Pitru Paksha A Moment of Reflection and Introspection, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Pitru Paksha A Moment of Reflection and Introspection
Pitru Paksha A Moment of Reflection and Introspection, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
Bhupesh Little Shot By Marziya Shakir Nikon D 80
Bhupesh Little Shot By Marziya Shakir Nikon D 80, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
149,271 items / 1,143,774 views
Bhupesh Little is a very dear photographer friend from Lucknow , he was going to Singapore so he stopped over at my house for a few hours to catch his flight and to bond with me.
Bhupeshs father is the eminent historian poet photographer a man of arts and cu;ture and a hobbyist camera repairer.
It was his father who made me the honorary member of his camera club Horizon Camera Club Lucknow.
Bhupeshs brother is another avid photographer Avinash Little a good human being like the rest of the family.
Lucknow is the city of my birth though I have distanced myself from it completely due to personal reasons but it holds great memories of my past and my heitage and ancestry.
My maternal grand father Daroga Nabban Saab of Pata Nala Imliwali Gully was the descendant of poet Mir Anees.
My grand father was a famous poet too.
Another prolific photographer with whom I have bonded for several years now Is Anil Risal Singh Saab also Lucknow based and a terrific person with a great sense of humor and grace.
And lately I met a young photographer from Lucknow on Facebook who shoots on film camera Nitin Sharma and the senior photographer Rajiv Ranjan Bhatnagar .
Well back to my story Bhupesh had an Arabic chicken dish cooked by my daughter in law called Kapsa.and enjoyed it thoroughly.
In the mean time Marziya our in house photographer two and a half years old shot Bhupesh Uncle for posterity and also to give a complex to Bhupeshs students..
Marziya is not intimidated by the personality of any photographer she has shot the famous and the very famous with my Nikon D 80 when they visited my house.
And because I would blind fold her and make her shoot pictures she at times shoots better than me with the guidance of an inner light of divinity.
And Marziya does not over play the role of a photographer , she is comfortable with her dolls and once in a while takes portraits of them on the more easily manageable mobile camera phone.
Marziya has her own Nikon D 80 too presented by her Uncle Guru No 1 Dr Glenn Losack MD from New York Manhattan.
She has kept it on one side till her Uncle Glenn sends her a lens for it.
And Uncle Glenn and her grand father are broke most of the time this is the karmic gift of life visited on the head of gifted photographer many like him and me.
Only the man at the other end of this blog knows his problems .. photography is a hobby passion that requires money and love in the same way as you keep a rich whore as your mistress..forgive the comparison I have a one track mind .. its called photography sense no sensibility and sensuality.
Bhupesh in the initial days was not to keen on seeing me become a blogger , but now after almost 6 to 7 years he understands that blogging is also a vital integral part of creativity art and culture ..
Even now Bhupesh wants me to come back into Salon competition and participation and I politely refused I am free to shoot what I shoot I dont follow trends I shoot humanity as the common man on the street shoots me down with his unending despair.
I shoot hijras whores beggars I shoot life I shoot pain and pain is the only thing that makes you and me equal in the eyes of two different gods.. we all say there is one god but we end up dividing his soul as a Muslim as a Hindu and what not.
Photography is Peace Hope and Humanity and the camera is the greatest instrument of human welfare ..so Marziya another Little child knows it ..that she is gifted is the pact between her and her God who perhaps is a photographer too..a bit out of tune working in a weT lab as the digital camera has yet to be invented by God in heaven and the angels with pouts sulk in envy..
So now you know why a blog is a blog is a blog..
You would dead struck with fire and lightning if you read this in a newspaper ..
I stopped reading newspapers completely like I stopped using Facebook completely.
Pitru Paksh
149,264 items / 1,143,755 views
From Wikipedia
Pitru Paksha (Sanskrit: पितृ पक्ष), also spelt as Pitr paksha or Pitri paksha, (literally "fortnight of the ancestors") is a 16–lunar day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors (Pitrs), especially through food offerings. The period is also known as Pitri Pokkho (Bengali: পিতৃ পক্ষ),Pitru Pakshya(oriya:ପିତୃ ପକ୍ଷ)Sola Shraddha ("sixteen shraddhas"), Kanagat, Jitiya, Mahalaya Paksha and Apara paksha.[1][2][3]
Pitru Paksha is considered by Hindus to be inauspicious, given the death rite performed during the ceremony, known as Shraddha or tarpan. In southern and western India, it falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September–October), beginning with the full moon day (Purnima) that occurs immediately after the Ganesh festival and ending with the new moon day known as Sarvapitri amavasya, Mahalaya amavasya or simply Mahalaya. In North India and Nepal, this period corresponds to the dark fortnight of the month Ashwin, instead of Bhadrapada.
