Famous Around U

The story of Hazrat Sufi Sarmad Shaheed who was beheaded by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 11:16:00 +0000

Famous Around U Feature

By Murtaza Ali Khan

After ensuring a most terrible death for his elder brother Dara Shikoh, Emperor Aurangzeb's attention turned to the Persian mystic and poet Sarmad who was a friend and mentor of Shah Jahan's beloved son Dara. Even before his ascension to the throne, Aurangzeb detested Sarmad for he would roam around naked and often ridicule him with his mystical ways. Dara, whom Aurangzeb saw as an infidel, had great love for mystics and poets and was probably as secular as Akbar the Great himself.

It is widely believed that had he succeeded the war of succession, the course of history of the Indian subcontinent would have been entirely different. Alas, it wasn't to be as Aurangzeb slowly but surely destroyed everything that the great Mughal legacy stood for! He not only killed his brothers and their sons but also imprisoned his father Shah Jahan as well as his own daughter Zeb-un-Nisa until their respective deaths, apart from exiling his own son Muhammad Akbar.

But probably none of these deeds haunted him more than his insidious act to get Sarmad beheaded. The sole act of killing the mystic robbed him of his inner peace and despite all his kingly comforts he was forced to live a cursed life. As per the legend, after being beheaded, Sarmad’s body took the severed head in its hands and started dancing, wandering across the city of Shahjahanabad, refusing to rest in peace. But just as it was about to enter the Jama Masjid, the saintly voice of Hare Bhare Shah pacified him as Sarmad's body finally laid to rest.

If you ever visit the Jama Masjid then make sure you also visit the the twin shrines of Sarmad Shaheed (aptly painted in red) and his spiritual guide Hare Bhare Shah (painted in green) sandwiched between the grand mosque and the tumultuous Meena Bazaar. And, befitting of the place, there are no restrictions on dress code or the entry of women.

P.S. Although, I have grown up listening to the story of Hazrat Sufi Sarmad Shaheed, today, I was reminded of it by a brilliant piece by Amit Ranjan in DailyO which can be read at the following link:

https://www.dailyo.in/arts/who-was-sarmad-naked-saint-aurangzeb-killed-dara-shikoh-sufis-same-sex-love-mughal-india/story/1/25142.html

Readers, please feel free to share your thoughts/queries by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

International Kite Festival 2018 - A Kite Flying Carnival in Gujarat

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 09:24:00 +0000

Famous Around U Feature

By Deepak Dua

Gujarat means Garba Festival, Gujarat means Ran Utsav and Gujarat means International Kite Festival. Every year on January 14, kites fly all over the skies in Gujarat on the occasion Makar Sakranti, which is known as Uttaranya Parva. Viewing the International Kite Festival, organized on Uttarayan, is a wonderful and memorable experience in itself. The Gujarat government has been organizing it for the past 28 years and it is becoming more and bigger year by year.

This time, the festival that runs from 7th to 14th January, and features 290 participants from Gujarat, 96 participants from 18 from states and 149 from 44 countries out of India who have come to woo with their unique kites and maneuvers. Due to the International Kite Festival, Gujarat has not only increased the inflow of tourists but has also increased the employment and earning opportunities here. According to a study, the market of making kites and related items in Gujarat has been almost 600 crores and nearly 1.25 lakh people are earning about three hundred crores through it, it directly or indirectly.

Kites vary from a palm-sized kite to a large rounded kite of about 20 meters in diameter. Variety of shapes and colorful kites abound. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani himself tried his hand in kite flying and said that these kites actually surrender to Surya Narayana and climb into the sky. These kites are made from different materials and their doors are different too.

The kite festival also has a craft and catering market. Not just Ahmedabad, but now it is celebrated at places like Palanpur, Palanpur, Jam Nagar, Surat, Dwarka, Saputara, Rajkot, Vadodara, Pavagadh, Valsad, Gandhidham.

Readers, please feel free to share your thoughts/queries by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

(Deepak Dua is a film reviewer and a journalist, active in film journalism since 1993. Besides regularly writing for various newspapers, magazines, news portals etc. as well as his blog Cineyatra.com, Deepak is also associated with radio and TV.)

This article was first published in A Potpourri of Vestiges.

Umang Tewari of Big Fish Ventures Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with amazing Irish cocktails at The Vault Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 07:29:00 +0000

Famous Around U Feature

March 8, New Delhi: The Vault Cafe by Umang Tewari of Big Fish Ventures is celebrating Jameson St. Patrick's Day with amazing Irish cocktails for all Delhi-iits from 8^th March - 16^thMarch.

Some of the special dishes prepared for Patty’s celebration are Hearty Man’s Combo that comprises of three Bacon strips, two sausage links (chicken/pork), two eggs, baked beans fruit and choice of either three buttermilk pancakes or toast.

The chef’s Special chilly Hot Dogs and corniest!

Come join the fun with The Vault Cafe.

Media Contact:

RED DOOR LUXURY

Vibhuti Arora / Nidhi Sidhana

9910840222 / 9871366551
Vibhutiv@gmail.com, nidhi.reddoorluxury@gmail.com

For latest movie reviews, visit our award-winning entertainment blog, A Potpourri of Vestiges.

