Old Classic Poems

It was in 1960s that I heard on Aakashvani radio, the so called “Tuktaks” written and recited by the well know poet Bharat Bhushan Agarwal. I could not locate them in print but some readers have occasionally written to me about presenting those tuktaks. I remembered four of them that …

Here is a lovely poem that many readers have been requesting. Enjoy this gem from Harivansh Rai Bachchan Ji. Rajiv Krishna Saxena चिड़िया और चुरुगन छोड़ घोंसला बाहर आया‚ देखी डालें‚ देखे पात‚ और सुनी जो पत्ते हिलमिल‚ करते हैं आपस में बात; माँँ‚ क्या मुझको उड़ना आया? “नहीं चुरूगन‚ …

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 …

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॥ …

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 …