Documentary on Akbar based on a real life incident - Jodha mentioned

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Posted: 9 years ago
#1

A film based on Emperor Akbar's life and times inspired by Rudyard Kipling? Manohar Ashi, a short film and documentary maker, has done just that with Akbar's Bridge, an eponymous Kipling poem which glorifies the Emperor's winning, cosmopolitan ways. The film - which premiered before a select audience in Bhopal last fortnight-is based on an incident in 1566 * , when Akbar shelved a plan to construct a mosque on the banks of the Gomti at Jaunpur and instead, built a bridge across the river, earning secular gratitude.

* - The article wrongly mentioned the year as 1556. It should be 1566. I have corrected this year.

For good measure, Ashi also brings in a dash of other poems into play-Alfred Lord Tennyson's Akbar's Dream, and Rabindranath Tagore's Dindaan which is about a Hindu king who gives up a plan to build a magnificent temple and bows to his wife's wishes to give the money to victims of drought.

Good, secular credentials apart, the film, which Doordarshan said it will pick up for Rs 7 lakh, cost more than three times that-making the sale unlikely. But Ashi is still flying on the secular angle and romantic appeal for a pitch to another buyer.

And, on dancer and IAS officer Shovana Narayan's debut effort, playing the role of a potter whom Akbar meets incognito. The reason: she hears the emperor plans to build a grand mosque as an offering to Allah so that his wife, Jodha Bai, bears a child, and tells Akbar that his officials had been extorting money from the poor artisans and workers for building the mosque.

Kiplingesque: Akbar with wife

What the people really required, said the potter, was a bridge across the river. "She (Shovana) was fantastic," gushes Ashi. "She even spent time among potters near Bhopal to get the feel of the wheel." Among others, the film stars Sanjay Mehta as Akbar and Anuradha Tarafdar as Jodha Bai. From initial accounts, the film holds promise. But whether the 94-minute effort can hold on long enough to bridge the gap between a dream and a distribution disaster is still open.




http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/manohar-ashis-film-akbars-bridge-glorifies-emperors-winning-cosmopolitan-ways/1/281886.html

The film revolves around Akbar and Jodha Bai.

Interestingly 1566 was the same year when Akbar and Mariam-Uz-Zamani went on a barefoot pilgrimage to the Dargah of Sheikh Muin-ud-din Chisti in Ajmer. This point was mentioned in the old blog post about kids of Akbar and Mariam Uz Zamani.


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Suganya.S thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#2
It's really fascinating to know about this fact , that still people do make a effort to bring the actual nuance of some incidents from history , so that people get to know about it correctly 👏 I appreciate the effort that was put in , and will definitely watch it , if I get to see it on screen 😳

Thanks for this info abhay 😊
IshqHaiWoEhsaas thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#3
Thanks for sharing this info. 😊
Really very very interesting it is. Shows that the people are no longer unaware of the relation between Akbar and MUZ. The director needs to be applauded for his genuine efforts. 👏

The incident itself is an amazing one and stands testimony to the spiritual aspect of their relationship. So, Akbar was planning to build a mosque, but constructed a bridge instead. Shows his unselfish nature, and high thinking.Their barefoot journey to Ajmer Sharif really fascinates me. 😳
Donjas thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#4
I don't know where you find such interesting pieces about the life of historical characters. Lord Tennyson's poem is a famous one and a few months back I posted the full length version of it. Let me say this, Abhay your contribution to this forum with entertaining and informative posts is priceless.
I foolishly doubted you once, I will never repeat that mistake again.

Since you brought up Kipling in your post. Here is his poem, Akbar's Bridge . Interesting to note how much this Indian king inspired western people, two great poems by premier poets, a musical composition by Vivaldi and a picture by Rembrandt. Which other Asian king can claim such honour?

Here is the poem-


Jelaludin Muhammed Akbar, Guardian of Mankind,
Moved his standards out of Delhi to Jaunpore of lower Hind,
Where a mosque was to be builded, and a lovelier ne'er was planned;
And Munim Khan, his Viceroy, slid the drawings 'neath his hand.

