Chal Uth Neta, Tu Chhed Taan

Another gem courtesy KavitaKosh - very contemporary, very true, very sarcastic!
चल उठ नेता
     --रचनाकार: अशोक अंजुम

चल उठ नेता तू छेड़ तान!
क्या राष्ट्रधर्म?
क्या संविधान?

तू नए-नए हथकंडे ला!
वश में अपने कुछ गुंडे ला!
फ़िर ऊँचे-ऊँचे झंडे ला
हर एक हाथ में डंडे ला
फ़िर ले जनता की ओर तान
क्या राष्ट्रधर्म?
क्या संविधान?

इस शहर में खिलते चेहरे क्यों?
आपस में रिश्ते गहरे क्यों?
घर-घर खुशहाली चेहरे क्यों?
झूठों पर सच के पहरे क्यों?
आपस में लड़वा, तभी जान!
क्या राष्ट्रधर्म?
क्या संविधान?

तू अन्य दलों को गाली दे!
गंदी से गंदी वाली दे!
हरपल कोई घात निराली दे!
फ़िर दाँत दिखाकर ताली दे!
फ़िर गा मेरा "मेरा भारत महान"
क्या राष्ट्रधर्म?
क्या संविधान?

प्रतिपक्ष पे अनगिन खोट लगा!
ना सम्भल सके यूं चोट लगा!
कुछ भी कर काले नोट लगा!
हर तरफ़ वोट की गोट लगा!
कुर्सी ही अपना लक्ष्य मान!
क्या राष्ट्रधर्म?
क्या संविधान?
 
http://kavitakosh.org/kk/चल_उठ_नेता_/_अशोक_अंजुम#.U0Tn-aiSx5Y

For The Love of Reading ...

A little while after I moved to Bangalore, I came to know of the "Just Books" library chain - for a book lover it promised a lot of excitement. Some months down the line, they opened a satellite store in my apartment complex - and my joy knew no bounds. But well ....  with the daily schedule being what it is, and constant interrupts from a 4-5 year old demanding attention, I have had neither the time nor peace, to read. Not to mention the fact that when I am reading a book that really interests me, well, I am absolutely absorbed - almost forgetting the world around me. Ultimately, the mind won over the heart, and with a sadness, I decided not to take the membership .....

Such is the irony of life - when I had enough time, I didn't have such a good facility available to me. For a while, I had borrowed books from a "library" run by someone in a rented garage, which mostly consisted of shabby, well worn copies, primarily of cheap thrillers and obscure titles, more likely bought from a 'raddiwala' than a used-book shop. After I while I got tired of the low "RoI" - walking to and from that garage, and not getting stuff I would have liked to read, and gave up on it. And now, with such a good facility available, that too so close by, I am not able to find the time. But, passion and practicality have been at a constant struggle in my mind ...

Finally, after contemplating for almost two years, I took a membership of "Just Books", in Feb. My own interest in reading was only a small part of the motivation. The primary reason was to encourage a love for reading in Sid.

As far as my memory will take me, I recall being able to read. Though, of course, in our time, we started with Hindi. I think that I (and bro, of course) could read kids' hindi magazines like Champak, Parag, Nandan, when we were around 5 yrs old. For us, comfort level with English came much later. These days, kids start with the English alphabet, and its only in senior KG that they start learning Hindi. But the language is immaterial. I would love Sid to know the joy of reading, and I believe that this has to be initiated at a young age. As kids (actually well into our teens, or perhaps even now, if we (bro and I) had nothing to do, you could give us a book, and we would be oblivious to the world (added advantage for parents - no nagging, no getting-into-way, no fighting, no mischief :-)). It kind of pained me to see that around 5.5 yrs not only had Sid not started to read properly, but that he did not not even show any interest in reading stories. After having his fill of playing and watching TV, he keeps nagging me about what to do. I tried to explain to him that if he can read books himself, he can enjoy the stories, and also avoid boredom. But I was not successful in convincing him.

