It’s amazing to see how many people live here on this city and every absence of mine even if it’s for a day makes me aware of new faces, not only of the teeming millions but also of the their prized possessions…..roads keep getting crowded and drains keep getting clogged but the cosmopolitan spirit of the city is not affected.
The city accepts one and all without condition, without any apprehension it gives all of them a piece of its heart… People come in with their distinct quirks and feelings, a few with their own inflexible dogmas but in the end everyone gets assimilated with their own differences in this city that allows all to maintain their identity but at the same time maintains its own unique identity…. wish we all in the country had similar feelings…
And yet Bombay can be cruel…. Very cruel… you only need to look at those who sleep on the pavements, below the bridges and under the sun to understand that Bombay can be cruel ….. Like life itself, Bombay extracts maximum punishment from all for failing because somewhere in the unspoken code of Bombay… failure is not condoned…. Yet surprisingly, nobody sleeps in Bombay on a hungry stomach…. Not even the dogs that move around and beg for a morsel in each eye that looks at them.
It’s this Janus like attitude, this Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde complex that characterizes Bombay and makes it different from all other cities in India and abroad.
The great poet Sahir Ludhianvi in response to Iqbal’s all time classic anthem – Sara Jahaan Hamara, wrote in the film ‘Phir Subah Hogi’:
Chin-O-Arab Hamara, Hindostan HamaraChina is ours, Arabia is ours… India also in our hands we hold
Rehne Ko Ghar Nahin Hai, Saara Jahaan Hamara
Only we don’t have a house to live in…. The rest of the world we hold
When I listen to this song today, I am sometimes stunned by the agelessness of this song… as the words come out chillingly; I am sometimes astonished by the fact that the words are as relevant today as they were in 1957 when this film was released.
Each and every word of this song is as true as truth can be….
Kholi Bhi Chhin Gayi Hain, Benchen Bhi Chhin Gayi HainOur rooms have been taken, our benches have been taken
Footpath Bambai Ke Hain Aashiyaan Hamara
Sone Ko Hum Kalandar, Aate Hain Bori Bundar
Har Ek Kuli Yahaan Ka Hai Raazdaan Hamara
Jitni Bhi Buildingen Thi Sethon Ne Baant Li Hai
Sadkon Pe Ghumta Hai Ab Caravan Hamara
Jeben Hain Apni Khaali, Kyoon Deta Varna Gaali,
Woh Santri Hamara, Woh Paasbaan Hamara
The roads of Bombay are the new abodes of the homeless
To catch on our sleep, to Bori Bunder we trudge on shaken
Every coolie here knows us by our secrets
All Abode that were, have been shared by the rich
The streets of Bombay is where we reside
Our Purses are empty, and so abuses fly thick
By he who was supposed to security my decide
How true and how well-written….. Wish I could write even half as well as him…..
But this is not all that Bombay has or stands for ….. Bombay is also the harbinger of the Bombay spirit that has sadly been made famous by the infamous bomb blasts.
As the last line of this poem says:
Mil-Jul Ke Iss Watan Ko Aisa Sajayenge HumTogether we will make this country shine so brightly
Hairat Se Munh Takega, Saara Jahaan Hamara
The entire world will be forced to look at us with admiration
As I said, Bombay is too complex to be understood.
2 comments:
Some cities engulf. Cities where tears don't last long nor happiness stay too long.
Though I have not stayed too long in Bombay, I can say with full conviction that Bombay is such a city. I remember standing infront of the Gateway of India...in the hot sun, the dust, the noise, people and pegions...in that strange land, i felt a familiar feeling. I realise now that it was Humanness, which is the overwhelming spirit of Bombay that gives Hope, that imparts inspiration and strength.
Keep writting!!
well a very beautifully written what an i say "bombay Nama" very critically reviewed and what i say Voldy you really get in to the depth of the things and show the bitter part of reality to life whih seems real easy to others is not that much easy. people sitting in luxurious offices and having Exlusive cars are sometimes living muh harder live then some coolies i have several examples infront of me but still it is hard to be poor,
life as far as i an guess in big cities is too much fast people are too much busy in their own being that they ant even see person next to them, question of feeling the pain of others omes after wards
where are we moving towards??
GOD knows
Coming back to the topic nice selection of What I say Poetry
and really i become your fan that how beautifully you use English words and arrangements and theme from start to end was amazing,
REGARDS,
SALMAN
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