Personal Excellence - Edited by Ken Shelton

This was a slim book with articles by Michael Jordan, Stephen Covey, Pope John Paul, Deepak Chopra and others so I picked it up and turned the pages. I really liked what Jordan said.

Micheal Jordan

"I have a goal of being the best, but I approach everything step by step using short term goals."
"I visualise where I want to be and what kind of a player and person I want to become. I approach it with the end in mind. I know exactly where I want to go.' 
"It's all mental for me."
" I am not afraid to ask anybody anything. "Help me: give me direction."
"I never look at teh consequences of failing because when you think about the consequences, you always think of a negative result. If I am jumping into any situation, I'm thinking I'm going to be successful - not about what happens if I fail."
'Any fear is an illusion."
"If you know you are doing the right things, just relax and perform. Forget about the outcome. You cannot control anything anyway."
"I can accept failure. I cannot accept not trying."
:I approach practice the same way I approach games. I cannot dog it in practice and then, when I need that extra push in late in the game, expect it to be there."
'If you run into a wall, don't give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
"Everything I achieved can be traced back to the way I apporoched and applied the fundamentals."

Stephen Covey
"The key to quality of life is the quality of your relationships."
"Centre on timeless principles. Correct principles are like compasses. Always pointing the way."

Deepak Chopra
"Affluence is feeling joy, health, happiness and vitality in every moment of our existence. All material creation has the same origin. Everything that we can see, touch, hear, taste or smell is made from the same stuff and comes from the same source.  All material creation is structured out of information and energy. The impulses of energy and information that create our life experiences are reflected in our attitudes towards life.

A wealthy person never has money concerns. To have true wealth or affluence is to be totally carefree about everything in life, including money. True wealth consciousness is the field of all possibilities."

"The best way to acquire knowledge of this field of pure Being is through meditation."

"Know that deep inside you, in the innermost recesses of your heart are the Goddesses of Knowledge and Wealth. Love them and nurture them and every desire that you have will spontaneously blossom into form." 

Wayne Dyer
quoting Abraham Maslow "There are just two things to remember: one is to learn to become independent of the good opinion of other people, and the second is to master the art of being detached from the fruits of your labours."

And many others. This much for me. 

Thought for the Day - We Need a Break (From the Mind)

When we say we need a break and want to go somewhere or do something or from someone - what we really mean is that we need a break from the thoughts in our mind. It's the thinking that is straining us and we think physical distance can give us respite (which it can to some extent) but actually it is a break from the thoughts in our mind.

So the next time I feel like a break - like taking off from something (a job, a situation, a person whatever it is that is bothering me) - I will try to work at shutting my mind off. Or better, get clarity on what it is about and deal with the gray area which is bothering me. 

The chatter is what bothers us. The chatter comes when there is confusion. When we seek clarity in the why, the chatter ceases. That will break the chain of painful thoughts.

That's the break we need. From our mind.

 

Hyderabad by Walk - Dargah Hazrat Syed Hussain Shah Wali

Woke up early and decided to visit the Dargah Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali which is in Shaikpet. Built by Sultan  Abdullah Qutb Shah the seventh Qutb Shahi ruler in memory of the famous Sufi saint Syed Hussain Shah Wali. It is said that Hussain Shah Wali was a Hussaini Sayyid and a descendant of Hazrat Khwaja Bandanawaz Gesudaraz of Gulbarga. He arrived in Hyderabad during the reign of Ibrahim Qutb Shah's reign.

Dargah Hazrat Syed Hussain Wali, Shaikpet

He impressed the Sultan with his knowledge and wisdom and was soon given command of 10000 troops and was made the architect of all royal construction. In effect he was a saint, architect, engineer, statesman and army commander.

From the backyard

Another angle

Hussain Shah Wali was entrusted the task of constructing a man made lake which he took up and completed in the period (1590-93 in some places it is 1560). Initially it was called Ibrahim Sagar and later on it became known as Hussain Sagar after Hussain Shah Wali.

Yet another

And another

Hussain Shah Wali married the daughter of Sultan Ibrahim Qutb Shah Khairat un-Nissa Begum. Khairatabad is named after her and there is a tomb built there called Khairat un-Nissa tomb - a beautiful structure.

And another

The entry to the dargah is through narrow lanes and since I went at an early hour I could go easily and find parking in front of the dargah. Any later and it would have been difficult surely. Construction all around the dargah is very tight. 

A wooden gate - I think its the back entrance of the estate that's on the old Mumbai road

The front part of the same estate

There is a graveyard in front of the dargah and I saw some interesting structures around it which have become assimilated in buildings that have sprung up all around it. Must have been beautiful at some point if seen in an open place.

A beautiful structure - something is being done to it and it does not look right

Another beautiful structure fully consumed by the buildings around it 

I entered the dargah and found only one person inside praying. The tomb was in the centre and the main hall had intricately adorned mirror work and designs. I sat there for a bit and took in the peaceful vibes of the saint, went around the dargah, and headed back.          

