Welcome to America
If I wanted to..
I could have stayed in Hyderabad…
Eating Paan
Thuking in Ugaaldaan
And Kheeching Naukar’s Kaan..
Enjoying Nahari Kulcha’s
Savoring Chai Samosa’s
Taking afternoon Siesta’s…
Paid off Gadi’s and Bangla’s
Wearing Sharara’s and Jhumka’s
Attending Mushaira’s with Hukka’s
Instead…..
I chose to become an “American”
Chewing gum
Cleaning Khuddi, Kapde and Bartan
Became a ‘Bai’ instead of a‘Begum’
Eating cereal..
Thandi smelly Tuna ..
Rushing through breakfast, lunch and dinner..
Working long hours…
Ghasing my back…
To pay Uncle Sam Tax.
By the way..
What is Siesta?....
WRITTEN BY : MRS RESHMA GHOURI (TAKHALLUS: HYDERABADI KHATTI DAAL)
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Dr Najma Shares a Joke : Hyderabadi !
Hyderabadi..!!
Mom: Kaiku rora
Beta: teacher maari merku
Mom: Kaiku maari re churail ne?
Beta: Mai usku murghi bola
Mom: Kaiku
Beta: Kaiku bole to, har exam mein "anda deri merku."
This Joke is Posted by Dr Najma Sultana
Mom: Kaiku rora
Beta: teacher maari merku
Mom: Kaiku maari re churail ne?
Beta: Mai usku murghi bola
Mom: Kaiku
Beta: Kaiku bole to, har exam mein "anda deri merku."
This Joke is Posted by Dr Najma Sultana
Thursday, February 16, 2012
MR. ARVIND ACHARYA: FOLLOW THE WRITER ON HCA BLOG
Mr Arvind Acharya is now the proud member of the HCA. Arvind graduated from Osmani and currently lives lives in NY. While I do not know more details about him but if you google him you know for sure he is a historian. Show him a picture of a historic building and he knows, or talk to him about any person. His well circulated article on Princess Niloufer from siasat is appended below with his permission. Please Welcome Mr Arvind Acharya to the Hyderabadi Cultural Association of Hyderabad. We hope to invite him for DINNER with ARVIND.
Niloufer The Last Princess (Published in Siasat):
.
At the age of eight, Niloufer moved to Nice in France. This was not a voluntary move. Turkey had lost its bearings during the First World War. When the war ended, the mighty Ottoman empire was divided, and all that was left of it was Turkey itself. Kemal Ataturk, the revolutionary leader, decided to modernize the country.
Princess Niloufer With Prince Moazzam Jah
He forbade the wearing of traditional dresses and decreed that women had to dress in the European style. Fearing that the presence of royalty might bring the Sultan back to power, he banished the entire royal family into exile.
This meant that the Sultan, Abdul Majid II, who also had the title of the Khalifa, had to give up his palatial possessions and move to southern France. For the Muslims worldwide, this was a low point in their history when the Khalifa himself became a poor man. At that time, rescue came in the form of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam promised the Khalifa a pension of 300 British Pounds a month. On this income, the Khalifa maintained his establishment.
Princess Niloufer With Begum Aga Khan
The deposition of the Khalifa was a significant political event. Mahatma Gandhi felt that this would be the right time for the Khilafat movement, to restore the Khalifa. The leaders of the movement were Maulana Mohammed Ali and Maulana Shoukat Ali. During this movement, Shoukat Ali came to be on very friendly terms with the Khalifa.
Thus, in 1931, seeing that the Khalifa had no son, Shoukat Ali proposed that the Khalifa’s daughter, Durru Shehvar, be married to Azam Jah. The negotiations for the terms of the marriage started, but soon broke down, as the Nizam felt that the requirement for the Mehr was exorbitant. Eventually, the Nizam was able to get two marriages within the specified amount. In this way, the marriage of Niloufer to Moazzam Jah was finalized. They were married on November 12, 1931; at this wedding, the Khalifa himself acted as the Kazi.
A few weeks later, the two princesses, Durru Shehvar and Niloufer set sail for India. They spent a few days in Bombay, and played tennis with the daughters of the Governor of Bombay. They were taught how to wear sarees, and the expected etiquette in the presence of the Nizam. With great trepidation, they boarded the train to Hyderabad.
