Yes, I know and I have watched this movie many times.beautiful mountains attract hollywood to come here.

quote:

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Originally posted by ffm

infomartive na ...nice work tarar ji .....

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I always try my best ffm ji

Funeral Mourning

Probably painted by Shaykh Zadeh
From a Khamsa of Nizami, 1494 in Herat

You can feel the grief in this wonderful funeral scene. Women and men mourn openly and passionately for the death of Majnun, Laila's husband.

The story of Laila and Majnun is a tragic love story similar to Shakepeare's Romeo and Juliet. Nizami, a famous Persian poet, wrote a poetic version of the old tale, and it was illustrated many times by Persian miniature painters

Laila and Majnun are from different clans of the Arab nomads, but fall hopelessly in love. Through many trials and tribulations, Majnun goes insane (his name means "crazy" in Arabic) and wanders in the desert with the wild animals. As I remember the story, despite being befriended and fed in the desert by the wild animals, Majnun gradually dies of love-sickness. His body is discovered and brought back to his clan, where great mourning for his death ensues.

This is a simple and beautifully understated painting. I like the subdued colours of the mourners' clothes and their expressive poses. The tragedy and regret of the mourners is conveyed through their weeping and tearing of hair and clothes. I think its an excellent example of Persian painting that is a subtle masterpiece.

The city of Herat in the years of the Timurid dynasty was the centre of Persian painting in the Iranian area. The Timurid princes, particularly Shahrukh and Baysunghur, were cultured patrons renowned for their artistic tastes. Artists, poets and thinkers from across the Islamic world congregated in its major cities.

Many of these artists, including the incomparable Bihzad, moved to the new Safavid capital of Tabriz when that dynasty took over most of Iran in the early 16th century. There the golden age of Persian painting flourished for the next century.

PUNNU
Sassi was another romantic soul, the daughter of King Adamkhan of Bhambour. At her birth the astrologers predicted that she was a curse for the royal family’s prestige. The king ordered that the child be put in a wooden chest with a ‘taweez’ tied on her neck and thrown into the river Chenab. The chest was seen floating by Atta, the washer man of Bamboon village. The dhobi believed the child was a blessing from God and took her home and adopted her as his child. Many, many years passed by and the king did not have another child, so he decides to get married again. When he heard that the daughter of Atta, the washer man, was as beautiful as the angels, the king summoned her to the palace.

Sassi was still wearing the tabiz (amulet), which the queen mother had put around her neck when she was taken away to be drowned. The king recognized his daughter immediately on seeing the tabiz. The pent-up sufferings of the parents flowed into tears. They wanted their lost child to return to the palace and bring joy and brightness to their lives, but Sassi refused and preferred to live in the house where she had grown up. She refused to leave the man who had adopted her.

Sassi did not go to the palace but the king presented her with abundant gifts, lands and gardens where she could grow and blossom like a flower. As all the rare things of the world were within her reach she wanted to acquire knowledge and sent for learned teachers and scholars. She made sincere efforts to increase her knowledge. During this time she heard about the trader from Gajni, who had a garden with a monument, the inner portion of which was enriched with exquisite paintings. When Sassi visited the place to offer her tributes and admire the rich art, she instantly fell in love with a painting, which was a masterpiece of heavenly creation. She soon discovered this was the portrait of Prince Pannu, son of King Ali Hoot, the ruler of Kicham.

Sassi became desperate to meet Punnu, so she issued an order that any businessman coming from Kicham town should be presented before her. There was a flutter within the business community as this news spread and someone informed Punnu about Sassi’s love for him. He assumed the garb of a businessman and carrying a bagful of different perfumes came to meet Sassi. The moment Sassi saw him she couldn’t help saying," Praise to be God!"

Punu’s Baluchi brothers developed an enmity for Sassi. They followed him and on reaching the town they saw the marriage celebrations of Sassi and Pannu in full swing, they could not bear the rejoicing. That night the brothers pretended to enjoy and participate in the marriage celebrations and forced Punnu to drink different types of liquor. When he was dead drunk the brothers carried him on a camel’s back and returned to their hometown Kicham.

