Category: WordPlay

सुकून (At Peace): Poetry in Hindi

This poetry in hindi is inspired from an unknown couple I saw in a café. It captures the harmony and the beautiful rhythm between two souls.

सुकून (At Peace) is a poetry in hindi is inspired from an unknown couple whom I saw in a café. Although, I went to café coffee day to get some productive writing time. I got distracted when I saw this beautiful middle aged couple, a boy dressed in formals and the girl dressed in everyday casual jeans and T-shirt. The girl walked into the café much earlier and waited for her beau. When he arrived, she sat him down and started to rub his forehead and eyebrows as if trying to push away all the strain and stress that he carried. This gesture intrigued me! Curious,I continued to notice how they were drowned in each other’s presence, without a care for the world. While the girl sipped black coffee, the guy lit a cigarette, may be to shoot up his worries in smoke. While they held hands, he kept talking. As if he was telling her all about his day and she listened with intent, as she spoke sparsely but lovingly. Although it felt like a distraction earlier, but I loved their harmony and it inspired me to pen down my thoughts on this beautiful rhythm between two souls.

Here it goes: सुकून (At Peace), a poetry in Hindi

दिन भर की थकावट चली जाती है
तूँ जब धीरे से मेरे बालों को सहलाती है

–

तूँ ब्लैक कॉफ़ी की घूँट लगाती है और
मेरी सिगरेट धुएँ के छल्ले उड़ाती है

–

अपने हाथ में मेरा हाथ पकड़ कर
ध्यान से मेरी बातें सुनती जाती है

–

दुनिया की परवाह नहीं होती तुझे
अपना वक़्त तूँ बस मेरे नाम कर जाती है

–

इन लम्हों में तेरी एक छोटी सी राय
मेरी बड़ी सी उलझनें सुलझा जाती है

–

पूछे गर कोई मुझसे सुकून का मतलब
मुझे तेरी ही बेइंतेहा याद आती है

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Baby Girl

A poetry to celebrate a memory and a relationship which once was like fire but extinguished akin to its nature.

This poetry, Baby Girl, is from the closet. I wrote this one at least 12 years ago and this piece carries some memories. Hope you enjoy reading this piece ‘Baby Girl’.

Some years ago, a house was blessed with a baby girl,

She had a smile so sweet, just like a Barbie doll,

She was naughty to the core, and was full of anger,

Like all of us are, childhood stories aren’t a stranger,

Time went by and made her older,

Vagaries of life , burdened her shoulders,

Saddened and hurt, with no one to hold her,

She kept fighting,  becoming stronger and bolder,

Now the thick and thin, fail to bother,

As she spreads her charm from one to another,

The innocent eyes, and looks to die for, 

This nubile makes you praise the lord, 

Here she is, in the year twenty four,

Independent, ambitious and full of vigor,

Obstacles in her path are no match,

For resilience and dedication are her natch,

Don’t try to be smart, she knows the tricks,

You can’t help but admire her, for who she is,

She’ll care for you, like no one can,

Her love is like symphony of a musician,

Being with her is like another life,

A perfect partner in any strife,

She is a princess, but her prince is who,

Who holds her hand and takes her through,

Thousands crave but fail to woo,

I just couldn’t be happier, I am lucky to have you

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धोखा (Betrayal): Hindi Poetry

This poetry is a reminder that sometimes we betray people around us. Do you feel uncomfortable with betrayal?

Betrayal, is a hindi poetry explore and accentuates an unpleasant experience which we all of us have experienced and knowingly or unknowingly have made someone else experience it. Sometimes, promises are not kept, dues are not cleared and expectations are not met. This poetry is a reminder and an acknowledgement that despite best intentions, or sometimes with deliberate intent, we betray people around us. Do you feel uncomfortable with betrayal?

Here it goes, Betrayal!

