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मधुशाला: Madhushala
Madhushala (Hindi: मधुशाला) (The Tavern/The House of Wine) is a book of 135 "quatrains": verses of four lines (Ruba'i) by Hindi poet and writer Harivansh Rai Bachchan (1907–2003). The highly metaphorical work is still celebrated for its deeply Sufi incantations and philosophical undertones[1] and is an important work in the Chhayavaad (Neo-romanticism) literary movement of early 20th century Hindi literature.
All the rubaaiaa (the plural for rubaai) end in the word madhushala. The poet tries to explain the complexity of life with his four instruments, which appear in almost every verse: madhu, madira or haala (wine), saaki (server), pyaala (cup or glass) and of course madhushala, madiralaya (pub/bar).
The publication of the work in 1935 brought Harivanshrai Bachchan instant fame, and his own recitation of the poems became a "craze" at poetry symposiums.
All the rubaaiaa (the plural for rubaai) end in the word madhushala. The poet tries to explain the complexity of life with his four instruments, which appear in almost every verse: madhu, madira or haala (wine), saaki (server), pyaala (cup or glass) and of course madhushala, madiralaya (pub/bar).
The publication of the work in 1935 brought Harivanshrai Bachchan instant fame, and his own recitation of the poems became a "craze" at poetry symposiums.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1935
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February 9, 2017
यह १३५ बेशकीमती रुबाइयाँ मात्र किसी मधुशाला के लिए एक क़सीदा नहीं है अपितु गाती हुई रूपक है ज़िन्दगी की , वह ज़िन्दगी जो उजाले और अंधेरे से, न्यायनीति और भेदभाव से ,आलिंगन और अभाव से परिपूर्ण है |
अपनी कलम को नीली स्याही में डुबाये, हमारा दीवाना सा वर्णनकर्ता लिखता चला जाता है; लिखता है गुनगुनाते हुए जीवन की नीरसता की गाथा, जिसमे उसके विचारों की टोकरी को मात्र एक हाला का प्याला, किसी मधुशाला का निवाला, संभाले हुए हैं | एक छेड़ती हुई प्रेमिका की तरह मधुशाला शानदार अमृत-पान के वादे के साथ आकर्षित करती है लेकिन उन मदिराओं को ज़रा दूर सिरका देती है; शायद मिलन से पूर्व उस दीवाने के पैरों की स्थिरता की अपेक्षा में | लेकिन जीवन की शासकों के नीति के विपरीत, यहां लोगों के अपने सपनों के पीछे भागने पर कोई पाबंदी नहीं है | जाति, संस्कृति, धर्म और स्थिति भुला कर , मधुशाला सभी को समा लेती है और इसी अदा से उसका आकर्षण बहुत गुना बढ़ जाता है | हमारा वर्णनकर्ता यह मानता हैं की हवा में उड़ी कोई स्वाश भी उन्मादता से अनछुई नहीं है ; अरे वह शहीद भी तो आज़ादी के नशे में जिया करता है ! हर प्याले के संग प्यास जैसे मिट सी जाती है किन्तु थोड़ी तलब फिर भी बाकी रह जाती है | नहीं होती अगर अपूर्ण तृप्ति , तो आँखों के किस समंदर में सूरज की नवीन किरणों उतरती? नहीं होती अगर थोड़ी ऊंस घाव में बाकी, तो कौन राह देखता शीतल, सुहाती चन्द्रमा का ?
लेकिन आखिर कब तक एक मधुशाला, अपनी दीवारों को कुरेदती दुनिया से सुरक्षित रखती ? एक दिन, वह ढह गयी | बड़ी बड़ी बातों का पिटारा, अंततः छोटी खुशियों को निगल गया और मधुशाला, बेचारी इस बह्मांड के विशाल काया में लुप्त हो गयी | और उसी के संग, हमारा वर्णनकर्ता भी क्षिण हो गया | पर राख बनने से पूर्व, उसकी एक ही विनती थी - मुझे न दफन करना, न मुझे जलाना, न की अमृत से मेरे होंठ गीले करना, न मेरा कहीं नाम लिखना और न मेरे सम्बन्धियों को सूचित करना | करना तो बस यही की मेरे शव को उस स्थल पर रखना जहां कभी कोई मधुशाला हुआ करती थी, जहां उपलब्धियां और कमियों के बारे में न कोई प्रश्न पूछता था और जहां समाने का एकमात्र योग्यता एक शुद्ध इरादा एवं निष्कपटी भावना होती थी |
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This splendorous string of 135 quatrains is not just an ode to the tavern; it is a metaphoric meditation on life that is fraught with light and darkness, equity and discrimination, embrace and absence.
Dipping his pen into the inky blue of his heart, our vagabond scribbles; scribbles away the humdrum with a humming cornucopia of thoughts that demands nothing but a mere glass of wine in his favourite tavern, to bloom. Like a teasing lover, the tavern attracts with the promise of magnificent elixirs but removes them from an arm’s length, perhaps fortifying the vagabond’s feet to assume stability before the union. Oh but unlike the perceptions of life’s police, there is no bar on the type of people who can reach for their dream catch and thus, merging caste, culture, religion and status, the tavern romps up its allure in no time. Our narrator insists there is no breath scurrying in the air without the hint of intoxication in it, why, for even the martyrs in the war are inebriated by the promise of freedom! And with every glass, and one more, the thirst gets full and yet remains a bit hungry. If not for incomplete satiation, who would present the pool of eyes over which the new sun may dawn upon? If not for that tinge of unhealed wound, who would await the tender medication of the pale, nursing moon?
But how long can a tavern, after all, uphold its walls from the blotched world? One day, it cows down. The infallible grasp of enormous things, eventually, usurps small happinesses, dispatching the mere tavern into the might belly of the constantly fire-bellowing universe. And along with it, perishes our narrator. But before he becomes ash, he has one request; to not bury him or set his corpse on fire, to not wet his lips with nectar of any kind, to not register his name anywhere, to not inform his links to the material world. He simply wants to be laid down on a ground where there was once a tavern, where no questions are asked of accomplishments and misses and only qualification to be accepted is a pure intent to be one’s self, without the rhetoric of duplicity.
अपनी कलम को नीली स्याही में डुबाये, हमारा दीवाना सा वर्णनकर्ता लिखता चला जाता है; लिखता है गुनगुनाते हुए जीवन की नीरसता की गाथा, जिसमे उसके विचारों की टोकरी को मात्र एक हाला का प्याला, किसी मधुशाला का निवाला, संभाले हुए हैं | एक छेड़ती हुई प्रेमिका की तरह मधुशाला शानदार अमृत-पान के वादे के साथ आकर्षित करती है लेकिन उन मदिराओं को ज़रा दूर सिरका देती है; शायद मिलन से पूर्व उस दीवाने के पैरों की स्थिरता की अपेक्षा में | लेकिन जीवन की शासकों के नीति के विपरीत, यहां लोगों के अपने सपनों के पीछे भागने पर कोई पाबंदी नहीं है | जाति, संस्कृति, धर्म और स्थिति भुला कर , मधुशाला सभी को समा लेती है और इसी अदा से उसका आकर्षण बहुत गुना बढ़ जाता है | हमारा वर्णनकर्ता यह मानता हैं की हवा में उड़ी कोई स्वाश भी उन्मादता से अनछुई नहीं है ; अरे वह शहीद भी तो आज़ादी के नशे में जिया करता है ! हर प्याले के संग प्यास जैसे मिट सी जाती है किन्तु थोड़ी तलब फिर भी बाकी रह जाती है | नहीं होती अगर अपूर्ण तृप्ति , तो आँखों के किस समंदर में सूरज की नवीन किरणों उतरती? नहीं होती अगर थोड़ी ऊंस घाव में बाकी, तो कौन राह देखता शीतल, सुहाती चन्द्रमा का ?
