Status in rhymes

An eccentric (and must say very naive) attempt on 27/03/2010

Even though the sun roars with glare
a fresh tinge is in the air

and even though we toil and bear
we lack an iota of despair

something special being cooked up here
which at the moment I just cant share

but please don't wonder nor do stare
and don't let your fancies run unaware

It's something far not anyway near
which you will know when the time comes ,dear

So keep it cool and just take care
I have got nothing more to share.....
;)

( Was written in 1st year, out of excitement for being selected for AIESEC internship in KL. Feels like decades ago )

The curious case of "SAFAL APRADHI"

Ruminations on a rare novel.

This is NOT a typical 'Suniliyan' novel, in fact far from it. This novel belongs to the period when Sunil didnot have much of a 'character' baggage to carry, when Ramakant was yet to develop a Punjabi twang and the novels were oh-so-crispy. Those were the days when you could take out a 10 p coin and call somebody via a booth ( as per the story ), when Sunil could behave merely as a smart yet bumbling reporter and not the know-it-all, super detective at work, when even he had to depend on a certain Mr. Chatterjee to deliver legal counsel to those in distress.

Unfolding in just about a 100 pages, the pace of the story is break-neck, with many a twist and turn, that are bound to keep one on the edge of his seat. There is hardly any irrelevant piece or prop in the whole story. Even the mention of the most trivial-seeming situations and the most innocuous of props like a tumbler, end up playing an important role eventually.

During the course of the whole novel, Sunil is himself equally mystified as the reader, about the proceedings. Curiously, there is a total absence of the overconfident demeanour, which in later novels, became a trait of his, while contemplating over the case with Prabhudayal. Nor is there any in-your-face sort of bravery or smartness. Yes, the smart-talk is there, but in its rudimentary form, which barely gets noticed (thankfully !). In short, in this particular outing, Sunil is more of a character than a serial-hero.

But the most curious and undoubtedly the most interesting part of the story is its novel ending : where you are gearing to accept the identity of the criminal, as revealed by the author and are waiting for a summary of the repercussions of this revelation on other characters. But instead, what you get are doubts and more niggling questions cropping up and you start wondering again. By the end, the perpetrator of the crime is eventually identified but not unambiguously, not without leaving you with lingering questions that are never resolved completely. Hence you are never fully confident if justice was actually delivered.

This whole twist adds a certain amount of believability to the story and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.You end the novel with a tinge of sadness regarding the limitations of the whole legal and crime-detection system.

It surely deserves firstly, a read, for the thrill and the fantastic ending and also a little more fame than what it has actually received over the years.

pic : Surender Mohan Pathak, Author

सितारों से आगे जहां और भी हैं ( शायरी # 2 )

The glorious Allama Iqbal 

सितारों से आगे जहां और भी हैं
अभी इश्क़ के इम्तिहां और भी हैं

ताही ज़िन्दगी से नहीं ये फ़ज़ायें
यहां सैकड़ों कारवां और भी हैं

कना'अत न कर आलम-ए-रंग-ओ-बू पर
चमन और भी, आशियां और भी हैं

अगर खो गया एक नशेमन तो क्या ग़म
मक़ामात-ए-आह-ओ-फुगां और भी हैं

तू शहीं है, परवाज़ है काम तेरा
तेरे सामने आसमां और भी हैं

इसी रोज़-ओ-शब में उलझ कर न रह जा
के तेरे ज़मीन-ओ-मकां और भी हैं

गए दिन की तन्हा था मैं अंजुमन में
यहाँ अब मेरे राजदां और भी हैं

----------- अल्लामा इकबाल.

Sitaron Se Aage Jahaan Aur Bhi Hain
Abhi Ishq Ke Imtihan Aur Bhi Hain

Beyond the stars are even more worlds
There are still even more tests of passion

Tihi Zindagi Ke Nahin Yeh Fazaayein
Yahan Sainkadon Kaaravaan Aur Bhi Hain

These expanses are not devoid of life
Here there are hundreds of other caravans too

Qanaa'at Nah Kar Aalam-e-Rang-o-Bu Par
Chaman Aur Bhi, Aashiyaan Aur Bhi Hain!

Don't be contented with the world of color and scent
There are other gardens, other nests (resting places), too

Agar Kho Gaya Ek Nasheman Tho Kya Gham
Muqaamaat-e-Aah-o-Fughaan Aur Bhi Hain!

If a nest (home) was lost, what's the [cause of] grief?
There are other places for sighing and lamenting

Tu Shaaheen Hai, Parvaaz Hai Kaam Tera
Tere Saamne Aasmaan Aur Bhi Hain

You are a falcon, your task is to fly
Before you there are other skies as well to cover

Isi Roz-o-Shab Mein Ulajh Kar Nah Rah Jaa
Kih Tere Zamaan-o-Makaan Aur Bhi Hain

Don't remain entangled, in this day-and-night
For you have other times-and-places too

Gaye Din Ke Tanhaa Thaa Main Anjuman Mein
Yahaan Ab Mere Raaz-Daan Aur Bhi Hain!

The days are gone when I was alone in the gathering
Here, now, I have other secret-sharers too

KB @ NYPD....love at first sight

KB in full glory

Pulp Art # 1

Courtesy : Cover image of Do Gaz kafan ( SMP ) by Shelle

Beauty! Thy name is mischief