प्यार : वो भी था और ये भी है!!

उस ज़माने का प्यार ........
पेड़ों के इर्द गिर्द झूमता वो प्यार ........
उन पेड़ों की शाखाओं  पर बैठे दो पंछियों सा प्यार .........
वो प्यार ......
आपस में लिपटी फूलों की पंखुड़ियों के जैसा परस्पर वो प्यार ...........
चाँद को तोड़ लाने वाले वादों सा वो प्यार ...............
साथ जीने मरने की कसमों सा वो प्यार ................
वो प्यार ...........
प्रियतम के इंतज़ार में जलती बुझती शमा सा वो प्यार ..............
पहली छुअन के एहसासों से वक़्त के पैमाने पे थमा सा वो प्यार ..............
वो प्यार ...............
वो प्यार ना जाने कहाँ खो सा गया है !
इस ज़माने का प्यार ........
चुनाव से पहले बनती गलत - सलत नीतियों सा ये प्यार ...................
मीठे कि महक से सनक उठतीं 'लाल चीटियों' सा ये प्यार ..........
ये प्यार .........
पल पल बदलते फेसबुक के स्टेटस सा ये प्यार ...............
भावनाओं कि कसौटी पर बेबस सा ये प्यार .................
ये प्यार ...........
इस खोखले समाज के तानों सा ये प्यार ......
चोरी के फ़िल्मी गानों सा ये प्यार ........
शरीर पर लगी गुम चोट सा ये प्यार .......
किसी शातिर के दिल में छुपे खोट सा ये प्यार ............
ये प्यार ............
ना और लिख सकूंगा कि दिल के दर्द से स्याही भी लाल है .................
जो कभी पुख़ता सच था वो आज बस ख्याल है ..............
पर दिल दिलासा देता है कि ना घबरा मेरे दोस्त के अभी भी कुछ तो ठीक है…
ऐसे परवाने अभी भी ज़िंदा हैं जिनके लिए मुहब्बत पवित्रता कि गरिमा का प्रतीक है .............

STATE ELECTIONS 2013: RAJASTHAN

A good trailer can compel the audience to throng the cinema halls and tag the film as a hit. The jamboree is always attracted to the 'first look'. Quite similar are the coming state elections in the five states, namely, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Mizoram. These elections are going to be the precursors of the Assembly Elections to be held in 2014. This is like prototype testing where in the parties will get to witness the mood of the people and also to make amends in their tactics and policies in the duration between the two elections. A great game is about to begin, which will showcase the manipulation tactics and the nation will get to see the rat race.

Rajasthan, the regal state and the largest state of India might prove to be the center stage of political sand storm. The incumbent CM Ashok Gehlot has launched a plethora of populist measures supported by the media onslaught. Still, the frown on his forehead is clearly visible in lieu of the rising number of cases dealing with sexual exploitation of women against a number of his ministers. Former CM Vasundhara Raje is too leaving no stone unturned in making sure that  the reign of Congress is a mere guest for two months that remain. Rajasthan has 200 seats in total and the winner needs 101 votes for cementing the victory. With the elections scheduled on December 1, it is going to be an arduous task for any of the cohorts to impress an agitated lot of around 40 million voters.

Congress is under tremendous pressure with the serious allegations on its leaders who have a strong hold on their respective constituencies and their communities and with BJP releasing their black papers, these are dark times for the the incumbent CM and his governance. Whereas BJP is crouching like a predator, waiting for its prey to get clumsy and then attack it with all might. The opposition party is organizing rath yatraas to propagate its agendas and convince the voters to cast vote in their favour. 

According to the recent surveys by Times Now-India TV-C Voter BJP leads with 97 seats followed by Congress with 79 and others with 24. Also, according to Hindustan Times-C Fore survey BJP is way ahead than Congress with 118 seats while the latter manages a meagre 64 and others claiming 18 seats. These polls, biased or unbiased, are an indicative of the changing tides in the state. Doesn't matter how much CM Gehlot discards them where there is a fire there is always smoke.     

