I posted a poem "Kharchi" of Gulzar Sa'ab from his book "Raat Pashmine Ki" (which was gifted by a friend as a surprise when we met) few days back on my facebook profile with my confession line "Officially in love with Gulzar" ;) and I got various reactions, specially for the last line. Best was when after few days a friend asked ,"How is your boyfriend?" I didn't get him but replied, "He is absolutely fine. Usko kya hoga". I didn't get him because when you don't have anyone in your life, you can't guess about whom your friends is asking. It could be your favorite actor or favorite cricketer or anyone. But when he asked, "Nhi, is umr mei poochhna padta hai". Then I realised that he is actually asking for Gulzar sahab. :D And I replied him, "Gulzar sahab se rishta unki kalam se hai." which left me thinking what made me write this line. What special I felt while reading those two books of Gulzar.
I have a strong connection with books since childhood. Now, you would think if I had same attachment with my text books. And my reply is "Yes". I remember whenever my parents looked at our(Me and my 2 siblings) books, they always found my books in worst condition. :D And every time I had same reply to them "toh kya mai sabse zyada padhti hu na isliye". Though my marks never helped me to prove this point. But I always enjoyed lost into books.
I loved reading comics(Like Diamond Comics, Nandan, Champak etc.) as a kid and I always enjoyed my Hindi Literature lectures in school, also I love to read short stories publishes in Hindi newspaper once in a week. And the day I started reading drama, fiction etc. I find more pleasure in reading. Views of different authors on different issues and their solutions. I started reading books from short stories. I remember my brother brought two books when i was very young. One was a collection of Nukkad Nataks and another one was on Nostradamus' predictions(I don't remember name of books as we don't have any of these books at home). And from there on my new journey with books started. And I actually started to believe that books are our best friend.
Whenever I start a new book I feel as if I have found a new friend and I feel so lonely after completing the book. But it remains in my memory forever. And i remember them when any similar incident happens with me. While reading book I feel as if I am the protagonist and feel each and every incident taking place. I know this is the quality of a writer to make you feel exactly what is happening in the story. But as reader you also have to open the doors of your imagination to feel the same.
I always carry a book with me while travelling. I read in metro while going to my office and coming back room. And many a times I lost into my book in such a manner that i missed my station, reached few stations ahead then took next train of opposite direction and came to destination. ;) It's hilarious but then this is the power of a book that binds you with them.
I wont say I have read a lot of books but I read all the time. Not only stories but i like to read poetries also. While reading poetries i tend to think about the situation when the poet wrote it. Being a huge fan of Late Jagjit Singh Sa'ab and also of Gulami Ali and Mehendi Hasan ji, i heard many poets in the form of their ghazals like Mirza Ghalib, Qateel Shifai, Faiz, Faraz, Nida Fazli, Gulzar, Javed Akhtar and lot more. Most of the people relate themselves while listening to ghazals. But i try to make stories out of poetry. A poet expresses his/her emotions in very limited words and gives just a hint about the situation or what he felt while writing any poem and a poet never forgets the story behind his poems. No matter how old they are. And may be this is what connected me with Gulzar sahab while reading his poetry book. That I made n numbers of stories with every poem i read. If you ask a poet about what made him write some particular poem and he/she don't come up with satisfactory answer means they don't want to tell you the real story. Now please don't try this on me. ;) I remember I read a poem on a facebook page and end up discussing each couplet with poet who is now a good friend. I said sorry to him for this but i couldn't control myself when i got a chance to interact with poet directly.
I have lot more to talk about books and my love for books but I feel the post is getting very long so I wind up with few lines I read in 'The Monk who sold his Ferrari" by "Robin S. Sharma"
"Remember, some books are meant to be tasted, some books are meant to be chewed and, finally, some books are meant to be swallowed whole.
Thirty minutes a day will make a delightful difference in your life because you will quickly start to see the vast reserves of knowledge available for your use. Every answer to every problem you have ever faced is in print. If you want to be a better lawyer, father, friend or lover, there are books out there that will rocket you to those goals. All the mistakes you will ever make in your life have already been made by those that have walked before you.
All the problems anyone has ever, and will ever face over the course of their lifetime have already been made.More importantly, the answers and solutions are all recorded on the pages of books. Read the right books. Learn how those who have preceded you have handled the challenges you are currently facing. Apply their strategies for success and you will be astonished by the improvements you will note in your life."
So keep reading and keep learning.
