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This episode is a tribute to the renowned Hindi poet and writer Vinod Kumar Shukla,one of the most important voices in modern Hindi literature. Dedicated to his memory after his recent passing, this episode features a recitation of his celebrated poem “Hatasha se baitha hua vyakti.” The poem reflects themes of quiet despair, human connection, empathy, and the power of simply being present with another person. Vinod Kumar Shukla’s poetry is known for its simplicity, emotional depth, and gentle philosophical insight. His work continues to resonate with readers and listeners who seek calm, reflective, and meaningful literature. Listen slowly. Pause often. Let the silence speak. Background Music Credit: Music: To the Space Musician: Xuxiao

Tram Mein Ek Yaad is a poem by the Indian poet Sh. Gyanendrapati that reflects on the nostalgic memories of a past relationship. The poem addresses a woman named Chetna Pareek, asking how she is doing and if she still writes poetry, paints, and has many friends as she did before.

Nirmal Verma (3 April 1929 – 25 October 2005) was a Hindi writer, novelist, activist and translator. He is credited as being one of the pioneers of the Nai Kahani (New Story) literary movement of Hindi literature,wherein his first collection of stories, Parinde (Birds) is considered its first signature. (Source : Wikipedia) (Music: Another love by Tom Odell) (thumbnail: Indianexpress)

Parveen Shakir was a legendary female poet who started her professional career in her childhood. Her first book was “Khushbu”. Then she came up with other books named Sad-Barg, Khud’kalaami, and Inkar. The most prominent themes in Shakir's poetry are love, feminism, and social stigmas, though she occasionally wrote on other topics as well. Her work was often based on romanticism, exploring the concepts of love, beauty and their contradictions, and heavily integrated the use of metaphors, similes and personifications ( sources - ranjish.com and Kavishala.in )

A fusion for you people. Mehdi Hassan and Carl Storm’s Moon. Mehdi Hassan, one of the greatest and most influential figures in the history of ghazal singing, he is famously known as the “King of Ghazal” or the “Shahanshah-e-Ghazal”. Mehdi Hassan is credited with bringing ghazal singing to a worldwide audience. He is unique for his melodic patterns and maintaining the integrity of the ragas in an innovative manner and keeping in mind the majesty of Hindustani Music going back for thousands of years(Source - assignmentpoint) Background Music - Carl Storm’s Moon.

Shiv Kumar Batalvi is Punjab’s first modern poet who may be called Birha da Sultan (the poet of lament), but his genre wasn’t limited to pathos. His writings are replete with true love and passion and the agony that these emotions bring. Much of his lyrics are written to be sung. Indeed, Batalvi himself has done beautiful renditions of his poetry in songs. Reading his work is an exhilarating experience. It touches your heart and leaves you mesmerised. ( source - The Tribune )

“Love never remains the same, nor does the beloved.” It is raining while you’re listening to some calmly music on you gramophone and you start thinking about your beloved with this Nazam by Faiz.

Punjabi poet and writer, Amrita Pritam wrote on partition and she wrote on the pain it inflicted on all, especially women. The painful split of Punjab during the partition affected her deeply when she left Lahore to move to the new India. The agony of communal violence and her call for people to see sense is perfectly captured in this poem. ( Description source - Daak)

Here’s some Kafka, whiskey lullaby and Urdu for nights when nothing seems right. Ghazal is written by Chandar Bhan Kaifi Dehelvi, Well-known for his poems on interesting topics; also wrote patriotic poems. Taught Persian for a long period of time.

This episode features Humaira Rahman’s ghazal which touches different aspects of life. Humaira teaches Urdu at New York University. She has published two highly acclaimed collections of poetry- Intisab and Indimal

This is a poetic version of the song ‘Ae Mere Hum Nasheen’ by Nadira ‘Munni’ Begum. The song is said to be about partition of Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh depicting as a conversation between two lovers who see the land not theirs anymore.

This episode features Amrita Pritam’s cigarette which she wrote while remembering Sahir.