Readers, please feel free to share your thoughts/queries by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

Ellora Caves: A great communion of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain rock-cut architecture

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 19:39:00 +0000

Famous Around U Feature

Inside a Jain Cave in Ellora

Note: You can read my travelogue on the world famous Ajanta Caves here

Having already immersed myself in the spiritual and artistic wonders of the Ajanta Caves, I was all prepared for my next destination. Situated in the north-west of the city of Aurangabad and about 100 kilometres from Ajanta, Ellora is an UNESCO World Heritage Site that represents the epitome of rock-cut architecture in India. Ellora is one of the major tourist attractions in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra and is protected under the Archaeological Survey of India. The site has a total of 34 caves which are essentially structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills. There are 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu (caves 13–29) and 5 Jain (caves 30–34) caves. While the Buddhist and Brahmanical group of caves are built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty, the Jain group of caves are built by the Yadavas. As per the estimates, the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples and viharas and mathas were built between the 5th century and 10th century. The Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain caves, built in proximity, are a testament to the religious harmony and tolerance prevalent at the time.

Stone carved to look like wood

Inside a Buddhist cave at Ellora

The Buddhist caves were built during the 6th-7th century. And while it was initially believed that these were the earliest structures, it has now been established that some of the Hindu caves predates. The Buddhist structures consist mostly of viharas or monasteries comprising large, multi-storeyed buildings which are carved into the mountain face and include living and sleeping quarters, kitchens as well as other rooms. Some of these monastery caves have shrines including carvings of Gautama Buddha, bodhisattvas and saints. In many of these caves, sculptors have endeavoured to give the stone the look of wood. Most famous of the Buddhist caves is cave 10 often called as the "Vishvakarma Cave" or "Carpenter's Cave". It should be noted that it is the only chaitya griha amongst the Buddhist group of caves.

The majestic Kailasa temple at Ellora

Depictions of the Ramayana on the Kailasa temple walls

The Hindu caves were constructed between the middle of 6^th century to the end of the 8^th century with the early caves being constructed during the Kalachuri period. The first one were Caves 28, 27 and 19 followed by two most impressive caves constructed in the early phase, Caves 29 and 21. Also, the caves 14, 15 and 16 were constructed during the Rashtrakuta period. The real beauty of these caves lie in the fact that all these structures represent a different style of creative vision and execution skills with some of the most complex ones requiring several generations of planning and co-ordination to complete. Cave 16, also known as the Kailasa temple, is the unparalleled masterpiece of Ellora. Its design is based upon the abode of Lord Shiva, Mount Kailash. Although, it has the appearance of a freestanding, multi-storeyed temple complex, it’s actually carved out of one single rock. The temple is a splendid achievement of Rashtrakuta architecture in Karnataka.

Carvings of the Jain tirthankaras at Ellora

The Jain caves, which are just five in number, at Ellora date back to the 9^th and 10^th centuries AD with each belonging to the Digambara sect. These caves depict a strict sense of asceticism, which is the essence of Jain philosophy and tradition, and while they are not relatively large as compared to others, they serve as exceptionally detailed specimens of art. Chhota Kailash (cave 30), the Indra Sabha (cave 32) and the Jagannath Sabha (cave 33) are the most notable Jain shrines. While Cave 31 is an unfinished four-pillared hall and a shrine, Cave 34 is a small cave. Amongst other devotional carvings, a place called Samavasarana—a hall where the Jain tirthankara preaches after attaining omniscience—can be found in Ellora caves.

Accommodation: Since there are limited places to stay in Ellora, most tourists prefer to do a day trip to Ellora and stay in Aurangabad (where you can find all kinds of hotels depending upon your budget and needs) which is about 30 kms away. However, if you really want to stay in Ellora then Hotel Kalidas would be a good option which is located just opposite the Ellora caves and offers cottages as well as hostel accommodation.

Visiting the Caves: Ellora is well connected with Aurangabad. Based on your preferred mode of transport, you can opt for rented cars, taxis, or buses. The caves are open to the public from on all days from sunrise to sunset, except on Tuesdays.

In my next article, I will talk about my visit to the Elephanta Caves.

7 Wonders of India: Ajanta Ellora Caves (YouTube)

References:-

1). Wikipedia
2). ASI Website

Readers, please feel free to share your thoughts/queries by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

Ajanta Caves: One of the finest specimens of the Indian rock-cut architecture

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 23:09:00 +0000

Famous Around U Feature

Note: You can read my travelogue on the world famous Ellora Caves here

Travel has always fascinated mankind. It caters both to the senses as well as the intellect. There is no denying that theoretical knowledge is important. But, bookish knowledge can only take us so far in our quest to unravel the mysteries of the world. The following quotation, taken from the Holy Quran, underlines the importance of travel in understanding the world we live in: “Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have travelled.” India is a land of such incredible cultural diversity that traveling the entire length and breadth of it is no less remarkable feat than traveling across one whole continent. India’s rich diversity is beautifully summed up by the famous Hindi adage “Kos kos par badle paani, char kos par vani” which says that such is the multifariousness of our country that the taste of water changes after one mile while the language of people changes after four.

Ajanta Caves: The Façade

For all long as I can remember I have been fascinated by the Indian cave architecture. Although I had history as a subject only till Class X, it was enough to make me fall in love with Indian art and culture. Whenever one speaks of the Indian rock-cut architecture, one is automatically reminded of the Barabar Caves in Bihar, built around the 3^rd century BC. E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India mentions of a trip to the fictitious Marabar Cabes which most probably are modeled on the Barabar Caves. Some other well-known caves include the Bhaja, Karla, Bedse, and the Kanheri Caves. But nothing comes close to matching the majestic beauty of the Ajanta Caves. It's difficult for me to describe in words how happy I felt when a twist of fate presented me with an opportunity to travel to Aurangabad last month. Needless to day, it was a chance of a lifetime to explore the world famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves.