High as Hope upsheered her out-works to the promised Heavens above.
Deep as Faith and dark as Judgment her unplumbed foundations dove.
Wide as Mercy, white as moonlight, stretched her forecourts to the dawn;
And Akbar gave commandment, "Let it rise as it is drawn."

Then he wearied"the mood moving"of the men and things he ruled,
And he walked beside the Goomti while the flaming sunset cooled,
Simply, without mark or ensign"singly, without guard or guide,
Till he heard an angry woman screeching by the river-side.

'Twas the Widow of the Potter, a virago feared and known,
In haste to cross the ferry, but the ferry-man had gone.
So she cursed him and his office, and hearing Akbar's tread,
(She was very old and darkling) turned her wrath upon his head.

But he answered"being Akbar""Suffer me to scull you o'er."
Called her "Mother," stowed her bundles, worked the clumsy scow from shore,
Till they grounded on a sand-bank, and the Widow loosed her mind;
And the stars stole out and chuckled at the Guardian of Mankind.

"Oh, most impotent of bunglers! Oh, my daughter's daughter's brood
Waiting hungry on the threshold; for I cannot bring their food,
Till a fool has learned his business at their virtuous grandam's cost,
And a greater fool, our Viceroy, trifles while her name is lost!

"Munim Khan, that Sire of Asses, sees me daily come and go
As it suits a drunken boatman, or this ox who cannot row.
Munim Khan, the Owl's Own Uncle"Munim Khan, the Capon's seed,
Must build a mosque to Allah when a bridge is all we need!

"Eighty years I eat oppression and extortion and delays"
Snake and crocodile and fever, flood and drouth, beset my ways.
But Munim Khan must tax us for his mosque whate'er befall;
Allah knowing (May He hear me!) that a bridge would save us all!"

While she stormed that other laboured and, when they touched the shore,
Laughing brought her on his shoulder to her hovel's very door.
But his mirth renewed her anger, for she thought he mocked the weak;
So she scored him with her talons, drawing blood on either cheek...

Jelaludin Muhammed Akbar, Guardian of Mankind,
Spoke with Munim Khan his Viceroy, ere the midnight stars declined"
Girt and sworded, robed and jewelled, but on either cheek appeared
Four shameless scratches running from the turban to the beard.

"Allah burn all Potter's Widows! Yet, since this same night was young,
One has shown me by pure token, there was a wisdom on her tongue.
Yes, I ferried her for hire. Yes," he pointed, "I was paid."
And he told the tale rehearsing all the Widow did and said.

And he ended, "Sire of Asses"Capon"Owl's Own Uncle"know
I"most impotent of bunglers"I"this ox who cannot row"
I"Jelaludin Muhammed Akbar, Guardian of Mankind"
Bid thee build the hag her bridge and put our mosque from out thy mind."

So 'twas built, and Allah blessed it; and, through earthquake, flood, and sword,
Still the bridge his Viceroy builded throws her arch o'er Akbar's Ford!



Edited by Donjas - 9 years ago
Nonie12345 thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#5
Interesting information Abhay😃
IshqHaiWoEhsaas thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#6

Originally posted by: Donjas

I don't know where you find such interesting pieces about the life of historical characters. Lord Tennyson's poem is a famous one and a few months back I posted the full length version of it. Let me say this, Abhay your contribution to this forum with entertaining and informative posts is priceless.

I foolishly doubted you once, I will never repeat that mistake again.

Since you brought up Kipling in your post. Here is his poem, Akbar's Bridge . Interesting to note how much this Indian king inspired western people, two great poems by premier poets, a musical composition by Vivaldi and a picture by Rembrandt. Which other Asian king can claim such honour?

Here is the poem-


Jelaludin Muhammed Akbar, Guardian of Mankind,
Moved his standards out of Delhi to Jaunpore of lower Hind,
Where a mosque was to be builded, and a lovelier ne'er was planned;
And Munim Khan, his Viceroy, slid the drawings 'neath his hand.

