Asian Literary Society

“The world has come to a stop - the contagion of the deadly virus that had been sweeping the world, nation by nation, has reached the next alley, and it is a matter of time before it sneaks into your house …” Nisha had been reading a news article in the morning. The world had stopped indeed- offices were closed, shops shut-down and all transports had been stopped. They wanted to stop the virus from spreading- 'Break the chain'- flashed often on the TV screen these days. However, Nisha was working with the electricity department, and it was an essential service, so she, like many unfortunate ones, couldn’t afford to work from home. And thus, every morning she and Rehana from the next building, would kick-start their scooties in unison, nodding and smiling at each other as they passed in opposite directions. Rehana was an unfortunate soul like her, perhaps more so, because she was a doctor.  -------------- Nisha was an independent broad-minded woman, her mind wasn’t sh...

I gaze at the pearly, pallid clouds in the purple-hued sky, wafting ‘n wandering, Heaving ‘n hauling one another, jabbing ‘n jogging with the jaunty gust The wind wafts a blush of plum, purple sky inside, trembling ‘n tottering  It tows ‘n tugs the strings of the bundle of my memories, dotted with dust A misty morning tide, tumbles down, merges ‘n melds into the air all around  Swathes ‘n swaddles me, in the fluffy, fleecy threads of a weathered, worn quilt You are by my side, O’ mother, once again, in your whiff I’m drenched ‘ n drowned Your priceless embrace lingers, you wipe my brow, efface all my regrets ‘n guilt Another memory bounces out, a summer afternoon, under the Gulmohar tree Tangerine sunlight peeking through, lush boughs, waltzing with the breeze Your tiny legs race ‘n rush towards me, I ravel in your zest ‘n zeal, joy ‘n glee The priceless twinkle of your eyes lies at the core of my pneuma, forever within reach This other memory...

I clambered on to the bandwagon, avowing ‘n affirming  a rendezvous with You Bursting ’n bustling with verve ‘n vigor, I trailed the people who said they knew,  I peregrinated the sacred sanctums, traipsed ‘n trekked the shrine ‘n sanctuary  Coveting ‘n craving a divine glimpse, a celestial parley to savor ‘n carry The crowds jabbed ‘n jostled, I toiled ‘n tackled but was shoved to the fringe I clutched on to the bulging bag of pain ‘n agony, plodding not to impinge  A rocky ‘n ragged road beckoned, serpentine ‘n sinuous ‘twas, the route not oft taken,  I drifted ‘n dawdled along the path, bereft of options, I was shattered, shunned ‘n shaken No roadmaps, devoid of any milestones, the path curled ‘n curved every step of the way “Be still,” the road said, “submit ‘n surrender to me, play along, I’d try not to leave you astray.” The spiked scree ripped ‘n rived my bundle, the pain ‘n despair sp...

The deadly contagion crept sneakily into our lives  As it spread like wild fire it caught us by surprise  People feared catching the disease through close contact  So they maintained safe distances as the virus incessantly attacked  A disease that took the entire world by storm  No vaccines, no cures and no medical reforms  Outbreak of pandemic exposed us to numerous health risks  And left the entire medical fraternity in a fix  Day after day the number of infected people spiked It affrighted people and left them completely psyched  They struggled to cope with their financial losses And tried to make do with limited resources  Several measures were taken to stop the contagion’s spread  Around the world that had led to millions of deaths Social distancing and quarantine were practiced to name a few People became alert and slowly awareness grew  This contagion has hit the economy...

‘I’m sorry,’ the doctor said, ‘Your child has tested positive for the AMBID virus.’ Naina, my wife, fell into a chair. I stood and stared at the doctor – rendered mute. ‘AMBID! How...how is that possible?’ Naina’s query brought me out of my inert state. ‘He’s a baby. We both tested negative. How can our child test positive?’ I asked, flummoxed. ‘Babies due to their low immunity are at risk. Your child is seven months old. He could have contracted it from just about anyone. His body could not resist such an invasive virus,’ the doctor explained. In the darkness that swamped my sanity I heard Naina plead, ‘I want to see my baby...please, doctor.’ The doctor shook his head. ‘I’m sorry but, the risk of contagion is too high. We need to minimize your exposure. I cannot allow you in the NICU.’ What was he saying? We couldn’t be with our baby. The doctor read the flurry of questions in my mind. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said, ‘Your baby will be cared for. That’s o...

At a zigzag of crossroads, life stood to stare A critical conjecture of moments of crisis and dare Intersections and junctures seemingly effortless and upbeat While Others spiked with paths thorny and obsolete Day in and out poured deliberations and suggestions Those that determined the hour of the decision Even when I took the pavements smooth They turned prickly, spiny and uncouth I struggled and toiled to reach my goal While my peer cakewalked as they strolled Every simple effortless  road that it may seem Were perplexing, exigent n baffling a dream Roads taken by one's own choice or resolve  In hindsight appeared  something better could've evolved I have no rues or qualms as life is ordained to be As the road not taken was my destiny.

She tried fighting back her tears as they packed him, her husband of ten years. It was just last night they had cooked dinner, watched tv, and put the kids to sleep. He had complained of some uneasiness in the middle of the night, she had struggled to get anyone to help. In her locality, with hundreds of shanties huddled together, strewn across a few cents of marshland, the contagion had claimed a few lives and rendered many infected. Amidst the lockdown and panic, even the closest neighbors hesitated, she had somehow managed an ambulance. In less than an hour, they declared it was a massive heart attack, but when she suggested calling her relatives, the doctors refused. Wasn’t their fault, the hospital happened to be in the red zone, the beds were overflowing, they needed to be careful. In the early hours of the morning, her husband was cremated, with none of his siblings or friends to accompany him in his last journey. There weren’t any last rites, just her and the dreaded...

कुंठित मन की कुंठा मन में कूट-कूट कुम्ह्लाती है. प्राण प्रिये प्रियवर की याद..रात दिन सताती है.. क्षण भर की भी दूरी जो, मन को मेरे स्पर्श करे. हरी - भरी धरती ये मन की, बंजर सी हो जाती है.. उन्मोदित उल्लेखन तेरा, सारी उमर मै करता हूं. पुलकित पुष्प की पुष्पसुगंधा, जीवन अर्पित करता हूं.. जीवनरुपी धारा मे सहज-सरल बह चलता हूं... संवेदन संपूर्ण संगिनी, तुम्हे समर्पित करता हूं... कण-कण मे कंठस्त हुई तुम, कमल-कुमुदनी कार्यसंगिनी. करुणामयी ये काया तेरी, बसी हृदय में हृदयरागिनी.. मंत्रमुग्ध, मदमस्त ये मौसम मन-मोहित कर लेता है.. मधुबेला मे मधुर मिलन, अगर तेरा हो मनमोहिनी... विचारों के विश्लेषण में, सिर्फ तेरा ही व्याख्यान रहे.. धरा-गगन, एकांत इस मन में केवल तेरा ध्यान रहे... प्रियतमा प्यारी प्रेम प्रतिज्ञा प्रियवर की याद रूलाती है... कौतूहल कोलाहल में भी तन्हा सी कर जाती है... विषम विदाई की घड़ी, निकट मेरे जब आती है.. कुंठित मन की कुंठा मन में कूट-कूट कुम्हलाती है.. प्राण प्रिये प्रियवर की याद..रात दिन सताती है।

Stark white hair adorned his wrinkled face His empty eyes gaped in infinite space No words he spoke nor heard the chirping birds Alas! He was blind and deaf and bereft of spoken words Spirited and effervescent, a lassie all of nine was she Of an age that did not echo with sentiments deep Her eyes spoke of an unblemished soul The two became friends through life’s rigmarole Not a word they could ever exchange verbally Yet their deepest  emotions were conveyed soulfully  Scribbling on each other’s leaf plain palms Words that were no less than a healing balm For reason unknown, they had to separate amidst life’s storms The little girl scribed “It’s time for me to go away” on his palm For a moment everything came to a complete standstill That moment she was unable to comprehend his silent shrill As the continual tears flowed down his ashen face Those heart-breaking words many times did he erase Though eons have passed but the yearning remains timeless The special bond they shared ...

