Badami (ಬಾದಾಮಿ Vatapi)
—  city  —
Statue of Vishnu (Badami Cave Temples)
Badami (ಬಾದಾಮಿ Vatapi) Location of Badami (ಬಾದಾಮಿ Vatapi) in Karnataka and India
Coordinates	15°55′12″N 75°40′49″E / 15.92°N 75.68028°E / 15.92; 75.68028Coordinates: 15°55′12″N 75°40′49″E / 15.92°N 75.68028°E / 15.92; 75.68028
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District(s)	Bagalkot
Population • Density	25,851 (2001[update]) • 2,372 /km2 (6,143 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	10.9 square kilometres (4.2 sq mi) • 586 metres (1,923 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 587 201 • Telephone • +08357

Badami (Kannada: ಬದಾಮಿ), formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya lake.

Etymology[link]

The name Vatapi has origin in the Vatapi legend of Ramayana relating to Sage Agastya.There were two demon siblings Vatapi and Ilvala. They used to kill all mendicants by tricking them in a peculiar way. The elder Ilvala would turn Vatapi into a ram and would offer its meat to the guest. As soon as the person ate the meat, Ilvala would call out the name of Vatapi. As he had a boon that whomsoever Ilvala calls would return from even the netherland, Vatapi would emerge ripping through the body of the person, thus killing him. Their trick worked until Sage Agastya countered them by digesting Vatapi before Ilvala could call for him, thus ending the life of Vatapi at the hands of Ilvala. Two of the hills in Badami represent the demons Vatapi and Ilvala.

It is also believed that name Badami has come from colour of its stone(badam -Almond).

History[link]

• Dravidian architecture - Badami Chalukyas
• Hindu temple architecture - Badami Chalukya architecture
• Political history of medieval Karnataka - Badami Chalukyas
• Architecture of Karnataka - Badami Chalukya architecture
• Chalukyas of Badami

Extent of Badami Chalukyas Empire, 636 CE, 740 CE

Badami was the capital of the Early Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh between the 6th and 8th centuries. It was founded in 540 AD by Pulakesi I(535-566 AD), an early ruler of the Chalukyas. His sons Kirthivarman (567-598 AD) and his brother Mangalesha I (598-610 AD) constructed the cave temples. The greatest among them was Pulakesi II (610-642 AD) who defeated many kings but failed to capture Pallava's capital Kanchipuram.

The rock-cut Badami Cave Temples were sculpted mostly between the 6th and 8th centuries. The four cave temples represent the secular nature of the rulers then, with tolerance and a religious following that inclines towards Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. cave 1 is devoted to Shiva, and Caves 2 and 3 are dedicated to Vishnu, whereas cave 4 displays reliefs of Jain Tirthankaras. Deep caverns with carved images of the various incarnations of Hindu gods are strewn across the area, under boulders and in the red sandstone. From an architectural and archaeological perspective, they provide critical evidence of the early styles and stages of the southern Indian architecture.

The Pallavas under the king Narasimhavarman I (also called Mamalla Pallava) seized it in 642 AD. Vikramaditya I of Chalukyas drove back Pallavas in 654 AD. and led a successful attack on Kanchipuram, the capital of Pallavas [This statement needs reference]. The Rashtrakutas absorbed karnataka including Badami around 757 AD and the town lost its importance. Also see Chola-Chalukya wars.The Chola-Chalukya wars were a series of wars fought from 992 C.E. to 1120 C.E. between the Chola and the Chalukya kingdoms .It was occupied by the Hoysalas.

Then it passed on to Vijayanagara empire, The Adil Shahis, The Savanur Nawabs, The Marathas, Hyder Ali. The Britishers made it part of the Bombay Presidency.

Inscriptions[link]

Old Kannada inscription of Chalukya King Mangalesa dated 578 CE at Badami cave temple no.3

Badami has eighteen inscriptions, among them some inscriptions are important. The first Sanskrit inscription in old Kannada script, on a hillock dates back to 543 CE, from the period of Pulakesi I (Vallabheswara), the second is the 578 CE cave inscription of Mangalesa in Kannada language and script and the third is the Kappe Arabhatta records, the earliest available Kannada poetry in tripadi (three line) metre.^[1][2][3] one inscription near the Bhutanatha temple, on a rock, testifies to Mamalla Pallava's victory over the Chalukyas in the year 642 CE. It also has inscriptions dating back to the 12th century in Jain rock-cut temple dedicated to the Tirtankara Adinatha.

