These images are taken from a film called Jodha Akbar starring Hritik Roshan as Akbar, the great Mughal Emperor of 1555-1605, and Aishwarya Rai Bachhan as his wife Jodha, a Hindu Rajput princess. The marriage was allianced for the sake of a peace treaty between Hindustan and her Mughal rulers, but the Princess, in true Rajput style, had two pre-nuptual conditions. The first was that she must never, under any circumstances be made to convert, and secondly, that a temple housing her idol of Lord Krishna be built within her chambers. Akbar, a little stunned, and very impressed, acquiesced. The mutual respect, trust and devotion between Conqueror and Consort sowed seeds of racial and religious tolerance all over India.
Today, 25th of January, is my parents' 34th wedding anniversary. Theirs is a Jodha Akbar story for our times. Marriage with a Muslim, no matter how handsome and splendid a doctor, was no easier for my mother, a true Zoroastrian, to agree to, than it was for the Rajput princess five centuries ago. It was a leap of faith that I for one, am very glad she made!Today, inspite of the media hungrily devouring stories of racial and religious intolerance, I breathe deeply into time, and remember love that conquers all.
Happy Anniversary Perveen and Chotu!!
Lucky Lucky girl. You are so blessed to have grown between the love of these two giants.
ReplyDeleteThey are brave, like you are. To endure so many years, with joy and romance in tact is not a feat for the faint of heart.
Plant a kiss for me on both of their cheeks.
oh! one of my favorite movies! and lovely story of your parents! thank you for this post. have a nice week. kenza
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary to your lovely parents!
ReplyDeleteYour words are so full of pride for who they are. I love that!
Your parents are a lovely couple. Congratulations to them on 34 years of marriage : )
ReplyDeleteMy warmest regards to your beautiful parents. I have this movie on my Netflix queue but I see that I can actually "watch it now" - so I think I'll see it this evening. I love Indian films and love Netflix so I can see them at home and rewind if I miss something on the subtitles!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling well! Is there a big celebration planned for your parents anniversary?
Your parents are beautiful Shaista. Blessings to them!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful darling.
ReplyDeleteGlory to the honour of the power of love.
I am a Catholic married to a Muslim. I am a person married to a person.
Love you.
Please say happy anniversary to your gorgeous parents.
Renee xoxox
Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by the story of Jodha Akbar, and even lovelier, you have a real-life example to share! I'm glad that your parents' marriage has been an enduring one. That is a joyous photograph of them.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to your lovely parents! Love conquers all:))
ReplyDeleteThank you for this timely and hopeful message. What a wonderful story, both parallel stories.
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