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Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karna's dilemma, Parshuram's rage & Urvashi's love: 5 Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar' poems every Indian should read
(Written by Anushka Rajvedi) When passion, motivation and nationalism merged, it gave rise to the 'RashtraKavi' (National Poet) of India, Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar'. A revolutionary poet, Dinkar's poems resonated the powerful inner voice of the voiceless. Although he wrote during the British colonial era, his works are as relevant today as they were years ago. To read Dinkar is to delve through the rugged terrains of identity, ethics, morality, duty, desire, justice and freedom. By reimagining mythological heroes such as Karna, Yudhistra and Parshuram in the modern day, Dinkar took his readers on a journey of revolution that is rooted in tradition, which is not just an instance of literally brilliance but of themes that are relevant through all ages, rooted in emotions. For a reader who indulges in revolutionary nationalism, with philosophical perceptions that set a courageous tone, here are the 5 most celebrated and honoured mythological poems by Dinkar, that would stir up the soul of readers from every generation. 'जो ना झुका अब तक कभी, जो ना कभी डरा है; रण में, वह क्या झुकेगा, जो झुक गया क़लम से।' (He who never bowed, never feared in war—will he bow to the pen?) Honoured with the Jnanpith Award in 1972, Dinkar, through the lens of the 'tragic hero' Karna, recites the epic of the Mahabharata in a powerfully crafted conflict between the inner voice and society. While most view Karna in a negative light for supporting Duryodhana and the Kauravas, Dinkar portrays him as not just a character, but a symbol of dignity. Conflicted between the ideals of his life and his loyalty to Duryodhana, Dinkar depicts how individuals are often torn between being idealistic and practical. Rashmirathi is wrapped in themes such as caste, identity, morality, justice, loyalty and meritocracy. Known as his 'crowning literary achievement', Dinkar's Rashmirathi is filled with intensity and is rich in imagery. Through the internal conflict of Karna, Dinkar urges his readers to become that power that resonates with the voice of an underdog. 'शांति नहीं तब तक जब तक, सुख-भाग न नर का सम हो।' (There can be no peace until all humans share joy equally.) Churned between the choices of right and wrong, Dinkar reflects on the moral dilemma through a philosophical dialogue between Yudhistra and Krishna after the Mahabharata war. Looking at the bloodshed after the war, Yudhistira was disenchanted. Dinkar, through the dialogues of Krishna, explores the need and the outcome of a war. Kurukshetra highlights the ethical dilemma and the moral conflict that an individual gets stuck in as they live in a world torn apart by war and shrouded in injustice. Dinkar highlights the complexity of morality and values, prompting his readers to consider whether peace and justice can ever prevail in this world without violence. Parshuram ki Pratiksha 'नया दौर है, नया दौर है, नहीं माफ़ अब अपराध पुराना।' (It is a new age—old sins shall no longer be forgiven.) Set in a fierce revolutionary tone, Parshuram ki Pratiksha is a perfect example of mythology blended with morality. Mythological character Parshuram is said to be an avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, who is a warrior-sage who is known for his courage and morality. A metaphor to motivate change in the modern world, Dinkar imagines the warrior-sage Parshuram awaiting the arrival of revolution. In a world where morality decomposes as time passes by, Dinkar ignites a revolutionary fire and urges the new generation to integrate and fight against injustice and corruption. Urvashi 'प्रेम केवल भाव नहीं, है शक्ति, जो नर को बनाती देव।' (Love is not just emotion—it is the power that makes man divine.) Honoured with the highest literary honour, the Jnanpith Award in 1972, Dinkar's Urvashi is a romantic eternal conflict between spiritual and physical love. When the elegance of myth delves into the depths of human emotions, it explores the true beauty of love that goes beyond the boundaries of physical and material love. The love story of a celestial nymph, Urvashi and the king Pururava is elegantly muffled in a lyrical and aesthetic mastery by Dinkar that reverberates the true essence of love in modern times. Renuka 'बेटे के हाथों मारी गयी माँ, फिर भी उठी दिव्य बना।' (The mother slain by her son rose again, more divine than ever.) 'Sacrifice', 'emotions' and 'duty' are terms that even today are often used to refer to one emotion- 'the love of a mother'. Dinkar, through this poem, talks about the maternal love of Renuka, who was killed by her son. Dinkar addresses the conflicts of obligations of duty and emotions, morality and authority and discipline and sacrifice, through the mythological story of Renuka and Parshuram. The warrior-sage Parshuram beheaded his mother Renuka on the command of his father. Dinkar binds his readers in the emotional journey that evokes the sacrifice of a mother who is often entangled in the predicament of 'Dharma', 'Discipline' and 'sacrifice.' (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Pak Will Be Wiped Out If It Continues To Nurture Terrorists: J&K Lt Governor
