Category: WordPlay

Hindi Kavita: शहर (City)

This hindi kavita is a reflection on the city life, the people and the ways we have become used to spending life.

This hindi kavita is reflection of some observations and thoughts about the city life, the people and the ways we have become used to spending life. I have spent most of my life in cities and it has been great. Yet, when I think about my childhood and the time I spent in my village, it makes me wonder and reflect. The slowness and simplicity of life in the villages and countryside: limited means and aspirations, the open wide sky, lazy afternoon and the dimly lit evenings. Sometimes, I crave for that.

Contrast this to the city life, we observe a lot of aspects of life and people which work differently and yet we just notice and move on. Some of these aspects are captured in the lines below, hope it resonates with you.

Here it goes: Hindi Kavita, शहर

मकान अच्छे हैं मगर दीवारों में दरारें हैं
लोग भले तो हैं मगर लालच के मारे हैं

ये शहर भी तो अपना लगता नहीं अब
दोस्त यहाँ वक़्त की गिरफत में सारे हैं

भरी रहती है मेरे घर के आगे की सड़क
मंज़िल तलाशते फिरते कौन ये बेचारे हैं

सूरज इमारतों के पीछे छिप जाता है शहर में
लोग अक्सर गिरते हैं यहाँ जैसे टूटते तारे हैं

सड़क की बत्तियों के बीच छुपती रात की परछाई
नींद को तरसती आँखें शहर में ढूंढती सहारे हैं

Interested in reading more poetry and ghazals?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Ghazal on Emotions: सब्र

Have you ever experienced an interaction which you wished never ended but it had to? This ghazal captures hose emotions!

My tryst with fleeting encounters continues with this second ghazal of year 2024, a ghazal on emotions. The first ghazal of this year explored the same theme, you can check it out here: Ghazal in Hindi: कुछ देर ठहरेंगे

Some fleeting encounters stay with us and make us smile. Those moments are memorable and beautiful only because they are ephemeral. Have you ever experienced an interaction which you wished never ended but it had to? When you replay those moments in your mind and reflect, you re-live the emotions and learn about yourself and your emotions. This ghazal captures those emotions!

Here it goes: A ghazal on Emotions, सब्र

अनजाने में दे आये उन्हें यादगार लम्हों का खज़ाना,
बदले में उनकी बेचैनी का तोहफा ले कर लौटे हैं

मुद्दत से थी अधूरी उनके प्यार की कहानी
स्याही को उनकी दिलचस्प किरदार दे कर लौटे हैं

घर से निकले तो थे जवाबों की खेती बटोरने
नए सवालों की लहराती फसल ले कर लौटे हैं

हसरत थी बहकने की और मौका परख ना पाए
टीस तो है मगर तजुर्बे का मलहम ले कर लौटे हैं

बहे हम बेपरवाह जज़्बातों की उत्तेजित लहरों में
बामुश्किल सब्र की डोलती नाव ले कर लौटे हैं

Interested in reading more poetry and ghazals?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Ghazal in Hindi: कुछ देर ठहरेंगे

A ghazal in hindi inspired by the beautiful fleeting encounters which are beautiful only because they are ephemeral.

Welcome to the first post for 2024, a ghazal in Hindi! This year, I have decided to post content weekly instead of bi-weekly that I did last year. I want to focus more deeply on my work (the joy the writing) and bring out the best of it for all of you to read and experience. To become a good writer, it’s important to read a lot. I am an my journey of reading and consuming all the good stuff around me.

Here is the first ghazal in hindi for this year, inspired by the beautiful fleeting encounters which are beautiful only because they are ephemeral. Have you ever experienced an interaction which you wished never ended but it had to? The incompleteness of these interactions is probably what makes them complete, isn’t it?