According to Hindu mythology, the souls of three preceding generations of one's ancestor reside in Pitru–loka, a realm between heaven and earth. This realm is governed by Yama, the god of death, who takes the soul of a dying man from earth to Pitru–loka. When a person of the next generation dies, the first generation shifts to heaven and unites with God, so Shraddha offerings are not given. Thus, only the three generations in Pitru–loka are given Shraddha rites, in which Yama plays a significant role.[4] According to the sacred Hindu epics (Itihasa), at the beginning of Pitru Paksha, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Virgo (Kanya). Coinciding with this moment, it is believed that the spirits leave Pitru–loka and reside in their descendants' homes for a month until the sun enters the next zodiac—Scorpio (Vrichchhika)—and there is a full moon. Hindus are expected to propitiate the ancestors in the first half, during the dark fortnight.[2][5]
When the legendary donor Karna died in the epic Mahabharata war, his soul transcended to heaven, where he was offered gold and jewels as food. However, Karna needed real food to eat and asked Indra, the lord of heaven, the reason for serving gold as food. Indra told Karna that he had donated gold all his life, but had never donated food to his ancestors in Shraddha. Karna said that since he was unaware of his ancestors, he never donated anything in their memory. To make amends, Karna was permitted to return to earth for a 16–day period, so that he could perform Shraddha and donate food and water in their memory. This period is now known as Pitru Paksha.[6] In some legends, Yama replaces Indra.[7]
The fifteen days of Malaya Paksha consists of 15 Tithi (also called Thithi). They are Pratipat, Dvitiya, Tritiya, Chaturthi, Panchami, Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, Dasami, Ekadasi, Dvadasi, Trayodasi, Chaturdashi, Amavasya (new moon). According to Hindu mythology, every individual's who wants to perform this Pitru Tharpanam, they should do it on the same day of their ancestor died which will fall within any one of these fifteen days.
[edit] Importance
The performance of Shraddha by a son during Pitru Paksha is regarded as a compulsory by Hindus, to ensure that the soul of the ancestor goes to heaven. In this context, the scripture Garuda Purana says, "there is no salvation for a man without a son".[4] The scriptures preach that a householder should propitiate ancestors (Pitris), along with the gods (devas), ghosts (bhutas) and guests.[1] The scripture Markandeya Purana says that if the ancestors are content with the shraddhas, they will bestow health, wealth, knowledge and longevity, and ultimately heaven and salvation (moksha) upon the performer.[2]
The performance of Sarvapitri amavasya rites can also compensate a forgotten or neglected annual shraddha ceremony, which should ideally coincide with the death anniversary of the deceased. According to Sharma, the ceremony is central to the concept of lineages. Shraddha involves oblations to three preceding generations—by reciting their names—as well as to the mythical lineage ancestor (gotra). A person thus gets to know the names of six generations (three preceding generation, his own and two succeeding generations—his sons and grandsons) in his life, reaffirming lineage ties.[1] Anthropologist Usha Menon of Drexel University presents a similar idea—that Pitru Paksha emphasises the fact that the ancestors and the current generation and their next unborn generation are connected by blood ties. The current generation repays their debt to the ancestors in the Pitru Paksha. This debt is considered of utmost importance along with a person's debt to his gurus and his parents.[8]
When and where
The shraddha is performed on the specific lunar day during the Pitru Paksha, when the ancestor—usually a parent or paternal grandparent—died. There are exceptions to the lunar day rule; special days are allotted for people who died in a particular manner or had a certain status in life. Chautha Bharani and Bharani Panchami, the fourth and fifth lunar day respectively, are allocated for people deceased in the past year. Avidhava navami ("Unwidowed ninth"), the ninth lunar day, is for married women who died before their husband. Widowers invite Brahmin women as guests for their wife's shraddha. The twelfth lunar day is for children and ascetics who had renounced the worldly pleasures. The fourteenth day is known as Ghata chaturdashi or Ghayala chaturdashi, and is reserved for those people killed by arms, in war or suffered a violent death.[2][4]
Mahalaya marks the formal beginning of the Durga Puja festival
Sarvapitri amavasya ("all fathers' new moon day") is intended for all ancestors, irrespective of the lunar day they died. It is the most important day of the Pitru Paksha.[2][4] Those who have forgotten to perform shraddha can do so on this day. A shraddha ritual performed on this day is considered as fruitful as one conducted in the holy city of Gaya, which is seen as a special place to perform the rite, and hosts a fair during the Pitru Paksha period.[3] In Bengal, Mahalaya (Bengali: মহালয়া) marks the beginning of Durga Puja festivities. Mahalaya is the day when the goddess Durga is believed to have descended to Earth. Bengali people traditionally wake up early in the morning on Mahalaya to recite hymns from the Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi) scripture. Offerings to the ancestors are made in homes and at puja mandaps (temporary shrines).[9][10] Matamaha ("Mother's father") or Dauhitra ("Daughter's son") also marks the first day of the month of Ashwin and beginning of the bright fortnight. It is assigned for the grandson of the deceased maternal grandfather.[2][4]