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday reiterated India's warning that if Pakistan continues to nurture terrorists in its backyard, its existence could be wiped out. Mr Sinha saluted the valour and indomitable courage of the armed forces for their strong and decisive action against the "terrorist nation" through Operation Sindoor. "India has warned terror state Pakistan that our forces can attack every inch of its land, and its entire existence could be wiped off the face of earth if it continues to nurture terrorists in its backyard," Mr Sinha said after attending a theatrical performance of Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's epic poem Rashmirathi, organised by the University of Jammu. "I am proud to see that our young generation is fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers. They are upholding democratic values, protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, and making sure that terror state Pakistan is punished for its misadventure," he said. The L-G also called upon the youth to seize the immense opportunity to serve the nation and play a vital role in shaping the country's future development. "Just like brave soldiers are standing firm in protecting the borders, our young students too should dedicate themselves to driving innovation and India's economic growth," Mr Sinha further said. He paid homage to the great poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and recalled his invaluable contribution to Hindi literature, Indian nationalism and society at large. "Dinkar is incomparable. His poems are timeless, and each verse is dedicated to existence. He induces intense feelings in his epic, and the nation can sing a song through his words. Our ancestors and great warriors have given voice to their feelings through the immortal personality of Dinkar," he said. The L-G said that the representation of Dinkar's epic was dedicated to the heroes of the armed forces who taught a lesson to the terrorist nation Pakistan and demonstrated courage, sacrifice, prowess and justice. "Rashmirathi is not just our ancient history. It is a symbol of the ancient values of righteousness and dharma, which are more relevant than ever before in the evolving geopolitical situation," Mr Sinha said.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Pakistan will be wiped out': J&K LG Manoj Sinha's stern warning for ‘terrorist nation'
Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that Pakistan will be wiped out if it continues to nurture terrorists in its backyard. Speaking at a cultural event in Jammu, Sinha reiterated India's warning, adding that armed forces are prepared to strike 'every inch' of Pakistan's territory if provoked further. "India has warned terror state Pakistan that our forces can attack every inch of its land, and its entire existence could be wiped off the face of the earth if it continues to nurture terrorists in its backyard," Sinha said after attending a theatrical performance of Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's epic poem Rashmirathi, organised by the University of Jammu. Also Read | 'Roti khao, warna meri goli to hai hi': PM Modi's stark warning to Pakistan "I am proud to see that our young generation is fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers. They are upholding democratic values, protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, and making sure that the terror state Pakistan is punished for its misadventure," he said. Sinha's stern message comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India's military retaliation following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. The J&K LG hailed Operation Sindoor as a bold demonstration of India's zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism and praised the armed forces for their decisive actions against what he described as a 'terrorist nation.' Also Read | What EAM Jaishankar said about China's role in the India-Pakistan conflict: 'Draw your conclusions' Sinha also urged India's youth to mirror the spirit of the armed forces by contributing to national growth through innovation, education, and service. "Just like brave soldiers are standing firm in protecting the borders, our young students too should dedicate themselves to driving innovation and India's economic growth," Sinha further said. He paid homage to the great poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and recalled his invaluable contribution to Hindi literature, Indian nationalism and society at large. Also Read | What sets Operation Sindoor apart from past strikes on Pak-backed terrorism? Army veterans answer "Dinkar is incomparable. His poems are timeless, and each verse is dedicated to existence. He induces intense feelings in his epic, and the nation can sing a song through his words. Our ancestors and great warriors have given voice to their feelings through the immortal personality of Dinkar," he said. The L-G said that the representation of Dinkar's epic was dedicated to the heroes of the armed forces who taught a lesson to the terrorist nation Pakistan and demonstrated courage, sacrifice, prowess and justice.