दिन थक कर जब हारे उसे बेसब्री से रात का इंतेज़ार होता है और फिर ना जाने कितनी दफ़ा वो उसकी नाज़ोंअदा से बेज़ार होता है धीरे धीरे रात का समा तनहा और कुछ मदहोश हो जाता है और बेफ़िक्री भरे आलम में ये संसार नशे में सो जाता है जब तलक़ ना ख़्वाबों में इश्क़ से बात पूरी होती है तब तलक़ उस रात की मियाद बस अधूरी रहती है अलसाए हुए सी रात अंगड़ाई लेकर दिन को आवाज़ लगाती है तब दबे पाँव आकर भोर सारे जहाँ पर अपना आँचल फैलाती है रात घमंड में चूर दिन से कहती है कि तुम मेरे बिन अधूरे हो इतरा कर दिन कहता है कि तुम मेरे बिन कौन सा पूरे हो गुज़ारा नहीं बिन एक दूसरे के फिर भी तकरार में इनकी ज़िंदगी गुज़र है नील आसमाँ के तले ही तो दोनों का अपना अपना जहाँ बसर है दिन चढ़े पाखी अपने ख़्वाबों का आशियाना बनाते हैं साँझ होते ही वो थक हार अपने घर लौट आते हैं बस यूँ ही दिन और रात की अठखेलियों का दौर चलता रहता है  और वक़्त का कालचक्र बिन थमे आगे को बढ़ता रहता है हर बार साँझ और सहर का जिस लम्हे मिलाप होता हैं तब दूर क्षितिज पर कभी सूरज का अंत तो कभी हसीन आग़ाज़ होता है उम्मीद के दिए जलते हैं और रोशन जहां भी तभी ...

  मानस पटल पर अंकित,  सृष्टि रचयिता के दो विरोधाभास:  सकारात्मकता और नकारात्मकता के दो आयाम |  दिन के आरंभ होते ही विहग का  कलरव,  अंतहीन उड़ान की तैयारी,  पथिक की अनवरत यात्रा,  गतिमान होने की सरसता |  चल अचल संसार की भव्यता ,  और दिन भर लययुक्त कार्य करने की जुझारता |  रात आते ही अस्ताचल के सूरज  के साथ अपने  नीड  पर पहुंचने की आकुलता |  यदि रात शब्द हीन ना होती, तो रुकना संभव ना होता  बुद्ध का गृह त्याग ,  महाभारत के युद्ध के स्थगन का शंखनाद ना होता |  अर्ध रात्रि में भारत आजाद ना होता |  उस  रचयिता को शत-शत नमन  जिसने गतिमान रहने,  और विश्राम  करने के सहज ही दो दृष्टिकोण दिए |  चिर प्रतीक्षित रात का इंतजार है, थकान के समापन का बिंदु,  और फिर से रात के अवसान के बाद नए दिन का शुभारंभ | .

मध्य रात्रि, रोहिणी नक्षत्र में कान्हा हुए अवतरित, बंदीगृह में बेड़ियाँ पहनी देवकी माँ भी हुई हर्षित, चीरता हुआ काली रात, प्रकाश हो गया प्रज्वलित, चतुर्भुज ने दिखायी राह, कारागृह हुआ प्रकाशित; हुई कालिमा रात्रि की और गहरी, घनेरी  व  अँधेरी, बेड़ियाँ टूटीं मूर्छित हुए सिपाही, पहरेदार, संत्री मंत्री, लाडला लिए वासुदेव चल पड़े गोकुल वृंदावन नगरी,  बरसती रात, वासुकी नाग श्रीकृष्ण पर बिछाए छतरी; पाकर लाल को गोद में माँ यशोदा के घर हुआ उजाला, रोशनी बना सुबह की, माखनचोर ब्रज का नन्दलाला, मथुरा नगरी में भांजे को ढूँढता ख़ूँख़ार क्रूर कंस मामा, बुझ गयी अंधेरी रात सी मामा के अंतर्मन की ज्वाला; बालकृष्ण की लीलाओं से मोहित हुआ ये जग सारा, पदचिह्न जहाँ पड़े उनके, हुआ वहाँ दिन का उजियारा, गोपियों के वस्त्र चुराए, कभी कालिया को मार गिराया, कभी स्तनपान कर पूतना को मौत के मुँह में पहुँचाया; अत्याचारी कंस से पीड़ित देवकी वासुदेव की हर छाया,  दुःखी देख, भांजे कृष्ण ने मामा कंस पर क़हर बरसाया, देकर मृत्यु कंस को अधर्म पर धर्म का सवेरा जगमगाया, कंस की काली रात से ...