When the train pulled up at the Nampally station, Azam Jah hopped off the train and simply prostrated in front of the Nizam. He bowed again several times; this pleased the Nizam who kept smiling and repeating “fatherly affection”. When the turn of Niloufer, she stepped off the train ever so lightly. All eyes were on her. At this moment, the Boy Scouts presented a guard of honour.
Niloufer and Moazzam Jah moved in to Hill Fort. The shell of this building still stands, on the ascent from Public Gardens to Noubat Pahad. It was a large house, purchased from the previous owner, Sir Nizamat Jung. Moazzam Jah’s rooms were on the ground floor and Niloufer’s on the first floor. Almost every evening, Moazzam Jah organized a mushaira. Many well known names were present in the gatherings.
A book by one of those, Sidiq Jaisi, details these glittering evenings. One of those present was Fani Badayuni, for whom a car used to be sent every evening to bring him to Hill Fort. Another well known name that graced these sessions is that of Akhtari Bai, who later attained fame as Begum Akhtar.
As the years rolled by, Durru Shehvar gave birth to a son, Mukarram Jah. When several years passed, and still Niloufer had not conceived, she consulted various doctors in Europe and was planning to go to America for a medical visit. During this time, one of her maids died during childbirth. At that time, there was no specialized hospital for children and mothers. Niloufer’s resolve to build such a hospital materialized in the form of the current hospital in Red Hills.
While her private life seemed empty due to lack of children, her public life became very glittering. She was invited to several functions, inaugurated several events and became a torch-bearer for women’s advancement. During the Second World War, she obtained training as a nurse, and helped in relief efforts. Her beauty, and her active public life, received mention in the press, and frequently on cover pages of magazines. She was judged one of the 10 most beautiful women in the world, and was offered several roles in films.
Niloufer had a style of dressing that attracted the public and caught the attention of the fashion media. Her sarees were especially crafted by Madhavdas, a designer from Bombay. These were frequently studied and analyzed. Even in later years, when she shifted to wearing European style clothes when travelling abroad, she still managed to cut a fine figure. One of her European dresses formed the topic of discussion in the New York Times in 1961.
When India became independent, Niloufer was in a peculiar position. Hyderabad had yet to decide on joining the Indian Union. As this situation dragged on, eventually Hyderabad was amalgamated into the Indian Union by a “Police Action”. Although the Nizam was retained as the Head of the State, he was just a shadow of his former self.
Niloufer decided never to return to India again. Her marriage with Moazzam Jah came to an end in 1952. She continued to live in Paris, with her mother, in a flat. Since she was only 36, she continued to attract a lot of attention, and had some of the most famous people as friends. She was offered yet another role in a Hollywood film, but she turned it down again.
Niloufer died in Paris in 1989 and was buried next to her mother.
The Author of this Article is: Arvind Acharya. He can be reached at arvindach@gmail.com
Niloufer The Last Princess (Published in Siasat):
January 03:
On 4th January, 1916, Niloufer was born in the Goztepe Palace in Istanbul in Turkey. Her mother was Adile Sultan, a grand-daughter of Sultan Murad V, who had been deposed on the grounds of purported mental illness.
Adile herself was married and divorced and it was with her second husband, Salahuddin Morali, that she gave birth to Niloufer..
At the age of eight, Niloufer moved to Nice in France. This was not a voluntary move. Turkey had lost its bearings during the First World War. When the war ended, the mighty Ottoman empire was divided, and all that was left of it was Turkey itself. Kemal Ataturk, the revolutionary leader, decided to modernize the country.
Princess Niloufer With Prince Moazzam Jah
He forbade the wearing of traditional dresses and decreed that women had to dress in the European style. Fearing that the presence of royalty might bring the Sultan back to power, he banished the entire royal family into exile.
This meant that the Sultan, Abdul Majid II, who also had the title of the Khalifa, had to give up his palatial possessions and move to southern France. For the Muslims worldwide, this was a low point in their history when the Khalifa himself became a poor man. At that time, rescue came in the form of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam promised the Khalifa a pension of 300 British Pounds a month. On this income, the Khalifa maintained his establishment.