Tumhari Auqaat Kya Hai, Piyush Mishra - Piyush Mishra

Everything about Piyush Mishra is intense. I remember Ram introducing his songs 'Husna' and 'Ghar' and others and we were all quite shaken by the intensity of the songs and the man. Of course we could easily place him as the intense character actor in several interesting movies - 'Maqbool', 'Gulaal', 'Gangs of Wasseypur', etc. So when Gupta ji suddenly sent me a pic of the book and said he was sending me a copy over I was quite thrilled.

The book is written like a novel. Its his life story. But he addresses himself as Hamlet or as Santap Trivedi into which he changed his name (from Priyansh I think). Born into a large joint family in Gwalior where he grew up with his father, mother, two uncles, a grandmother, his sister, he grew with a fear deep inside him. There are a few lines that he writes which are worth finding and quoting.

'If he stays grounded, he'll touch the sky'

'There's discipline in every bit of indiscipline. You just need the right perspective to see it that way.' 

Growing up he did not seem to have the most charming of childhoods - the family was in debt (there's a bania conversation he overhears). He wanted to do stuff which did not include studying (which his father wanted him to) and finally finds acting as a means of expression (starting from a role of Yama where he enters the stage in an underwear and fully blackened - and slays that role - creating backstories for himself about the character he was playing and adding depth to the character). Friends like Vishnoi, Marathe and others keep him grounded while women like Santo Chacho and a junior school teacher Miss Ginger seemed to take advantage of him. He finally falls for Sangini, who in a classic twist is deeply in love with another (that guys ditches her too later)!

Anyway things happen and he gets into Gwalior Science college and impresses one and all (mostly the rowdy gang) with his singing, gets into Kala Mandir and does drama and then another drama troupe called LBT. Nudged by his good pal Vishnoi who is as spiritual as one gets he gets into NSD with a scholarship. Hamlet also has deep spiritual experiences.

His days in Delhi are so romantic I want to go and visit Mandi House next time in Delhi. Anyway he finds fame as a great theatre artiste, discovers Robert De Niro, booze etc - and his talent explodes on stage as he plays Hamlet and several other characters, becoming a legendary successor to Nadeem Shah and Som Puri (guess who?). Women fall over him, he takes a bit to drinking, does not go to Mumbai like all other actors and decides to make a career in theatre, goes to Mumbai and has a terrible time and comes back vowing never to go back again. Discovers he can compose music, write, act and does a show called 'An Evening with Piyush Mishra' and gains more fame and fans. Joins Ank Ek (Act One) as an artiste.

Comes marriage with Jiya, more drinking, an offer for a film in Mumbai, this time ends better. He meets people like Bharadwaj, Bajpayee, Deepak, Kashyap and so on (most names changed slightly to make it interesting) I loved that line best when Kashyap tells him 'you are god to me'. Then comes more fame when his songs are sung on Coke Studio and he writes for 'Gulaal' and well there we have Piyush Mishra or Hamlet now in his evening years with a happy family - wife and two sons, all the money and success. Sangini comes back to congratulate him and moves on.  

Piyush Mishra's novel is the story of any artiste, confused, not knowing what to do with the tons of talent they have. It had to find a creative outlet or it would have consumed him. And in every way as intense as he has always been in my mind. Thank you Gupta ji. I loved it. And anyone wants to read about the struggles of a rebel artiste, don't miss this one.     

Anjali - Article for Queer Collective

 And here comes Anjali's article in Queer Colelctive. On 'Trans Identities and Intersectional Activism'. More power to her pen.

https://qc2604.wixsite.com/arcoirismhqc/post/trans-identities-intersectional-activism

Winter Pics - Cosy Dog

 I always thought of doing these winter pics. I do love winters in Hyderabad and this time hopefully I will get some wintry pics. Like this one!

Acts of Love - Socks

 And this is a cute act of love - A bought me these lovely socks as gifts. That she thought of me and bought these is enough!

Act of love!

Hyderabad by Walk - Hussaini Alam Walk

Tanya posted about a Hussaini Alam walk on Sunday at 8 am and I was keen to go. I asked Satish if he wanted to go and he was fine with it and so were Sunnie and Aruna so we all went off and parked near Chowmohalla palace and walked to the Mahbub Chowk Clock Tower where we were to meet. Since we were early we got ourselves a cup of tea at Obaid Hotel next to the Mahbub Chowk Clock Tower.

The clock tower with its shops

Chowk e Masjid

Chowk e Masjid entrance

Mahbub chowk clock tower

Satish got some good pics of the clock tower which is accessible to the public. For the first time i noticed that there we a bunch of tiny shops that had sprung up all around the periphery of the clock tower, most selling used tools and equipment. The other side was where Mahbub Chowk bazaar was, a place where exotic birds and stuff were sold in the old days. They are building a new market place and I am hoping they will keep the old sensibility in mind when designing it.

