Amitabh Bachchan is truly the most witty and intelligent actor who knows how to posit his views to the audiences. His responses over any issue are worth noting. The way he articulates his thoughts on social media is priceless and one such instance of his sheer brilliance with words took place recently when he penned his thoughts on being clicked relentlessly by the paparazzi on his visit to Lilavati Hospital for a routine check up.
He begins his poetry with a sharp yet notorious, “Ji haan Janab main aspataal jaata hun” (yes , your ‘excellencies’ I do go to hospitals). Here’s the entire poem he wrote:
“जी हाँ जनाब मैं अस्पताल जाता हूँ
yes , your ‘excellencies’ I do go to hospitals
( ‘janab’ ‘huzoor’ are rank titles, as in Excellency used for Kings & Heads of State ; respect and honour titles .. they originated from the Persian language .. often in Hindi speech we use them to address personnel colloquially, sometimes with respect, sometimes tongue in cheek .. here it is respect, addressed to all that read this missive )
बचपन से ही इस प्रतिकिया को जीवित रखता हूँ ,
this practice have I kept alive from birth
वहीं तो हुई थी मेरी प्रथम पयदाइशि चीत कार
was not this the place where they heard my first cry at birth
वहीं तो हुआ था अविरल जीवन का मेरा स्वीकार
this was the place where was welcomed my existence of life
इस पवित्र स्थल का अभिनंदन करता हूँ मैं
to this salubrious sterility my respect and obeisance
जहाँ इस्वर बनाई प्रतिमा की जाँच होती है तय
where image models, the Almighty made, do be examined
धन्य है वे ,
blessed are they
धन्य हैं वे
blessed are they
जिन्हें आत्मा को जीवित रखने का सौभाग्य मिला
That have had the privilege of keeping alive the ‘atma’ of all
भाग्य शाली हैं वे जिन्हें , उन्हें सौभाग्य देने का सौभाग्य ना मिला
fortuned are they who do not give privilege, to give them, who are privileged
बनी रहे ये प्रतिक्रिया अनंत जन जात को
may this routined need, remain in eternity for all
ना देखें ये कभी अस्वस्थता के चंडाल को
may they never be enveloped in the poisoned well of undesired health
( ‘chandal’ is actually a slur used to describe filthy low personage, that bring only devastation and ugly deeds .. I refer to the illness as that )
पहुँच गया आज रात्रि को Lilavati के प्रांगण में
Yes I did reach the courtyard tonight of the Lilavati Hospital
देव समान दिव्यों के दर्शन करने के लिए मैं
To meet them the Godlike ‘saints’ that dwell within
विस्तार से देवी देवों से परिचय हुआ
With great expanse did introductions with these ‘divine’ take place
उनकी वचन वाणी से आश्रय मिला
Their words and consultation ridden with hope
निकला जब चौ पहियों के वाहन में बाहर ,
Emerged when I did, on my 4 -wheeled carrier
‘रास्ता रोको’ का ऐलान किया पत्र मंडली ने , हम जर्जर
‘Rasta Roko’ was the announcement among the media paparazzi, in its immensity, on us ‘jarjar’ ..
( ‘rasta roko’ .. a term used by them that do public demonstrations, to express their concerns – literally ‘Block the Road’ – I use it metaphorically in good spirit .. and ‘jarjar’ is to describe a lost deflated useless decrepit condition .. here it is metaphorically describing my condition )
चका चौंद कर देने वाले हथियार बरसाते हैं ये
Blinded they make us with their onslaught of special ‘weaponry’
( a reference to ‘weaponry’ is to their camera’s )
मानो सीमा पार कर देने का दंड देना चाहते हैं वे
Seeming almost, their wish to punish us, as though we may have crossed the LOC
( the Line of Control, the border line designed and executed by 2 nations )
समझ आता है मुझे इनका व्यवहार ;
I can understand their behavioural attitude
समझ आता है मुझे, इनका व्यवहार ,
I can understand their behavioural attitude
प्रत्येक छवि वार है ये उनका व्यवसाय आधार ,
Each visual attack, is their business dependence
बाधा ना डालूँगा उनकी नित्य क्रिया पर कभी
I shall not obstacle their daily drill
प्रार्थना है बस इतनी उनसे मगर , सभी
My prayers though to them all
नेत्र हीन कर डालोगे तुम हमारी दिशा दृष्टि को
Destroy you shall our sight and vision of eye
यदि यूँ अकिंचन चलाते रहोगे अपने अवज़ार को
If you shall deliberate this weaponry of yours, over us poor souls
हमारी रक्षा का है बस भैया, एक ही उपाय ,
Our protection on this dear ones, is but one
इस बुनी हुई प्रमस्तिष्क साया रूपी कवच के सिवाय
This knitted shield, only, that protects my cerebrum
( the cover over my eyes is my knitted cap .. I have slid it over my eyes to protect the ‘flash’ of the camera ‘weaponed’ paparazzi )
~ amitabh bachchan”
Amitabh’s sarcastic take on the paps is worth praising. Do not skip the read!