Vatapi Ganapati[link]

In the Karnatic music and Hamsadwani raga the Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje by the composer Mutthuswamy Deekshitar.^[4] The idol of Vatapi Ganapati is now in Tiruchenkaatankudi near Thanjavur of Tamilnadu.

In 7th century, Vatapi Ganapati idol was brought from Badami (Vatapi - Chalukya capital) by Sirutondar(General of Pallavas) who defeated Chalukyas.^[5]

Culture[link]

The main languages is Kannada. The local population wears traditional Indian cotton wear.

Tourism[link]

Bhutanatha group of temples facing the Agasythya Tank

Mallikarjuna group of temples at Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka

Vishnu image in Cave temple No. 3

Landmarks in Badami include cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions and sculptures.

• A Buddhist cave in a natural setting that can be entered only by crawling on knees.
• The Bhutanatha temple, a small shrine, facing

the lake, constructed in 5th century.

• Badami Fort situated on top of the hill.
• Many Shivalayas including the Malegitti Shivalaya with 7th century origins.
• The Dattatreya temple.
• The Mallikarjuna temple dating back to the 11th century, built on a star shaped plan.
• a Dargah, a dome of an Islamic place of worship on the south fort side.
• Vista points on top of the North Fort for the view of the ancient town below.
• Temple of Banashankari, a Kuladevata (family deity) for many families, is located near Badami.
• Archaeological museum, that has collection of sculptures from Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.

Cave temples[link]

Badami is famous for its sandstone cave temples.^[6] Cave temple 1 may be the oldest in Badami. It is made of red sandstone and has a hall with numerous pillars and a square shaped sanctum hollowed in the control back wall. There are paintings of amorous couples on the ceiling. Other features include Shiva and his consort Parvati with a coiled serpent and the 18 armed lord Nataraja in 81 dancing poses.

Cave temple 2 is dedicated to Vishnu (as Trivikrama) with one foot master

Badami, India

ing the Earth and the other the sky. Vishnu is also portrayed as Varaha and Krishna.

Cave temple 3 dates back to 578 AD. The façade of the cave is nearly 70 feet wide, with carvings of ganas on the plinth. It contains examples of Deccan art, illustrating the culture and clothing of the 6th century. There are high relief carvings of Vishnu with a serpent, Vishnu as Narasimha, Varaha, Harihara and Trivikrama.

Cave temple 4 relates to 6th century Jainism. There is a carving of the Tirthankara Parshavnatha (with a serpent at his feet). Mahavira is depicted in a sitting posture. Tourism Badami•Cave-I the first shrine has at its entrance Shiva’s door keepers; to the right inside is the figure of Shiva of about five feet height and in the tandava dancing pose with 18 arms. Beside him are Nandi, dancing Ganapati, etc. There is a neatly carved perfect figure of Mahishasuramardini and several other rock –cut dwarf images of kubja ganas, Nagaraja or snake king, Vidhyadhara couple, etc., are on the ceiling. •Badami-Cave-2 the second cave and on its front are the guards or dvarapalakas holding lotus in their hands. East and West walls of the cave have large images of Bhuvaraha and Trivikrama. On the ceiling are engraved Ananthashayana, Bramha, Vishnu, Shiva and Asthadikpalakas. • Badami-Cave-3the third cave is dedicated to Vishnu, and is the best and the biggest, and it has splendid giant figures of Paravasudeva, Bhuvaraha, Harihara and Narasimha. All these statues are engraved in a vigorous style. An inscription found here records the creation of the shrine by Mangalesha in 578. There are some paintings on the ceiling and the style indicates maturity but has lost its original dazzling colour. The bracket figures on the piers here are some of the finest. • Badami-Cave-4, the fourth cave is Jaina which lies a little east of cave III. The sanctum is adorned by the image of Mahavira. The pedestal contains an old Kannada inscription of the 12th century A.D. which registers the death of one Jakkave. Scores of Jaina Thirthankara images have been engraved in the inner pillars and walls. In addition to it, there are some idols of Bahubali, Yakshas and Yakshis. Some scholars assign the cave to the 8th century. •Other Temples at Badami On the north hill, there are three temples, of which Malegitti-Shivalaya is perhaps the oldest temple and also the finest in Badami, and has a Dravidian tower. Out of the two inscriptions found here, one states that Aryaminchi upadhyaya, as the sculptor who got this temple constructed and the other dated 1543 speaks of the erection of a bastion during the Vijayanagara rule. The lower Shivalaya has a Dravidian tower, and only the sanctum remains now. •Jambulinga temple, situated in the town, is presumably the oldest known trikutachala temple in Karnataka. An inscription dated 699 ascribes construction of this temple to Vinayavathi mother of Emperor Vijayaditya. •The place also has Agasthya Tirtha, temples of Goddess Yellamma, Mallikarjuna, Datttreya and Virupaksha. Bhuthanatha group of temples are most important in Badami. (Source: Karnataka State Gazetteer 1983)

