Clean Doon, Green Doon: A Dream Unattained Remember the days when taxi coloured black and yellow Vikrams circled around the city? If you do, then you must have travelled in one. And most probably have noticed the eye-catchy slogan inked on the Vikram citing, “स्वच्छ दून, सुन्दर दून” which literally translates Clean Doon, Green Doon. … Read more
Reminiscing the old days, when Narendra Singh Negi Ji’s song used to play on the CD player. Though the music players died an untimely death. But we still have the old CD’s of our favourite Pahari singers. Reminding us of the glorious teen-hood spent listening. And also dancing to the tunes of bagpipers, dhol-damau and … Read more
Pandava Nritya of Uttarakhand: A Religious Theatrical Dance Performed in Garhwal The enigmatic Garhwal division of Uttarakhand in its initial years was famous as Kedarkhand, the region meant for indulging in spiritual bliss. Many sacred sites and holy practices evolved here which sometimes sprouted out of legends. While other times, out of the beliefs of … Read more
Lost Dehra: Life in Doon from the eyes of a ’90s kid Ever since I opened my eyes, I have been living in Dehradun and have seen it blossoming with me. Pillowed in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is one of the oldest cities in India. Peacefully cradled in the Doon Valley, on the … Read more
घुमक्कड़ी मैख्व़ार मैं,जरा अलग हूँ… एक शराब,बूंद-बूंद मिलकर बरसती है मिरे पैमाने में…समन्दर हो जाती है..मैं उसके नशे में चूर रहता हूँ। मैं सस्ती,मस्ती नहीं पीता..मेरी मस्ती, परम का प्रसाद है,जिसके खजाने प्रकृति मे सरेआम बिखरे पडे हैं। मेरी यायावरी मुझे उन तक पहुँचाती है…इक नया कलेवर मुझे ओढ़ाती है..घुमक्कड़ी मेरी फितरत में शामिल है..तो … Read more
रुकी-रुकी सी साँसें.. रुकी-रुकी सी साँसें आ रही हैं इस कदर.. मरा-मरा सा कोई जी रहा हो जैंसे। अनवरत अश़्क यूं आँख से बह गये.. समन्दर में सुराख़ हुआ हो जैंसे। मेरी बातों से धुआँ सा उठता है क्यों.. मेरे भीतर कोई शख़्स राख़ हुआ हो जैंसे।