Ajanta Caves: Mural painting of Vajrapaṇi Bodhisattva

Situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, the Ajanta Caves comprises about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BC to about 480 or 650 AD. The caves contain the finest surviving examples of Indian paintings and sculptures. In fact, the mural paintings are masterworks of Buddhist religious art, with figures of the Buddha and depictions of the Jataka tales. Ajanta is about 104 kilometres from the city of Aurangabad while its distance from from Jalgaon railway station, situated on the Delhi – Mumbai line and Howrah-Nagpur-Mumbai line of the Central Railway zone, is 59 kilometres. They are 100 kilometres from the Ellora Caves, which contain Hindu and Jain temples as well as Buddhist caves.

Ajanta Caves: A grand Buddha sculpture inside one of the caves

The earliest group of caves consists of caves 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15A, made during the period 100 BC to 100 AD, probably under the patronage of the Satavahana dynasty. Of these, caves 9 and 10 are stupa halls of chaitya-griha (place of worship) form, and caves 12, 13, and 15A are viharas (monastry). The first phase is still often called the Hinayana phase when the Buddha was revered symbolically. The first Satavahana period caves lacked figurative sculpture, emphasizing the stupa instead, and in the caves of the second period the overwhelming majority of images represent the Buddha alone, or narrative scenes of his lives.

Ajanta Caves: A mural painting specimen

The second phase began in the 5th century. For a long time it was thought that the later caves were made over a long period from the 4th to the 7th centuries BC] but recent studies by Walter M. Spink have argued that most of the work took place over the very brief period from 460 to 480 BC, during the reign of Emperor Harishena of the Vakaṭaka dynasty. The second phase is often called the Mahayana phase. Some 20 cave temples were simultaneously created, for the most part viharas with a sanctuary at the back. The most elaborate caves were produced in this period, which included some renovation of earlier caves. Caves of the second period are 1–8, 11, 14–29, some possibly extensions of earlier caves. Caves 19, 26, and 29 are chaitya-grihas, the rest viharas.

Ajanta Caves: A fine specimen of sculpture art

Mural paintings survive from both the earlier and later groups of caves and show that by Satavahana times the Indian painter had mastered the art of easy and fluent naturalistic painting, dealing with large groups of people, as evident in the majestic depictions of the Jataka tales. Four of the later caves have large and relatively well-preserved mural paintings and fall into two stylistic groups, with the most famous in Caves 16 and 17. All the paintings appear to be the work of painters and show a familiarity with and interest in details of the life of a wealthy court. The paintings in cave 1 concentrate on those Jataka tales which show previous lives of the Buddha as a king, rather than as an animal or human commoner, and so show settings from contemporary palace life.

Ajanta Caves: The Reclining Buddha in Cave 26

The Ajanta caves are situated on the south side of a U-shaped gorge on the Waghur River. The site being abandoned and gradually forgotten got covered by jungle until it was accidentally rediscovered in 1819 by a British officer on a hunting party. The caves are numbered 1 to 28 according to their place along the path, beginning at the entrance. Several are unfinished and some barely begun and others are small shrines. The caves form the largest corpus of early Indian wall-painting with few other survivals being able to match its grandeur. The caves were built in two phases starting around the 2nd century BC, with the second group of caves built around 400–650 BC (460–480 BC according to the latest estimation). The site is a protected monument in the care of the Archaeological Survey of India and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

Ajanta Caves: Inside Cave 26

As I explored some of the most grandiose of the human creations, I was overcome by an overwhelming sense of humility. I was reminded of the greatness of our selfless ancestors (the artists didn't even bother to put their names on their masterful paintings/sculptures) as well as own my insignificance when juxtaposed against those humongous man-made structures.

Accommodation: You can find all kinds of hotels (depending upon your budget and needs) in Aurangabad and Jalgaon. Also, there is a Holiday Resort in Fardapur run by Maharastra Tourism Development Corporation.

Visiting the Caves: Based on your preferred mode of transport, you can opt for rented cars, taxis or state transport department buses from Jalgaon to travel to Ajanta. The caves are open to the public from on all days from 9 am to 5:30 pm, except Mondays.

In my next article, I will talk about my visit to the Ellora Caves.

7 Wonders of India: Ajanta Ellora Caves (YouTube)

Live Lodgycal Drive: Demystifying the Renault Lodgy

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 10:02:00 +0000

In 1984, Renault unleashed the idea of an MPV by delivering the first car in the world that could comfortably accommodate as many as seven people. Three decades later, Renault presents us with the new Lodgy which promises to redefine the benchmark for this category.

The Renault Lodgy promises a class defining performance with a powerful engine that’s available in two different configurations: 110 PS, which is matted with a first-in-segment 6-speed transmission with gear ratios perfectly matched to the engine’s output with fuel efficiency of 19.98 kmpl, and 85 PS, which is matted with a 5-speed gearbox and delivers a superior fuel efficiency of 21.04 kmpl.

The engine’s output ensures excellent drivability in stop-and-go city traffic as well as the ability to cruise on highways at high speeds. The Lodgy comes with cruise control, which helps in maintaining constant speed without having to keep one’s foot on the accelerator, and speed limiter, which prevents accidental acceleration, features.