लेकिन आखिर कब तक एक मधुशाला, अपनी दीवारों को कुरेदती दुनिया से सुरक्षित रखती ? एक दिन, वह ढह गयी | बड़ी बड़ी बातों का पिटारा, अंततः छोटी खुशियों को निगल गया और मधुशाला, बेचारी इस बह्मांड के विशाल काया में लुप्त हो गयी | और उसी के संग, हमारा वर्णनकर्ता भी क्षिण हो गया | पर राख बनने से पूर्व, उसकी एक ही विनती थी - मुझे न दफन करना, न मुझे जलाना, न की अमृत से मेरे होंठ गीले करना, न मेरा कहीं नाम लिखना और न मेरे सम्बन्धियों को सूचित करना | करना तो बस यही की मेरे शव को उस स्थल पर रखना जहां कभी कोई मधुशाला हुआ करती थी, जहां उपलब्धियां और कमियों के बारे में न कोई प्रश्न पूछता था और जहां समाने का एकमात्र योग्यता एक शुद्ध इरादा एवं निष्कपटी भावना होती थी |
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This splendorous string of 135 quatrains is not just an ode to the tavern; it is a metaphoric meditation on life that is fraught with light and darkness, equity and discrimination, embrace and absence.
Dipping his pen into the inky blue of his heart, our vagabond scribbles; scribbles away the humdrum with a humming cornucopia of thoughts that demands nothing but a mere glass of wine in his favourite tavern, to bloom. Like a teasing lover, the tavern attracts with the promise of magnificent elixirs but removes them from an arm’s length, perhaps fortifying the vagabond’s feet to assume stability before the union. Oh but unlike the perceptions of life’s police, there is no bar on the type of people who can reach for their dream catch and thus, merging caste, culture, religion and status, the tavern romps up its allure in no time. Our narrator insists there is no breath scurrying in the air without the hint of intoxication in it, why, for even the martyrs in the war are inebriated by the promise of freedom! And with every glass, and one more, the thirst gets full and yet remains a bit hungry. If not for incomplete satiation, who would present the pool of eyes over which the new sun may dawn upon? If not for that tinge of unhealed wound, who would await the tender medication of the pale, nursing moon?
But how long can a tavern, after all, uphold its walls from the blotched world? One day, it cows down. The infallible grasp of enormous things, eventually, usurps small happinesses, dispatching the mere tavern into the might belly of the constantly fire-bellowing universe. And along with it, perishes our narrator. But before he becomes ash, he has one request; to not bury him or set his corpse on fire, to not wet his lips with nectar of any kind, to not register his name anywhere, to not inform his links to the material world. He simply wants to be laid down on a ground where there was once a tavern, where no questions are asked of accomplishments and misses and only qualification to be accepted is a pure intent to be one’s self, without the rhetoric of duplicity.
November 21, 2018
काफ़ी अरसा हो गया हिंदी में कविता पढकर। बहुत ही खूबसूरत कविता थी। आनंद आ गया। हम सभी को प्रयास करना चाहिए इससे पढ़ने का। जितनी बार पढ़ोगे हर बार अलग अर्थ मिलेगा और सोचने वाली कविता है। कवी बच्चन जी ने कभी मदिरा का सेवन नहीं किया उसके बाद भी ऐसी कविता लिखी है, यह इनकी गहरायी दर्शाती है। जितनी सुन्दरता इससे पढ़ने में है उतनी सुंदरता इससे सुनने में भी है। आप सभी यूट्यूब में उनके पुत्र अमिताभ बच्चन और महान संगीतकार मन्ना डे को अवश्य सुने।
April 12, 2013
the internal churning is best captured in the following lines from Madhushala!!
मधुर भावनाओं की सुमधुर नित्य बनाता हूँ हाला,
भरता हूँ इस मधु से अपने अंतर का प्यासा प्याला,
उठा कल्पना के हाथों से स्वयं उसे पी जाता हूँ,
अपने ही में हूँ मैं साकी, पीनेवाला, मधुशाला।।५।
चलने ही चलने में कितना जीवन, हाय, बिता डाला!
'दूर अभी है', पर, कहता है हर पथ बतलानेवाला,
हिम्मत है न बढूँ आगे को साहस है न फिरुँ पीछे,
किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ मुझे कर दूर खड़ी है मधुशाला।।७।
मधुर भावनाओं की सुमधुर नित्य बनाता हूँ हाला,
भरता हूँ इस मधु से अपने अंतर का प्यासा प्याला,
उठा कल्पना के हाथों से स्वयं उसे पी जाता हूँ,
अपने ही में हूँ मैं साकी, पीनेवाला, मधुशाला।।५।
चलने ही चलने में कितना जीवन, हाय, बिता डाला!
'दूर अभी है', पर, कहता है हर पथ बतलानेवाला,
हिम्मत है न बढूँ आगे को साहस है न फिरुँ पीछे,
किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ मुझे कर दूर खड़ी है मधुशाला।।७।
August 24, 2017
This appeals to novice poetry readers as well as veterans. The simplicity with which the verses are strewn along haala, pyaala, saakibala and madhushala are bound to set you in a trance.
I read it in parts in the last couple of days, and re-read it in a single sitting today as recommended by the author, and such is the magic that I'm craving for more now....
क्या कहता है, रह न गई अब तेरे भाजन में हाला,
क्या कहता है, अब न चलेगी मादक प्यालों की माला,
थोड़ी पीकर प्यास बढ़ी तो शेष नहीं कुछ पीने को,
प्यास बुझाने को बुलवाकर प्यास बढ़ाती मधुशाला।।६९।
I read it in parts in the last couple of days, and re-read it in a single sitting today as recommended by the author, and such is the magic that I'm craving for more now....
