REMEMBERING HUMOUR OF HINDI POET KAKA HAATHRASI

                                                                   

                                                                              

                                                     ( Kaka Hatharasi with Prithvi Raj Kapoor )

 

Kaka Haathrasi ( 1906-1995)

 

Prabhu Lal Garg better known as” Kaka Haathrasi’ , was a familiar name in our family . My cousins who grew up with me were also familiar with this man and his poetry . I was his fan follower since childhood .His books and poems kept us entertained . I would read all these poems to my brothers , sisters and cousins . Everybody would be delighted to listen to his poems . Kaka ‘s satire on political leadership was matured and sharp. His humour evolved from our households . Listening to these poems , you immediately identified with his subjects, content and satire. He was a writer, poet, musician, musicologist, actor and a fine painter.

I had always wanted to see him. That could never be so though he visited Kashmir four times. His poetic satire is ever relevant .

Lines from his sample poems are ..

(1)

(Saare Jahaan Se Achha Hindostaan Hamaara )

Choron va goos-khoron par note barastay hain

Imaan ke mussafir ration ko tarastay hain

Voter se vote lekar woh kar gaye kinaara

Saare jahaan se achha Hindostaan hamaara

Zevar udda ke beta Mumbai ko bhaagtaa hai

Zero hai Kin-tu khuud ko hero se naapataa hai

Studio mein ghussnay pe gorkhe ne maara

Saare jahaan se achhaa Hindostaan hamaara

(2)

Kaka’s satire on Names ..

Naam roop ke bheid par kiya kabhi hai gaur

Naam mila kuchh aur to shaql Aql Kuchh aur

Shaql aql kuchh aur nain sukh dekhe kaane

Babu Sunder Lal banaaye ainchak taane

Vidhyadhar ko bhains baraabar kaala akshar

‌Munshi Chandaa Lal ka taarkol sa roop

Shyam Lal Ka rang hai jaise khilti dhoop

Kah “Kaka” Ji Jwala Prasaad ji bilkul thanday

Pandit Shanti-Swroop chalaatay dekhe danday

(3)

Kaka’s satire on touts and goondas ..

Ration ki dukaan par dekh bhayankar bheed

Queue mein dha’kka maar kar pahunch gaye Balbir

Pahunch gaye Balbir le liya number pehlaa

Khaday reh gaye nirbal booday bachay mahilaa

Kah “Kaka” Kavi kar ke bandh dharam ka maanta

Lala bolay “ bhaago khatam ho gayaa aataa”.

Kaka’s Satire on writing short Names ..

Bolay Kashi Nath zara hum ko batlaana

Donon aankhein hotay huvay likhoon mein “Kaana”

Hindu Ishwar Dutt hain voh likheingay ” Idd”

Lala Leela dhar Ji bun jaayeingay “Leedh”

Ujj-lay Kaanti Lal mintu Kahlaayein “Kaala ”

Pandit Pyare Lal likhay jaayeingay” Pyaala"

Kah Kaka kavi Holi Lal baneigay “Hola "

Babu Chhote Lal likhay Jaayeingay "Chhola"

Jaan boojh kar muft mein kyon hotay badnaam

Utnaa dukh-daayi banay jitnaa lamba naam

(5)

Kaka’s Satire on Police

Padaa padaa kya kar raha re moorakh nadaan

Darpan rakh kar saamnay nijj swroop pehchaan

Kotwaal ban jaaye to ho jaaye kalyaan

Maanav ki to kyaa chalay dar jaaye Bhagwaan

Kah Kaka Jis samay karogay dhaaran vardhi

Khud aa jaaye Ae’nth , akka’d sakh’ti bedardi

Shaan maan vyaktitav ka karnaa chaaho vikaas

Gaali denay ka karo nit niymit abhyaas

Nit niymit abhyaas kanth ko kadak banaao

Begunaah Ko Chor Chor ko shaah bataao

 

 

Sh T K Jalali ,musician and well known vocalist from Kashmir says this :-

“I would like to acquaint friends to Kakas contribution in popularizing  Indian classical music. His publishing house SANGEET KARIYALAYA HATHRUS published all the  treatises on music, all the  publications of Pt. Bhatkhande and  other scholars which form an important part of the teaching curriculum of music in all the  universities till date. He also brought out a monthly magazine SANGEET  which dealt with all the aspects of music and  was  unique periodical of its kind. The world of music will ever remain indebted to him for his great contribution. May almighty bestow peace to his soul.”

 

My suggestion to present day young parents is to let children read him.please pass on a book of Kaka Haathrasi to them. They shall appreciate and like it. Yes you may be put to questions as well. And to see a smile on their faces with eyes focused on his poems is simply satisfying . These poems are value addition to knowledge , positive diversion and a great exercise in understanding world around through satire and simple poetic sensitivity .And “ Kaka” is full of humanism and compassion.

 

( Avtar Mota)

 

                                          

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