H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

Contribution of dalits recalled
Solan, September 24
The Himachal Pradesh Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, inaugurated Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademi’s 12th regional writers’ conference by lighting the traditional lamp here today. Chief guest Babu Parmanand, Governor of Haryana, and special invitee, Himachal Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal joined the Himachal Governor in paying floral tributes to the late, Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

Divine notes by dhrupad maestro
Banikhet (Dalhousie), September 24
Rare are the occasions when divine forces assume charge of the entire being. Courtesy the ongoing residency symposium at Banikhet, one came across such occasions. The days at Araman Estate, the small recluse offered by the vice-chairperson of the Asia Pacific Performing Arts Network (APPAN), Ms Shanta Serbjeet Singh, are all about glimpses of the rarest forms of music and dance.

2 killed, 8 hurt in mishap
Mandi, September 24
Two persons were killed and eight others were injured, two of them seriously, when a tanker (HRA37A-2037) collided with HRTC bus (HP-33-5410) near Pulgharat on the National Highway 21 on the outskirts of the town today.

Entrance tests anxiety for parents
Shimla, September 24
Admission tests for various professional courses were causing a high level of anxiety among the parents which could lead to depression and emotional breakdown.

IN FOCUS
Highway accidents on the rise
PARWANOO: The increasing number of accidents and incidents of rowdyism on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway No 22 have brought to the limelight the question of safety on this road.

Contribution of dalits recalled
Our Correspondent

Solan, September 24
The Himachal Pradesh Governor, Dr Suraj Bhan, inaugurated Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademi’s 12th regional writers’ conference by lighting the traditional lamp here today. Chief guest Babu Parmanand, Governor of Haryana, and special invitee, Himachal Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal joined the Himachal Governor in paying floral tributes to the late, Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

Dr Bhan urged upon Dalits to harness the potential of the written word in creating awareness about the plight of the oppressed classes with a view to correcting social imbalances flowing from an unjust social order and also to build bridges of harmony by promoting justice for all.

He recalled the contribution of the Dalits to Indian mythological literature. He said that while the Vedas and Gita were “divine revelations”, the only other scriptures authored by ancient Indians — the Ramayana and the Mahabharata — were the works of Rishi Balmiki and Maharishi Ved Vyas, both Dalits. Also, the most important work of the modern times — the Indian Constitution, was scripted by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, a Dalit.

Dr Bhan also emphasised the need for reviewing Indian history, as was being taught in our educational institutions today. He said that it appeared that every word of our history except names and dates had been deliberately distorted to ignore or minimise the role of the Dalits.

Dr Suraj Bhan also dwelt upon the need to wipe out untouchability and suggested that affixing of tell-tale caste or surnames should be banned.

Mr Dhumal expressed happiness at the fact that untouchability was minimal in Himachal Pradesh. He said that his government was committed to building a casteless society. The government’s strategy for achieving this goal, centred upon providing educational opportunities for the Dalits by earmarking adequate funds.

Babu Parmanand lauded the measures adopted by Himachal Pradesh for the welfare of the Dalits and hoped that its example would be emulated by other states where the Dalits continued to be neglected and exploited.

Divine notes by dhrupad maestro
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

Banikhet (Dalhousie), September 24
Rare are the occasions when divine forces assume charge of the entire being. Courtesy the ongoing residency symposium at Banikhet, one came across such occasions. The days at Araman Estate, the small recluse offered by the vice-chairperson of the Asia Pacific Performing Arts Network (APPAN), Ms Shanta Serbjeet Singh, are all about glimpses of the rarest forms of music and dance.

One glimpse into the Dhrupad style of singing came from Ustad Rahim Fahimuddin Khan Dagar, whose musical lineage is traced through Swami Haridas (fifteenth century). Part of the Dagar family, which claims 20 generations of dhrupad singers and bin players, the 76-year-old Ustad Fahimuddin is the only living son of the great musician Padmabhushan Ustad Alla Bande Rahimuddin Khan Dagar. Born at Alwar, he was initiated into music by uncle Ustad Nasiruddin Khan Dagar who taught him for 14 years. He also learnt the rudra veena from his incle Ustad Ziauddin Khan Dagar.

Today, he is a sangeet ratna, a dhrupad ratna, the Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan award recipient, et al. But more than that, he is the torchbearer of Dagar Bani, one of the four traditional styles of alap (dhrupad singing). The evening of September 22 had Ustad Fahimuddin Khan rendering dhrupad, with each chord exuding divinity. As the Ustad later told The Tribune, “The purpose of dhrupad is not to entertain the audience, but to sit in worship. My singing is my aaradhna.” The quintessential part of dhrupad is its inclination towards spiritualism. It means to invoke blessings and offer peace to the listener.

Interaction with the Ustad took us through various levels of self-realisation with music. He spoke of many things, but mainly of dhrupad, and why in comparison to khayaal, thumri and others, it has little takers.

As for dhrupad — the word is derived from dhruva (fixed, steadfast) and pada (word, composition). Dhrupad evolved from the earlier chanting of Om, the sacred syllable, which is claimed to be the source of all creation. The Ustad said, “We had various shailies like Chhand, Prabandh, Dhruva and Matha, but dhrupad with originates from Sama Veda.”

This oldest vocal and instrumental style has few takers now, perhaps, as due to the strict adherence to purity, learning dhrupad is not easy. As the Ustad said, “It takes years of religious practice, and about 10 hours of singing daily, before a dhrupad student is ready to perform.”

He added that the teaching of dhrupad was very closely tied to the guru-shishya system. Since the same does not continue, dhrupad has few takers. “This is an oral tradition. Earlier, the students lived in the home of their Guru and devoted themselves to riyaz. The music was taught orally, with teacher singing a phrase and students repeating it until they perfected it,” he explained.

IN FOCUS
Highway accidents on the rise
Our Correspondent

PARWANOO: The increasing number of accidents and incidents of rowdyism on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway No 22 have brought to the limelight the question of safety on this road.

Accidents, unclaimed bodies, traffic jams, hooliganism and smuggling of liquor have become common occurrences on the road between Parwanoo and Kandaghat.

According to police records, 170 accidents took place on this stretch in 1999, taking 26 lives and injuring 285 persons. The figure increased in 2000 to 172 accidents, 38 deaths and injuries to 332 persons. During the current year, 105 accidents have already taken place in which 21 persons have died and 175 injured.

The frequency of accidents on this stretch of the national highway increases between July and September due to the rains and an increase in heavy vehicular traffic due to apple season. Damage to the road by rains further worsen the situation. The PWD is unable to do quick repairs, and even warning signs are not put up to caution the drivers.

According to Mr Sunder Lal, Additional Superintendent of Police, Solan, heavily loaded trucks moving along the steep incline between Barog and Parwanoo cause most of the accidents. Truck drivers who do not belong to this region are not very skilled in driving in the hills, he says, adding, that driving under the influence of liquor and other intoxicants also adds to the number of mishaps.

Moreover, there is no check on the movement of overloaded vehicles despite the presence of a sales tax barrier at Parwanoo.

The number of unclaimed bodies found along the road increases in winter. Criminals from the neighbouring states take advantage of the dense forest along the highway and throw bodies on this road.

Smuggling of liquor to Himachal pradesh through this highway is also on the rise. Traffic jams are proving a deterrent to tourists visiting Himachal pradesh.