क्या कहता है, रह न गई अब तेरे भाजन में हाला,
क्या कहता है, अब न चलेगी मादक प्यालों की माला,
थोड़ी पीकर प्यास बढ़ी तो शेष नहीं कुछ पीने को,
प्यास बुझाने को बुलवाकर प्यास बढ़ाती मधुशाला।।६९।
July 16, 2021
বলিউডের বচ্চন পরিবারকে কে না চেনে বিশেষত অমিতাভ বচ্চনকে। বিশ শতাব্দীর বিখ্যাত কবি হরিবংশ রায় বচ্চনেরই ছেলে অমিতাভ বচ্চন। একটি কবিতা শুনেছিলাম ইউটিউবে, কি চমৎকার সব লাইন-
ব্যাঠ যাতা হু মিট্টি পে আকসার-
কিউ কি মুঝে আপনি অওকাত আচ্ছি লাগতি হে।
ম্যায়নে সামান্দার সে শিখা হে জীনে কা সালিকা;
চুপচাপ সে ব্যাহ না, ঔর আপনি মৌজ মে রেহ না।
এয়সা নেহি হে কে মুঝমে কোই অ্যাব নেহি হে;
পার সাচ কেহ তা হু, মুঝমে কোই ফারেব নেহি হে।
তখন জানতাম না উনি কে। কবির নাম দেখে প্রথমেই বচ্চন পরিবারের কথা মনে পড়লো; গিয়ে দেখি বচ্চন পরিবারের কর্তা!তারপর হুট করেই উনার লিখা পড়ার ইচ্ছা জাগলো। নাম দেখে মধুশালা সিলেক্ট করলাম। মধুশালা, মধুবালা, মধুকলস -এই কাব্যগ্রন্থ তিনটিকে তার অমর সৃষ্টি বলে ধরা হয়। বলা হয় এই ট্রিলজির পেছনে ওমর খৈয়ামের রুবাইয়াৎ অনুপ্রেরণা জুগিয়েছে।
মধুশালা বলতে যেহেতু পানশালা বা ওয়াইন হাউজ বোঝায় তাই প্রতিটি রুবাইতে মধু, হালা (মদ), সাকী (মদ পরিবেশনকারিনী), পেয়ালা, মদিরা প্রভৃতি শব্দ বারবার চলে এসেছে। এই শব্দগুলো বারবার ব্যবহার করে কবি জীবনের একেকটা দিক তুলে ধরেছেন- জীবনের জটিলতা, সাধারণ জীবনধারা, জন্ম, মৃত্যু, জাতি, ধর্ম, জাতি-ধর্মভেদ, রাজনীতি, অস্তিত্ব, সংকট থেকে শুরু করে বিভিন্ন দর্শন তুলে ধরেছেন।
চমৎকার লেগেছে মধুশালা।
~১৬ জুলাই, ২০২১
ব্যাঠ যাতা হু মিট্টি পে আকসার-
কিউ কি মুঝে আপনি অওকাত আচ্ছি লাগতি হে।
ম্যায়নে সামান্দার সে শিখা হে জীনে কা সালিকা;
চুপচাপ সে ব্যাহ না, ঔর আপনি মৌজ মে রেহ না।
এয়সা নেহি হে কে মুঝমে কোই অ্যাব নেহি হে;
পার সাচ কেহ তা হু, মুঝমে কোই ফারেব নেহি হে।
তখন জানতাম না উনি কে। কবির নাম দেখে প্রথমেই বচ্চন পরিবারের কথা মনে পড়লো; গিয়ে দেখি বচ্চন পরিবারের কর্তা!তারপর হুট করেই উনার লিখা পড়ার ইচ্ছা জাগলো। নাম দেখে মধুশালা সিলেক্ট করলাম। মধুশালা, মধুবালা, মধুকলস -এই কাব্যগ্রন্থ তিনটিকে তার অমর সৃষ্টি বলে ধরা হয়। বলা হয় এই ট্রিলজির পেছনে ওমর খৈয়ামের রুবাইয়াৎ অনুপ্রেরণা জুগিয়েছে।
মধুশালা বলতে যেহেতু পানশালা বা ওয়াইন হাউজ বোঝায় তাই প্রতিটি রুবাইতে মধু, হালা (মদ), সাকী (মদ পরিবেশনকারিনী), পেয়ালা, মদিরা প্রভৃতি শব্দ বারবার চলে এসেছে। এই শব্দগুলো বারবার ব্যবহার করে কবি জীবনের একেকটা দিক তুলে ধরেছেন- জীবনের জটিলতা, সাধারণ জীবনধারা, জন্ম, মৃত্যু, জাতি, ধর্ম, জাতি-ধর্মভেদ, রাজনীতি, অস্তিত্ব, সংকট থেকে শুরু করে বিভিন্ন দর্শন তুলে ধরেছেন।
ঠিক যতটুকু লেখা আছে কপালে
ঠিক ততটুকুই তুমি পাবে হালা,
যতবার লেখা আছে কপালে
ততবারই পাবে পেয়ালা;
যতই হও পাতক পাপী
রাস্তা ধরো অন্য-
কপালে যেথায় লেখা আছে
সেথায়ই মিলবে মধুশালা।
চমৎকার লেগেছে মধুশালা।
~১৬ জুলাই, ২০২১
February 15, 2018
The translation probably will spoil even the title - wine-house? Unlike most other poems that are on a single theme and used a large number of motifs to give a single message, this contains 139 messages (a message for each stanzas) including themes like seasons, life, existional crises, aging, death, hedonism, hopefulness, desperation, religion, caste, class, politics, the alcohal itself, the stanzas themselves etc and it is only motifs that stay same - Madhushala (alcohal shop -hindi word 'madhur' means sweet and has a sweet sound to it), Saki (female cupbearer - sort of like waitress only the original word is much more sensual), pyala (cup), Halalhal (a sort of poison) etc. None of those words translate as beautifully as far as I know, it must be fun to try an English translation.
February 6, 2018
I love the way Mr. Bachchan has conveyed so many messages with this book. This is an absolute treat to read. He has touched almost every aspect of human life with this. Whether its -
Hatred Based on religion
"मुसलमान और हिन्दू हैं दो,
एक, मगर, उनका प्याला,
एक, मगर, उनका मदिरालय,
एक, मगर, उनकी हाला;
दोनों रहते एक न जब तक
मंदिर मस्जिद को जाते.
बैर बढ़ाते मंदिर मस्जिद
मेल कराती मधुशाला"
Inequality based on monetary status
"बड़े बड़े परिवार मिटे यों
एक ना हो रोने वाला
हो जाएँ सुनसान महल वे,
जहाँ थिरकतीं सुरबाला,
राज्य उलट जाएँ, भूपों की
भाग्यसुलक्ष्मी सो जाए;
जगे रहेंगे पीने वाले,
जगा करेगी मधुशाला"
Or any kind of inequality
"एक तरह से सबका स्वागत
करती है साकीबाला,
अज्ञ विज्ञ में है क्या अंतर
हो जाने पर मतवाला,
रंक राव में भेद हुआ है
कभी नहीं मदिरालय में,
साम्यवाद की प्रथम प्रचारक
है यह मेरी मधुशाला"
Different colors of life
एक बरस में, एक बार ही,
जगती होली की ज्वाला
एक बार ही लगती बाज़ी,
जलती दीपों की माला
दुनिया वालों किन्तु, किसी दिन,
आ मदिरालय में देखो
दिन को होली, रात दिवाली,
रोज़ मनाती मधुशाला
Uncertainty of life
छोटे से जीवन में कितना
प्यार करूं, पी लूं हाला
आने के ही साथ जगत में,
कहलाया जानेवाला
स्वागत के ही साथ विदा की,
होती देखो तैयारी
बन्द लगी होने खुलते ही,
मेरी जीवन मधुशाला
Even our inexcusable religious belief
"धर्मग्रन्थ सब जला चुकी है
जिसके अंतर की ज्वाला,
मंदिर, मस्जिद, गिरर्जे सबको
तोड़ चूका जो मतवाला,
पंडित, मोमिन, पादरियों के
फंदों को जो काट चूका,
कर सकती है आज उसी का
स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला"
Or any other sociological issue
"वीर सुतों के ह्रदयरक्त की
आज बना रक्तिम हाला,
वीर सुतों के वर शीशों का
हाथों में लेकर प्याला,
अति उदार दानी साकी है
आज बनी भारतमाता,
स्वतंत्रता है तृषित कालिका,
बलिवेदी है मधुशाला"
The real beauty is that he conveyed it so simply yet effectively that you can't neglect it and bound to think on that. You can't ask for anything more from a book which is so good to read and beautiful to recite or listen.
A perfect poem someone wrote in his eulogy, to sum up this creation and the great creator
"कविताओं के विस्तृत नभ में
सूरज का कर उजियाला,
चिर निद्रा में चला गया कवि
मधुशाला लिखने वाला,
मंदिर मस्जिद एक करा कर,
जात पात का का भेद मिटा
सच्चाई की राह दिखाती
है दुनिया को मधुशाला"
Bravo! 5 Stars any day. A must read for poetry-lovers or reader in general.
Hatred Based on religion
"मुसलमान और हिन्दू हैं दो,
एक, मगर, उनका प्याला,
एक, मगर, उनका मदिरालय,
एक, मगर, उनकी हाला;
दोनों रहते एक न जब तक
मंदिर मस्जिद को जाते.
