Goethe defines literature as the humanization of the whole world. Perhaps he wants to convey that literature can make us human for leading a good and happy life— a life that can offer warm and satisfied feel and boost our inner reserves of strength. Such a life can build self-discipline, self-confidence, self-awareness and self-esteem— bestowing us not only an extra edge to face the world, but also the vision of the whole. It is also applicable in the poetry of Brajbhushan Singh Gautam ‘Anurag.’ His poems have the capacity to bring dark aspects of life with social, moral and spiritual observations into the open, where they can be discussed and judged by the sensitive readers. Though most of the times they begin with dark subjects, they end with constructive notes communicating the difference between the right and the wrong and their consequential impacts on all the entities of the earth. They also give an opportunity to the readers to decide how to get inspiration for a better living, how to travel the path of right thoughts, right words and right action for a significant performance in the cosmic drama of life and how to grow along with the plan of the poet for becoming a towering personality amidst the present scenario of the world.
Hence, it would not be out of place to introduce Brajbhushan Singh Gautam ‘Anurag’ whose thirty Hindi poems, taken from his anthology— Sanson Ki Samadhi, are translated into English. Mr Anurag was born on 30th June 1933 at Badaun, U.P. At the age of 23, he left Badaun for Moradabad and finally settled here. Being a meritorious student, he got post-graduate degrees in five subjects— Hindi, Political Science, Economics, History and Sociology and, thereafter, a bachelor’s degree in Law. He is a prolific poet and writer of Hindi literature. His literary pieces have been published in various magazines, newspapers, anthologies, etc. His published books are— Ansoo (Lyrics, 1951), Darpan Mere Gaon Ka (Epic, 1996), Chandani (Epic, 2003), Dhoop Aati Hi Nahin (Gazals, 2009), Sonjuhi Ki Gandh (Lyrics, 2010), Angan Mein Sonpari (Lyrics, 2010), Sanson Ki Samadhi (Poems, 2012), Ek Tukra Aasman (Short stories, 2013), Apne-apne Sooraj (Lyrics, 2013), Chandan Van Sanvaren (Lyrics, 2015), Harsingar Khilega (Lyrics, in press), etc. Two books— Viswa-stareey Sahitya ke Srijak Brajbhushan Singh Gautam ‘Anurag’ (2010) and Mahakavi Anurag : Angan Se Akash Tak (2013) are also published on his life and works. He resides at: MMIGB-23, Ramganga Vihar, Phase-1, Near Sonakpur Stadium, Moradabad, U.P., India.
I shall consider my translation fruitful if this manuscript, small though it is, facilitates the readers to get an insight into the poems or encourages them to read some other poems of the poet.
- Abnish Singh Chauhan