And as always, the common man has to choose among the leaders who are less corrupt and who have less cases against their names. They are not concerned with the yatras but with what measures are taken towards their well being. So, rather than the ugly spat the political cohorts should focus on the ever so neglected 'welfare of the masses'. But, going by the aggressive expansions at both ends, welfare days are still far away from reality.

DURGA PUJA - AN EXPIRIENCE AT C R PARK

The city of joy Kolkata is 1479 kms from New Delhi, but during Vijay Dashami  the entire Bengal seemed to have taken over Delhi in terms of the ambiance, specifically at C R Park. As I entered the place, the beats of the dhaak took over me and I felt enchanted. The entire area was decorated like a beautiful bride endowed with beauty, grace, glitter and mesmerizing belle. The whole place was swarmed with devotees of Maa Durga who had come to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Amidst all the grace and vigor there was this peculiar challenge, which pandal to chose? For those who are unaware of what a pandal is, like I was earlier, it is fabricated structure, either temporary or permanent, in a religious ceremony. The fact that I refer to it as a challenge is because every pandal had a flavor of its own and an aura that was distinct and wonderful.

Finally, I, getting rid of all confusion, decided to enter a pandal that was the nearest. The first sight was that of a behemoth statue of Goddess Durga depicting the slaying of the demon Mahishasur. It was difficult to get eyes off such a admirable sight. Near the statue there were young and old alike, all dancing to the beats of the dhaak. On the stage the organizers were busy with the pujari, when suddenly the people were made aware of the arrival of social activist and Chief Ministerial candidate for coming elections, Arvind Kejriwal. He very aptly used the occasion to further profess the agenda of anti corruption and was swarmed by media and common people alike. He projected himself as the crusader of anti-corruption movement and predicted his victory. After his departure the function continued with the same vigor as before.

Apart from  the worshipping, the pandals were loaded with eating outlets. My personal favorites were phuchkaa and chuskee. There lot of food items were available for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians and some shops were even there for the promotion of their brands. The devotees were dancing in trance and it was a beautiful sight to witness. I spoke to a lot of people about the significance of this time of year in general and in their respective lives and in turn got some wonderful answers. All in all, the experience was unique and wonderful and though I have not been to Kolkata ever I have got an idea as to what it would feel like to be there at this time.

মে দেবী দুর্গা আমাদের সব আশীর্বাদ এবং আমাদের মন, শরীর ও আত্মা থেকে মন্দ বাছা (may Goddess Durga bless us all and eliminate the evil from our mind, body and soul).

THE INFALLIBLE GOD AND THE UNBREAKABLE WALL

THE INFALLIBLE GOD AND THE UNBREAKABLE WALL

               2013 is perhaps the year which every ardent cricket fan detested thinking about for  the last two and a half decades but which inevitably arrived on the scene. Two torchbearers, two colossal giants of the cricketing fraternity decided to call it a day. One is the uncrackable and unbreachable wall and the other is the almighty incarnate. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid are two names synonymous to the spirit, the class and the legacy of the gentlemen sport. Both these ingenious connoisseurs have given invaluable service not just  to the sport but the nation as well. One is the idol for those want to break conventions and the other is the embodiment of patience. At a time when the Indian cricket is marred by conspiracies, these two stalwarts will be missed on the field forever.
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar arrived on the scene when the first little master of Indian Cricket Sunil Gavaskar had just retired. There were doubts in the minds of critics as to whether Sachin would be able to survive the fierce competition leave alone the question of his being able to cope up with the aura of Gavaskar. The so called experts ridiculed his usage of a heavy bat and forecasted that this little kid would not last long. But, the master proved everyone wrong as he massacred legendary bowlers like Abdul Qadir, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mutthaiyah Murlitharan, Brett Lee and the list goes on and on. Even the modern era speedsters and spinners like Dale Stayn and Saeed Ajmal have witnessed the carnage. His delightful straight drives, hooks, leg glances, cuts and cheeky shots are imbibed in the minds of his countless fans like their own names and identity. Even a Ghajini would not dare to omit them.  Lastly, as Ravi Shastri described him when he reached the first double hundred on Earth in an ODI, Sachin Tendulkar is indeed the 'superman' of world cricket.
When the God of patience was looking for a human abode on Earth he chose the gentlemen whom his ardent fans would confer the title of 'The Wall'. Rahul Dravid was not born to entertain but to contain. He was like Bheeshma Pitamaah for the team and would soak in the entire pressure so that  others could play freely. A selfless team man, he never took the credit of any victory and always shared the it with his fellows. Who can forget those sights when pacers used to charge into him with all their might and he would simply block the deliveries or let them fly by! The rock solid defence made him the the most dependable player in the team.  He became the first man to have scored a century against each of the test playing nations and was also the first non Australian cricketer to address at the Bradman Oration in 2011. If one ever looks at the greek god Atlas supporting the Earth on his shoulder, a direct and absolutely correct collation can be made about Dravid's role in Indian cricket.
Though both the legends are not going to be active on the field when Sachin plays his 200th test match  their behemoth shadow will be seen regularly in form of the new crops of Indian batters. The stance, the shots and the mannerism of every modern day cricketer has something or the other to do with these gentlemen. However, their retirement is at a time when corruption is rampant in cricket and big corporate honchos are eating away the morals and the ethics of young budding aspirants. It is time when both Sachin and Dravid take up the mantle of mentors and preach what is good for the cricket so that amidst the glamour and glaze the spirit remains alive. Both these legends cannot be replicated but their skills, integrity of character and their passion for the game can be.
Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records - William Arthur Ward 