Badami Fort[link]

Badami fort lies east of the Bhuthnath temple, atop a cliff right opposite the Badami cave temples. The entrance to this temple is right through the Badami museum. It is a steep climb with many view points and dotted with little shrines. The path is laid with neatly cut stone, the same that adores all the architecture around.^[7]

Geography[link]

Badami is located at 15°55′N 75°41′E / 15.92°N 75.68°E / 15.92; 75.68.^[8] It has an average elevation of 586 metres (1922 ft). It is located at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills and surrounds Agastya tirtha water reservoir on the three other sides. The total area of the town is 10.3 square kilometers.

It is located 30 kilometers from Bagalkot,128 kilometers from Bijapur, 132 kilometers from Hubli, 46 kilometers from Aihole, another ancient town, and 589 kilometers from Bangalore,^[9] the state capital.

Climate[link]

• Summer - March to June
• Spring - Jan to March
• Monsoons - July to October that contributes to rainfall
• Winter - November to Jan

The temperature ranges from minimum 23 degrees to 45 degrees during summer and from 15 to 29 degrees in winter. The rainfall of the area is 50 centimeters. Best time to visit is between low humid season from November and March.

The cool climate has made it a safe haven for the monkeys of south India. Tourists often flock to Badami for the opportunity to see monkeys interact in a natural environment.

Economy[link]

The main economy is centered around karnataka tourism.

Government[link]

It is a town in the Bagalkot District in Karnataka state, India. It is also head quarters of Badami Taluk in the district.

Transport[link]

The nearest airport is Belgaum about 150 kilometers away. It is on the Hubli - Sholapur rail route, and the rail station is 5 kilometers from the town. It is also connected by road to Hubli and Bijapur. Badami is reachable from Bengalooru by a 12-hour bus ride, or by a direct train "Bijapur Express (train no. 6535 and 6535A)" or with a combination of an overnight train journey from Bangalore to Hospet followed by a short bus ride from Hospet to Badami. Another train journey could be from Bangalore to Hubli (8–9 hours) and then a bus ride to Badami (3 hours). Badami is around 130 km from Hubli. Local transport is by Rickshaws, tongas and city buses.

Badami is around 150 km from Hospet which has a decent motorable road. A car journey would take around 4 hours from Hospet to Badami.

Demographics[link]

As of 2001 India census,^[10] Badami had a population of 25,851. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Badami has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the males and 41% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Panoramic view of Agastya lake, Badami.

Climbing[link]

Badami Cliffs

Bolted routes in the Temple area, Badami

Badami's red sand stone cliffs are popular amongst local and international climbers. This is great location for free and sport climbing and bouldering. The cliffs have horizontal crack systems, similar to Gunks. There are over 150 bolted routes and multiple routes for free climbing. Gerhard Schaar, a German Climber and Pranesh Manchaiah, a local climber from Bangalore, were instrumental in setting up the sport routes driving a project called 'Bolts for Bangalore'.^[11]

See also[link]

External links[link]

• Romance on the Rocks… Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole.
• Architecture of Indian Subcontinent (under Karnataka)
• Article on Indian Murals
• Badami art and archearlogy
• Badami temples of Karnataka
• Bagalkot district info about Badami
• Photographs of Badami and other monuments of Karnataka
• Photos of historical sites of Badami
• Rock climbing
• Badami Google map
• Badami and Mahakuta are on exactly opposite edges of the hill as shown on Google Maps

Gallery[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Badami

References[link]