बैर बढ़ाते मंदिर मस्जिद
मेल कराती मधुशाला"
Inequality based on monetary status
"बड़े बड़े परिवार मिटे यों
एक ना हो रोने वाला
हो जाएँ सुनसान महल वे,
जहाँ थिरकतीं सुरबाला,
राज्य उलट जाएँ, भूपों की
भाग्यसुलक्ष्मी सो जाए;
जगे रहेंगे पीने वाले,
जगा करेगी मधुशाला"
Or any kind of inequality
"एक तरह से सबका स्वागत
करती है साकीबाला,
अज्ञ विज्ञ में है क्या अंतर
हो जाने पर मतवाला,
रंक राव में भेद हुआ है
कभी नहीं मदिरालय में,
साम्यवाद की प्रथम प्रचारक
है यह मेरी मधुशाला"
Different colors of life
एक बरस में, एक बार ही,
जगती होली की ज्वाला
एक बार ही लगती बाज़ी,
जलती दीपों की माला
दुनिया वालों किन्तु, किसी दिन,
आ मदिरालय में देखो
दिन को होली, रात दिवाली,
रोज़ मनाती मधुशाला
Uncertainty of life
छोटे से जीवन में कितना
प्यार करूं, पी लूं हाला
आने के ही साथ जगत में,
कहलाया जानेवाला
स्वागत के ही साथ विदा की,
होती देखो तैयारी
बन्द लगी होने खुलते ही,
मेरी जीवन मधुशाला
Even our inexcusable religious belief
"धर्मग्रन्थ सब जला चुकी है
जिसके अंतर की ज्वाला,
मंदिर, मस्जिद, गिरर्जे सबको
तोड़ चूका जो मतवाला,
पंडित, मोमिन, पादरियों के
फंदों को जो काट चूका,
कर सकती है आज उसी का
स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला"
Or any other sociological issue
"वीर सुतों के ह्रदयरक्त की
आज बना रक्तिम हाला,
वीर सुतों के वर शीशों का
हाथों में लेकर प्याला,
अति उदार दानी साकी है
आज बनी भारतमाता,
स्वतंत्रता है तृषित कालिका,
बलिवेदी है मधुशाला"
The real beauty is that he conveyed it so simply yet effectively that you can't neglect it and bound to think on that. You can't ask for anything more from a book which is so good to read and beautiful to recite or listen.
A perfect poem someone wrote in his eulogy, to sum up this creation and the great creator
"कविताओं के विस्तृत नभ में
सूरज का कर उजियाला,
चिर निद्रा में चला गया कवि
मधुशाला लिखने वाला,
मंदिर मस्जिद एक करा कर,
जात पात का का भेद मिटा
सच्चाई की राह दिखाती
है दुनिया को मधुशाला"
Bravo! 5 Stars any day. A must read for poetry-lovers or reader in general.
March 28, 2014
These two lines of the book themselves say about the book.
मेरे साकी में सबने अपना प्यारा साकी देखा,
जिसकी जैसी रुचि थी उसने वैसी देखी मधुशाला।।१३१।
(Everybody understands it in the way that interests them).
कभी न कण-भर खाली होगा लाख पिएँ, दो लाख पिएँ!
पाठकगण हैं पीनेवाले, पुस्तक मेरी मधुशाला।।४।
(Irrespective of how many people consume it, its quality will not deteriorate).
A must read for all ages.
मेरे साकी में सबने अपना प्यारा साकी देखा,
जिसकी जैसी रुचि थी उसने वैसी देखी मधुशाला।।१३१।
(Everybody understands it in the way that interests them).
कभी न कण-भर खाली होगा लाख पिएँ, दो लाख पिएँ!
पाठकगण हैं पीनेवाले, पुस्तक मेरी मधुशाला।।४।
(Irrespective of how many people consume it, its quality will not deteriorate).
A must read for all ages.
July 22, 2021
For the times when the heart is too heavy, there is always solace to be found in the words of Madhushala.
Through the ~130 quatrains, Bachchan charts the stages of a human life through the metaphoric reference to a drinking spot/tavern, deeply embedded with his own reflections. It always offers so much to explore as each stanza carries its own theme / 'yatharth'. Each time he uses the words 'madhu' or 'madira', they denote a different emotion from the previous stanza.
As the poem progresses and tracks one's life from youth till the declining years, the tone of the poem shifts from enthusiastic play to sombre representation. Quite magical!
I grew up listening to Madhushala recitals - reading the words in print is comforting in its own way. Can't recommend Manna Dey's recital enough!
Through the ~130 quatrains, Bachchan charts the stages of a human life through the metaphoric reference to a drinking spot/tavern, deeply embedded with his own reflections. It always offers so much to explore as each stanza carries its own theme / 'yatharth'. Each time he uses the words 'madhu' or 'madira', they denote a different emotion from the previous stanza.
As the poem progresses and tracks one's life from youth till the declining years, the tone of the poem shifts from enthusiastic play to sombre representation. Quite magical!
I grew up listening to Madhushala recitals - reading the words in print is comforting in its own way. Can't recommend Manna Dey's recital enough!
June 21, 2016
'Madhushala' is not necessarily a tavern. 'Madhushala' symbolizes dreams, ambitions, life, universe, or rather any asymmetric multi-agent system. (जिसकी जैसी रुचि थी उसने वैसी देखी मधुशाला।।131)
Any one who yearns is man. Wine(मधु/हाला/ साकीबाला), is what he yearns for, provider is Saaki(साकी - one who serves wine), the medium is pyaala (प्याला - wineglass) and the place which provides is 'Madhushala'. The poem endorses life, not alcoholism.
There are total 135 Chaupai (4-line verses) and every one of them ends with term madhushala. The language is fairly simple. Poem touches various philosophical(and pragmatic) aspects of life and societal norms. Among various concepts,I loved how the poem develops the relation between man and his 'Madhushala'. Their relationship goes through the period of acceptance, romance, separation and, in the end, self-revelation.
The following selected phrases are beautiful and capture the brilliance of poem. (Also, look at how it develops)
सुन, कलकल़ , छलछल़ मधुघट से गिरती प्यालों में हाला,
सुन, रूनझुन रूनझुन चल वितरण करती मधु साकीबाला,
बस आ पहुंचे, दुर नहीं कुछ, चार कदम अब चलना है,
चहक रहे, सुन, पीनेवाले, महक रही, ले, मधुशाला।।10
एक बरस में, एक बार ही जगती होली की ज्वाला,
एक बार ही लगती बाज़ी, जलती दीपों की माला,
दुनियावालों, किन्तु, किसी दिन आ मदिरालय में देखो,
दिन को होली, रात दिवाली, रोज़ मनाती मधुशाला। 26
किसी ओर मैं आँखें फेरूँ, दिखलाई देती हाला
किसी ओर मैं आँखें फेरूँ, दिखलाई देता प्याला,
किसी ओर मैं देखूं, मुझको दिखलाई देता साकी
किसी ओर देखूं, दिखलाई पड़ती मुझको मधुशाला।। 39
याद न आए दुखमय जीवन इससे पी लेता हाला,
जग चिंताओं से रहने को मुक्त, उठा लेता प्याला,
शौक, साध के और स्वाद के हेतु पिया जग करता है,
पर मै वह रोगी हूँ जिसकी एक दवा है मधुशाला।। 78
जो हाला मैं चाह रहा था, वह न मिली मुझको हाला,
जो प्याला मैं माँग रहा था, वह न मिला मुझको प्याला,
जिस साकी के पीछे मैं था दीवाना, न मिला साकी,
जिसके पीछे था मैं पागल, हा न मिली वह मधुशाला! | 90
जिसने मुझको प्यासा रक्खा बनी रहे वह भी हाला,
जिसने जीवन भर दौड़ाया बना रहे वह भी प्याला,
मतवालों की जिह्वा से हैं कभी निकलते शाप नहीं,
दुखी बनाया जिसने मुझको सुखी रहे वह मधुशाला!। 103
वह हाला, कर शांत सके जो मेरे अंतर की ज्वाला,
जिसमें मैं बिंबित-प्रतिबिंबित प्रतिपल, वह मेरा प्याला,
मधुशाला वह नहीं जहाँ पर मदिरा बेची जाती है,
भेंट जहाँ मस्ती की मिलती मेरी तो वह मधुशाला।। 121
Any one who yearns is man. Wine(मधु/हाला/ साकीबाला), is what he yearns for, provider is Saaki(साकी - one who serves wine), the medium is pyaala (प्याला - wineglass) and the place which provides is 'Madhushala'. The poem endorses life, not alcoholism.