The next morning when she realized that she was cheated she became mad with the grief of separation from her lover and ran barefoot towards the city of Kicham. To reach the city she had to cross miles of desert land, the journey that was full of dangerous hazards, leading to the end of world.

Her end was similar to the end of Kaknoos bird. It is said that when this bird sings, fire leaps out from its wings and it is reduced to ashes in its own flames. Similarly Punnu’s name was the death song for Sassi who repeated it like a song and flames of fire leapt up and she was also reduced to ashes

MIRZA SAHIBAN
Mirza-Sahiban, a love-lore is a treasure of Punjabi literature. It is a romantic tragedy. Sahiban was another love-lorn soul. Shayer Pillo raves about her beauty and says," As Sahiban stepped out with a lungi tied around her waist, the nine angels died on seeing her beauty and God started counting his last breath…"

Mirza and Sahiban who were cousins and childhood playmates, fell in love with each other. But when this beauty was about to be wedded forcibly to Tahar Khan by her parents, without any hesitation she send a taunting message to Mirza, whom she loved, to his village Danabad, through a Brahmin called Kammu.

"You must come and decorate Sahiban’s hand with the marriage henna." This is the time you have to protect your self respect and love, keep your promises, and sacrifice your life for truth. Mirza who was a young full-blooded man, made Sahiba sit on his horse and rided away with her. But on the way, as he lied under the shade of a tree to rest for a few moments, the people who were following them on horseback with swords in their hands caught up with them.

Sahiba was a virtuous and a beautiful soul who did not desired any bloodshed to mar the one she loved. She did not want her hands drenched in blood instead of henna. She thinks Mirza cannot miss his target, and if he strikes, her brothers would surely die. Before waking up Mirza, Sahiban puts away his quiver on the tree. She presumes on seeing her, her brothers would feel sorry and forgive Mirza and take him in their arms. But the brothers attack Mirza and kill him. Sahiban takes a sword and slaughters herself and thus bids farewell to this world.

Innumerable folk songs of Punjab narrate the love tale of Sassi and Punnu. The women sing these songs with great emotion and feeling, as though they are paying homage to Sassi with lighted on her tomb. It is not the tragedy of lovers. It is the conviction of heart of the lovers. It is firmly believed that the soil of the Punjab has been blessed. God has blessed these lovers to. Though there love ended in death, death was a blessing in disguise, for this blessing is immortalized. Waris Shah who sings the tale of Heer elevates mortal love to the same pedestal as spiritual love for God saying," When you start the subject of love, first offer your invocation to God".

This has always been the custom in Punjab, where mortal love has been immortalized and enshrined as spirit of love. Just as every society has dual moral values, so does the Punjabi community. Everything is viewed from two angles, one is a close up of morality and the other is a distant perspective. The social, moral convictions on one hand give poison to Heer and on the other hand make offerings with spiritual convictions at her tomb, where vows are made and blessings sought for redemption from all sufferings and unfulfilled desires.

But the Sassis, Heers, Sohnis and others born on this soil have revolted against these dual moral standards. The folk songs of Punjab still glorify this rebelliousness.
"When the sheet tear,
It can be mended with a patch:
How can you darn the torn sky?
If the husband dies, another one can be found,
But how can one live if the lover dies?"
And perhaps it is the courage of the rebellious Punjabi woman, which has also given her a stupendous sense of perspective. Whenever she asks her lover for a gift she says,
"Get a shirt made for me of the sky And have it trimmed with the earth"

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Sahiban in Exile

By Amrita Pritam
Even today, the legend of Mirza-Sahiban haunts Punjab’s folklore and songs. Mirza, like most romantic heroes, was a stranger to Sahiban’s land and belonged to a feuding clan. Sahiban eloped with him and was eager to reach his home. But on the way, Mirza the accomplished archer insisted on stopping for the night under a tree. Sahiban’s brothers were in pursuit. Fearing that Mirza would kill her brothers, Sahiban flung his quiver up into the tree. Unarmed, Mirza was killed when the brothers caught up with them. Sahiban’s ‘betrayal’ was never forgiven, and so there were no more legendary lovers in the land of the five rivers.