The Paigah deodi

An archway large enough for elephants to pass

An interesting pilla

We had our tea and walked to the Asaf Jah era mosque (1817) called 'Chowk ke Masjid'. Right in front of it was a quaint barber shop with beautiful colours, a drinking water room, a naan maker, an old restaurant..small ancient shops. We met the others and took some pics while waiting. Tanya started off the walk and led us towards the Amir-e Kabir Road.

The Iqbal Ud-Dowla deodi

    

The chajja is the Paigah style - can see it at the Piagah tombs as well

First we stopped at an old deodi of the Paigah family, quite impressive. It belonged to the Shams Ul Umrah she said. Then we moved on and saw the Iqbal Deodi and walked back to the Khurshid Jah deodi. 

Door

Gate at Iqbal Ud Dowla deodi

Entrance to Khurshid Jah deodi grounds

Khurshid Jah mansion - under renovation

We headed back after the deodi because Satish had a plane to catch. Nice walk. Thanks Tanya. 

Hyderabad by Walk - Golconda Fort

Satish wanted to see the Golconda Fort so we went there. We hired Mohan, a 73 old guide for 1200 bucks (there's no standard price), and went in after buying tickets and avoiding a forceful seller of tour books. First up he showed us a map of the fort which made more sense this time to me.

A bastion at the start of the inner wall - check out the yali on top

Ornate doorway

Clapping hall with a cannon to welcome 

Cannon in foreground, Bala Hissar (darbar) on hill top in background

Then he said there was a door hidden behind the rock which was true. The doorway was beautifully adorned - peacocks, swords. Inside there was a cannon pointed directly at us - and right under the tall, diamond shaped ceiling he showed us the marvel of Persian architecture's acoustics by clapping under the midpoint and also showed us the Bala Hissar (topmost part of Golconda) where it would be heard (not sure).

The path for common folk to go up to meet the Sultan

Some place to check the common folk

Armoury and barracks perhaps

Office of Hindu ministers Akkanna and Madanna 

Then we moved into the area where there was a weight of 150 kgs which wannabe soldiers had to life those days - we could not move it an inch. Then the barracks like place and a little further we went past the offices of the Hindu ministers Akkanna and Madanna. A little to the right and we passed the Nagina bagh.

Nagina bagh

A view of the fort

Reservoir - water flowed by gravity from Durgam Cheruvu through a pipeline

Then we saw a water reservoir and climbed up the hill where we came to the famous Ramdas prison. Kancherla Gopanna was an officer with the 7th Sultan Tana Shah who built the temple for his favourite deity Lord Ram with public funds at Bhadrachalam. He was imprisoned at this place - kind of a house arrest - and he sculpted idols which I took a close look for the first time.

Steps

View of the city

Further up we came to the granary  or Ambar Khana, a huge place. Mohan told us that the fort had seven walls starting all the way from the outermost -the darwazas (Banjara, Fateh, Patancheru, Moti, Jamali, Makkah and a couple more) and more and more fortifications as you go closer. There were 83 burjs or bastions he said.

View of the palace complex ruins

Ramdas prison

Rock carvings by Ramdas

Further up we came to the Qutb Shahi mosque, a beautiful structure which is now not in use. Past that we moved up to the Jagadamba temple where the Bonalu starts every year. 

Ambar Khana or granary

Qutb Shahi times mosque

Jagadamba temple

And then we finally reached up to the Bala Hissar part, the highest point where the Sultans held court once a month he said (rather low in frequency). It had the Diwan-e-Aam (for common folks) and Diwan-e-Khas (for important folks). We climbed up and took some pics. People were sitting on the parapets and taking pics much to the annoyance of the security guards. Apparently someone fell off recently.

Bala Hissar - the Sultan's durbar at the top of the hill

View from the top - can see Taramati baradari from here

Rest

Then the walk down - the straight steps going down - the royal way is now shut down and a new path way made. We got a good view of the palace ruins - the Zenana, the Rani Mahal, the court yard, the Taramati mosque, the armoury etc.

Way down

Panchaloha cannon

Beautiful fountain

We walked down and checked out some cannons - panchaloha cannons made of five metals. Then we saw ruins of the palaces with some beautiful inlay work still there. 

Palace complex

Inside palace complex

Massive courtyard

More palace (by then Mohan was in a bit of a hurry and was hurrying us through). The courtyard was beautiful, then we passed the naquar khana, the armoury, saw some cannon balls and some old guns.

Courtyard with Bala Hissar at the back

  

The king's hidden place for hearings

Armoury

Taramati mosque and garden

Taramati mosque

Naquar khana

And then we moved out. Definitely improved my understanding of Golconda and the lives of the Qutb Shahi Sultans. 

A last view from the bottom

One more trip, at leisure by myself will help.