Poems

At times life looks quite absurd and pointless. At those times, one feels trapped in existence and pines for a release. Here is an argument for escape at such times. Rajiv Krishna Saxena पलायन संगीत अनगिनित लोग हैं कार्यशील इस जग में अनगिनित लोग चलते जीवन के मग में अनगिनित …

A wider meaning of the term “Kavi” is a person with very deep perception of the human phenomenon. In this sense Nida Fazli is a true kavi. His poems make you think and be amazed at his very fine perception. The following poem was written by him after a visit …

A broken heart is so painful. Heart mourns it like a death and the person feels totally crushed. All those things that were of utmost importance till recently, must now be buried… Here is a lovely poem by Kishan Saroj. I especially like the first two lines of the last …

What do we do with the challenges in the life? One option is to run away and other is to meet those head long with all our might. Here Shiv Mangal Suman Ji exhorts us not to give up and keep the struggle on till the victory is achieved. Rajiv …

Unlike English, all nouns in Hindi are categorized as masculine or feminine gander. This creates endless problems for those who are learning Hindi as they are at a loss to understand what decides the gander of a particular noun. Here is Kaka Hathrasi poking fun on this funny problem in …

This lovely poem says some thing that I as a teacher have often seen. Super talented students from Indian heartland, small towns and villages falter in interviews when forced to reply in English. At JNU we often encourage students who are not easy with English to explain in Hindi. And …

Indian mind considers world as “Maya” or a sort of illusion. Once you realize this and consider yourself as an illusion living in the world of illusions, existential dilemma sets in and one feels utterly trapped and helpless. This feeling of being trapped is beautifully depicted here by Bharai Ji. …

Abdul Rahim Khankhana (1556-1627) was one of the nav-ratnas of Emperor Akabar. He was a great warrior as well as a poet. His dohas have important messages and a great deal of worldly wisdom. He also wrote many dohas in praise of Lord Krishna and Rama. Here is a sample …

Famous poet Bal Swaroop Rahi has written a large number of muktaks. Here are a few of them. Rajiv Krishna Saxena राही के मुक्तक मेरे आँसू तो किसी सीप का मोती न बने साथ मेरे न कभी आँख किसी की रोई ज़िन्दगी है इसकी न शिकायत मुझको गम तो इसका …

November here denotes the twilight of life. One remembers the by-gone love of yesteryears that was lost. What would she be doing, one wonders… The years would have aged her too. This bit by bit aging (til til kar pakna) would go-on till the end of life … beautifully stated …