We savor our favorite meals when she toils endlessly in the kitchen, Cradling her sick child in her warm lap she nurses him with utmost devotion. An epitome of selfless love and undeniable sacrifice, Aren't Mothers God's most beautiful and priceless creation! He plods along in the daily strife to make ends meet, And bears the whips and scorns of life to provide for his family, Making sacrifice of self, he abandons his dreams and happiness patiently, Aren't Fathers priceless assets for their children, loving them unconditionally! Valiantly accepting death at the prime of their lives, Our freedom fighters sacrificed themselves for the cause of the nation. So are our brave soldiers who risk their lives guarding our motherland, Aren't we indebted to them for the freedom we enjoy, our priceless possession! Leaving their families behind and the warm comforts of their homes, The Doctors, health workers, the policemen fight the deadly contagion...

I stood and stared at the distorted image of myself In the mirror that shone under the reflection of the moon Layers of secrets separated me from the essence of who I am I lived in the fear of being an imposter to myself My inner self being fragmented and I disavowed what I didn’t want to acknowledge I felt incoherent and incongruent like a stranger to my own self A stranger I was afraid to know And that invited me into contemplation and An insatiable quest to know my true being arose I broke the walls of my belief system And started a new journey discovering my core And then I learned to embrace the stranger within me And finally, could see that the stranger was a shadow Of my failures, misguided actions and struggles And as I moved towards openheartedness Responding to the stranger within The shadow vanished and there was no stranger It was a unique, gifted, beautiful soul, that’s me

the sweet smell of the soil wafted through the air and the drops came to greet the earth with the splendor of their music and the sensation of joy every leaf shone in wonder and branches swayed in delight welcoming the crystals to quench their thirst clouds drifted by appreciating the bluebird sky flowers smiled with brilliance waving their heads as the little drops of rain danced on their petals the fragrance in the air invited me to pause time and take in a moment the scent has stimulated every single feeling of bliss I bathed in that perfume as my heart frissioned with joy inside there was magic in the air my soul whirled in the scent of the lingering petrichor as I stood on the edge of time waiting for the world to pass me by

Summer holidays No school for four weeks Freedom to roam the fields at ease Seeing the delicate plumes of grass Waving hello to the warm breeze Laying down in the meadow Amongst the daisies, the buttercups, The white flowers of clover Smelling their subtle scent Watching the birds’ fly-over Feeling the sun touching my skin Hearing the buzzing of bees Noticing a fluttering, colorful butterfly Wishing to join the fluffy white clouds That drift along high in the sky Picking a big bunch of dazzling daisies To take home for my Mum Of which I could tell Would bring a smile to her face I remember it well My precious memories All one of a kind Always remaining so special to me Forever etched in my mind.

The path you’re traversing, I know it isn’t so tranquil But have no regrets my dear, For the path forsaken, for the road not taken Trust your wisdom and believe your vigor For the ordeals and obstacles, you encounter on this path Are designed to make you potent, No matter how smooth, appears the road not taken That distant, enchanting path that allures your heart Remember, it may pose its own uncanny tussles, To test your verve, to gauge your balance Pitfalls that aren’t visible, on the road not taken Fatigued, anxious and distraught you may have been Laden with thorns, this road may seem But flora that embellishes the road not taken Could be the disguise for bushes with spines The journey of life is rife with roads To experience one path, we relinquish other ways For the road you’ve taken, is where you were meant to be So live unremorseful, of uncharted roads not taken