The amazing Medianav System comes with a advanced AUX-in, USB & Bluetooth enabled multi-media console and enables entertainment, communication and navigation (the system comes with 3 year free map update) with institutive satellite commands for audio and phone controls.

Renault Lodgy’s 3 row air-conditioning ensures thorough and even cooling with roof-mounted vents for the 2^nd and 3^rd row. The premium 2 tone Gris Fume and Beige Alpaga quilted leather upholstery adds to the car’s appeal. Stability and comfort is further enhanced by a monocoque body that provides increased torsional rigidity, handling and safety.

The Renault Lodgy comes with a modular 7 and 8 seat configuration. The second row seats split into a 60:40 ratio allowing easy access to the third row, while the third row can be split into 50:50 ratio or removed completely to make abundant boot space which can be used for gear, luggage or whatever the need be.

The dual front airbags reduce the risk of injury for both the driver and the passenger in case of a head-on collision. ABS combined with EBD and Brake Assist give the drive better control in case of an emergency braking situation. Another useful feature of the Lodgy is its parking assistance system with rear parking sensors and rear view camera.

Lodgy is available in 6 exciting colors viz. Royal Orchid, Planey Grey, Absolute Steel, Pearl White, Moonlight Silver and Indigo Breeze.

For more details on the Renault Lodgy, you can download the brochure.

Note: I was invited by Blogadda.com for #LiveLodgycal Drive organized in association with Renault India to promote the launch of Renault Lodgy as one of the 40 distinguished bloggers in the country. As part of the event, I got to spend an action packed weekend (19^th -21^st June, 2015) at the The Leela Beach Resort in South Goa. My full experience can be read here.

Readers, you are encouraged to share your own cult favorites in the comment box. As always your views and opinions are highly appreciated!

(This article was first published at A Potpourri of Vestiges)

Renault Live Lodgycal Drive: An enchanting holiday in a Shangri-La-esque haven named Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 09:59:00 +0000

Team Cartoosh

It’s not every day that one is presented with an opportunity to relax in a Shangri-La-esque haven like Goa, far away from the drudgeries of life. Thanks to Blogadda, one such opportunity did come my way in the summer of 2014 but, alas, I couldn’t grab it owing to a personal exigency. So, I passed it over to my good friend and fellow blogger Shwetabh Mathur (@shwetabh2) who was kind enough to accept it.
Fast forward to June 2015, the wheel of fortune took another favorable turn. Yes, I got another invitation from Blogadda.com to be a part of a fun event in Goa (#LiveLodgycal Drive organized by Renault India to promote the launch of its latest car Renault Lodgy) as one of the 40 distinguished bloggers in the country invited for the event. Only this time around I was in no mood to miss the opportunity. And so I accepted it with rapturous glee. Within a few days of my confirmation, I received my air tickets through email. From what I had learnt from Shwetabh last year, I was more than certain that I was up for an action packed weekend in Goa (19^th -21^st June, 2015). Only this time it was going to last for three days instead of two. And we were to be accommodated at the The Leela Beach Resort in South Goa.

The Leela Kempinski Beach Resort, Goa

Harish from Blogadda introduced me to my colorful team members viz. Rutavi Mehta (@rutaagayire), Satish Vijaykumar (@bombaylives), and Madhumita Phukan (@madhumitaphukan) a couple of days in advance. Voila. We straightaway got connected through Twitter and WhatsApp. Now, all we needed was a suitable team name for the event. After some brainstorming, Rutavi came up with the catchy moniker “Cartoosh” which we all seconded in unison. Ever so proactive, she also came up with an awesome-looking banner for Team Cartoosh. Finally on Friday morning, I boarded the IndiGo Flight #6E 399 to Goa at 1130 hours. I landed in Goa at around 1500 hours. The #LiveLodgycal team was at the airport to welcome the 40 bloggers travelling for the event from different parts of the country viz. Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, etc. There were buses to pick us up from the airport to The Leela Beach Resort. At the airport I bumped into the renowned Radio City RJ Archana Pania who told me that she would be anchoring for us over the weekend. The bus which I boarded had bloggers mostly from Bangalore. My teammate Madhumita was also on the same bus. And, of course, Harish was there to welcome us on behalf of Blogadda.

Renault Live Lodgycal Drive: The Beginning

It was an hour drive to the resort and so enroute I did get the chance to interact with a few bloggers including Piyush Bhatnagar (@soulfultrips), Ankit Garg (@graciousgarg), Giridhar (@cgiridhar), and Nirav Thakker (@normaltusker). I had an extended chat with Piyush, who himself turned out to a movie enthusiast, about the world of cinema at large. We talked about everything from Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) to The Dark Knight Rises (2012) to Seven Samurai (1954) to A Clockwork Orange (1971). As it’s customary among movie buffs, by the time our discussion reached its crescendo, we had already finished exchanging dozens of movie recommendations between the two of us. For the remainder of the bus journey, it was mostly both our voices that kept reverberating through the bus and I must confess that our fellow passengers were too kind to bear with us. When we finally reached The Leela, we were welcomed by the resort staff with garlands. It was then that I and Madhumita got a picture clicked together as the idea was to score as many points as possible through social media interaction. At the reception area all of us were greeted by the uber-energetic Blogadda and Renault teams led by Ankita and Kautuk, respectively. After treating ourselves to some tea and snacks, we left for our allotted rooms in special club cars.

