Madhushala: exploring the soul of Bachchan's timeless poetry

You can read the full script on my blog by clicking here.

December 1933 - the very first public recitation of Madhushala, at Shivaji Hall – Kashi University and the magical effect it had on the audience. First day was common for several poets but by the end of the day, Madhushala became such a rage that everybody wanted a day dedicated only to Bachchan and his Madhushala – the poem had a mesmerizing effect on her audience. The chairperson of the event – Manoranjan Prasad ji even wrote several parodies, which were recited during the breaks. One such parody was –

भूल गया तस्बीह नमाज़ी, पंडित भूल गया माला, चला दौर जब पैमानों का, मग्न हुआ पीनेवाला

आज नशीली-सी कविता ने, सबको ही बदहोश किया, कवि बनकर महफ़िल में आई, चलती-फिरती मधुशाला!

रूपसि, तूने सबके ऊपर, कुछ अजीब जादू डाला, नहीं खुमारी मिटती कहते, दो बस प्याले पर प्याला,

कहाँ पड़े हैं, किधर जा रहे, है इसकी परवाह नहीं, यही मनाते हैं, इनकी आबाद रहे यह मधुशाला!

भर-भर कर देता जा, साक़ी मैं कर दूँगा दीवाला, अजब शराबी से तेरा भी, आज पड़ा आकर पाला,

लाख पिएँ, दो लाख पिएँ, पर कभी नहीं थकनेवाला, अगर पिलाने का दम है तो, जारी रखें यह मधुशाला।

----------------

Welcome to Madhushala Podcast (मधुशाला), based on Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poetry, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India. We do a Live Madhushala discussion every Sunday on Mentza app (⁠⁠⁠you can join us here⁠⁠⁠)

I host one more podcast "⁠⁠⁠Dhai Aakhar⁠⁠⁠" on Hindi poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism. Do write a review and send your comments.

Thanks for listening :-)

⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠http://www.arisudan.com⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

1. Madhushala poetry book written by Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan

2. Autobiographies of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan – Kya Bhulun Kya Yaad Karun, Need Ka Nirman Phir, Basere se Door, Dashdwar se Sopan Tak.

3. Various YouTube Videos and information from Internet

Keywords: #Bachchan #Madhushala #Philosophy #Hindi #Poetry #Stories #History

Summer of 1942, there is a group of soldiers marching from their college to the railway station. One of them is Shri Harivansh Rai Bachchan. But, what was a poet doing among these soldiers? As his idol WB Yeats once said –

“the fascination of what is difficult”, the poet in him was looking for something to challenge, fight and conquer. It’s also said that there is a woman in every man, and vice versa. Maybe it was an attempt let the man in him be in the driving seat, as visible in these lines -

“ओ नवचेतन – तू अपने मन की नारी को – अस्वाभाविक बीमारी को – उठ दूर हटा – तू अपने मन का, पुरुष जगा” (Not to be misunderstood with degrading a woman)

Then we also talk English poets PB Shelley and John Keats, known for their romantic poetry. While they were born three years apart, they died one year apart and had their tomb in the same vicinity. We talk about them while reading these lines from Madhushala –

“स्वर्ग, नरक या जहाँ कहीं भी तेरा जी हो लेकर चल, ठौर सभी हैं एक तरह के साथ रहे यदि मधुशाला”

Welcome to the 10th episode of stories from Madhushala (मधुशाला), Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poems, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India.

I host one more podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism - https://spoti.fi/2Rvdich

If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our meetup group: https://bit.ly/3f0ZSxP

Do write a review and send your comments. Thanks for listening :-)

Apple: https://apple.co/3hlGhGP

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hDyOXc

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f46UCk

Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2T8CZAp

YouTube: https://bit.ly/342wYHz

Website: www.arisudan.com

Credits:

1. Madhushala poetry book written by Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan

2. Autobiographies of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan – Kya Bhulun Kya Yaad Karun, Need Ka Nirman Phir, Basere se Door, Dashdwar se Sopan Tak.

