An Escape From the Trappings of the World: Meena Kumari’s Poem, Chalo
This week in Daak:
1. An Escape From the Trappings of the World: Meena Kumari’s Poem, Chalo
2. The Sounds and Sights of South Asia on a Postcard
3. Daak Recommends
1. An Escape From the Trappings of the World: Meena Kumari’s Poem, Chalo
Meena Kumari, known for her poignant portrayals of complex characters on screen and her troubled life off it, had earned the title of ‘Tragedy Queen’. Forced to join the film industry at a young age, she had to quit school but made sure to educate herself by reading a variety of books and becoming particularly well-versed in Urdu. Even on shoots, she would spend most of her free time at the studios bent over a book in some corner.
This literary world offered her a respite from the troubles of her marriage and the instability of her stardom. Her poems too, were an expression of this anguish and heartbreak. It is for this reason perhaps, that they read more like conversations rather than poems. In her poem, “Chalo” (Let’s Go), she invites us on an imaginary walk away from the trappings of the world and connect at a deeper level.
Chalo chalo kahin chalein ghoomti hui sadak ke kinare kisi mod par raushni ke kisi khambhe ke neeche baith kar baatein karen chalo, kahin chalein apne-apne mazi ke nuche ghute gharaudon se door kisi sookhe naale ki pulia par baith kar baatein karein chalo, kahin chalein darawne jangal ki andheri pagdandion par ratjaga manayein zindagi ke har marhale par bahas karein jhagdein dher saari baatein karein chalo kahin chalein chalo kahin chalein chalo! // Let’s Go Let’s go somewhere To some edge of the revolving road And sitting Under the shade of some Pillar of light Let’s talk Let’s just go somewhere Far from the ravaged shanties Of our past Just sit on the culvert Of some dry canal And talk Just let’s venture out And sitting on the pathways Of the forests of the night Let’s spend the entire night Discussing all the imponderables of life Quarrel Talk our hearts out Just let’s go somewhere Come on! Be a sport Let’s go. (Translation by Noorul Hasan)
2. The Sounds and Sights of South Asia on a Postcard
Do you ever want to capture the vibrant sounds and sights of South Asia and send it to someone? We’ve got just the thing for you! Get these colourful postcards with intricate artistry that we’ve recently launched in collaboration with Make Mail.
3. Daak Recommends
Find more poetry by Meena Kumari in Noorul Hasan’s book, “Meena Kumari: The Poet”.
Listen to this rare clip from an All India Radio interview of Meena Kumari and hear her talk about acting and poetry in her characteristically artless manner.