Glimpses of Tazia: A Cultural, Mythological & Religious Context

A significant part of the Muharram celebrations for Muslims as well as non-Muslims, Tazia occupies a pivotal position in Indian subcontinent. It is an insignia or replica of the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s.), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Tazias are carved out from various stuffs of wood, bamboo, papers, plastics and tinsels.

Tazias are generally taken out in procession on the night of the 9th day of Muharram and are buried on the night of the 10th day of Muharram in commemoration of Imam Husain martyred in AD 680. The 10th Day of Muharram is called the Day of Ashura (عاشوراء) as Imam Husain was martyred on this day along with his companions and kith and kin in the battle of Karbala fought against the army of Yazid the then tyrant potentate of Syria. Tazia the replica of the mausoleum of Imam Husain is brought with immense care, and reverence by both and placed in Imambara. The huge Tazias are permanently kept in the azakhana or Imambaras a sacred and secluded place reserved especially for Tazias. When Tazias are brought into the azakhanas or unveiled of the sacred shroud, the atmosphere is filled with pious melancholy, sadness and mourning. Etymologically, the word ‘Tazia’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘aza’ which means remembering the dead with reverence and consoling the kith and kin of the deceased, but it is now only used to commemorate the martyrs of Karbala Imam Husain and his acolytes including his family members.

Cultural, Mythological & Religious Context of Tazia:

Tazia as a kind of passion play is an all-embracing autochthonous form considered as the national form of Iranian theatre having universal influence on the Iranian dramatic art. It has its roots in the Zoroastrian mythologies of Mithraism and Sug-e-Siavush (Mourning for Siavush a mythic innocent Prince brutally killed by his father-in-law). The Tazia ritual originated in Iran in the late 17th century.

Tazia, is a form of traditional, religious Persian theatre in which the drama is conveyed through music, narration, prose and singing of threnodies. It is sometimes referred to as "condolence theater".  Though seems weird, it is very ancient practice prevalent in Iranian culture where acts of self-laceration or self-mutilation during mourning ceremonies, especially those held in honor of a god-like hero or a blameless youth are found. On the 10^th day of Muharram, the Shia Muslims especially of Iran and India come out in processions flagellating themselves with sharp razors and fists of hands beating their chests as a mark of reverence to Imam Husain. The pageantry performed like opera in the streets, acts as catharsis on the psyche of the Muslims. The saga of martyrs of Karbala is recited and their tales of woes, agonies and pangs are created live in the Imambaras by Shia Muslims.

Image: Siyavash is Pulled from His Bed and Killed 

The Religious context:

For Shia Muslims the month of Muharram and Tazia are interwoven in their life to such an extent that it has become a synonym of religion. Religion without Muharram and Tazia is beyond imagination of a Shia Muslim.

It is believed that Mongol king Tamerlane, introduced the practice of Tazia somewhere in fourteenth century. The tale tells that Taimur was on a conquest in India, he used a replica of Imam Husain's mausoleum to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Husain. Parading round the facsimile of Imam Husain’s shrine, he used to pay homage to the great martyrs of Karbala. Slowly this practice became the ritual of the people which later ingrained in the hearts and minds of the people especially Shia Muslims as inseparable part of religious rites. In this way Tazia became the religious practice in India for commemorating the death of Imam Husain and the 72 innocents in the battle of Karbala.

Apart from this version of the story that Taimur introduced and popularized Tazia in Indian subcontinent, some historians extend credit to Mughal king Humayun. The similar versions of popularizing veneration of Tazia are attributed to the Nawabs of Awadh and Lucknow who lavishly contributed for building Imambaras in Lucknow. In the time of Nawab Asif-ud-Daula, the Tazia reached to their magnificent zenith because it is said that the nawab and his advisors used to visit common people’s houses to pay homage to their Tazia and offer large sums of money for their making and maintenance.