धोखा आम हो गया है ज़माने में अब
ठगने वाला हस कर कहानी दोस्तों को सुनाता है

–

भरोसा करने वाला होता है बेवक़ूफ़
मतलबी होना आजकल हुनर कहलाता है

–

आता है नकाब पहनकर, प्यार तो कोई फायदे का
दिल होता है चूर या कोई अपने पैसे गंवाता है

–

कोई जिए या मरे, मेरा भला क्या जाता है
दिक्कत ना आये कोई मुझे, हर कोई यही चाहता है

–

मिल जाये गर इंसान शरीफ कोई
दिल अंदर ही अंदर बहुत हैरत जताता है

–

दिया होगा धोखा तुमने भी कभी किसी को
माफ़ करना गर ये पढ़ कर तुम्हें वो याद आता है

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बेचैन (Restless): Hindi Kavita

Restless, is a hindi Kavita which lends words to that feeling of self doubt which makes us feel inadequate and restless!

Restless, it’s state of being when we experience uncertainty and anxiety. At times, restless means that we just look around for anything that can keep us occupied so that our we can avoid the thousand thoughts that cloud our mind. Often, many of us feel restless at work. The pressure and stress of our everyday jobs and other responsibilities has pushed so many of us into this continued state of restlessness. We sometimes feel that we walk on egg shells and keep looking for assurance and external validation. Small things, words and actions can sometimes land in our mind as big events which again, make us restless. One of those small things is the feeling of self-doubt and imposter syndrome which many of us have experienced.

Restless, is a hindi Kavita which lends words to that feeling of self doubt which makes us restless! My message to you is, it’s ok to feel restless and this feeling is more common than we think. This feeling dawns upon the best of us at times. It’s important to acknowledge its existence and develop ourselves to take in our stride, and move on!

Here it goes, Restless!

कई दफा, मैं यूँ ही बेचैन हो जाता हूँ
अधूरे काम की लिस्ट देख बड़ा घबराता हूँ

–

अपने हुनर पर शक्क़ करता हूँ अक्सर
कभी दूसरों के डर से चुप रह जाता हूँ

–

गलत बोल दूँ गर नादानी में कभी
क्यों बोले, सोच कर खुद को कोस खाता हूँ

–

मेरी तारीफ बहुत करते हैं लोग आस पास
बहुत जल्दी उस तारीफ को मैं भूल जाता हूँ

–

जो मिला मुझे, कैसे बनूँ लायक उसके
इस सोच के समुन्दर में डूबे चला जाता हूँ

–

ध्यान लगाता हूँ, लेता हूँ सहारा कलम का भी
बेचैन हो जाता हूँ, फिर भी बढ़ते चला जाता हूँ

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तेरी आदत बन जाएं: Romantic Love, Sringara Ras

This Sringara Ras ‘हम तेरी आदत बन जाएं’ is my yearn to express my love for my beloved and appreciate little things about our relationship

This Sringara Ras is inspired by the love of my life, Guddu. Words are neither adequate nor enough to express my love for Guddu. However, I keep trying to lend words to these overwhelming emotions of happiness I experience every time I consciously think about us together.

This Sringara Ras ‘हम तेरी आदत बन जाएं’ is my yearn to express my love. To be a part of her life in myriad ways and appreciate little things that make me feel amazing to be a part of her life.

Interested in reading more wordplay?

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इंसान है तूँ खुदा नहीं (Raudra Ras Kavita)

Raudra Ras Kavita ‘इंसान है तूँ खुदा नहीं’ is my attempt at channelizing my anger into a rhythm. Have you ever felt angry?

‘Learn to cultivate your anger’ is one of the dialogues I fondly remember from one of the iconic Bollywood movies, Ghatak. The role of angry young man was played by Sunny Deol and his father, Lt. Amrish Puri guided him to cultivate his anger so he could inspire others around him to be fearless.

“क्रोध को पालना सीख, काशी” he said. Recently, I had a few days where I felt extremely angry and I channelized that anger into the Raudra Ras Kavita below. This Raudra (anger) is directed at a fictional character who I perceived as the target to lay upon my verbal wrath. Now when I looked at it after several weeks, I decided to publish it.