They also say, that this was the first time that the hero’s name was spoken before heroine’s- not as it had been in the past ..Sohni Mahiwal, Laila Majnu, Radhe Krishna..and thus there were no more legendary lovers in this land.
Her name was Sahiban. And she came visiting the ‘enemy country’. She came to see the relics of ancient monuments. And carried with her a letter requesting that she be allowed to stay for a few days. The letter was from an old friend who knew that they would be happy to host Sahiban in their home.

The parents of the family opened for her the airy guestroom, a little removed from the bustle of the living room. On the top floor of the house amidst a terrace garden in bloom, lived the son of the family.

There was tea ready for Sahiban when she arrived. After tea and pleasantries, she went to her room to freshen up. Soon, it was time for dinner. The son of the family had come down to the dining room and was arranging the flowers that he had brought from the terrace. The mother called Sahiban from the guestroom. She introduced Sahiban to her son and started laying out the meal. The family of three sat down to dinner with their guest, making small talk as they ate.

The next morning Sahiban had a cup of tea and ventured out to see the monuments and relics of this ancient city.

She would travel by bus all day, visiting one monument after another. She had brought a list with her. But she would always return home before dark and the dinner ceremony of the first evening would be replicated. There was only one change: Sahiban would always bring some flowers and sweets for the dining table. The mother asked her not to take the trouble, but Sahiban seemed to like coming back home with something for the family.

On the fourth day, there was a minor accident. The son hurt his leg while riding his motorcycle. There was no bruise, but he seemed to have pulled a ligament. He returned from the doctor’s clinic with a bandage on his leg, went straight to his den and lay down. In a few hours, the leg was so stiff that he could not raise it. His mother went up to foment the injury and give him tea.

That evening, when Sahiban returned and learned of the accident, she took the balm from the mother’s hands, went softly up the stairs and started massaging his leg. Then she gently massaged the soles of his feet to work out the stiffness. The young man was embarrassed. But her gentle touch was so soothing that he overcame his shyness.

That night, she took his dinner from his mother and went up to his room and spent the night on a settee there, in case he required any attention during the night. Next morning, she washed up in the bathroom upstairs and then came down to fetch his breakfast. After three days of tender care, the young man was up and about. He could not ride the motorbike, but he could drive the car.

He had taken a week’s leave from work when he got hurt, so he still had a few days off. There were some very interesting old monuments outside the city and some ruins too, he told his mother, and would she lend him the car to take Sahiban there?

The mother laughed in permission. She was relieved to see her son look somewhat happy. He had lost interest in women when the love of his college days did not work out. He would not consider marriage.

Two days later, Sahiban asked him if he would take her to Hardwar. She wanted to bathe in the Ganga. He mentioned her request to his mother, who had no objection. So the two of them left for Hardwar.

Sahiban was of delicate build and she was always in simple, casual clothes. They reached Hardwar late in the evening. They rented two small cottages for the night at an ashram by the Ganga. Just before dawn, Sahiban went over and woke the young man so that together, they could watch the sun rise over the river.

He was still quite sleepy, but he washed his face and went out with her to the riverbank. Sahiban gazed at the shades of red splashed across the sky and reflected in the water. She climbed down the steps to bathe in the river, fully clad.

The young man stood on the bank. He was carrying neither a towel nor a change of clothing, so he did not climb down with her. He sat on the edge and played with the water. Then he saw Sahiban standing in the water with her hands folded, looking up at the sky, as though she were greeting the sun. He stared at her in amazement.

Back in the ashram, after a change of clothes and a cup of tea, Sahiban said, "Take me to the city bazaar. I want to look in the shops."

The narrow-laned bazaars were selling river shells, rudraksha beads, scarves printed with the name of Sita Ram, small boxes of saffron and musk. The girl looked at all this in awe. All of a sudden, she stopped by a shop selling red dupattas edged with golden tassel-work, glass bangles and bridal choorhas of ivory. Holding up her wrist to the shopkeeper, she asked for a choorha her size and put it on right there. Then she bought a red dupatta and some sindoor. Surprised, the young man said, "Sahiban, what will you do with all this? You might like them, but how can you return to your country wearing all this? Even the customs officers will wonder!"

The girl laughed, "How do my arms concern them?"

He was insistent, "But what are you up to?"

Sahiban said, "These are debts that Khuda will have to pay back."

