Emperor of Music

This  Indian classical singer, known as "Gaan Samraat" (Emperor of Music). He was a fair tall bearded man with a big turban on the head, wearing dhoti shirt & coat.

He was acknowledged for his creation and resurrection of many complex Raags such as Nat Kamod, Bhoop Nat, Kaunsi Kanada, Sampoorna Malkauns, Basanti Kedar, Shuddha Nat, Malavi, Savani Kalyan, and many more. He founded Jaipur Atrauli Gharana.

His real name was Ghulam Ahmed Khan and "Allahdiya" was his nick name given by his elders in his childhood.

For a significant period he was settled in  Kolhapur as the court musician of King Shahu Maharaj and spread music for 35 years. In 1922 he moved to Mumbai after the king died. While in Kolhapur, Khan Sahab rigorously trained his sons Naseeruddin Khan Sahab (Bade) and Badruddin Khan (Ustad Manji Khan Sahab). Apart from family, Khansahab's initial disciples were Sarangiya Ustad Abdul Majid Khan, Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale, Govindrao Shaligram and Wamanrao Sadolikar, Dhondutai Kulkarni and in succeeding generation came proteges like, Mallikarjun Mansur and Padmavati Shaligram.

In Mumbai, Alladiya Khan saheb's prime disciples were Kesarbai Kerkar, Mogubai Kurdikar and Nivruttibuwa Sarnaik.

He expired on 16th March 1946 leaving behind a trail of disciples and followers of his innovative singing style.  

Bhava, Kolhapur has witnessed many emperors in many fields."Allahdiya"was one among them. 

Kolhapuri Manacha Mujara  to this Emperor on his death anniversary.

Chala Pise Kadhu

(Featherless world)

Kolhapur is known to be a place which is fond of eating. That Red-White (tambada pandhara) or Charcharit Missaaal….oof.

But eating Gavaran kombadi always makes someone sick. Because  those thousand and thirty three feathers (rough estimate) make the place a mess.

The disposal of chicken feathers, that are generated in huge quantities at poultry farms and at meat shops was always a big problem all around the world.

But  now it will be an easy task with Kolhapuri Technology.

Keratin in feathers makes their degeneration difficult, lasting for five to seven years. The feathers cannot be incinerated also as a large quantity of sulphur is released.

Jyoti Jadhav and her research student, Ranjit Gurav  from this city have  identified a  microorganism that disintegrates feathers within 30 hours. This microorganism turned out to be a new species and was named as ‘Chryseobacterium species Research Bio Technology.’ The feathers have to be placed in a liquid medium mixed with the microorganism. This is a simple method and the technology can be easily transferred to laymen. Also the liquid residue after the degradation is a much better bio-fertilizers (sounds like buy one get one free). Jadhav is honored with the Young Woman Scientist Award of the Biotech Research Society India. (Bravo.. )

Wa! Now we don’t have to be thinking about feather pollution while munching.  

Only eating... Only eating…

No worrying…. No worrying….

 

Bollywoodcha Baap

Who is on Doodle, Dude?

Guess who is the man in this Doodle?

Here are the clues:

1.  He is Hindu and she a Muslim.

2.  He was labeled as the Douglas Fairbanks of India and enjoyed immense popularity as the swashbuckling star of early silent stunt films.

3.  In 1930, he became famous as the highest paid male star of the time

4.  When his parent studio sued him, it was Mohammed Ali Jinnah (the architect of Pakistan and later its first head of government) defended this man in court.

Haarlat…?

Here is the Uttar.

March 14, 1931 was a historic day for Indian cinema. Ardeshir Irani of Imperial Movietone released Alam Ara (Light of the Universe), the first full-length Indian talkie film at the Majestic cinema in Bombay. Master Vitthal was the hero while Zubaida was the heroin. This first hero of Indian talkies, belonged to Kolhapurcity  as did Bhanu Athaiya, the first to bring an Oscar to India.

Can we call him Bollywoodcha

Baap?


Note: Bhava, jara dusare kaam lagalay. Aata Tuesday la Bhetuya. Tumhi pan  vichar kara aani comment kara.

First Jai Ho.....

What is common in Swadesh, Lagaan, 1942: A Love story, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Mera Naam Joker, Guide and also Agneepath, featuring Amitabh Bacchan (Big B) ???

Sopppaye... (it’s easy)

Each movie has one common tread who is a Kolhapuri. It’s Bhanumati Annasaheb Rajopadhye.

Bhanu Athaiya née Rajopadhye (born 28 April 1926 in Kolhapur) is Indian cinema's most well-regarded costume designer, having worked in over 100 films, since 1950s, with noted filmmakers like Guru Datta, Yash Chopra, Raj Kapoor, Ashutosh Gowarikar, and international directors like Conrad Rooks and Richard Attenborough

She made her debut as a film costume designer with the film C.I.D. in 1956. In her career spanning 50 year she has received numerous awards, including the two National Film Awards, in 1991 and 2002 and also Academy Award for Costume Design (the Oscar), for her work in 1982 film, Gandhi, which made her the first Indian to win an Oscar

Kolhapur  Jai ho…..

L=L+L

Leopon = Leopard + Lion

The Leopon are the offspring of a male leopard and a lioness. The head of the animal is similar to that of a lion while the rest of the body carries similarities to leopards. Kunachya khandyawar konache doke… konache doke…

The first documented leopon was bred at Kolhapur, India in 1910.

A leopon skin and skull at the British Museum comes from the animal bred at Kolhapur Zoo in India and was donated by Lt. Col. F.W. Wodehouse of the Junior United Services sometime between 1920 and 1940.