Whatever the glory of Tazia was in the past, the glory still remains in the present also and shall remain till the sands of life shall run. The Tazia, now are not merely a passion play or an opera being played in the streets and on the roads, it is a spiritual journey having its esoteric connotations. The beauty of colourful shrines not the exact replica of the tomb or the mausoleum of Imam Husain does attract not only Shias and Sunnis but it also attracts people of all sects.

(Image Credit: Siyavash is Pulled from His Bed and Killed Shahnama, Sultanate of Delhi, 1450 Master of the Jainesque Shahnama. Date: ca. 1425–50 Culture: India, possibly Malwa. Medium:Master of the Jainesque Shahnama.Public Domain image Wikipedia)

Thwarting Anger by simple tricks

क्रोधाद्भवति संमोह: संमोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रम:। 

स्मृतिभ्रंशाद्बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति॥

The horrors of Anger are depicted in the aphorism of Srimad Bhagvad Geeta, as Anger creates an intoxicating effect on mind which destroys memory leading to perdition of intelligence and wisdom which annihilate everything ultimately.

While treating or dealing with issues related to anger, many suggestions can be made for strategic management of anger. Each suggestion aims at helping the individual to come out of anger related issues. It definitely helps to those who are hot tempered and are easily excited. Irritability flows in their veins like blood flows in their veins.

It is quite understandable that anger arise normally in response to situations which are upsetting. Sometimes it touches its zenith culminating into violence. When a person encounters with sporadic fits of anger and recklessness, it rings an alarm of prompt treatment. Anger management strategies are devised to help an individual to come out of the horrors of anger and it helps an individual return to a healthy, normal life full of vigour and vitality.

There is a film named, “A Baby’s Day Out” likewise taking a time-out is powerful trick to manage anger. Keeping one away from a situation or pushing away a person from irritating situation is time-out trick. It is not a herculean task. It is very simple to practise. It only requires an angry person a simple ride in the car or walking out to a garden. Playing any sports or going out in a garden or strolling on a beach will burn the anger inciting energy within an individual without any outside help from others. It not only saves reputation but also saves time and energy of others who otherwise stroll to calm you down. There are other suggestions for time out which includes reading, listening to music or simply sitting silently all alone in secluded place preferably under the verdant trees on the lap of ley. Each of these strategies are healthy management to contain anger.

A second trick for a healthy anger management is, possessing up to the anger. It is quite clear that anger is the product of an irritating situation or a conflict with another person, but the owner of the anger is the troubled person. A troubled person is the sole king of anger and none suffers except the owner of the diadem of anger, so the medicine to control or remove the malady lies with the sole king. He alone can learn these simple tricks and thwart the enemy.

When anyone becomes mad and distraught, he is required to reveal the reasons that led to angriness whatever they be fear, frustration, hurt, sadness, confusion, jealousy or anything else.

A third trick for managing anger is to look back on those situations which upset an individual and try to alter the situations which were responsible to arouse anger or wildness. It lies within the person to learn how to avoid such incidents which cause rage. Even any such untoward incident takes place, the individual must try to cope up with the same very calmly without being hyperresponsive and succumbing to the same.

A fourth suggestion regarding healthy management tricks is to face the situation or person. Talk to the person or people concerned, peacefully, to try to dig out the root cause of the problem. The angry individual will surely discover that the whole thing was a medley, of misunderstanding. The individual might also try asking the person or people in the situation to think about their behavior and perhaps even change it. It may be surprising what people would be willing to do to help the person who is attempting to deal with their problems with anger. Hopefully everything will work out for the best. Sometimes a person must simply accept the situations and people they cannot change and either deal with it or walk away.

Learning healthy anger management tricks should be applied by those with anger problems. There are many books published regarding anger and anger management. There is also a treasure of information available within the pages of the books for those who are attempting to deal with their anger by learning healthy anger management strategies but the above are simple five tricks that deal with how to cope up with anger.