WHERE LOVE IS, GOD IS

In school we had an English poetry collection prescribed as a text book in Class X. The first poem in the book was 'Abou Ben Adam' by Leigh Hunt . The poem carried a beautiful message that Love for mankind is the love for God which surpasses all kinds of rituals and worship of God in fulfilling one's life.

A few days back, I read the short story ' Where love is, God is' by Leo Tolstoy, extending the same idea further.

The story is about a cobbler named Martin Avdeich, a sincere worker who while doing his job with perfection is honest to the point of not taking up something he cannot finish on time.Fate had not been kind to him as he lost all his children while still infants and his wife except a three year old son. As he decides to keep his son with him only instead of sending him to live with his sister, after some days this only surviving child also has fever and dies.

Martin Avdeich, all broken and shaken is advised by a pilgrim of his acquaintance to read Bible. Martin purchases a copy of Bible and starts reading it on holidays. Soon it interests him so much that he starts reading it daily, even at night in the light of a lamp.One day he comes across the story of a Pharisee that invites Jesus to his house and there a lady washes Jesus's feet with her tears.This incident as related in the Bible haunts him so much that he hears God telling him that He would visit him.

Next day he invites Stepanich, a worker who is shoving snow outside. He serves him with warm drink and tells about Jesus. Next he finds a woman with a child . The woman is equipped to bear and face the cold . Martin gives her warm clothes and some money. 

The same day he settles the matter between an old woman and a boy after he finds that the latter has stolen something from the woman.

It is only during the night that God reveals to him that He had visited Martin in the garb of Stepanich, whom he had served drink, the woman whom he had given clothes & money and the old lady whom he had helped.

Thus the story has a beautiful message that serving humanity is the best way to worship God.

BHAI MARDANA

I have written before about Gyani Balkar Singh,our Punjabi teacher in school, who taught and told us many things beyond textbooks.

During one of his lectures in the class, he told us about BHAI MARDANA, who became a disciple and companion of Guru Nanak during the Guru's journeys through India and Asia.

It is common knowledge that Mardana was born to Muslim parents who lived in Rai Bhoin Di Talwandi the same place in today's Pakistan where Guru Nanak was born. As for the name Mardana , there is an interesting anecdote that our teacher told us. The mother of Mardana remained sad and worried as all her children died sooner or later. It is said that she used to call this son also Marjana, as she believed that he would also die like his other siblings because of a curse that was purported to have befallen the family.It is said that Guru Nanak asked for her son to be given to him to which the mother agreed. Guru Nanak named him MARDANA which when split sounds Marda- Na which means 'won't die'. The family was thus saved from the curse of early deaths . Mardana not only became the first person to enter the Sikh sect, but also lived long and into his seventies.

Wikipedia also has the same story albeit with some twist. However the basic fact remains the same.

Reshma

Today is the death anniversary of Reshma , the singer.

“Char dina da pyaar o rabba, badi lambi judai………”

When folk singer Reshma from across the border lent her beautiful voice to this song for the Bollywood flick “Hero “ in the eighties, this came as a whiff of fresh air as the singer’s voice apart from timbre had a folksy charm to it. The song became and is still popular after more than three decades down the line. Reshma’s had become a household name for every music lover.

Thanks to YouTube, many a time I have listened to a captivating duet by her and Pervez Mehdi-

“ Goriye mein jana pardes ………….” .

Both the singers come out at their best in this composition and literally it transports me to another world. Reshma, who always was soft spoken , and to hear her voice rising to a crescendo when singing is indeed a wonderful experience. Again that earthy/ folksy charm comes to the fore.
Our humble tributes to the great singer.

Major Somnath Sharma PVC

Today is the 70th death anniversary of Major Somnath Sharma PVC, who laid down his life while fighting the Pakistani infiltrators .

The young officer aged 24 became the first Param Vir Chakra awardee.
Our humble tributes to the brave soldier !

Prem Nath

Today is the death anniversary of Prem Nath the popular Bollywood actor. In a career that spanned almost four decades, he made his debut in the film Daulat ke Liye and went on to act in films like Aag, Barsaat,Hindustan Hamara,Sagai, Awaara,Badal, Aan, Aurat ,Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sikander-e-Azam, Baharon ke Sapne,Amrapali,Teesri Manzil , Shor, Bobby and many others.

Our humble tributes to the popular actor !

Prithvi Raj Kapur

Today is the birth anniversary of Late Prithvi Raj Kapur, the doyen of Hindi Cinema and patriarch of Kapur family, whose fourth generation is now in acting . Prithvi Raj Kapur was not only a great actor but also a great theatre personality , a founder-member of IPTA and the founder of Prithvi Theatre.A highly talented actor, he acted in silent movies also.He had a supporting role in the first talkie Alam Ara.

His role in Vidyapati brought him accolades and later his role in Sohrab Modi's Sikander catapulted him to fame . He is remembered most for his stellar role in Mughal-e- Azam, the block buster movie of the times and his role in the film Harishchandra Taramati was also highly appreciated. He had the lead role in Punjabi movies- Nanak Naam Jahaaz hai & Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansaar and left a bench mark in acting.

He was a recipient of Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Our humble tributes to the legendary film and theatre personality !

सदाशिव अमरापुरकर

बतौर खलनायक अपने सशक्त अभिनय से दर्शकों की भरपूर 'गालियाँ' बटोरने वाले प्रतिभासम्पन्न कलाकार सदाशिव अमरापुरकर की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !