"Masaan" is to Cinema what Kabir is to Banaras

There can be many reasons for liking or not liking something, especially a piece of art, like cinema. The two which can easily be pointed out are relatability of the milieu, incidents, characters, etc. and the impression or the impact. "Masaan", to me, gave enough of both. The essence of the Hindi heartland is so captivating and evocative that you are literally transported to the place in every single frame of the film. Talking of "Masaan" without talking about Banaras would be like separating the mother and the child. By saying Hindi heartland, I selfishly wanted to be a part of that mesmerizing world which is as charming as it is ironically poignant. Anybody who has been brought up in that region (parts of UP and Bihar) would take great pride in claiming the premise and soul of the cinema to be something of his own. But what sets Masaan apart is the universality of the theme. It easily traverses the distance, reaches out to your heart and soul taking those short little steps on the Ganga ghat of kashi and transcends only to leave you with yourself. It is like meditation bringing you closest to yourself with utmost awareness.
This deeply affecting tale is the one not only about the inevitability of death but also the omniscience of life held by that fine thread of time, the time that we all spend living, trying, failing, and yearning. It is as much heart-breaking as it is solacing exploring the gamut of emotions in those 100 odd minutes. There is every chance that it might leave you in a state of trance as it did it to me, not letting you out to look back what are the technicalities and other details behind this fine piece of cinema.
The subtlety is adeptly woven around the spectacle of banaras and allahabad with endearingly captured details. That "Thakur Prasad Calendar" or the "Power" shoes, those little things will make you feel at home while the message is to "Fly away solo".
The voice of the film; the score, dialogues and the brilliant photography say much more than you could hear. No wonder, poetry is one of the many beautiful characters of the film. Kabir is etched on the soul of "Masaan" and goes beyond, thanks to the writer and the director. It takes one to know one, and trust me a lot of people would love to say that after indulging and engrossing in Masaan.
The actors are fabulous and they had to be as the characterization clearly looks to be the precedence which is evident. The film is the hero supported by these brilliant people around who have immportalised "Masaan". That one scene doesn't leave me for a second when Deepak takes a plunge only to rise to an epiphany. There couldn't have been a better song; mann kastoori jag dastoori re...
Life is boundless and endless are it's ways, talking about "Masaan" can't be brought to justice on this blog. Live through it, you will know it...
"Masaan" is to Cinema, what Kabir was to Banaras... Both gave life and meaning to each other only to remain forever...

अनाम

आसमान का ये ख़ाली केसरी कैनवस,
और उसपे बिखरे ये भूरे से बादल के बुरादे,
जैसे किसी आवारा शायर की अधूरी नज़्म, लफ़्ज़ तलाशते हों।
यूँ के दोनों ही अपनी अपनी शक्लें ढूँढते ,
शाम की दहलीज़ पे आ मिलते हैं, और इस गहराती रात के साये में पिघलने लगते हैं।
तब जाकर शायद कहीं पूरे भी होते हैं...

कई ख़याल, एहसास और जज़्बात बन के आँखों में आ ठहरे हैं ,
 सारे सपनों को बेघर कर गए हैं,
रात की पोटली भी ख़ाली पड़ी है , कुछ सुकूँ मिले ऐसी कोई लोरी नहीं
साँसें बोझल लगती हैं , कोई भूली बिसरी नज़्म या कोई बासी धुन ही सही
आज सारे सुर खो बैठे हैं शायद
बस इन्हीं छोटे-मोटे, आधे-पौने, गिरते-सम्भलते ख़यालों, एहसासों और जज़बातों का सहारा है
यूँ ये रात भी संवर जायेगी। 

Bayaan...

Jehen ke parde hataakar kuch jazbaat jab se ishaare kar rahe hain..
kuch bayaan karna chaahte hain, lafz dhundhte hue zubaan tak aa pahoche hain...
kho jaayen fir kahin yaadasht k Kisi kone me, aao inhe kuch lafzon ke libaas de den...
Jeete rahen fir ye Kisi reh-guzar me, aaj mere blog Ki peshaani pe, kal shayad Kisi aur Ki zubaan pe...
Aur bas Yun hi ye aabaad rahe...
 

Baarish

पिघलता हुआ बादल, हवाओं पे तैरती ये बूँदें
जब जब इस ज़मीन को आकर छूती हैं
तो यूँ लगता है जैसे एक नज़्म मुकम्मल हो गयी।
यूँ लगता है के किसी अधूरी कविता को सुर मिल गए और एक गीत पूरा हुआ।
ये बादल, ये बूँदें और ये ज़मीन मिलकर एक साझे में मौसम के सारे रंग बिखेरती है।
यूँ लगता है के एक नज़्म मुकम्मल हो गयी, एक कविता गीत बनकर पूरी हो गयी।

देखो इन पंख पहने पलों को
बस उड़ते ही जा रहे हैं
बेपरवाह यूँ बढ़ते हैं जो
कुछ दास्तान भी पीछे छोड़े जा रहे हैं
एक पल को ये पल ठहरे तो
ज़रा मुर के देखें हम कहाँ जा रहे हैं
अब शायद बहना ही है ज़िन्दगी के साथ
बेवजह ही हवाओं से लरे जा रहे हैं
बीता हर कुछ सौंप के दो जहानों को
आज आसमान के परे हम चले जा रहे हैं.
            

" Yun Karna "

वक़्त आज तुम यूँ करना
थम जाना रुकना मत बढ़ना
दो पल चाहता था तुमसे
कुछ लम्हे भी बीते कल से
एक बार को  बस सुन लो कहना
ऐ वक़्त अज तुम यूँ करना
थम जाना रुकना मत बढ़ना।
कुछ दिन दोपहरें रखी थीं
एक शाम भी राहें तकती थी
वो शाम ज़रा घुल जाए रात में
बस रात अधूरी मत रखना
ऐ वक़्त आज तुम यूँ करना
थम जाना रुकना मत बढ़ना।