• Karnataka State Gazetteer 1983

v t e  Karnataka topics Overviews Architecture Cinema Climate Cuisine Demography Economy Education Folk Arts Geography History Media People Sports Transportation Wildlife History Aihole Alupas Amoghavarsha Badami Banavasi Chalukyas Chitradurga Nayaka Gangas Halmidi Hampi Hoysala Empire Kadambas Keladi Nayaka Kittur Chennamma Manyakheta Pattadakal Pulakesi II Rashtrakutas Srirangapatna Tipu Sultan Unification of Karnataka Vijayanagara empire Western Chalukyas Mysore Kingdom Geography Cities and towns Districts Rivers Taluks Villages Bayaluseeme Malenadu Karavali Western Ghats Culture Bharatanatya Bhuta Kola Bidriware Channapatna toys Chitrakala Parishat Gaarudi Gombe Ilkal saree Kamsale Kannada Karnatik music Kasuti Khedda Mysore Dasara Togalu Gombeyaata Udupi cuisine Veeragase Yakshagana Mysore musicians Literature Haridasa Hoysala Kannada (Medieval Modern Poetry Vijayanagara Western Chalukya) Kannada Sahitya Parishat Kannada Sahitya Sammelana Karnataka Rashtrakuta Vachana Vijayanagara Western Ganga Mysore Society Karnataka ethnic groups People Akka Mahadevi Aluru Venkata Rao C. N. R. Rao U.R. Ananthamurthy Anil Kumble Rahul Dravid Basavanna Bhimsen Joshi K.M. Cariappa Chandrashekhara Kambara Da Ra Bendre Kuvempu Vi Kru Gokak Masti Venkatesh Iyengar Shivarama Karanth Gubbi Veeranna Jakanachari Kengal Hanumanthaiah Kuvempu H. Narasimhaiah N.R. Narayana Murthy S. Nijalingappa Pampa Prakash Padukone Purandara Dasa Rajkumar Vishnuvardhan Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji Visvesvaraya Tourism Beaches Dams Forts National Parks Temples Waterfalls Awards Karnataka Ratna Pampa Prashasti Basava Puraskara Rajyotsava Prashasti Jakanachari Award Varnashilpi Venkatappa Award

v t e Historical Places in North Karnataka Badami Chalukyas Badami  · Pattadakal · Aihole  · Mahakuta Western Chalukya Sudi  · Itagi  · Lakkundi  · Gadag  · Dambal  · Chaudayyadanapura  · Galaganatha Rashtrakuta Kuknur Kadamba dynasty Banavasi  · Hangal  · Halasi Vijayanagara Empire Hampi  · Mudgal  · Raichur  · Kanakagiri Bijapur Sultanate Bijapur Bidar Sultanate Bidar Bahamani Sultanate Gulbarga Princely states Kittur  · Mudhol  · Jamakhandi  · Savanur  · Sandur

