There was a news in paper today, Gopal Das Neeraj is visiting Hyderabad on 15th August.  From my early childhood, I am very well aware of this name. My mother and father both were fond of “Kavi Sammelan” and fan of poets like Neeraj. I still remember the night of Kavi Sammelan at HawaBangla in Indore. I was very young … we walked about 3 kms to reached to that place. Kavi Sammelan went till 3 am in morning and we stayed to listen Neeraj.  he sung the poem “Khara Kahin ganga ka kinara ho na jaye”  in his own unique style. Though I was very young to understand deep meaning of complete poem , but some how I liked it and stayed in my mind for ever.

In 1994 , When I went to Jaipur for Summer training,  I used to teach son of landlord where I was tenant. In his class 8th Hindi book, I read a wonderful poem. and again, it was from Gopal Das Neeraj.  I noted down this poem in my Diary.

In 2004,  my life was completely disturbed with a tragedy , and I was not able to think what should I do …. This poem shown me a way.  And helped me to bring my life back on track.   over all message of poem is .. life goes on, irrespective of losses and gains .

and the poem is  … Jeevan Nahi Mara karata hai .  Beuty of poem is not only in the meaning , but in words and selection of examples too.  It is a Hindi poem and must enjoy in hindi only. Translation will kill the soul of poem. 

I’m sure, who ever reads this poem, will become fan of Neeraj.   Here is poem …read on.

Chip Chip ashru bahaane waalon
Moti vyarth lutane waalon !
Kuch sapnon ke mar jane se jeevan nahin mara karta hai

Sapnaa kya hai ? Nayan sez par,
Soya hua aankh ka paani
Aur tootna hai uska jyon
Jage kachchi neend jawani
Geelee umar banaane walon! Doobe bina nahaane waalon
Kuch pani ke bah jane se saawan nahin mara karta hai

Mala bikhar gayi to kya hai
Khud hi hal ho gayi samasyaa
Aansoo gar neelaam huye to
Samjho poori huyi tapasyaa
Roothe divas manaane walon! Phati kameez silaane waalon!
Kuch deepon ke bujh jaane se aangan nahin mara karta hai

Khota kuch bhi nahin yahan par
Kewal zild badaltee pothee
Jaise raat utaar chandani
Pehne subah dhoop ki dhoti
Vastra badal kar aane waalon ! Chaal badalkar jaane waalon!
Chand Khilounon ke khone se bachpan nahin maraa karta hai

Laakhon baar gagriyaan phooteen
Shikan na aayi panghat par
Lakhon baar kishtiyaan doobeen
Chahal-pehal wo hi hai tat par
Tam ki umra badhaane waalon! Lau ki aayu ghatane waalon !
Laakh kare patjhad koshish par upvan nahin maraa kartaa hai

Loot liya maali ne upvan
Luti na lekin gandh phool ki
Toofaanon tak ne cheda par
Khidki band na huyi dhool kee
Nafrat gale lagaane waalon! Sab par dhool udaane waalon
Kuch mukhdon ki naaraazee se darpan nahin maraa karta hai

Chip Chip ashru bahaane waalon
Moti vyarth lutane waalon !
Kuch sapnon ke mar jane se jeevan nahin mara karta hai

– Gopaldas Neeraj