2 verses · ~1 min
रोटियाँ ग़रीब की प्रार्थना बनी रही एक ही तो प्रश्न है रोटियों की पीर का पर उसे भी आसरा आँसुओं के नीर का राज है ग़रीब का ताज दानवीर का तख़्त भी पलट गया कामना गई नहीं रोटियाँ ग़रीब की प्रार्थना बनी रही
चूम कर जिन्हें सदा क्राँतियाँ गुज़र गईं गोद में लिये जिन्हें आँधियाँ बिखर गईं पूछता ग़रीब वह रोटियाँ किधर गई देश भी तो बँट गया वेदना बँटी नहीं रोटियाँ ग़रीब की प्रार्थना बनी रही
इति
The Poet
गोपाल सिंह नेपाली
Gopal Singh Nepali
1911 · 1963
Gopal Singh Nepali lived a life divided between the quiet beauty of nature and the demanding glare of the Hindi film industry. Born in 1911 in Bettiah, Bihar, he emerged as a prominent voice in the post Chhayavaad era of Hindi poetry. Collections like Umang and Panchhi captured a profound love for the natural world, freedom, and the Himalayan landscapes. However, financial struggles eventually pushed him toward Mumbai, where he achieved tremendous success as a lyricist. He wrote roughly three hundred songs for over fifty films, crafting immortal melodies that blended high poetic dignity with popular appeal. During the national crisis of 1962, he wrote stirring patriotic verses that roused the conscience of the nation. Yet, despite his massive contributions to literature and cinema, the literary establishment often treated him with undeserved neglect. He passed away suddenly at the Bhagalpur railway station in 1963, completely unrecognized in his final moments. His life stands as a poignant reminder of the heavy price often paid by independent artists.
Paired Painting
Mandodari
In this evocative masterpiece, Raja Ravi Varma turns his visionary gaze toward Mandodari, the noble queen of Lanka and wife of Ravana, immortalizing her not merely as a mythological figure, but as a living soul burdened by deep sorrow, righteousness, and quiet devotion. Set within the solemn corridors of an ancient temple, the scene captures Mandodari engaged in charitable giving, bestowing alms upon a humble devotee with an expression of tender melancholy. Her rich red sari glows with divine warmth, contrasting against the carved stone pillars that whisper tales of ancient times. Varma masterfully humanizes the epic narrative, inviting the beholder to feel the quiet dignity and spiritual depth of a queen who remained steadfast in her virtue amidst impending tragedy.
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