There are total 135 Chaupai (4-line verses) and every one of them ends with term madhushala. The language is fairly simple. Poem touches various philosophical(and pragmatic) aspects of life and societal norms. Among various concepts,I loved how the poem develops the relation between man and his 'Madhushala'. Their relationship goes through the period of acceptance, romance, separation and, in the end, self-revelation.
The following selected phrases are beautiful and capture the brilliance of poem. (Also, look at how it develops)
सुन, कलकल़ , छलछल़ मधुघट से गिरती प्यालों में हाला,
सुन, रूनझुन रूनझुन चल वितरण करती मधु साकीबाला,
बस आ पहुंचे, दुर नहीं कुछ, चार कदम अब चलना है,
चहक रहे, सुन, पीनेवाले, महक रही, ले, मधुशाला।।10
एक बरस में, एक बार ही जगती होली की ज्वाला,
एक बार ही लगती बाज़ी, जलती दीपों की माला,
दुनियावालों, किन्तु, किसी दिन आ मदिरालय में देखो,
दिन को होली, रात दिवाली, रोज़ मनाती मधुशाला। 26
किसी ओर मैं आँखें फेरूँ, दिखलाई देती हाला
किसी ओर मैं आँखें फेरूँ, दिखलाई देता प्याला,
किसी ओर मैं देखूं, मुझको दिखलाई देता साकी
किसी ओर देखूं, दिखलाई पड़ती मुझको मधुशाला।। 39
याद न आए दुखमय जीवन इससे पी लेता हाला,
जग चिंताओं से रहने को मुक्त, उठा लेता प्याला,
शौक, साध के और स्वाद के हेतु पिया जग करता है,
पर मै वह रोगी हूँ जिसकी एक दवा है मधुशाला।। 78
जो हाला मैं चाह रहा था, वह न मिली मुझको हाला,
जो प्याला मैं माँग रहा था, वह न मिला मुझको प्याला,
जिस साकी के पीछे मैं था दीवाना, न मिला साकी,
जिसके पीछे था मैं पागल, हा न मिली वह मधुशाला! | 90
जिसने मुझको प्यासा रक्खा बनी रहे वह भी हाला,
जिसने जीवन भर दौड़ाया बना रहे वह भी प्याला,
मतवालों की जिह्वा से हैं कभी निकलते शाप नहीं,
दुखी बनाया जिसने मुझको सुखी रहे वह मधुशाला!। 103
वह हाला, कर शांत सके जो मेरे अंतर की ज्वाला,
जिसमें मैं बिंबित-प्रतिबिंबित प्रतिपल, वह मेरा प्याला,
मधुशाला वह नहीं जहाँ पर मदिरा बेची जाती है,
भेंट जहाँ मस्ती की मिलती मेरी तो वह मधुशाला।। 121
June 1, 2021
Must read for all poetry lovers!
To have had conceived the idea of comparing a ‘Madhushala’ with the entire embodiment of one’s existence, was in itself brilliant, and this piece of poetry is sheer brilliance! Mr. Bacchan brings together people of all castes, religions and statuses together through this legendary piece. I was transported to a dreamland where we knew no such man made boundaries and were liberated in the truest sense.
धर्म-ग्रंथ सब जला चुकी है, जिसके अन्तर की ज्वाला,
मंदिर, मस्जिद, गिरजे, सबको तोड़ चुका जो मतवाला,
पंडित, मोमिन, पादरियों के फंदों को जो काट चुका,
कर सकती है आज उसी का स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला ||
An epic composition; I’m enchanted to say the least.
5/5🌟.
To have had conceived the idea of comparing a ‘Madhushala’ with the entire embodiment of one’s existence, was in itself brilliant, and this piece of poetry is sheer brilliance! Mr. Bacchan brings together people of all castes, religions and statuses together through this legendary piece. I was transported to a dreamland where we knew no such man made boundaries and were liberated in the truest sense.
धर्म-ग्रंथ सब जला चुकी है, जिसके अन्तर की ज्वाला,
मंदिर, मस्जिद, गिरजे, सबको तोड़ चुका जो मतवाला,
पंडित, मोमिन, पादरियों के फंदों को जो काट चुका,
कर सकती है आज उसी का स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला ||
An epic composition; I’m enchanted to say the least.
5/5🌟.
March 23, 2013
Madiraley jaane ko ghar se..
chalta hai peene wala..
kis path pe jaun asmanjas mei wo hai bhola bhala..
alag alag path batlaate sab..mai toh ye batlata hu...
raah pakad tu ek , chala chal, pa jayega Madhushala...
chalta hai peene wala..
kis path pe jaun asmanjas mei wo hai bhola bhala..
alag alag path batlaate sab..mai toh ye batlata hu...
raah pakad tu ek , chala chal, pa jayega Madhushala...
May 11, 2012
binding different religions together in true means...marvellous!
May 7, 2015
*Ramblings of an amateur reviewer, high on madakta:
I wonder if one can ever truly enjoy literature in a language other than his mother tongue. I have read a number of poems before in English, poems unanimously (almost) deemed great, and I did enjoy them, but irrespective of their theme or rhythm or anything, they don't come anywhere near this.
Hold back your arms, ardent worshippers of Keats and Pushkin, my intent is not to posit that it is better than any of those globally deified poems and yes my statement is highly subjective, which is the whole point: Can you ever perform an honest, objective comparison between poetry from different languages?
I wonder if one can ever truly enjoy literature in a language other than his mother tongue. I have read a number of poems before in English, poems unanimously (almost) deemed great, and I did enjoy them, but irrespective of their theme or rhythm or anything, they don't come anywhere near this.
Hold back your arms, ardent worshippers of Keats and Pushkin, my intent is not to posit that it is better than any of those globally deified poems and yes my statement is highly subjective, which is the whole point: Can you ever perform an honest, objective comparison between poetry from different languages?
May 3, 2020
Oh man, reading this (at times aloud) was so much fun!
This is a set of Rubāʿīs (or stanzas with 4 lines each) based on the recurring metaphor of a madhushala (wine house), saki (someone, usually a woman, who serves alcohol), pyaala (goblet), madhu (wine), and the drinker. There's no central theme here - the poet talks about everything and anything, and that's intentional:
मेरी हाला में सबने पाई अपनी-अपनी हाला,
मेरे प्याले में सबने पाया अपना-अपना प्याला,
मेरे साक़ी में सबने अपना प्यारा साक़ी देखा;
जिसकी जैसी रूचि थी उसने वैसी देखी मधुशाला |
Madhushala takes on the form of a lover, a painting, a veena, a season, youth, life, the world, and this poem itself! While Bacchan doesn't talk about anything new, or something that hasn't been already been said, it's pure joy to see madhushala become a metaphor for countless feelings and experiences, and it's hard not to think of your experiences/emotions when you read those. For example:
बहुतेरे मदिरालय देखे, बहुतेरी देखी हाला,
भाँति-भाँति का आया मेरे हाथों में मधु का प्याला,
एक-एक से बढ़कर, सुन्दर साक़ी, ने सत्कार किया,
जँची न आँखों में, पर, कोई पहली-जैसी मधुशाला !
A good part of the poem is extolling the virtues of a madhushaala from the point of view of the drinker (and this is so much fun too):
सजें न मस्जिद और नमाज़ी, कहता है अल्लाताला,
सजधजकर, पर, साक़ी आता, बन ठनकर, पीनेवाला,
शेख, कहाँ तुलना हो सकती मस्जिद की मदिरालय से
चिर-विधवा है मस्जिद तेरी, सदा-सुहागिन मधुशाला !