That was when I thought that perhaps the excitement of getting a new (as in unread) book (and the restriction of having only one at a time) will get him interested. And perhaps, after the excitement factor, a genuine interest and joy will follow. Sometimes I make suggestions to him on which book to borrow, but his is the final choice. He is excited to go to the library almost every evening and choosing the next book. His reading speed and vocabulary are also improving, though I guess he is taking shortcuts at times - skipping through pages, or avoiding reading if he has heard the story before, or asking us to read after he has read a few pages. But well, one step at a time, and hope the pace continues ...

As for me, I have read more in last one month than I did in the last year (or two), including some books that I have wanted to read for a long long time. Some of them didn't turn out to be as good as expected, but you never know it until you have read it yourself, isn't it.

Mat Jiyo Sirf Apni Khushi Ke Liye

I have been following KavitaKosh on FB, and occasionally it comes up with some real gems. One of these that I first read a few days back ...
 
मत जियो सिर्फ़ अपनी खुशी के लिए
  -- उदयभानु ‘हंस’

मत जियो सिर्फ़ अपनी खुशी के लिए
कोई सपना बुनो ज़िंदगी के लिए।

पोंछ लो दीन दुखियों के आँसू अगर,
कुछ नहीं चाहिए बंदगी के लिए।

सोने चाँदी की थाली ज़रूरी नहीं,
दिल का दीपक बहुत आरती के लिए।

जिसके दिल में घृणा का है ज्वालामुखी
वह ज़हर क्यों पिये खुदकुशी के लिए।

उब जाएँ ज़ियादा खुशी से न हम
ग़म ज़रूरी है कुछ ज़िंदगी के लिए।

सारी दुनिया को जब हमने अपना लिया,
कौन बाकी रहा दुश्मनी के लिए।

तुम हवा को पकड़ने की ज़िद छोड़ दो,
वक्त रुकता नहीं है किसी के लिए।

शब्द को आग में ढालना सीखिए,
दर्द काफी नहीं शायरी के लिए।

सब ग़लतफहमियाँ दूर हो जाएँगी,
हँस मिल लो गले दो घड़ी के लिए।

Tum Kabhi The Surya

Read this wonderful hindi ghazal this morning, thanks to Kavitakosh. Pleasantly surprised to see the poet is Chandrasen Virat, one of whose poems I had read and greatly admired, few years back. While I would love to share the other one some time, I just wanted to share the one I just read right now.

 

तुम कभी थे सूर्य
  -- चंद्रसेन विराट

तुम कभी थे सूर्य लेकिन अब दियों तक आ गये।
थे कभी मुख्पृष्ठ पर अब हाशियों तक आ गये ॥

यवनिका बदली कि सारा दृष्य बदला मंच का ।
थे कभी दुल्हा स्वयं बारातियों तक आ गये ।।

वक्त का पहिया किसे कुचले कहां कब क्या पता।
थे कभी रथवान अब बैसाखियों तक आ गये ।।

देख ली सत्ता किसी वारांगना से कम नहीं ।
जो कि अध्यादेश थे खुद अर्जियों तक आ गये ।।

देश के संदर्भ मे तुम बोल लेते खूब हो ।
बात ध्वज की थी चलाई कुर्सियों तक आ गये ।।

प्रेम के आख्यान मे तुम आत्मा से थे चले ।
घूम फिर कर देह की गोलाईयों तक आ गये ॥

कुछ बिके आलोचकों की मानकर ही गीत को ।
तुम ॠचाएं मानते थे गालियों तक आ गये ॥

सभ्यता के पंथ पर यह आदमी की यात्रा ।
देवताओं से शुरु की वहशियों तक आ गये ॥

Conversations with Sid

It is very difficult to get Sid to sleep, both in the afternoon and in the night, even when he is obviously sleepy. And its equally difficult to wake him up. One afternoon, as I woke him up from his afternoon nap, he wanted to sleep more. After half an hour of cribbing and crying he finally started to talk coherently.

Sid: Mujhe itni neend aa rahi hai ki main sota hi rahoo, uthoon hi nahin.
Me: Kitni der tak so-oge?
Sid: 100,1000 hours tak sota rahoonga ...
Me: Aur jab bhookh lagegi?
Sid: (thinks for a second) Uthoonga, khana khaoonga aur phir so jaoonga
Me: Aur jab khelne ka time hoga?
Sid: Khel kar aa kar phir so jaoonga
Me: Jab homework ka time hoga?
Sid: Tab sota hi rahoonga!!

