“Usko kya hain? Saala jamke paise mile hain, abhi life set. sahi hain yaar.”, quipped a friend about another, who landed a plush job in a consulting firm. I wasn’t surprised. Indians have always been famous for being jealous over other people’s achievements unless its got something as jingoistic as national pride. Only this time, the friend was careful enough to disguise it with words of appreciation. I wouldn’t agree with him. Because I know the struggle that the so call “set” friend had gone through, to reach there. It just seemed natural to me that the friend should be where he is. And confirmed my belief, that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Forget free, there is not such thing as subsidized lunch in life. You pay the price in full, either personally or professionally. Whether you want to pay or not. The price, often, is not related to monetary expenses at all.

I was wondering about how many such stories make up someone’s life. Almost everyone has a story to be told. For example, I know of many friends who have gone hungry because “bhook nahi hain”, while the reality is paise nahi hain.(I must have mentioned this somewhere). Couple of friends who publicly denounce the need to have ‘material things’ in life such as fan, mobile and ‘luxuries’ of life like tea in the morning with breakfast. Friends, who sewed up their old school uniforms and used it for years together. Friends who refused to come to see a particular movie kyuki that movie is boring or they are not interested. Where in reality, they couldnt afford it. Contrast that with me, who sulked whenever there wasnt a new uniform for each year. I think I paid the price for that. Because, those friends are now where I thought I would naturally be. Instead, I am in two minds about my life as of now.

I had this philosophy back then. Bachpan aaram se gaya toh jawani main dhakke khao. To be honest, I do not regret that at all. Because, its only in bachpan you can afford to be ignorant about life and do whatever you want without remorse. Jawani main aaram karke main kya karunga (Angoor Khatte? ). So that is why, I dont regret my current life either. What use is Jawani if you cannot fight everyday struggles in life. Point is, struggle is present at some stage of life, either in bachpan, jawani or budhapa. And guess what, its not you who gets to choose. So if someone looks well off or has achieved something in life, its often a result of struggles of life that the person has gone through. Mostly, untold or in many cases, unknown.

So if you are struggling with life’s problems, remember, its coz u had your aaram or that there is aaram after those struggles end.

बचपन में बताया था किसी ने
कि तारे उतने पास नहीं होते
जितने दिखते हैं।
नहीं समझी थी मैं तब,
अब समझती हूँ।

बचपन में बताया था किसी ने
कि सूरज बड़ा दिखता चाँद से
फिर भी वो ज़्यादा दूर है।
नहीं समझी थी मैं तब,
अब समझती हूँ।

बचपन में बताया था किसी ने
चलती गाड़ी पर कि पेड़ नहीं
हम भाग रहे हैं।
नहीं समझी थी तब
अब समझती हूँ।

कोई पास होकर भी दूर कैसे होता है
नज़दीक दिखती चीज़ें कितनी दूर होती हैं
और हम भाग रहे होते हैं चीज़ों से
पता भी नहीं चलता
मान बैठते हैं कि क़िस्मत बुरी है
और चीजें भाग रहीं हैं हमसे।

अब समझती हूँ।

Jaya Jha

All drenched in rain

Its been raining here in Bangalore for past few days now. Everytime I see the rain coming down from the heavens above I feel like getting all wet in it. But everytime I am held back. Held back from getting wet just because now I have a hundered and one things to take care of before I get wet.

Every time I have to think, “My leather shoes would get soggy in the rain”.   “What about the money wallet I am carry or my mobile phone”. Every thing would be rendered useless once I get wet. More over I’ll have to go to office, how can I sit in the office with all my clothes wet. All this khich-khich, always changes my mind.

I’m surprised when I see my self in flash back. Just 3-4 years ago,  I would have not given getting wet another thought. If it rained I’d have to get wet. Then it did not matter if I was walking, I was on a bike, I was going to college, coming from college… did not make a difference.

Well that is what they call change I suppose, but I dont want to change… I still want to be that stubborn little kid that I’ve always been.

