पुणेरी मिसळ

Sunday 27 June 2021

मृग नक्षत्र

अमर व्याध हा अमर हरिण तो

मृगयेचा सोहळा

अजरामर हो दिगंतरातुन

हा मुलुखावेगळा!

उरात रुतला बाण परंतु

खंत मृगाला नसे

प्रकाश उधळित नील पथाने

संथ पुढे जातसे!

तीर सोडूनी एक राहिला

मुग्ध उभा पारधी

वाट पहातो हरिण, यायचा

शर दुसरा तो कधी?

अमित युगांचे कण ओघळती

मृगया नच हो पुरी

परस्परांच्या सौंदर्याचे

दास्य जडे अंतरी!

विचित्र या मृगयेत शिकारी

एकच शर सोडूनी

मृगामागुनी अगतिक हिंडे

विद्ध स्वतः होऊनी!

-कुसुमाग्रज

Sunday 6 September 2020

Yesterday I happened to binge-skip watch a new Amazon Prime series - Bandish Bandits. It was good to see that an entire series where music seemed to be the protagonist was created. However, the series never gets you totally hooked to it, nor does it leave a lasting imprint on your mind.

Ill not discuss the plot over here - but I will certainly say that it feels like a cocktail of various emotional, stylistic, musical, personal and ego conflicts. These conflicts could all have caused severe upheavals during the collision course of each- all are stories worth exploring in detail, but never fully explored. At the end of the season, It felt a lot of backstories had forced closures and it was hard to understand why.

In terms of the story, it comes across as a confused cacophony of well known stories all compressed into one tale. A large hint of the life of a great Pandit, mixed with elements of Katyar Kaljat Ghusali, the portrayal of classical music as being dependent on a wealthy patron(Kings), financial struggles of the protagonist,the opposites attract theory, with a healthy dose of emotional jealousy on the lines of Aashiqi series all coated with a dollop of the millennial relationship conundrums and you get a confused and confusing output.

In terms of acting, I read enormous praise for Naseeruddin Shah. I give him full marks for all the non-musical side of his role. However, when it came to portraying performances, they were not as intense as a "kaslela gayak" of the stature of Panditji would deliver. His portrayal of Ghulfam Hassan was far better. Atul Kulkarni felt more like an established stalwart and estranged singer that the script was demanding. The Viraha song on the last episode is probably the best song in the entire series and has been portrayed really well. In general his facial expressions when coming up with long taans, the effort that is needed for that, catching the sam looks on cue. I dont know what to make of the lead(Radhe). Hes acted OK - but his performance as a "Sadhak" of music does not stay with you. I think the lead who plays Tamanna does more justice to the role and is probably more suited to the character. The supporting cast of family members do a good job.

When it comes to the locations - I thought that the team managed to capture the essense of Jodhpur. Its a city I have enjoyed visiting and I could feel the vibe of the fort, the mirchi vada thelas and the havelis. It was refreshing to see the story set in a non-traditional music center(Gwalior, Jaipur, Delhi, Varanasi etc). I have to give it to the cinematographers. Some of the shots of the riyaz sessions in the temple were fabulous.

However, my severest criticism for this show is reserved for the music. For a SEL production, the music is really not up to the mark. This coming from the same team that gave us brilliant music in Katyar Kaljat Ghusli is surprizing. Its probably the absence of a genius in shape of Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki which is the biggest differentiation between the two albums. Bandish Bandits at best is a mediocre music album. The new and upcoming singers selected for playback do not do justice to the egos and characters portrayed on screen. The worst part is at times the singing is extremely besura. If this was deliberate, I dont understand the reason for doing that. Overall, musically, the album feels lacking the X factor. Not a single song really captivates you, except for maybe the Marwa/Pooriya at the end.

Overall, I feel this was a really underwhelming series. It kept on moving goalposts on the quintessential ego clash and showdowns that are central to portrayals of the musical world. In the end the whole pitch was filled with a lot of unnecessary moving targets. The showdown at the end was not much of a showdown. Too much content was force fitted in space of 10 episodes which ultimately led to a total loss of interest to see each episode in full. Music, which is supposed to be the theme, ultimately loses out on the much needed screen space. Musically, the album fails to deliver. As an avid listener of classical music, the music is disappointing at best. The end result is a mashup of ideas which do not add up and does not live up to ones expectations.

