The academic proceedings of the 45th session of APHC held at Yogi Vemana University on January 7th and 8th 2023
Madapollam brand has been so popular among the Europeans…
Rendering duty as a sectional president: I presented my paper, “Madopallam or Madhavaipalem and its oversea connections,” briefly on 07-01-2023 and it was already printed and circulated. As there was no provision for PPT, I could not present my slide show with photographs and pictures. For me, it is the sixth time to act as “Sectional president” of an academic session – first in Nishapur, then in Iran; Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia, Moka, Mauritius; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Kuppam, Dravidian University and now in YVU, Kadapa. I thank the APHC organizers for choosing me to do so and I was there at the section listening to and going through all papers presented carefully. Many senior History Professors and experts were also present taking part in the discussion and presentation of papers. Here, in the hall, PPT was also provided and few presenters effectively utilized it. Some papers delved upon the subject of “Sufism” and the paper presenters were providing diverse, varied and mixed views about it with their perspectives. They had not been explicit about the concepts, practices and theology involved in it, in a Shia or Sunni point of view, particularly, in dealing with space, time and form. Their subjective and objective approach to subject and object cognition were contradicting, and conflicting and made them uncomfortable to express themselves completely to the audience. Obviously, the recent visit of the Kadapa Sufi saint Dargah by Rajinikanth, an Actor, reportedly brought by A. R. Rahman and the subsequent media hype created a great hype among the observers, fans and the general public.
Kadapa Dargah
Ameen Peer Dargah (Asthana-e-Mugdoom Illahi Dargah Complex): There was a paper on Ameen Peer Dargah (Asthana-e-Mugdoom Illahi Dargah Complex) is also popularly known as “Badi Dargah” or “Pedda Dargah” in Cuddapah city of Andhra Pradesh. The sufiana feel of Kadapa is because of the presence of this century-old mausoleum that is believed to fulfil every wish of the pilgrimages who pay a visit to this place. It is the one and only dargah in the state that attracts people of various religions and cultures. Many people from all over the country including celebrities and politicians also visit this place frequently. It is believed that whoever makes a wish here, gets it granted. The masjid is believed to be constructed in 1683. The three centuries of the divine wisdom of the place is originally a grave place for the two Sufi saint- Perullah Hussaini and Arufulla Hussaini II. The sufi saints are devotees of Prophet Mohammed who have come to south India and spread the teachings of Islam. The then Nawab of Sidhout Taluk, Nawab Nek nam Khan changed the name of this place to Neknamabaad on the advice of Perullah Hussaini. Neknamabaad eventually became Kadapa. So, there is a great significance of this Ameen Peer Dargah in the chronological events of Kadapa. Many stories are in circulation regarding the two Sufi saints and their miraculous deeds. However, the religion and divinity of this place is distinctive and strong. The dargah serves as an embodiment of the principle of “Oneness of God” as it serves every human being regardless of their original religion or descent. Ameen Peer Dargah is one such place in India that signifies the unity in the diversified cultures of the country. Nevertheless, this place is apt to be described as the Taj of Kadapa.
Varied coverage of Rajinikanth’s visit to the Dargah: The print and electronic media, gleefully carried the news, but, without “Sufism.” “Superstar Rajinikanth is on a spiritual trip with his daughter Aishwarya before the start of her new film, Lal Salaam[1]. They visited Tirupati Balaji temple on December 15. After the temple visit, Rajinikanth is now at the Kadapa dargah in Andhra Pradesh. AR Rahman accompanied Thalaivar to the dargah. They arrived at the Kadappa airport at around 11.45 am and reached the dargah around 12.15 pm. Once the prayers are conducted at the Ameen Peer Dargah, they will head back to the airport by 2.30 pm and fly back to Chennai”, thus reported India Today[2]. Recently, Rajinikanth was awed by AR Rahman’s upcoming virtual-reality thriller, Le Musk[3]. After watching the film, the actor congratulated Rahman, and said, “My god! Ena Panirukeenga (what have you done!) Rahman sir? Mind-blowing! Super! It is one-of-a-kind.” Indian Express added his “awe-ness” about Rahmania music[4]. Later Rahman thanked him[5]. DtNext added one line[6], “It is no secret that ‘Superstar’ Rajinikanth and ‘Mozart of Madras’ AR Rahman are united not just by their stupendous success in the film industry but also by their inclination towards spirituality.” It did not explain[7] the nuances of such “spirituality”! However, such spirituality had been one way only, as Rahman did not visit Tiirumala.
What the print and electronic media wanted to convey to the readers through Headlines?: Perhaps, the “Headlines” chosen for the coverage of news, convey different stories:
- Rajinikanth and AR Rahman visit Ameen Peer Dargah in Kadapa. See pics, videos
- Rajinikanth visits Pedda dargah with AR Rahman after seeking blessings at Tirupathi temple. See pics, videos
- Rajinikanth and AR Rahman worship together at THIS popular dargah
- When stars turned pilgrims: Rajini & ARR visit holy sites in AP..
