~Dilli Diary~ Safdarjung Tomb

In the heart of Delhi’s swankiest area lies a monument with a forgotten story. Like most others its tale too was lost among the snazzy malls that came to replace the landmarks of Delhi. Safdarjung tomb lies at the intersection of Safdarjung Road, Aurobindo Marg and Lodhi Road and takes one by surprise as it pops out of nowhere. It stands at the Centre of these busy roads which connects Khan Market, Jor Bagh and the Safdarjung Airport like a silent spectator of development and evolution of Delhi from the 1754 till today, as the rulers of Delhi changed from its creators, the Mughals, to the colonial rule of British and later India’s Independent Government. Built for Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan, Governor of Oudh during the rule of Muhammad Shah and later the Prime Minister to Shah’s successor, Ahmad Shah, this is one of the most famous monuments built during the final years of Mughal rule.

At the very entrance, there is a slab, explaining the history of the tomb in not just English and Hindi, but also in Braille. Entry charges are Rs 5 per head and for shooting videos, one need to pay Rs 25 extra. Despite being at the centre of such a busy road outside, and construction inside, a quiet calm takes over as soon as one enters the main archway. While walking through the passage that leads to the tomb, what is striking is not the magnificence of the monument, but the passage itself, which has become a parking lot. Dark, dingy and slightly cold, the main passage is supposed to be the first spot from where the entire monument can be seen through the arch. But instead, the passage way is decorated with cycles and scooters of the workers, who are repairing this structure. Infact turning around towards the entrance (which now becomes the exit) provides for an even more interesting sight. Through the 18th century arch, one can see the cars, buses and tucks of the 21st century zip past. It almost seems like looking through a time portal stuck between two eras.

The first look at the monument is breath taking. It warms the visitor with its splendour and yet imposes its beauty in the most unassuming way. The vast expanse of ground on which this monument stand could be better maintained as it seems rather barren at the moment. The dried lake too is an eyesore, especially since the two together give a feeling of being transported into a desert. But the dome with its partly fallen tiles and the minarets with airy windows take your attention away from these small flaws. Once at the stairway, it is advisable to stop and prepare oneself for the beauty that lies ahead. Even midway through the steep stairs, the minarets and veranda start peeing, like a child playing hide and seek. The central balcony catches the eye with its beautifully carved frame. And just as one adjusts the eye to the marvel of the minarets around, a look at the ceiling would leave one even more astound. Typical to all architectures of the Mughal era, the ceiling is ornate and has flower designs in the centre of a symmetrical yet unique array of lines, which create an illusion of depth. The main hallway looks into smaller ones on either side, all equally exquisite. With the sunlight creeping up, the shadows along with the patterns on the walls create an fascinating view. The locked up doors along the way create a mystery and curiosity to know what lies beyond.

Back at the veranda, one must take time to sit at the corner and watch the dome and minarets closely. Infact if lucky enough, the pigeons on the windows would suddenly fly around the dome twice before settling back into their cosy spots, but only to resume the parikrama once again. This is quiet spectacular and the birds around the dome make it more picturesque.

Walk around and discover hidden corners and history tucked away between dust and time. There are fascinating things around. The women who clean in their vibrant sarees, taking a break, while sipping ‘chai’ and the old man who shys away when he sees the camera and the guard who stand at the entrance of door stocked with papers and books (try sneaking in if you can) add a touch of life, to what otherwise could have become just another monument. Everyone is bound to find something for themselves here-the loner gets his silence, the lovebirds find their peace, photographers discover locations and architects get a look at what is considered the last flick in the light of the Mughal architecture. But most importantly, nearly everyone would find one thing for sure-Inspiration.

from a series written for the magazine PEOPLE'S POST

Dream....

The great thing about being young is the capacity to dream, in most cases endlessly. Starting from the 2 year old me who wanted to paint hoardings, to a 10 yr old who wanted to be a spy, a 14 year old who wanted to write and make a difference, till now, a 20 year old, who still wants to be all that and more.

Every now and then I have met people who have made me feel otherwise, taking me further from my dream, leaving me a little more bruised than yesterday. There have been times when even the pebble in sand seemed to have a better life and the moon in dark night gave no light.

Life often seemed like a whirlwind, picking up everything wrong on its way, just before it hit me hard and landed me on the bottom of the pit. There are times when you just want to shut yourself from everyone. Even the faces that used to bring a smile seemed to draw a blank. Trust me the feeling of being sucked into a vacuum can be quiet depressing. I always wondered how things would be on the other side. There always was a feeling of hope that I would get out of it, but it was a matter of time. How long before I finally can bid adieu to formalities of education and start my dream ride?

It is true that only your dream that can inspire you the most. It is under these dreams that you can take shelter and under the same that you shine like a star. And it is only now, that we strike the balance of experience and innocence. It is only now that though everything around me may say otherwise, I have the passion to dream.

It is what it all boils down to. It is that one thing for which I don’t have to be somebody’s daughter or some university topper. Nothing can stop me from dreaming, and going back to bed each day with more hope and a millimetre closer to it. The end of it all is always curious. Would I be where I want to be? In a way, it does not matter.

I atleast had the passion to dream and more important had the guts to follow it like a psychotic stalker!

Letter to Losers!

I dedicate this piece to Shubhi. After reading your article, I am really charged up to put those thoughts which have been bothering me/us for so long, into words. I shall take the liberty to start from where you left.

Dear dirty old scumbag,

I hope this letter reaches you in good condition and that you are more miserable than words can ever express, hopefully in your deathbed. Yet I know you shall have no regret, no shame because you are the eternal perverse.

