Mehmood

Today is the birth anniversary of Mehmood Ali, or simply Mehmood , the popular actor, director and producer of Hindi Cinema . he was born this day in 1932 .Known more for playing rib- tickling comic roles, he entertained generations of cine goers throughout his illustrious  career spanning four   decades. A veteran of 300 films and   versatile actor that he was, he was equally appealing and effective while playing tragic roles.Thus he was able to draw guffaws as well as sobs from  captivated  and mesmerized   cine goers. Also,   his movements and expressions fine tuned with the lyrics of a song making it a memorable experience. 
His filmography includes films like Sanyasi, Nastik, Kagaz ke Phool, Chhoti Behan, Manzil, Sasural, Rakhi ,Dil Tera Diwana, Ghar Basake Dekho, Zindagi, Ziddi, Shabnam, Chitralekha, Jauhar- Mehmood in Goa, Bhoot Bangla, Gunahon ka Devta, Love In Tokyo,Sangharsh, Padosan, Patthar ke Sanam, Aankhen, Neeel Kamal, Izzat, Do Kaliyan, Humjoli, Kunwara Baap, Lakhon mein Ek, Des Pardes, and many many others. 
A song - Jodi hamari jamega kaise jaani- is famous for his Chaplin like movements.In 'Lakhon Mein Ek'  & 'Kunwara Baap', he played serious roles with élan. In  all he was nominated 25 times for Filmfare Awards- 19 times for comic roles and before that 6 times for  the Best Supporting Actor.   He remains an iconic figure in Hindi Cinema.
He died on 23rd July, 2004 aged 71, in Pennsylvania, US.    

Our humble tributes to this versatile genius !

Mulk Raj Anand

Today is the death anniversary of Dr.Mulk Raj Anand , the doyen of Indian writing in English, who along with R.K.Narayan and Raja Rao constitutes the famous threesome who were the first among the Indian writers who got published abroad and were recognized and acknowledged not only in India but in the entire English speaking world.I got familiar with his name when in school, we had 'The Lost Child' a short story written by him in our syllabus. Unfortunately, I have not been able to read many of his works, but his life story has always fascinated me. His novels like ‘Coolie’ and ‘ The Untouchable’ underscore his deep empathy for the downtrodden and the underprivileged. While writing ‘The Untouchable’, a real incident of one of his aunts being excommunicated due to her sharing a meal with a muslim woman must also have been at the back of his mind.In his writings , he seems optimist enough to dream of a casteless society. He comes across as an unusual combination of being a Leftist and a Gandhist.He worked for the cause of Indian Independence during his stay in London.

While living in London, he became a friend of literary stalwarts, like E.M .Forster, T.S.Eliot and George Orwell.He also worked for T.S.Eliot’s magazine ‘Criterion’.
Anand even travelled to Spain to participate in the Spanish Civil War. The world famous painter Picasso was also a friend of Mulk Raj Anand. Apart from writing critically acclaimed novels and short stories, Anand was also an Art Critic and founded MARG , an organization to study and promote Art. I had privilege of meeting him in late 80s at Pooh in Kinnaur,where he spent a night each on way to and back from Spiti in connection with a project on Himalayan Architecture.
He wrote nine novels which are- Untouchable ,Coolie ,Two Leaves and a Bud ,The Village,Across the Black Waters,The Sword and the Sickle,The Big Heart ,The Private Life of an Indian Prince, and The Road , in the chronological order.
‘Morning Face’ a part of his autoboigraphical venture won him the Sahitya Academy Award in 1968.
He was also a recipient of Padma Bhushan.
Our humble tributes to the great author and a towering intellectual !

देवानन्द

दशकों तक बतौर रोमांटिक हीरो हिन्दी सिनेमा जगत पर राज करने वाले लोकप्रिय अभिनेता, निर्माता व निर्देशक स्व. देवानन्द की आज जयंती है.
पद्म भूषण और दादा साहेब फाल्के पुरस्कार से सम्मानित इस महान कलाकार को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

Dev Anand

Today is the birth anniversary of Dev Anand , the legendary Bollywood actor and director. A member of the famous triumvirate – the other two being the other greats Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor- that dominated the golden era of Bollywood , Dev Anand remained active as actor and director for more than sixty years. He acted in 114 movies with a lead role in 92 of them. He also founded Navketan Films along with his elder brother Chetan Anand. He mainly played romantic roles and paired with all leading heroines , like Suraiya,Nalini Jaywant,Meena Kumari, Sadhana, Nutan, Madhubala, Asha Parikh, Waheeda Rehman. He did seven movies in a row with Suraiya , had an affair with her which could not mature into matrimony because of the opposition from Suraiya’s family over the issue of different religions.They did not appear together in a film after ‘Do Sitare’ .While Dev Anand did come to terms with his dejection and disappointment and married Kalpana Kartik, his heroine in the film Taxi Driver , Suraiya did not marry at all and died a spinster.

Making his debut with film Ziddi , opposite Kamini Kaushal, Dev Anand , went on to act in movies like Baazi, Aandhiyan, Taxi Driver, House No. 44 , Nau do Gyarah- all hits. Pocket Maar, Munim Ji, Funtoosh, CID, Paying Guest,Solvaan Saal, Kala Pani ,Kala Bazaar . Both Dev Anand and Gurudutt had a tacit understanding with each other and swapped position as Actor and Director in films featuring both of them. In the 60s Dev Anand appeared in movies like Manzil, Tere Ghar Ke Samane ,Kinare Kinare, Maya, Asli Naqli, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Mahal, and Teen Deviyaan.

Dev Anand’s film ‘Guide’ with Waheeda Rehman, which was released both in Hindi and English versions simultaneously and was also his first color film , touched new heights in popularity.Later, well into his fifties he acted with much younger heroines like Hema Malini, Parveen Babi, Zeenat Amaan and Tina Munim and was quite a success as an evergreen romantic hero.

A story goes that during his heydays, he looked extraordinarily dashing and young women would go swooning over him if they saw him in a black suit and sporting a red tie.

He was often compared with the famous Hollywood actor Gregory Peck primarily because of their similar walking style . However, Dev Anand himself did not relish this comparison much and asserted his own independent identity as an Actor . As for me , I saw Gregory Peck’s movie Mackenna’s Gold to see for myself as to what extent the two heroes resembled each other.The songs in which Dev Anand acted were almost always hits . Dev Anand himself was quite serious about music and songs and attended personally all music sessions.His fine rapport with singers, lyricists and music directors accounted for the songs picturised in his movies becoming hits.

Apart from numerous film awards he was honoured with, he was a recipient of Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke award.

Our humble tributes to this iconic figure of Hindi Cinema !

Hemant Kumar

Today is the death anniversary of Hemant Kumar, a singer, music composer, film director and producer . He sang mostly for Bengali and Hindi films and is still a more revered name in Bengali cinema music and Rabindra Sangeet, next only to Pankaj Mullick.He composed music for many Hindi films , notable among them being, Naagin, Bees Saal Baad, Sahin Biwi Aur Ghulam , Anand Math, Yahudi Ki Ladki ,Kohra, Manjhli Didi, Do Dooni Chaar and Khamoshi. He also sang for heroes like Dev Anand, Biswajeet and Guru Dutt., Dharmendra and Shammi Kapoor.

Our humble tributes to the noted playback singer and composer !

मीर तकी 'मीर '

दिखाई दिये यूं कि बेख़ुद किया
हमें आप से भी जुदा कर चले’

‘इब्तदा-ए-इश्क़ है रोता है क्या
आगे आगे देखिये होता है क्या’

‘हम हुए तुम हुए ‘मीर’ हुए
उसकी ज़ुल्फों के सब असीर हुए’

‘पत्ता पत्ता बूटा बूटा हाल हमारा जाने है
जाने न जाने गुल ही न जाने , बाग़ तो सारा जाने है’

‘गोर किस दिलजले की है ये फ़लक
शोला इक सुबह जाँ से उठता है
ये धुआँ सा कहाँ से उठता है’

कुछ बहुत ही मक़बूल ग़ज़लों के ये अश’आर हम सबने सुने है और सुनते हैं.

यूँ शो'अरा में कुदरतन रकाबत और आपसी नोक झोंक के किस्से भी कम नहीं , पर एक दूसरे की काबलियत , फ़न और हुनर की क़द्र भी करते थे और एहतराम भी . शायरेआज़म मिर्ज़ा ग़ालिब ने मीर,जिन्हें वो अपना गुरु मानते थे, के बारे में लिखा था :
"रेख़्ते के तुम्हीं उस्ताद नहीं हो "ग़ालिब"
कहते हैं अगले ज़माने में कोई "मीर" भी था "
आज उन्हीं मीर तकी 'मीर ' की पुण्यतिथि है.

इस अज़ीम शायर को हमारी श्रद्धांजलि !

old is gold

ऑल इंडिया रेडियो या आकाशवाणी के वो पुराने दिन- सुगम संगीत में एन. एल. पुरी का गाया वो गीत- सितारों के दीपक गगन पे जला के, कहाँ छुप गया चाँद हमको बुला के
और
मुकेश और तलत महमूद की आवाज़ में ग़ालिब और जिगर मुरादाबादी की ग़ज़लें जुगलबंदी में एक साथ । मुकेश की आवाज़ में ग़ालिब की 'वो जो रूठें तो मनाना चाहिए' व तलत महमूद की आवाज़ में ' चाहिए अच्छों को जितना चाहिए '

आज तक याद है !

