Old Classic Poems

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. …

Born in early 16th century Meerabai became an ardent devotee of lord Krishna since childhood. She was married to Bhoj Raj the second son of the famed Rana Sanga, the king of Mewar. Bhoj Raj died young in a battle. Meera dedicated her life to the love of Lord Krishna …

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 …

This early classic from Raj Kapoor’s movie “Phir Subah Hogi” is an evergreen number penned by Sahir Ludhiyanvi. The way desperation and hope have been depicted in this song, is unparalleled. You could listen to this song on the link at the end of the poem. Rajiv Krishna Saxena वो …

Here is a gem taken from the all-time classic “Rashmirathi”. Dinkar Ji abhors the animal instincts that linger just under the surface of humanity. He abhors the glorification of war by the society. No right thinking human being would want the death and destruction that invariably occurs in a war, …

Life is fleeting and short-lived. Death is feared by all. Rashtra Kavi Maithili Sharan Gupt presents an alternative view. Life is precious and a miracle and we should rejoice in it. Living beings die but the life goes on. Rajiv Krishna Saxena जीवन की ही जय है मृषा मृत्यु का …

This excerpt is from the famous epic “Urvashi” by Ramdhari Dinkar. Urvashi, the apsara is madly in love with the earth king “Pururava” to the extent that she wants to relocate from swarga to earth permanently and become an earth woman. Her friends Rambha, Sehjaney and Menaka are perplexed that …

On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, here are two short poems of Surdas on baby Krishna. Rajiv Krishna Saxena जसोदा हरि पालनैं झुलावै जसोदा हरि पालनैं झुलावै। हलरावै, दुलराइ मल्हावै, जोइ-जोइ कछु गावै॥ मेरे लाल कौं आउ निंदरिया, काहैं न आनि सुवावै। तू काहैं नहिं बेगहिं आवै, तोकौं कान्ह बुलावै॥ …

Here is another old classic from Sohan Lal Dwivedi. Most of us may have read it in school. Enjoy the rhythm – Rajiv Krishna Saxena बढ़े चलो, बढ़े चलो न हाथ एक शस्त्र हो, न हाथ एक अस्त्र हो, न अन्न वीर वस्त्र हो, हटो नहीं, डरो नहीं, बढ़े चलो, …

Born “Sayyad Ibrahim” in village Pihani in District Hardoi in the year 1615, Raskhan later moved to Delhi and then to the birthplace of Lord Krishna. His later writings are uniquely immersed in the love of Lord Krishna (See poem ‘Manus hon toh vahi Raskhan’ in Geeta-kavita). Till the time …