm at the Bargah of Hazarat Abbas Diwan Deodi..a series of 675 blogs, and captured the angst of the Hyderabadi Shia, which included my own kamazani or head cutting too...

I came to Choti Bargah Chatta Bazar Civil Court area which was my base as I began my quest of Ghame Hussain from this low profile shrine of Hazrat Abbas in 2003 this was my second trip to Hyderabad a city of peace , love brotherhood and hospitality..especially during the mourning month of Moharam.

For the Shias , Moharam the Muslim new year is a moment of introspection, a moment of historical importance for the sacrifice of Imam Hussain the beloved grand son of the Holy Prophet who gave his life to save Islam from the clutches of Yazidiyat..

Katle Hussain asal mein marge Yazeed hai
Islam zinda hota hai har karbala ke baad

As this is a photo blog shot through the eyes of a Shia Blogger who shoots pain , and other religiosity too, without bias or bigotry..truth as captured on the viewfinder of the camera of his soul is of prime importance..

Apni Taqdeer Jagate hain Tere Matam se
Khoon ki Rah Bichate hain Tere Matam se
Apne Izhare Aqidat ka Salika yeh hai
Hum Naya Sal Manate hain Tere Matam se

Bibi Ka Alam procession is the biggest Shia event that captures the soul of Hyderabad , without reservations , beyond caste color or creed, Hindu Muslim all communities pay tribute to the Mother of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain , beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet Princess Fatima wife of Hazrat Ali Ibn Abu Talib the first Shia Imam and the Fourth Caliph .


The Bibi ka Alam according to the Hindu newspapers , starts on Ashura Day, Yom E Ashoora day from the Bibi ka Alawa in Dabeerpura.Everbody the rich the poor offer Dhatti..Behind the Alam are the mourners who cut their heads with curved swords daggers do zanjeer and blade matam, seated on the Alam are the Mutawalli of Bibi Ka Alam Arif Saab , Abid Bhai of Bright Ads my very dear friend..my family stayed at his house when we were here for the Chehlum 2003.
The mahout is Khwajah Saab, the Alam has pouches of rare gemstones and is heavily guarded , you cant breach the security ring, and here I must pay tribute to the Andhra security forces who do a fabulously commendable job..

I knew the Senior Inspector of Mangalpura who seeing me at Hussaini Koti allowed me a better position to shoot this , I carry a Press Card too of the Bandra Samachar.

The procession traverses Yakoutpura Darwaza, Etebar Chowk,Alijah Kotla, Charminar,GulzarHouz,Panjeshah,Darul Shifa and Chaerghat...

I did the kmazani here leaping in the air with a dagger and slashing my head 4 times , there was no one to shoot me , later bleeding profusely I did Tandav on the soul of Shimr on the streets of Hyderabad with the Sunni blade cutters of Rae Bareilly.

I shot a lot of pictures but some totally smudged because of the blood that had seeped into my camera lens..I was not aware of it.. so this is my journey into the winding path of my Shia faith..

And do see the Moharam of Hyderabad once in your life time..its a moment that will live with you forever..and this as I say as a Mumbaikar with his his birth roots in the city of Lucknow..

Shah ast Hussain, Badshah ast Hussain
Deen ast Hussain, Deen Panah ast Hussain
Sardad na dad dast, dar dast-e-yazeed,
Haqaa key binaey La ila ast Hussain

Loosely translated

Ruler is Hussain, Emperor is Hussain,
Faith is Hussain , guardian of faith is Hussain .
Offered his head and not the hand to Yazid.
Truly, the mirror of faith is Hussain

Raza Rumi..