Actor Amitabh Bachan with his parents . Dr Harivansh Rai Bachan Shrivastava and Mrs Teji Bachan
DASHDWAAR SE SOAPAAN TAK : A Book ( Autobiography of Dr Hari Vansh Bachan part 4 )
“ This is not a book that gives us the story of Bachan ji and his family alone . It gives us the story of an age and era that has emerged in more deep colours and contours . “ Dr Hazaari Prasaad Diwedi .
“ If i look at Autobiographies , this book appeals to me as the tallest and absorbing.” Ramdhaari singh Dinkar
“ Such books can be guiding tools for our new Generation. Our youth must read such books . It is for their benefit ” Dr Shiv Mangal singh Suman
The autobiography of Harivansh Rai Bachan ( Amitabh Bachan’s Father ) is in four parts published as four separate Books . Kya Bhooluun Kyaa Yaad karoon , Need Kaa Nirmaan Phir Phir ,Baseiray Se Door and Dashdwaar se Soapaan Tak. All the four books are amazingly absorbing. I want every one to read them . Read them thoroughly. Those who have not read them have missed something great . Missed the sincere observations of a great mind . Brilliant anecdotes. A fulsome peep into Amitabh’s grand personality as a loving father , Husband , son , Friend, Father in law and law abiding citizen. A Peep into the personality of some great writers , poets, painters and politicians . Stories about the Author’s visits to Europe , Russia and central Asia .The Poet’s struggle with depressing poverty at his village . His own poverty . His tuitions . Death of his first wife Shyamala . His love for poetry . Allahabad University Days. Both Firaq Gorakhpuri and Harivansh taught English at Allahabad University .His love marriage with Teji . The noted poet, a man of few words, was enamoured by Teji's charms and spirited commitment to the society. They fell in love and married in 1941. Born to a Sikh family, Teji Suri married Harivansh Rai Bachchan in 1941 after the death of his first wife Shyamala. she met Harivansh Rai Bachchan Srivastava in Allahabad where he taught English at the Allahabad University. Bachchan was a widower at that time, having lost his first wife, Shyama, after 10 years of marriage. During his lifetime, Harivansh Rai remained completely engrossed in his muse, leaving his dynamic wife to handle all family matters. Even in social engagements, Bachchan senior always willingly played second fiddle to his gregarious wife. Besides her commitment to social service, Teji also took part as an amateur artiste in dramatic groups, both in Allahabad and New Delhi.
Bollywood circles say that without his mother's encouragement, Amitabh would never have given up a secure private job in Kolkata to step into the quick sands of Bollywood. She was an accomplished singer and stage performer in her early days and acted in Shakeapeare's plays translated by her husband. It was Harivansh Rai and Teji Bachchan that Indira Gandhi sent her daughter-in-law-to-be Sonia Maino when the young Italian arrived in India to marry an Indian Airlines pilot named Rajiv Gandhi? She was anxious that Sonia learn a bit about Indian culture and customs, and who better to give her a crash course than the elder Bachchans?
EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK
(1)
“Amitabh never brings his problems before me. He tries that I should not even know it from others. Possibly he knows that the struggle that I had put up in my life was enough and no more worries for me from his side. Yes he is quite open with his mother. One day I heard him saying to his mother that with his body structure , it has not be possible for him to establish himself as a hero in the film industry . He confided to her that he would now try for a side hero roles .That was when Amit had acted in two or three films.I also could not help him with any advice as I had very little knowledge about films . I would often mistake Dileep Kumar for Rajinder kumar. You can now understand my knowledge about films .Yes during those days even some producers asked for return of the advance amount from Amitabh for films that he had initially signed for them . He was worried . I was helpless. Then My friend Satyendra sharat came to live with was for some days . He was connected with film industry and advised Amit to have patience . He told us that Amit has the potential to be a star one day.
Here i can tell you one thing clearly . Amit has a wonderful style not only to carry but also to present himself for any event. His command over Hindi and English is more than normal.. And I am sure the day he writes his autobiography , it shall surpass all sale records .
During this period we celebrated Amitabh’s 30th birthday on 11-10-1972. Amitabh was not happy with his Film work. No offers were coming to him . He attached no importance to his Birthday. Teji and I bought a gift for him without his knowledge. I wrote a special poem. Amit was happy with this gift and the poem. He left for his shooting seeking our blessings.”
(2)
“Teji had a serious attack of Asthama.We went to doctors in Mumbai . Some said that we should shift to some dry climatic zone. The humid air of Mumbai had aggravated her problem. I talked to Amit and Jaya . They felt sad . It was the period of Amit’s first wedding anniversary . The son wanted his mother around. But the son also wanted his mother to get well . He was in pain to see her unwell. She had recurrent attacks. As per doctor’s advice , Amit and jaya decided to arrange a house for us in Greater kailash New Delhi. Sent a truck load of goods with a new fiat car , a cook and a driver for our comfort. A telephone connection . New Curtains . A study room was created for me . My friend Sateyndra lived near Archana cinema in Greater kailash area New Delhi.. Accordingly Amit looked for a house nearby .I was happy . Teji and jaya felt sad . Amit ensured that we had a three bedroom house so that he could come frequently. Requested Satyendra’s wife Usha ji to take care of us .Usha ji was a teacher . Even during his busy shooting schedules , Amit called his mother daily and never forgot to thank Usha ji . aftetr her school closed around 1 PM , Usha ji was with us till evening every day. I wrote very little as Teji’s health kept me worried. Amitabh and Ajitabh kept visiting their mother . Allopathic medicins did not give the desired relief to Teji who would remain confined to bed .One day Amit Brought a senior Homeopathic Doctor from Mumbai with him. Teji read Hanuman Chaalisaa without fail everyday..A little improvement. For Teji’s birthday Amitabh sent His daughter Shweta and Jaya and a maid to Delhi. Ajitabh also came with his wife. Teji felt happy in the company of shweta. Theraafter Amitabh had to go to Kashmir or shooting of his film kabhi kabhi. He insisted that his mother and i should also join them. He felt that this might make his mother better. He booked a special suite for us in Hotel Oberoi palace srinagar. Beautiful lawn . One can sit in this lawn for hours and hours and be in mother nature’s lap. We saw Amitabh’s serious acting in this lawn only. Shweta would be with us for the whole day . Teji and myself were very happy. In the Hotel’s beautiful Lawns , Teji played with shweta. Celeberated Amiitabh’s birthday in Kashmir on 11.10.1974. I wrote a lullaby for little Shweta …..
Chidiya o chidiya kahaan tera ghar!
O Little Sparrow ! where is your nest ?
And Amitabh would frequently come to us from the make up room. Talk to us and immediately switch over to is acting . Appeared so much absorbed as if all others around were strangers .Punctual and disciplined . Not wise for a father to praise his son . But the happiness of listening his praise from others ;Yes he always gave this happiness to us in bountiful measures. “
( Amitabh with his father )
Dhanya Bhaag Pitu So Jug jaana
Kaan Sunaa Jo Poot Bakhaana
( Tulsi Dass )
( What more luck does that father need in this world ,
who listens his son’s praise from one and all.? )
( Autar Mota )
Based on a work at
http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