v t e Settlements in Bagalkot district, Karnataka District HQ: Bagalkot Villages and Towns Achanur Adagal Adihal Adihudi Agasarakoppa Aiahole Akkimaradi Aladakatti Alagundi (B.K.) Alagur Albal Algundi Allur (S.P.) Alur Alur (S.K.) Amalzari Amarawadgi Amarawati Amblikoppa Aminagad Anadinni Anagawadi Anantagiri Anapakatti Anawal Andamuranal Ankalagi Antapur Arakeri Asangi Asangi Bachinagudd Badagandi Badami Badardinni Badgi Badnur Balakundi Ballur Bandakeri Bandigani Banhatti Bankaneri Bannidinni Bannihatti Baragi Basarikatti Basavanagar Basawanal Bavalatti Bedarabudihal Beeranur Beerkabbi Bekamaladinni Belagali Belawalakoppa Belgal Bellikindi Belur Benakanadoni Benakanavari Benakatti Bennur Bevinal Bevinamatti Bevinamatti-S.Haveli Bevoor Bhadra Nayakan Jalihal Bhagavati Bhairamatti Bhantnur Bhimanagad Bidari Bidri Bilgi Bilkerur Binjawadgi Bisaladinni Bisanal Bisanalkoppa Bisnal Bodanayakdinni Bommanagi Bommanbudni Budanagad Budhihal (S.H.) Budihal Budihal (Inam) Budihal (S.K.) Budihal (S.K.) Budihal (S.G.) Budni Budni (B.K.) Budni Khurd Budni (P.D.) Budni (P.M.) Byadar-Aralikatti Chamalapur Channal Chatnihal Chawadapur Chebbi Chick Hodlur Chick Myageri Chick Sitimani Chickbadawadgi Chickhanchinal Chickka-Shellikeri Chickkodagali Chickmagi Chickmalagavi Chick-Otageri Chicksinganagutti Chickyaranakeri Chikadapur Chikanal Chikkalaki Chikkamuchalagudda Chikkanasabi Chikkapadasalgi Chikkgulabal Chikkmuramatti Chikk-Sansi Chikkur Chilapur Chimmad Chimmalagi Chimmanakatti Chinchakhandi (B.K.) Chinchakhandi (K.D.) Chinchalakatti Chingundi Chinnapur (S.K.) Chinnapur (S.T.) Chintakamaladinni Chinvalkoppa Chirlakoppa Chitaginakopp Chitrabanukoti Chittaragi Chittawadgi Cholachagudda Choudapur Chowdakamaladinni Chowdapur Dadanatti Dammur Dasbal Dattapura Devalapur (S.M.) Devanal Dhanakashirur Dhannur Dharmnagar Dhavaleshwar Dhawaleshwar Domanal Durgadevinagar Durganagar Durgapura Fakeerabudihal Gaddankeri Gadisunkapur Gadyal Galagali Gandal Ganganabudihal Gangur Gani Ganjihal Garadadinni Ghattiganur Girgaon Girisagar Golbhavi Gonal Gonal (S.B.) Gonal (S.K.) Gonal (S.T.) Gopsani Gorbal Gorjnal Gothe Govanaki Govanakoppa Govinadinni Govindkopp Gubberakoppa Gudadinni Guddada Mallapur Gudur Gudur (S.B.) Gugalmari Gulbal Gulgal Jambagi Gundanapalli Hadagali Hadarihal Haganur Hagedal Haladur Halagali Halageri Halaki Halakurki Haligeri Halingali Hallur Hanamanal Hanamaneri (G) Hanamaneri Inam Hanamasagar Hanapur.S.P. Hanchinal Hanchinal (Inam) Handaragala Hangandi Hangaragi Hansanoor Haradolli Harnapur Havaragi Hawalakhod Hebbal Hebballi Heggur Hemawadgi Herkal Herur Hipparagi Hire Myageri Hireadapur Hirebadawadgi Hirebudihal Hiregulabal Hire-Hodlur Hirehunakunti Hirekodagali Hiremagi Hiremalagavi Hiremuchalagudda Hiremuramatti Hirenasabi Hire-Otageri Hirepadasalgi Hire-Sansi Hire-Shellikeri Hiresinganagutti Hireupnal Hireyaranakeri Honaralli Honnakatti Honnarahalli Honnihal Hoolageri Hosakoti Hosur Hulasageri Huliginal Hullalli Hullikeri Inam Hullikeri (S.P.) Hulyal Hunashikatti Hungund (Rural) Hunnur Huvanur Huvinahalli Iddalgi Ilal Indawar Ingalagi Injanawari Ishwarnagar Islampur Jadar-Aralikatti Jadramakunti Jagadal Jakanur Jalageri Jalakamaladinni Jaliber Jalihal Jalikatti (B.K) Jalikatti (K.D) Jambagi (B.K.) Jambagi (K.D.) Jambaladinni Jambgi (K.D) Jamakhandi Jammanakatti Janamatti Janawad Jangawad Jeeragal Junnur Kabbalageri Kadakol Kadalimatti Kadampur Kadapatti Kadapatti Kadapatti (S.K.) Kadarakoppa Kadiwal Kallapur Kadiwal (Inam) Kagalagomba Kainakatti Kajibilgi Kakanur Kalabandakeri Kaladgi Kalagonal Kalas Kalasakopp Kalbilagi Kalhalli Kalhatti Kallapur (S.K.) Kalligudda Kaltippi Kamadal Kamadatta Kamaladinni Kamatgi Kambalihal Kanasageri Kandagal Kandgal Kankanawadi Kannolli Karadi Karadigudd (S.A.) Karadigudda (S.N.) Karalakoppa Kasba Jambgi (B.K.) Katageri Kataginahalli Katagur Katapur Katarki Katharaki Kavatagi Kelawadi Kelur Kendura Kengalkadapatti Kerakalamatti Kerura Kesanur Kesarabhavi Kesarapenti Kesrakoppa Khairwadgi Khajagal Khajjidoni Khanapur (S.K.) Khanapur (S.P.) Khazibudihal Khyad Kirasur Kirasur Kishori Kittali Kodihal Kolur Konkanakoppa Konnur Kontikal Koppa (S.R.) Koppa (S.K.) Koppa (S.M.) Korti Kotikall Kotnalli Koujaganur Kovalli Krishnapur Krishnapur Kulageri Kulali Kulhalli Kumbarhal Kunabenchi Kunchanur Kundargi Kuragod Kutakanakeri Kyadiggeri Lakhamapur Lakkasakoppa Lavalasar Lavaleshavar Laxanatti Layadagundi Linganur Lingapur Lingapur (S.K.) Lingapur(S.R.) Lokapur Machaknur Madanamatti Madapur Madarkhandi Madhabhavi Mahalingapur Maigur Malagi Malagihal Malali Malapur Mallapur Mallapur Mallapur (P.J.) Mallapur (P.L.) Mamatageri Manahalli Mangalagudda Mangalur Mangur Maninagar Mankani Manmathanal Manneri Mannikatti Mannikeri Mantur Marapur Maratgeri Mareguddi Marikatti Marol Mastihal Mattikatti Melligeri Metgud Mirji Muchakhandi Mudapaljivi Mudavinkopp Muddapur Mudhol Mugalalli Mugalkhod Muganur Mullur Mumaraddikoppa Mundaganur Muradi Muranal Murudi Mustigeri Muttaladinni Muttalageri Muttatti Muttur Naganapur Naganur Nagaral Nagaral Nagaral Nagaral (S.B.) Nagaral (S.P.) Nagasampagi Nagur Nainegali Nakargundi Nandagoan Nandanoor Nandavadgi Nandikeshwar Narasapur Narenur Nasagunni Navalgi Navilahole Neelagund Neelanagar Neerabudihal Neeralagi Neeralakeri Nelwagi Nidasanur Nimbalgundi Ningapur Niralkeri Padanakatti Palkimanya Palti Papathanal Parwati Pattadakall Petlur Pochapur Rabkavi Rabkavi Raddera Timmapur Raghapur Rakkasagi Ramapratappa Nagar Ramateerth Ramathal Ramawadgi Rampur Ranjanagi Revadihal Rolli Rugi Saganur Saidapur Salagundi Sanal Sangam Sanganatti Sangapur Sangondi Sankalapur Saraswathinagar Sasalatti Savalagi Sevalalnagar Shaktinagar Sharadal Sheeparamatti Shirabadagi Shiraguppi Shiraguppi Shirol Shivanagar Shurpali Siddanakolla Siddapur Siddapur Sidnal Sigikeri Simikeri Sindagi Siraguppi Sirur Sitimani Sokanadgi Somalapur Somanakoppa Sonna Soragoan Sorakopp Subbalahunashi Sulibhavi Sulikeri Sulla Sunaga Suralikal Sutagundar Takkalaki Takkalki Takkod Talagihal Talakawad Tallikeri Tamadaddi Tappasakatti Tariwal Teggi Teggi Terdal Thaminal Thogunashi Timasagar Timmapur Timmapur Timmapur Timmapur (S.N.) Todalbagi Tolamatti Tondihal Tubachi Tulasigeri Tumba Tummarmatti Tungal Turadagi Turamari Udagatti Ugalawat Upnal (S.C.) Uttur Vadageri Vadergonal Vajjal Vajjaramatti Valakaladinni Vantigodi Varagodadinni Varchagal Veerapur Venkatapura Virapur Wadawatti Yadahalli Yadahalli Yadahalli Yadahalli Yallatti Yandigeri Yankachi Yankanchi Yankanchi medinapur Yaragatti Yaragoppa Inam Yaragoppa (S.B.) Yelligutti Yemmihatti Yeranaikanal Yettinatti Zunjarakopp

