Hyderabad:

Having been freed of encroachments, the 400-year-old Badeshahi Ashoor Khana is now all set to woo tourists. If proposals put forth by the state department of tourism materialize, the Qutub Shahi era monument may start undergoing renovation by next month.

The Badeshahi Ashoor Khana, built in 1594 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shahthree years after the construction of the iconic Charminar, has been at the receiving end of official neglect and vagaries of nature for long. Collapsed roofs prevented Shia devotes from optimally using it during Muharram months, while encroachers deprived tourists and visitors from enjoying its heritage value. Finally at the behest of a high court order, a drive against encroachers was initiated in 2009. But it was not until December last year that the monument was completely rid of encroachments. Now the authorities are pondering over the task of turning it into one of the best tourist destination in the city.

Requesting anonymity, an official in the tourism department, said that an elaborate plan to the tune of Rs 4.36 cr for restoration of the Ashoor Khana and the adjoining buildings was presented to central tourism secretary Rajan Habeeb Khaja when he visited Hyderabad last week. The plan depicts structural restoration works to the roof lime plates of Ashoor Khana, major restoration works in the Niyaz Khana and Naqaar Khana, besides other auxiliary buildings. The roofs of both these edifices had collapsed in 2007, warranting extensive repairs. The official said that the plan envisages not just structural restorations but also restoration of the function of the buildings.

“The Naqaar Khana was used as a communication centre where drums were beaten to inform public about installation of Alams. After restoration, we may contemplate having an exhibition here to showcase the Muharram highlights of Hyderabad,” said the official.

Chandana Khan, in-charge secretary of tourism department confirmed that there are plans in pipeline for the Ashoor Khana. “During our discussions with the central tourism secretary issues pertaining to city and rural heritage were discussed. The Badeshahi Ashoor Khana is an important part of the city’s heritage and needs to be spruced up,” she said, declining to give more details.

The Ashoor Khana’s caretakers said that the Union tourism secretary had heard their complaints and conducted a detailed inspection of the monument.

“During the last eviction drive, part of the caretaker’s house was destroyed. We brought this to the notice of the union secretary. Taking notice of the dilapidated state of the auxiliary buildings, the secretary also commented on the proximity of neighboring buildings. He also directed the state tourism and archeology officials to ensure smooth development of the Ashoor Khana into a tourist destination,” Abbas Mousvi, a member of the caretaker’s family said.

Heritage activist however caution that the restoration should be done in accordance with the historical nature and usage of the building.

“The officials had constructed a restaurant in the Qutub Shahi tomb which did not go with the historical and architectural ambience. Restorations at the Badehshahi Ashoorkhana should happen keeping in view its sanctity, as it is primarily a place of mourning. This should not be forgotten when works are planned,” said activist Sajjad Shahid.

source: http://www.TimesofIndia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / February 06th, 2012

Hyderabad:

It was a dish synonymous with the common Hyderabadi’s palate for the last two centuries — soft baked maida with an earthen smell of the tandoor, best accompanied with gracious servings of lamb chops and rich gravy. Any wonder then that 150 years on, the makers of Mughal Naan continue to do brisk business. Their new age patrons who make this possible come from all walks of life – businessmen, corporates and the ubiquitous tourists of Charminar-all eager to buy the naan in bulk.

And lined up in a row along the Purani Haveli Road, the shops from where these naans come alive have undergone very little interior changes, even as the exteriors spot bright display boards, calling attention to the recipe being prepared inside. “My forefathers had set up shop first near the Charminar Chowk around 200 years ago. But we shifted to this lane some 150 years ago. We are the sixth generation of naan makers in our family,” says Abbas whose Abbasi Naan Shop spots the byline ‘Heritage Shop’ outside.

A day in the life of these naan makers starts at six in the morning or much earlier, depending on the order for the day and goes up to nine at night. “A major part of our sales is through orders for corporates, or marriage functions. So work timing is irregular, though on an average we work for 2-3 hours at a stretch before taking a break of equal duration,” he explains.

Each of the half-a-dozen shops here sell close to 3000 naan every day, of which the square variety costing Rs 8 per piece is the favourite among buyers. That’s equal to a cool Rs 24,000 in sales per day, for the staff comprising four workers who handle the tandoor, two men for packaging and two family members who help oversee the delivery and tandoor.

“We also have five other different shapes such as star, heart, flower etc. The rate depends on which shape the customer prefers,” chips in a worker at the nearby Hussaini Naan Shop.  The tandoor, which occupies place of pride at these shops, can accommodate 42 rotis at any given point of time, and according to Abbas, “It takes just 3-4 minutes for one batch to be made.”