3. Various YouTube Videos and information from Internet

December 1933 - the very first public recitation of Madhushala, at Shivaji Hall – Kashi University and the magical effect it had on the audience. First day was common for several poets but by the end of the day, Madhushala became such a rage that everybody wanted a day dedicated only to Bachchan and his Madhushala – the poem had a mesmerizing effect on her audience. The chairperson of the event – Manoranjan Prasad ji even wrote several parodies, which were recited during the breaks. One such parody was –

भर-भर कर देता जा, साक़ी मैं कर दूँगा दीवाला, अजब शराबी से तेरा भी, आज पड़ा आकर पाला,

Welcome to the 7th episode of stories from Madhushala (मधुशाला), Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poems, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India. 

I host one more podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism - https://spoti.fi/2Rvdich 

If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our meetup group: https://bit.ly/3f0ZSxP 

Do write a review and send your comments. Thanks for listening :-) 

 Apple: https://apple.co/3hlGhGP

 Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hDyOXc

 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f46UCk

 Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2T8CZAp

 YouTube: https://bit.ly/342wYHz

 Website: www.arisudan.com

Credits:

Circa 1934 – Madhushala was heavily criticized in its initial days thanks to its general perception as an ode to liquor. Ramvriksha Verma ‘Benipuri’ of Yogi weekly magazine even threatened to shoot him if Bachchan ever came to Patna. Bachchan never responded to such criticism by speaking in public but he used his poetry to make a statement and he wrote one poem on this threat too, Sunna Chahenge? 

रे वक्र भ्रुओं वाले योगी, दिखला मत मुझको वह मरुथल! जिसमे जाएगी खो जाएगी, मेरी द्रुत गति, मेरी ध्वनि कल. 

In this episode we will also talk about the time when Bachchan was very sick and also some poems on not living a free life. 

Welcome to the 6th episode of stories of Madhushala (मधुशाला), Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poems, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India. Appreciate your review on Apple iTunes :-)

I host one more podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism - https://spoti.fi/2Rvdich

If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our meetup group: https://bit.ly/3f0ZSxP

Do write a review and send your comments. Thanks for listening :-)

Apple: https://apple.co/3hlGhGP

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hDyOXc

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f46UCk

Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2T8CZAp

YouTube: https://bit.ly/342wYHz

Website: www.arisudan.com

Credits:

Bareilly has played a very important and dramatic role in Bachchan’s life. Circa 1938, it’s just been about a year since the death of Shyama, the first wife of Shri Harivansh Rai Bachchan. He has not written any new poem since her passing but attends poetry events (Kavi Sammelan) for his own peace (स्वांत: सुखाय). One such invite came from Bareilly and this is where he comes across an admirer of his poetry, who commits suicide in front of the very train that Mr Bachchan was travelling on.

गिर-गिर टूटे घट-प्याले, - बुझ दीप गए सब क्षण में,

सब चले किए सिर नीचे - ले अरमानों की झोली;

गूँजी मदिरालय भर में - लो, ‘चलो, चलो’ की बोली!

But, can his poetry be termed ‘Morbid’, or be held responsible to driving one to end his/her life? Madhushala does not urge people to do this, even in its sadness, some such lines:

कुचल हसरतें कितनी अपनी, हाय, बना पाया हाला,

कितने अरमानों को करके ख़ाक बना पाया प्याला!

पी पीनेवाले चल देंगे, हाय, न कोई जानेगा,

कितने मन के महल ढहे तब खड़ी हुई यह मधुशाला!

We also talk about an English poet AE Houseman, whose poetry actually urged people to end their life if it becomes a burden. He said, “And if your hand or foot offend you – Cut it off, lad, and be whole; But play the man, stand up and end you – When your sickness is your soul”

Bareilly was yet to give another dramatic role in Bachchan’s life - stay tuned to know more ;-)

-----------------------------

This is the 17th episode of stories from Madhushala (मधुशाला), Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poems, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India.