THE DISTINCT VISAGE OF RAMLEELA

                With winter around the corner and the petrichor getting more intense, a sudden excitement starts building as the festivals start getting more frequent in the calendar. The first to knock on the door is Dussera or Vijaydashmi. Associated with this festival is the common practice of organizing Ramleelas. There is absolutely no need for anyone to elaborate on what it is, how it is and what goes on in it because it is very innate in our culture and our lives. As a kid I remember having visited the nearest Ramleela, to my home, almost each day. The street food, the magic shows, the shoddy caricatures of Essel World rides, the swords, arrows, bows and not to forget the theatrical depiction of the Ramayana.  Playing at the backdrop of all these activities were the melodious bhajans in the mesmerizing voice of the late ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh. Those were the good times.

                Nowadays, Ramleela has been reduced to a minuscule of its old self. The bhajans have been replaced with crass cacophony, the street food stalls are deserted with the arrival of big brands, the children don't find the ancient warfare tools are interesting as the new gizmos and Ramayana is portrayed by soulless individuals. The entire fair looks like a chaotic gathering, as if the soul of the Ramleela has been drenched and the jamboree is just a customary ritual.   

                An air of artificiality prevailed when I entered the Ramleela ground in my city. Hawkers were buzzing around humming some gibberish which somehow was related to the merchandise  they were selling.  Moving on I saw a great divide between the old version of the fair and the new, between the people who were startled by the color of the fair and people who were disgusted at the sight of what they thought to be too local for their taste, in short the stereotyped divide between the rich and the mediocre. The rides were deserted and no body seemed to care about the theme of the fair. I felt claustrophobic, even in a big ground as it was and rather than the frolic I experienced as a child the entire canvas of the Ramleela irritated me.

                Being an avid fan of theater I decided to watch the Ramayan on stage. This was the last chance I was willing to to give myself to still believe that the horrendous show would still poses some elements of yesteryear's that would help it linger on to its former glory. However, yet again, I was dispointed and disgusted, as what I saw in the name of the depiction of the epic was a complete third class caricature with absolute nincompoops acting on the stage and raping the esteem these naataks have amassed over the years.

                I am short of words to pen a conclusion to this misadventure of mine. I have had a special emotional association with the Ramleela since childhood. It was my stress buster during and after the half yearly exams, it was the time when I used to meet my friends and enjoy imbecility at its purest and highest form, it was an opportunity at marveling the obedience of Ram, the loyalty of Hanuman, the thundering voice of Ravana and the devotion of Seeta. But now,  it is a not even a speck of dust of its former past. And as far as my question of visiting it next year is concerned, well all I can do is nothing but recollect a saying from the Buddha - Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.