But tonite when it rained in Bangalore while I was on my way back from dinner… I just could not help my self. I kept the wallet n mobile phone, pens etc in a plastic bag n started walking… geting drenched in the heavenly shower.. enjoying every drop landing on my body.

A happy little grown up child.

Ah.. It felt great to be a child again.. Automatically my mind started reciting the following lines from the poem “Mera Naya Bachpan” by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan

बार-बार आती है मुझको मधुर याद बचपन तेरी।
गया ले गया तू जीवन की सबसे मस्त खुशी मेरी॥

चिंता-रहित खेलना-खाना वह फिरना निर्भय स्वच्छंद।
कैसे भूला जा सकता है बचपन का अतुलित आनंद?

ऊँच-नीच का ज्ञान नहीं था छुआछूत किसने जानी?
बनी हुई थी वहाँ झोंपड़ी और चीथड़ों में रानी॥

कभी-कभी जब प्रातः भ्रमण को जाता हूँ तो पार्क के रस्ते में एक प्रतिष्ठित कॉन्वेंट स्कूल पड़ता है | कारों से बड़ा-बड़ा बोझ निकालते हुए छोटे-छोटे बच्चे दिखते हैं | उन्हें देख कर मन कुंठित हो उठता है | उसी कुंठा में एक दिन लिख बैठा| अपनी प्रतिक्रिया अवश्य व्यक्त कीजियेगा |

धन्यवाद

- मोहन (मोजो)

बचपन और बोझ

बचपन में बड़ा बोझ रे बाबा !!

एक-आध में पढ़ते होंगे

दीर्घ शंका में खेलते होंगे

इकटक चीजों को देखते होंगे

बच्चे हैं सो बचपन रे बाबा

मुख की मुस्की खोई रे बाबा

पीठ में जो इतना बोझ रे बाबा

बचपन में बड़ा बोझ रे बाबा !!

पाठशाला को ही जाते हैं

पर ज्यों अखाड़े को जाते रे बाबा

पहलवान के कंधे पे मुद्गल जैसे

वैसा झोला ढ़ोते रे बाबा

फिर मास्टरनी की डपट रे बाबा

घर पर पिजड़ा बाहर जेल

पियू बना तोता रे बाबा

बचपन में बड़ा बोझ रे बाबा!!

और हम….

छठवे बरस तो पाठशाला गए

वो भी कभी गए कभी नहीं रे बाबा

मिला पहला डपटने वाला

जिस पर माँ भी न भड़की रे बाबा

वरना माँ के गुस्से के आगे

कहाँ कोई बचा रे बाबा

वो तो मास्टरजी रे बाबा

सो कभी गए, कभी नहीं रे बाबा

पुरे छः वर्षों माटी में खेले

पेड़ों पर झूले, खेतों में दौड़े

फिर पाठशाला की दहलीज़ रे बाबा

पर अबके….

बचपन में बड़ा बोझ रे बाबा!!

कोमल पंखुड़ियों से हाथ

चंचल तितलियों सी नैना

फूलों से मधुर मुस्कान

माथे पर लकीर, पीठ में झोला रे बाबा

यूं लाख्ताकिये से उतरते रे बाबा

न जानूं, सही या गलत

देखता हूँ, लगे बुरा रे बाबा

लगे ज्यों जग का सारा भर

इन नन्हे कोमल काँधों पर रे बाबा

अबके ……

बचपन में बड़ा बोझ रे बाबा !!!!

Hontoon pe muhabbat ke fasanay nahien atay
sahil pe sumunder ke hazanay nahien atay
palkien bhi chamak uthi hain sotay hi humari
ankhoon ko abhi khawab chupanay nahien atay
dil ujri hoi ik saraye ki terha hai
ab log yahan raat jaganay nahien atay
yaro naye mousam neen yeah ahsan kiye hain
ab yaad samjo durd puranay nahien atay
urnay do abhi parindoon ko shoh huwa main
phir lout ke bachpan ke zamanay nahien atay
is sheher ke badal tairy zulfoon ki tarha hain
yeah aag lagatay hain per bujanay nahien atay
ehbab bhi ghairoon ki tarha ada sekh gaye hain
atay hain mager dil ko dukhanay nahien atay

A very crude poem (or poem sort of thing)… But a dedication with all my emotions intact….

