Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Heritage of The Nawabs of Hussain Koti


As a poet who uses visuals instead of text I am transported into the folklore the old charm of the Nawabs and their royal heritage ..

What made them humble what made them human what made them unique was the humility of Imam Hussain ,, qualities of valor of Hazrat Abbas and all alone I shot their heritage ...I shot of them on 6400 ISO to avoid the flash reflections ..


This is my tribute as a street photographer to the Nawabs of Hussain Koti ..

Documenting 8 Moharam And The Ancestral Alams of The Nawabs of Hussaini Koti...

The Miraculous Alam Of Abbas Alamdar Lashkare Hussain

Shias Are Born In The Womb of Ghame Hussain

Hai Hai Hai Yeh Sadgi Yeh Ghame Hussain Yeh Farishton Ki Chai

Halal Meat ..


from wikipedia

Halal (Arabic: حلال‎ ḥalāl, "permissible") is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law. The opposite of this word is haraam.
Halal foods are foods that Muslims are allowed to eat under Islamic dietary guidelines. The criteria specify both what foods are allowed, and how the food must be prepared. The foods addressed are mostly types of meat/animal tissue.

Halal" is an Arabic word meaning "lawful" or "permissible", and the term not only covers food and drink, but also to all matters of daily life. When it comes to halal food, most people think of meat foods only. However, Muslims must ensure that all foods, particularly processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and non-food items like cosmetics, are also halal. Frequently, these products contain animal by-products or other ingredients that are not permissible for Muslims to eat or use on their bodies.

Naqi Bhai is an expert Moharam Niyaz e Hussain Master Chef.. here is slaughtering the lamb in the humane Muslim way

I Reach Hyderabad Choti Bargah Chatta Bazar on 8 Moharam


I reached Hyderabad on 23 November or 8 Moharam.

And standing with me is Akthar Bhai he and his brothers are the caretakers of this Hazrat Abbas Dargah known as Choti Bargah very famous amog the Shias and people from other communities mostly Hindus too come and take the blessings of this brave brother of Imam Hussain, Hazrat Abbas warrior lion of Imam Ali.

I have been very attached to this dargah since my first visit in 2003 .. and than in 2009 and the latest this one in 2012.

My Head Was Bleeding.. While My Soul Was Speeding..Moharam in Hyderabad 2012

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And I now begin at the very beginning of my journey after 3 years to shoot Moharam in Hyderabad not my original destination at all as I was booked on the Dehradun Express and was to leave at midnight to shoot Moharam in Delhi ,but the waiting list stopped and there was no seat for me.. I have a injury on my leg so I left the following morning to Hyderabad a city I love because of my Shia friends .. most of them at Choti Bargah Chatta Bazar.

When I reached Hyderabad , Choti Bargah Naqi Bhai the brother in law of Akthar Sab of Chotii Bargah gave me a roof over my head a place close to the bargah at Daru Shifa Purani Haveli X lane .. this place belongs to a devout Shia holistic healer Abid bhai , his sons Akthat AMC and Hussain took care of me.

I was lucky that Qaim took care of me , taking me to Hari Prasad Camera Market at Koti to buy extra memory cards , I blew up all my money buying cards.

Food was Niyaze Hussain and black tea from the house of good friend Mohsin Bhai.

The person who made my photography easy was Mir Ejaz .. he took me to the various majlis , and even shot my kama matam at Bargh..

He is a very humble photographer and filled my bag with fruits dates snacks for my return journey to Mumbai he took me to Afzalgunj Nampally because of the diversion of traffic..due to Guru Nanak Jayanti that because I had 15 minutes to spare I shot..

So all in all I shot a lot .. and I begin my Moharam journey of Hyderabad 2012 with this last image .. I shot in the bus ,my bleeding would not stop as I am a diabetic but luckily it was not to messy and I missed my wife , who is in Karbala who would clean my Kama wounds along with Marziya Shakir my 5 year old grand daughter ..who is in Lucknow.