Princess Niloufer With Begum Aga Khan
The deposition of the Khalifa was a significant political event. Mahatma Gandhi felt that this would be the right time for the Khilafat movement, to restore the Khalifa. The leaders of the movement were Maulana Mohammed Ali and Maulana Shoukat Ali. During this movement, Shoukat Ali came to be on very friendly terms with the Khalifa.
Thus, in 1931, seeing that the Khalifa had no son, Shoukat Ali proposed that the Khalifa’s daughter, Durru Shehvar, be married to Azam Jah. The negotiations for the terms of the marriage started, but soon broke down, as the Nizam felt that the requirement for the Mehr was exorbitant. Eventually, the Nizam was able to get two marriages within the specified amount. In this way, the marriage of Niloufer to Moazzam Jah was finalized. They were married on November 12, 1931; at this wedding, the Khalifa himself acted as the Kazi.
A few weeks later, the two princesses, Durru Shehvar and Niloufer set sail for India. They spent a few days in Bombay, and played tennis with the daughters of the Governor of Bombay. They were taught how to wear sarees, and the expected etiquette in the presence of the Nizam. With great trepidation, they boarded the train to Hyderabad. When the train pulled up at the Nampally station, Azam Jah hopped off the train and simply prostrated in front of the Nizam. He bowed again several times; this pleased the Nizam who kept smiling and repeating “fatherly affection”. When the turn of Niloufer, she stepped off the train ever so lightly. All eyes were on her. At this moment, the Boy Scouts presented a guard of honour.
Niloufer and Moazzam Jah moved in to Hill Fort. The shell of this building still stands, on the ascent from Public Gardens to Noubat Pahad. It was a large house, purchased from the previous owner, Sir Nizamat Jung. Moazzam Jah’s rooms were on the ground floor and Niloufer’s on the first floor. Almost every evening, Moazzam Jah organized a mushaira. Many well known names were present in the gatherings.
A book by one of those, Sidiq Jaisi, details these glittering evenings. One of those present was Fani Badayuni, for whom a car used to be sent every evening to bring him to Hill Fort. Another well known name that graced these sessions is that of Akhtari Bai, who later attained fame as Begum Akhtar.
As the years rolled by, Durru Shehvar gave birth to a son, Mukarram Jah. When several years passed, and still Niloufer had not conceived, she consulted various doctors in Europe and was planning to go to America for a medical visit. During this time, one of her maids died during childbirth. At that time, there was no specialized hospital for children and mothers. Niloufer’s resolve to build such a hospital materialized in the form of the current hospital in Red Hills.
While her private life seemed empty due to lack of children, her public life became very glittering. She was invited to several functions, inaugurated several events and became a torch-bearer for women’s advancement. During the Second World War, she obtained training as a nurse, and helped in relief efforts. Her beauty, and her active public life, received mention in the press, and frequently on cover pages of magazines. She was judged one of the 10 most beautiful women in the world, and was offered several roles in films.
Niloufer had a style of dressing that attracted the public and caught the attention of the fashion media. Her sarees were especially crafted by Madhavdas, a designer from Bombay. These were frequently studied and analyzed. Even in later years, when she shifted to wearing European style clothes when travelling abroad, she still managed to cut a fine figure. One of her European dresses formed the topic of discussion in the New York Times in 1961.
When India became independent, Niloufer was in a peculiar position. Hyderabad had yet to decide on joining the Indian Union. As this situation dragged on, eventually Hyderabad was amalgamated into the Indian Union by a “Police Action”. Although the Nizam was retained as the Head of the State, he was just a shadow of his former self.
Niloufer decided never to return to India again. Her marriage with Moazzam Jah came to an end in 1952. She continued to live in Paris, with her mother, in a flat. Since she was only 36, she continued to attract a lot of attention, and had some of the most famous people as friends. She was offered yet another role in a Hollywood film, but she turned it down again.