Friday 10 January 2020

बचेंगे तो और भी लड़ेंगे

10 Jan 1760 is the Hautatmya diwas of Dattaji Shinde. In a pitched battle against the combined forces of the invading forces of Ahmed Shah and the "local anarchist" Najib Khan Rohilla, Dattaji fell at the battle of Buradi Ghat. Sometimes, I wonder, if later historians while studying our history, came up with a popular marathi phrase of "satarashe sath(chi) vighna.(seventeen sixty hardships)" based on the happenings, events movements between this date and the culmination on 14th Jan 1761. The lead up to Panipat was full of difficulties which could have led to the popularization of the phrase, along with "Sankrant Kosalane" for the disaster that struck on the fateful day. If not, we should make it a point to remember it as such, considering the terrible price we had to pay a year later.

Let us also never forget Najib Khan Rohilla- the person who killed Dattaji. A recurring blot of a character throughout Indian history he was a catalyst for the third battle of Panipat. It is essential that we identify these modern Najibs and unmask them before they unleash any more cross border Abdalis on us. We can see them peeping up from various campuses all over the country.

Prabhu Ramchandra gave us Hindus a very wise teaching which reads मरणान्तानि वैराणि निर्वृत्तं नः प्रयोजनम्।[Enmity ends with death; it is of no use to desist] This was always respected, with the notable exception being Najib. Maratha armies, under the command of Visaji Pant Biniwale and Mahadji Shinde later in 1771 defeated his son Zabita Khan, captured Patthargadh and gave Najib his much needed Azadi from a claustrophobic tomb.

These Najibs should never be forgotten as they are entrenched in our society - scheming to find schisms in your ranks and exploit it for their own selfish motives and benefits.

Neither should we ever forget our history and our mistakes. We had our share of Satarashesath Vighna - the reasons for which are well established. No more should they repeat. Panipat 3 could have been won, maybe should have been won. Panipat 4 is in the making, and if we are to win, reflecting on our history is a must.

Keeping in mind the possibility of the inevitable and the generosity of the bridge building Najibs of today for wholesale mass reporting and stifling a differing opinion than their own, we will remember the warrior Dattaji with his famous last words to carry us through any darkness that may befall and give us the strength to fight - "बचेंगे तो और भी लड़ेंगे."

||हर हर महादेव||

Saturday 27 April 2019

रालेमधली अनोखी उबरस्वारी

परवा कॅलिफोर्निया वरून रालेला परत आलो, तेव्हा विमानतळापासून घरी यायला उबर केली होती. उबरचा ड्रायव्हर आफ्रिकन-अमेरिकन होता. आत्तापर्यंत जेव्हाकेव्हा उबर वापरली आहे, तेव्हा आफ्रिकन-अमेरिकन ड्रायव्हर असला की गप्पा मारायला धमाल येते असा माझा अनुभव आहे. अनेक विषयांवर हे लोक खूप सहज आणि मोकळेपणाने बोलतात. अनेकदा खूप कमी शब्दात किंवा काहीच न बोलता आयुष्यातले कटू प्रसंग, सलणाऱ्या भावना आणि उघड जरी नसला, तरी गौप्य पद्धतीने चालणारा वर्णभेद यावर काहीतरी खोल बोलून जातात, नकळत व्यक्त होऊन जातात.

सहसा हवा, अमेरिकेत कधी आलात, त्यांचा आणि माझा मूळ गावं/देश याबद्दल बोलण्याने संवाद सुरु होतो. बरेच लोक तितक्यावरच थांबतात, पण नकळत गौरवर्णीय विरुध्द कृष्णवर्णीय यांतला नकळत होणारा फरक चटकन सांगून जातात. पण बरेच लोक मोकळेपणाने बोलतात. आफ्रिकेतल्या सुदान, सोमालिया, किंवा इतर युद्धग्रस्त देशातून पलायन करून आलेले अनेक लोक इथे उबर ड्रायव्हरचं काम करताना दिसले आहेत. आपल्या देशी परत जाऊ शकत नाही याची त्यांना प्रचंड खंत असते आणि ते दुःख अनेकदा दिसून येतं. पण यातल्या अनेकांना भारताबद्दल जबरदस्त कुतूहल आहे. त्यांचे अनेक मित्र दिल्ली विद्यापीठातून शिकले आहेत. मुंबई आणि पुणे विद्यापीठे देखील यांना माहिती असतात. माझ्यासाठी इथे आल्यावर हे सगळं ऐकणं जरा नवीनच होतं.

परवाचा माझा झालेला मित्र, “गाम्बिया” नावाच्या अतिशय छोट्या देशातून आला होता. पश्चिम आफ्रिकेतील सेनेगाल नावाच्या देशाच्या मधोमध एका नदीचं खोरं आहे, आणि या नदीच्या लागतची एक छोटीशी पट्टी म्हणजे हा गाम्बिया देश. पूर्ण पश्चिम आफ्रिका फ्रेंचांनी गिळंकृत केले असताना या नदीच्या खोर्यात इंग्रज शिरले होते. नकाशावर हा देश बघितला होता, पण फारशी माहिती नव्हती. माझ्या या नव्या मित्रामुळे तीही भरपूर मिळाली.