कुँवर नारायण

सुविख्यात हिंदी कवि एवं बहुमुखी प्रतिभा सम्पन्न वयोवृद्ध साहित्यकार कुँवर नारायण का आज जन्मदिन है। कविता , कहानी, आलोचना , सभी विधाओं में साधिकार लेखनी चलाने वाले कुँवर नारायण तीसरे तार -सप्तक के प्रमुख कवियों में एक हैं। भारतीय ज्ञानपीठ , साहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार,और व्यास सम्मान के अलावा अनेक देशी विदेशी पुरस्कारों से सम्मानित कुँवर नारायण ने कविता संग्रहों के अतिरिक्त दो खंड काव्यों का सृजन किया है व कथा साहित्य और समीक्षा में भी योगदान दिया है।
एक बानगी:

व्यक्ति को
विकार की ही तरह पढ़ना
जीवन का अशुद्ध पाठ है।

वह एक नाज़ुक स्पन्द है
समाज की नसों में बन्द
जिसे हम किसी अच्छे विचार
या पवित्र इच्छा की घड़ी में भी
पढ़ सकते हैं ।

समाज के लक्षणों को
पहचानने की एक लय
व्यक्ति भी है,
अवमूल्यित नहीं
पूरी तरह सम्मानित
उसकी स्वयंता
अपने मनुष्य होने के सौभाग्य को
ईश्वर तक प्रमाणित हुई !
-------------

हमारी हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं !

Indrani Rehman

Today is the birth anniversary of Indrani Rehman, an Indian Classical dancer who was well versed in Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi and played a pioneering role in popularizing these dance forms in the West. She won the first Miss India contest in1952.
She was a recipient of Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Academy award.
Our humble tributes to the great danseuse and choreographer !

M. F.Hussain

Today is the birth anniversary of M. F.Hussain, the internationally acclaimed painter and also a writer, printmaker and a film director. 
He was a recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
Our humble tributes !

Hasrat Jaipuri

Today is the death anniversary of the renowned poet and lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri. Born Iqbal Hussain, he wrote memorable lyrics for Hindi films through decades.Even his debut songs written for Raj Kapoor's 'Barsaat' became hits.
Our humble tributes to the great lyricist !

चालक दिवस

एक मित्र की पोस्ट से सूचित हुआ कि आज 'चालक दिवस' है। मैं उन सभी बस व टैक्सी चालकों का आभात व्यक्त करता हूँ जिन्होंने समय समय, हर मौसम में मुझे गंतव्य पर सुरक्षित पहुंचाया है ।
अपने उन सरकारी चालकों का भी आभारी हूँ जिनके साथ मैंने सेवाकाल में दीर्घावधि के टूर लगातार किए हैं। कुछ तो आज भी गाड़ी रोक कर हाल चाल पूछना नहीं भूलते ।

Drivers' Day

I am informed through a friend's post that today is Drivers' Day.
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all bus and taxi drivers who continue to take us safely to our destinations , some times in inclement weather conditions. 
I am also grateful to Government drivers with whom I have covered long distances , they being at the wheel continuously for hours. Some of them even today stop their vehicles to exchange pleasantries .

आवारा मसीहा

विख्यात लेखक  स्व. विष्णु प्रभाकर द्वारा रचित यशस्वी बांग्ला उपन्यासकार शरतचंद्र चट्टोपाध्याय की जीवनी ‘ का पुनर्पाठ करने पर   अभिभूत होता हूँ . शरतचन्द्र के व्यक्तित्व और कृतित्व का प्रभाकर जी ने ऐसा चित्रण किया है कि शरतचन्द्र स्वयं ही नहीं बल्कि उनके उपन्यासों के पात्र भी जीवंत हो आँखों के सामने विचरण करते प्रतीत होते हैं . वास्तव में यह रचना लेखक के श्रमसाध्य शोध का परिणाम है. इस पुस्तक की सामग्री जुटाने के लिए लेखक ने बंगाल और बिहार , मध्यप्रदेश के साथ साथ वर्तमान बांग्ला देश , तथा बर्मा ( म्यांमार ) तक का भ्रमण किया व लोगों से जानकारी प्राप्त की . जीवनी का शीर्षक ‘आवारा मसीहा’ शरतचंद्र के जीवन चरित को परिभाषित करने में सक्षम है . सम्पूर्ण नारीत्व – जो कि दया, करुणा , ममता, सेवा, परोपकार , त्याग का समग्र रूप है , उनकी दृष्टि में सतीत्व से कहीं अधिक महान है , ऐसी स्थापना परम्परावादी नैतिकता के पक्षधर लोगों के गले से भले ही नीचे न उतरे , पर सोचने पर अवश्य मजबूर करती है. मानव प्रेम ही नहीं बल्किप्राणिमात्र से स्नेह जो शरतचंद्र के पशु-पक्षी प्रेम में स्पष्ट झलकता है , उन्हें रचनाकारों की एक अलग ही पंक्ति में खड़ा करता है . अँगरेज़ लेखक सेमुअल जॉनसन के जीवनी लेखक जेम्स बॉसवेल का जो स्थान अंग्रेजी साहित्य में है, प्रभाकर जी ने ‘आवारा मसीहा’ रच कर ही उस से बेहतर स्थान प्राप्त किया है व ख्याति अर्जित की है . विष्णु प्रभाकर का अन्य लेखन भी उच्चकोटि का रहा है . 

