Shri Mangesh Padgaonkar is one of the most celebrated contemporary poet in Marathi Literature. His poems usually have a touch of humor and a philosophy towards life; that is of living it well and to its fullest. He also has composed some serious poems and his
भातुकलीच्या खेळामधली is one among the top. This poem is immensely popular among youths and veterans alike. This poem was immortalized by the voice of Shri Arun Date and the music by Shri Yashwant Deo. Many of us grew listening to this Arun Date's song, as we referred to this poem, without much pondering over its intense meaning. Since when I have understood the meaning of this melodious song, I have felt the desire to translate it to either English or Hindi language. In the evening, when I almost decided to take up the task, I realized that, with my present mood, I had preferred Hindi over English for this particular poem. I felt that I would convey the feelings in the poem more easily in Hindi. While doing so, I have taken the liberty of using different expressions than those used in the original poem. But I have kept the theme same as the original every where in the poem. As I conclude my preface, I hope to have given justice to the poem to the best of my ability.
खेल खेल में था एक राजा और एक उस की रानी,
अधूरा रह गया खेल रह गयी अधूरी एक कहानी
राजा कहता 'मैं तो हूँ तेरे प्रेम का प्यासा भूखा
जुड़ी हुयी है मेरे भाग्य से तेरे हाथ की रेखा'
यह सुन के क्यों आया रानी के नयनो में पानी?
रानी सोचके कहती देखते दूर दूर का तारा
'नहीं है मैंने सोचा हो कल दूजे नगर का फेरा'
किंतु राजा देर से समझा गूढ़ अटल यह बानी!
राजा पूछे उससे 'क्यों दो जीव मिलते हैं?
खिलने से पहले ही क्यों कुछ फूल बिखर जातें हैं?'
इन प्रश्नों का कोई उत्तर दे नहीं पायी रानी
क्या रानी ने छलके आंसू जाते नगर से कुछ दूर?
क्या राजा सह पाया सदमा देखके सपने चूर?
समय के साथ हवा में फहली एक उदास विरानी
खेल खेल में था इक राजा और एक उस की रानी,
अधूरा रह गया खेल रह गयी अधूरी एक कहानी
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राग : वृंदावनी सारंग (नादवेध)
मूल मराठी कविता के संगीत के आधार पर गायी जा सकती है |
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bhatukalichya khela madhali English translation interpretation
मंगेश पाडगांवकर