The ritual is also held on the death anniversary of the ancestor. The shraddha is performed only at noon, usually on the bank of a river or lake or at one's own house.[4] Families may also make a pilgrimage to places like Varanasi and Gaya to perform Shraddha.[2][3][
It is essential that Shraddha is performed by the son—usually the eldest—or male relative of the paternal branch of the family, limited to the preceding three generations. However, on Sarvapitri amavasya or matamaha, the daughter's son can offer Shraddha for the maternal side of his family if a male heir is absent in his mother's family.[2][4] Some castes only perform the shraddha for one generation.[2] Prior to performing the rite, the male should have experienced a sacred thread ceremony. Since the ceremony is considered inauspicious due to its association with death, the royal family of Kutch, the king or heirs of the throne are prohibited from conducting Shraddha.[4]
[edit] Food
The food offerings made to the ancestors are usually cooked in silver or copper vessels and typically placed on a banana leaf or cups made of dried leaves. The food must include Kheer (a type of sweet rice and milk) , lapsi (a sweet porridge made of wheat grains), rice, dal (lentils), the vegetable of spring bean (guar) and a yellow gourd (pumpkin).[4]
[edit] Rites of shraddha
The male who performs the shraddha should be take a purifying bath beforehand and is expected to wear a dhoti. He wears a ring of darbha grass. Then the ancestors are invoked to reside in the ring. The shraddha is usually performed bare-chested, as the position of the sacred thread worn by him needs to be changed multiple times during the ceremony. The shraddha involves pinda-daan, which is an offering to the ancestors of pindas (cooked rice and barley flour balls mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds), accompanying the release of water from the hand. It is followed by the worship of Vishnu in form of the darbha grass, a gold image or Shaligram stone and Yama. The food offering is then made, cooked especially for the ceremony on the roof. The offering is considered to be accepted if a crow arrives and devours the food; the bird is believed to be a messenger from Yama or the spirit of the ancestors.[2] A cow and a dog are also fed, and Brahmin priests are also offered food. Once the ancestors (crow) and Brahmins have eaten, the family members can begin lunch.[4]
[edit] Other practices
Some families also conduct ritual recitals of scriptures such the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita.[4][12] Others may be charitable and present gifts to the priests or pay them to recite prayers for the ancestor's well-being.[12]
The Ricksha Driver Plys Half Down Making a Mockery of The Government And Society
The Ricksha Driver Plys Half Down Making a Mockery of The Government And Society, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
149,263 items / 1,143,748 views
He has not changed he will not change whatever laws you bring in to tame him he is one up on the law , and now they drive with the meter half down they refuse passengers wanting to go close by in short they and their leaders morally terrorize the soul of the Mumbaikar with impunity.
There are good ricksha guys I wont paint all of them with the same brush but the good guys are few the bad guys are in majority.
I feel the government has pampered them far too much ..its time to get a bit serious with them and the commuter will face more problems from them during the rush of the festive period.
The Unexpected Fall From Grace
149,263 items / 1,143,752 views
he came he saw
he lost the chase
crippled by fate
before he
begun the race
living everyone lives
what matters
is dying with
dignity and grace
sometimes
even man
is born
with an animals
face fucked
always
on the soul of
bleeding humanity
he leaves behind
the silhouette
of his trace
defecating
denuding
is natural base
man is a social animal
within a phrase
A Body of a Dead Poet Buried Above The Ground
A Body of a Dead Poet Buried Above The Ground, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
149,255 items / 1,143,483 views
Simply because the grave diggers were dead drunk..and were in a hurry to rush home and watch Big Boss ..
The Untouchable Is Only Made In India ..Thanks To The Caste System
The Untouchable Is Only Made In India ..Thanks To The Caste System, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
he is fucked
locked outside
the doors of
brahamnic society
such is his fate
his karma
his death
that in the corridors
lies in wait
those who were
supposed to help him
only spend money
time building
grandiose statues
in their
home state
dr ambedkar saab
weeps tears
as he watches their pain
on a pedestal
in a sad state
love is imagery
for the untouchable
his gift of life
is only fucked hate
treated as dog as vermin
third rate on the soul
of humanity
he is used as bait
begs outside
the temple gates
terrorizing
his human soul
the upper caste trait
in his name they have
made crores
wealth grandeur
while the mochi chamar
mehtar his death at
their doorstep awaits
the untouchable is only made in India ..as is where is till current date ..my poetic update
Pitru Paksha Through The Eyes of a Muslim Blogger
Pitru Paksha Through The Eyes of a Muslim Blogger, originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1.