M.S.Subbulakshmi

Today is the birth centenary of M.S.Subbulakshmi, the classical vocalist.An eminent proponent of Carnatic music and already a recipient of Padma Bhushan & Padama Vibhushan, she was the first musician to be awarded Bharat Ratna.She was also the first musician to be awarded the coveted Ramon Magsaysay Award.The U.N.is issuing a commemorative stamp in her honour.
Our humble tributes to the maestro !

Lt.Col.Ardeshir Tarapore, PVC

Today is the death anniversary of Lt.Col.Ardeshir Tarapore, PVC .
First commisioned in the Hyderabad Army, after independence he was commissioned into the Indian Army and was assigned to the Poona Horse..
A tank Commander of extraordinary merit, he led his troops in the 1965 Indo Pak war and attained martyrdom.
He was the first officer of his Rank to be martyred in action.
He was awarded Param Vir Chakra ,the highest Gallantry Award posthumously.

Our humble tributes to the brave soldier !

Sir Ronald Ross

Today is the death anniversary of Sir Ronald Ross,the eminent British medical doctor , who is credited with the wonderful discovery that Malaria is caused by a parasite found in mosquitoes.For this he was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1902, being the first Britisher to be honoured thus. He served in the Indian Medical Service for a quarter of a century before leaving for England.He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons .
Our humble tributes to this great benefactor of humanity !

शरतचंद्र चट्टोपाध्याय

सुप्रसिद्ध व अत्यंत लोकप्रिय बंगला उपन्यासकार , नाटक कार तथा कथाकार स्व. शरतचंद्र चट्टोपाध्याय की आज जयंती है . ‘देवदास’,’’ ‘श्रीकांत’, ‘चरित्रहीन’ व ‘परिणीता’ जैसे कालजयी उपन्यासों की रचना कर साहित्य जगत में , रवीन्द्रनाथ टैगोर व बंकिम चंद्र चट्टोपाध्याय के समान ख्याति अर्जित करने वाले शरतचंद्र ने अपने उपन्यासों में नारी के प्रति एक नए दृष्टिकोण की न केवल स्थापना की बल्कि जोरदार वकालत भी की. उनकी दृष्टि में सतीत्व की अपेक्षा दया , सेवाभाव और ममता जैसे गुण नारी को महान बनाते हैं। कोई आश्चर्य नहीं कि शरतचंद्र को समाज और लेखक वर्ग का विरोध भी सहना पड़ा और उन पर चरित्रहीनता के आरोप भी लगे । सुविख्यात हिन्दी लेखक विष्णु प्रभाकर ने शरतचंद्र की आधिकारिक जीवनी ‘आवारा मसीहा’ लिख कर न केवल शरतचंद्र का मान बढ़ाया बल्कि उन्हें स्वयं भी बहुत प्रसिद्धि और सम्मान मिला .
बंगला साहित्य शिरोमणि शरतचंद्र जी को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

डा. रामकुमार वर्मा

आज सुप्रसिद्ध हिन्दी साहित्यकार डा. रामकुमार वर्मा की जयंती है। एकाँकी सम्राट के नाम से विख्यात, राम कुमार वर्मा ने काव्य और आलोचना में भी अपना भरपूर योगदान दिया है । उन्हें छायावाद का उत्कृष्ट कवि माना जाता है, गो उनकी कविताओं में रहस्यवाद का भी अंश व्याप्त है। । मात्र 17 वर्ष की आयु में अपनी साहित्यिक यात्रा आरंभ करने वाले रामकुमार वर्मा ने विपुल साहित्य रच कर हिन्दी साहित्य जगत को समृद्ध किया है . 25 वर्ष की आयु में उनके द्वारा रचित नाटक 'बादल की मृत्यु' को आलोचकों ने हिन्दी का पहला एकाँकी नाटक माना है ।उनका नाटक 'पृथ्वीराज की आँखें' व काव्य रचना 'एकलव्य' भी बहुचर्चित रहे हैं !
पद्मभूषण से सम्मानित इस महान साहित्यकार को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