सहज बोलता बोलता जगात कुठे काय सुरु आहे यावर विषय घसरला. पाश्चात्य देशांनी सत्ता केंद्रित करण्यासाठी जगात “गरज नसताना कशी युद्ध केली” यावर विषय गेला होता. सिरीया, इराक, विएतनाम, कोरिया, किम जोंग उन, ट्रम्प, अफगाणिस्तान, कोल्ड वॉर, आणि अशा कितीतरी विषयांवर गप्पा झाल्या.यावर काही महानेत्यांच्या पोकळ विचारांचे धिंडवडे काढले गेले. त्यातच एक कमालीचं वाक्य ऐकायला मिळालं.. “Some countries think that they spread non violence. But they are the most violent countries in the world- involved in most unnecessary wars. If anyone asks them why, the response is “Our violence is to uphold non-violence” and that is complete BS”. खरोखर विचार करण्यासारखा मुद्दा आहे हा. पुढे गप्पा मारता मारता लोकशाहीची गरज नसताना केलेली अंमलबजावणी, फसलेली लोकशाही आणि काही ठिकाणी हुकुमशाही का योग्य होती हे संभाषण पण झाले. तेव्हा “Let me tell you- If people are ruled by an idiot they don’t want, it is called dictatorship. But if they are ruled by and idiot they elect, its called democracy” असे नवे ज्ञान मला मिळाले.

एखाद्या उबर ड्रायव्हर बरोबर मी या गप्पा मरीन याचा मी स्वप्नात देखील विचार केला नव्हता.

पुढे सोशल मिडिया, केम्ब्रिज अनालीटीका, निवडणुकी, याकडे विषय वळला हे स्वाभाविकच होतं. “How is our friend Mr. Modi doing? You think he will get elected again?” हा प्रश्न ऐकून मी ५ मिनिट सुन्न झालो होतो. अमेरिकेतल्या तशा छोट्याशा शहरात गाम्बिया नामक चिमुकल्या देशातून आलेला एक माणूस इतक्या उत्साहाने भारतीय निवडणुकीकडे लक्ष ठेऊन आहे, यावर विश्वास बसत नव्हता. पुढची १० मिनिटे मोदिनी किती भारी काम केलं आहे, हे मी त्याच्याकडून ऐकलं, आणि “If I was Indian, I would always vote for him” हे विधान ऐकून थक्क झालो. मी मोदी समर्थक आहे- विचारधारेमुळे, संघाच्या संस्कारामुळे, भाजपबद्दल आपसूक असणाऱ्या आकर्षणामुळे मी, किंवा माझ्यासारख्या इतर कोणी हे विधान करणे अगदी स्वाभाविक आहे. पण, परत, आफ्रिकेतल्या छोट्याशा देशातला तो माणूस, भारतात असलेल्या त्याच्या मित्रांच्या बोलण्यावरून, भारतात एकूणच इंटरेस्ट घेऊन निस्वार्थ मानाने हे म्हणतो हे खरोखर विशेष आहे. “Sometime I wish our African countries had a leader like Modi – we would have been so much ahead of where we are now” या वाक्याने तर मी अक्षरशः बधीर झालो होतो.

आपल्याकडे आज एक राष्ट्रपुरुष, विश्वपुरुष उभा करण्याची संधी आहे. भारतातच नव्हे, तर इतर अनेक देशात मोदींचे भारतीयइतर चाहते आहेत, ही कल्पनेपलीकडची गोष्ट आहे. आपण फक्त एक सक्षम पंतप्रधान नाही तर कदाचित एक विश्वमार्गदर्शक बघतो आहोत. भारतातच नाही, तर इतर अनेक देशात मोदी यांच्याकडे लोक आशेने बघन आहेत, यात काही शंका नाही. एक भारतीय आणि त्यातून मोदी समर्थक म्हणून आपल्याला अजून किती काम शिल्लक आहे, त्याचा आवाका काय आहे, ते डोळ्यासमोर उभं राहिलं.

विमानतळावरुन घरी यायला पाउण तास लागला, आणि या सर्व गप्पांच्या नादात तो कसा गेला तेच कळलं नाही. पुढचे दोन दिवस यावरच विचार सुरु होता. अमेरिकेत येताना तिथल्या लोकांबद्दल- विशेषतः आफ्रिकन अमेरिकन लोकांबद्दल मनात काही स्टीरियोटाईप आणि पूर्वग्रह करून आलो होतो- ते आत्तापर्यंत बऱ्याच प्रमाणात ढासळले होते- पण त्या “सामान्य टॅक्सी चालकाबरोबर” झालेल्या बोलण्यानंतर तर ते पूर्णतः कोसळले आहेत. या देशात खरोखर हिरे विखुरले आहेत.

