Hindi Kala presents Gulzar Poetry Eedhan about cow dung cakes in Hindi & English with the poem’s Meaning (English Translation).

गुलज़ार की कविता ईंधन

छोटे थे, माँ उपले थापा करती थी
हम उपलों पर शक्लें गूँधा करते थे
आँख लगाकर – कान बनाकर
नाक सजाकर –
पगड़ी वाला, टोपी वाला
मेरा उपला –
तेरा उपला –
अपने-अपने जाने-पहचाने नामों से
उपले थापा करते थे

हँसता-खेलता सूरज रोज़ सवेरे आकर
गोबर के उपलों पे खेला करता था
रात को आँगन में जब चूल्हा जलता था
हम सारे चूल्हा घेर के बैठे रहते थे
किस उपले की बारी आयी
किसका उपला राख हुआ
वो पंडित था –
इक मुन्ना था –
इक दशरथ था –
बरसों बाद – मैं
श्मशान में बैठा सोच रहा हूँ
आज की रात इस वक्त के जलते चूल्हे में
इक दोस्त का उपला और गया !

~ गुलज़ार | Gulzar

Gulzar Ki Kavita Eedhan in Roman Transcript

Chhote The, Maa Uple Thapa Karti Thi
Hum Uplon Par Shaklen Goondha Karte The
Aankh Lagakar – Kaan Banakar
Naak Sajaakar –
Pagdi Wala, Topi Wala
Mera Upla –
Tera Upla –
Apne-Apne Jaane-Pahchane Naamon Se
Uple Thapa Karte The

Hansata-Khelta Suraj Roz Savere Aakar
Gobar Ke Uplon Pe Khela Karta Tha
Raat Ko Aangan Mein Jab Chulha Jalta Tha
Hum Saare Chulha Gher Ke Baithe Rehte The
Kis Uple Ki Baari Aayi
Kiska Upla Raakh Hua
Woh Pandit Tha –
Ek Munna Tha –
Ek Dashrath Tha –
Barson Baad – Main
Shamshaan Mein Baitha Soch Raha Hoon
Aaj Ki Raat Is Waqt Ke Jalte Chulhe Mein
Ek Dost Ka Upla Aur Gaya!

~ गुलज़ार | Gulzar

Gulzar Hindi Poetry Eedhan Meaning (English Translation)

When we were young, Mother used to mold cow dung cakes
We’d mold faces on those cakes
With eyes, ears, and noses
A turbaned one, a hatted one
My cake, your cake
Each with their own familiar name
We’d mold cow dung cakes

The laughing, playing sun would come every morning
And play on the cow dung cakes
At night, when the hearth burned in the courtyard
We’d all sit around the hearth
Whose cake’s turn had come
Whose cake turned to ash
That one was a pandit –
One was Munna –
One was Dashrath –
Years later – I
Sitting in the cremation ground, I’m thinking
In tonight’s burning hearth
Another friend’s cake has gone!

~ गुलज़ार | Gulzar

Essence of the Poem

This poem is a nostalgic reflection on childhood, loss, and the impermanence of life.

Key Themes:

Childhood memories: The poet recalls playing with cow dung cakes during carefree childhood.
Symbolism of cow dung cakes: Cow dung cakes’ symbolic meanings include life, uniqueness, and the transiency of existence.
Death and loss: The poet’s understanding of life’s impermanence and death are symbolized by the burning of the cow dung cakes.
Friendship: The poet considers the friendships he has and the friend he lost.
Cycle of life: The picture of the sun shining on the cakes made from cow dung and the blazing fireplace alludes to the cyclical nature of both life and death.

Interpretation:

The poem opens with happy recollections of early life, when everyday items like cakes made from cow dung had great meaning. The cakes made from cow dung become a metaphor for life itself as the poet ages. The cakes’ burning represents the transience of existence and the certainty of death.

The poem’s last lines allude to a deep understanding of mortality. The poet considers the death of a friend while sitting in a cremation ground and realizes that death is a necessary part of life.

This poem is a moving reflection on friendship, death, and life. It encourages the reader to consider their personal experiences and to value life.

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