Poems

माता की मृत्यु पर – प्रभाकर माचवे

Mother is the dearest person in our lives. Here is the reaction of poet Prabhaker Machwe when he could not meet his mother as she died. Very moving. – Rajiv Krishna Saxena माता की मृत्यु पर माता! एक कलख है मन में‚ अंत समय में देख न पाया आत्मकीर के …

Read More »

मधुर मधुर मेरे दीपक जल – महादेवी वर्मा

मधुर मधुर मेरे दीपक जल – महादेवी वर्मा

A very famous poem by Mahadevi Verma Ji exhorting the Deepak to keep the flame burning so that the path of love is always well lighted – Rajiv Krishna Saxena मधुर मधुर मेरे दीपक जल मधुर-मधुर मेरे दीपक जल! युग-युग प्रतिदिन प्रतिक्षण प्रतिपल प्रियतम का पथ आलोकित कर! सौरभ फैला …

Read More »

लो वही हुआ – दिनेश सिंह

लो वही हुआ - दिनेश सिंह

In our long history, we Indians have seen many oppressive kings and administrations. Here is a beautiful poem by Dinesh Singh Ji that depicts the frustration and a sense of desperation in common men under such circumstances – Rajiv Krishna Saxena लो वही हुआ लो वही हुआ जिसका था डर‚ …

Read More »

कोई पार नदी के गाता – हरिवंश राय बच्चन

Mid summer night, on the riverbank, one hears someone singing on the other side of the river. Poet just listens and wonders who is singing, and why – Rajiv Krishna Saxena कोई पार नदी के गाता भंग निशा की नीरवता कर इस देहाती गाने का स्वर ककड़ी के खेतों से …

Read More »

ज्योति कलश छलके – नरेंद्र शर्मा

ज्योति कलश छलके – नरेंद्र शर्मा

Pandit Narendra Sharma had weaved some real magic in this poem. It was sung with equal fervor by Lata Mangeshkar (see below). It conjures up image of a divine early morning as the sun slowly rises like a Jyoti Kalash and its gentle rays wake up the world beneath – …

Read More »

इतिहास (कनुप्रिया) – धर्मवीर भारती

इतिहास (कनुप्रिया) – धर्मवीर भारती

Kanupriya is a classic. You can feel the intensity of love of Radha for Krishna. Nothing matters to this love, be it the mighty and “important” war and urgencies of upheavals. For her nothing really matters and every thing translates into her love for Krishna.- Rajiv K. Saxena इतिहास (कनुप्रिया) …

Read More »

हम लाये हैं तूफ़ान से किश्ती निकाल के – कवि प्रदीप

हम लाये हैं तूफ़ान से किश्ती निकाल के – कवि प्रदीप

After decades of freedom struggle and innumerable sacrifices, the country finally attained freedom in 1947. In this poem the old guards pass the baton to younger generation and instruct them to carry on with great care and fortitude so that the freedom won by great efforts of several generations is …

Read More »

हे सांझ मइया – शलभ श्रीराम सिंह

हे सांझ मइया – शलभ श्रीराम सिंह

In closely knit joint families, there are so many restrictions. Open display of affection between husband and wife is a strict no no! One has to behave. This small poem of Shalabh Shriram Singh Ji very effectively conveys the exhilaration a wife feels when her husband returns home from work, …

Read More »

गाँव के कुत्ते – सूंड फैजाबादी

गाँव के कुत्ते – सूंड फैजाबादी

When hasya is mixed with some deeper meaning that enhances the whole experience. Here is a good example from the well known hasya kavi Soond Faizabadi. What is the motive behind a dog’s barking?- Rajiv Krishna Saxena गाँव के कुत्ते हे मेरे गाँव के परमप्रिय कुत्ते मुझे देख–देख कर चौंकते …

Read More »

गंगा की विदाई – माखनलाल चतुर्वेदी

गंगा की विदाई – माखनलाल चतुर्वेदी

Indian civilization owes its existence to the mighty Ganges originating in Himalaya. Ganga is the daughter of Himalaya. Here is an excerpt from a lovely poem by Makhanlal Chaturvedi, telling how the river transforms the great northern Indian planes as it flows to the ocean. Poet exhorts Himalaya to give …

Read More »