
छबि आवन मोहनलाल की
Chabi Aavan Mohanalal Ki
Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan
1 verse · ~8 lines · 1 min
№ MMXXVI
RACHNA · A LIVING ARCHIVE
Loading the archive
MM · XXVI

Shringara
Kamal Dal Nainani Ki Unamani
Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan1 verses · ~1 min
कमल-दल नैननि की उनमानि। बिसरत नाहिं सखी मो मन ते मंद मंद मुसकानि॥ यह दसननि दुति चपला हू ते महा चपल चमकानि। बसुधा की बस करी मधुरता सुधा-पगी बतरानि॥ चढ़ी रहे चित उर बिसाल को मुकुतमाल थहरानि। नृत्य समय पीताम्बर हू की फहरि फहरि फहरानि॥ अनुदिन श्री बृन्दावन ब्रज ते आवन आवन आनि। अब ’रहीम’ चित ते न टरति है सकल स्याम की बानि॥
इति
The Poet
Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan
1556 · 1627
Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan represents one of the most remarkable literary and cultural convergences in Indian history. Born in 1556 as the son of Bairam Khan, Rahim grew up to become one of the Navaratnas (Nine Gems) in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Despite his high rank as a military commander and a powerful courtier, his true immortality lies in his poetry. Rahim wrote couplets (dohas) in flawless Brajbhasha and Awadhi that captured the essence of Hindu mythology, practical wisdom, and the philosophy of Bhakti. He seamlessly merged his deep knowledge of Sanskrit texts with his Islamic heritage, proving that cultural boundaries were fully permeable for a brilliant mind. His dohas on human nature, friendship, and morality remain universally known across Northern India. Rahim was not just a poet of the royal court; he was a bridge between civilizational worlds.

Paired Painting
Krishna Idolised
Open the viewer →
If this held you
Chosen for their rasa and their register, not their popularity. Each one carries some part of what Kamal Dal Nainani Ki Unamani carries.