So. Rajinikanth might have scored success in his secular pilgrimage, but, A.R. Rahman could not. Even with his “Sufism” and all, he could not compromise. Of course, there had been discussion about Rahman not going to the temple with Rajinikanth or otherwise.
Taramati Baradari – is it haunted?
Does the spirit of Taramati come here?
Her payal’s sound is heard?
Sulta married her or not or kept as a concubine?
Taramati Baradari – what are myth and reality?: Taramati Baradari is a historical Sarai as part of Ibrahim Bagh, a Persian-style garden built during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah, the fourth Sultan of Golconda. The Baradari was constructed on the banks of the Musi river. Today, the region comes under the city limits of Hyderabad, India. The tourism department attributes the name to the reign of the Seventh Sultan of Golconda, Abdullah Qutb Shah who he named is after his favourite courtesan, Taramati a Kuchipudi dancer. The tourism department promotes the location by romantic stories linking the then-Sultan with a courtesan named Taramati. One such story goes that during the reign of Abdullah Qutb Shah, he used to hear Taramati’s voice as she sang for travellers at the Serai, while he sat two kilometres away at Golconda fort. Her voice was carried by the wind, and the prince would listen from the fort. There is no recorded report of the same. Another fable tells of two ravishing dancing sisters, Taramati and Premamati, who danced on ropes tied between their pavilion and the balcony of the king and patron, Abdulla Qutub Shah. About half a mile north of the fort lies his grave amid a cluster of carved royal tombs. Here lie buried the Qutub Shahi kings and queens in what was once their rose gardens. As a tribute to Taramati and Premamati, they both were buried in the royal cemetery of the Qutub Shahi kings. Taramati Baradari pavilion has 12 doorways and was constructed to allow cross ventilation and is one of the most indigenous techniques to have been used at that time. The open pavilion includes other facilities like an air-cooled theatre with a capacity of 500 people, an open-air auditorium with a capacity of 1600 people, a Banquet Hall with a capacity of 250, a multi-cuisine restaurant and a swimming pool.
Taramati and Premamati – myth or reality?: Rekha Pande, the historian gives the following details[8]: “…… prominent concubines of the time were Taramati and Premamati (Bilgrami,1927: 153). They must be Hindu converts to Islam and later on were regularly married to Abdullah Qutb Shah and Abul Hasan Tana Shah respectively……. As per Taramati, she was the builder of a Mosque right in the centre of the apartments of the Golconda forts which go by her name and further, the pavilion above described is the very symbol of the Shia sect of Islam Neither of them could have been merely temporary wives of the Sultan or perhaps exclusive occupancy of the palace…….. Architectural evidences reveal that such women were given importance gleaned from the facet that they also constructed Mosque after their names. They were buried along with the dead royal ladies within the Langer–e–fourse (compound of the Qutb Shahi tombs). For instance, the tombs of Premamati and Taramati were buried in close vicinity of grand Tomb of Hayat Bakshi Begum….” However, why they should have been associated with hunting[9], apparitions and such related mythology is not known.
How far, is it haunted?
Golconda, Baradari or the hall on the top has been haunted or not?: About singing Taramati and dancing Premamati, there have been many myths, legends and stories floated, circulated and now U-tubed for fantasy. If the spirit of them were still haunting and daunting the visitors after 6 pm or night or midnight, the rationalists and atheists of Vijayawada could have gone there to prove nothing of the sort prevalent there. Or the scientific and secular experts of history could have done that. All the narratives go on assert that the place has been haunted. The spooky, eerie and ghostly discussions, discourses and narratives have been so common in Andhra and Telangana also. The question of ghost, spirit or phantom comes, only in the case of murder, suicide or dying without fulfilling any desire, according to the horror-terror such stories. In that case, she must have been murdered, committed suicide or died accordingly. However, the narratives go to assert that she has been entombed along with or nearby royal tombs of ladies of the Sultanate. Anyway, all experts in history, archaeology, and palaeo-studies could do research to find out the truth, in a historical perspective.
The question of mosque, dargah, madrassa and khānaqāh: The paper presenters could not differentiate among the mosque, madrassa, dargah and Khanaqah. Taking Wiki definitions for easy understanding, the descriptions are given as follows:
- A khanqah (Persian: خانقاه) or khangah (Persian: خانگاه; also transliterated as khankah, khaneqa, khanegah or khaneqah; also Arabized hanegah, hanikah, hanekah, khankan), also known as a ribat (رباط), is a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood or tariqa and is a place for spiritual practice and religious education.
- The khanqah is typically a large structure with a central hall and smaller rooms on either side. Traditionally, the kahnqah was state-sponsored housing for Sufis.
- Their primary function is to provide them with a space to practice social lives of asceticism. Buildings intended for public services, such as hospitals, kitchens, and lodging, are often attached to them.
