A visit to Salarjung

Few days back I visited Salarjung museum for the first time. I wanted to visit this from so many time,
wanted to see the Nizam’s jewel , their dresses and other artifacts of the Nizam’s. No doubt the onetime
palace of Nizam, Salarjung was much bigger than my expectation. The furniture, dresses, clothes,
crockery and glass wares were master pieces of that time. It made me proud of being Indian one’s
again. Our rich culture was something that we can see with beautiful decoration of jade, gold and silver.
The clocks of Nizam are yet another wonderful thing. There is a clock show at every hour for one of
the magnificent clock that rings in a beautiful way. A lady coming out of a room rings bell each hour.
Sometimes, these things make me feel, are we really advanced now with modern gadgets or those
people of older time with less equipments were more intelligent in building these master pieces ?

Each and every item in this museum is a master piece, however as it’s human tendency to compare and
find faults, that holds true for master pieces. The major attraction in this museum went to the Statue
of Rebecca, The double Statue of wood and the ivory artifacts with my eyes catching the ivory mattress
and hand fans. The European sculptures and paintings and French crockery and jade jewels. Yes, the
Indian Miniature painting with the real ivory pictures or Shah Jahan, Mumtaz, Jahangir , Noor Jahan,
Jodha Bai and Akbar. I saw the painting of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz in my 10th Std NCERT history book.
It was wonderful to see them in real, with so many colors in them irrespective of the black and white
picture given in school book.

The story of Rebecca :-

This story is about the daughter of Bethual, from Old Testament(the holy bible). She depicted a lady of
beauty, modesty, hospitality and decision making. Sarah and Abraham wanted a suitable wife for their
son Issac. Abraham sent out his servant in search of a noble wife for Issac. The servant was in vein as it
was nearly impossible to find the most suitable bride for Issac.
He prayed constantly on the way to Abraham’s God to show him the bride for Issac. He said” Oh! Lord
you have choose the right bride for Issac, allow me to reach her soon and identify her among so many
girls. Show me clearly who she is. If I ask her for water and she say’s ‘Drink! And I will water your camels
too.’ Then I will know that she is the one.”
Soon, the servant reached a well where Abraham was once living. He saw a group of women. He asked
one, ”Please give me little water from your jug” and the lady replied “Drink ! and I will water your
camels too.” The servant was excited and did not take much time to explain his mission to her.
Then Issac was invited to Rebecca’s house. Shyness and modesty so natural to the young women
overpowered her that she covered her head with a veil. This modest act in a way expressed her
willingness to marry Issac. But, her eyes shone when Issac met her and they fall in love at first sight.
God had known the right person for both Rebecca and Issac. This covering of head by a veil was
sculptured by G.B. Benzoni in a single stone Marvel. The masterpiece is unique and so beautifully carved that the threads of the veil is clearly visible. The facial expression of Rebecca inside the veil is clearly
visible and the gown has neat embroidery with buttons. The statue is the best among all the European
art forms that the Salarjung museum has. All spectators just stop by the statue and stare at it with
amazing look. Some might be wondering, how beautiful the Lady in reality would have been and how
beautifully it is sculptured in one single marvel.

The Double Statue :- Mephistopheles and Margaretta

This statue was made out of a one piece log of wood. The Statue is based on the tragic play of
Goethe Faust. Faust the hero of the drama, a man of manifold accomplished Jurist, Physician finds all
knowledge ‘a bubble’ and feels drawn to it. Mephistopheleus, the malevolent spirit, complains to the
Lord of Heaven that the highest pleasures fails to satisfy the haughty Faust. Mephistopheles befriends
Faust and by clever arguments excites his interest in sensual pleasures. Faust fell in love with Margaretta
who is young and poor. Mephistopheleus resides in margaretta’s body, that is depicted beautifully by
the unknown sculptor.

Happiness

What is Happiness? What makes people happy? Will more money do it? We have heard of many rich people who commit suicide. Is it fame which makes people happy? We have heard of many celebrities who commit suicide too. Then why these people, so fortunate to have lots of money and fame commit suicide.

Are they not having lot more luxuries and power ? What is that which makes them so vulnerable to commit suicide ? What is that which turns them to be addicted to drugs ? In almost every motivational books, self help book it says to look for the happiness within us. Then why we try to find the happiness with other things like money,fame  and power.