M. Vishweshwaraya

Today is the birth anniversary of M. Vishweshwaraya, KCIE, an eminent engineer who did pioneering work in waterworks . Knighted by the British for his valuable services, he was also awarded the Bharat Ratna by the Government of India. His birthday is also celebrated as Engineers Day in India.

Our humble tributes.

The Famous Eateries of Lower Bazar, Shimla

While in Shimla, it is a must for many local and suburban people to make a daily visit to the Mall and move about alone or in groups especially in the evenings, as this also serves as an opportunity to bump into or meet people without an appointment. Having done this to one’s fill, it is customary to round off the trip by taking a turn from Sher-e Punjab – the Naaz restaurant of yore- and follow the road down to the Lower Bazar , do some shopping , be it vegetables, grocery or even ready-mades , cloth and other miscellaneous items , and walk down to the local bus stand to take a bus home, in whatever direction, East or West . This had been my routine in the young age, except having to catch a bus to reach home, as I lived within walking distance, when I had an unbroken stay in Shimla. For shopping and eating purposes, Lower Bazar was and still seems to be the better choice, for the reason that many a thing comes for a negotiable price, compared to the Mall , where, rates are fixed and perceptibly somewhat on the higher side.

As we move from Sher-e Punjab’s direction to the Lower Bazaar,there is a famous- more than a century old- halwai shop called Mehru’s where you get a variety of eatables. Besides, the traditional sweets and doodh- jalebi , what the shop once famous for, they have Tikkis, Kachoris and other delicacies also.The sweets are prepared in desi ghee. The only drawback is that you cannot sit to enjoy the preparations, and there are only wooden slabs to put the plates and glasses , while you eat in standing position. There are many other halwai shops , dishing out the routine stuff but having a roaring business all the same. A few hundred yards short of the other end that terminates at the CTO and the DC office, in opposite directions, there is another old halwai shop , Nathu halwai for short , where you get sweets prepared in desi ghee besides, aloo poori , tikki, vada paav etc etc. The advantage of this shop is that the shop has a sitting place where you can feel comfortable while enjoying the good stuff. It is quite an experience to take a deep breath while crossing the shop to inhale and enjoy the aroma, and sometimes one is irresistibly drawn towards the shop.
These two shops are Landmarks of Lower Bazar.

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Naik Kirpa Ram, GC

Today is the death anniversary of Naik Kirpa Ram, GC of the British Indian Army.Back from the Second World War , during a field exercise in Bangalore, when a Rifle grenade misfired, the brave soldier averted the killing of many troops' lives when he sounded a caution and attempted to throw the grenade with his own hands to some safe distance.However unfortunately the grenade exploded and caused his death.
For this exemplary act of bravery and valour not in the face of enemy, Naik Kirpa Ram was posthumously awarded the George Cross, the highest gallantry award for the British & Commonwealth.
Naik Kirpa Ram was in the news some years back when the medal was stolen from his house at Bhapral in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh and was about to be auctioned in London when timely alert and brave fight by his widow Brahmi Devi and action by the authorities helped return of the Medal by the British Government.
Our humble tributes to the brave soldier !

Jaikishan Paanchaal- Music Director

Today is the death anniversary of Jaikishan Dayabhai Paanchaal, of the Shankar- Jaikishan duo who composed beautiful melodies for the Hindi cinema for more than two decades.Though Jaikishan died in 1971 aged 42, the name Shankar Jaikishan continued as composers till Shankar's death in 1987.
It is also on record that they composed music for many films not as team but individually.However the magic persisted as both were equally talented.The association of SJ with Raj Kapoor and his films is well known.
Our humble tributes to the talented music director and composer !

