प्रेम किरण - आज के एक बेहतरीन शायर / Prem Kiran - an excellent poet of today

चलो ढूंढते हैं मुहब्बत की दुनिया / Let's find the Love World 

प्रेम किरण आज के दौर के गंभीर कवि हैं जिन्हें देश भर के लोगों ने सराहा है। उनकी ग़ज़लों में मुहब्बत तो अठखेलियां करती ही है, लेकिन वे समाज और देश की समस्याओं से भी उतने ही जुड़े हैं। भाषाई क्लिष्टता और अर्थ की दुरूहता से बचते हुए उनकी संवाद-अदायगी ऐसी है कि पाठक के ज़ेहन पर सीधा असर करती है। उम्र के इस पड़ाव पर उसके पास अनुभवों का अथाह भंडार है, जिसको वे अपनी समझ की धार से व्याख्यायित करते हैं। निश्चय ही आज और आने वाले युग में उनकी शायरी की प्रासंगिकता दिनों-दिन बढ़ती ही जाएगी जिससे उनकी ख्याति देश-दुनिया में और भी अधिक फैलेगी। उनके प्रकाशित ग़ज़ल-संग्रह "आग चख कर लीजिए", 'पिनकुशन' और 'ज़ेह्राब' हैं। उनकी बेशुमार रचनाएँ लंबे समय से विभिन्न समाचार पत्रों और पत्रिकाओं में प्रकाशित होती रहीं हैं और आकाशवाणी और दूरदर्शन ने भी उनके कार्यक्रमों का प्रसारण किया है। ग़ज़लों के अलावा उन्होंने कहानी, लेख, समीक्षा आदि अन्य विधाओं में भी हाथ आज़माया है। पाठकों की सुविधा के लिए उनकी कुछ नवीनतम ग़ज़लें प्रस्तुत हैं जो स्वयं उनका परिचय देंगी। प्रेम किरण को दुष्यंत कुमार शिखर सम्मान, बिहार उर्दू अकादमी द्वारा सम्मान और अन्य कई महत्वपूर्ण सम्मानों से नवाज़ा जा चुका है। हेमंत 'हिम' द्वारा उनकी एक ग़ज़ल का अंग्रेजी अनुवाद भी प्रस्तुत है। 

(-संपादक, बेजोड इंडिया ब्लॉग)

Prem Kiran is a serious poet of today's era who has been appreciated by people across the country. In his ghazals, love plays pranks, but he is equally connected with the problems of the society and the country. Avoiding linguistic intricacy and difficulty of meaning, his dialogue delivery is such that it directly affects the mind of the reader. At this stage of age, he has an immense store of experiences, which he interprets with the edge of his understanding. Certainly today and in the coming era, the relevance of his poetry will increase day by day, due to which his fame will spread even more in the country and the world. His published anthologies are "Aag Chakh Kar Lijiye", 'Pincushion' and 'Zehrab'. His innumerable works have been published in various newspapers and magazines for a long time and All India Radio and Doordarshan have also broadcast his programs. Apart from ghazals, he has also tried his hand in other genres like story, article, review etc. For the convenience of the readers, some of his latest ghazals are presented which will themselves tell about himself. Prem Kiran has been awarded Dushyant Kumar Shikhar Samman, Honor by Bihar Urdu Academy and many other important honors. English translation of one of his ghazals is also presented by Hemant 'Him'.