Yes, its true without money, there will never be any kind of happiness, but the greed to acquire more, will it give us happiness? Money can definitely give momentary happiness. When you buy a new house, a car or any electronic gadget it definitely makes you happy for that day. But, when you remain in it for some days, that feeling of happiness goes. The same with work place and any other relationship.

The job and the bigger pay check can make you happy, but after a month the paycheck looks the same. Basically, what makes you happy is the personal growth and the feeling that you are contributing something. The feeling that you matter, and you are part of something big is what makes you happy.

You feel frustrated when you see, there is no value of what you do, what you say and you are taken for granted. Sometimes, knowingly and sometimes life puts us in such situation, when you have no value, everything seems to be meaningless. Nobody seems to be happy with your decision and you feel your feelings are taken for granted. That is when it becomes frustrating and you want to revolt. But, the question is, is it really possible to fight against everything? No, however your acceptance to everything is also not going to solve this.Then, what should be done. All your near and dear ones try to console you, some advise to think positive. And stop blaming yourself. The biggest problem is you don't blame yourself for the misery that you face, but the miserable condition that you have created for others. What do you do? Will you just leave this at the hand of God and wait and watch. Or do you believe in doing something to improve this condition.

This is when you feel life gives just one choice that is to accept, even if you don't want to. In fact, someone forces you to what is called destiny. Destiny and destination, one is fate and other your goal. Whom shall you choose? How will you accept something which is morally incorrect, might be inhumane too.

But, this is the dance of life. No choice just acceptance. You can cry or laugh but the thing remains the same. This is when you feel bad things do happen to good people. You just need to try and find ways to see you make a difference, you are not taken for granted. Fate decides how sooner or later you get back this feeling and the happiness out of it.

Some people being parent are happy, becoz they see a new life and nurture and pamper to make what they wanted to be. Some are happy by acquiring new properties, gadgets etc. Some are happy when they make a better life for someone else.  However, the basic remains the same, the feeling of making a difference and the feeling of not being taken for granted.

Happy New year 2011

Before writing and filling this blog,I would be pleased to wish you a very Happy new year. My wish is too simple for you,just happiness. You most be thinking why only happiness, why not wealth,why not prosperity etc etc... Well my experience says "Happiness" is the most precious thing. When you are happy and satisfied, money,status, etc etc hardly matters. However, when we are upset, then little things irritate us the most.
So, my wish is simple happiness for all.

Life seems to be so beautiful and satisfying when we are Happy. I am not sure if it only happens to me or everyone else. When I am Happy, I wish everyone to be happy, I hardly think about the problems and sometimes find the bigger problems as the smallest. However, when that feeling of happiness fades, then simple things irritates me. I get tears in my eyes if water stops running from tap. I worry if maid does not cook the food properly. These things I never notice when I am happy.

In many spiritual books I have read, we search happiness outside, but it lies within us. May be may not be? I am not grown up to understand the basic of this line probably. Neither I am in a state to search the happiness within myself.

Every year, I start the year with lots of hope and happiness. Reminding myself that this year will be better than the year went past. When the year comes to an end, and I see back I find the previous yr better than the recent yr. Every year new set of problems appear, but there is no end to these problems.

This year, I have a strange feeling. I am not very excited this time. Nor do I have any feeling of having a great year ahead.Somehow, I am still worried as to what is there in this year. Every year has same seasons, same problems, is there anything which can be there forever, which can make me so happy that I forget the simple worries. I somehow find Hope is the only thing that has kept me live, Hope to see my dear ones happy. Hope to enjoy few moments of laughter with great old friends. Hope to show my happiness to all and hope to make someone smile.

I feel the celebration of New year's Eve is basically for this, wishing and hoping that the year ahead will give us more happiness and joy than that went past. This Hope is the moral support that last with us for at least few months.

There is one more wish that each of us might take gud decision. If we take a good decision for a wrong reason,I don't know whether it is good or bad, b'coz the decision that we made may be gud ,but it is wrong as it leads for a wrong place..The reason where we wish may be wrong but my question is, how can it be wrong if I take a gud decision......Let our decision and the reason for the decision both be gud for the new year....

 

Wish you a Very Happy new year 2011...