Madhushala

Author:     Harivansh Rai Bachchan

Published: 1935

Publisher: Hind Pocket Books (39th Edition)

Paperback: 162 pages

Madhushala (The Tavern/ The House of Wine)  is perhaps the most popular work of the renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan (better known to the masses as the father of the Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan).
If I remember correctly, I had bought a copy of this book way back in 1993 but inexplicably never got down to read it cover to cover till this month.
And when I read it I realized what I had been missing all these years.
On surface Madhushala is a collection of 135 quatrains extolling the virtues of a tavern where wines are sold. But each and every verse of this poem has a deep mystical, spiritual and philosophical thought underlying it. The poet brilliantly employs the words - madhu, madira or haala (wine), saaki (server), pyaala (cup or glass)  madhushala, madiralaya (pub/bar) - as metaphors to convey Soul's longing to be united with the Divine.
Really a gem of a collection of verses  which one needs to dive into  multiple times and enjoy its beauty !

Links:

• Goodreads Reviews - 4.48/ 5 (307 ratings, 8 reviews) 
• Read Madhushala Online   (Original in Hindi)
• Madhushala (Translation) - A selection of 20 verses translated into English
• Madushala Song - Set to tune by Jaidev and sung by Manna Dey . Available at You Tube in 4 parts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4). The first verse in the first part is recited by the poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan himself.
• Madhushala Recital by Amitabh Bachchan - You Tube Video

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Hymns of the Gurus

Author:         Guru Nanak Dev and other Sikh Gurus
Translator:   Khushwant Singh
Published:   2003
Publisher:    Penguin Books, India
Hardcover: 250  pages
 

This book presents a selection of hymns of the Sikh Gurus  from the holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib and couple of other sacred books.
The introductory chapter provides brief life-sketches of the Sikh Gurus, explains the fundamental tenets of Sikhism and gives an overview of the contents of the sacred text Guru Granth Sahib.
Hymns of Guru Nanak Dev  accounts for almost two-thirds of this book. They include Japji the most important prayer of the Sikhs and Bara Maha which is believed to be the last of Guru Nanak Dev's composition. The other six  Gurus whose hymns have been included in this selection are Guru Angad Dev, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh.
All the verses in this selection bring forth the essence of Sikh philosophy viz; unity, simplicity, equality and surrender to God.
These verses are translations of the original verses in Punjabi, Old Hindi, Persian. What is surprising is that the translator Khushwant Singh is a self-confessed agnostic. Yet he is able to successfully get into the psyche of a pious devotee and pen down beautiful and moving translations close to the original verses.
This book is a very good introduction to Sikh religious literature . A must read for pious, spiritually inclined readers.

A Sample Verse from the book:
(Original verse by Guru Nanak: Jog na khintha, jog na dandey, jog na bhasam chadhaeeai )

Religion lieth not in the patched coat the Yogi wears
Not in the staff he bears
Nor in the ashes on his body.
Religion lieth not in rings in the ears,
Not in a shaven head,
Nor in the blowing of conch shells.
If thou must the path of true religion see,
Among the world’s impurities, be of impurities free.

Not by talk can you achieve union
He who sees all mankind as equals
Can be deemed to be a yogi.

Religion lieth not in visiting tombs
Nor in visiting places where they burn the dead
Not in sitting entranced in contemplation
Nor in wandering in the countryside or foreign lands
Nor in bathing at places of pilgrimage.
If thou must the path of true religion see,
Among the world’s impurities, be of impurities free.

When a man meets the true guru
His doubts are dispelled
And his mind ceases its wanderings;
Drops of nectar pour down on him like rain.
His ears catch strains of sahaj's celestial music
And his mind is lit up with knowledge divine.
If thou must the path of true religion see,
Among the world’s impurities, be of impurities free.

Sayeth Nanak, if though must be a real yogi,
Be in the world but be dead to its tinsel values.
When the lute strikes notes without being touched
Know then that thou hast conquered fear.
If thou must the path of true religion see,
Among the world’s impurities, be of impurities free.

Links:

• Sikh Gurus
• Guru Nanak Dev
• Guru Granth Sahib
  

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The Life Tree - Poems

     Author:         A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

     Published:     2005

     Publisher:      Penguin Books India

     Hardcover:   100 pages

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     Readers in India

I was browsing in a second-hand book shop when I came across this book. The author, Bharat Ratna A.P.J. Kalam  is perhaps one of  the best President our country India had ever had and is one person whom I would love to meet and talk to. So far I had never read a complete poetry book, but after I  leafed its pages I could not resist buying it. 

This excellently produced book,embellished with beautiful contemporary paintings by Manav Gupta, is a collection of 26 short poems reflecting the musings of the poet Kalam on various subjects like - Youth, Life, Harmony, Happiness, Nature, God, Mother, Dreams , Patriotism etc. For each poem , Kalam also gives a brief background on how the poem was conceived and written.

The poems are  in free verse and read more like a prose. While I don't see a great literary merit in the poems, what makes them endearing to me  is the simplicity of the language and the sincerity and the good intentions with which they are written. This  touches you and strikes a chord. 

A good read for all Kalam admirers !

Previews and Links to Some Poems

• Song of Youth - "As a young citizen of India, armed with technology, knowledge and love for my nation, I realize, small aim is a crime......" .          Read the Complete Poem.

• The Life Tree - "O my human race, How were we born, In the universe of near infinity, Are we alone?......"          Read the Complete Poem.

• Rock Walls - " Some build rock walls all their lives, When they die miles of walls divide them.Others build rock walls, one rock on another, And: then build a terrace, where they pray for love......."  Read the Complete Poem.

• Soaring Dream - " Fabulous air show of Paris in motion, My thought too in flight and yearns for my Nation......." Read the Complete Poem.

• My National Prayer - " The grand Scene of birth of Independent India, In that mid-night, the flag of the ruler of two centuries lowered; The tri-color Indian flag flaps in the Red Fort in the midst of National Anthem, The first vision of Independent India was dawned........" Read the Complete Poem.