(-Editor, Bejod India Blog)

ग़ज़ल -1 / Poem-1

रात है और क्या ग़ज़ब की ख़ूबसूरत रात है
तश्ना-लब है, जाम है, तुम पास हो, बरसात है
Oh this is night, the wonders of night not waning
Thirsty lips with a glass, you'r here and it's raining

क्या पता किस मोड़ पर ये ज़िंदगी हो बेवफ़ा

आओ जी लेंं,इश्क़ कर लें, जितने पल का साथ है

Who knows the moment when the life may ditch him 

Let us make love and live all moments yet remaining

हुश्न पर इतना गुरूर अच्छा नहीं ऐ महज़बीं

चार दिन की चांदनी है फिर अंधेरी रात है

Hey gorgeous! Don't be so arrogant about your beauty

Just few moonlit nights and then murk would be gaining

धूल से उसने बनाया हर कली हर फूल को

ये जो हर सू मोजिज़ा है, उसके बस की बात है

He produced every bud and flower from the dust

The miracles all around only through God may be attaining

इश्क़ पैहम इश्क़ करना जानता हूँ मैं किरन

इश्क़ है माबूद मेरा इश्क़ मेरी ज़ात है

I am 'Kiran' and know only to make love incessantly

Love is my God and the abode from I am hailing

 ग़ज़ल -2

रंगीन है तुम्हारी कहानी भी कम नहीं

लेकिन हमारी शोख़ बयानी भी कम नहीं

दरिया में बादबां को संभालूं कि नाव को

सरकश है गर हवा तो रवानी भी कम नहीं

बैठे हैं धूप में भी घनी छांव के तले

पुरखों की दी हुई ये निशानी भी कम नहीं

इसका वजूद सदियाँ मिटाये नहीं मिटा

है इश्क़ की ये प्यास पुरानी भी कम नहीं

बाजार में लगी हुई है आग हर तरफ

लेकिन बुझाना चाहें तो पानी भी कम नहीं

कुछ अपनी आदतों से भी मजबूर हूं किरन

कुछ दोस्तों की तल्ख़बयानी भी कम नहीं

(बादबां = नाव में लागाया जानेवाला पर्दा, सरकश = बाग़ी, रवानी = प्रवाह)

ग़ज़ल -3

नसीमे-सहर क्या ग़ज़ब ढा रही है

कली के चटकने की बू आ रही है

अजूबा सदी है हमारी सदी भी

हर इक दिन ख़बर कोई चौंका रही है

न जाने कहां खो गयी आदमीयत

न जाने ये दुनिया कहां जा रही है

चलो ढूंढते हैं मुहब्बत की दुनिया

ये नफ़रत की दुनिया सितम ढा रही है

ज़माने में सबसे ख़ुशी बांटता हूं

तलब ज़िंदगी की हमेशा रही है

किताबों में ढूंढा शिलाओं में ढूंढा

किरन कोई शै है जो भटका रही है

(नसीमे-सहर = सुबह की हवा)

ग़ज़ल -4

ठोकरें खा कर भी हमने की हिफ़ाज़त आपकी

कुछ तो है पासे-रवायत कुछ हिदायत आपकी

सर कटाया हमने मिट्टी की हिफ़ाज़त के लिए

है रक़म तारीख़ में लेकिन शहादत आपकी

छोटी छोटी बस्तियां हमने बसायीं है मगर

फिर इन्हें वीरान कर देंगी सियासत आपकी

न्याय अंधा, लोग भूखे और ये बिखरा समाज

देख ली सरकार हमने ये रियासत आपकी

लोग हैरां हो रहे हैं ये तमाशा देख कर

मेरे दरपन में नज़र आती है सूरत आपकी

अपने हाथों ख़ुद उठायी हैं उसूलों की फ़सील

वरना हमको रास आई कब क़यादत आपकी

(पासे-रवायत = परम्परा का लिहाज़, फ़सील = दीवार, क़यादत = नेतृत्व)

ग़ज़ल -5

जो परीशान फ़सीलों के उधर है कोई

तो कहां चैन से इस ओर बशर है कोई

कौन खुशियों के निवालों को उड़ा लेता है

साफ़ दिखता तो नहीं चेहरा मगर है कोई

ज़ख़्म की एक सी तहरीर रक़म है दिल पर

पढ़ने वाला न इधर है न उधर है कोई

शह्र वीरान हुआ कैसे ये ख़ामोशी क्यों

लोग गूंगे हैं कि मुर्दों का नगर है कोई

हम सफ़ीने को किनारे से लगायें कैसे

तेज़ तूफान है दरिया में भंवर है कोई

चाहते हैं कि मुहब्बत से मिलें हम लेकिन

अपनी परवाज़ में थोड़ी सी कसर है कोई

छू के गुजरी हैं अभी ठंढी हवायें मुझको

इसका मतलब कहीं सरसब्ज़ शजर है कोई

(तहरीर रक़म है = लिखावट लिखी है, सरसब्ज़ = हरा-भरा)

.....