Or,
और रसों में स्वाद तभी तक, दूर जभी तक है हाला,
इतरा लें सब पात्र न जब तक, आगे आता है प्याला,
कर लें पूजा शेख, पुजारी तब तक मस्जिद-मन्दिर में
घूँघट का पट खोल न जब तक झाँक रही है मधुशाला |
Or,
एक बरस में एक बार ही जलती होली की ज्वाला,
एक बार ही लगती बाज़ी, जलती दीपों की माला;
दुनियावालों, किन्तु, किसी दिन आ मदिरालय में देखो,
दिन को होली, रात दिवाली, रोज़ मानती मधुशाला |
I loved how charged with youth and rebellion this poem is. I can understand how its recitations would have driven the crowds crazy back in the day.
Damn, I should've read it as part of my plea in front of my college's disciplinary committee! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This is a set of Rubāʿīs (or stanzas with 4 lines each) based on the recurring metaphor of a madhushala (wine house), saki (someone, usually a woman, who serves alcohol), pyaala (goblet), madhu (wine), and the drinker. There's no central theme here - the poet talks about everything and anything, and that's intentional:
मेरी हाला में सबने पाई अपनी-अपनी हाला,
मेरे प्याले में सबने पाया अपना-अपना प्याला,
मेरे साक़ी में सबने अपना प्यारा साक़ी देखा;
जिसकी जैसी रूचि थी उसने वैसी देखी मधुशाला |
Madhushala takes on the form of a lover, a painting, a veena, a season, youth, life, the world, and this poem itself! While Bacchan doesn't talk about anything new, or something that hasn't been already been said, it's pure joy to see madhushala become a metaphor for countless feelings and experiences, and it's hard not to think of your experiences/emotions when you read those. For example:
बहुतेरे मदिरालय देखे, बहुतेरी देखी हाला,
भाँति-भाँति का आया मेरे हाथों में मधु का प्याला,
एक-एक से बढ़कर, सुन्दर साक़ी, ने सत्कार किया,
जँची न आँखों में, पर, कोई पहली-जैसी मधुशाला !
A good part of the poem is extolling the virtues of a madhushaala from the point of view of the drinker (and this is so much fun too):
सजें न मस्जिद और नमाज़ी, कहता है अल्लाताला,
सजधजकर, पर, साक़ी आता, बन ठनकर, पीनेवाला,
शेख, कहाँ तुलना हो सकती मस्जिद की मदिरालय से
चिर-विधवा है मस्जिद तेरी, सदा-सुहागिन मधुशाला !
Or,
और रसों में स्वाद तभी तक, दूर जभी तक है हाला,
इतरा लें सब पात्र न जब तक, आगे आता है प्याला,
कर लें पूजा शेख, पुजारी तब तक मस्जिद-मन्दिर में
घूँघट का पट खोल न जब तक झाँक रही है मधुशाला |
Or,
एक बरस में एक बार ही जलती होली की ज्वाला,
एक बार ही लगती बाज़ी, जलती दीपों की माला;
दुनियावालों, किन्तु, किसी दिन आ मदिरालय में देखो,
दिन को होली, रात दिवाली, रोज़ मानती मधुशाला |
I loved how charged with youth and rebellion this poem is. I can understand how its recitations would have driven the crowds crazy back in the day.
Damn, I should've read it as part of my plea in front of my college's disciplinary committee! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
March 3, 2016
The writing has perhaps the best "rhythm" of all that I've read - so spectacular that at times, I enjoyed verses purely on the basis of their metric, rather than their content.
I appreciate the title - "Madhushala". It is a reflection of the sentiment of revolution (reformation?) against orthodox, structured edifices (primarily religious edifices). The idea of *alcohol* has a very strong connotation to it.
I feel comfortable with the knowledge that I know very little. It is scary and overwhelming - for it drives a screwdriver right at the idea of self-preservation; if we do not know, who are we? (Please don't answer with the trivially obvious Jon Snow).
In any case, returning to Madhushala - it has been overwhelming. Firstly, because of my own discomfort with the Hindi language. This is the first time I have read Hindi, aside from the school textbooks that I gave up in 2006. Secondly, I am also quite a novice when it comes to poetry. That makes this all the more difficult.
But the main point is this - the work is immensely layered. The meaning of "Madhushala" that is interpreted is so subtle, so intricately woven, so finely balanced, that at times the literal reading of a few verses came across as a shock. Certain verses I pondered over several times and found to be exquisite. Certain verses I skimmed over, unable to grasp the meaning and the vocabulary.
There is no rush. I am confident that with time, further layers, the entire depth of the text will reveal itself to me. As I said, I am comfortable with the knowledge that I know very little.
I appreciate the title - "Madhushala". It is a reflection of the sentiment of revolution (reformation?) against orthodox, structured edifices (primarily religious edifices). The idea of *alcohol* has a very strong connotation to it.
I feel comfortable with the knowledge that I know very little. It is scary and overwhelming - for it drives a screwdriver right at the idea of self-preservation; if we do not know, who are we? (Please don't answer with the trivially obvious Jon Snow).
In any case, returning to Madhushala - it has been overwhelming. Firstly, because of my own discomfort with the Hindi language. This is the first time I have read Hindi, aside from the school textbooks that I gave up in 2006. Secondly, I am also quite a novice when it comes to poetry. That makes this all the more difficult.
But the main point is this - the work is immensely layered. The meaning of "Madhushala" that is interpreted is so subtle, so intricately woven, so finely balanced, that at times the literal reading of a few verses came across as a shock. Certain verses I pondered over several times and found to be exquisite. Certain verses I skimmed over, unable to grasp the meaning and the vocabulary.
There is no rush. I am confident that with time, further layers, the entire depth of the text will reveal itself to me. As I said, I am comfortable with the knowledge that I know very little.
September 12, 2011
refreshing,stimulating,intoxicating,englightening,liberating,captivating,mesmerising,overwhelming,fulfilling,satisfying,invigorating,...
December 13, 2018
For the first time, I'm deviating from my usual method of reviewing. First of all, I believe poetry is not something which can be reviewed. Secondly, when it is an epic work like this, one can only express their views.
Views:
I had the pleasure of reading this book recently; written in 1933-34, sometime around when my grandparents were born. It makes me wonder; books, literature, written material is so wonderful. To have survived through generations.
In In the Afternoon of Time: An Autobiography by Harivansh Rai Bachchan, he states that "imitations or parodies of Madhushala had begun to appear immediately after its first public reading: the day after my recitation at Benares Hindu University in December 1933, Professor Manoranjan Prasad dashed off imitations of several verses and recited them during the course of my own readings the day following". In this book, from the fifteenth edition, the same professor has shared his experiences of the seminar along with a few quatrains of the parody he had created based on Bachchan's poem. Prof. Prasad writes that, and I translate, "My Madhushala concerns the materialistic, unlike Bachchan's mystic Madhushala".
Hindi is not my first language, and hence I had difficulty in understanding many of the verses. I had to consult a dictionary most of the times but, as they say, a literal translation is never impressive as far as poetry is concerned. I have also come across some translations by fellow readers/bloggers but, there also, the essence of the poem gets lost in translation. Now, the perfect and most poetic translation of this piece in English is the one done by Marjorie Boulton & Ram Swaroop Vyas, first published by Fortune Press in 1950, and the revised edition published by Penguin Books in 1989. In 2009, in India, from what I gathered from press reports; Madhushala – The House of Wine was reproduced again, this time with illustrations, and launched with much fanfare with the entire Bachchan clan in attendance. It's been nine years since, but I just could not find a single edition of that book anywhere. Why is it so? I couldn't find it in any of the publisher's websites either. And the few sites, including Amazon, where it is available, it costs a bomb! I would have loved to read it, in its entirety. It would have given me a better understanding of the text. As of now, only Columbia University's website has a PDF version of the book but, only the first twenty-five of the one-hundred-and-thirty-five quatrains are available in scanned format; while select American Universities have an edition of the same book in their library. I have added the link below to the same.
