Book Title: Mathura: A Tapestry of Art and Devotion
Author: Pradip Bhatnagar, Sangeeta Bhatnagar, BK Goswami
Writen By Lippi Parida
The pivotal figure of the MAHABHARATA(The Odyssey of the Dwapara yuga)was Shri Krishna–the charioteer of Arjuna!Experts say the events took place in the 3rd century BC!
Mathura is the city of Lord Krishna & Braj is its countryside.They have been in existence for 3000 years.One of the oldest living cities of the world.
The book MATHURA—A tapestry of art&devotion—-published by NIYOGI books takes us on a pictorial journey of this ancient divinised landscape.Written by Shri Pradip Bhatnagar—who was Commissioner Agra Division,Shrimati Sangeeta Bhatnagar who as President Akansha Samiti of Agra has travelled frequently to Mathura and has first hand knowledge of the arts,crafts,festivals and cuisine of the region and Shri BK Goswami Secretary to the Tourism department of the Government of India—it shares with us a plethora of magical moments and experiences immersed in the charm of Krishna.
Taken over by Jarasandha,the King of Magadha,Mathura soon became the centre of Buddhism and remained so for several hundred years according to documentary proof of Chinese travellers like Hieun Tsang.About 3000 Buddhist monks lived in 20 monastries.There were 6stupas on the banks of the Yamuna.The colours of Krishnas devotion,the dulcet hymns of Braj Bhasha and a history steeped in artistic excellence and mysticism is what makes MATHURA the book,so magical.
Pictures of beautiful miniature paintings depicting Krishnas leelas are to be found in the book.The evil king Kansa killed by Krishna by hurtling him into a crevice .Krishna lore pervades the visual and performing arts in all of India,and more so in Mathura.The book beautifully illustrates a history steeped in artistic excellence and mysticism.Devotion and art woven together.
Popular in the 19th century Braj Bhasha it continues to be popular to this day.Amir Khusro the musician poet and scholar wrote the famous composition—Chang tilak sab cheeni,money naina milaye ke—u have taken away my looks,my identity,by just a glance—in Braj Bhasha.Tulsidas wrote his Vinay Patrika in the same language.Much of the Hindi poetry taught to high school students in India is in Braj Bhasha even today.
Historians say Mathura was the first centre of art to produce devotional icons for Buddhism,Jainism and Hinduism.Thus the Mathura School of Sculpture drew inspiration from regional styles of sculpture like the yaksha sculptures.The Bhakti movement brought a cultural and artistic renaissance in Mathura–Vrindavan.Every art form was employed to please the lord—music,dance,painting,floral art,cooking,stitching and even embroidery.
Art is offered as seva to the deities.—Sanjhi,pichwai,phool bangla,charkula dance,Mayur dance,raas.
KRISHNA COUTURE–The religious economy of Mathura is largely centred around bhog–offering of food,raag–music in the form of bhajan,shringar–adornment
Pichwais,poshak,mukut and jewellery are a cottage industry.Several homes are engaged in stitching and embroidery of poshak.Dress materials of all kinds–silk,cotton,satin and tafta are used with zardozi,bead and mirror work.
Vrindavan—Mathuras sister city ranks slightly higher than Mathura in the minds of Hindus.Krishna is supposed to have spent much of his childhood here and performed many of his miracles.The Kalia mardan ghat—is where Krishna killed Kalia–the poisonous serpent.
Mathura is the land of festivals.Everyday a religious celebration takes place in a temple or around some ghat or scared tank.There is Holi,Janmashtami,Chunari manorath and Parikramas.Mathura is also famous for ashrams and gaushalas.Cows have been venerated in India from ancient times.Shri Krishna himself came from a family of cowherds and one of his holy names is Gopal.In the land of Krishna,the protection of this sacred animal is believed to bring special merit to the protector.Hence Mathura is replete with Gaushalas.
The food offered to the deities is called Bhog and Mathura and Vrindavan are known for their bhog seva.
Krishna did not eat for seven days while bearing the Govardhan hill on his little finger,so as a gesture of gratitude to their saviour,the villagers prepared 56dishes and offered them as Chappan bhog to their protector Lord Krishna and the Govardhan Hill.Sanitised kitchens offer ladoos, matris and kachoris,rajbhog,scented water,boondi,sev,chopped fruits,pooris,kachoris,saag and vegetables.And after each meal paan stuffed with dry fruit and misri is offered.
And peda,rabri,kachoris and thandais have become popular street food.
And now we come to the geo speciality sweet of the city—Mathura peda. The Mathura peda not only has a long association with Mathura but is also an exercise in ancient gastronomy.Gallons of milk are boiled and cooled down to a solid state.This is also supposed to be the way mother Yashoda prepared peda for lord Krishna.Every morning the streets of Mathura and Vrindavan wake up to the smell of boiling milk and the sound of ringing bells.Yoghurt is set in large terracota deep dishes,with a layer of malai on top and is a popular summer drink in the streets of Mathura.Then there is bhaang and thandai,Kachori and bedmis,pakoras.Jalebi the favourite breakfast snacks in North India and rabri and khurchan.Locals claim rabri is Mathuras contribution to the world of desserts.
So delve into Mathura—the tapestry of art and devotion and discover for yourself the magical land of Krishna.
Where everything from couture to food is divinised.
And the spiritual heritage of Braj and its people makes one realise that it is the centre of culture and civilization.Order your copy today.