Vo parion ki kahaniyan ,vo mamta ki chaaon

Jab bhi ham jaate the unke gaaon

Ghee daal ke dal bhat  khilati ,mere liye aam ka achaar banati,

Jab ham raat ko chandni par sote to mere chutpan ke kisse sunati…

Unki kahaniya kabhi na khatam hone vaali..

Sher,Mithoo, pari, rakshas aur rajkumarion vaali

Salma sitare aur zari se meri gudia ke naye kapde silti,

Nukkad ki dukkan se hajmola laane ke liye roz 2 rupaye deti…

Ma ki daant se bachane vo khud beech mein aa jati,

Mere har nakhare ko sar aankhon par chadati..

Lal, peeli ,neeli rangoli ki nai nai design batati…

Muje embroidery ki tarah tarah ki stitch sikhlati..

Diwali ke deepón jaise vo mere jeevan mein prakash failati…

Nandan , champak aadi balkatha pustakon se mujhe milane vaali..

Mere liye khilone ka tea set khareed kar lane vaali..

Satin aur lace ke sundar sundar frock bana  kar dene vaali..

Unke aane ka besabri se intezaar karti..

Unse bichadti to ro ro kar main behaal ho jaati

Vo bhi nam aankon se mujhe alvida keh jaati…

Jaldi he aane ka vaada kar, vah train mein vapas chali jaati..

ab main badi ho gayi hoon… aur vah aur bhi badi..

Ab vah mere utne paas nai..ab mere jazbaat unke saath nai..

Ab hamare khayalat alag hain..dono ki soch farak hai..

Lekin fir bhi main kehti hoon…kyunki dil se yah maanti hoon..

Ki tumne mujhe jo bachpan diya..uska koi barabar nahi,

Mere balman par jo amit chap tumne chodi,

Chote chote sukhon mein tumne jo zindagi undeli,

 Us sab ki main aajeevan aabhari rahungi…

Aur duniya ke har bacche ke liye tum jaise Nani ki prarthna karungi… J

Aik Chota Sa Larka Tha Main Jin Dinon
Aik Melay Main Pohncha Humakta Hua
Ji Machalta Tha Aik Aik Shae Par Magar
Jaib Khali Thee Kuch Mol Lay Na Saka
Laut Aya Liye Hasratain Saink-ron
Aik Chhota Sa Larka Tha Main Jin Dinon

Khair Mehroomion Ke Wo Din To Gaye
Aaj Mela Laga Hai Isi Shan Say
Aaj Chahoon To Aik Ek Dukaan Mol Loon
Aaj Chahoon To Sara Jahan Mol Loon
Naar-sai Ka Ab Ji Main Dharka Kahan
Par Wo Chhota Sa, Alhar Sa Larka Kahan?

Bachpan ki kuch yaadein…
I was chatting to one of my friend and after few minutes we didnt have anything to write in chatbox, so she wrote one line of kindergarten poem (Twinkle Twinkle little star). I replied with next line, then she wrote next, this way we completed many poems on chat. After this chatting session I was sitting and remembering old golden days of school time. those school time masti. those were the days when we waited for the chitrahaar, byomkesh bakshi, Ramyana, Mahabharata on Doordarshan. Not only serials even advertisements were also popular. remember rasna ad, Utterly butterly amul Ad?

These are the two poems we exchanged while chatting

1. Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky!

2. Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any Wool,
Yes sir, yes sir
Three bags full
One for the master
One for the dame
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.

Few ads and TV serials’ title songs, which remind me of my childhood

Remember Chaddhi pehan kar phool khila hai? here it is, I love this song very much.

