Sadath's Blog

  A VISIT TO TIRUVALAM   Tiruvalam is a small town situated on the banks of the river Ponnai. It is a gateway to north from Tamilnadu. The Ponnai river bed and the bridges fascinate the onlookers who happen to pass by this town. The town is densely populated by Hindus but Muslims also live in a small proportion.  Tiruvalam Rajendra Bridge On December 16th, 2016, Friday, I was returning from Thiruvalluvar University, Serkadu, to Melvisharam. On the way, I came across the famous Tiruvalam Bridge. I knew that the foundation for the 8-decade-old Rajendra Bridge at Tiruvalam had been laid by Janab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib of Melvisharam. Driven by a desire to learn more about his contributions, I entered into Tiruvalam for the first time. After offering the Asar prayer at the town's only mosque, Allah gave me the opportunity to meet Janab Akbar Basha Sahib, a 70-year-old native of Tiruvalam and a retired secondary-grade teacher and assistant headmaster at the Government Higher ...

The Role of Non-Muslim Persian Poets of Madras in Preserving and Promoting Persian and Urdu Literature While browsing through old Urdu books published from Madras, I came across a 75-year-old Urdu magazine titled Funkar . This monthly magazine, published in August 1951, had an editorial board composed of renowned Urdu scholars such as Kavish Badri, Nooris Khiyami, and Danish Aazmi. As I began reading the magazine, I discovered an interesting article titled Madras mein Farsi Nazam ke Hindu Sho’ra . The article was compiled (in English or Persian) by Allama Dr. Abdul Haq, former Principal of Presidency College, Madras. It was translated and published into Urdu by Afzal-ul-Ulama, Professor Syed Abdul Wahab Sahib Bukhari, also known as S.A.W. Bukhari former principal (1958-1967) of New College, Chennai. After reading this insightful article, I gained a deeper understanding of how the 18th and 19th century societies thrived in cultural harmony. The Persian language, once widely spoken b...

  THE SIDDIQ SARAI A Monument of Charity (1921-2021) Hundred Years of Noble Service Introduction Madras also known as Chennai is a home of many monuments. Upon disembarking at Dr. MGR Central Railway station (named in 2019) one can admire iconic red colour towers for its architectural marvel. Let me brief that this landmark was identified with two other names as the ‘Madras Central’ in 1873and Chennai Central in 1996. On walking towards west magnificent buildings catch the attention of viewers. Among them is Chennai Suburban Railway terminus and reservation centre. Where once stood Moore Market 1900-1985. Though I have not seen it but elderly people praise it as one spot shopping complex. Next comes The Madras Town Hall, built in Indo Saracenic Style by the contributions of 35 Elites of Madras Presidency (opened during 1888-1890) also known as Victoria Hall christened after Queen Victoria to commemorate her golden Jubilee tenure as Queen, is another remarkable edifice nea...