Check out another podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism - https://spoti.fi/2Rvdich

If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our meetup group: https://bit.ly/3f0ZSxP

Do write a review and send your comments. Thanks for listening :-)

Apple: https://apple.co/3hlGhGP

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hDyOXc

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f46UCk

Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2T8CZAp

YouTube: https://bit.ly/342wYHz

Website: www.arisudan.com

Credits:

1. Madhushala poetry book written by Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and Autobiographies of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan – Kya Bhulun Kya Yaad Karun, Need Ka Nirman Phir, Basere se Door, Dashdwar se Sopan Tak. Published by Rajpal & Sons, and Rajkamal Prakashan

2. Various YouTube Videos and information from Internet

3. Voice: Arisudan Yadav

WFH could well be Work from Himalayas, or Working remotely from Hills!

That’s what we did before COVID wave surged again. In this episode, we travel to a small village called Jibhi, in Himachal. We talk about the experience of working remotely, and life in the hills with some short poems inspired by these pristine hills, waterfalls, simple living people.

You can read the full script with meanings of some words on my blog: https://bit.ly/3p756Mc

Watch the YouTube video of this episode with visuals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkQe6u44pfE

Some poems include: तू हिमाला! ए फसीले किशवरे हिंदोस्तान, चूमता है तेरी पेशानी को झुककर आसमा

Or:  राग रस रंग हैं पहाड़ों में, ज़िंदगी आसां नहीं पहाड़ों में

Or:  किस गठरी की गांठें खोलूं, क्या बांधूं मैं क्या छोडूं रे किस किस को मैं अपना समझूं, क्या पकडूं क्या जाने दूं रे

Listen in to podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism - https://spoti.fi/2Rvdich

If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our meetup group: https://bit.ly/3f0ZSxP

You can rate this podcast and connect with me on these links:

Apple: https://apple.co/3hlGhGP

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hDyOXc

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f46UCk

Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2T8CZAp

YouTube: https://bit.ly/342wYHz

Clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/@arisudan

Website: www.arisudan.com

Credits:

1. Original poems by Arisudan Yadav

2. Other poems written by Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Sumitranandan Pant, Allama Iqbal

Circa 1938 – Bachchan Ji was in Indore for a Kavi Sammelan, where Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was the guest of honor. Somebody complained to Gandhi that Madhushala is a drunkard's poetry. Bachchan was terrified when Gandhi summoned him. Gandhi asked him to recite some of his poems, Bachchan smartly picked up two verses. Do take a listen to know which ones were those :-)

यज्ञ अग्नि सी धधक रही है मधु की भटठी की ज्वाला,ऋषि सा ध्यान लगा बैठा है हर मदिरा पीने वाला

One goes into a meditative state in his/her mind's own Madhushala. Madhushala said it first and it was the same philosophy picked up by Osho. Whatever good or bad happens in the world, a true Yogi remains unaffected / स्थितप्रज्ञ.

Welcome to the 5th episode of stories from Madhushala (मधुशाला), Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poems, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India.

I host one more podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism - https://spoti.fi/2Rvdich

If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our meetup group: https://bit.ly/3f0ZSxP

Do write a review and send your comments. Thanks for listening :-)

Apple: https://apple.co/3hlGhGP

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hDyOXc

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f46UCk

Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2T8CZAp

YouTube: https://bit.ly/342wYHz

Website: www.arisudan.com

Credits:

While we started with a story from Armenialast episode, this time we are going to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and how this trip turned out to be a perfect gift for the poet of Madhushala. When Madhushala was translated in Russian – the title meant a bouquet of colors and the poem has all sorts of Roop, Rang, Ras, Gandh in her spirit.

चित्रकार बन साकी आता लेकर तूली का प्याला

And there is music in its poetry: पान कराती श्रोतागण को, झंकृत वीणा मधुशाला

Then we talk about how Madhushala is above and beyond all sorts of divisions, like in these two lines

मिले न मंदिर, मिले न मस्जिद, मिल जाती है मधुशाला

Or

चिर विधवा है मस्जिद तेरी, सदा सुहागिन मधुशाला

On the same topic of Mandir, Masjid – we also take a cue from Ghalib –

ज़ाहिद शराब पीने दे मस्जिद में बैठ कर, या वो जगह बता दे जहाँ पर ख़ुदा न हो

Welcome to the 14th episode of stories from Madhushala (मधुशाला), Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poems, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India.