Not to be confused with Shamshad Begum (classical singer) (d. 1998), mother of Naseem Banu, and grandmother of actress Saira Banu.

Shamshad Begum (born April 14, 1919^[1]) is an Indian singer who was one of the first playback singers in the Hindi film industry.

Begum was born in Amritsar, Punjab. She was a big fan of K.L. Saigal and watched Devdas 14 times. She earned 15 rupees per song and was awarded 5,000 on the completion of the contract on Xenophone, a renowned music recording company.

Sometime back, a controversy erupted in the media, when several publications gave the false news of her death, before it was clarified that the Shamshad Begum who died in 1998 was Saira Banu's (Dilip Kumar's wife) grandmother with the same name. The singer has been living with her daughter Usha Ratra and son-in-law in Mumbai, ever since her husband Ganpat Lal Batto died in 1955.^[2] Recently, she celebrated her 89th birthday at her elder sister's house and now she stays at - Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai ^[3] She was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2009.^[4]

Career[link]

Begum made her debut on radio on Peshawar Radio in Lahore on December 16, 1947, captivating the hearts of her listeners with the enchanting depth of her voice. Shamshad was very much conscious of her not so beautiful face and she never posed for any pictures and not many people saw her pictures anywhere. Until the end of the 1970s, nobody knew her face at all, though everybody could recognise her melodious voice as it was used by the great maestros like Naushad Ali and O. P. Nayyar. Even today, her songs from the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s are popular and continue to be remixed by music directors.

