Old Classic Poems

The relationship between a husband and wife is based on total faith. A girl leaves her family and adopts the family of her husband. Her expectation is that her husband will take her in full confidence and share all feelings and thoughts with her. Prince Siddharta (who later became Gautam …

In mid 1500s Akbar the Mughal emperor of India, in his bid to consolidate his empire, had entered into agreements with Rajput kingdoms except that of Mewar. Maharana Pratap of Mewar was defiant and did not want to lose his independence. Frustrated Akbar sent his massive army led by Mansingh …

A just society does not occur spontaneously. It has to be nurtured and protected with valor. Here is a poem so characteristic of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. Compare with his other works like “Shakti Aur Kshma”, “Vijayi Ki Sadrish Jiyo Re” and Rashmirathi in this collection. Before the contemporary poem evolved …

On the Happy occasion of Holi, I present this old classic from film Mother India, written by Shakeel Badayuni. Happy Holi to all readers! Rajiv Krishna Saxena होली आयी रे होली आयी रे कन्हाई, होली आयी रे होली आयी रे कन्हाई रंग छलके सुना दे ज़रा बांसरी होली आयी रे, …

Story of Laxmi Bai, (born Nov.19, 1835) the Queen of Jhansi is unparalleled in the history of India. She was only 18 years old when her husband Gangadhar Rao, the king of Jhansi died. As the first born child of Rani had died, the couple was childless. They adopted a …

As per the original agreement Pandavas were to get back their kingdom when they returned from 14 years exile in the forests. But Duryodhan refused to oblige and part with the land. Lord Krishna came to Duryodhan to persuade him to see the reason and give Pandavas at least five …

Raskhan the great Krishna-Bhakt lived in late sixteenth century some where around Delhi and wrote in Brij Bhasha. His following poem is a classic and shows the depth of his absolute devotion for Lord Krishna – Rajiv Krishna Saxena मनुष हौं‚ तो वही ‘रसखानि’   मनुष हौं‚ तो वही ‘रसखानि’ …

Here is an excerpt from the famous poem Panchvati by Maithilisharan Gupt. The description is of the cottage in Panchvati forest that was the abode of Ram, Laxman and Sita during the terminal year of their 14 years banvas. As Ram and Sita sleep inside, Laxman is on guard outside. …

You may have read Shyam Narayan Pandey’s classic epic “Haldighati”. Three excerpts from that great work are available on this site. Many readers had asked me to include a Rajasthani classic poem on the same theme by the great poet Kanhaiyalal Sethia, but I could not find that poem any …

Here is what Kaka Hathrasi thinks about the beard on men’s face. Kaka writes in his autobiography that once he was travelling by train along with Harivansh Rai Bachchan and the latter gave him the first line of this poem asking him to compose the rest. Here is how Kaka …