Here it goes: A ghazal in hindi, कुछ देर ठहरेंगे

जानते नहीं थे सियाह सफ़ेद पेंटिंग को उनकी
हमारी डिब्बी में बचे एक दो रंग ज़िंदा कर देंगे

ना मांगो हमसे साथ ज़िन्दगी भर का
कुछ देर ठहरेंगे मगर लम्हे यादगार कर देंगे

अधूरी हो कर भी पूरी हैं कुछ कहानियां
एहमियत किरदारों से पूछो किस्से आँखें भर देंगे

जज़्बातों की आँधी में रिवायतों के दिए जलना ज़रूरी है
ये बदलते हालातों के सर्द मौसम को गर्म कर देंगे

करीब इतना आये तेरे कि अब फांसला ज़रूरी है
तुझसे वफ़ा करेंगे तो खुद से बेवफाई कर देंगे

Interested in reading more poetry and ghazals?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Top 5 Posts on Versatilistaqua in 2023

Here is look back at 2023 and the journey of Versatilistaqua.com with top 5 most viewed posts of the year.

A big thank you for visiting my website versatilistaqua and reading this post. And a big thank you, if you read any poetry, travel stories or book reviews posted on this site in the last 12 months! Your feedback, encouragement and comments have been the fuel to my fire. Please keep them coming.

Year 2023 has been an incredible journey for my writing, the one that I am proud of. And yet, I am thoroughly convinced that this is just the beginning. My writing journey started way back in 2007 but I have been a reluctant writer ever since. It took me 16 years to finally embrace my identity as someone who loves to write. I am glad, it has finally happened.

Look Back at the Versatilist’s journey for 2023:

  1. My website got close to 4000 visits and 6500 views, that’s massive! This is 5 times of cumulative views for last 5 years (2018-22). To add to that, more than 900 likes in a single year, is sweet!
  2. I am thrilled by the input metric though, close to 100 posts this year. I have been writing consistently.
  3. Even google rewards persistence. Google search reached a high of 350 search views per month, it was just 20 in Aug’23. 17x in 5 months is incredible.

Most viewed Content on Versatilistaqua in 2023: Top 5

  1. Road Trip from Bangalore to Mahabalipuram
  2. Hindi Poem on Self Love: खुद से दोस्ती
  3. Motorbiking Diaries: Bangalore to Vatadahosahalli lake
  4. Road Trip from Bangalore: 9 days and 6 destinations
  5. Raudra Ras Kavita: इंसान है तूँ खुदा नहीं 

Plan for 2024

I will continue to post here, for 2024 and beyond. However, starting 2024, I will post every Sunday only, instead of 2 posts per week. I want to invest more time in writing, rewriting and honing my skill to publish much better content for all of you! I invite you to share your comments, thoughts and feedback, it would be great to hear from you. Cheers, and wish you a happy new year in advance!

Interested in reading more poetry, book reviews or travel stories?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Ghazal in Hindi: हक़ीक़त

A ghazal in hindi inspired by a rollercoaster of emotions which flood the otherwise dry beaches of our lives once in a while.

A ghazal inspired by a rollercoaster of overwhelming emotions which flood the otherwise dry beaches of our lives once in a while.

Here it goes: A ghazal in hindi, हक़ीक़त

हक़ीक़त की लाल बत्ती पर रुके बेसब्र जज़्बात
तड़पते हैं आगे बढ़ने को मगर जुर्माने से घबराते हैं

फितरत है हुस्न की जिन्होंने लगायी है ये आग
ना जलने देते हैं और ना ही बुझाते हैं

बेख़ौफ़ बेलगाम ख्यालों का क्या करें
ये पहुंच जाते हैं वहाँ जहाँ हमारे कदम लड़खड़ाते हैं

क्या शिकायत करें उनसे जो खड़े हैं समंदर किनारे
और लहरों में पैर गीले होने से बचाते हैं

क्षितिज पर डूबता सूरज घुल जाता हैं समंदर में जैसे
ऐसे मिलते हैं तुमसे हम कह कर दिल को समझते हैं

Interested in reading more poetry?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Hindi Ghazal on Romance: बेवजह शरारत

A ghazal on romance written at a beach while witnessing the sunset and the wonderful people who fill the air with the scent of romance!