I don’t know why, studying both English and Hindi from the first standard itself, I haven’t been able to embrace the latter as well as I have done the former. Maybe, that is the reason that it took me from August to October to finish a book of 77 pages!
Madhushala in English (the first 25 quatrains):
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pr...
Manna Dey, one of the most versatile and celebrated vocalists of the Hindi film industry, singing twenty selected quatrains, with the first one sung by Bachchan himself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBNhFS...
P.S. I read this book as a part of the #discoveringindiareadathon (Discovering India Readathon), which was held from 1st to 15th August, 2018. In its second year now, this challenge has been curated by three wonderful bookstagrammers:
Padmaja (https://www.instagram.com/thebookisht... )
Aritri (https://www.instagram.com/theliquidsu... ), and
Ankita (https://www.instagram.com/theblue_bal... ).
It is a great way of reading as well as discovering the gems of Indian Literature. Just follow the hashtag on Instagram, and the above three accounts, and you are good to go!
Originally posted on:
https://sassyshaina.wordpress.com/201...
Views:
I had the pleasure of reading this book recently; written in 1933-34, sometime around when my grandparents were born. It makes me wonder; books, literature, written material is so wonderful. To have survived through generations.
In In the Afternoon of Time: An Autobiography by Harivansh Rai Bachchan, he states that "imitations or parodies of Madhushala had begun to appear immediately after its first public reading: the day after my recitation at Benares Hindu University in December 1933, Professor Manoranjan Prasad dashed off imitations of several verses and recited them during the course of my own readings the day following". In this book, from the fifteenth edition, the same professor has shared his experiences of the seminar along with a few quatrains of the parody he had created based on Bachchan's poem. Prof. Prasad writes that, and I translate, "My Madhushala concerns the materialistic, unlike Bachchan's mystic Madhushala".
Hindi is not my first language, and hence I had difficulty in understanding many of the verses. I had to consult a dictionary most of the times but, as they say, a literal translation is never impressive as far as poetry is concerned. I have also come across some translations by fellow readers/bloggers but, there also, the essence of the poem gets lost in translation. Now, the perfect and most poetic translation of this piece in English is the one done by Marjorie Boulton & Ram Swaroop Vyas, first published by Fortune Press in 1950, and the revised edition published by Penguin Books in 1989. In 2009, in India, from what I gathered from press reports; Madhushala – The House of Wine was reproduced again, this time with illustrations, and launched with much fanfare with the entire Bachchan clan in attendance. It's been nine years since, but I just could not find a single edition of that book anywhere. Why is it so? I couldn't find it in any of the publisher's websites either. And the few sites, including Amazon, where it is available, it costs a bomb! I would have loved to read it, in its entirety. It would have given me a better understanding of the text. As of now, only Columbia University's website has a PDF version of the book but, only the first twenty-five of the one-hundred-and-thirty-five quatrains are available in scanned format; while select American Universities have an edition of the same book in their library. I have added the link below to the same.
I don’t know why, studying both English and Hindi from the first standard itself, I haven’t been able to embrace the latter as well as I have done the former. Maybe, that is the reason that it took me from August to October to finish a book of 77 pages!
Madhushala in English (the first 25 quatrains):
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pr...
Manna Dey, one of the most versatile and celebrated vocalists of the Hindi film industry, singing twenty selected quatrains, with the first one sung by Bachchan himself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBNhFS...
P.S. I read this book as a part of the #discoveringindiareadathon (Discovering India Readathon), which was held from 1st to 15th August, 2018. In its second year now, this challenge has been curated by three wonderful bookstagrammers:
Padmaja (https://www.instagram.com/thebookisht... )
Aritri (https://www.instagram.com/theliquidsu... ), and
Ankita (https://www.instagram.com/theblue_bal... ).
It is a great way of reading as well as discovering the gems of Indian Literature. Just follow the hashtag on Instagram, and the above three accounts, and you are good to go!
Originally posted on:
https://sassyshaina.wordpress.com/201...
March 27, 2013
Madhushala is an abstraction of anything and everything you 'wish'. It is what you wanna be, where you wanna be. And it has it's elements, which have their own characters. The book, after 80 years of it's conception, holds true to me, and very many people who, in all their remaining capacities, are seeking for a refuge from all that the world represents. People have had millions of interpretations of this book, all of them true to the person. This book creates a world of like minded people, who are equal, freindly; a world very different from our own, a world of dreamers, where you can dream of whatever you want, and to achieve it, all you have to do is to strive hard for it. Sometimes it behaves like a woman, sometimes like a moderator, sometimes a teacher and sometimes i just run out of words to describe it. For someone like me, it's a relief to just think about it......
April 16, 2012
Harivanshrai Bachchanji was among d best Hindi poets.He have written many books including- novels,biography,autobiographies and poems. Madhushala is probably his best known work.Its written in form of quartets(poem consisting of 4 lines),madhushala is collection of his poems.A superb collection of poems which is connected with our lives.Number of people often say that it just about liquor(as madhushala in English means- or place where one drinks and get liquor);its totally wrong as through his poems he have stated many things as-passion,determination,destiny,social inequalities,caste-ism,religion etc.
July 14, 2015
धर्मग्रन्थ सब जला चुकी है, जिसके अंतर की ज्वाला,
मंदिर, मसजिद, गिरिजे, सब को तोड़ चुका जो मतवाला,
पंडित, मोमिन, पादिरयों के फंदों को जो काट चुका,
कर सकती है आज उसी का स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला।।१७।
लालायित अधरों से जिसने, हाय, नहीं चूमी हाला,
हर्ष-विकंपित कर से जिसने, हा, न छुआ मधु का प्याला,
हाथ पकड़ लज्जित साकी को पास नहीं जिसने खींचा,
व्यर्थ सुखा डाली जीवन की उसने मधुमय मधुशाला।।१८।
बने पुजारी प्रेमी साकी, गंगाजल पावन हाला,
रहे फेरता अविरत गति से मधु के प्यालों की माला'
'और लिये जा, और पीये जा', इसी मंत्र का जाप करे'
मैं शिव की प्रतिमा बन बैठूं, मंदिर हो यह मधुशाला।।१९।
मंदिर, मसजिद, गिरिजे, सब को तोड़ चुका जो मतवाला,
पंडित, मोमिन, पादिरयों के फंदों को जो काट चुका,
कर सकती है आज उसी का स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला।।१७।
लालायित अधरों से जिसने, हाय, नहीं चूमी हाला,
हर्ष-विकंपित कर से जिसने, हा, न छुआ मधु का प्याला,
हाथ पकड़ लज्जित साकी को पास नहीं जिसने खींचा,
व्यर्थ सुखा डाली जीवन की उसने मधुमय मधुशाला।।१८।
बने पुजारी प्रेमी साकी, गंगाजल पावन हाला,
रहे फेरता अविरत गति से मधु के प्यालों की माला'
'और लिये जा, और पीये जा', इसी मंत्र का जाप करे'
मैं शिव की प्रतिमा बन बैठूं, मंदिर हो यह मधुशाला।।१९।
January 2, 2018
There is so much depth in every 'rubai' and so much 'nasha' in this 'madhushala'. Inspirational, thought provoking, intellectually stimulating - all combined with those poetic 'aah' and 'waah' moments. A masterpiece.