High as Hope upsheered her out-works to the promised Heavens above.
Deep as Faith and dark as Judgment her unplumbed foundations dove.
Wide as Mercy, white as moonlight, stretched her forecourts to the dawn;
And Akbar gave commandment, "Let it rise as it is drawn."

Then he wearied"the mood moving"of the men and things he ruled,
And he walked beside the Goomti while the flaming sunset cooled,
Simply, without mark or ensign"singly, without guard or guide,
Till he heard an angry woman screeching by the river-side.

'Twas the Widow of the Potter, a virago feared and known,
In haste to cross the ferry, but the ferry-man had gone.
So she cursed him and his office, and hearing Akbar's tread,
(She was very old and darkling) turned her wrath upon his head.

But he answered"being Akbar""Suffer me to scull you o'er."
Called her "Mother," stowed her bundles, worked the clumsy scow from shore,
Till they grounded on a sand-bank, and the Widow loosed her mind;
And the stars stole out and chuckled at the Guardian of Mankind.

"Oh, most impotent of bunglers! Oh, my daughter's daughter's brood
Waiting hungry on the threshold; for I cannot bring their food,
Till a fool has learned his business at their virtuous grandam's cost,
And a greater fool, our Viceroy, trifles while her name is lost!

"Munim Khan, that Sire of Asses, sees me daily come and go
As it suits a drunken boatman, or this ox who cannot row.
Munim Khan, the Owl's Own Uncle"Munim Khan, the Capon's seed,
Must build a mosque to Allah when a bridge is all we need!

"Eighty years I eat oppression and extortion and delays"
Snake and crocodile and fever, flood and drouth, beset my ways.
But Munim Khan must tax us for his mosque whate'er befall;
Allah knowing (May He hear me!) that a bridge would save us all!"

While she stormed that other laboured and, when they touched the shore,
Laughing brought her on his shoulder to her hovel's very door.
But his mirth renewed her anger, for she thought he mocked the weak;
So she scored him with her talons, drawing blood on either cheek...

Jelaludin Muhammed Akbar, Guardian of Mankind,
Spoke with Munim Khan his Viceroy, ere the midnight stars declined"
Girt and sworded, robed and jewelled, but on either cheek appeared
Four shameless scratches running from the turban to the beard.

"Allah burn all Potter's Widows! Yet, since this same night was young,
One has shown me by pure token, there was a wisdom on her tongue.
Yes, I ferried her for hire. Yes," he pointed, "I was paid."
And he told the tale rehearsing all the Widow did and said.

And he ended, "Sire of Asses"Capon"Owl's Own Uncle"know
I"most impotent of bunglers"I"this ox who cannot row"
I"Jelaludin Muhammed Akbar, Guardian of Mankind"
Bid thee build the hag her bridge and put our mosque from out thy mind."

So 'twas built, and Allah blessed it; and, through earthquake, flood, and sword,
Still the bridge his Viceroy builded throws her arch o'er Akbar's Ford!





Thanks for sharing this amazing poem here. 😊

@Bold, Completely agree with you. It is a matter of pride for us to have been born in a country which has seen such great rulers. No other Asian ruler, except for Ashoka maybe, could have commanded such great respect not only within the country, but worldwide. 👏⭐️
Shah67 thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#7

Originally posted by: Donjas

I don't know where you find such interesting pieces about the life of historical characters. Lord Tennyson's poem is a famous one and a few months back I posted the full length version of it. Let me say this, Abhay your contribution to this forum with entertaining and informative posts is priceless.

I foolishly doubted you once, I will never repeat that mistake again.

Since you brought up Kipling in your post. Here is his poem, Akbar's Bridge . Interesting to note how much this Indian king inspired western people, two great poems by premier poets, a musical composition by Vivaldi and a picture by Rembrandt. Which other Asian king can claim such honour?

Here is the poem-


Jelaludin Muhammed Akbar, Guardian of Mankind,
Moved his standards out of Delhi to Jaunpore of lower Hind,
Where a mosque was to be builded, and a lovelier ne'er was planned;
And Munim Khan, his Viceroy, slid the drawings 'neath his hand.