When the two returned from Hardwar, Sahiban had a dot of sindoor on her forehead and some more in the parting of her hair. The wedding bangles were on her wrists and her head was covered with the red dupatta. Sahiban glowed like a bride.

The young man’s mother stared at her, astounded. She did not say a word to Sahiban but she cornered her son alone and said, "Tell me the truth! Have you and Sahiban got married?"

"Not at all, Ma," he laughed. "Neither of us have even talked of marriage. She took a fancy to those trinkets and put them on!"

"The silly girl shouldn’t return to her country like this," said the mother, "she will get merry hell."

Sahiban was to return the next day. Her visa had run out. After breakfast, the young man took the car out of the garage to drop her at the airport. Just then a friend of his arrived. He introduced Sahiban to his friend, adding: "There’s not much time, but let’s sit for a few minutes." They sat in the living room downstairs.

"Had you come for a pilgrimage of the dargahs?" the friend asked Sahiban.

"I didn’t go to a dargah, but it was a pilgrimage nevertheless," Sahiban replied.

Then, playing on her name, he asked, "And where is the Mirza of this Sahiban?"

The girl laughed and said, "Mirza must always belong to the enemy clan, and that’s true for this Sahiban’s Mirza as well." She looked up at the young man for a moment, then lowered her eyes.

On their way out, the friend asked once again, "But this time Sahiban lacks the courage to walk away with her Mirza?"

She shot back, "This Sahiban does not want her Mirza to be killed by the people of her father’s clan." She got into the car and left for the airport.

Sahiban came and vanished like a whiff of fragrance.

The next few days passed unremarkably, full of everyday chores. Then a letter came from Sahiban, addressed to the son of the family. "Thanks ever so much!" she wrote. "Seeing you, I saw many past lives, even though it is a sin for us to talk of reincarnation. But what can I do — I actually saw it all! I seemed to recall so much on seeing you…"

And she signed off with: "Exiled from you in this life — Sahiban."

One of the most famous women in history, Cleopatra VII was the brilliant and beautiful (this rare combination is kind of extinct in nature) last Pharaoh of Egypt. Cleopatra was deeply religious and studied to be a nun (on way to committing sin). An accomplished mathematician and gifted linguist fluent in nine languages, Cleopatra was also a skilled politician.

She married her younger brother, Ptolemy and became the mistress of the Roman general Julius Caesar (Cheers to immorality!). Following Caesar's death, Roman general Marc Anthony went to Egypt to advance the growing power of Rome. Cleopatra captivated Anthony (greener pastures) and their affair scandalized Rome.

Yet despite the risks, Anthony and Cleopatra married in 36 B.C. The couple planned to conquer Rome. But in 31 B.C. the Roman general Octavian destroyed the combined forces of Anthony (and no, this time Cleopatra did not extend her ambitious designs on Octavian).

So true was Anthony's love that as soon as he heard a false report that Cleopatra was dead, he fell on his sword (At least this truly showed his courage!). Lo and behold... on learning this, Cleopatra induced a poisonous asp to bite her and end her life (She was faithful at last!).

Heer was an extremely beautiful woman (A desi Cinderella ) born in the wealthy "Sayyal" family. Ranjha (Teedo) came to Heer's village in search of a job. Instead, he found love. Heer offered him the job of a cattleherder. She was soon mesmerized by the way Ranjha played the flute (Wanjli).

She was in love (Love is definitely deaf, dumb and all that). When her parents found out, Heer was forced to marry another man "Saida Khera". Ranjha was heart-broken (devdas in making ). He met a Jogi, and turned into one himself (Love is all about sainthood). As he walked around the villages, he met Heer again (Just co-incidence, you see). They escaped only to be caught by Maharajah's police.
Heer was sent to jail.

Later, Maharajah impressed by their love freed Ranjha and allowed him to marry Heer. (Maharajah was not impressed by the extreme beauty…quite unlike the royal behavior). They returned to Heer's village, where her parents agreed to the marriage. On the wedding day, Heer's jealous uncle, "Kaido" poisoned her (The typical interfering relative). Ranjha rushed to aid Heer but was too late. A heart-broken Ranjha died on her grave (what a waste !)

Moral of the story: If u have an uncle who offers you some eatery on your wedding day, return it!

Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria), 1819-1901, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland (1837-1901) and Empress of India (1876-1901) was the daughter of Edward, duke of Kent (fourth son of George III), and Princess Mary Louise Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She was a lively, cheerful girl, fond of drawing and painting (There was no TV or Video).

She ascended the throne of England in 1837 after the death of her uncle, King William IV. In 1840, she married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
Though Prince Albert was unpopular because of his German lineage, he came to be admired for his honesty, diligence, and his devotion to his family.

The couple had nine children (watch out!!! If administrators do so, what to talk of the common gentry). Victoria loved her husband deeply. She relied on his advice in matters of state, especially in diplomacy (but not on family planning!).

When Albert died in 1861, Victoria was devastated (she lost her diplomat). She did not appear in public for three years. However, under the influence of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Victoria resumed public life, opening Parliament in 1866 (Happy days are here again!).

Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria), 1819-1901, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland (1837-1901) and Empress of India (1876-1901) was the daughter of Edward, duke of Kent (fourth son of George III), and Princess Mary Louise Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She was a lively, cheerful girl, fond of drawing and painting (There was no TV or Video).

She ascended the throne of England in 1837 after the death of her uncle, King William IV. In 1840, she married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
Though Prince Albert was unpopular because of his German lineage, he came to be admired for his honesty, diligence, and his devotion to his family.

The couple had nine children (watch out!!! If administrators do so, what to talk of the common gentry). Victoria loved her husband deeply. She relied on his advice in matters of state, especially in diplomacy (but not on family planning!).

When Albert died in 1861, Victoria was devastated (she lost her diplomat). She did not appear in public for three years. However, under the influence of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Victoria resumed public life, opening Parliament in 1866 (Happy days are here again!).

In April 1795, a young Corsican artillery officer, Napoleon Bonaparte, was recalled to Paris from Marseilles on the French Mediterranean coast. He had distinguished himself in a number of battles fighting for the French Republic against British and French Royalist forces. (A typical Braveheart that one gets to see only in war movies).

Soon, he fell in love with Josephine, widow of the aristocrat Alexandre de Beauharnais, a republican general guillotined in 1794 on the orders of Robespierre. Napoleon was called into service and, and on October 5, 1795, he put down a Royalist mob attacking the Tuileries Palace.

On October 9, the authorities ordered the surrender of all weapons in the districts of Paris. Eugène de Beauharnais, Josephine's 14 year old son by her first marriage, went to the young Bonaparte, by now a general, (not knowing he will play cupid between his mother and father to be ) to plead that they be allowed to keep his father's sword in memory of his service to the state. The next day Josephine came to thank him. Napoleon was beguiled by her grace and gentle charm. (mission accomplished)

Napoleon and Josephine soon became lovers. However, as a recently impoverished, pleasure-loving widow with two children to take care of -- her only assets charm and a fragile beauty was put to proper use. The couple were married at a civil wedding.
After May 1804, when Napoleon was declared emperor, Josephine's position seemed secure. But Napoleon wanted an heir to rule after him. There was none. Josephine, increasingly fearful of being displaced as the empress, struggled against gossip and foreboding (any sacrifice for power and fun).


On December 15, 1809, Napoleon had his marriage to Josephine annulled. (if done long back, it would have saved embarrassment to both ends). She retired to Malmaison, her private and best-loved residence.

Josephine died at the age of 51 and Napolean wore Josephine's favorite violets n a locket until his death, a reminder of their tumultuous love.

In April 1795, a young Corsican artillery officer, Napoleon Bonaparte, was recalled to Paris from Marseilles on the French Mediterranean coast. He had distinguished himself in a number of battles fighting for the French Republic against British and French Royalist forces. (A typical Braveheart that one gets to see only in war movies).

Soon, he fell in love with Josephine, widow of the aristocrat Alexandre de Beauharnais, a republican general guillotined in 1794 on the orders of Robespierre. Napoleon was called into service and, and on October 5, 1795, he put down a Royalist mob attacking the Tuileries Palace.

