Hindi Kala presents Gulzar Poetry Aam about a mango tree in Hindi & English with the poem’s Meaning (English Translation).

गुलज़ार की कविता आम

मोड़ पे देखा है वो बूढ़ा-सा इक आम का पेड़ कभी?
मेरा वाकिफ़ है बहुत सालों से, मैं जानता हूँ

जब मैं छोटा था तो इक आम चुराने के लिए
परली दीवार से कंधों पे चढ़ा था उसके
जाने दुखती हुई किस शाख से मेरा पाँव लगा
धाड़ से फेंक दिया था मुझे नीचे उसने
मैंने खुन्नस में बहुत फेंके थे पत्थर उस पर

मेरी शादी पे मुझे याद है शाखें देकर
मेरी वेदी का हवन गरम किया था उसने
और जब हामला थी बीबा, तो दोपहर में हर दिन
मेरी बीवी की तरफ़ कैरियाँ फेंकी थी उसी ने

वक़्त के साथ सभी फूल, सभी पत्ते गए

तब भी लजाता था जब मुन्ने से कहती बीबा
‘हाँ उसी पेड़ से आया है तू, पेड़ का फल है।’

अब भी लजाता हूँ, जब मोड़ से गुज़रता हूँ
खाँस कर कहता है,”क्यूँ, सर के सभी बाल गए?”

सुबह से काट रहे हैं वो कमेटी वाले
मोड़ तक जाने की हिम्मत नहीं होती मुझको!

~ गुलज़ार | Gulzar

Gulzar Ki Kavita Aam in Roman Transcript

Mod Pe Dekha Hai Woh Boodha-Sa Ik Aam Ka Ped Kabhi?
Mera Waaqif Hai Bahut Saalon Se, Main Jaanta Hoon.

Jab Main Chhota Tha To Ik Aam Churane Ke Liye
Parli Deewar Se Kandhon Pe Chadha Tha Uske.
Jaane Dukhti Hui Kis Shaakh Se Mera Paanv Laga,
Dhaad Se Phenk Diya Tha Mujhe Neeche Usne.
Maine Khunnas Mein Bahut Phenke The Patthar Us Par.

Meri Shaadi Pe Mujhe Yaad Hai Shaakhein Dekar
Meri Vedi Ka Havan Garam Kiya Tha Usne.
Aur Jab Haamla Thi Beeba, To Dopahar Mein Har Din
Meri Biwi Ki Taraf Kairiyan Phenki Thi Usi Ne.

Waqt Ke Saath Sabhi Phool, Sabhi Patte Gaye.

Tab Bhi Lajata Tha Jab Munne Se Kehti Beeba,
“Haan Usi Ped Se Aaya Hai Tu, Ped Ka Phal Hai.”

Ab Bhi Lajata Hoon, Jab Mod Se Guzarta Hoon,
Khaans Kar Kehta Hai, “Kyun, Sar Ke Sabhi Baal Gaye?”

Subah Se Kaat Rahe Hain Woh Committee Waale,
Mod Tak Jaane Ki Himmat Nahi Hoti Mujhko!

~ गुलज़ार | Gulzar

Gulzar Hindi Poetry Aam Meaning (English Translation)

Have you ever seen that old mango tree at the bend?
It’s known me for many years, I know

When I was young, to steal a mango
I had climbed over the back wall onto its branches
I don’t know which aching branch my foot landed on
It threw me down with a thud
In anger, I threw many stones at it

At my wedding, I remember it gave branches
To heat the fire of my altar
And when my wife was pregnant, every afternoon
It threw mangoes towards my wife

With time, all the flowers, all the leaves fell

Even then, I felt embarrassed when my wife would tell Munna
‘Yes, you came from that very tree, you are the fruit of the tree.’

I still feel embarrassed, when I pass by the bend
It coughs and says, “Why, have all the hairs on your head gone?”

Since morning, they’ve been cutting it, those committee members
I don’t have the courage to go up to the bend!

~ गुलज़ार | Gulzar

Essence of the Poem

The intricate bond between a man and an elderly mango tree, which has silently observed the significant events in his life, is exquisitely captured in this poem.

Key Themes:

Passage of time: The tree’s aging represents time and the changes that accompany it, much like the man’s aging does.
Childhood memories: The tree serves as a reminder of the man’s childhood mischief and the lessons he learned.
Cycles of life: The tree’s significance in the man’s life, from his early years to his marriage and motherhood, emphasizes how life is cyclical.
Nostalgia and regret: The speaker feels a sense of nostalgia for the past and regret for his past actions.
Connection to nature: The tree stands for a person’s ties to the natural world and their origins.

Interpretation:

The poem offers a moving meditation on time, loss, and life. The enduring nature of life and the interdependence of all living things are symbolised by the elderly mango tree. A deep-seated yearning for the past and a sense of loss are reflected in the speaker’s emotional affinity to the tree.

The poem asks the reader to reflect on how they relate to the natural world and the things that have shaped their existence. It also calls into question the importance of tradition and how development affects the environment.

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