Abid Painter who sits on the elephant of Bibi Ka Alam was very hospitable I shot the Ashukana Zehra where he is the caretaker , Abid and Almdar Lutfi, Hussain Dashti Sadiq Dashti Abbas Dashti all my Irani friends of Darbare Hussaini..Kazim Sajjad bhai and the Nawabs of Hussaini Koti specially Mustapha Sab and Ghazanfar and at the last end of my journey met Yasser and Zohair and their father who took me home and I had the best Paya in my life ..

My thanks to all of them , without their help I could not have documented Moharam.. in Hyderabad 2012.

Akthar Bhai his brothers of Choti Bargah and the Alamdars of Badi Bargah .. made this possible.
And last but not the least Inayat Sab Bilgrami eminent scholar writer poet painter historian and Ustad Raza Ali Khan his wife son.. who gave me hope of a new dawn.. as poetry of Life.

End of a Long Journey ...

A Nightmare of a 18 Hour Return Journey By Bus From Hyderabad To Mumbai

Guru Nanak Jayanti Hyderabad 2012

Guru Nanak Jayanti Hyderabad 2012

The Sikhs of Hyderabad On Guru Nanak Jayanti 2012


I decided to shoot this festivity of my country's Sikhs based in Hyderabad .

I shot all this in 15 minutes at Afzalgunj I had come here to take a bus for Mumbai..

About Sikhism from Wikipedia

Sikhism[note 1] ( /ˈsiːkɨzəm/ or /ˈsɪkɨzəm/; Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖੀ, sikkhī, IPA: [ˈsɪkːʰiː]) is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev [3] which continued to progress with ten successive Sikh gurus (the last teaching being the holy scripture Gurū Granth Sāhib Ji). It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world, with approximately 30 million Sikhs.[4][citation needed] This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally 'wisdom of the Gurū'). Punjab, India is the only region in the world with a majority Sikh population.[5]
Sikhs are expected to embody the qualities of a "Sant-Sipāhī"—a saint-soldier. One must have control over one's internal vices and be able to be constantly immersed in virtues clarified in the Guru Granth Sahib.
The principal beliefs of Sikhi are faith in Waheguru—represented by the phrase ik ōaṅkār, meaning one God, along with a praxis in which the Sikh is enjoined to engage in social reform through the pursuit of justice for all human beings. Sikhi advocates the pursuit of salvation in a social context through the congregational practice of meditation on the name and message of God. The followers of Sikhi are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture entitled the Gurū Granth Sāhib Ji, which, along with the writings of six of the ten Sikh Gurus, includes selected works of many devotees from diverse socio-economic and religious backgrounds. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth guru, conferred the leadership of the Sikh community to the Gurū Granth Sāhib and the corporate body of the Khālsā Panth (the Granth and the Panth). Sikhi's traditions and teachings are associated with the history, society and culture of Punjab. Adherents of Sikhī are known as Sikhs (students or disciples) and number over 30 million across the world.
Most Sikhs live in Punjab, India, although there is a significant Sikh diaspora. Until the Partition of India with the division of Punjab and the subsequent independence of Pakistan and later India, millions of Sikhs lived in what is now Pakistani Punjab.[6]

The origins of Sikhi lie in the teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors. The essence of Sikh teaching is summed up by Nanak in these words: "Realization of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living".[7] Sikh teaching emphasizes the principle of equality of all humans and rejects discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, and gender. Sikh principles encourage living life as a householder.
Sikhi is a monotheistic[8][9] and a revealed religion.[10] In Sikhi, God—termed Vāhigurū—is shapeless, timeless, and sightless (i.e., unable to be seen with the physical eye): niraṅkār, akaal, and alakh. The beginning of the first composition of Sikh scripture is the figure "1"—signifying the universality of God. It states that God is omnipresent and infinite with power over everything, and is signified by the term ēk ōaṅkār.[11] Sikhs believe that before creation, all that existed was God and God's hukam (will or order).[12] When God willed, the entire cosmos was created. From these beginnings, God nurtured "enticement and attachment" to māyā, or the human perception of reality.[13]
While a full understanding of God is beyond human beings,[11] Nanak described God as not wholly unknowable. God is omnipresent (sarav viāpak) in all creation and visible everywhere to the spiritually awakened. Nanak stressed that God must be seen from "the inward eye", or the "heart", of a human being: devotees must meditate to progress towards enlightenment. Guru Nanak Dev emphasized the revelation through meditation, as its rigorous application permits the existence of communication between God and human beings.[11] God has no gender in Sikhi (though translations may incorrectly present a male God); indeed Sikhi teaches that God is "Akaal Purkh" with characteristic of "Nirankar" (Niran meaning "without" and kar meaning "form", hence "without form"). In addition, Nanak wrote that there are many worlds on which God has created life.[14]

