Rana Hammeer of Ranthambor
July 13th, 2003 Amongst Rajputs the name Hammeer has extraordinary weight power and significance. It is a name to conjure with.
Tag: poetry
Hear Akhilesh Recite Faiz “Sporting nooses like garlands”
In 2011, Akhilesh was encouraged to recite a poem by Faiz Ahmed Faiz that he was very fond of. Hear and read the poem, his translation, and his perspective on Faiz. Daar kee russiyoan kay guloobund gurdun meiyn pehney huway Ganeywaaley hureyk roaz gaatey ruhey, Paayaleiyn beidiyoan kee bujaatey ruhey: Hum joa iss suff meiyn… Continue reading Hear Akhilesh Recite Faiz “Sporting nooses like garlands”
The heroic end of Susil Kumar Sen
July 1st, 2001 In today’s or 21st Century India “politician” means “crook”. A hundred years ago when political life was just beginning for Indians after the lull following the massacres of 1857/1858 getting involved meant great idealism, suffering and sacrifice. Today talk of martyrs and patriots is likely to be ignored. Or dismissed a la… Continue reading The heroic end of Susil Kumar Sen
Raghupati Sahay “Firaq”
Juse 17th, 2001 Talking or writing about a poet who wrote in Urdu for an audience who do not use the language for their reading writing and talking in everyday life is a daunting task. Perhaps an incident from his life recounted by an eyewitness will help make the poet come alive for those who… Continue reading Raghupati Sahay “Firaq”
Violence, Love and Lordship
June 11th, 2001 The Crown Prince of Nepal has, allegedly, slaughtered his parents and siblings because the path of his desire was being obstructed. It is said that, besides Love, he was also under the influence of alcohol cocaine and marihuana. When the news of the slaughter broke, Hindu friends and relatives, mostly of the… Continue reading Violence, Love and Lordship
Bahadur Shah’s 1857 Proclamation and the British Response
Column For 11th May 2003 Atal Behari Vajpeyi, Prime Minister of India can talk about a last chance for peace in his lifetime because in India, unlike Europe and the USA, death is not a forbidden subject. This may be because the Hindu looks upon death not as a full stop but as a comma,… Continue reading Bahadur Shah’s 1857 Proclamation and the British Response
Resolutions and Wishes for the Third Millenum
31st December 2000 “What is the Truth?” asked Pontius Pilate and would not wait for an answer. Our current rulers do not ask. They manufacture what they want to be seen as the truth and the RSS/VHP/BJP propaganda machinery springs to action to repeat a lie over and over again until it comes to be… Continue reading Resolutions and Wishes for the Third Millenum