Jantar Mantar - And what it stands for

 

No mere coincidence that Jantar Mantar is where people came together.

To reclaim their right to learn and live in an empathetic society.

Let us remember why Jantar Mantar was built 300 years ago in Delhi.

https://open.substack.com/pub/anishashekharmukherji/p/jantar-mantar-and-what-it-stands?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=5p71tv

Bidhir Bandhon Kaatbe Tumi

 

Bidhir bandhon kaatbe tumi
Emon shoktimaan —
Tumi ki emon shoktimaan!
Aamader bhaanga gara tomar haathe
Emon obhimaan —
Tomader emni obhimaan
Chirodin taanbe pichhe, chirodin raakhbe nichhe —
Eto bal naai re tomaar shoeibe na shei taan.
Shashone jotoi ghero — aache bol durbolero, 
Hao-na jotei boro aachhen bhogaban.
Aamader shokti mere torao banchbi ne-re
Bojha tor bhari holei doob-be torikhan.

 
Rabindranath Tagore, 1905



And so you believe you 
Can evade what destiny has in store for you —
So powerful are you!

And so you believe you
Can break us and make us too —
So full of pride are you.

That it is you who
Can always drive us back, keep us under —
That power you do Not possess, 
Your hold will sunder.

Encircle us as you might
Know that the weak too can resist, can fight.
Elevate yourself all you will
There is a God higher still.

Suppress us and you perish too.
The swollen ship you steer 
Will buckle and sink with you.

Free Rendition/Translation in English: Anisha Shekhar Mukherji

Consultation and advice: Snehanshu Mukherjee and Dilip K Basu

विधि के बंधन को भी काट सकोगे, हो इतने शक्तिमान,
तुम क्या इतने शक्तिमान!

हमारा बनना-बिगड़ना तुम्हारे हाथों, इतना अभिमान,
तुम्हारा ऐसा अभिमान।

हमेशा खींचोगे पीछे, हमेशा रखोगे नीचे,
इतना बल नहीं तुममें, रहोगे नहीं हमें खींचें।

शासन में जितना ही घेरो, है बल दुर्बल में भी,
जितने भी क्यों न हो तुम बड़े, है भगवान भी।

हमारी शक्ति मार के, ख़ैर नहीं तुम्हारी,
बोझा भारी कर के, डूबेगी ही नाव तुम्हारी।

Translation in Hindi: Anisha Shekhar Mukherji

People First in Shahjahanabad

 

SHAHAR, an acronym for Shahjahanabad And Her Residents, is an initiative of understanding the city through its residents, as an alternative method of looking at Shahjahanabad.

It recognises the fact that the most important stake-holders in any place, are the people who live there 24 x 7 — followed by those who spend significant time here: workers, shop-keepers, traders. SHAHAR gives importance to speaking to and listening to long-time residents of Shahjahanabad. Its premise is very simple: successful conservation of historic cities, anywhere in the world, has to put people first. They have to be at the top of any list.

Read more here:

https://open.substack.com/pub/anishashekharmukherji/p/people-first-in-shahar?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=5p71tv

An Object a Day - #8: Cast Iron Tava and Kadhai

DAY 8 in the Series on A Handcrafted Object Of Daily Use

Crafted objects that I use on a daily basis, which are beautiful, functional and sustainable.

This iron tava and kadhai is something I had ordered from Kerala almost exactly ten years ago. From something called The Village Fair. Beautifully cast, detailed and finished.

Talking about the Red Fort...and more

A conversation on the Red Fort, ways of inhabiting space, architectural practice, and more...

It can be heard on this link:

https://youtu.be/WIMfHlZ5NHo?si=yt1kWnkGoUF0KolA