A candid chat with Radio City RJ Archana Pania

The first thing that caught my attention was the exotic beauty of the resort. So I took a quick bath and got back to clicking some pictures. The view from the balcony was so stunning that it took me some time to come to terms with the reality. For a moment there I got lost in a reverie that seemed to continue till eternity. I only came out of it at the sound of the doorbell. There he was standing in front of me: the one and only Satish Vijaykumar who runs the famous blog 'Bombaylives' (His article on 84 Things Not to Do in Bombay is a must read). Satish told me that he had already finished taking a round of pictures with Rutavi and Madhumita. We spent the next hour or so discussing about the enchanting city of Mumbai. It didn’t take me long to realize that Satish knew almost as much about Bombay as Google would, if not more. I was enchanted by the tales he shared with me. The more he told me about the city of Mumbai, the thirstier I felt to know even more. Alas, we had to stop prematurely as there was an activity planned for the bloggers later that evening. So, we all gathered at the Banquet Hall at around 1900 hours. It was here that I finally met with Rutavi. RJ Archana was there to address us along with the Blogadda and Renault teams. Archana soon began with the introduction session and to my surprise she called out my name at the very onset. Of course, I wasn’t prepared for it but in hindsight I can confess that it turned out to be a great opportunity to introduce myself and my movie blog “A Potpourri of Vestiges” to one and all.

Renault Live Lodgycal Drive: The Team of Bloggers

Archana, as good as she is at doing her job, posed some intriguing questions about the challenges of being a film critic. I tried to explain her how important it is for an independent film critic to be honest and candid with one’s opinions as it’s the only way to win the reader’s trust. I also explained her why it is of paramount importance to understand the needs of one’s readers: Say, if a film site is targeted towards the Indian diaspora then it must present its content in a manner that suits their sophisticated tastes and so writing in Hinglish may not be the ideal approach. Similarly, someone who targets the local readers should avoid using a language that’s too refined as it may unnecessary make them feel alienated. I also told her that it's the love for movies that actually keep an independent film critic motivated more than anything else. I believe that I did succeed in putting my point across. The 40 bloggers had been divided in 10 teams and one by one the teams introduced themselves. Almost everyone had an interesting story to share. While Satish told us about the “The Sapling Project” he is running across India as an environmental initiative, Mr. Deepak Amembal (@magic_eye) shared his experiences as a biker and a travel blogger. Of course, there were many more interesting stories. This was followed by the product presentation from Mr. Manish—the product manager of Renault India—who briefed us about the different features of the Renault Lodgy. Needless to say, it turned out to be a very knowledgeable session. After the session, we played a round of treasure hunt in which Team Cartoosh finished third.

Breaking Dawn: Early Morning Picture Competition

On my way to the restaurant for dinner, I finally got the chance to interact with Mr. Amembal who told me how he manages to upload a fresh picture pertaining to his travel experiences on his blog every day. It came as a great surprise to me when he revealed it to Madhumita (who was standing next to me) that all these years he had been following my reviews very closely and that he makes up his mind whether to watch a movie or not only after reading my reviews. It was certainly a gratifying experience for me as I, like so many other bloggers, have always looked up to Mr. Amembal. At the restaurant, I treated myself with some very rich food. It was as if I was more interested in satiating my soul than my body. After I was done with the main course, I joined none other than Harish for a round of desserts. At the ice-cream counter, the two of us colluded with the attendant who concocted a unique sundae which we cheekily named 'Lodgycal Fruit Sundae à la Blogadda'. It took some serious efforts to finally finish it off. But, needles to say, it was well worth the efforts.

Lodgycal Fruit Sundae à la Blogadda

When I finally reached my room it was almost midnight. I and Satish chatted for some time but soon retired to bed as we had to wake up early the very next morning for the Live Lodgycal Drive event. Luckily I woke up at around 5:30 AM and decided to click an early morning picture so as to score some Twitter points for Team Cartoosh. After having our breakfast, we took some solo as well as group pictures with the Renault Lodgy. It was going to be a long day. Every team had to complete the round trip in the Renault Lodgy assigned to it starting with The Leela Resort to The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort and back. The constant rains had ensured that it was going to be a real rollercoaster of a ride. Kautuk was accompanying us during the trip. Enroute, we stopped at various scenic spots to take some memorable clicks. Also, we were required to click some specific pictures like that of a yellow house, red car, buffalo, lady with a pink umbrella, duck, red bike, fish, mango tree with mangoes, rabbit, peacock, man in red shots, etc. We did manage to capture some of them on our smartphones. And while we faced some network issues we ensured to tweet the clicks at regular intervals. Ours was the first team to reach The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort. We wasted little time to run to the beach and started taking some awesome pictures. Some video bytes were recorded based on the experiences of the bloggers driving the Renault Lodgy. Soon it started to rain heavily but as soon as the rain stopped we had our lunch at The Lalit.

Team Cartoosh in all its glory

On our way back we continued to stop at different locations to click the pictures we so deeply desired to share in our social circles. Rutavi convinced us to take a picture with her and Madhumita standing on the roof top of the Renault Lodgy. And, Kautuk, to his credit, obliged us with just the perfect shot for all our efforts. On returning to The Leela, I tried my hands at Table Tennis. It had been years since I last played the sport and I was quite rusty to begin with. Slowly, I did regain some poise. Later, I rushed back to my room to take a much needed bath. I returned to the Banquet Hall later in the evening for a round of presentation/panel discussion by some bloggers who volunteered to share their success stories/social initiatives. As soon as it got over, Goa’s leading band “Forefront” took the center stage. The bar was made open to the bloggers. Soon, the bloggers metamorphosed into party animals as some even outshone the best dancers in the world with their latent dancing abilities. Some could even discover their hitherto nonexistent singing talents. The atmosphere inside the banquet hall was electrifying. It appeared as if the time had stopped. It’s something that can’t really be described in words.

