4 verses · ~1 min
प्यादे से वज़ीर बनते हैं ऐसी बिछी बिसात नए भोर का भ्रम देती है निखर गई है रात
कई एक चेहरे, चेहरों के त्रास और सन्त्रास भीतर तक भय से भर देते हास और परिहास नहीं बचा `साबुत' क़द कोई ऐसा उपल निपात
बन्द गली के सन्नाटों में कोई दस्तक जैसी भर देती हैं खालीपन से बातें कैसी-कैसी नई-नई अनुगूँजें बनते नए-नए अनुपात
लोककथाएँ जिनमें पीड़ा का अनन्त विस्तार हम ऐसे अभ्यस्त कि खलता कोई भी निस्तार बातों से बातें उठती हैं सब भूले औकात ।
इति
The Poet
अमरनाथ श्रीवास्तव
Amarnath Srivastava
1945 · 2000s
Amarnath Srivastava was a defining voice of the Navgeet movement who masterfully bridged traditional lyricism with the complex realities of modern Indian life. Born in 1937 in the Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh, he spent much of his working life in Allahabad, balancing a corporate career with a deep commitment to literature. Rather than writing from an isolated ivory tower, he drew poetic inspiration from everyday struggles, urban alienation, and changing human relationships. His prominent collections, such as the acclaimed Geru Ki Lipiyan and Dopahar Mein Gulmohar, showcase his remarkable ability to infuse profound emotional depth into highly accessible language. He also made significant contributions to the Hindi ghazal with works like Aadmi Ko Dekhkar. Honored twice with the prestigious Nirala Samman and later the Sahitya Bhushan, Srivastava passed away in 2009. His verses remain a poignant commentary on the middle class experience, capturing both the ache of nostalgia and the stark truths of a rapidly shifting society.
Paired Painting
The Game of Dice
This profound work captures the most tragic turning point in the Mahabharata, the fateful game of dice that sealed the destiny of the Kuru dynasty. We witness the quiet, intense tension between Yudhishthira and the wily Shakuni, their expressions heavy with the weight of impending catastrophe. The artist invites us to contemplate the fragility of dharma when faced with deceit and worldly attachment. It is a moment frozen in time, reflecting the somber realization that an entire civilization is unraveling over a simple checkered board. The masterful use of light and royal regalia contrasts sharply with the grim seriousness of the confrontation, grounding the myth in a deeply human, emotional reality.
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