Guru Nanak's teachings are founded not on a final destination of heaven or hell, but on a spiritual union with God which results in salvation. The official Khalsa Code of Conduct laid out by the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, makes it clear that human birth is obtained with great fortune, therefore one needs to be able to make the most of this chance. The Sikhs believe in living "Chakar Vati"—roaming free as freedom, not as slaves or be oppressed.
Māyā—defined as illusion or "unreality"—is one of the core deviations from the pursuit of God and salvation: people are distracted from devotion by worldly attractions which give only illusory satisfaction. However, Nanak emphasised māyā as not a reference to the unreality of the world, but of its values. In Sikhi, the influences of ego, anger, greed, attachment, and lust—known as the Five Evils—are believed to be particularly pernicious. The fate of people vulnerable to the Five Evils is separation from God, and the situation may be remedied only after intensive and relentless devotion.[15]
Nśabad (the divine Word) emphasizes the totality of the revelation. Nanak designated the word guru (meaning teacher) as the voice of God and the source and guide for knowledge and salvation.[16] Salvation can be reached only through rigorous and disciplined devotion to God. Nanak distinctly emphasised the irrelevance of outward observations such as rites, pilgrimages, or asceticism. He stressed that devotion must take place through the heart, with the spirit and the soul. According to Gurbani the supreme purpose of human life is to reconnect with Truth. However, our Ego is the biggest disease in the reunion with Truth/God and the solution to this disease also lies within human ego (mind and body). With Guru's grace the seeker meditates honestly on "Word" which leads to the end of ego. Guru is indistinguishable from God and are one and same thing as God which cannot be found with thousands of wisdoms. One gets connected with Guru only with accumulation of selfless search of truth. Ultimately the seeker realizes that it is the consciousness within the body which is seeker/follower and Word is true Guru. The human body is just a means to achieve the reunion with Truth. Truth is a form of matter which lies within the human body but is beyond the realm of time/death. Once truth starts to shine in a person’s heart, the essence of current and past holy books of all religions is understood by the person.
A key practice to be pursued is nām: remembrance of the divine Name. The verbal repetition of the name of God or a sacred syllable is an established practice in religious traditions in India, but Nanak's interpretation emphasized inward, personal observance. Nanak's ideal is the total exposure of one's being to the divine Name and a total conforming to Dharma or the "Divine Order". Nanak described the result of the disciplined application of nām simraṇ as a "growing towards and into God" through a gradual process of five stages. The last of these is sach khaṇḍ (The Realm of Truth)—the final union of the spirit with God.[16]
Guru Nanak stressed now kirat karō: that a Sikh should balance work, worship, and charity, and should defend the rights of all creatures, and in particular, fellow human beings. They are encouraged to have a chaṛdī kalā, or optimistic, view of life. Sikh teachings also stress the concept of sharing—vaṇḍ chakkō—through the distribution of free food at Sikh gurdwaras (laṅgar), giving charitable donations, and working for the good of the community and others (sēvā).
Sikhs believe that no matter what race, sex, or religion one is, all are equal in God's eyes. Men and women are equal and share the same rights, and women can lead in prayers.

