Jal Tarang - stories, poetry, musings

Arjun’s Kshatriya Ego and distractions, Krishna’s logic (महाभारत में अर्जुन का क्षत्रिय अहंकार)In the middle of the Kurukshetra battle of Mahabharat, Arjun was challenged by Trigartas for a duel, called Sanshaptaka संशप्तक (to fight till death). A ploy to lure Arjun away from the main battle, creating an opening for Drona to capture Yudhishthira. The incident is an example of how Arjuna's Ksha...

Ever noticed how professional teams (and friendships / personal relationships!) seem to follow a particular pattern? Tuckman's model captures this perfectly: ‘Forming » Storming » Norming » Performing’. My favourite equivalent of this is the life of a river - Starting fiercely wild and free in the mountains (forming), but a picture of calm as it reaches the plains (norming), becoming a source...

Ep. 17: Bhola Bhalu aur Chalak Lampat Lomdi ki Kahani - Shivaniभोले भालू और चालाक लोमड़ी की कहानी - शिवानीThis is a story written by Shivani (also known as Gaura Pant). Shivani usually writes serious stories of life but she has written some adorable stories for kids. This is one such stories from Shivani's book - "Radhika Sundari". I have added a little bit of drama in the story.शिवानी (गौरा पंत) व...

There are stories and stories within stories in Mahabharat. In this series, I will talk about lesser told stories of Mahabharat and some reflections on 'what could have been'. Today's story is of one of the early conversations between Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. This illustrates how a woman's wisdom starts where a man's ends. इस शृंखला में हम बात करते हैं महाभारत की कुछ कम सुनी...

There are stories and stories within stories in Mahabharat. In this series, I will talk about lesser told stories of Mahabharat and some reflections on 'what could have been'. Today's story is of Bheeshma when Bheeshma kidnaps Amba, Ambika, Ambalika (princesses of Kashi) for the Kuru prince Vichitravirya. While Ambika and Ambalika get married to Vichitravirya, Amba refuses. Amba was in...

This is a story written by Shivani (aka Gaura Pant). Shivani usually writes serious stories of life but she has written some adorable stories for kids. This is the title story from Shivani's book – “Radhika Sundari”. The story is about a young lioness who gets married to a weaker yet shrewd guy but a lioness is a lioness and that’s what she proves in the end. I have added a little bit of drama in...

Ep. 15: Boodhi Buddhimaan Bakri (बूढ़ी बुद्धिमान बकरी - शिवानी) This is a story written by Shivani (also known as Gaura Pant). Shivani usually writes serious stories of life but she has written some adorable stories for kids. This is one such stories from Shivani's book - Radhika Sundari. I have added a little bit of drama in the story. शिवानी (गौरा पंत) वैसे तो गंभीर कहानियाँ लिखती हैं लेकिन उनकी...

This poem is an ode to the Hibiscus flower, that comes in so many colors, has a short life, and even in that transient life, never fails to attract. रिमझिम बारिश में भीग रहा, मैं घूम घूम के झूम रहा, मेरी पंखुड़ियाँ लहराती, बूँदें भी मुझ पर थम जाती, मैं श्वेतवर्ण, मैं स्निग्ध स्पर्श, मैं क्षण भंगुर, मैं हूँ गुड़हल.... A hibiscus flower is a flame kindled by morning, a passionate declaration of life...

All of us love to question - our leaders, politicians, governments, which is fine in a healthy democracy, but are we trying to provide any answers at all? If this poem hurts the sentiments of some people – the poet is not at all apologetic. हाँ चलो, सवाल कर लेते हैं इतने सालों से सवाल ही तो कर रहे हैं कुछ और सवाल कर लेते हैं कुछ सरकार से सवाल कर लेते हैं, कुछ नेताओं से सवाल कर लेते हैं सवाल का जवा...

Here is another poem from the Corona / COVID times, this one from the initial days of the lockdown in India in 2020 when the pandemic brought the world to a screeching halt. While a lot of people suffered but at the same time, our cities suddenly started breathing again. Those clean blue skies, quiet roads, no pollution in the air, and the day long bird songs inspired this poem. Here are a few lin...

