The new Cocktail: Book on Wine shop

Believe it, or not. But, it’s true. More than a dozen copies of a poetry book have been sold at a wine shop. Guess? Which book it may be? Think a little more, or just wait. Recently, I sent a mail to my friends, asking the same question. And, of course, their reply was same. Now, what you’ve been thinking? “Madhushala”[The poetic composition by Harivansh Rai Bachchan, father of Film star Amitabh Bachchan. In Madhushala, the poet has described about the tenets of wine-liquor and all those ingredient concerned with it]

“No.” The answer is absolutely wrong. And, the right answer is : “Almari men rakh diya hai ghar” Well, this is the special poetic composition which has scored a historic record of sale at a wine shop. Fifteen plus copies of this book were sold at the wine shop in Sector - 12 of NOIDA.

"The salesman at the shop almost daily used to ask for my book," says Mr.Brajeshwar Madan, the poet and noted film critic, adding, “One day I gave my book to him. The supervisor was watching the same.” “Sir, can you give one copy too. I’ll pay for it,” quoting the supervisor, says Mr. Madan. After getting the book, the supervisor requested Mr. Madan to sign on the book. He told Mr. Madan that he’d gift the book to his wife who is an M.Phill. [Recently the shop was closed.]

Your attention publishers! Could you still reject the dream of budding poetic talents? Think once again, before it’s too late.

[N.B. : This post was earlier published on http://readerscamp.blogspot.com]

After Car-o-Bar, it's Bar-on-Board

Whenever a person looks on the shoes. Stands up, while the train - moving in full speed. And moves towards either gates, what co-passengers think (or, should think) ?

S/he, going to spit in the basin,

S/he, going for face wash,

S/he, (generally ‘he’) going to smoke.

When a person leaving towards either gate, carrying something in hand, what copassengers think (or, should think) ?

If a towel in hand : going for a face wash.

If going with purse (generally ‘she’), hanging on shoulder : going to remove make up etc.

But, when two persons leaving towards either gate, carrying a bag (feeling heavy) , what copassengers think (or, should think) :

They’ve reached destination. They’re going to step down.

But, what should they think when the train is running fast. The next destination is more than 45 minuites away. All get engaged in their own activities.

Scene I : When one of co-passengers goes to toilet. He observes that both the persons are discussing on some topic of current affairs, sehwag’s latest score etc. Both, try to hide something behind them.

Scene II : Another co-passenger reaches there. He sees a plastic glasses in their hand. He comes back to his berth and let others know, what’s going on and how he smelt alcohol. Actually, they belong to remote areas. It look new for them.

After a while, one of the two persons arrives at his berth. “Bhaiya wants your company”, he asks the girl lying on top berth. Instantly, she steps down. Moves rapidly, as she was already waiting for the call.

Scene III : The girl has joined the company. ‘He’ and ‘she’ are smiling while talking. Often laughing. Both looking very happy.

Scene IV : In the compartment, all the copassengers have slept, following their dinner. Lights are off.

Scene V : It’s almost zero hrs. ‘He’ and ‘she’ arrive. Lights are again on. One person of their company already waiting. All begin their dinner. Laughing loudly, talking, or say, shouting continuously.

Everyone feels bothered, but no protest. Those already slept, now awaken. But, no one protests. It’s a public place.

It’s a common practice in trains. Those who drink, they opt for this way. This is not a new style intant bar concept. Those who practice Car-o-Bar (consuming liquor inside their vehicle, near a liquor shop or thin crowd corner snacks’ or egg shop) in metros, they also keep their mode of joy on running trains.

Now, what’s add on? What’s new in this concept?

Ladies have joined the company of Gentlemen. Hope for the best, anyway, anyhow.

