banjara...

One of the most enchanting poems I have ever read in my life. just amazing…to think of the time, the moment, the tussle, the strain, and the relief that was all there when I read it….it was before one of the crucial exams of my life and instead of digging myself deep into the heap of notes of literature…I was secretly flipping through javed aktar’s book called quiver…..and believe it or not fell in love with his way of looking at life…
Banjara=wanderer, do I not think myself as one of that kind….?. yes I am one such a confused walker…stopping at some doorsteps for the night to pass by and then trudging on again on the unknown road of destiny…as the new day creeps in with new promises….

Learn to the poem in the Poet's voice

Banjara

main banjara
waqt ke kitne shaharo se gujra hun
lekin
waqt ke is shahar se jaate jaate
mudkar dekh raha hun
soch raha hun
tumse mera ye nata bhi toot raha hai
tumne mujhko chhoda thha jis shahar mein aake
wo shahar bhi mujhse chhoot raha hai

mujhko wida karne aaye hain
wo saare din
jinke kandhe per soti hai
ab bhi tere julf ki khusbu
wo saare lamhe
jinke maathe per hain raushan
ab bhi tumhare lams[sparsh] ka tika
nam aankho se
gumsum mujhko dekh rahe hain
mujhko inke dukh ka pata hai
inko mere gham ki khabar hai
lekin mujhko hukme-safar
jana hoga
waqt ke agle shahar ab mujhe jana hoga

naye shahar ke sab din sab raatein
jo tumse nawaakif honge
wo kab meri baat sunenge
mujhse kahenge
jao apni rah lo rahi
hamko kitne kaam pade hain
jo biti so beet gayi
ab wo kyun dohrate ho
kandhe per jholi rakhe
kyun phirte ho kya paate ho

main bechara
ik banjara
awaara firte firte jab thak jaunga
tanhai ke teele per jakar baithunga
phir jaise pahchan ke mujhko
ik banjara jaan ke mujhko
waqt ke agle shahar ke
sare nanhe munne bhole lamhe
nange pao.n
bhage bhage aa jayenge
mujhko gher ke baithenge
aur mujhse kahenge kyun banjare
tum to waqt ke kitano shahro se gujre ho
un shahro ki koi kahani hame sunao

unse kahunga
nanhe lamho -
ek thhi rani....
sunke kahani
sare ghamgi.n lamhe mujhse ye poochhenge
tum kyun unke shahar na aayi
lekin unko bahla lunga
unse kahunga ye mat poochho
aankhe mundo aur ye socho
wo hoti to kaisa hota

tum ye kahti tum wo kahti
tum is baat pe hairaa.n hoti
tum is baat pe kitni hasti
tum hoti to aisa hota
tum hoti to waisa hota
dheere dheere
sare nanhe lamhe so jayenge
aur main haule se uthhkar
waqt ke agle shahr ke raste ho lunga
yahi kahani phir dohrane
tum hoti to aisa hota
tum hoti to waisa hota