Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Obama in Mumbai

The president of the United States of America, Barrack Obama will be in Mumbai on 6th of November, 2010, which happens to be the Diwaali (Indian festival of Lights) weekend for India.

Feeling too lazy to drive, I hopped into a taxi to reach office. The friendly Taxi Driver started to chat. Translated in English, the conversation went like this.

Taxi Driver: Sir, this leader from faraway land, Okaama or Onaama…when is he coming? He has screwed up Diwali (Indian Festival of Lights) Holidays of the Traffic & Security Cops.

My reply: I agree with you Sir.


No further conversation happened between us as I got a phone call from an old friend.

Then I reach my office building to see the sidewalk below the building getting a new coat of paint by a mal-nourished looking man while a healthier looking supervisor (my assumption) was giving instructions. Another quick conversation happened between me and the supervisor.

My remark: ‘Obamaa???’

Supervisor’s reply: ‘Yeah…Barrrack Obaama. He is coming with lots of Dollars!’


The man who was painting applied a fresh coat of yellow and I walked inside the building. A couple of hours later, I wrote this.

Bhari Sadkein, Khaali Pet
Bhari Sadkein
Khaali Pet
Mumbai ke laakhon ka
Hai Ye fate

Ek Vada Paav Mein
Din Nikaalte Hai
Raat Ki Khaali Sadak Ko
Bistar Aur Takiya Bana Lete Hain

Door Desh Ke Obama
Nahin Milenge In Laakhon Se
Chamakti Sadkon aur Sea-Link Dekh Kar
Chale Jaaayenge Waapas USA

Bhari Sadkon Mein Bheed Badhti Jaayegi
Lekin Pet Shaayad Khaali Hi Rahega
Sone Ki Jagah Thodi Aur Kam Hogi
Mumbai Sheher Jaari Rahega



Stuffed Roads, Empty Bellies (a rough translation)
Stuffed roads
Empty bellies
This is the fate of
Millions of Mumbaiites

One Vada-Paav (Indian Veg -burger)
Sees them through the day
And in the night-time
Streets become their pillow and bed

Obama from faraway land
Won’t meet these millions
After seeing the sparkling roads & Sea-Link
He will go back to the USA


Stuffed streets will get more crowded
But bellies will remain empt, perhaps
Sleeping spaces will get smaller
While Mumbai will keep going on


Here’s wishing all my readers a very Happy Diwali!

14 comments:

Pooja Nair said...

"bhari sadkein, khaali pet"
Stroke of genius. Love it.

achu said...

loved this mate. cool use of the colloquial.

but what is worse, obama who is atleast bringing some dollars, or all our friends in the mantralya who are just taking it all away for whom there 40 car cavalcades every time they go to meet some builder

i know it does not matter either way man.

and on this note have a happy diwali.

Brown Weed said...

yes sir. it's all very very true. and wish you a very happy diwali too.

ghaza said...

very very nicely put :)

Surath Chatterji said...

Keeps himself doped with religion and sex and Barrack,
The supervisor thinks Obama is getting a lot of cheque,
But he is still a fucking peasent as far as Meraj can see...

Namas said...

very truee pooja only a genius cn show such creativity...meraj u hve a knack of converting everyday trivia to b'ful poetry...n must say aapki shaayri mein gulzar ki jhalak hai!likhte raho...

Sudha said...

Very well written. Enjoyed it very much.

meraj said...

@ Pooja, thx for the appreciation!

@ Achu, thx and hope you had a great Diwali

@ Mr Bojangles, hope you had a good Diwali!

@ ghaza, thx a lot!

@ Mr Brownstone,very well rhymed. looking forward to meeting you soon.

@ Namas, shukriya!

@ Sue, thx and am glad you enjoyed reading it.

Furry Master said...

Well said well written M. Enjoyed reading it. Belated Diwali Wishes to Pooja and you

meraj said...

@Furry Master, glad you appreciated it and thx a lot for the wishes...shall convey them to P as well.

Reetesh Khare said...

Hey Meraj..i always get frozen in the moment whenever something as earthy n touchy comes to my eyes..Its so purely coincidental to reach your blog..and i am feeling like i was totally unaware of your writing talent. If i attempt to comment on each of your posts here..i will spent a full night. I know that sound unbelievable, but I am like that. Heartfelt Compliments!

meraj said...

bohot bohot shukrya tah-e-dil se tareef karne ke liye, Sabr Saaheb. aur itne saare kalaam padhne ke liye bhi kaafi shukriya!

Reetesh Khare said...

आपको खुशी हुई, ये इत्मिनान है..हर एक कलाम उतरता गया दिल में, तो रुकते कैसे..पढ़ते चले गये! एक कमेन्ट में कुछ यूँ कह उठे..
ज़रा फिर गौर चाहेंगे आपका..

"सब कुछ बयाँ हो जाता है, लफ़्ज़ों की सरगोशियों में..सुनते हैं नज़र से वो दिल से बयाँ करते हैं!!"

meraj said...

Bohot Khoob Sabr Saaheb, Bohot Khoob...aapki nawaazish hai!