मैं मदिरालय के अंदर हूँ, मेरे हाथों में प्याला,
प्याले में मदिरालय बिंबित करनेवाली है हाला,
इस उधेड़-बुन में ही मेरा सारा जीवन बीत गया –
मैं ���धुशाला के अंदर या मेरे अंदर मधुशाला!।११९।
मैं मदिरालय के अंदर हूँ, मेरे हाथों में प्याला,
प्याले में मदिरालय बिंबित करनेवाली है हाला,
इस उधेड़-बुन में ही मेरा सारा जीवन बीत गया –
मैं ���धुशाला के अंदर या मेरे अंदर मधुशाला!।११९।
January 13, 2013
One of the best Hindi poetry I have ever read. I will say that u will read the book less & sing the poetry more. Each & every line touches the deep botton of your heart and makes you feel so good so merry & 'Madhushala' at the end of each verse is beautiful. You will literally celebrate this book rather than enjoying it...!! JUST LOVE IT!! LOVE IT SO MUCH
May 24, 2013
भावुकता अंगुर लता से
खींच कल्पना की हाला
कवि साकी बन कर आया है
भर कर कविता का प्याला
कभी न कण भर खाली होगा
लाख पीयें दो लाख पीयें
पाठक गण हैं पीने वाले
पुस्कत मेरी मधुशाला
An excellent book portraying wine symbolically as a unifying force of the society. Note that the book doesn't provoke to drink or to get addicted.
खींच कल्पना की हाला
कवि साकी बन कर आया है
भर कर कविता का प्याला
कभी न कण भर खाली होगा
लाख पीयें दो लाख पीयें
पाठक गण हैं पीने वाले
पुस्कत मेरी मधुशाला
An excellent book portraying wine symbolically as a unifying force of the society. Note that the book doesn't provoke to drink or to get addicted.
Read
February 6, 2013I found the whole universe in this book.
July 13, 2017
you need a moment to appreciate the beauty hidden in the lines!
September 21, 2020
It felt lot like the voice in my head reading the text in amitabh bachchans voice
September 15, 2023
Oh how I feel sad for the people of the world who never tasted the Hala(Wine) that is Madhushala. The greatest book of poetry ever written.
The poetry is revolutionary, rebellious, and driven by a sense of freedom. It's about finding your path in life. It's about breaking old traditions and narratives that plague divisions in society. It's about passion in the face of social objections. It's about losing the passion and finding it again. It's about existential dread and death. It's life expressed with the analogy of Hala (Wine), Saaki (Server), Pyaala (wine cup) and Madhushala (Tavern). Hala is often used as a placeholder for your passion and Madhushala as one for your goals. Saaki is often referred to signify the seductions of life once you accomplish your goal.
Here are a few of the hard-hitting portions although almost the entire book would have to included if I sit to select my favourite.
मदिरालय जाने को घर से चलता है पीनेवला,
'किस पथ से जाऊँ?' असमंजस में है वह भोलाभाला,
अलग-अलग पथ बतलाते सब पर मैं यह बतलाता हूँ -
'राह पकड़ तू एक चला चल, पा जाएगा मधुशाला।
Seeking wine, the drinker leaves home for the tavern.
Perplexed, he asks, "Which path will take me there?"
People show him different ways, but this is what I have to say,
"Pick a path and keep walking. You will find the tavern."
धर्मग्रन्थ सब जला चुकी है, जिसके अंतर की ज्वाला,
मंदिर, मसजिद, गिरिजे, सब को तोड़ चुका जो मतवाला,
पंडित, मोमिन, पादिरयों के फंदों को जो काट चुका,
कर सकती है आज उसी का स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला।
He who has burnt all scriptures with his inner fire,
Has broken temples, mosques and churches with carefree abandon,
And has cut the nooses of pandits, mullahs and priests ---
Only he is welcome in my tavern.
नाम अगर कोई पूछे तो, कहना बस पीनेवाला
काम ढालना, और ढालना सबको मदिरा का प्याला,
जाति प्रिये, पूछे यदि कोई कह देना दीवानों की
धर्म बताना प्यालों की ले माला जपना मधुशाला।
If anyone asks my name, say it was, "The Drunkard".
My work? I drank and passed the goblet to everyone.
O Beloved, if they ask my caste, say only that I was "one of the crazy ones".
Say my religion worshipped goblets and then chant with your rosary, "The tavern, the tavern!"
It's the literature that like wine will keep calling you back to have another taste of it, to feel intoxicated about life, and give you the zeal to make your life worthwhile.
The poetry is revolutionary, rebellious, and driven by a sense of freedom. It's about finding your path in life. It's about breaking old traditions and narratives that plague divisions in society. It's about passion in the face of social objections. It's about losing the passion and finding it again. It's about existential dread and death. It's life expressed with the analogy of Hala (Wine), Saaki (Server), Pyaala (wine cup) and Madhushala (Tavern). Hala is often used as a placeholder for your passion and Madhushala as one for your goals. Saaki is often referred to signify the seductions of life once you accomplish your goal.
Here are a few of the hard-hitting portions although almost the entire book would have to included if I sit to select my favourite.
मदिरालय जाने को घर से चलता है पीनेवला,
'किस पथ से जाऊँ?' असमंजस में है वह भोलाभाला,
अलग-अलग पथ बतलाते सब पर मैं यह बतलाता हूँ -
'राह पकड़ तू एक चला चल, पा जाएगा मधुशाला।
Seeking wine, the drinker leaves home for the tavern.
Perplexed, he asks, "Which path will take me there?"
People show him different ways, but this is what I have to say,
"Pick a path and keep walking. You will find the tavern."
धर्मग्रन्थ सब जला चुकी है, जिसके अंतर की ज्वाला,
मंदिर, मसजिद, गिरिजे, सब को तोड़ चुका जो मतवाला,
पंडित, मोमिन, पादिरयों के फंदों को जो काट चुका,
कर सकती है आज उसी का स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला।
He who has burnt all scriptures with his inner fire,
Has broken temples, mosques and churches with carefree abandon,
And has cut the nooses of pandits, mullahs and priests ---
Only he is welcome in my tavern.
नाम अगर कोई पूछे तो, कहना बस पीनेवाला
काम ढालना, और ढालना सबको मदिरा का प्याला,
जाति प्रिये, पूछे यदि कोई कह देना दीवानों की
धर्म बताना प्यालों की ले माला जपना मधुशाला।
If anyone asks my name, say it was, "The Drunkard".
My work? I drank and passed the goblet to everyone.
O Beloved, if they ask my caste, say only that I was "one of the crazy ones".
Say my religion worshipped goblets and then chant with your rosary, "The tavern, the tavern!"
It's the literature that like wine will keep calling you back to have another taste of it, to feel intoxicated about life, and give you the zeal to make your life worthwhile.
May 30, 2014
For a change, I picked this up as it has rave reviews and I personally like Harivansh bachchan's work.
So yeah. Understood only 3/4th of it because of the Hindi which is both, embarrassing and motivating to explore Hindi more.
As of the book- short novella that contains poetry based upon madhushala (bar, so to say). The beauty lies in its vagueness. You can interpret it in so many different ways. He's also touched some social aspects for eg "mandir masjid alag karate ek karati madhushala'.
So yeah, as nobody reads my reviews I think I've written enough and you should definitely explore this while on a short flight or something. There's also a YouTube video of amitabh bachchan reciting some verses from the same which is also pretty cool.
Bye now. Fuck off.
So yeah. Understood only 3/4th of it because of the Hindi which is both, embarrassing and motivating to explore Hindi more.
As of the book- short novella that contains poetry based upon madhushala (bar, so to say). The beauty lies in its vagueness. You can interpret it in so many different ways. He's also touched some social aspects for eg "mandir masjid alag karate ek karati madhushala'.
So yeah, as nobody reads my reviews I think I've written enough and you should definitely explore this while on a short flight or something. There's also a YouTube video of amitabh bachchan reciting some verses from the same which is also pretty cool.
Bye now. Fuck off.
December 4, 2010
The only thing I have to say as regards to Madhushala is "This wine is really addictive."
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