ग़ज़लकार - प्रेम किरण

ग़ज़लकार का ईमेल आईडी - premkiran2010@gmail.com

ग़ज़लकार का पता - गुलजारबाग, पटना (बिहार)

अंग्रेजी छंदानुवाद (English translation) - हेमन्त दास 'हिम' (Hemant Das 'Him')

प्रतिक्रिया हेतु ईमेल- editorbejodindia@gmail.com / hemantdas2001@gmail.com

"Lalka Paag" - Maithili movie screened in Mumbai University on 10.3.2023

For English and हिन्दी Links of the reports on the play 'Maranoparant'- Click here

 Forceful expression of the woes of a Mithilani
(A report of movie screening event)

(मैथिली मे देखबा लेल - एतय क्लिक करू)
(हिंदी में देखने के लिए - यहाँ क्लिक करके क्र.सं.3 पर जाइये)

"The real turban of a man is his woman who is still with you. Then, why are you weeping?" - Bhola Master tells this to the bitterly weeping Radhakant who is just to join the procession for his own second marriage. He was now crying relentlessly like a boy of Std Three. He could not bear the realisation of the extreme internal pain of his first wife who has been seemingly enthusiastic to the extent that she gave the sanctimoniously preserved headgear (paag) of him so that he could proceed for his second marriage. 

"Lalka Paag" is the masterpiece of the iconic Maithili storyteller Rajkamal Chaudhary.

Maithili feature film “Lalka Paag” was shown in the Seminar Room, Near Gate No.1, University of Mumbai. The director Prashant Nagendra was present in the University premises on this occasion. Most of the viewers were non-Maihil but they said to this reporter that they were able to understand the storyline of the movie. Subtitles were also provided for their convenience.

There were many distinguished persons present on this occasion which included  Bhaskar Jha (renowned Maithili/Enlgish litterateur and an expert on Maihili Movies), renowned TV actress Asmita Sharma, veteran Bhojpuri actor Gopal ji, TV actors Rajiv , Prof. Prasad Thakur, Researcher Vibha Jha, Mithila Media person Mala Jha and blogger Hemant Das ‘Him’ etc.  A large number of students from Department of Communication and Journalism, Mumbai University watched the whole movie with full concentration which tells about the success of it's artistic quality. 

After the show, this reporter asked the viewers about their quick response on the movie. Prof. Prasade Thakur said that notwithstanding the fact that the film has less dialogues, the director has succeeded in communicating his messages through the visual language. This movie is full of the fragrance of Maithili culture. Student Atharva Aloni said that the movie is woman-centric and does not allow the language to come as a barrier in communication. He said that he liked the work of the lead actress a lot even though she was not a professional actor. Student Vinay Yadav and Nilesh Sauthane also praised the movie for the portrayal of pristine Mithila culture. One of the distinguished person said that this is one of the movies which has been shot in the natural ambience of the characters just like in Malyali movies. 

The film was directed by Prashant Nagenrda and was acted by Meena Gautam, Roshan Raj, Shweta Verma and others.

While talking to this reporter the director of the movie Prashant Nagendra said that the even though the movie was completed with a lot of perseverance in terms of music, acting and cinematography it could not get a commercial release because of some legal hurdles. One can watch the videos of songs, best scenes and promos which are easily available on google and can get mesmerised by extremely poignant story supported by heart-wrenching acting and touching songs and other ingredients of a successful movie. Prashant seems to be somewhat depressed the way people stood between it's commercial release time-to-time with wrong reasons as he calls it.