Goa's top band 'Forefront' in action

The party continued till late night and it can be said with great certainty that its fond memories will remain etched in minds of all those present for a very long time to come. Most of us woke up late the next morning. We had our breakfasts and began packing our stuff as we had to check out before noon. After checking out, I, just in time, caught up with Prashanth (@payaniga) who shared his amazing travel experiences with me. Hopefully, one day I shall join him on one of his cycling adventures. While waiting in the lobby, I met Aayan Banerjee (@Gyanban) who shared his thoughts about the art of fiction writing. During our invigorating discussion on cinema, he directed my attention to ongoing renaissance in the contemporary Bangla cinema and introduced me to films like Autograph (2010) and Shabdo (2013). Finally, it was time to bid adieu to everyone. The same buses which had picked us from the airport on Friday dropped us back. While the AirAsia flights to Bangalore and Mumbai got delayed, the flight to Delhi was on time. By the evening I was in Delhi but my heart remained in Goa. And it seems, even as I write this, that it will take some time for me to get over the heady Goan hangover.

Note: The review of the Renault Lodgy can be read here.

Readers, you are encouraged to share your own cult favorites in the comment box. As always your views and opinions are highly appreciated!

(This article was first published at A Potpourri of Vestiges)

A Rendezvous with Padma Shri Santosh Yadav

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 13:00:00 +0000

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A Rendezvous with the Legendary Indian Mountaineer Santosh Yadav

It's not every day that one gets to meet one's childhood idol. And, so, when such a rare opportunity presents itself, it becomes nigh impossible to keep one's anxiety in check. One such opportunity came by a few days back as my childhood dream of meeting the great Indian mountaineer Santosh Yadav was finally realized. I was first introduced to her through my school textbooks. I had dreamt of meeting her ever since. Time slowly passed by but the dream had endured. A part of me knew that sooner or later my dream would come true. And finally it did. As fate would have it, I finally got the opportunity to interact with her in person last week.

From the very moment Santosh Yadav stood at the podium, my eyes were fixed on her. I was blown away by her austerity and her saintly appearance. Here was a woman who had defied the forces of nature to conquer some of the most treacherous and daunting avenues on planet Earth and yet no part of her betrayed even an iota of vanity. Although, she spoke plainly, her words carried immense power and conviction. There was a sense of calmness about her when she expressed her concern about the issues plaguing the world at large. While accentuating the importance of selflessness and compassion, she shared her own experiences in life. She also emphasized upon the need to minimize wastage as a means to boost the overall efficiency and efficacy of man force.

As she switched her focus to mountaineering, her eyes suddenly lit up. She looked a completely different person altogether as she began to ooze an ambient energy which electrified the entire arena. She described her various adventures with the ease of an adept storyteller. All those present could vicariously experience the pain of her endless hardships and the ecstasy of her colossal triumphs. It was like being transported to a whole new world swayed by both serenity and chaos. She eulogized the unconquerable vastness of the Himalayas, a formidable realm which can tame even the most ferocious of the beasts. She poetically described her various conquests as mere surrender to the might of Mother Nature. She also talked about spirituality as a driving force to achieve the improbable. During her various endeavors, as she encountered near death experiences, she relied on her instinctive ability to strike a balance between courage and wisdom.

My interaction with Santosh Yadav taught me, among other things, the importance of discipline in life. In all the walks of life success depends upon disciplined leadership and sometimes the difference between life and death is nothing more than the difference between discipline and indiscipline. When it comes to life, plans can often go awry and so it is of paramount importance that one should be willing to adapt and improvise according to the changing situations. Those who learn the art emerge as leaders while others fail to make a mark despite having all the necessary skills and qualifications. But, at the same time, a good leader cannot afford to overlook the importance of ethics and moral values in today's competitive world. For, only then a good leader can dream of becoming a great leader—a guide and a role model who can inspire others to realize their true potential.

(This article was first published at A Potpourri of Vestiges)

Readers, please feel free to share your thoughts/queries by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

My Square: A New Food Experience at Select Citywalk

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:55:00 +0000

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The eating experience at Select Citywalk Mall, located in the Saket District Centre, Delhi, has gone up a few notches with the inauguration of a brand new food court named "My Square".

My Square promises to be a gourmet's delight with a wide variety of eatery options that range from mouthwatering Arabian cuisine to spicy Mexican food, juicy Hamburgers to rich South Indian delicacies, Punjabi Street Food to Lebanese Pita Wraps, and more.

The common food court, situated on the mall's second floor, is spacious with decent indoor and outdoor seating facilities and agreeable ambiance. Like most of the food courts in Delhi NCR, the food counters only accept the rechargeable prepaid cards available at the desk right beside the food court's entry.

Some of the available eating options include Hotel Sarvana Bhawan, Pind Balluchi, Mexitup, Lean Chef, Habibi, Pita Pit, Burger King, and Shiv Sagar. So next time when you visit Select Citywalk, please do make sure to stop by My Square.

NEAREST METRO STATION: Malviya Nagar, situated on the Yellow Line.

For more information, you can visit the Select Citywalk website.

