Jisko Na Dein Maulah Usko Dilwayen Assaf Ud Daulah, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.
The Nawabs of Lucknow felt the pain of the poor, they built monuments they built hope they served the public unlike the leaders of Lucknow who built their own megalomaniac reflections in cold stone, leaders who built parks elephants instead of creating jobs .. and even today no regime has really done anything for the poor the destitute of Uttar Pradesh.
It saddens me to see the decadence , the demoralized status of fathomless living on the streets braving the winter chill ..
I was born in Lucknow but my roots have been torn apart I grew new roots in Mumbai .. so when I come to Lucknow always during Moharam I mourn for Imam Hussain and lost illusions of the Nawabs of Avadh..
I shot Bada Imambada , Chota Imambada and finally the last vestige of the British heritage crying in pain the graves of English soldiers at British Residency ..
I shot alone and could feel the darkness tearing my spirit I shoot differently simply because for me I shoot the poetry of lost time and rhythmic remorse ..
And I am now in Mumbai caught up in my work,I did not shoot the Urus of Fakhruddin Shah Baba Mahim , just had no time I have pictures in my camera of the Residency I shot 3 cards of 8GB..
I dont have the earlier passion , I have lost it completely ..my wife wanted to go back to Lucknow for Athvi but it is impossible my hands are full with responsibilities ..
But I will go to the Maha Kumbh in Feb and catch up with the Naga Sadhus of Juna Akhada , my teacher is anxiously waiting for ma a Naga Guru too.
I dont know whether I will make it to Haji Malang but I have already booked my Ajmer Urus tickets a year in advance to meet my brothers the Dam Madar Malangs.
