The Chronicle of the Air-Conditioned Class

Asif Naqshbandi

Thanks for consolation. We might not have similar blood in our vein.

But we have a common belief in one God, one Prophet and one book, which transcends all blood barriers.

krashid bhai...it is not worth debating with the bjp/rss waalahs like RSaxena--they`ll hate you just for being Muslim; one of their avowed aims -from their website-- bjp.com--is to reconvert all the indian muslims to hinduism!! The best answer is as we say, ``jawaab-e-jaahilaaN khamushi baashad.``

Doesn`t Russian architecture have onion-shaped domes as well? I remember seeing a picture once and thinking that it was a beautiful mosque, but it turned out to be a picture of the Kremlin!!! Silly me.

RSaxena

You are talking about inverted onions.

But that inverted onion is one of the seven wonders of world.

I think you should try to do something else, rather than Islam or Muslim bashing.

Re: scout

``That`s not true. Ancient Indian art is inspired by the dome as well, as exemplified by the carvings and figures of nude women.``

I don`t think so. We`re talking about onion shaped domes of Islam, not other domes. Even the Panthenon in Rome has a dome but clearly it`s very different.

gymno #94,

Thanks for that detailed description. After I finish exploring Pakistan, I`ll start with India.

Rsaxena #91, you said ``Another key difference in Islamic architecture and others is that the former is inspired by onions (dome shape) while the latter is not.``

That`s not true. Ancient Indian art is inspired by the dome as well, as exemplified by the carvings and figures of nude women. I think there was a great expo on CNN about that.

Ref scout #: 88

You said {Hindu architecture is more of the ``inherit the earth`` type, widespread and low. Color tones are earthy, browns and reds.

Muslim architecture is more of the ``reach for the sky`` type, taller than they are wide. The color tones are more ephemereal, white, cool colors as seen in the various Mahals.}

One of the reasons you don`t see tall structures in the North is due to the fact that they would attract attention and destruction by fanatics of the other religion, whoever they may be.

When you come to the South, you will find temple towers that are huge. The single tower at the Tanjore temple is 216 feet tall and was built in the 12th century by King Raja Raja Cholan. The temple at Gangai-konda-chola-puram built by his son Rajendra Cholan is taller. Both temples are generally visible for miles around in the flat plains of the Kaveri delta. The Southern Tower recently completed at Srirangam (it was left incomplete because of a belief that its completion would signify a major catastrophe -- the previous builders encountered mysterious collapses) is about 192 feet high. As you go deeper into southern India untouched by Muslim occupation except for short-lived raids, you will find magnificent sculptures in the temples. There are temples in the south where you can listen to stone pillars that emit the seven notes of the octave when struck.

Come to Madurai to see the Hall of the Thousand Pillars (it is actually closer to 970, but hey, people do lose count). Each pillar has a carving of a warrior on a rearing horse, a lion, an elephant or a celestial nymph. The lion would have a perfect stone sphere in its mouth that you cannot remove but can twirl freely around. This is the type of thing that was wantonly destroyed throughout Northern India.

Temple architecture follows strict rules and the buildings are built of granite, which is more difficult to work with than marble which is softer. Thus you get the grays and blacks in temples. In the North, they used locally available stone and you find Rajasthani sandstone used freely giving you the reds that weather to brown, giving you earthy colors.

Gymno #86

Also thanks for reminding the pornography in Hindu architecture. When I was writing I had in mind the semi nude pictures in Vatican etc. And still that was not in the wrong sense, that they are bad. But to emphasize that why Muslim architecture has to be different, and to rely more on floral pattern, or calligraphy etc.

We have another saying in our language.

``Chor ki Darhi mein Tinka``

Stick in the beard of thief. (pardon my translation).

RSaxena #90

Idols are not allowed in Mecca, nor for that matter non-Muslims. It is religious. Whether I am in Shalwar, pants, shorts, it is not going to change the fact.

If Gymno is not allowed to take the picture of Ram as a worship at his home, I cannot comment on that, because I have no idea of Saudi Government. But that is definitely not religious injunction.

I can comment on another Islamic country where I have first hand experience, meaning Iran. And considering the misinformation by you people being spread regarding Iran, how can I trust you regarding Saudi-Arabia.

With lack of trust even if you speak right, it will still be considered wrong. ``Liar`` or ``Misinformant`` is a bad label, if you know.

I am pretty sure he will not be taking a poster to put on street.

Another key difference in Islamic architecture and others is that the former is inspired by onions (dome shape) while the latter is not.

Re: krashid and gymno

Gymno wrote:

``Considering that the Gyan Vapi Mosque in Benares is cheek by jowl against the Vishwanath Temple, you should talk about tolerance when I can take one picture of Ram into Saudi Arabia.``

Ouch ouch ouch. He got you there krashid. I can just imagine you shaking in your shalwar right now.