Readers, please feel free to share your thoughts/queries by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

Travel Tours: 48 Hours Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:47:00 +0000

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Grab the most exciting offers, unbelievable holiday deals and great discounts at the “48 Hour Holiday Sale” by Travel Tours. Travel Tours is one of the biggest and most popular websites for booking all inclusive tour packages. It is a Bangalore based travel and tour company that has currently grown to 13 offices across 9 cities in course of time.

Established in 1977, Travel Tours has been providing unbeatable services and holiday experiences to its travelers for the past few decades. Whether it’s a romantic honeymoon package or a fun – filled cruise or a relaxing family vacation or any exhilarating adventure trip, Travel Tours has never let down its customers. With its tailor made holiday package designs and services and one of the cheapest prices, Travel Tour is now one of the most favorite Travel agencies among the travelers.

The costs for different holiday packages at Travel Tours are the best and cheapest with compare to the other packages offered in the market. Apart from several domestic holiday packages, Travel Tours offers great, budget friendly international holiday packages to over 57 different countries around the world. In order to promote the holiday packages, Travel Tours has come up with its “48 Hour Holiday Sale”.

All you need to do is just register for 48 Hour Holid ay Sale with Travel Tours and walk in to Lalit Ashok Hotel in Bangalore on 31st January, 2015 and 1st February, 2015 for unbelievable offers on International holidays. During this two days grand sale, Travel Tours will be offering great discounts and amazing deals on their holiday and tour packages that you can’t even imagine at all.

Forget about all the weird things happening around you and let your dreams come true. Take advantage of this 48 Hour Holiday Sale by Travel Tours and spread your wings to any of your favorite destinations. Whether it’s any European countries like England, Ireland or Switzerland or any Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand or any Middle Eastern countries or Australia tour packages or American Holiday experiences, you can avail amazing discounts and offers on any kind of holiday packages during this grand holiday sale that will run exclusively for 2 days at Lalit Ashok Hotel on 31st January and 1st February.

Present a lifetime memorable holiday experience to your family and near and dear ones at an unbelievable low price and use the saved amount on your shopping and other expenses. During this 48 Hour Holiday Sale by Travel Tours, you can have direct conversations with their highly professional travel representatives who will describe the offers and discounts available on different holiday packages and will also guide you in choosing the best tour package based on your budget and wish.

Looking back at the history of services and feedback from different customers, Travel Tour is really a great travel and tour company with whom you should at least once, enjoy your holiday experiences and along with this upcoming holiday sale, get the most benefited out of your holiday travel plans.

Readers, please feel free to share your opinion by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

Memoirs: Once Upon a Time in South India

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 14:00:00 +0000

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With Mr. Jugu Abraham outside his house

India is a land of diversity and it is this diversity that makes our country one of a kind. India’s rich diversity is beautifully summed up by the famous Hindi adage “Kos kos par badle paani, char kos par vani” which says that such is the multifariousness of our country that the taste of water changes after one mile while the language of people changes after four. Going by the above maxim it’s only apt to say that there is an enormous cultural divide between the people of North India and South India. While the north is known for its resplendent, somewhat showy lifestyle the south is distinctly marked by its rather simplistic, almost rustic way of living.

For someone like me who was born and brought up in the north the chance to visit South India doesn’t come very often. And when the opportunity does present itself it makes a lot of sense to make the most of it. I got one such opportunity back in the month of July. And, fortunately, I did decide to take the leap of faith, and it turned out to be a very prudent move. It was only supposed to be a three-week long stay: two weeks in Trivandrum followed by a week in Chennai. But, by the time I was done with it I had vividly experienced a surreal boat cruise through the magical backwaters of Poovar, a rambunctious trip to Kanyakumari, a hitchhiking journey to Mahabalipuram, and a picnic-like extravaganza in Pondicherry.

The real highlight of my stay down south, for me, was my meeting with my idol, Mr. Jugu Abraham, at his Trivandrum-based residence, "Tragopan," named after an endangered species of bird. I had been dying to meet him for quite some time and the meeting was indeed a dream come true for me. A film critic par excellence, Mr. Abraham is a living encyclopedia of cinema. And, probably, the only thing that supersedes his knowledge of cinema is his humility. He has worked with UN-sponsored international organizations for over 20 years, specializing in resource mobilization for international non-profit agricultural research. From 1978 to 1985, he was a film critic with the Hindustan Times group of publications, New Delhi, India.

Mr. Abraham considers himself to be fortunate to have met and interviewed some of the stalwarts of cinema, dance and drama from diverse parts of the world. His education spans physics, literature, management, and mass communication. Mr. Abraham has been a great source of inspiration to me. His erudite film reviews, published on his renowned blog “Movies that make you think,” have not only introduced me to some of the greatest works of cinema but have also taught me a great deal about film appreciation. My correspondence with Mr. Abraham, all these years, has helped me develop a better understanding of cinema.

The afternoon that I spent with Mr. Abraham proved to be a truly enlightening experience for me. Not only did he share his thoughts on cinema but also gave me several useful tips about movie reviewing. He also told me how his love for cinema started burgeoning from a very young age; how he grew fond of movies like Bandini, Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Pyaasa, and Boot Polish at that age; how his headmaster, a Jesuit priest, at a boarding school in Darjeeling spotted his raw talent, after reading a film review, written by him, published in the school magazine, and handed him a book of film reviews by none other than Pauline Kael.