I don’t wish that you re-live your anger after reading this. I would rather wish that you will find an outlet for your anger through these words.

Here it goes.

कांटे बिछा कर रास्ते में मेरे
तूँ सोचता है किये की सज़ा नहीं
कुछ दुश्मन न हों ज़िन्दगी में
तो जीने में भी मज़ा नहीं

–

छीन लेता गर कोई छीन पाता
कोशिश करने वाला तूँ पहला नहीं
कैसे मिल सकता है तुझे भला
जो किस्मत में तेरी लिखा नहीं

–

जो पाया है पाया मैंने मेहनत से
खैरात में तो मिला नहीं
मौका तेरे पास भी था ‘दोस्त’
दुबारा मगर ये मिलता नहीं

–

मेरा रब्ब है मेहरबान मुझ पर
मरने का मुझे खौफ नहीं
पा कर जाऊंगा मैं वो मुकाम
जितना तूने सोचा भी नहीं

–

मेरा इंतकाम तेरा साया बना रहेगा
वक़्त के धागे से ये बंधा नहीं
तूँ भूल गया है शायद
इंसान है तूँ खुदा नहीं

Interested in reading more poetry?

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Poetry on Shopping: शॉपिंग

Hindi poetry about shopping, and the never ending cycle of it

A poetry on shopping is my reflection after my recent outing for shopping with my family. Shopping never gets old and we never get enough of it. Sometimes, we shop for things which we already have, and yet want more of. Other times, it’s just a good sales person selling us their idea of a product that lures us into buying more.

I have seen a trend around me, where we try to give away a few of our prized possessions to the needy through the organizations which support them. It’s amazing to see people give away toys, clothes, music instruments, books etc. That makes us feel good and also, makes room for more shopping, isn’t it?

Do you think you are a part of the shopping cycle? Here is a poetry on shopping, शॉपिंग

खुशियां खरीदने निकलते हैं घर से
बड़ी बड़ी दुकानों से चुन कर लाते हैं

–

खुद के लिए बटोरते हैं कभी
तो कभी घरवालों के लिए ले आते हैं

–

बहुत मेहनत से कमाते हैं पैसा
मलाल भी होता है की यूँही लुटा आते हैं

–

करें भी तो क्या करें हम बेचारे
खरीदे हुए सामान इतनी जल्दी पुराने जो हो जाते हैं

–

डब्बे में भर पुराने कपड़े खिलोने किताबें
कभी ज़रूरतमंद संस्थाओं को दे आते हैं

–

और फिर, ‘मेरे पास कुछ नया नहीं है’ कह कर
खुशियां खरीदने हम घर से निकल जाते हैं

Interested in reading more poetry?

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Ghazal on Promises: वादा

This ghazal is about the promises we make in relationships and how those transform over a period of time. Does it resonate with you?

We often make promises fueled by emotions. This ghazal on promises is inspired by this thought! The promises, to self and others. Our intent is to showcase commitment. As it often does, with time, the memory of intent and the promise wears down. We tend to forget why we made the promise and what was the promise. This ghazal captures the essence of such promises that we make in relationships and how those transform over a period of time. Does it resonate with you?

Here it goes, a ghazal on promises: वादा

सात जन्मों तक साथ देने का किया था वादा
आजकल वो वादा उन्हें याद दिलाना पड़ता है

–

प्यार करना ही काफी नहीं कहते हैं वो
तोहफे दे कर प्यार जताना भी पड़ता है

–

गर हम रूठ भी जाएं उनसे कभी
हम ही को उन्हें मनाना पड़ता है

–

वो हैं हमारी ज़िन्दगी में खुशनसीबी है हमारी
हर रोज़ खुद को उनके लायक बनाना पड़ता है

–

कितना भी उड़ ले परिंदा खुले आसमान में
घर लौट कर तो उसे भी आना पड़ता है

–

यूँ तो रुतबा ऊंचा है ज़माने में हमारा
उनके आगे मगर रुतबे को भुलाना पड़ता है

Interested in reading more poetry?