Niloufer died in Paris in 1989 and was buried next to her mother.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
ME IN AMERICA : WRITTEN BY MRS RESHMA GHOURI
Me in Amrica – By Reshma Ghouri
Na Idhar ke Rahe …
Na Udhar ke Rahe...Beech adhar atke rahe…
Na Hyderabad ku bhula sake
Na Amrica ku apna sakeHyderabadi-Amrican ban’ke kaam chalate rahe
Na Urdu ku chod sake
Na Angrezi ku pakad sakeDesi accent mein goron ku confuse karte chale
Na Turkey ku paka sake
Na gravy bana sakeMurgi ku dam de ke thanksgiving manate chale
Na Christmas tree laga sake
Na bacchon ku samjha sakeEid par Santa banke tohfe bat-te chale
Na shorts pahen sake
Na shalwar chod sakeJeans pe kurta aur sneakers chadake itraate chale
Na, Nashte mein donut kha sake
Na khichdi khatta bhula sakePizza par mirchi chidakkar maza lete rahe
Na garmiyon ku bhula sake
Na baraf ku apna sakeKhidke se suraj ku dekhke ‘beautiful day’ kahte rahe
Ab ayi baari Hyderabad ku jane ki……toh..
Haath mein paani ka sheesha lekar chaleLekin wahan par...
Na gupchup kha sake
Na lassi pee sakePeth ke darad se tadapte mare…
Gullathi kha ke kaam chalate rahe..
Na macchar se bhaag sake
Na khujli ku rok sakeCream se dadodon ku chupate chale
Na fakiron se bach sake
Na dollar ku chupa sake
Naukaron se bi peecha chuda kar bhaagte rahe…
Na khuddi par baith sake
Na Kamot ku bhool sakeBas beech adhar jhukke kaam chalate rahe….
Na idhar ke rahe…
Na udhar ke rahe…
Kambaqt, kahin ke Na rahe
Bas ‘ABCD’ aulaad ko aur confuse banate chale…
Monday, February 6, 2012
January 28, 2012 : Official Opening of the HCA
Making News: (published in several news papers)
On saturday January 28, 2012 the Hyderabadi community of New York celebrated the official opening of its long awaited Hyderabadi Cultural Association of Greater New York. Over fifty members became charter members on this fun-filled evening of mushaira, ghazal and Hyderabadi food. Mr Quddus Mohammed, an investment professional and the charter secretary of the Rotary Hicksville chapter, was unanimously elected as the first President.
Mr. Quddus Mohammed, President (above) congratulated the Hyderabadi Community and said "the objective of the association is to encourage and foster the ideals of the community and service above one self. In particular, to encourage the development of acquaintance as an opportunity to build goodwill and better friendships".
Mr. Hussain Baqueri, a pilot and owner of Sir Speedy Plainview was nominated as the Executive Vice President. Mr.Hussain is among the founders of the Rotary Club of Hicksville South and was recently recognized by County Executive Mr.Ed Mangano. Mrs.Sabina Ali, manager of Astoria Bank of Hicksville is the VP for Media and Public relations, Mr.Nayeem Siddique, is the VP for Membership Development, Mr.Mohammed Adil Aziz, is the VP event planning, Mrs. Athia Syed is the Treasurer and Mr.Naimathullah, an energy engineer, became the charter Secretary.
Among the prominent charter members of the Hyderabadi association include Mr.Habib Ahmed, Commissioner of Human Rights Commission for Nassau County, Dr.Najma Sultana, Executive board member of Indian National Overseas Congress, Dr Raza Mir, Professor at Jefferson University, Mohammed Ghouri, Principal IVY Investment Management LLC and Arshad Maajid, a litigation lawyer based in Suffolk County.
"The Association will build alliances with organizations whose aims do not conflict with the basic aims of the Association", said Mrs Sabina Ali, who is resposible for promoting the Association. "We have already initiated contact with TLCA, Hyderabadi Association of Dallas and will work with New Jersey based associations promoting Urdu poetry and literature" . As part of its community service, on February 18,2012 HCA will join Gurmeet Sodhi, a TV host, to serve breakfast and help children of the Helping Hand Rescue Mission of Huntington.
"The Association will build alliances with organizations whose aims do not conflict with the basic aims of the Association", said Mrs Sabina Ali, who is resposible for promoting the Association. "We have already initiated contact with TLCA, Hyderabadi Association of Dallas and will work with New Jersey based associations promoting Urdu poetry and literature" . As part of its community service, on February 18,2012 HCA will join Gurmeet Sodhi, a TV host, to serve breakfast and help children of the Helping Hand Rescue Mission of Huntington.
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