You and the remains of your race of disgusting men still parade the earth, as if your existence is a blessing for us. Singing when I walk past you, air kissing when I am not looking, walking diagonally just so that you can brush past me in your smelly half unbuttoned shirt, do you seriously think that you are my dream of George Clooney walking down the battered roads of Delhi? Or do you think that you are just so sauvé that I would swoon and fall at your feet.

My dearest, how and when will you realise that you are the type I want to kick between the legs, hoping that you would die like a disgusting lizard squashed under a dirty chappal? What makes you think that I would want to do anything otherwise? What cheap thrill do you get out of making a fool of yourself? But probably you are so superficial and soul less, that no amount of introspection would give you any answers. For you it a world of carnal needs and desires.

That is why I propose castration - The solution to end the maniacal tendencies that lie within you. Damage your male ego so much, that you might give ‘respecting women’ a thought.

And for all your supporters out there, with all respect to their age and archaic thoughts, I have nothing but anger which eventually boils down to pity. “You should see where you are going, what you are wearing. You must protect yourself from those lewd eyes” Oh dear lord! I will punch you so hard that you wished that you never opened your mouth to say such disgusting words. The fact is I will go where I want, wearing what I want. And you and your friends from the dark ages can watch.

But watch with caution, because if its anything more than a casual look, if it is a look that tries to undress one with you filthy eyes, I shall gauge them out. I sound violent, but I am just passionate about this, wiping the earth clean of any repulsive creatures like you that may still dare to exist.

Furiously yours,
Just another girl, who walks around the streets of Delhi and is independent enough not to travel in swanky car funded by her sugar daddy.

Just Another Post

For sometime now, I have been on a journey of exploring, inculcating and reflecting on anything and everything that comes my way. It is something that probably stems from the fact that in the last 2 and half years of college, I have been going through what I presume most people go through. “The optimism of the will and pessimism of the intellect”(a quote a professor of mine said, in one of those rare classes where I was mentally present.)

The fact is that in these years, I have been bombarded with so many issues that get me thinking and feeling (more often than not anger). It is like the floodgates have been opened and I am trying to swim upstream, in search of something. A something I don’t really know.

There are so many things happening in this world, in this country, in your city, in your colony, that it is impossible not to have ‘so many thoughts’ running within one self. The growing nuclear matrix among the nations of the world, the condition of the farmers in India, the situation of our own citizens gunned down by regressive acts like AFSPA, the death of river Yamuna. All this creates this restless in me, not knowing where to voice my opinion. And the irony is that I am a student of journalism!

Watching documentaries and films and making one(some day) puts a lot of things in perspective.Indian films are at curious crossroads. We have more and more independent film makers who go beyond the redundant stereotypes of “Bollywood” and reflect a society and not a construct. But at the same time what interests (and worries) me is that there are hardly any women film makers (this particular generation). All I could think of were three names! (Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti and Nandita Das!). As a naive 20 year old, not yet out of my little world of idealism, but wanting to crack it in the bigger scheme of things, I wonder how it is to be a woman making your own movies. That is why watching their films is viewing films with a new lens.

For often than not, some of my favourite films and film makers have numerous emotions, ranging from anger and frustration to the romanticism of dreaming and making anything possible. Someday maybe I would paint these emotions in my own way, in my own colours.



This is the time.

This is the place.

Hoping to make the best use of both.

Forever Came Alive

Forever was lost in the humdrum of our monotonous life. Deadlines, assignments and “life” took away our time. But sitting there, on the edge of a city, forever was reborn. The cool wind through their hair and the occasional splatter of rough wave, 5 friends sat for what seemed like forever. Lost in thought and yet completely aware of how that holiday would never come back, the comfortable silence between them seemed to take over the chaos of the city. The clouds gathered over the never ending sky and the horizon darkened. Faraway building turned on their lights. It was time to go.
Forever had not come to an end….it had just started.

For my friends Curly, Whacky, Funny and Silly.
Love,
Crazy

Memoirs Through Photographs

The Walled City has a beauty of its own. It stands out by hiding behind the innumerable modern day structures of Delhi, making every visit more enthralling than the previous. And in the midst of a world lost in a city is Jama Masjid.

As you enter this grand mosque, serenity takes over. The noise and chaos of the world is left behind the stairs, which leads to a charming courtyard. The occasional flight of pigeons gently wakens you from your thoughts and the setting sun warms each pore of your existence.

One of my favourite moments as it captured not just the beauty of the place but also the meaning of the time I spent with my friends.

In memory of that wonderful outing to Chandni Chowk, Jan 2009.

3 NEW IDEAS FOR A REALITY SHOW

Disclaimer: All characters are true and real. They resemble people you wish were dead, but are alive and kicking! Offense meant to one and all.

1)RAKHI AND SUITORS ON SACCH KA SAMNA
The thought of the more than open (pun intended) Rakhi coming on Sacch ka Samna, where she would open up more (pun unintended) seems to be a truly exciting affair. What would happen?? Would the TRPs shoot so high that Rakhi ji becomes a shooting star? Her worthy suitors too should be put on the hot seat. Why? Why? Do they decide to take this step and come on the show? How insanely lovelorn are they? What happens to the rejected candidates? Would any girl ever want to marry a nutcase?

2)SPLITSVILLA- The Parliamentary special
Here, politicians who have changes their party and ideology (or rather the lack of it) would be put in “the parliament” (which would be by a beach in Goa). They are free to develop new ideologies and new love for another new political party!! Isn't the country’s future as bright as your “happy dent” teeth?

3)RENDEVOUS WITH BABA RAMDEV
A talk show hosted by Baba Ramdev on current issues. The first guest would be none other than Celina Jaitley to discuss the disease homosexuality. She should be accompanied by Shilpa Shetty who could teach Baba some new yoga moves!

I hope some channel is crazy enough to put up one of these shows on air! What great days await Indian television!!