A ghazal on romance inspired primarily while witnessing the sunset at a beach, and of course the wonderful people, lovers who fill the air with the scent of romance!

Here it goes: Ghazal on Romance, बेवजह शरारत

हम बेवजह रूठ जाते हैं उनसे कभी कभी
उन्हें पास बुलाने के लिए ये शरारत करते हैं

रह नहीं पाते उनसे ख़फ़ा ज़्यादा देर
जाने कैसे बातों को ज़ुबान पर कैद करते हैं

लगता है अक्सर हमें वो जानते हैं नियत हमारी
कभी मनाते हैं तो कभी अनदेखा करते हैं

हमारे अलावा किसी को वक़्त मिले उनका
बड़ी मुश्किल से एहसास ये बर्दाश्त करते हैं

जैसे गेरुआ सूरज ढलता है क्षितिज में
हम रोज उनके इश्क समंदर में डूबा करते हैं

Interested in reading more poetry?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Ghazal on Distance in relationships: दूरियां

दूरियां, ghazal on distance in relationships portrays the ‘distance’ as an actress who actively stalks close relationships, waiting for her moment to find a place in the story

दूरियां, ghazal on distance in relationships portrays the ‘distance’ as an actress who actively stalks close relationships, waiting for her moment to find a place in the story. She charms the people involved and consumes them with her seductive moves.

She promises to give them freedom and a safe hiding spot for anyone. Closeness in relationships is her nemesis and she is jealous of any closeness, and morphs herself as someone who accentuates the closeness!

Come to think of it, and the role distance has played in your relationships! Many times, it feels draining and yet it feels liberating and compelling. Hope you enjoy this personification!

Here it goes: दूरियां, a ghazal on distance in relationships

मैंने देखा है दूरियों को करीब से
ये गहरे रिश्तों के आस पास पनपती हैं

ढूंढती हैं मौका अपनी जगह बनाने का
हमारे होने से प्यार बढ़ता है कहती हैं

आज़ादी मिलती है अपनी मर्ज़ी करने की
दूरियों की परछाइयाँ अच्छी लगने लगती हैं

कमी तो खलती है अपनों की शुरुवात में
फिर दूरियां खुद को ज़रूरतों में गिनती हैं

बैर ऐसा है इनका जैसे आग और पानी का
ये दूरियां नज़दीकियों से बहुत जलती हैं

Interested in reading more poetry?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Hindi Poetry on Social Issues: मत दो

The post includes a Hindi poem on societal influences, critiquing how powerful entities shape perceptions and behavior, often without question. The author urges readers to think independently and continue doing the right things, despite external influences.

मत दो, hindi poetry on social issues highlights how our society has shaped itself wherein the powerful people control how we think and act in this world, without realizing that we are making a choice out of free will, however we choose out the options which are presented to us tactfully by people who are in control.

Many of us, naively follow the rhetoric presented to us by media (social, print and tv). We accept without questioning and move on to something else, another distraction that can keep us occupied. What if we are influenced to stop doing basic things, some of which are presented in the piece below – does it sound awkward? May be, yes! Let’s keep thinking freely, and let’s keep doing the right things!

Here it goes: मत दो, hindi poetry on social issues

गुनहगार को कोई सज़ा मत दो
जहाँ में प्यार को रज़ा मत दो

प्यासे को पानी की बूँद मत दो
किसी को पल भर का सुकून मत दो

सूरज को आसमान में जगह मत दो
बादलों को रोको, बरसने मत दो

दो पल की एक दूजे को मोहलत मत दो
बड़े बूढ़ों को कोई इज़्ज़त मत दो

अपाहिज को बैसाखी का सहारा मत दो
डूबने दो, कश्ती को किनारा मत दो

रहने दो, खुदा को इबादत मत दो
हम खुश हैं, हमें सोचने की इजाज़त मत दो

Interested in reading more poetry?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Ghazal on Gratitude: कोई तो मिला होगा