Begum sang for the All India Radio (AIR) through her musical group 'The Crown Imperial Theatrical Company of Performing Arts', set up in Delhi. The then AIR Lahore helped her entering the world of movies as they frequently broadcast her songs, which induced music directors to use her voice for their films. Shamshad also recorded naats and devotional music for a couple of gramophone recording companies.

Her crystal-clear voice caught the attention of sarangi maestro Ustad Hussain Bakshwale Saheb, who took her as his disciple. Lahore-based composer Ghulam Haider used her voice skillfully in some of his earlier films like Khazanchi (1941) and Khandaan (1942). When he moved to Bombay in 1944, Shamshad went with him as a member of his team, leaving behind her family and staying with her Chacha (paternal uncle). She is credited with singing one of the first Westernised songs, Meri jaan...Sunday ke Sunday by C. Ramchandra. O.P. Nayyar describes her voice as that of a "temple bell" for its clarity of tone. Begum became a national rage between the 1940s and the late 1950s, having a voice different from her peers like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Geeta Dutt and Amirbai Karnataki. In 2009, she was conferred with the prestigious O P Nayyar award for her contribution to Hindi film music.^[5]

Songs[link]

• Leke pehla pehla pyar, (CID 1956), (music: O.P. Nayyar)
• Milte hi aankhen dil hua, (Duet with Talat Mehmood), (Babul), (music: Naushad)
• Chali chali kaisi yeh hawa yeh, (Duet with Usha Mangeshkar), (Bluffmaster 1965), (music: Kalyanji Anandji)
• Kabhi aar kabhi paar zara dere chalo, (Aar Paar), (music: O.P. Nayyar)
• O Gadiwale - Mother India - Naushad
• Kahin pe nigahen kahin pe nishana - CID (1956) - music O.P. Nayyar
• Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re - (1956) - music O.P.Nayyar
• Mere piya gaye Rangoon - Patanga - music C.Ramchandra
• Ek Tera Sahara – Shama - music Master Ghulam Haider
• Holi aayee re Kanhaai - Mother India (1957) - Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Music: Naushad
• Naina Bhar aye neer - Humayun - music Master Ghulam Haider
• Chod Babul Ka Ghar - Babul - music Naushad
• Kajra Mohabbatwala Ankhiyon mein Aisa dala (Duet with Asha Bhosle) - Kismat (1968) - Music: O.P. Nayyar
• Meri neendon main tum, meri khwabon mein tum (Duet with Kishore Kumar) - Naya Andaz - Music: O.P.Nayyar
• Teri Mehfil Mein Qismat (Duet with Lata Mangeshkar) - Mughal-E-Azam
• Saiyan Dil mein aana re - Bahar

'

References[link]

External links[link]

• Legends - Shamshad Begum: Her profile, Interview, complete list of her songs and her work with Music Directors and Co-Singers
• Shamshad Begum at the Internet Movie Database
• Indianetzone - Shamshad Begum
• PLANET POWAI - Shamshad Begum
• IndianMelody.com - Shamshad Begum, The Legendary Singer This link refers to the wrong Shamshad Begum, which says she has died.
• PRO BOLLYWOOD - Dharti Ko Aakash Pukare by Manohar Iyer
• PRO BOLLYWOOD - Shamshad Begum's Photos at Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards
• Dhool.com - Song of the Day # 691
• Shamshad Begum -The Eternal Voice

Video links

• Shamshad begum Film songs

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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2011)

Anita Rau Badami on Bookbits radio.

Anita Rau Badami (born 24 September 1961) is an Indian-Canadian novelist. Born in Rourkela, Orissa, India, she was educated at the University of Madras and Sophia College in Bombay. She emigrated to Canada in 1991, and earned an M.A. at the University of Calgary. Her first novel, Tamarind Mem (1997), grew out of her university thesis.^{[citation needed]}

Her novels deal with the complexities of Indian family life and with the cultural gap that emerges when Indians move to the west.

Badami's third novel, Can You Hear the Nightbird Call explores the Golden Temple Massacre and the Air India Bombing.