- Khanqahs were funded by Ayyubid sultans in Syria, Zangid sultans in Egypt, and Delhi sultans in India in return for Sufi support of their regimes.
- Madrasa (Arabic: مدرسة mædˈræ.sæ, ˈmad.ra.sa, pl. مدارس, madāris) is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary instruction or higher learning.
- The word is variously transliterated Madrasah arifah, medresa, madrassa, madraza, medrese, etc. In countries outside the Arab world, the word usually refers to a specific type of religious school or college for the study of the religion of Islam, though this may not be the only subject studied.
- A dargah (Persian: درگاه dargâh or درگه dargah, Turkish: dergâh, Hindustani: dargah दरगाह درگاہ, Bengali: দরগাহ dorgah) is a shrine or tomb built over the grave of a revered religious figure, often a Sufi saint or dervish.
- Sufis often visit the shrine for ziyarat, a term associated with religious visits and “pilgrimages”. Dargahs are often associated with Sufi eating and meeting rooms and hostels, called khanqah or hospices.
- They usually include a mosque, meeting rooms, Islamic religious schools (madrassas), residences for a teacher or caretaker, hospitals, and other buildings for community purposes.
- The same structure, carrying the same social meanings and sites of the same kinds of ritual practices, is called maqam in the Arabic-speaking world. Dargah today is considered to be place where saints prayed and mediated (their spiritual residence). Shrine is modern day building which encompasses of actual dargah as well but not always.
- A mosque (/mɒsk/; from Arabic: مَسْجِد, romanized: masjid, pronounced [mǝsdʒid]; literally “place of ritual prostration”), also called masjid, is a place of prayer for Muslims.
- Mosques are usually covered buildings, but can be any place where prayers (sujud) are performed, including outdoor courtyards. The first mosques were simple places of prayer for Muslims, and may have been open spaces rather than buildings.
- In the first stage of Islamic architecture, 650-750 CE, early mosques comprised open and closed covered spaces enclosed by walls, often with minarets from which calls to prayer were issued.Mosque buildings typically contain an ornamental niche (mihrab) set into the wall that indicates the direction of Mecca (qiblah) and ablution facilities.
- The pulpit (minbar), from which the Friday (jumu’ah) sermon (khutba) is delivered, was in earlier times characteristic of the central city mosque, but has since become common in smaller mosques.
- Mosques typically have segregated spaces for men and women. This basic pattern of organization has assumed different forms depending on the region, period and denomination.
However, the paper presenters could not come to any consensus about the definition, structure and space, of course connecting with theology, Sufism and prevalent popular views.
© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao
11-01-2023
[1] India Today, Rajinikanth and AR Rahman visit Ameen Peer Dargah in Kadapa. See pics, videos, Latha Srinivasan, Chennai,UPDATED: Dec 15, 2022 17:25 IST
[2] https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/rajinikanth-and-ar-rahman-visit-ameen-peer-dargah-in-kadapa-see-pics-videos-2309437-2022-12-15
[3] Indian Express, Rajinikanth visits Pedda dargah with AR Rahman after seeking blessings at Tirupathi temple. See pics, videos, By: Entertainment Desk, Chennai | Updated: December 16, 2022 08:08 IST
[4] https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/rajinikanth-visits-pedda-dargah-with-ar-rahman-after-seeking-blessings-at-tirupathi-temple-8325774/
[5] It was only recently that Rajinikanth had visited AR Rahman at his studio and had experienced his virtual reality thriller, Le Musk. The film, directed by AR Rahman, stars Nora Arnezeder, Guy Burnet, Munirih Grace and Mariam Zohrabiyan. Rahman had shared a video of the Superstar watching the film and later stated that the film was mind-blowing and one of a kind. Rahman shared the video on his social media page on the occasion of Rajinikanth’s birthday (December 12) and had stated, “Happy birthday Superstar Rajinikanth ji. Thank you for your kind words about the Le Musk experience EPI.” (sic). The 37-minute film is said to be a cinematic sensory experience that incorporates virtual reality integrated with motion, music, and scent.
OTplay, Rajinikanth and AR Rahman worship together at THIS popular dargah, Team OTTplay, Last Updated: 04.51 PM, Dec 15, 2022.
[6] DtNext, When stars turned pilgrims: Rajini & ARR visit holy sites in AP, Online Desk, Published on : 16 Dec, 2022, 11:01 am
[7] https://www.dtnext.in/cinema/2022/12/16/when-stars-turned-pilgrims-rajini-arr-visit-holy-sites-in-ap
[8] Pande, Rekha. “Writing the history of women in the margins: The Courtesans in India.” Mizoram University Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences 4.2 (2018): 1-24.
http://mzuhssjournal.in/images/resources/v4n2/pande.pdf
[9] Sinha, Chandan. Haunted India. Chandan Kumar Sinha, 2014, pp.72-74.
Andhara Pradesh History Congress 