RaudraIntermediate

लालाजी के कुत्ते

Lalaji Ke Kutte

2 min read 4 versesSatire Society

4 verses · ~2 min

लालाजी ने कुत्ते पाले! ये झबरे हैं, चितकबरे हैं, कुछ थुल-थुल, कुछ मरगिल्ले हैं बनते हैं बुलडॉग दोगले, लेकिन सब देसी पिल्ले हैं। ये टुकड़ों पर पलने वाले, बोटी देख मचलने वाले। अपने को ही छलने वाले, महावीर हैं, बड़े उग्र हैं, मन के मैले, तन के काले! लालाजी ने कुत्ते पाले!

लालाजी ने कहा कि गाओ, तो भूं-भूं भुंकियाने वाले। लालाजी ने कहा कि रोओ, तो कूं-कूं किकियाने वाले। लालाजी ने कहा कि काटो, तो पीछे पिल जाने वाले। लालाजी ने कहा कि चाटो, तो थूथरी हिलाने वाले। घर के शेर, शहर के गीदड़, पिटकर पूंछ हिलाने वाले, लालाजी ने कुत्ते पाले!

लालाजी के सम्मुख इनका, आओ, पूँछ हिलाना देखो। लालाजी के घर पर इनका, शेरों-सा गुर्राना देखो। आओ ठाठ जनाना देखो। लगते ही लकड़ी खुपड़ी पर, पूछ दबा भग जाना देखो। ये उनके ही संगी-साथी, जो इनको नित टुकड़े डाले। लालाजी ने कुत्ते पाले!

बुद्धिमान हैं, हर खटके पर आँख खोल चौंका करते हैं। समझदार हैं, पहले से ही ये ताका मौका करते हैं। बड़े विचारक, बात-बात में, ये अपनी छौंका करते हैं। पूंजी वालों के प्रहरी हैं हमको सदा सताते साले, लालाजी ने कुत्ते पाले!

इति

Rasa: Raudra
Stanzas: 4
Lines: 41
Reading time: ~2 min
Form: Geet (lyric song)
Metre: geet
Rhyme: irregular

The poem evokes a scathing, highly theatrical raudra rasa charged with fierce indignation and biting satirical mockery. A visual depiction would show an opulent, grotesquely out-of-touch capitalist lord, the Lalaji, surrounded by a writhing pack of scruffy, pampered mongrels masquerading as fierce bulldogs, who instantly switch from snarling domestic tyrants to pathetic, tail-tucking cowards at the slightest threat. Symbolic of opportunistic sycophants and spineless intellectuals in post-independence India, these dogs perform absurd obedience drills—howling, weeping, biting, and licking on immediate command for scraps of meat. The overall artistic and emotional tone is aggressively cynical and critical, tearing down the false bravado of society's elite guards with sharp comedic contempt.

लालाजी के कुत्ते (Lalaji Ke Kutte), by Gopal Prasad Vyas runs to 41 lines across 4 stanzas, set as Four stanzas with a strong, aggressive rhythm. Its governing rasa is Raudra, shaded by Hasya. The metre is geet. Rhyme falls as irregular.

A socialist-leaning satire targeting the sycophants of wealthy capitalists (Lalajis) in post-independence India.

Read it for पूंजीपतियों के चाटुकारों पर तीखा प्रहार and वैचारिक गुलामी और रीढ़विहीनता की आलोचना. 4 words in it carry older or regional senses, so the poem rewards a second pass.

The verse is hung beside The Rajah of Putteealla: Bathed in a warm, commanding atmosphere of royal majesty and imperial prestige, the scene captures the majestic Rajah of Patiala elevated high atop a grandly caparisoned elephant during a ceremonial royal procession. He…

Words worth pausing on

मरगिल्ले: मरियल या बहुत कमजोर
किकियाने: डर के मारे बारीक आवाज निकालना
थूथरी: पशु का मुंह या थूथन
प्रहरी: चौकीदार या रक्षक

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The Poet

गोपालप्रसाद व्यास

Gopal Prasad Vyas

1915 · 2005

Gopal Prasad Vyas possessed the rare and difficult gift of using humor to speak profound truths. Born in 1915 near Govardhan in Mathura, his formal education was cut short by his active participation in the Indian independence movement. This early exposure to political struggle shaped his worldview, giving him a deep understanding of human nature and societal contradictions. He became a giant of Hasya Ras, the tradition of humorous and satirical poetry, writing verses that made audiences laugh before forcing them to confront their own hypocrisies. Collections like To Mein Kya Karoon and Ras Rasamrit showcase his ability to dissect social norms with sharp wit and absolute clarity. He was the visionary founder of the Rastriya Kavi Sammelan, an annual gathering at the Red Fort that brought poetry directly to the masses. Honored with the Padma Shri in 1965, Vyas lived until 2005, leaving behind a legacy that proves laughter is one of the most effective instruments of social critique.