A Journey To Discover Life

NOTHING COMES WITHOUT SELF SACRIFICE... NEVER GIVE UP, EVEN IF WE FACE OUR OWN END... ~ Matangini Hazra The year was 1869. For most of India, it is famous as the year when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born to change the face of India's struggle for freedom. But in a corner of Undivided Bengal, the villagers of Hogla in Tamluk, the district capital of Medinipur, witnessed the birth of a girl child to Thakurdas Maity and his wife Bhagabati Devi. One can only imagine the birth of a girl child to a loan-ridden poor peasant in a village back then, perhaps meant no celebration. It meant the burden of having no heir, providing for this child and of course arranging for her dowry.    She was named Matangini, literally meaning The Female Elephant , but a name attributed to the consort of Lord Shiva, Adi Shakti.  Birthplace of Matangini Hazra Courtesy: Midnapore.in The official records show her date of birth as the 17th of November 1869, whereas some attribute her birth to the 19...

In the grand fort of Daulatabad, a princess was born in 1638 to Emperor Aurangzeb and his cherished consort, Dilras Banu Begum. She was christened Zeb Un Nisa, her very name meaning “ornament of womankind.” The youngest of her sisters, Zeb Un Nisa, grew up surrounded by the opulence of the Mughal harem at the Red Fort, under the spiritual guidance of her Sufi uncle Dara Shikoh and her wise aunt Jahanara Begum. From her earliest days, she was captivated by poetry, spending hours immersed in literature, her mind dancing among the verses of Persian and Urdu poets. As she blossomed into adulthood, Zeb Un Nisa cultivated her own literary voice and gathered the greatest poets of the Mughal Empire in her private council. Adopting the pen name Makhfi, the Concealed One, she wove magic with her words, always returning to one intoxicating theme: Love. Her father, Emperor Aurangzeb, was the most powerful man in India, unyielding in his faith and rule, yet also deeply affectionate towards his d...

Folklores have heroes and villains, gods and demons. Heroes are too perfect to be true, villains too cruel to be humans. In shades of white and black.  History adjusts the same people into humans in shades of grey, in a blend of right and wrong in them all, without taking sides. History has the word “Story” in it. While most believe History is proof of the past, another popular opinion is that it is often influenced by the glory of the powerful and manipulated into making them heroes. As time passes, events are taken over by human opinions and differences, social and political influence, and personal perspectives and are often evolved into moral stories called folklore. However, it doesn’t change the fact of “What was” once true.  Every person, character in history, legend or epic has their reasons for action. The cruel and vain Ashoka has his own justifications, as does his grandfather Chandragupta for his struggles, Akbar had his own reasons for his policies, and Maharana Pr...

“Ranisa. Hukum” There was a hint of urgency in the maid in waiting’s voice as she rushed to the clearing where the tents were set up. Rani Pur Bai Solanki, the second queen, frowned at her sudden, alarming voice. “Hush, Rama, the children are...” She checked the children’s tent, alarmed. They slept during the day and stayed awake at night, because the forestland was not safe, neither from animals nor enemies. “Ranisa, forgive me, it's Kunwarsa... He is back... but...” Pur Bai’s face lit up with a smile of hope that didn’t last long. “But?” “What is it? What’s wrong?” The Maharani of Mewar had walked out of her camp, with the other queens in tow. The maid bowed before her. “It’s Kunwarsa.” “He is back?” She frowned. He was not supposed to be back so early until his father reached Dholan. “So is Ranaji.” The maid looked scared. “There is a court called in an emergency. I came to inform you that Ranaji wanted everyone to be present.” “Jija...” Pur Bai could see the tension mounting on...

To everyone who asked today, "Is India really free?" Yes, she is. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been here shouting out your opinions. Nobody would hear them. Yes, she is. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been fighting about the Constitution, rights, equality and feminism. You wouldn't have been receiving enough to expand your horizons and be opinionated. The answer is simple. The 15th of August marks the day India was free from its British invaders. We became an identity. To protect that identity and its freedom is a different battle. But that is not the point of this day. Neither the significance. We hoist the tricolour with pride because we are not controlled by the Britishers anymore. Our own people can be different, or opinions can vary; our entitlement to our own opinion, too, is a freedom to celebrate. We are not invaded. This day is for those thousands of named and unnamed martyrs who laid down their lives to see you free, individually opinionated and living wit...

  INTRODUCTION: “What Limits God? His name.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan Let me start by saying this is not a religious post. It is my understanding of a certain way of life. It is the perspective with which I see the world and what I feel about it. You can definitely see the world differently from me. I am not here to judge or challenge your faith or beliefs. They are perhaps stronger than mine. I was born a Hindu, I worship Shiva in my heart, people in history like Jahanara Begum and Maharana Pratap inspire me, I muse on Love, and I am still looking for my personal religion in between all of these, like a wanderer seeking Home. Religion, according to me, is personal for everyone, just like feelings. Apart from the worldly aspects of rituals and religions, which are very scientific and healthy for our troubled body, heart and mind, one must also seek deeper into their souls for spiritual growth. Spirituality helps us grow our souls into a more tolerant, liberal understanding of others as...