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समंदर, a beach poetry

Beach is my love beach and समंदर, a beach poetry is for all of us who love to be on the beach and yearn for it.

Beach is my love and समंदर, a beach poetry is a reflection of why I love the beach. Ironically, I penned this at home, hundreds of miles away from the beach but this tells me why I love the beach and what I long for. When I recited the draft of this to Guddu (my partner in crime), she too loved it and I am glad these words below lend themselves to aptly describe our shared love for beaches.

Recently, I published another poetry ‘That Perfect Spot on the Beach’, on the same theme which I fortunately penned while reveling in pristine beauty and calm of an amazing white sand blue water beach in Thailand.

I hope this piece helps you re-live some of the moments you have spent on the beach. Would love to hear why you love the beach.

Here is goes, a beach poetry: समंदर

मुझे रेत पर बैठ समंदर
के किनारे वक़्त बिताना अच्छा लगता है

–

बहते पानी की शांत आवाज़
में खामोश बैठना अच्छा लगता है

–

बिखरी पड़ी छोटी बड़ी सीप
को यूँ ही बटोरना अच्छा लगता है

–

तपती धूप में चलती तेज़ हवा
का अपने चेहरे पर बिखरना अच्छा लगता है

–

नारियल से लदे ऊँचे पेड़ों
का धीरे से लहराना अच्छा लगता है

–

बहुत दूर खुले नीले आसमान
में लहरों का सिमटना अच्छा लगता है

–

ख्यालों में डूबे बेपरवाह पैरों
के निशान पीछे छोड़ जाना अच्छा लगता है

–

सच कहो क्या तुम्हें भी समंदर
के किनारे वक़्त बीतने अच्छा लगता है?

Interested in reading more poetry?

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इक तरफ़ा इश्क़: Hindi Wordplay, a lover’s anguish

A lover’s anguish, whether his beloved cares about his life or death is captured in the lines of this hindi wordplay ‘इक तरफ़ा इश्क़’

This hindi wordplay ‘इक तरफ़ा इश्क़’ is a part of the series of poems which are based on the theme ‘One sided Love’. My earlier poem in this series, ‘इंतज़ार, longing for the beloved’ received a lot of love from many readers. While the earlier poem was about the lover’s yearning for his beloved, this piece brings out the lover’s anguish. He ruminates the fact that he doesn’t know what his beloved feels about him. And yet declares his intention that his love is eternal and not bound the perils of time!

This wordplay also has a reference to Mirza-Sahiba, a popular and controversial story of love. While Mirza and Sahiba were eloping, they were being chased by Sahiba’s brothers. After gaining some distance, Mirza and Sahiba decided to take some rest. While they were resting, Sahiba saw her brothers closing in on them and fearing for their lives, decided to unarm Mirza by breaking his arrows. Mirza was a valiant man and was unbeatable with his arrows in tact. Sahiba hoped that her brothers would not resort to violence but they ended up killing Mirza. Consequently, there and then, Sahiba decided to take her own life. In the folklore, Sahiba is often criticized for her actions and this love story is a bitter sweet ambivalent story of love and betrayal.

The lover’s anguish, of not even knowing if his beloved even cares about his life or death is captured in the lines of this hindi wordplay ‘इक तरफ़ा इश्क़’:

English Rendition:

This long dark night refuses to pass, and I can’t survive any night when I don’t think about you

I stare at the roof and think about you, imagining myself in your life gives me solace

even clouds can’t be around with the sky all the time, I feel content if you think about me once

one sided love means a certain heart-break, my friends call you Sahiba of my life

they mock me, and ask me how long will I wait for you, love that is bound by time is not love I retort,

the days of my life that pass by without you by my side, I don’t consider those as a part of my life anyway,

however, I am not lucky enough like Mirza, I don’t even know if you care about my life and death.

Interested in reading more wordplay?

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

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