Kolhapuri Shankar Shala …?

Daily Dhos

Drink  daily....

As u all know ours was a princely state. Now it’s not. But still majority in this city feels that they r someone from that era and still follow many legendary practices. If u watch a true kolhapuri bowing his head and touching feet of elderly, u will easily find a glimpse of shahi mujara. (as if u r watching mawalas doing sallam 2 Great Shivaji). So called khandani  lady still covers her head with her sari padar and sports a big sindur. We still tell the tales of Shikaar and Shikari. Royale past….passed…

City has changed but certain not-so- good habits aren’t. One such habit is having daily dhos (peg). Over the period, it is observed that foreign Tirth has slowly become staple food for sizable number.  Whether it is foreign or country, fact is that alcohol consumption has multiplied in Kolhapur. 

Few days back a prominent Newspaper had reported a grim picture about this habit. According to that paper even after death kolhapuri likes to have a sip. This, the paper has proved by giving facts, that on third day after the death relatives of died offer him (read his remains) alcohol, so that the soul remain in peace. Tya shivay pindala kawala shivat nahi aase tyana vatate. Well it might be their religious and personal view. But fact remains the same. People here need daily dose.

I too have started feeling like that. No.. no… its not about my obsession about liquid.

But while thinking about this noble city I am becoming addicted.  (Addicted to write something, frequently… almost daily)  It may be in the form of pieces telling happenings (not news). In between I shall try my hands at writing articles.  

 I hope I can manage daily dose (DD) …

 Cheers ….

Mall-aa-mall

(worlds first and greatest idea from Kolhapur)

Satara pishvya aathara dukane (17 bags and 18 shops)…..

Remembered these lines shown in one local TV advertisement? That poor husband, carrying many bags and searching various shops to get the right stuff (groceries and household items). He is tired of visiting one shop to other. Alas! he finds the answer in the form of a Departmental store where he could get all those items under one roof. 

 No need to carry 17 B and going 18 S.

Great Ad. , Good punch line.

Anyways, that was the beginning of Mall culture which was in pipeline. It was some time in 1990s

People doubted whether such big shops will sustain. Why one will go to a Mall to buy groceries when they have their Vaani (shopkeeper) who used give Daha bar, pavsher items (125 gms, 250 gms.) and never minded giving credit?

Every Galli had its own kiranawala who was as good as our family member. So it was cool.

But things changed and Kolhapuri found convenience in Malls. Every one had their own reasons for visit. Goods were ample for those who wanted goods, Food in variety for food lovers. For those who have time, mall is time pass and for those who don’t, mall is time saver.  Nahitari mahadwar road var aata maja yet nahi mhanun mall madhye chakkar marane ha option bara watu lagalay.

So…. mall means something for all at one place. Great idea!

Then why was it not tried in Kolhapur earlier? Why were we too late??

If we are late then why do we say that “Jagaat Bhari Kolhapuri ?”

Kahi doke chalena mhanun Ambabaila Gelo. (We don’t say that we had been to temple. We say we went to ambabai)

And I got saksahatkar (enlightened).

While taking the holy round (pradakshina) around the temple I saw variety of God and Goddesses present and placed in the premises (square compound building around the main temple) everyone having their own sections having nameplates on the wall. Lord Shiva,  Shanidev, Hanumaan, Vishnu ….(originals) and u wont believe  but Saibaba, Swami Samarth (new avtars) were present. You just name and all are here. And they had their own priests. So if you want blessings of someone you will surely get Him or Her in this temple. And even if you have some different plan, ample scope is available.

Aare … hey tar tya Mall sarakhech aahe. Different brands in different sections.. something for all… Ooh God… (Ooh Goddess..)

It was 1500 years back the creator constructed the temple for Goddess but over the period some kolhapuris realized the need of bringing many deities together for the convenience of Bhaktas (devotees). And we have modified temple housing many under one roof.

No need to visit 17 temples… isn’t it great idea?

Can we say now  “Jaggat Bhari Kolhapuri?”

U tell....

Jalebi bai … Jalebi buy ………

 OK baby! its republic day

India marked its 63^rd Republic Day on Thursday, and it was on this day in 1950 that the world’s largest democracy adopted its Constitution and declared itself a Republic.

Its long way and many things have changed in India. We are progressing though the direction is still unclear.  One says that we will be super power. At the same time one say that corrupt are in power. (Then how can we be super power?) We praise our education system. But India ranked second last among the 73 countries that participated in International Student Assessment. (So instead of praise this raise doubts)

So its confusing…. just like those round round  jalebis ….. where  we can’t find the start or end…

Is it the reason why, we in Kolhapur celebrate our National days by eating Jalebis? Lot of Jalebis to mark lot of confusion…?????

Well, all who wants to know aasli Kolhapur should know that it’s our tradition to celebrate 26^th Jan. and 15^th Aug. by buying, eating and also distributing Jalebis. You

 will see hundreds of Roadside stalls preparing these syrupy sweet, right from the sun rise to sun set. Hot lovable aroma is coupled with DeshBhakti songs played on stereos. Unfortunately there few such numbers. So you will find same title being played on every Jalebi Joints which are pretty close to each other. This gives echo effect. (Surround sound for entire city. New concept. only in Kolhapur. Once again)

People stand patiently in queue to demonstrate their love towards this country. This is just one way of their expressions. Isn’t it sweet?

 In spite of all those hurdles of life in this country they live and sing…..

Buy Jalebi….. Jalebi baieee… Jalebi baieee…..