Mr. Abraham talked about stalwarts of cinema like Orson Welles, Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, Luis Buñuel, Sergio Leone, Stanley Kubrick, and Andrei Tarkovsky. He also talked about his contemporary favorites like Terrence Malick, Andrey Zvyagintsev, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and Paolo Sorrentino. He was kind enough to introduce me to M. T. Vasudevan Nair's Nirmalayam, a monumental work in Malayalam cinema, and also to the likes of German auteur Hans-Jürgen Syberberg and Chilean filmmaker Raúl Ruiz. He talked about his travel experiences and showed me an amazing painting, hung on the wall, which he had picked up from the roadside in Mexico. He also shared with me his desire to write a book on film reviewing. The day came to a perfect end as I got to feast on a delectable meal specially prepared by Mrs. Abraham.

During the course of this adventurous sojourn I made many new friends, most of whom I am still in touch with. The journey that had started on a dull note in Trivandrum soon developed a rich texture with the arrival of a friend from Dehradun. This friend, a truly vivacious soul, changed everything for me from the word go. We soon became partners in crime in our endeavor to explore the south: if he were the grand architect then I would, most definitely, have been his avid adherent. I have no doubts that it was his bonhomie which transformed the trip into an unforgettable experience. I also owe him for a few pictures that he was kind enough to capture for me with his newly purchased camera.

But, as we reached Chennai he seemed somewhat spent and so I was forced to step in his shoes. Since I had been to Chennai before, it was a cinch to be my friend’s guide. In a few days I made us cover the whole city. During my previous visit, back in the summer of 2010, it had taken me more than three months to do the same. Chennai is one place which never fails to surprise with its endless enigmas: its cosmopolitan culture, its crowded beaches, its formidable public transport system, its mouthwatering cuisines, etc. And, for this very reason, Chennai remains very close to my heart. In fact, it wouldn’t be farfetched to call it my second home. And now that I am back in my hometown, I just can't wait to take yet another leap of faith and finish off what's left to be explored down south.

(This article was first published at A Potpourri of Vestiges)

Readers, please feel free to share your thoughts/queries by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

Qutub Minar

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 09:20:00 +0000

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Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar, located in Delhi, is the tallest minaret in India with a height of 72.5 metres (237.8 ft). A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Qutub Minar is made of red sandstone and marble. The minaret, originally an ancient Islamic Monument constructed during reign of the Slave Dynasty, is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Holy Qur'an.

The construction of Qutub Minar was started by the first Sultan of Delhi and the founder of the Slave Dynasty, Qutub-ud-din Aibak, in 1192 AD and was carried on by his successor, Iltutmish. The fifth and the last storey was constructed by Firoz Shah Tughlak in 1368 AD. The stairs of the tower has 379 steps. The tower has a base diameter of 14.3 metres that narrows to 2.7 metres at the top.

Qutub Minar is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively known as the Qutub complex.

There is 7 m (23 ft) high Iron Pillar, notable for its rust-resistant composition of the metals, located in the Qutub complex and carrying a number of inscriptions and graffiti of different dates. The oldest inscription on the pillar is in Sanskrit, written in Gupta-period Brahmi script, which dates back to the 4th century AD.

NEAREST METRO STATION: Qutab Minar, situated on the Yellow Line.

For more details, you can visit the Delhi tourism website.

Reference(s):-

Wikipedia

Readers, please feel free to share your thoughts/queries by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

Old Fort

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 09:18:00 +0000

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Old Fort

Old Fort, also known as Purana Qila, is the oldest fort among all forts in Delhi. The foundation of the massive structure was laid by the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the word was carried forward by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri, the founder of the Suri Dynasty, who displaced Humayun. Old Fort is believed to have been built at the site of the famed city of Indraprastha, the capital of the Pandavas founded on the banks of holy river Yamuna during the Mahabharata period. The fort encompasses an ancient temple named after the the mother of the Pandavas, Kunti, who is believed to have once lived there.

Several excavations carried out by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Old Fort have unearthed Painted Grey Ware dating back to 1000 B.C. with a continuous cultural sequence emerging from the Mauryan to the Mughal through the Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, Rajput and the Sultanate periods, thereby confirming the antiquity of the Fort.The ASI findings and artifacts are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum situated within the Qila premises.

The walls of the Fort rise to a height of 18 meters with a circumference of nearly 2 kilometers that comprises three arched gateways: the Bara Darwaza or the Big Gate which faces west and is still operational; the Humayun Gate or the South Gate; and the Talaqi Gate or the Forbidden Gate. These double-storeyed sandstone structures, replete with detailing such as ornate overhanging balconies or jharokhas, offer a great fusion of the Rajasthani and the Mughal architectures.

Purana Qila is also the venue for the spectacular Sound and Light show held every evening in both Hindi and English. There is a lake near the Old Fort with boating facility for the tourists. Also situated next to the Old Fort is the Delhi Zoo which remains closed on Fridays.

NEAREST METRO STATION: Pragati Maidan, situated on the Blue Line.

For more details, you can visit the Delhi tourism website.

Reference(s):-

Wikipedia

Readers, please feel free to share your thoughts/queries by leaving your comments in the comment box. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!

Akshardham Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 09:17:00 +0000

Akshardham Temple

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 09:15:00 +0000

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Lotus Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 08:28:00 +0000

Lotus Temple

Jama Masjid

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 08:26:00 +0000

Jama Masjid

India Gate

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 08:24:00 +0000

India Gate

Humayun's Tomb

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 08:11:00 +0000

Humayun's Tomb

Jantar Mantar

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 08:08:00 +0000

Jantar Mantar

Red Fort

noreply@blogger.com (Murtaza Ali Khan) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 08:06:00 +0000

The Red Fort