कोई तो मिला होगा, a ghazal on gratitude is a heartfelt expression of awe for those amazing people who selflessly help others

कोई तो मिला होगा, this ghazal on gratitude is a heartfelt expression of awe for those amazing people who have helped me at so many different points in my life. If we reflect about our lives, we can think of many such people and times where someone brought in a ray of hope with them, when things seemed difficult. I have many a times received selfless support which makes me wonder, why would they even do it? And invariably, the answer is that they are just who they are! They know how to give in abundance.

When I think of how many times my motives get clouded by what’s in it for me, I remind myself of these instances! This ghazal on gratitude is my attempt to encourage all of us to pay it forward, to pass on all the help and support we have received, to someone who needs it!

These are the memories that stick and may be that’s what Karma is! I wish all of us get an opportunity to support and pull others up, and we use that opportunity wisely!

Here it goes: कोई तो मिला होगा, a ghazal on gratitude written in hindi

कोई तो मिला होगा तुम्हें भी
जो बड़ा एहसान कर गया बिना जताये

हर मोड़ पर मिले हैं ज़िन्दगी में हमें
ऐसे लोग जो हमारे बहुत काम आये

आँका खुद को जब इस पैमाने पर
कतार में बहुत पीछे खड़े नज़र आये

सिर्फ अपने बारे में सोचते हैं
अपना है भी नहीं जो, उसे खोने का डर सताये

शुक्रगुज़ार हैं तहे दिल से उन सभी का
फरिश्ता बन कर हमारी ज़िन्दगी में जो आये

ज़िन्दगी जीने की मिसाल हैं वो हमारे लिए
खुशनसीब होंगे गर हम भी किसी के काम आये

Interested in reading more poetry?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Ghazal on Life Moments: खबर ख़ुशी की थी

खबर ख़ुशी की थी, this ghazal on Life Moments captures our feelings when we get a happy news after waiting patiently albeit anxiously

खबर ख़ुशी की थी, this ghazal on life moments is something very close to my heart. Have you ever experienced a moment of happiness? Something you waited for a long time, with a good deal of anxiety?

I have had several such moments in life. It started with awaiting the exam results, in particular the 10th class board exams! Then it moved to the results on engineering and MBA exams and then transformed into waiting anxiously for the outcomes of job interviews and most importantly, the time when I waited to hear a yes from my partner, my parents and her parents!

Such moments continue to be a part of our lives and this ghazal on life moments captures our feelings in those instances. When we get a happy news after waiting patiently albeit anxiously, it’s a sudden burst of emotions that overwhelms us. Additionally, it also brings to the fore, the hidden fear that immediately engulfs us after we know the outcome, what will happen next? Are we good enough or will everything else be ok? Hope these lines help you re-live some of those cherished moments in your life.

Here it goes: खबर ख़ुशी की थी, a ghazal on life moments written in hindi

माना इंतज़ार किया बहुत बेसब्री से हमने
शुक्र है जब आयी तो खबर ख़ुशी की थी

‘बधाई हो’ की आवाज़ जब पड़ी कानों में
आँखों में आंसुओं ने कुछ थिरकत की थी

वक़्त लगा विश्वास करने में मगर शायद
शुक्रिया कह कर हमने, ख़ुशी ज़ाहिर तो की थी

क्या होगा आगे ये डर सताने लगा है अभी से
खुद को शाबाशी देने की हमने बस ज़ुर्रत ही की थी

जो ले आया है यहाँ तक वो ही ले जायेगा आगे भी
अपने रब्ब की हमने शिद्दत से इबादत तो की थी

Interested in reading more poetry?

The Versatilist, is a space where you can find posts on travel, book reviews and poetry. To follow versatilistaqua on Insta, Click here to follow Versatilistaqua on Insta

Exit mobile version
%%footer%%