Saturday 19 January 2019

Why the Mughals could never really capture the Deccan.

I had written this as one of my Facebook posts a few years back. Today, on the insistence of my photographer par excellence friend Kapil, I'm sharing this write-up as a blog post. I have independently written a more detailed answer on Quora which can be accessed here[1]. Additionally, I have written on the importance of forts, and their role in the 27 Year war of independence, which can be found here[2].

This article, and the articles on the two links I shared are my humble offerings to Shri Ninadrao Bedekar, the person who painted in great detail the life, times, policies, and a new perspective on Shivaji,the Marathas, and the indomitable spirit of the Sahyadris. In memory of the great historian who enthralled and inspired so many of us.

Why Aurangzeb could never quite capture the Deccan despite possessing the worlds biggest and best equipped army of the time, was mainly due to the underestimation of both- the terrain here as well as the brilliant tactics of Marathas. Even though he did not wholeheartedly support it, Aurangzeb had to split his army in two and open two fronts- one in the Deccan where he attempted to capture important and strategic forts such as Raigad, Panhala, Rajgad, Vishalgad, Sinvhagad, Torna, Satara, Sajjangad(Parali) whereas the second division of his army, under the command of the brilliant general Zulfikar Khan was sent south to capture Jinji, which was now the capital of Marathas. Rajaram Maharaj had successfully evaded the Mughal forces first at Raigad then Panhala, Vishalgad and had finally reached Jinji, from where he fought Zulfikar Khan for 7 years. This was a huge stretch to the Mughal Supply lines, and brilliant Maratha generals such as Santaji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhav ruthlessly cut off these already stretched lines. The movement of these two were so lightening that it was impossible to predict where they would turn up.

Jinji burnt a huge unsustainable hole in the Mughal treasury and did its job. In Maharashtra he managed to reduce the tactically important forts mentioned above, but needed months of siege. Once the marathas thought that their positions on these forts (all of which rise atleast 1000-2000 feet from surrounding areas and are extremely difficult to climb) was untenable-if they were out of food or ammunition, they would take money from the mughals and surrender the fort- but applied a scorched earth policy wherein all food and ammunition was burnt. When the Mughals received the empty fort, they used to stack it up with grain and ammunition and do whatever repairs were needed to strengthen it. Once all this was done, the Marathas would surprize attack the forts and retake it without much losses. In the end, they ended up retaining the fort in a better position than which they had left it in. This "business" continued for 27 years and Mughals went bankrupt.

The other decisive factor was the full manipulation of the season. Winter was usually the time for war and campaigns and generally these campaigns lasted till the summer. Marathas held on to their positions till the rains arrived and opened negotiations with the Mughals once it started raining. Most of the important forts overlook a river valley, and as such, any besieging Mughal force was camped along the banks of these rivers- which were prone to flash flooding. As soon as it started raining heavily enough, Marathas opened talks so that Mughals would have to shift their bases to these valleys, and as a result, were prone to the attacks by the natural elements. The story of Urmodi river devastating the mughal camp at the foothills of Sajjangad is quite famous.

The legacy of Shivaji Maharaj had lived on through to the Marathas. In a bakhar, there is a quote attributed to Ch.Shivaji, which roughly translates as: "Today, we control 350 forts. One day will come when Alamgir(Aurangzeb) will come to deccan. I will fight each of my fort for atleast a year against him. That Alamgir will need a lifetime of 350 years to capture deccan." When Aurangzeb finally came to deccan in 1682, he started his war by capturing a small hillfort called Ramsej near Nasik. An army of 50,000 was sent to reduce the fort under the command of a high ranking official- Shahbuddin Khan Gaziuddin Firoz Jung. Ramsej is a small fort which can hold not more than 500 people. We dont know who was incharge of the fort. But this anonymous killedar not only defended the fort- he with his 500 men defended it for five and a half years. How was the Alamgir then supposed to win the deccan in his lifetime?

Finally the most important factor was an unseen one. Mughals possessed the finest generals of the time- Zulfikar Khan, Ikhlas Khan, Mukarrab Khan, Feroze Jung etc. Marathas had Santaji, Dhanaji, Ramchandrapant, Shankarji Narayan, etc. but they also had the invisible General Sahyadri on their side. The above mentioned Maratha generals enlisted the help of General Sahyadri in each and every campaign and he assisted them everytime, thereby creating a havoc in mughal camps. If it is said that the Russian General Winter defeated Napoleon and Hitler, then most definitely General Sahyadri not only defeated Aurangzeb, but decimated his forces, and crumbled his empire.

Some photos of General Sahyadri- the heartland of Maratha country.