What Is Between India And Georgia (Part 1)
This heading might raise skepticism. Georgia isn”t a nation frequently mentioned by Indians. However, the South Indian movie industry discovered that Georgia is the perfect alternative to Switzerland for its snowy mountains. In recent times, Georgia has also gained popularity among Indian medical aspirants. In this story, we explore the historical connection between these two countries. Shota Rustaveli, a medieval Georgian poet, is considered the pre-eminent poet of the Georgian Golden Age and one of the greatest contributors to Georgian literature. Rustaveli was the author of “The Knight in the Panther”s Skin,” the Georgian national epic poem.
Here”s the moment of truth: the Georgian national epic poem is about an Indian king!
“After long and arduous travels, Avtandil meet the man in panthers skin. The man in the panther’s skin tells Avtandil that he is a prince and general of India, Tariel by name, and the affianced of Nestan Darejan (She of beauty beyond compare ), daughter of the Indian emperor. Nestan had been betrothed against her will to a Persian prince from Khwarazm. Whom Tariel had slain to save her from this hateful match. Riots broken out in the Indian Kingdom. During this, Nestan was kidnapped and taken away to an unknown destination. Since then, Tariel had abandoned the world …. roamed around …”
Rustaveli was a great humanist. The poet focused his attention on man as a complex of sincere feelings, emotions, passions, and aspirations. To counterbalance the mentality of the Middle Ages and ecclesiastic morality of asceticism, Rustaveli proclaimed the freedom of man as an individual, free in thought and feelings.
According to my tour guide, the epic poem nourished the minds and souls of Georgian laymen. They roamed the Caucasus Mountains, singing the poem along with their herds of sheep.
Indeed, the ideals of loyalty, faith, love, and friendship are the main themes of Rustaveli’s poem, all constructed around Indian characters. Two years ago, the great Urdu writer Bhupinder Aziz Parihar translated this epic poem into Hindi – a truly fictional homecoming.
Shota Rustaveli dedicated his work to Queen Tamar of Georgia, who was enthroned by her father, King George III. Tamar was celebrated by poets for her beauty, intelligence, and diplomatic skills.
Next time, let’s discuss Queen Tamar and other legendary women enshrined in Georgian life, whom we familiarized ourselves with during our journey to this South Caucasian country.
(Riyas T Razack is a writer and traveller based out of West Asia)