Gymnosophist#86

You are blaming that, someone implied that there is no architecture except Muslim architecture.

You have to have proove, you know.

Your excuse on demolition of Babri Mosque is worse than Excuse. As we say in our language:

``Uzr Gunaah Badtar As Gunaah``

justifying sin is worse than sin.

If you guys don`t mind, I`d like to put my two cents in on this discussion of south asian architecture and who is better.

Hindu influenced architecture is just as great as Muslim influenced. Though I`ve never been to India, I`ve seen pictures of marvelous temples and caves. I`ll probably go and see them live sometime.

THe difference that I do see in both types of architecture, correct me if I`m wrong are as follows:

Hindu architecture is more of the ``inherit the earth`` type, widespread and low. Color tones are earthy, browns and reds.

Muslim architecture is more of the ``reach for the sky`` type, taller than they are wide. The color tones are more ephemereal, white, cool colors as seen in the various Mahals.

I had the luck of seeing some of the ancient Buddhist architecture in Pakistan in Taxila and Sirkap. The stupas and the burial monuments were beautiful, in their earthy way.

Anyway sorry to barge in. Tata.

Sadhna#78

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Ref krashid #: 82

You ask {Who told you that Muslims think that there is no architecture except Islamic Architecture.}

Well, almost all of you guys imply that, but for the benevolent Muslim sultans and emperors, India would have been a vast wasteland as far as art and architecture is concerned.

You say {If you travel to Iran, you will see the preservation of non- Islamic architecture as much as Islamic architecture, i.e cultural heritage.}

And the UN had to appeal to the Taliban not to destroy what remains of the colossal statue of Buddha at Bamiyan.

You say {It is only in India that whole nation applauds the demolition of Babri Mosque.}

There is also a police case registered against those who led the demolition, a fact that perhaps is not known to those who want to read about India selectively.

Considering that the Gyan Vapi Mosque in Benares is cheek by jowl against the Vishwanath Temple, you should talk about tolerance when I can take one picture of Ram into Saudi Arabia. Yeah, I know; those guys are bad Muslims and the good Muslims actually practice religious tolerance as decreed in the Qur`an. But there can be no good Hindus because just one old, unused mosque was demolished by a mob which could not have been controlled by any police force. Can you list any other mosque or Islamic structure that was demolished?

Have you even seen a picture of this mosque? It is an ordinary brick-and-mortar building totally undistinguished by anything except the fact that it is claimed to have been built by Babar on the site of a temple to Ram. Compared to the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore or the Jumma Masjid in Delhi, this was a nothing building. You guys are carrying on as if this was an architectural marvel.

You say {There is no doubt that Islamic architecture is different from other, for the reason of not using live figures, statues pornography (aesthetics?)etc.}

As for the pornographic statues that you refer to at Khajuraho, the Hindus have been worshipping at that temple for centuries, pretty much ignoring the statues. It is the foreigners who troop there by the thosands to stare at the statues. Ten or twenty amorous figures do not necessarily detract from the rest of the temple.

Ref krashid #: 81

You say {In your post, you asserted that the places where Muslim influence was not strong there are Hindu sites still present. And you gave the name of places where Muslim influence was not strong.

UP, Punjab, Bengal and Bihar.

In fact Bihar was conquered at the time of Khilji or Tughlaq by one of my clansman ancesstor. As far as UP, Bengal and Punjab with no Muslim influence. I think I have to read the history book which you have used as reference.

My words were {Perhaps you should inquire why is it that in those areas where the Muslim influence was not as strong as in Punjab, UP, Bihar and Bengal, you have Hindu monuments of great antiquity as well as artistic value.}

Please re-read the sentence to see if it means what you read into it. I did not put a comma after ``as strong`` which would mean Punjab, UP, Bihar and Bengal being examples of weak Muslim influence. You could have read it as I meant it to be read, ``as strong as (it was) in Punjab, etc.``

Choice between introspection and the next post, and kashmir. From nation,

Readers Column

Economic policies

The growing tendency to suicide in our society is really disturbing. Suicides by many people, especially young men, over the last few months depict how excruciating and traumatic are the conditions a poor common man is passing through and how difficult it is for him to keep body and soul together. All this is the result of cruel economic policies of IMF and World Bank that successive governments have been implementing. Structural adjustments`, reforms` and rehabilitation process` have wrought havoc and have made the circumstances hotter than hell for an ordinary man.

The number of suicides during the last few months are enough to contradict the tall claims of both Government and lenders that they have managed the country`s shattered economy well. Truly speaking, the economic and financial conditions of this country have further deteriorated. Its economy is still in a shambles and is far away from the takeoff point. - SHAHID HUSSAIN QABOOLPURIA, Lahore, August 5.