Badami cites as among her favourite books Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie, Cat's Eye and Surfacing by Margaret Atwood, A House for Mr Biswas by V. S. Naipaul and Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson.^[1]

Bibliography[link]

• Tamarind Mem - 1997 ISBN 0-670-86916-3 (U.S. title: Tamarind Woman - 2002)
• The Hero's Walk - 2001 ISBN 0-676-97225-X
• Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? - 2006

References[link]

External links[link]

• A conversation with Anita Rau Badami^{[dead link]}
• Review of The Hero's Walk
• Review of Tamarind Mem
• Anita Rau Badami fan page

The Nightbird is the ninth book in the Romney Marsh series of novels by Monica Edwards, published in 1955 by Collins. Like The White Riders, this is another ‘haunting’ story in which the children attempt to scare off unwelcome intruders. This time it is the French fishing fleet who are poaching in Dunsford Bay using illegal nets. The Thunderer, Jim’s old fishing smack, is transformed by the children and Jim’s fisherman friends, into a ghost ship with mysterious lighting and sound effects. Even Mr and Mrs Grey are pressed into service.

Although The Nightbird was written after Storm Ahead it is set in the autumn before Storm Ahead and just after No Entry.^[1]

The story was first published in the Young Elizabethan Magazine as a serial between April and November 1955.^[2]

Blurb from First Edition[link]

Another Romney Marsh story, and the most exciting one that Monica Edwards has ever told. When the fishermen of Westling are in despair because their fishing grounds are being poached by French boats, Tamzin, Rissa, Meryon and Roger—those four friends who live on the marshes and ride ponies and bathe and bicycle and have never a dull moment in their full lives—think out a wonderful plan. Why not sail a mystery ship, showing queer coloured lights and making eerie noises, out at night to haunt the French and perhaps scare them away? Will they be allowed to do it? Whose boat can they turn into a ghost? Will the plan succeed? Is haunting at sea too dangerous? Who will help? All these questions have to be answered. As well as problems, however, there are also triumphs and calamities, fights and rescues, riding and sailing, and much else besides before the end of this splendid, ghostly adventure.

Subsequent editions[link]

• Collins 6/- edition - 1956
• Armada paperback - 1963 and October 1968 (abridged)
• Girls Gone By Publishers reprint of original - 2006 ^[3][4]

References[link]

This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2010)

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2010)

Abdullah Kadwani (Urdu: عبدالله کڈوانی) is a Pakistani actor, model, director and producer.

Biography[link]

Abdullah Age 45 started his career as a model. Between 1991 to 1995, he had more than 25 television commercials to his credit.

Abdullah soon ventured into not only productions but direction as well. Between 1997 and 2001 he directed three serials two of which won him the “Best Serial Awards” while, on the business front, he has engaged in media and broadcast marketing and sales.

Starting out as the CEO of Media International in 1993 a media events, public relations and media marketing company, he soon took over as the CEO in partnership with Pakistan’s biggest media services group, Interflow Group in 2000, and launched his flagship company, Icon Media.

It wasn’t until 2001, when as the CEO of Media Max, he acquired the exclusive, MSR of one of the private sector Pakistani C&S TV network. He contributed substantially to the founding and standing of ARY Digital as it stands today.

Formed an entertainment company by the name of 7th Sky Entertainment with Humayun Saeed in 2005 which is now rated^[who?] as the top production house in the country.

In addition to marketing and providing consulting to more than 50 software for television in the categories of lifestyle shows, magazine shows, serials, live events and special plays, Abdullah has also produced under the banner of Media International, 3 serials in Pakistan, while producing ‘live telecast’ events, special plays, and lifestyle shows.

He is regarded as an actor in Pakistan. His acting portfolio consists of 16 serials and 50-55 special plays and telefeatures aired across various Television Channels in Pakistan.

Abdullah Kadwani has been a recipient of many awards including; ‘Best Producer’ –1997 for Panchawan Mausum - NTM Awards.

• Best Producer – 1999 for Andheray Darechay - NTM Awards.
• Best Actor - 1999 for Andheray Darechay - NTM Awards.
• Nominated for ‘Best Producer’ – 2003 for Doosri Aurat - PTV Awards.
• PTV National Award for ‘Best Producer of Events’ - 2004.
• Lux Style Awards for best drama serial ANA - 2005.

In addition he has remained the marketing consultant for PCFA and was instrumental in holding the most prestigious FAF (Fashion Apparel Fair) 1995.

References[link]

PRODUCER

Meri zaat zara-e-be-nishan

External links[link]

• Abdullah Kadwani at the Internet Movie Database
• Abdullah Kadwani Official Website
• Media Max Official Website
• Download Free Indian Pakistani English Movies
• 7thsky Productions Official Website