My Expressions

The Beginnings: When a Poet was Named Child

In 1907, a son was born to Pratap Narayan Srivastava and Saraswati Devi. They named him Harivansh Rai, a name resonating with tradition. Yet, nestled within this young boy was a spirit so pure, so filled with wide-eyed wonder, that those around him called him ‘Bachchan’—the child.

This name became his destiny, reflecting a soul forever in touch with the simple beauty of the world.

His formative years were molded by the bustling streets of Allahabad, his education a blend of public schools and prestigious universities. Allahabad University nurtured his intellect, followed by the hallowed halls of Banaras Hindu University.

Yet, a thirst for a wider world propelled him to England, where he delved into the works of literary giants like W.B. Yeats at Cambridge, earning his doctorate.

The Poet’s Many Roles

Upon his return to India, Harivansh Rai Bachchan embraced a life of diverse pursuits. As a professor, he became a beacon of knowledge, guiding eager students through the realms of English literature. The lecture hall was his stage, his lessons infused with the lyricism that stirred within him.

Simultaneously, his voice found a different kind of platform on All India Radio. Listeners across the nation tuned in, held captive by the rhythm and resonance of his words.

Yet, these were not simply vocations, but stepping stones on a grander path. Even as he excelled in his public duties, another Bachchan thrived in the quiet spaces within.

He explored the nuances of language not only as a scholar and broadcaster, but as a master craftsman, shaping words into vessels of emotion and intellect. The poet within bloomed, his verses blossoming on the page, unseen by the world yet destined for greatness.

His roles as professor and broadcaster were outward expressions of his love for language and his desire to connect. But his true calling, the symphony of his soul, flowed through the ink of his poetry. It was an existence unseen by the public eye, yet it pulsed with the true essence of Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

The Madhushala and a Legacy Spilled in Verse

‘Madhushala’ (The House of Wine) was more than just a poem; it was a swirling cosmos birthed from his pen. Not merely a song of intoxication, but a symphony of existence – a heady blend of jubilation and despair, the ephemeral dance of beauty, and the soul’s defiant roar against the dying of the light. Consider these immortal lines:

Bring the wine, and fill my cup, O Saqi!
This life may be but a tavern, yet it houses my heart.

The nectar of ‘Madhushala’ transcended borders. Translated into English and a tapestry of tongues, it joined ‘Madhubala’ and ‘Madhukalash’ to form a poetic triptych – a coronation unlike any other. Harivansh Rai Bachchan was not just a poet, but a sovereign of the Hindi literary realm, his words his scepter, his verse his enduring empire.

Harivansh Rai Bachchan – A Life Writ Large

His autobiography, ‘Kya Bhooloon Kya Yad Karoon’ (What Should I Remember, What Should I Forget) became a testament to a life richly lived. Essays, travelogues, even lyrics for Bollywood films flowed from his pen, each bearing his unique imprint.

Yet perhaps most captivating was Harivansh Rai Bachchan himself reciting his poetry, his resonant voice bringing his words to full glory. In 1976, he received the Padma Bhushan, an honor recognizing his contributions to Hindi literature. But his true legacy lived on in hearts touched by his words.

Even when tragedy struck the nation with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, his poem ‘Ek November 1984’ wove a lament echoing the nation’s grief.

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