विनोबा भावे

स्वतंत्र भारत में भूदान आंदोलन के प्रणेता व 'सर्वोदय' के संस्थापक , गांधीवादी विचारधारा के समर्थक व पोषक भारत रत्न  एवं  प्रथम मेगासेसे पुरस्कार से सम्मानित  विनोबा भावे की आज जयंती है। भूदान आंदोलन के अंतर्गत गाँव गाँव घूम कर लाखों एकड़ भूमि दान में प्राप्त कर भूमिहीन लोगों में वितरित करके भू-सुधार की ओर पहला कदम बढ़ाने वाले इस महापुरुष को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

महादेवी वर्मा

आज हिन्दी की महान कवयित्री महादेवी वर्मा की पुण्यतिथि है। बहुमुखी प्रतिभा की धनी होने के साथ साथ वे हिन्दी साहित्य में छायावादी युग के प्रमुख स्तंभो में से एक होने के नाते अपना विशेष स्थान रखती हैं । किसी ने उन्हें आधुनिक मीरा के नाम से नवाज़ा तो बक़ौल ‘निराला’ वे “हिन्दी के विशाल मन्दिर की सरस्वती” हैं। अध्यापन से अपने कार्यजीवन की शुरूआत करने के उपरांत अंतिम पड़ाव में वे प्रयाग महिला विद्यापीठ की प्रधानाचार्या रहीं। प्रतिभावान कवयित्री और गद्य लेखिका होने के साथ साथ महादेवी वर्मा ने संगीत और चित्रकारिता के क्षेत्र में भी अपने कौशल का परिचय दिया । पद्म भूषण, पद्म विभूषण के अलावा उन्हें हिन्दी साहित्य के सभी महत्वपूर्ण पुरस्कार, जैसे मंगला प्रसाद पुरस्कार, भारत भारती , ज्ञान पीठ पुरस्कार प्राप्त करने का गौरव प्राप्त है। वे साहित्य अकादमी की फैलोशिप स्वंत्रता से पहले और बाद के दोनों कालखंडो की साक्षी महादेवी जी ने विपुल साहित्य रचा। ‘नीहार’, ‘रश्मि’, ‘दीपशिखा’, ‘यामा’ उनके प्रमुख काव्य संग्रह हैं। उनकी अनेक कविताओं में ‘दीप’ और ‘दीपक’ शीर्षक और विषय वस्तु के रूप में उपस्थित हैं ।
उनकी काव्य रचना की एक झलक :
मेरा पग पग संगीत भरा,
श्वांसों में स्वप्न पराग झरा,
नभ के नव रंग बुनते दुकूल,
छाया में मलय बयार पली !
मैं नीर भरी दुःख की बदली !
---------------------------------
विस्तृत नभ का कोई कोना
मेरा न कभी अपना होना
परिचय इतना इतिहास यही
उमटी कल थी मिट आज चली !
मैं नीर भरी दुःख की बदली !
----------------चाहा था तुझमें मिटना भर
दे डाला बनना मिट-मिटकर
यह अभिशाप दिया है या वर;
पहली मिलन कथा हूँ या मैं
चिर-विरह कहानी!
बताता जा रे अभिमानी!
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सघन घन का चल तुरंगम चक्र झंझा के बनाये,
रश्मि विद्युत ले प्रलय-रथ पर भले तुम श्रान्त आये,
पंथ में मृदु स्वेद-कण चुन,
छांह से भर प्राण उन्मन,
तम-जलधि में नेह का मोती
रचूंगी सीप सी मैं!

धूप-सा तन दीप सी मैं !
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महान कवयित्री को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !!

Lala Amarnath

Today is the birth anniversary of Lala Amarnath, a former Indian cricketer.
He was the first Captain of independent India's Cricket team . He was also the first Indian batsman to score a century, that too on his debut.
He was a recipient of Padma Bhushan.
Our humble tributes !

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गजानन माधव मुक्तिबोध

आज हिन्दी के महान कवि, सुविख्यात आलोचक, निबंधकार एवं चिन्तक गजानन माधव मुक्तिबोध की पुण्यतिथि है ।आधुनिक कविता के एक प्रमुख हस्ताक्षर माने जाने वाले मुक्तिबोध तार सप्तक में स्थान पाने वाले कवियों में से एक हैं । उन्हें उनकी लम्बी कविताओं 'चान्द का मुन्ह टेढ़ा है ' 'ब्रह्मराक्शस', 'अन्धेरे में ' के लिये अधिक जाना जाता है। छायावाद के बाद आरंभ हुए प्रयोगवाद के प्रणेता के रुप में भी उन्हें जाना जाता है।
अपने जीवन काल के 47 वर्ष भी पूरे न कर पाने वाले साहित्य शिरोमणि को हमारी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि !

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Neerja Bhanot

Today is the birth anniversary of Neerja Bhanot, a Flight purser with the Pan Am Airlines who was shot and killed while saving passengers on board when the plane was hijacked to Karachi on September 5,1986.
She was the youngest person to be awarded Ashok Chakra the highest bravery Award given during peace time.
She was also awarded Tamgha-e-Insaaniyat by the Government of Pakistan . A host of other awards also came her way.
She fell short of celebrating her 24th birthday on September 7.
A biopic on her life and bravery was released in February this year.

