Bareilly has played a very important and dramatic role in Bachchan’s life. Circa 1938, it’s just been about a year since the death of Shyama, the first wife of Shri Harivansh Rai Bachchan. He has not written any new poem since her passing but attends poetry events (Kavi Sammelan) for his own peace (स्वांत: सुखाय). One such invite came from Bareilly and this is where he comes across an admirer of his poetry, who commits suicide in front of the very train that Mr Bachchan was travelling on.

गिर-गिर टूटे घट-प्याले, - बुझ दीप गए सब क्षण में,

सब चले किए सिर नीचे - ले अरमानों की झोली;

गूँजी मदिरालय भर में - लो, ‘चलो, चलो’ की बोली!

But, can his poetry be termed ‘Morbid’, or be held responsible to driving one to end his/her life? Madhushala does not urge people to do this, even in its sadness, some such lines:

कुचल हसरतें कितनी अपनी, हाय, बना पाया हाला,

कितने अरमानों को करके ख़ाक बना पाया प्याला!

पी पीनेवाले चल देंगे, हाय, न कोई जानेगा,

कितने मन के महल ढहे तब खड़ी हुई यह मधुशाला!

We also talk about an English poet AE Houseman, whose poetry actually urged people to end their life if it becomes a burden. He said, “And if your hand or foot offend you – Cut it off, lad, and be whole; But play the man, stand up and end you – When your sickness is your soul”

Bareilly was yet to give another dramatic role in Bachchan’s life - stay tuned to know more ;-)

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Welcome to Madhushala Podcast (मधुशाला), based on Harivansh Rai Bachchan's epic poetry, written in 1935 and part of the trilogy of Madhubala and Madhukalash. This is a podcast of Hindi Poetry, Poets, their Stories and a bit of History of India. We do a Live Madhushala discussion every Sunday on Mentza app (you can join us here)

I host one more podcast "Dhai Aakhar" on Hindi poetry of Hope, Life and Optimism. If you want to join us for an online chit-chat on poetry, please join our Meetup group. Do write a review and send your comments. Thanks for listening :-)

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Credits:

1. Madhushala poetry book written by Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan

2. Autobiographies of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan – Kya Bhulun Kya Yaad Karun, Need Ka Nirman Phir, Basere se Door, Dashdwar se Sopan Tak.

3. Various YouTube Videos and information from Internet

Keywords: #Bachchan #Madhushala #Philosophy #Hindi #Poetry #Stories #History #Kayasth #Chamma #ChamarinAmma

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