By Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
Gujrat might have witnessed the worst ever communal violence in post –Independence India but Muharram still remains a symbol of Hindu-Muslim Unity in the state. In Rajkot, Hindus help Muslims in making Tazia while Vadodara also conveys a similar message.vOne of the most popular Tazia procession in Rajkot happens to be of Patel Tula Ram. He makes it a point that his Tazia is well-decorated to capture the attention of devotees. He claims that his family has been performing Taziadari for several generations. Another Hindu taziadar is Gond. He claims to have been performing Taziadari in memory of her mother who had vowed to keep a Tazia of Imam blesses her with a son. By profession, he is a auto-rickshaw driver. He devotes a month to make Taziya every year. His Tazia is known as ‘Mai Jannat Ka Tazia’. He prepares Tazia in the courtyard of the ancient temple is reserved every year for the making of the Tazia, costing Rs.1 Lakh approximately. Gond does not mind spending the amount as he stands committed to fulfill the desire of his mother. He uses stickers, shiny vault paper and wood to make Tazia.
Similarly in Vadodara,formerly the capital of Gaekwad Marataha Kingdom a 35-year-old Hindu craftsman prepares colorful and artistic Tazia with the objective to spread the message of communal harmony and also to exhibit his craftsmanship.
Among Muharram processions, Tazia of Vipul Krishna remains in the limelight in view of its decoration with the help of 150 kgs of German silver, metal brass and aluminum for the 12-feet tall replica of Imam Hussain’s original tomb at Karbala in Iraq. It has four minarets (Towers) besides quotes from Quran in Arabic and Urdu scripted all over it.
The tazia was made after Krishna received an order from Phiiroz Khan Akbar Khan Pathan, President of Muharram Committee from Muslim-dominated Bhalej town in neighboring Anand district. It took him 45 days to complete and deliver it to them on the eve of Muharram. Since then, he has been making tazias for other Muharram committees he said. A tazia is a replica of the tomb of Imam Hussain, the martyred grandson of Prophet Muhammad that is taken out by Muslim devotees in processions during Muharram. The first ten days of the month of Muharram commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions in the Battle of Karbala. “The Muharram committee team from Bhalej was impressed with my artwork of making Tazias using these metals at Padra town here last year. So they asked me to make another for them this year too. I enjoyed making it because I am an artist and my work has nothing to do with any religion,” Kansara felt. Kansara is from the third generation of his family, which has been engaged in the business of making “Dhajas” (flags) for famous temples of Ambaji, Shamlaji, and Swaminarayan at Vadtal and other places all over the country.
However, he took to making Tazias for the Muslim community two years ago. Pathan said that despite being a very costly affair, the committee decided to go for making a Tazia using metals because it is of a permanent nature and can be used every year during Muharram.He does ot seem to be much interested in the customary tazias temporary in nature and prefers metalwork but prepares the relic made of paper, thermocol and bamboo sticks .Such Tazias are buried every year ad hence,he wants relics of permanent nature that only use of metal provides.Kansara does not mind preparing temporary Tazias on receipt of order but believes that his work should not be buried every year, He thinks Tazia makers like him are sending out a message of brotherhood and harmony between Hindus and Muslims through the art. He has been felicitated at a ceremony in Bhalej as a reward for his artistic Tazias and their wonderful creation.
No comments:
Post a Comment