The Mughal roti is made with maida, oil and a dash of salt, and the recipe has passed on without change over years. Ask them the reason for the same and the response is as heritage as the naan itself, “We haven’t improvised or brought in our own additions yet. Our customers want us to retain the authentic taste of the naan. And we give them just that.”

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / South> Andhra Pradesh> Hyderabad / Express News Service / The New Indian Express / January 31st, 2012

Hyderabad:

In a narrow lane of Goshamahal, behind a Durga temple, flows the dhun of ageless ghazals from the doors of Sangeet Sadhna, a hall dedicated to music by Pandit Vithal Rao Shivpurkar, one of the last court musicians of the Nizams. Hyderabadi classical ghazal tradition can be traced to Vithal Rao, who at 81 is still hail and hearty or `gazab’ as the last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan called him. A heart attack that he suffered has failed to dampen his spirit as he sits straight on a carpet with his legs crossed, dressed in his trademark white kurta pajama, with pictures of  Md Rafi and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan saab adorning the walls, giving a glimpse into a glorious past he has lived.

With the mere mention of his huzoor, Osman Ali Khan, his eyes brighten up and a 13-year-old Vithal leaps out of his persona. He narrates, “I had taught the boys from Goshamahal School one of Huzoor’s nazms which they used to sing every morning before entering their classes,” and thus flows from his mellifluous voice__ “shahe deccan zindabaad, zindabaad-pa-hindabaad”. In no time, the Nizam heard of this little boy, whose father was a pehelwan, and called for him. “I did not know what to sing and was very nervous,” recalls Vithal. He sought the help of Shankiri Bai from Nizambaag who taught him the perfect song for the occasion. On the first day of his visit, huzoor sat on a rocking chair tapping his leg to keep with the beat. As Vithal reached the lines, “Khabar-e-tahayyur-e-ishq sun, na junootrahi na parii rahi/ na to tu rahaa na to main rahaa, jo rahii so bekhabarii rahi,” the Nizam stopped him and asked him to repeat it. Then he asked, “Naam kya hai?”(What is your name?). On hearing his Hindu name Rao, huzoor retorted “yeh gazab hain!” (It’s a wonder!) And this continued for the next ten days when Vithal was called over and over again to sing the same couplets which elicited the same response each time__ “Gazab hain!” Soon after, a gift of Rs 1,000 was sent to his house, in case the little boy lost it if handed over to him directly.

There was no looking back for Vithal Rao after this. He became a regular at the mehfils of the Nizam’s sons Taki Jah Bahadur, Hasm Jah Bahadur and he became a favourite of his daughter Shahazadi Pasha. Eventually, then prince Moazzam Jah Bahadur, who used to reside at Hillfort Palace took him under his wings. “The prince called a huge party where the creme-de-la-creme of Hyderabad was invited. He declared me as his son and renamed me Vithal Jah,” recounts Vithal. This was a moment of ultimate pride and happiness for him, says the singer who has been the lead in the military orchestra of the Nizams. In fact, the original orchestra of the Nizams used to play western instruments, but it was after hearing Vithal that a new orchestra was created to promote Indian music and he was made in charge of it.

Speaking of the change in music trends in Hyderabad, Vithal Rao says, “Pehle ghazal the, ab gazal hai.” He rues the end of a generation who knew and sang in correct Urdu. Sitting beside him, his nephews Sunil Rao and Deepak Rao, who are carrying forward his tradition of ghazals, nod in agreement. “The programmes today are mostly corporate sponsored. Artistes are treated as workmen whose work is to perform in return for fees, keeping in mind the changing taste of the audience,” says Sunil. “The element of respect is missing and art has become a commodity,” adds Vithal citing how in a recent show a lot of people came to watch him only to test his knowledge. “They went on giving various farmaish, from Mehdi Hassan to Ghulam Ali, but I managed to exhaust their requests,” Vithal says with a cynical laugh.

With pressures from all corners of the music world demanding an amendment in the classical format, does he think that ghazals can survive the changing taste? Vithal says till he is alive he will ensure that ghazals are alive. He has trained enough youngsters to carry forward his tradition and he has full confidence in them. But then nothing is certain. “Pakki baat zindagi, pakki baat maut, us beech kuch aisa kaam kar lena ki log bole__ achhe the,” the ghazal maestro signs off.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Pritha Chakrabarti / TNN / December 21st, 2011