As the name suggests, Antrang Satrang is a poetic impression full of emotions and observations across a spectrum of life incidences. 70 Hindi poems. There is a definitive touch of nostalgia and gratitude and a call to action in the face of depression, defeat, and tragedy. And at a few places, the poet Ajay Jugran ( In Hindi AJEYEH- Unconquered) takes light potshots with satire and humour.
The language is simple. There is no attempt to force a point of view or reiterate the observations. Sometimes, you even miss if you were reading a poem or the pages from someone’s intimate diary, as the poet is transparently naked with emotions and feelings. The words just flow, and the meanings emerge within the lines. There is no need to read between the lines. It is what it is on the face and right upfront presented to you.
I did find reading tough in a few places because of the iterative nature of expression or emotion. Maybe it was due to the lack of regular exposure to poems as a medium of expression and writing.
Ajay says he wrote the poems for himself and not necessarily as a contribution to Hindi literature or fame. And it seems so true to heart- as the subject centres around relationships, home, family, and a few observations.
There is not much one can write to explain and build on the poems in Antrang Satrang. The poof of the pudding is eating, so go ahead and read the book. Not that everyone may enjoy it. However, if you have an iota of interest and like Hindi poetry, you will enjoy Antrang Satrang by Ajay Jugran. I enjoyed reading them. However, I found 70 poems a lot too many to read- so give yourself time to immerse and read a few at a time.
NETNET
I have shared a few poems (or part of the poems) from Antrang Satrang so that you can get a flavour of the style. At this stage would point out that some of the poems are extraordinarily long. Still, mostly, they retain the reader’s interest. Maybe the poems need that length to do justice to the subject and observation, and perhaps I find them long as I am more attuned to shorter poems.
This is the second book of poems I am reading and reviewing. The one before it was – UMMEDON KE PANKH by Dwarika Prasad Uniyal.
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