The term guru comes from the Sanskrit gurū, meaning teacher, guide, or mentor. The traditions and philosophy of Sikhi were established by ten specific gurus from 1469 to 1708. Each guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting in the creation of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak Dev was the first guru and appointed a disciple as successor. Guru Gobind Singh was the final guru in human form. Before his death, Guru Gobind Singh decreed that the Gurū Granth Sāhib would be the final and perpetual guru of the Sikhs.[17]
Guru Angad Dev succeeded Guru Nanak. Later, an important phase in the development of Sikhi came with the third successor, Guru Amar Das. Guru Nanak's teachings emphasised the pursuit of salvation; Guru Amar Das began building a cohesive community of followers with initiatives such as sanctioning distinctive ceremonies for birth, marriage, and death. Amar Das also established the manji (comparable to a diocese) system of clerical supervision.[16]


The interior of the Akal Takht
Guru Amar Das's successor and son-in-law Guru Ram Das founded the city of Amritsar, which is home of the Harimandir Sahib and regarded widely as the holiest city for all Sikhs. When Guru Ram Das's youngest son Arjan succeeded him, the line of male gurus from the Sodhi Khatri family was established: all succeeding gurus were direct descendants of this line. Guru Arjan Dev was captured by Mughal authorities who were suspicious and hostile to the religious order he was developing.[18] His persecution and death inspired his successors to promote a military and political organization of Sikh communities to defend themselves against the attacks of Mughal forces.
The Sikh gurus established a mechanism which allowed the Sikh religion to react as a community to changing circumstances. The sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, was responsible for the creation of the concept of Akal Takht (throne of the timeless one), which serves as the supreme decision-making centre of Sikhi and sits opposite the Darbar Sahib. The Sarbat Ḵẖālsā (a representative portion of the Khalsa Panth) historically gathers at the Akal Takht on special festivals such as Vaisakhi or Hola Mohalla and when there is a need to discuss matters that affect the entire Sikh nation. A gurmatā (literally, guru's intention) is an order passed by the Sarbat Ḵẖālsā in the presence of the Gurū Granth Sāhib. A gurmatā may only be passed on a subject that affects the fundamental principles of Sikh religion; it is binding upon all Sikhs.[19] The term hukamnāmā (literally, edict or royal order) is often used interchangeably with the term gurmatā. However, a hukamnāmā formally refers to a hymn from the Gurū Granth Sāhib which is a given order to Sikhs.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism

I Shot All This As My Tribute To Memories the Cornerstone of My Past ..


The entire traffic around Afzalgunj Hyderabad was choc a bloc , and my travel guy was not giving me the status of my Bus on which I was to leave for Mumbai , Ejaz my photographer friend had gone to buy me some snacks and within 15 minutes I shot all these frames barefeet.. paying tribute to my friends from this faith who have been part of my journey of life ..

I also have memories of a Sikh person who changed me , made me a better humanbeing, and I hope this memory touches her ..without her help support I would have never reached this far.

Guru Nanak Gurpurab Afzalgunj Hyderabad 2012

Kissi Ne Pucha Tera Gharbaar Kitna Hai
Kissi Ne Pucha Tera Karobaar Kitna Hai
Kssi Ne Pucha Tera Parivaar Kitna Hai
Koi Virla Hi Puch Da Hai,
Tera Guru Naal Pyaar Kitna Hai…

Guru Nanak Gurpurab Afzalgunj Hyderabad 2012

Nanak Nich kahe vichaar,
Waria na jaava ek waar,
Jo tud bhave sai bhali kaar,
Tu sada salamat nirankaar

Raj karega khalsa, aakee rehae naa koe, Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Man Mein Sincho Har Har Naam
Andar Kirtan,Hor Guun Gaam
Aisi Preet Karo Man Mere
Aath Pehar Prab Jano Nehre
Kaho Nanak Ja Ka Nirmal Bhaag
Har Charnee Ta Ka Man Laag

Guru Nanak Gurpurab Afzalgunj Hyderabad 2012

Guru Nanak Gurpurab Afzalgunj Hyderabad 2012

Guru Nanak Gurpurab also known as Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Utsav, marks the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism.[1] Apart from Sikhs, the Nanakpanthi Hindus and other followers of Guru Nanak's philosophy also celebrate this festival.