The Print
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Pakistan will be wiped out if it continues to nurture terrorists in its backyard: Manoj Sinha
'India has warned terror state Pakistan that our forces can attack every inch of its land, and its entire existence could be wiped off the face of earth if it continues to nurture terrorists in its backyard,' Sinha said after attending a theatrical performance of Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's epic poem Rashmirathi, organised by the University of Jammu. Sinha saluted the valour and indomitable courage of the armed forces for their strong and decisive action against the 'terrorist nation' through Operation Sindoor. Jammu, May 26 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday reiterated India's warning that if Pakistan continues to nurture terrorists in its backyard, its existence could be wiped out. 'I am proud to see that our young generation is fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers. They are upholding democratic values, protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, and making sure that terror state Pakistan is punished for its misadventure,' he said. The L-G also called upon the youth to seize the immense opportunity to serve the nation and play a vital role in shaping the country's future development. 'Just like brave soldiers are standing firm in protecting the borders, our young students too should dedicate themselves to driving innovation and India's economic growth,' Sinha further said. He paid homage to the great poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and recalled his invaluable contribution to Hindi literature, Indian nationalism and society at large. 'Dinkar is incomparable. His poems are timeless, and each verse is dedicated to existence. He induces intense feelings in his epic, and the nation can sing a song through his words. Our ancestors and great warriors have given voice to their feelings through the immortal personality of Dinkar,' he said. The L-G said that the representation of Dinkar's epic was dedicated to the heroes of the armed forces who taught a lesson to the terrorist nation Pakistan and demonstrated courage, sacrifice, prowess and justice. 'Rashmirathi is not just our ancient history. It is a symbol of the ancient values of righteousness and dharma, which are more relevant than ever before in the evolving geopolitical situation,' Sinha said. PTI AB RUK RUK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Poetry and powerful music: Army's sharp social media tactic hammers in Op Sindoor message
At 1:44 am that day, the government, in a statement, underlined that India has demonstrated 'considerable restraint' in the selection of targets and method of execution and that 'no Pakistani military facilities have been targeted'. India decimated nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir under Operation Sindoor with precision strikes early on May 7 in response to the dastardly April 22 Pahalgam massacre. New Delhi, May 24 (PTI) It is the message delivered that matters. While Operation Sindoor showcased India's military prowess and firm stand against terrorism, the armed forces put out sleek social media posts and videos, one with rock renditions of lines from Dinkar's ballad 'Rashmirathi', to drive home the point. Shortly after, the Indian Army's social media handles carried a poignant message with a poster that has now become a defining image of Operation Sindoor. Along with the message '#PahalgamTerrorAttack Justice is Served. Jai Hind!' the Indian Army's 1:51 am X post carried a poster that was concise in words but heavy on symbolism. The poster had 'OPERATION SINDOOR' written on it with a small bowl carrying vermilion (worn by married Hindu women) forming the first 'O' of the second word while the second 'O' had a dash of the powder around it. Since then, the Indian Army has come up with several thematic short videos on social media platforms that have been widely shared and appreciated. All these videos were made in-house, by the Social Media Section of the Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Strategic Communication, sources in the military establishment said. The songs were carefully chosen, each based on the content and theme, they added. But a video that has stood out for its lyrical appeal and arresting visuals, is the one that was played just before the press briefing of the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) on Operation Sindoor on May 12. As the video rolled, a powerful rendition of a key verse from 'Krishna ki Chetavani', a part of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's timeless classic 'Rashmirathi' echoed. It was a metaphor-laden message delivered to Pakistan by the Indian military with poetic precision. In the video, the rock music style rendition was juxtaposed with the images of the Indian military assets — missiles, naval platforms, weapon system, air defence system — with subtitles. The Hindi lyrics that played along with the video roughly translates to 'When doom hovers over a man, the first thing that vanishes is wisdom… you did not heed wise words, did not recognise the value of friendship… announcing the last resolve. There will be war and not pleading, glory to life or death it will be'. The subtitles of the video carried the words 'prepared', 'each move detected', 'every step watched', 'tracked', 'monitored'. 'The song was specially composed using the specific lines relevant for the theme. The rock music theme was chosen for the effect. The song was created by an in-house team using the latest technology available,' a source in the defence establishment told PTI. A collage of images of the wreckage of Pakistani drones destroyed by the Indian armed forces under Operation Sindoor and a montage of videos showcasing India's military's prowess in all three domains — land, air and sea — played on a large screen along with music. Following the May 7 strikes by India, Pakistan attempted to counterattack on May 8, 9 and 10, but the Indian forces thwarted waves of aerial incursions efficiently. 'The message intended to be conveyed through these music and videos for the audience was that the Indian Army is prepared, ready and capable of using decisive force against India's adversaries. 'Those with nefarious designs against the nation should not lose sight of the Indian Army's might, reach and valour,' another source in the defence establishment told PTI. Before the briefing by the military on May 11, Shiva Tandava Stotram was played on the big screen, setting the tone for the press conference. A montage of images showing damage inflicted by the Indian military under Operation Sindoor played with subtitles such as — 'heed our advice', 'terrorism will have a cost for Pakistan', 'heavy', 'inevitable', 'unaffordable'. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the military confrontation after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. PTI KND NSD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
