In January this year, while on a 'Sadbhavana Yatra' in north Gujarat organised by Sanjay-Tula of Vishwagram, we met Dhruv dada (well-known Sahitya Akademi awarded Gujarati writer, Dhruv Bhatt). As we travelled with him in his car, with great love, he shared with us those poems of his which come to him as songs (with tunes). We have so much enjoyed learning these songs of a modern/contemporary mystic poet, so to speak.
In this song, he speaks of the benevolence of nature (kudrat ni rehem) and the joy of being alive. While walking along the banks of the river Narmada, he once came across a farmer working in his field under a blazing sun. When he asked him how he was doing, the farmer turned to him with a thousand watt smile, and replied with no hint of self-pity, that he was full of joy! That moved something internally for Dhruv dada in his attitude to the farmer, and to himself, and inspired this poem/song.
This yatra, mooted and part-sponsored by him, was his gesture of commitment to a larger culture of tolerance and reverence in India, done very quietly, away from the noise and controversy surrounding the returning of awards.
Ochintu koi mane raste made ne kadi
dheere thi poochhe ke kem chhe
To aapne to kahiye ke dariya si mauj maan
ne upar thi kudrat ni rehem chhe
Phaatela khissa ni aad maan muki chhe ame
chhalkaati malkaati mauj
Eklo ubhun ne toye mela maan houn
evun laagya kare chhe mane roj
Taalu vasaaye nahin evadi pataari maan
aapno khajaano hem-khem chhe
Aapne to kahiye ke dariya si mauj maan...
Aankhon maan paani to aave ne jaaye
nathi bheetar bheenaash thathi ochhi
Vadh ghat no kaanthaao raakhe hisaab nathi
parvaah samandar ne hoti
Sooraj to uge ane aathmiye jaaye
maari upar aakaash em-nem chhe
Aapne to kahiye ke dariya si mauj maan...
I'm at play
If, suddenly, I were to come across
Someone on the way
And if they were to ask me
Softly,
"How are you doing today?"
Then I would say,
Nature is so bountiful
And like waves in the ocean
I'm at play!
In my torn trouser-pocket hide
Many joyful, dancing waves
Even when alone
I'm in a carnival each day
In a tiny bundle
Which can never be locked
My treasure is as safe as day
Like waves in the ocean
I'm at play!
Water in the eyes comes and goes
But the moistness within never dries
The shore may keep accounts
Of less and more
The ocean doesn't bother about such scores
The sun may rise and set everyday
The sky over me is always the same
Like waves in the ocean
I'm at play!
Translation: Vipul Rikhi
I'm in a carnival each day
In a tiny bundle
Which can never be locked
My treasure is as safe as day
Like waves in the ocean
I'm at play!
Water in the eyes comes and goes
But the moistness within never dries
The shore may keep accounts
Of less and more
The ocean doesn't bother about such scores
The sun may rise and set everyday
The sky over me is always the same
Like waves in the ocean
I'm at play!
Translation: Vipul Rikhi