Let us now talk something more about the organiser and some of the guests of the event. Vibha Jha is the person who took initiative for organising it with the help of Mass Communication Deptt of Mumbai Univ. She told us that the veteran actor Mr. Gopal is the first generation actor in Maithili, Magahi and Bhojpuri movie world. Rahul Sinha is the lead actor in Muralidhar's "Sajana ke angana me solah shringar". Rajeev Singh is the main villain in the movie "Sasta jingi mahag sindur". Mona Ray is the lead actress in the same film. Her husband Rakesh  Tripathi is a well-known actor and director of Bhojpuri and Maithili cinema.

.....
Report by - Hemant Das 'Him'
Send your response/ suggestion/ additional info to - editorbejodindia@gmail.com / hemantdas2001@gmail.com

A scene from the feature film "Lalka Paag"

"Baanswaada Company" staged at Versova (Mumbai) on 4.4.2023

 Shades of thespian struggle
(Drama review)

हिंदी में समीक्षा के लिए -   यहाँ क्लिक करके क्रम सं. 12 देखिए 

You need to be mad to win your fad. Theatre is an obsession and can hardly be called a profession. There are innumerable thorny crosses you need to negotiate before you establish yourself on theatrical stage. And even after you become a well-known actor, the struggles continue. The play "Baaswaada Comapany" gives a nonchalant view of what and how about the life of drama artists. The instance shown is of a drama team working in a far-flung area of Rajasthan and the director who is also the author of the play has successfully preserved the sanctity of regional language and accent. 

The script does not proceed with hardbound storyline and allows the director to show different instances of internal happenings in a drama team. These unstructured events covers perhaps a span of a number of years. 

There is an excellent senior artist in the team but on even smallest unagreeable statement by other, he leaves the precincts. He is unmarried at 43 of age and a tippler. Her mother is concerned how shall she arrange food after two days but this artist is only concerned about his drama. There is a sponsor man who only thinks about his money-back and so he stresses on keeping original female artists. During the show of Ramleela the artist given the role of 'deer' puts up the mask of 'horse' and spoils the scene. Ram asks him to go and bring his friend 'deer' so that he can kill him with his arch as wished by Sita. On this the director somehow convinces Ram to get satisfied with killing a horse only as it is he who is available at this time. After Ramleela, the entry of an attractive foreigner female artist the internal optics of the team is on topsy-turvy. Though she raises the charm and value of the team manifold but ultimately cheats the sponsor and flees away.

And many a fact emerge from that. Some of them are - 1.The master of a drama company has always to tread on a tight rope dealing along with all his senior-junior artists also the sponsors of the shows, 2. The most talented and devoted actor is also the moodiest one, 3. The social dynamic has a direct reflection on the drama team viz. caste and religious conflicts, 4. The drama company generally believes in many kinds of superstitions, 5. The talented female artists are also vital for the success of the show. Without them your show is incomplete, 6. Some member may ditch the company at certain point of time. But the last and most important takeaway is the art of drama costs an artist his whole of life. He gives all he has to his muse but gets nothing more than an internal satisfaction. And that is why a drama artist must be respected in the society. The dramas that are shown are not only pieces of entertainment but are very condense media of thought transmission, the main plinth of the progress of human society.  

The play is made up of the scenes of the rehearsals and shows of two different poles of dramatic art - One is Ramleela and other is Shakespeare's Othelo. Comedy emerged from the dereliction and mis-performance by the artists which were somehow stringed together instantaneously in a conducive manner. These scenes were deliberate and parts of the script.

Artists who acted well were Amrit Arora, Jaswinder Singh, Prakash Parida, Akash Bhanushali, Aditi Charak, Akshat Jain, Anuj Khurana, Varun Pawar, Elakshi Moray Gupta, Mohan Sagar, Nikhil Modi, Sachin Bhatt, Ranjana Sharma, Himanshu Aneja, Ishan Pehal. Director Niresh Kumar who is also an author is from NSD has shown his mettle in converting the common life happenings of drama artists in a presentable play. This was their maiden show.

