By SHRI RAM SHAW
NEW DELHI: “It’s not that what is being written at present is superficial and ineffective. Many people are writing very well. Over the years, there has been a competition to become a stage poet. The success of some people on the stage has created a feeling among the new poets that they can also establish themselves as professional ones. They get stuck in writing reactionary literature. Due to this, the level of their poetry writing begins to fall. Only the poetry that originated from the deep churning of thoughts can last for a long time, otherwise it is natural to have lightness in it.” These views were expressed by renowned Ghazal writer Shivkumar Bilagrami who is currently serving as Joint Director, Lok Sabha Secretariat.
Extremely articulate and succinct, ‘‘Kabhi jab gaaon jata hoon, toh bachpan dhoondhta hoon main’’ famed Bilagrami regaled this journalist (Shri Ram Shaw) with innumerable anecdotes and experiences during an exclusive interview.
When asked, “You are basically identified as a lyricist and poet. Many singers have sung your songs and ghazals. Will you tell something about them”, he said, “It is true that many singers have given their voice to my poetry. Many famous singers like Anuradha Paudwal, Jaspinder Narula, Suresh Wadekar, Shaan, Kailash Kher, K S Chitra, Sadhna Sargam, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Hema Sardesai have lent their voices to one of my songs – “Jai Hind Vande Mataram”.
One of his songs – Prithvi Manthan – has been sung by famous Odisha singer Susmita Das. This song has received many international awards including Golden Peacock. “Many of my bhajans including Shree Ganesh Stuti and Durga Stuti have been sung by Akhya Singh and released by Sanskar Music. Famous singers like Shad Ghulam Ali, Riaz Khan, Rajesh Singh, Satish Mishra, Sarita, Nishant Daksh and Saksham have given their voice to my Ghazals. These Ghazals are available on different YouTube channel,” he said.
How long have you been doing poetry writing? Have any of your books been published? To this question, he responded, “I have been writing poetry for many years. But for the last 10 years, I started writing with a little attention. Earlier, I used to write lyrics and muktak in Hindi.”
“About a decade ago, I met the master craftsman of Hindi-Urdu poetry – Sarvesh Chandausvi. He inspired me towards writing ghazals. Not only he inspired but also taught the nuances of Ghazal writing. My first ghazal collection – Nai Kahkashan – was published. After that, in the year 2018, my second Ghazal collection – Woh Do Pal – was published. This ghazal collection has received Adam Gondvi Samman from Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan. More than 40 ghazals have been sung from this collection,” he added.
Replying to the question – what is so special about your poetry that so many singers are singing them – Bilagrami said, “Only those who are singing my poetry will be able to tell about this. But singing poetry has to pass the test of verses. Apart from this, it must also be perfect according to rhythm. Connectivity of ideas and consistency in theme are special things that singers like. The strength of simple, comprehensible language and expressions also attract singers to sing poetry.”
Bilagrami has written on many topics. About his favourite topic, he divulged, “Yes, I have written on various topics like love, spirituality, human relation, nature love, modern society, patriotism, disintegration of relations, family separation, immigration, women oppression, loneliness, exploitation, blind race towards materialism. But I have written the most on love and devotion and these are also my favourite topics.”
There is a different kind of depth in his writing. Shiva Stuti, Ram Stuti, Hanumat Lalitashtakam written by him are unique in themselves. About the inspiration he said, “I get inspired from them for whom I write. Poetry writing is not just an amalgation of words, verses and expressions. Apart from the detailed knowledge of words and verses, divine grace is also needed to emit feelings. Your imagination and sensitivity make your writing unique. The more you immerse yourself in a subject, the better you can express it.”
When asked, these days many people are writing poetry. But everything seems very superficial and ineffective, Bilagrami said, “It’s not that what is being written at present is superficial and ineffective. Many people are writing very well. Over the years, there has been a competition to become a stage poet. The success of some people on the stage has created a feeling among the new poets that they can also establish themselves as professional ones. They get stuck in writing reactionary literature. Due to this, the level of their poetry writing begins to fall. Only the poetry that originated from the deep churning of thoughts can last for a long time, otherwise it is natural to have lightness in it.”