I could not shoot more of this as a Sikh gentleman saw my head bleeding I had cut my head for Ashura a day before so he requested me to leave I was shooting this barefeet .. I did in humility and gratitude..

Also I had a bus to catch for Mumbai, because of this procession the buses had changed route and were leaving from Nampally , but that too was changed I finally caught the bus from the highway .. waiting 3 hours for the same.

Guru Nanak Jayanti..Afzalganj Hyderabad 2012


I had come to Hyderabad to shoot Moharam and I was leaving on 26 Nov , and my bus was to leave from Afzalgunj Hyderabad .

My dear friend Ejaz a very humble photographer bought me here on his bike , as the bus did not turn up I shot this Sikh festival on my last day in Hyderabad for about half an hour .

I than left with Ejaz to Nampally to catch the bus from there and it was a nightmare of a journey 18 hours of hell even with AC sleeper thanks to Oomer Bus Service.

Well I shot the Guru Nanak feast .. and I begin my tryst with Hyderabad showcasing another mans faith before I start uploading my Moharam pictures a very long story board.

About Guru Nanak Jayanti. Wikipedia

Guru Nanak Gurpurab also known as Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Utsav, marks the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism.[1] Apart from Sikhs, the Nanakpanthi Hindus and other followers of Guru Nanak's philosophy also celebrate this festival.
The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the 10 Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs. Their birthdays, known as Gurpurab (or Gurpurb), are occasions for celebration and prayer among the Sikhs.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji (the First Guru, the founder of Sikhism) was born in 1469 in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present Shekhupura District of Pakistan, now Nankana Sahib.[2] The birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib falls on Kartik Poornima, i.e., the day of the full moon in the month of Kartik. In the Gregorian Calendar, the birthday of Guru Nanak usually falls in the month of November, but its date varies from year to year, based on the traditional dates of the Indian calendar.[3]

The celebration is generally similar for all Gurpurabs; only the hymns are different. The celebration usually commence of Prabhat Pheris. Prabhat Pheris are early morning processions that begin at the Gurudwaras and proceed around the localities singing hymns. Generally two days before the birthday, Akhand Path (a forty-eight-hour non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs) is held in the Gurdwaras.
The day prior to the birthday, a procession, referred to as Nagarkirtan,[4] is organised. This procession is led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones).[3][5] They head the procession carrying the Sikh flag, known as the Nishan Sahib and the Palki (Palanquin) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. They are followed by teams of singers singing hymns[5] and devotees sing the chorus. There are brass bands playing different tunes and 'Gatka' teams display their swordmanship through various martial arts and as mock battles using traditional weapons.[3][4] The procession pours into the streets of the town. The passage is covered with banners and gates decorated flags and flowers, for this special occasion.[3][4] The leaders spreading the message of Guru Nanak.[3]

On the day of the Gurpurab, the celebrations commence early in the morning at about 4 to 5 am.[3][4] This time of the day is referred to as Amrit Vela. The day begins with the singing of Asa-di-Var (morning hymns).[3][4] This is followed by any combination of Katha[4] (exposition of the scripture) and Kirtan (hymns from the Sikh scriptures), in the praise of the Guru.[3] Following that is the Langar, a special community lunch, which is arranged at the Gurudwaras by volunteers. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that everyone, irrespective of caste, class or creed,[6] should be offered food in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).
Night Prayer sessions are also held in some Gurudwaras, which begin around sunset when Rehras(evening prayer) is recited, followed by Kirtan till late at night.[3] The congregation starts singing Gurbani at about 1:20 am at night, which is the actual time of birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The celebrations culminate at around 2 am.[3]
Guru Nanak Gurpurab is celebrated by the Sikh community all over the world and is one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar. The celebrations are especially colourful in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. Even some Sindhis celebrate this festival.

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