Our humble tributes to the brave heart !

Jennifer Kendal

Today is the death anniversary of Jennifer Kapoor - maiden name Jennifer Kendal , who was a British actress. She was the wife of Shashi Kapoor, the renowned Bollywood Actor. Born of parents who ran the theatre Company named Shakespeareana, acting was in her blood . She was the founder of Prithvi Theatre .
She acted in films - Ghare Baire, The Far Pavilions, Junoon, 36 Chowringhee Lane,Heat and Dust, Shakespeare Wallah,and Bombay Talkie and won critical acclaim for her acting.
She won the BAFTA Award for her role in 36, Chowringhee Lane.
Our humble tributes to the great actress and theatre personality !

गणेश चतुर्थी

गणेश चतुर्थी यानि पत्थर-चौथ और करवा चौथ दोनों ही आस्था के प्रतीक हैं और वैज्ञानिक दृष्टि से दोनों का सम्बन्ध चाँद की बढ़ती घटती कलाओं से है . टीवी चैनलों पर गणेश चतुर्थी की धूम रहना स्वाभाविक है, क्योंकि हिन्दू धर्म नें गणेशजी का विशेष स्थान है और उन्हें सिद्धि विनायक तथा विघ्ननाशक के रूप में भी जाना जाता है . मेरे घर पर दोनों वक़्त पूजा होती है पर गणेश चतुर्थी अथवा पत्थर चौथ मानो खतरे की घंटी. चन्द्रमा की एक झलक भी निषिद्ध. ग़लती से दिख जाये तो उपाय ज़रूरी, नहीं तो कलंक लगने अथवा झूठे दोषारोपण का भय . कल भी धर्मपत्नी ने खिडकियों पर अतिरिक्त परदे और रोशनदान पर अख़बार के पन्ने लगा दिए.इस बार समाचार पत्रों में पढ़ा था कि केवल रात 6:30 से 9:10 तक ही चंद्रमा को देखना वर्जित है , इसलिए ज्यादा टेंशन नहीं रही। यों 1962, 1965, और 1971 के युद्धों के दौरान blackout का अनुभव तो रहा था कि सुरक्षा की दृष्टि से घर के भीतर की रौशनी बाहर नज़र नहीं आनी चाहिए पर यहाँ तो चाँदको देखना या चांदनी का प्रवेश भी वर्जित था. दूसरी ओर करवा चौथ के दिन पूरा दिन भूखे-प्यासे रह कर पत्नियाँ चंद्रोदय का शिद्दत से इंतज़ार करती हैं ताकि पूजा के उपरांत व्रत तोड़ा जा सके. खैर आस्था है तो दोनों ही दृष्टिकोण ठीक हैं .

शिक्षक दिवस

अपने शिक्षकों के प्रति ह्रदय से आभार प्रकट करता हूँ जिन्होंने न केवल किताबी ज्ञान दिया अपितु ईमानदारी, कर्तव्यनिष्ठा एवं सादगी जैसे जीवन मूल्यों का उदाहरण बन कर सक्रिय सेवा काल में मेरा मार्गदर्शन किया व आज भी प्रेरणा स्रोत हैं !
शिक्षक दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं !

Happy Teachers Day

I am grateful to my teachers who apart from teaching me also inculcated in me values like integrity, dutifulness and simplicity that stood me in good stead later in active public life and even now are a source of inspiration for me !
Happy Teachers Day !

A GREAT TEACHER AND A NICE GENTLEMAN

I have in my earlier posts written about my school teachers at length, but not to sound repetitive, I would concentrate on one – Sh. Shiv Ram Batra, our Principal in S.D.Higher Secondary School, Shimla, my school for seven years from Class V to Class XI, from where I passed out in 1970.
He came across as a highly principled man, strict disciplinarian and a teacher of Mathematics and English par excellence. In fact he had authored two books –one on English Grammar & Composition for lower classes and a text book on Geometry.His lectures during Morning Assembly were a treat to listen to and a storehouse of information as to what was happening around. We came in direct contact with him only in Class X and XI. For Class X he used to take extra classes in Maths so that students would score better in final exams. I am happy to remember, that we did not disappoint him as seven of us scored 150/150 in Maths in Higher Secondary Part One , the last such exam to be conducted by the Punjab University in 1969. He took regular Mathematics classes in Class XI.
I passed Higher Secondary examination in 1970 , and despite being a non-medical science student,and scoring a seventy plus percentile, for my graduation I sought admission in Humanities as I had planned. After 4-5 days when I went to get a Character certificate, he was disappointed with my decision to leave Science and asked me to reconsider my decision. It is a different matter that I stuck to my decision . This is the kind of interest teachers used to take in their students .
Again it was seemingly an awkward moment when saw me working in a Bank which he visited sometimes being a customer . Perhaps he had better expectations of me. After some years I left Bank and landed a Government job. Some years later when I told him that I had landed a somewhat ‘respectable’ job in the Government, he was very happy.
For about two decades I remained continuously out of Shimla, my job taking me to different places.He was blessed with a long life, though I have no confirmed news of when and how he left this world.
My humble tributes !!