149,221 items / 1,143,316 views
This place on the Pitru Paksha day which is one day before the advent of Navratri is a crowded affair all the North Indian migrants from UP colloquially called bhaiyyas gather here to pay homage through puja to their dead ancestors .
Prayers with the aid of a pujari are recited and the ritual ingredients on a leaf with a burning lamp are placed in the waters of the tank..
The eaves float all around but are quickly removed by the concerned locals so it does not choke up the tank or the fish and fauna in the pond.
Rafts move around collecting the leaves floral tributes etc ..
I shot all this from the raft too and this was one risky move you know why..
Pitru Paksha requires removal of body hair scalp armpits facial ,, and it is on this day even a person who has never shaved a head becomes a barber so dont be surprised seeing bleeding scalps and faces.
After the religious tonsure comes the prayers rituals and the dip in the tank, this is a only male ritual..and the largest number of bald heads at one place .
Strangely thought the North Indian is supposed to be cause of the problems of the Marathi Manoos here such feeling does not exist at all as all the ritual items on the bank are sold by Maharashtrian women and men , this is their complete monopoly on Pitru Paksh day.
And whatever power politics the support infrastructure is from the locals and the Congress I MLA and the Congress Corporator,, both taking on the responsibility for the welfare of the North Indians on Pitru Paksh day.
But what this place needs is a few boats more to remove the ritual waste in the water and more volunteers from all walks of life and life guards though there has never been a case of drowning here I was told.
There is an ambulance first aid and newly added changing rooms on the banks of the tanks.
Outside the tank the beggars the barbers the vendors of beads necklaces the pickle and sweets sellers do brisk business ..
There are pandits who charge a nominal fee for tying the holy thread on your wrist,, there are neem datoon sellers and Gods pictures in frames sellers.
Everywhere I went there are cries of Bam Bam Bhole Nath because of my tiger print turban and my Sadhu like saffron attire and the gems on my body and my barefeet.
Hardly anyone knows I am a Muslim blogger , most of the younger folks touch my feet and take my blessings somebody offered me Rs 10 as baksheesh too..
This is the India I love dearly and I shoot clearly .
The Banganga Sadhu and The Shia Pandit
149,230 items / 1,143,349 views
We are good friends I meet him every year when I come to shoot the Pitru Paksh ceremony on the banks of the Banganga water tank at Walkeshwar.
I shoot a lot of pictures but this year I shot less I was barefeet I was thirsty hungry but I ate or drank nothing almost punishing myself poetically with the passion of man on the edge.
A lot of people pandits, women who sell the ritual items all Maharashtrians knew me on the tank, and thus continues my tryst with Hope and Hindutva a message of Peace and Humanity.. tolerance mutual coexistence as Indians above all things.
Because I am not a Hindu I show you a different perspective of the poetry of religiosity and peace, through the eyes of a Muslim man..as a photographer or photo blogger.
Because I post all my stuff on the internet I am called a photo blogger ..and I dont make prints at all , I dont shoot for shooting sake I shoot to share the culture of the land of my birth its rich tapestry of rituals customs, and because people ridicule the persons or the rituals I have shoot and usually pass racist comments I have locked my comment box for good wherever I post.
The one place I was open and replied to comments was Facebook I have moved away from there given myself a long break.
I am a Shia Muslim from India and I wear saffron for 9 month the rest of the three months of Moharam I only wear black and mourn for the greatest martyr of Humanity ..Imam Hussain.
So because of my respect for Hinduism as the culture of my land my Hindu friends I shoot and share their ethos wit the rest of the world.
I dont pass adverse comments on peoples religiosity ot the choice of their religion or gender and I must confess I have the Hijra Vardan , I met a Hijra before I came to Banganga in the train , I met another one at Banganga I also met a Hijra back in the train that was bringing me home to Bandra.
And finally after I had finished shooting totally exhausted I walked from Banganga to Napean Sea Road to my Gurus house to have water and a cup of tea with him.
I had breakfast at home when I arrived at 12-30 pm.
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Shah-e-Mardan Sher-e-Yazdan Quwat-e-Parwardigar Lafata Ila Ali La Saif Ila Zulfiqar , originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1 ....
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Allah Humma Lanat Qatalatal Husain , a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr. Allahumma Laan Qatalatal Hussaine Wa Asabehi.
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khune hussain tapka zamin par jagah jagah tha khaufnak momino manzar jagah jagah , originally uploaded by firoze shakir photographerno1 .