[The article has been republished. Earlier, on Readers' Camp]

The Spiritual Horne

“Radhey-Radhey”.This is the very first couplet echoes, round the time, in Vrindavan.I’d just entered in the city and heard “Radhey- Radhey”, from a foreigner in his native phonetics. I thought he was wishing me. But, NO. I was wrong. He had to overtake me. By calling “Radhey- Radhey”, he meant to say “Excuse Me.” 

“Let me go ahead” In this city of love “Radhey- Radhey” is the philosophy of life. Since the time immemorial (historians may set some particular period), “Radhey- Radhey” is in common practice. It’s, perhaps, only couplet, which is able to interpret scores of words imageshere. I mean, in terms of meanings. The foreigner’s voice includes one of them.Virndavan is the city of Lord Krishna. The city of Love. City of Karma. City of Devotion.The rhythm of “Radhey- Radhey” is fine tuned within cells of this city. If one has to offer prayer to beloved Kanha or welcome a stranger, “Radhey- Radhey” is more than enough.“Radhey- Radhey” is on display everywhere. Be it the scarf on shoulder, fluorescent glow signs in market, every entrance, back of rickshaws, flashy mobikes or cars. Almost all the moving and still objects have “Radhey- Radhey”, irrespective of their shape and size. They feel “Radhey- Radhey” much stronger in comparison to any ‘T’ or pressure horn of heavy motor vehicles.You’re walking through the lane and again you hear, “Radhey- Radhey”. It may be a rickshaw-wallah, asking you to give him passage to go ahead. There are no rickshaw puller with a Horne bell in this common transport vehicle.If you’re walking through the lane decorated with shops of foodies, the boys deputed for catching customers would simply say, “Radhey- Radhey”. What you mean? Firstly it is their reception wishes, and secondly , “Please come in” . Single word, two meaning. I asked for the way to Baanke Bihari temple. Only “Radhey- Radhey” delivered from his tongue, and his right arm was signaling the right path.How a word gets involved with the way of life. Philosophy of life. Say, all walks of life. “Radhey-Radhey” is best example of rendition of a word into life. Krishna was born here. He lives in the heart of all the Vrindanvasis. Krishna loves Radha. People love Krishna. So, people love Radha to love Krishna. The people are eager to please Krishna, and His beloved Radha, simultaneously. They chant “Radhey- Radhey”. To hear Krishna. To be with Krishna. To feel the warmth of Krishna. To seek affectionate blessings from Krishna. They sing “Radhey- Radhey”. They dance to the tune of “Radhey- Radhey”. 24x7. Round the clock.

I was moving amidst the ambience of “Radhey- Radhey”, and recalling the echo of “Mahadev”. The Kashivasis (residents of Varanasi) say “Mahaa…dev…” to wish each other.In Vrindavan they wish by saying “Radhey- Radhey”. Same practice in Varanasi. If one wishes someone with regard and respect, he would also respond in a similar way, saying, “Mahaa…dev…” in the characteristic sacred style with a touch of divine musical rhythm.Both the words, there, have almost replaced ‘Hello’. However, “Radhey- Radhey” seems more prominent, as compared to “Mahedev”. “Radhey- Radhey” is the only word that can be heard most of the time in Vrindavan.Irrespective of caste, religion or race, everybody visiting there can be found dancing on the tune of “Radhey- Radhey”. The people, while being in the city, get synchronized with the term “Radhey- Radhey”.If you compare Varanasi and Vrindavan, you’ll find your mind full of Divine Masti when you’re in city of Moksha while a serene spiritual pleasure in the special zone of LOVE.This may be a blissful sojourn of life. Say, “Radhey- Radhey” if you want to wish some one. Say, “Radhey- Radhey” if you’re receiving your cell phone.

After the day long ferrying, I’ve reached the periphery of the city. The dusk was knocking at. This was the time when Krishna along with his herd of cows, might have been on the way home. A man asked me about the way to Baanke Bihari temple.My hand raised towards the way, saying “Radhey-Radhey”.

[Article republished, earlier on Readers' Camp]