***

Sid has collected some money in his wallet, given by us on weekend (as kind of pocket money), but he has not yet had occasion to spend it. One evening we planned to go for some ice-cream, and he insisted that he wanted to pay for it. For a while we humored him, but finally told him that we will pay now as he is young; when he grows older and earns, he can pay for the ice-cream.
Pat came the reply - "Par tab tak to aap buddhe ho jaoge!!"

Further, assuming that we did not get it, he clarified, "Tab tak aapke sare teeth toot jayenge to aap ice-cream kaise khaoge?!"

***

Sid saw our wedding pic, with both of us in the standard paraphernalia. The only thing he apparently found noteworthy was N's elaborate headgear and shiny garlands that punjabi grooms wear, and exclaimed - "Papa you are looking like a sheep. Baa baa white sheep!!"

If You Are Afraid of Heights

If You Are Afraid of Heights - Raj Kamal Jha

I was enticed into buying this book by the image of the lonely girl in a red frock on the cover, and the description on the back that promised "a glimpse into a looking-glass world where nothing is quite what it seems and yet everything is strangely familiar". I did not expect it to be a regular fiction - the story-telling kind, but more of a set of impressions and interpretations, and exploration of the thoughts, dreams and feelings of the girl on the cover. I would say my expectations were partially fulfilled.

It is a beautifully written book, with a vivid imagery and almost lyrical prose. It comprises of three distinct stories, with repeating images and motifs - each of these stories perhaps represent the viewpoint of a different character. It blurs the lines between memories, dreams, imagination, reality and fantasy, and the reader needs to draw his/her own inference on the meaning of the events, and the inter-connections of the characters. The portrayal of (what I believe to be) an alter-ego - Rima to Amir, and Alam to Mala - was quite a novel concept. Also interesting was the portrayal of observer/narrator flying through and above the city on the back of a crow.

However, with all the beauty, I was rather disappointed - I do not know of anyone else who has read it, but I was not able to extract the theme, and interpret how the stories connect together in the conclusion. It is what can be described as a very "literary" book. It could have been a very good book, if all the narratives could have been brought to a proper closure. But, with all the loose hanging threads, it feels kind of incomplete, and therefore, after finishing the book, that particular satisfaction is missing.

Nine Lives

Nine Lives - William Dalrymple

'Nine Lives' is the first book by Dalrymple that I have read. I had never been motivated to pick his works before, as they were mostly historic works, which I am not very fond of. I also think I was just a little biased against the author, despite (or perhaps due to) all the acclaim.

This book chronicles the stories of nine lesser known religious and spiritual faiths - most of which we would perhaps never ever come across. While some of these may be familiar depending on which region we have lived in, it is unlikely for many of us to have an insight to the depths that Dalrymple has explored. These beliefs are as diverse as the cultural heritage can be in India, and perhaps nowhere else in the world. These are stories covering a range of practices from the austerity of Jainism to extremism of Tantra; covering the length and breadth of the country from Dharamsala to Tamilnadu, from Rajasthan to Bengal.

I also loved the way Dalrymple has told these stories. Stories and experiences are related in the words of a follower of each belief or practice, a person who truly believes in his or her chosen path as the purpose of his/her live, as the way to attain enlightenment and to be one with God. Interspersed with these stories are the descriptions of the landscapes, beautifully written - almost painted in the words by the author. As are some history and facts behind and around these practices.

While he might have drawn some inferences on the history of some of these traditions, he has very subtly refrained from putting forth his own impressions on the practices or how they impacted himself emotionally or spiritually. He is curious and sensitive, and has presented the stories with wonderful compassion. He thus informs and impresses the readers, and enables them to learn and open their minds and hearts, leaving them free of any prejudices initiated by his own views.

The stories are poignant, fascinating and enriching, though tinged with an underlying sadness. They just do not open your eyes and mind to the diverse ways people can express and practice their faith, but also warm the heart to know of real, simple people whose devotion and dedication remain unwavering in the face of suffering and rejection. And they do it all without the least of pride, with humility and total submission.

