|
During one of my shooting assignment at Mani Bhavan for an Airline
magazine I had a chance meeting with the Iranian girls. We became
instant friends and they invited me to join them in their whirlwind
tour of Mumbai. When we talk of Iran we think of the current spat
going on between the United States and Iran
over nuclear issues and the then
Ayatollahs led revolution that was instrumental in introducing
Islamic laws in Iran.
We associate women from Islamic countries usually clad in black
flowing gown and veil over their faces. These Iranian girls demolish
those images to shreds. My newly found Iranian friends were dressed
in western outfits and spoke in smattering English. They were
amazingly full of life and jest.
Parisa, who works in the medical field in Iran, was bubbly and
boisterous. She was keen to meet her Bollywood heroes Aamir Khan and
Salman Khan. Mina, if I am correct, said that she deals in
cosmetics products. She has an admiration for the Americans. Shirin
is a psychologist and expressed her love for India. She wanted to
know if they would be allowed to work in India.
During our conversation they said it is a wrong notion that all
women in Iran lead a life under veil or for that matter face any
restrictions. They emphasized that their society is progressive and
women are treated with respect and dignity. I do admire these
women’s will to step out of the traditional domain of Islamic
society and travel all the way to India.
I hope my images of these Iranian girls do help in dispelling some
of the misconception about women in Iran.
Mani Bhavan
Mani Bhavan is a memorial dedicated to the great 20th
century leader Mahatma Gandhi. He spearheaded India’s freedom
struggle against the British rule that led to India’s
Independence. Mani Bhavan is a huge tourist attraction for people
from all part of the world. It was from Mani Bhavan that Gandhi led
many of his movements such as Non- Cooperation moment, Satyagraha,
Swadeshi, Khadi and the Khilafat. Actually Mani Bhavan originally
had belonged to Revashankar Jagjeevan Jhaveri and the Mani family
who played host to Gandhi whenever he visited Bombay. In 1955 it
was taken over by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi.
If there is one person in this world whom I admire the most then
that is none other than Mahatma Gandhi. He towers above all other
great leader of the 20th century. According to me, he is
one person who comes close to being a called a true Messiah of the
poor. It was after I read his autobiography that I came to know how
great a person he was. I think Gandhi was the only leader who led
his life by example on what he preached. His teachings are relevant
to all times and always would remain immortal. If you come to
Mumbai, do not miss the opportunity to visit Mani Bhavan that throws
light on various facets of his life and struggle.
Rajen Nair
|