Mogli:

Uncle Scrooge, his three nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, Launchpad, Gyro, Beagleboys etc in Ducktales

Ducktales

Humko pata hai G, sabko pata hai G, Doordarshan Ad on Parle-G
Parle-G:

Doodh doodh Doodh, doodh hai wonderful, pe sakte hian roz glass full
Amul Milk:

Ayesha takia: I am a complan girl,
Shahid Kapoor: I am complan Boy
Complan:

Hamara Bajaj
Bajaj:

Cute girl ankita saying: I love you RASNA
Rasna:

Patriotic song “MIle sur mera tumhara, to sur bane hamara” on DD
Mile sur mera tumhara:

Animated ad: yeh anek kya hota hai DIDI, anek matlab bahut saare, bahut saare? kya bahut saare?
Ek Anek:

to apne bachpan ko yaad karo aur kho jao.

Everyone has some childhood memory which tend to bring smiles. For me it would be “childhood rhymes”. One which I sang the most, enjoyed the most is the, “Munna ki Shaadi”. Try singing it fast, would enjoy better. Also if you can couple it with claps, pleasure would be supreme.

Bollywood’s oomphiest, sexiest, vampiest vixen, Helen is making a comeback — but don’t expect her to be shaking a leg. The 1939-born Anglo-Burmese actress will be playing the role of a granny in debutant director Rajiv Sharma’s Bachpan (read the news report on NDTV here.)

Helen set the screen alight in the 1960s and 70s with such performances as Mera naam chin chin chu (Howrah Bridge) and Piya tu ab toh aa ja (Caravan) — not to forget, Yeh mera dil pyaar ka deewana (in the original Don). Then, a new era of sexy actresses who could play both vamp and heroine elbowed Helen the vamp out, reducing Helen the actress to the every heroine’s worst nightmare: character roles as an aunty, headmistress and, later, granny.

For a complete list of Helen’s films and the roles she played, click on the IMDB site here.

Finally, three questions for Helen trivia buffs:

1. What was Helen’s most common screen name?

2. In which dance-form did Helen initially train?

3. In which film did Helen play Zeenat Aman’s mother?

[please post answers as comments & feel free to post your own questions]

And, finally (again) here’s a clip from Helen Queen of the Nautch Girls by Merchant Ivory [via Bollywood Food Club]

संसार के दुःख रूपी विष से हर किसी को है आघात यहाँ,
इस विषरूपी दुःख दैत्य की क्या कोई नहीं है काट यहाँ ?

क्या कुछ भी नहीं है ऐसा जो हर किसी को खुशियाँ दे पाए ?
एक पल के लिए तो कम से कम हर बात भुला के हँस पाए,

आनंद निहित हो उसमे इतना, स्वयं अनंदास्वरुपा हो , 
कोई न वंचित हो जिससे वो सुख-सागर कुछ ऐसा हो,

इन्ही ख्यालो में खोया कुछ उलझा अपनी उलझन में,
हो के मानव चरित्र के अधीन त्रुटी ढूढ़ रहा था भगवन में,

ये सोच ही रहा था की तभी नन्हीं ख़ुशी वहाँ आई,
होठो पर अपने हसीं लिए खिल-खिला कर मुस्काई,

जाने क्या जादू था उसकी हर प्यारी मुस्कान में,
एक बार जो हँस दे फिर से वार दूं अपने प्राण मैं,

उसके होठो की एक हसीं जीवन में उमंग भर देतीं,
नन्हें दातों की श्वेत पंक्तियाँ मन को प्रकाशित कर देतीं,

ले के उसे आलिंगन में माथे पर दिया स्नेह चुम्बन,
खुशिया इतनी मिल गयी मानो नीचे हो गया नील-गगन,

ईश्वर के इस सुख रूपी रस से तृप्त हो गया मेरा मन,
बन कर क्षमाप्रार्थी स्वयं ईश्वर को किया शतबार नमन 

………………………… Shubhashish(2004)