Sadly, many of these rich traditions are in the imminent danger of being lost - facing threats from religious extremists on one hand, and on the other, from the changes that we call as "development". The compassionate Sufi tradition that bridges the gap between Islam and Hinduism and celebrates God as joy is targeted by Wahhabi extremists, Tantra has always been feared and looked down upon by orthodox/traditional Hindus, while the oral traditions - which have carried epic poems comprising of thousands of lines through centuries are endangered by literacy!

I'll have to admit that for a suspense thriller fan like me, it was a slow read, really so - I only could read it on half hour commute to and from my office. But, it is, without any doubt, beautifully written, and something to be savored at a slow pace.

Painting in some different media ...

Little Krishna - one of Sid's favorite cartoon characters 

Terracotta Ganeshji - painted over with metallic acrylic colors

A surprise discovery

While arranging my books in the new bookshelf in my new house, I found to my great surprise that I possessed two books that I had bought nearly 4 years back, but never read!!

However can that happen?! I think I bought a number of books at the same time, and read some of them. These two were perhaps in a back row; and there was a long phase where I had hardly been reading anything, so I did not miss them. When we shifted to Bangalore about two years back, I had to put all my books in one small cupboard, so the bigger size ones were naturally cramped at the back. I might have noticed them then, but with too much to do, I simply forgot all about their existence. Until the time I had to arrange my books in the new, large bookshelf :-)

The first one was was 'Nine Lives' by William Dalrymple, an author of whom I have heard a lot (who hasn't?!), but never read before. The other was 'If you are afraid of heights' by Raj Kamal Jha, of whom I have never heard before.

Conversations with Sid

At times I miss the time when Sid was much younger, and much more innocent and cute [Well, he is still innocent, though not as much as before. And although people refuse to believe me, he can be a total 'badmash' :)]
At one such occasion, I cuddled Sid, and asked, "Mera little baby, cute wala, kahaan gaya?"
Sid replied, simply, and as a very matter-of-fact, "Mumma main bada ho gaya."

***
[Dated: 20/3/2013]
Yesterday N forgot his lunch-box in his office. He must have mentioned this to Sid when he picked him up. Now, Sid is a champion in complaining about others, especially papa, to portray them in a bad light. So, as soon as he sees me, he tells me, "Mumma, papa apna lunch box office mein chhod aaye!" I said  "OK. Koii baat nahin, kal le aayenge".

Sid, apparently unsatisfied by my reaction, returned back after a few minutes, to re-launch his complain, "Mumma ... papa aaj apna lunch box office mein chhod aaye!!" In the meanwhile, N had told me that he forgot his lunch box in office, and that he anyway didn't have to take lunch the next day. So, just to amuse Sid, I told him, "Accha!! Papa ko punishment milegi ... main kal papa ko lunch nahin doongi!" He was really tickled, and happily announced, "Papa! kal aapko lunch nahin milega!!"

The next morning, when the cook came and I started telling him what to prepare for the day, Sid was in the toilet. Right there from his potty seat, he shouted as loud as he could - "Mumma, papa ko khana mat dena!!"
 
We all had a good laugh. And thanks to his remembering the details, even if just to pull down papa, extra food was avoided.

***
[Dated: 23/3/2013]
Today is Sid's last day of school for this session, and though there is a PTM today, he has been treating it as if today's a holiday. He has by now also figured out that if the next day is a holiday, we are not insistent about going to sleep in time the previous day. So, yesterday night, as we came back from his friend's place around 9:30 pm, he was not at all ready to sleep.

Sid: Ghar ja kar main TV dekhoonga ... only one hour.
Me: No, it is time to go to sleep.
Sid: Par kal to meri chhutti hai!
Me: Par school to jana hai, for the PTM. So you have to wake up at the same time.
Sid: Par kal 8:30 jana hai. Main uth jaoonga.
Me (trying a different argument): Aap ki chhutti hai, par mujhe to kal office jana hai.
Sid (pausing barely for a second): Agar kal aapko office jana hai to mujhe kya problem hai??

***
[Dated: 25/3/2013]
I had put on a face pack and as soon as Sid saw me, he asked me what I had put on my face and why. I told him it was a kind of cream, and kidded him, "mujhe bhi aapke jaisa gora gora banna hai". 
After a while I washed it off, and on seeing me he immediately exclaimed, "Par mumma aap to gore nahin hue!!"