High as Hope upsheered her out-works to the promised Heavens above.
Deep as Faith and dark as Judgment her unplumbed foundations dove.
Wide as Mercy, white as moonlight, stretched her forecourts to the dawn;
And Akbar gave commandment, "Let it rise as it is drawn."

Then he wearied"the mood moving"of the men and things he ruled,
And he walked beside the Goomti while the flaming sunset cooled,
Simply, without mark or ensign"singly, without guard or guide,
Till he heard an angry woman screeching by the river-side.

'Twas the Widow of the Potter, a virago feared and known,
In haste to cross the ferry, but the ferry-man had gone.
So she cursed him and his office, and hearing Akbar's tread,
(She was very old and darkling) turned her wrath upon his head.

But he answered"being Akbar""Suffer me to scull you o'er."
Called her "Mother," stowed her bundles, worked the clumsy scow from shore,
Till they grounded on a sand-bank, and the Widow loosed her mind;
And the stars stole out and chuckled at the Guardian of Mankind.

"Oh, most impotent of bunglers! Oh, my daughter's daughter's brood
Waiting hungry on the threshold; for I cannot bring their food,
Till a fool has learned his business at their virtuous grandam's cost,
And a greater fool, our Viceroy, trifles while her name is lost!

"Munim Khan, that Sire of Asses, sees me daily come and go
As it suits a drunken boatman, or this ox who cannot row.
Munim Khan, the Owl's Own Uncle"Munim Khan, the Capon's seed,
Must build a mosque to Allah when a bridge is all we need!

"Eighty years I eat oppression and extortion and delays"
Snake and crocodile and fever, flood and drouth, beset my ways.
But Munim Khan must tax us for his mosque whate'er befall;
Allah knowing (May He hear me!) that a bridge would save us all!"

While she stormed that other laboured and, when they touched the shore,
Laughing brought her on his shoulder to her hovel's very door.
But his mirth renewed her anger, for she thought he mocked the weak;
So she scored him with her talons, drawing blood on either cheek...

Jelaludin Muhammed Akbar, Guardian of Mankind,
Spoke with Munim Khan his Viceroy, ere the midnight stars declined"
Girt and sworded, robed and jewelled, but on either cheek appeared
Four shameless scratches running from the turban to the beard.

"Allah burn all Potter's Widows! Yet, since this same night was young,
One has shown me by pure token, there was a wisdom on her tongue.
Yes, I ferried her for hire. Yes," he pointed, "I was paid."
And he told the tale rehearsing all the Widow did and said.

And he ended, "Sire of Asses"Capon"Owl's Own Uncle"know
I"most impotent of bunglers"I"this ox who cannot row"
I"Jelaludin Muhammed Akbar, Guardian of Mankind"
Bid thee build the hag her bridge and put our mosque from out thy mind."

So 'twas built, and Allah blessed it; and, through earthquake, flood, and sword,
Still the bridge his Viceroy builded throws her arch o'er Akbar's Ford!



What a beautiful poem Donjas! Thanks for sharing. Had to read it a 2-3 times to fully comprehend it.
The poem is written so well, one can feel the angst and helplessness of the poor woman.
The poem is actually funny and sad at the same time. The way the widow rants and raves against Munim Khan, her daily ordeal of crossing the river which is beset with crocs. Her grandchildren waiting for food.
I can just imagine poor Emperor Akbar trying his best to row this old harridan across and getting jammed against a sand bar. After all the trouble he takes he is paid by getting scratched by the woman.
Why oh why couldn't they show this with all the NR they wanted???😭 Such a nice positive, feel good incident.
Devki
Shah67 thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#8
Thanks so much for this lovely post Abhay. Another fascinating incident in Akbar's life which could've been portrayed.
Devki
Shah67 thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#9
The article is dated April 30 1996. So I guess no one ever picked the film up.😔
No hope of ever seeing it since it is almost 20 years now.
IshqHaiWoEhsaas thumbnail
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Posted: 9 years ago
#10

Originally posted by: devkidmd

The article is dated April 30 1996. So I guess no one ever picked the film up.😔
No hope of ever seeing it since it is almost 20 years now.



Thats too bad. May we get to see it somehow.

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