Check out another podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism - https://spoti.fi/2Rvdich

If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our meetup group: https://bit.ly/3f0ZSxP

Do write a review and send your comments. Thanks for listening :-)

Apple: https://apple.co/3hlGhGP

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hDyOXc

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f46UCk

Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2T8CZAp

YouTube: https://bit.ly/342wYHz

Website: www.arisudan.com

Credits:

1. Madhushala poetry book written by Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan

2. Autobiographies of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan – Kya Bhulun Kya Yaad Karun, Need Ka Nirman Phir, Basere se Door, Dashdwar se Sopan Tak.

3. Various YouTube Videos and information from Internet

It’s popularly known that while Dr Bachchan wrote Madhushala aka The House of Wine, he never touched any liquor – well, that’s not entirely true. He started drinking years after Madhushala but gave it up around the year 1944, as a sacrifice for something – now that’s linked with Amitabh Bachchan, and how?

We will also go over the beauty of Himalayas and Kanchanjangha as depicted in the poetry of Madhushala, with quotes from Dinkar, Kalidasa, and Iqbal, such as:

मेरे नगपति! मेरे विशाल! साकार दिव्य गौरव विराट! पौरुष के पुंजीभूत ज्वाल, मेरी जननी के हिम-किरीट, मेरे भारत के दिव्य भाल!

Or –

तू हिमाला! ए फसीले किशवरे हिंदोस्तान, चूमता है तेरी पेशानी को झुककर आसमा

Now, where does Steve Jobs fit into all this, let’s check out ;-)

Welcome to the 12th episode of stories from Madhushala (मधुशाला), Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poems, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India.

Check out another podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism - https://spoti.fi/2Rvdich

If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our meetup group: https://bit.ly/3f0ZSxP

Do write a review and send your comments. Thanks for listening :-)

Apple: https://apple.co/3hlGhGP

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hDyOXc

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f46UCk

Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2T8CZAp

YouTube: https://bit.ly/342wYHz

Website: www.arisudan.com

Credits:

1. Madhushala poetry book written by Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan

2. Autobiographies of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan – Kya Bhulun Kya Yaad Karun, Need Ka Nirman Phir, Basere se Door, Dashdwar se Sopan Tak.

3. Various YouTube Videos and information from Internet

Mrig Trishna or Mirage - this is the story of two women in Mr Bachchan’s life and the reflection of these experiences on his poetry. Circa 1925, Champa who was Karkal’s wife, and a dream-world that a young Harivansh and his best friend Karkal had weaved together with Champa, followed by two tragic deaths.

Fast forward to 1939, then comes Iris, one with blue eyes and light brown hair who inspired one of his most beautiful poems but not until 13 years in the land of Ireland. Iris proved to be a mirage, however. As he then said –   “चल अभागे मन, कहीं अब और मैं तुझको रमाऊँ” ...

As part of these stories, we are also reading a couple of poems from Ramdhari Singh Dinkar - और त्रिया जो अबल, मात्र आंसू, केवल करुणा है

And a “Savaiya” from Raskhan on Shri Krishna...

नारद से सुक ब्‍यास रहैं पचि हारे तऊ पुनि पार न पावैं, ताहि अहीर की छोहरियाँ छछिया भरि छाछ पै नाच नचावैं...

Welcome to the 11th episode of stories from Madhushala (मधुशाला), Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poems, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India.

Check out another podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism - https://spoti.fi/2Rvdich

If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our meetup group: https://bit.ly/3f0ZSxP

Do write a review and send your comments. Thanks for listening :-)

Apple: https://apple.co/3hlGhGP

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3hDyOXc

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f46UCk

Linkedin: https://bit.ly/2T8CZAp

YouTube: https://bit.ly/342wYHz

Website: www.arisudan.com

Credits:

1. Madhushala poetry book written by Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan

2. Autobiographies of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan – Kya Bhulun Kya Yaad Karun, Need Ka Nirman Phir, Basere se Door, Dashdwar se Sopan Tak.

3. Various YouTube Videos and information from Internet