This episode was first recorded during COVID pandemic, so the first poem serves as a warning message for people to be careful. The title of the poem is – “Mat Nikal” (मत निकल - Don’t go out), a poem written by Sharad Gupta Ji but wrongly recognized as written by Harivansh Rai Bachchan, probably because of its similarity with Agnipath (अग्निपथ). However, every word of the poem is spot-on for the si...

An ode to Donkeys - Idhar bhi Gadhe hain, Udhar bhi Gadhe hain! This is a satirical poem written by Om Prakash Aditya back in the day, always relevant and a reminder of Harishankar Parsai's writings. The poem uses Donkey as a symbol of all that was wrong in our politics and society in general. I have added a couple of my couplets to the original poem, which are relevant in today's time :-)...

In this episode, a beautiful poem by Subhadrakumari Chauhan - "Yah Kadamb ka Ped, agar Maa, Hota Yamuna Teere". It's an easy going, light and sweet poem on a conversation between a son and mother. The fascinating combination of Kadamb tree, Yamuna and Kanhaiya is unmissable :-) यह कदंब का पेड़ अगर माँ होता यमुना तीरे। मैं भी उस पर बैठ कन्हैया बनता धीरे-धीरे॥ ले देतीं यदि मुझे बांसुरी...

This poem is on ode to the rocks by the river. When we see a river in the hills, there are these rocks that have stood there for centuries, watching the river flow - stories so many stories within them - if only they could tell the tale! This poem is for all those rocks, big and small, rough and smooth. You can read the full script here: https://sites.google.com/view/arisudan/podcasts/dhaiAakhar/P...

In this episode, reading Two poems by Shri Sumitranandan Pant. First - Beej or Mitti ka Gahra Andhkar - story of a seed buried deep inside of dark soil, yet comes out in form of a plant, and creates a forest. Second poem - Parvat Pradesh mein Paavas is about the rains on the Himalaya mountain range. It's effect and what it does. We are reading the poem, while explaining the essence of the word...

While in another episode we speak of a banter between the moon and Champa (Plumeria), here we are reading some random but beautiful lines written by Amrita Pritam in her autobiography "Raseedi Ticket". She speaks about her relationship and view of the Sun (Suraj) and Earth, and their journey. "उम्र के द्वार मत भेड़ो, चलना अभी बहुत बाक़ी है, अभी सूरज का उबटन धरती अंगों पर मल रही है.....

While walking on a full moon night, I noticed a big bright yellow moon emerging from behind a young Champa (Plumeria) tree covered with its pristine white flowers. A fictional conversation took birth... what if the Moon can talk to Champa flowers - what will that be like? That's the story of this poem :-) Welcome to Jal Tarang - your podcast for celebrating the beauty of Hindi stories, poetry,...

In this episode, a short reading of Mahadevi Verma's beautiful poem - "Jo Tum aa Jaate Ek Baar" हँस उठते पल में आर्द्र नयन धुल जाता होठों से विषाद छा जाता जीवन में बसंत लुट जाता चिर संचित विराग आँखें देतीं सर्वस्व वार जो तुम आ जाते एक बार... Welcome to Jal Tarang - your podcast for celebrating the beauty of Hindi stories, poetry, philosophical musings, and more. My other podcasts: 1....

"Barefoot - they walked a path less travelled" - This episode is dedicated to some of 2021's most amazing Padma-Shri awardees, like Tulsi Gowda, Nanda Prusty, Harekala Hajabba. The ⁠full script and story of the poem can be read here⁠, along with pictures: https://sites.google.com/view/arisudan/podcasts/dhaiAakhar/Dharti-Nange-Paanv-Chale वो तपती भूमि नाप चले पथ के काँटों को बाँच चले...

We start by discussing the Jobs of the Future (World Economic Forum), such as - Fitness Commitment Counsellor. That there are so many types of work if only we start living up to our capability. The poem inspires one to realize that potential - that your capability is endless - you only have to realize that and work on it. Why beg for something when you can earn it? है अमित सामर्थ्य मुझ में, याचना...

A poem makes a bridge between real life, its emotions and imagination. This is one such poem by Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan, where the poet, with a simple state of midnight, makes the who story. Here is "Raat Aadhi Ho Gayi Hai" from Bachchan's Nisha Nimantran. कविता एक पुल होती है, यथार्थ, भावनाओं और कल्पनाओं के बीच और ये पल बनाने का काम करता है - कवि। इसी बात को समझते हैं डॉ हरिवंश रा...