One thing I have to say is that the play has declared duration of 1 hour 10 minutes but it ran for more that 2 hours, I think.

The main motive of the play was perhaps to make it a comedy but it turns out to be a balanced mix of comedy and thought-provocation. A good play worthy to watch.

...
Review by - Hemant Das 'Him'
Send your response to - editorbejodindia@gmail.com / hemantdas2001@mail.com

"Deranged Marriage" - a Hindi play staged at Khar (Mumbai) on 25.2.2023 by Jeff Goldberg Studio

 I found my mad girl!  
(A Drama-review)

हिंदी में समीक्षा के लिए -   यहाँ क्लिक करके क्रम सं. 11 देखिए 

Stuck  in the blitzkrieg of reels and live streaming, is there something  called "real life" left in our social ethos? This is an era where all of your feelings, emotions and experiences have reduced to the instances of showbiz. Social media platforms like Whatsapp, facebook, instagram etc. have ransacked the basic fabric of  human life. 

A middle-class couple have a young daughter. The mother is an ultra-extrovert modern woman who is always eager to openly discuss her sweet sixteen fantasies even before her blushing daughter. Her docile husband takes care of household chores and somehow manages his nuptial bond to wife who cherishes a socialite persona for herself. Their daughter is suffering from severe kind of electrophobia i.e. fear of electricity. That is why she has grown seclusive to all electrical gazettes to the extent that she shivers heavily when a mobile phone rings.

Well, a prospect boy from already known faces is pointed out and the girl is encouraged by her parents to go on date with him. Filled with tender romantic feelings the beautiful girl goes to meet the prospect  but to her dismay the boy is nerdy. The boy on the very first date reveals that his first love is his books of  Electrical Engineering. The girl is about to feint but somehow controls herself. 

Nothing comes out in the first date and they agree to meet again. Then a problem comes to surface that the prospect boy has a girlfriend. Now the parents lose all hopes for this match. The reasons are two- One, their daughter has a mental disease of fearing from electricity and Second, that boy already has a girlfriend. 

Now when that boy meets his original girlfriend who is a dazzling stylish lady, he finds that she is always engaged in show off. She would suddenly start dancing with him, would start a romance chat, would show her coquets and styles but would never participate in serious talk. In place of attending to the real relationship issues She would would rather prefer  livestreaming her break up spat on social media. Breaking relation to such a nasty girl, he goes to give his marriage offer to the girl who is afraid of mobile ringing.

The directors and actions have done nice work. The natural rhythm of the story was well-maintained by the directors. The dichotomy of feelings and show off is beautifully etched out in the script and the characters playing the young daughter, prospect boy and his girlfriend did their best to make this dichotomy clearly visible to the viewers. The actors playing the mother and the father were also successful in showing two different approaches of rearing child. Those who acted in it were Nyasa Bijalani, Atherva Kelkar. Anil Mishra, Mallika Bajaj, Rahul Raj C, Nitasha Sharma and Varun Chawla. The directors were Subramanian Namboodiri and Sukaran Chhabra. The script was prepared by Jeff Goldberg and one of his associates.

The trembling body of the daughter should be associated with light and sound effects. The parental fight should be more intense that reaches a full-blown war level each time and then cools down suddenly. After these changes, there would be no need of double-meaning dialogues for humour.

Definitely this play is not only successful in entertaining the viewers but is also able to raise the most pertinent issue of mobile aka social media menace in an emphatic manner. And I would succinct as "Behind all the glamour and glossiness there is a human heart and the feelings unseen by others matter the most". 

....
Review by - Hemant Das 'Him'
Send your responses to - editorbejodindia@gmail.com / hemantdas2001@gmail.com

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