On October 9, the authorities ordered the surrender of all weapons in the districts of Paris. Eugène de Beauharnais, Josephine's 14 year old son by her first marriage, went to the young Bonaparte, by now a general, (not knowing he will play cupid between his mother and father to be ) to plead that they be allowed to keep his father's sword in memory of his service to the state. The next day Josephine came to thank him. Napoleon was beguiled by her grace and gentle charm. (mission accomplished)

Napoleon and Josephine soon became lovers. However, as a recently impoverished, pleasure-loving widow with two children to take care of -- her only assets charm and a fragile beauty was put to proper use. The couple were married at a civil wedding.
After May 1804, when Napoleon was declared emperor, Josephine's position seemed secure. But Napoleon wanted an heir to rule after him. There was none. Josephine, increasingly fearful of being displaced as the empress, struggled against gossip and foreboding (any sacrifice for power and fun).


On December 15, 1809, Napoleon had his marriage to Josephine annulled. (if done long back, it would have saved embarrassment to both ends). She retired to Malmaison, her private and best-loved residence.

Josephine died at the age of 51 and Napolean wore Josephine's favorite violets n a locket until his death, a reminder of their tumultuous love.

Romeo and Juliet is probably the world's most famous couple - seeking happiness despite opposition from their families.
It all began the day Old Lord Capulet hosted a great supper. This was the time when Romeo was love struck by a pretty thing called Rosaline (He had not yet met Juliet).
Of course, Rosaline hated Romeo. Thus, Benvolio told Romeo that there are more fish in the pond. A jilted Romeo was dancing his sorrows away when his eyes fell on a pretty thing.

She was Juliet, daughter and heir to Lord Capulet, the great enemy of the Montagues. Rosaline went right out of the window (or heart) and Romeo promptly fell in love with his enemy's daughter (traitor passion). Romeo had to face the wrath of Juliet's cousin Tybalt and ends up killing him in a combat (good riddance to bad rubbish!). As a result he is banished from the country.

Juliet, meanwhile, was being forced to marry a chap who, her parents fixed up for her. Fed up of all this drama, Juliet thought of a plan to get out of the mess. She intoxicated herself with some sedative and conveniently faked her own death (A storyline for a great thriller).

While she went to the coffin alive, she sent across messages to Romeo, asking him to meet her at her grave in the hope of escaping to freedom and beginning a new life together.

Romeo had been unable to receive the messages (Thanks to the messenger who never reached on time) and grief struck rushed to her grave on the news of her death. With no desire to live Romeo swallowed lethal poison and died (The messenger killed him!).

Meanwhile, Juliet woke up (Very dramatically, towards the end) only to find the corpse of her beloved Romeo. She picked her dagger and killed herself by her Romeo's side.

When he was sixteen, Prince Khurram (the future Emperor Shah Jahan) was strolling in the Royal Meena Bazaar when he saw the beautiful 15-year-old daughter of the prime minister. Taken by her beauty, he applied to his father, the emperor, the very next day and was granted permission to marry her. It was love at first sight.

Because Moslem law allowed every man to have four wives, marriage to Arjumand (Mumtaz) was allowed though Prince Khurram had married a Persian princess.

When his father died, Prince Khurram became emperor and changed his name to Shah Jahan or "The King of the World". Mumtaz continued to be the Emperor's favorite. He built a magnificent suite of rooms for her in the palace and brought her lavish gifts. He even took her along with him on his military campaigns. It was on one of these campaigns that Mumtaz, pregnant with their fourteenth child, accompanied Shan Jahan in 1630. In the spring of 1631, Mumtaz gave birth to a girl. However, Mumtaz was not well following the birth and she died a few days later.

Following Mumtaz Mahal's death, Shah Jahan locked himself in his rooms for eight days. When he emerged he was no longer the same man who had gained the throne. He mourned her for almost two years. When her body was brought from Burhanpur, where she died, to Agra, the then capital, she was laid to rest in a temporary crypt in a garden along the banks of the Yamuna. The foundation of her mausoleum was laid in 1631.

The Taj Mahal's design combined Hindu, Persian, Turkish, and Buddhist elements in such a way that they were synthesized into something completely new. Today, the Taj Mahal has become one of the great visual clichés of our time. Although we marvel at its beauty and the story behind its construction, its facade is so familiar to us that we have forgotten that the Taj Mahal is a completely original work, totally unique for its time.