Sons of Babur - A play in search of India . A book by Salman Khurshid .CHENNAI: Those who allowed diversity in India thrived, while those who did not understand this idea became part of the process of decline, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, said, participating in a book reading session of Union Minister Salman Khurshid's ‘Sons of Babur – A play in search of India.'
There were some however, who did not understand or respect the tremendous diversity of India, Mr. Ram added.
Mr. Khurshid's book presents this idea of India, never as propaganda, but with subtle explorations into grey areas. ‘Sons of Babur' examines the contribution of individual Mughals and makes subtle forays into questions of right and wrong. There are wonderful moments in the play, lines that show the fratricidal struggle amongst the Mughals, who occupy an important place in Indian history. “While it does not give easy answers, it arrives at a successful set of answers, thereby fulfilling its mission,” he said.
Mr. Ram complimented the debutant writer for his work which “celebrates a great idea, and with a literary quality.”
“Exploring present and future”
In his remarks prior to reading of passages from the book, Mr. Khurshid, Union Minister of Water Resources and Minority Affairs, said there was much in it about what was happening in India today. “It links us with the past, but explores the present, and future,” he explained.
It was a play at several levels and working on the plane of imagination, helps one look beyond reality.
He has used Sufism as a tool that helps break the mould of reality and takes one to a higher level of communication.
The play was performed in translation in Urdu in Delhi, and a Chennai performance would be scheduled soon, Mr. Khurshid said.
“Confluence of streams”
“The rich history of the Mughals who ruled India for many centuries is very significant in the development of modern India,” the Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, said.
It is essential to bear in mind that history cannot be changed, altered, or erased according to the times. “India's history has been a confluence of many streams… India today is a diverse and pluralistic society: multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-religious and multi-cultural. That is its great strength. It must be preserved,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala who hosted the event at Raj Bhavan's Darbar Hall, suggested that ‘Sons of Babur' must be enacted in schools and colleges, and included as part of the curriculum. The youth should know the history of the nation's freedom struggle and the pre-independence era, and about the kings who ruled.
The Governor also assured that the play would be performed in Chennai in February.
The event was organised in collaboration with the University of Madras' English department on Monday.
Mr. Khurshid's book presents this idea of India, never as propaganda, but with subtle explorations into grey areas. ‘Sons of Babur' examines the contribution of individual Mughals and makes subtle forays into questions of right and wrong. There are wonderful moments in the play, lines that show the fratricidal struggle amongst the Mughals, who occupy an important place in Indian history. “While it does not give easy answers, it arrives at a successful set of answers, thereby fulfilling its mission,” he said.
Mr. Ram complimented the debutant writer for his work which “celebrates a great idea, and with a literary quality.”
“Exploring present and future”
In his remarks prior to reading of passages from the book, Mr. Khurshid, Union Minister of Water Resources and Minority Affairs, said there was much in it about what was happening in India today. “It links us with the past, but explores the present, and future,” he explained.
It was a play at several levels and working on the plane of imagination, helps one look beyond reality.
He has used Sufism as a tool that helps break the mould of reality and takes one to a higher level of communication.
The play was performed in translation in Urdu in Delhi, and a Chennai performance would be scheduled soon, Mr. Khurshid said.
“Confluence of streams”
“The rich history of the Mughals who ruled India for many centuries is very significant in the development of modern India,” the Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, said.
It is essential to bear in mind that history cannot be changed, altered, or erased according to the times. “India's history has been a confluence of many streams… India today is a diverse and pluralistic society: multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-religious and multi-cultural. That is its great strength. It must be preserved,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala who hosted the event at Raj Bhavan's Darbar Hall, suggested that ‘Sons of Babur' must be enacted in schools and colleges, and included as part of the curriculum. The youth should know the history of the nation's freedom struggle and the pre-independence era, and about the kings who ruled.
The Governor also assured that the play would be performed in Chennai in February.
The event was organised in collaboration with the University of Madras' English department on Monday.
(courtesy the Hindu)
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