At Random !

एक दूर की कौड़ी :

गुलशन से कबाब की बू आती है
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किसी बुलबुल का दिल जला होगा !!!!

Sadhana , the popular Actress

Today is the birth anniversary of Sadhana , the popular Bollywood actress of her times.Born Sadhana Shivdasani at Karachi in a Sindhi family in 1941, the family migrated to Bombay –now Mumbai – at the time of Partition. Appearing for the first time in a chorus ‘Murh Murh Ke Na Dekh, Murh Murh Ke…’ in Raj Kapoor’s ‘Shree 420’, she was cast in the first Sindhi movie ‘Abaana’ in 1958.
Her first debut film in Hindi was 1960 movie ‘Love in Simla’, which was directed by R.K.Nayyar. During the making of this movie, love blossomed between the two and later they got married.It was R.K. Nayyar , who introduced the famous ‘Sadhana Cut’ hair style in this movie, emulating the Hollywood heroine Audrey Hepburn , which became a cult among the young women of the generation.Sadhana represented the ‘60s and the early ‘70s now remembered as the golden era of Hindi cinema. Alongside ‘Love In Simla’, she also worked in another movie ‘Parakh’ . Her popular films include ‘Hum Dono’, ‘Prem Patra’, ‘Ek Musafir Ek Hasina’, ‘Asli Naql’i, ‘Mere Mehboob’, ‘Who Kaun Thi’, ‘Raj Kumar’, ‘Dulha Dulhan’, ‘Waqt’, ‘Arzoo’, ‘Mera Saya’, ‘Gaban’, ‘Anita’, ‘Intqaam’, ‘Ek Phool Do Mali’, ‘Ishq Par Zor Nahin’, ‘Aye Din Bahaar Ke’ , etc. etc.Apart from her acting , she is also well known as a fashion icon and a cult figure despite other talented and fine actresses like Nutan , Waheeda rehman, Meena Kumari, Sharmila Tagore and Asha Parekh, being on the scene.
She was nominated twice for the Filmfare best Actress Award for the movies, ‘Woh Kaun Thi’ & ‘Waqt’.

Our humble tributes to the popular actress !

Amrita Pritam

On 31st August was the birth anniversary of Amrita Pritam,the first poetess of Punjabi.Her poetry is one of longing and desire and has an underlying streak of spirituality to it.She broke new ground in a departure from the conventional love poetry and lived an unconventional life proving herself to be quite a rebel.Her autobiographical work 'Raseedi Ticket' is candid and honest to the point of being a tell all and hide nothing account.She has written wistfully of her affair with Sahir Ludhianvi expressed more through letters that they exchanged with each other.The second to come in her life was a painter Imroz, with whom she shared her life till her death.
Her Hindi novel "Band Darwaza" is one of its kind.
A recipient of Sahitya Academy Award,Gyanpeeth Award,Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan, she has inspired many a woman poet.
Our humble tributes !

रिटायरमेंट के बाद

रिटायरमेंट के बाद अपना ये हाल है :

मसि कागद छुयो नहीं, कलम गहयो नहीं हाथ
जो कुछ लिखत पढ़त हैं, वो कंप्यूटर के साथ

-कबीर जी से क्षमा याचना सहित !

Habib Tanvir

Today is the birth anniversary of Habib Tanvir, the noted playwright , theatre personality and actor.He is better known for his well acclaimed plays Agra Bazar and Charandas Chor . While the former highlighted the works and times of Nazir Akbarabadi , a renowned shayar, in the latter he introduced Nach, a commentary made by a group through singing. He did pioneering work among the tribals of Chhatisgarh, establishing New Theatre there. Trained in acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts , London, he learnt the art of direction at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
He also acted in nine feature films including Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi , Hero Hiralal, Charandas Chor, Prahar, Mangal Pandey, and an unreleased film Black & White.

He received many honours and awards including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Jawarharlal Nehru Fellowship , Padma Shri , Kalidas Samman , Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship , and the Padma Bhushan . Apart from this, he also remained a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha (1972–1978).

Our humble tributes to the legendary theatre personality !