As the early December chill envelops the air outside, I sit on my window in my 7th floor apartment sipping hot Chai with my all-time favorite Winter Song Chupke se Lag Ja Gale playing in the background, and the song turns in phrase
Neemi neemi thand aur aag mein
Haule haule maarwa ke raag mein
Meer ki baat ho
And I immediately break into goosebumps along with mad respect for Gulzar sahab, for who else could give words to a feeling delicate as a thread and too fine to notice with bare eye. In a single phrase, he creates the magic of - warmth in winter, a raga of gentle love, and a poet who rules the hearts of poetry lovers.
Our books & scriptures are filled with beautiful poetry and verses demonstrating the beauty of seasons, and winter especially is one season that evokes feelings of relaxing warmth, reminding us of grandmother’s storytelling next to the warmth of winter hearths. This season, dive into the soul-stirring verses that capture the spirit of winter in Indian poetry.
1. Sahir Ludhianvi
सर्द झोंकों से भड़कते हैं बदन में शोले
जान ले लेगी ये बरसात क़रीब आ जाओ
This sher by Sahir Ludhianvi is the essence of winter’s cruel cravings when you yearn for the company of a lover, to share warmth in an otherwise cold rainy winter evening. What would be a better companion than Sahir Ludhianvi himself. Spend some time with Sahir sb at this Khoobsurat Mod.
2. Nazeer Akbarabadi
जब माह अघन का ढलता हो तब देख बहारें जाड़े की
और हँस हँस पूस सँभलता हो तब देख बहारें जाड़े की
दिन जल्दी जल्दी चलता हो तब देख बहारें जाड़े की
और पाला बर्फ़ पिघलता हो तब देख बहारें जाड़े की
This Nazm by legendary Urdu poet Nazeer Akbarabadi very aptly captures the dilkash scenery of a wintery landscape. Like a skilled artist, Nazeer Akbarabadi has painted a nostalgic picture of Indian Winter. Explore More in Rekhta ke Nazeer.
3. Gulzar
ओस पड़ी थी रात बहुत और कोहरा था गर्माइश पर
सैली सी ख़ामोशी में आवाज़ सुनी फ़रमाइश पर
धूप और छाँव बाँट के तुम ने आँगन में दीवार चुनी
क्या इतना आसान है ज़िंदा रहना इस आसाइश पर
This masterpiece by Gulzar sb beautifully encapsulates a vivid scene from winter and applies profound meaning to missing warmth in relationships. A skillful commentary to convey the winter of challenging human relations. Gulzar sb’s works cover a wide range but can be explored in this curated collection – Yaadon ka Karobar.
4. Parveen Shakir
कुछ तो हवा भी सर्द थी कुछ था तिरा ख़याल भी
दिल को ख़ुशी के साथ साथ होता रहा मलाल भी
This particular sher by Parveen Shakir is her signature style of expressing sorrow intricately woven with beauty. Her words bring forward a gentle breeze of elegance followed by overwhelming waves of pensiveness. Explore more of her works in Khud se Milne ki Fursat.
5. Nida Fazli
कुहरे की झीनी चादर में यौवन रूप छिपाए
चौपालों पर मुस्कानों की आग उड़ाती जाए
गाजर तोड़े मूली नोचे पके टमाटर खाए
गोदी में इक भेड़ का बच्चा आँचल में कुछ सेब
धूप सखी की उँगली पकड़े इधर-उधर मँडराए
This eloquent Nazm by Nida Fazli is a testament to a refreshing take on the Winter season even from a solemn poet like Nida Fazli. Bringing forth the innocent youthful delight of freshly arrived Winters. Explore more from Nida Fazli here.
Winter's Embrace in Indian Literature:
And I immediately break into goosebumps along with mad respect for Gulzar sahab, for who else could give words to a feeling delicate as a thread and too fine to notice with bare eye. In a single phrase, he creates the magic of - warmth in winter, a raga of gentle love, and a poet who rules the hearts of poetry lovers.
Our books & scriptures are filled with beautiful poetry and verses demonstrating the beauty of seasons, and winter especially is one season that evokes feelings of relaxing warmth, reminding us of grandmother’s storytelling next to the warmth of winter hearths. This season, dive into the soul-stirring verses that capture the spirit of winter in Indian poetry.
1. Sahir Ludhianvi
सर्द झोंकों से भड़कते हैं बदन में शोले
जान ले लेगी ये बरसात क़रीब आ जाओ
This sher by Sahir Ludhianvi is the essence of winter’s cruel cravings when you yearn for the company of a lover, to share warmth in an otherwise cold rainy winter evening. What would be a better companion than Sahir Ludhianvi himself. Spend some time with Sahir sb at this Khoobsurat Mod.
2. Nazeer Akbarabadi
जब माह अघन का ढलता हो तब देख बहारें जाड़े की
और हँस हँस पूस सँभलता हो तब देख बहारें जाड़े की
दिन जल्दी जल्दी चलता हो तब देख बहारें जाड़े की
और पाला बर्फ़ पिघलता हो तब देख बहारें जाड़े की
This Nazm by legendary Urdu poet Nazeer Akbarabadi very aptly captures the dilkash scenery of a wintery landscape. Like a skilled artist, Nazeer Akbarabadi has painted a nostalgic picture of Indian Winter. Explore More in Rekhta ke Nazeer.
3. Gulzar
ओस पड़ी थी रात बहुत और कोहरा था गर्माइश पर
सैली सी ख़ामोशी में आवाज़ सुनी फ़रमाइश पर
धूप और छाँव बाँट के तुम ने आँगन में दीवार चुनी
क्या इतना आसान है ज़िंदा रहना इस आसाइश पर
This masterpiece by Gulzar sb beautifully encapsulates a vivid scene from winter and applies profound meaning to missing warmth in relationships. A skillful commentary to convey the winter of challenging human relations. Gulzar sb’s works cover a wide range but can be explored in this curated collection – Yaadon ka Karobar.
4. Parveen Shakir
कुछ तो हवा भी सर्द थी कुछ था तिरा ख़याल भी
दिल को ख़ुशी के साथ साथ होता रहा मलाल भी
This particular sher by Parveen Shakir is her signature style of expressing sorrow intricately woven with beauty. Her words bring forward a gentle breeze of elegance followed by overwhelming waves of pensiveness. Explore more of her works in Khud se Milne ki Fursat.
5. Nida Fazli
कुहरे की झीनी चादर में यौवन रूप छिपाए
चौपालों पर मुस्कानों की आग उड़ाती जाए
गाजर तोड़े मूली नोचे पके टमाटर खाए
गोदी में इक भेड़ का बच्चा आँचल में कुछ सेब
धूप सखी की उँगली पकड़े इधर-उधर मँडराए
This eloquent Nazm by Nida Fazli is a testament to a refreshing take on the Winter season even from a solemn poet like Nida Fazli. Bringing forth the innocent youthful delight of freshly arrived Winters. Explore more from Nida Fazli here.
Winter's Embrace in Indian Literature:
Indian literature, with its kaleidoscopic diversity, has always embraced the beauty and significance of all seasons. However, winter holds a special place in the hearts of Indian writers and poets. It is a season that transcends mere weather; it becomes a metaphor for introspection, transformation, and the cyclical nature of life.
This winter, as you curl up with a book, let the verses of Indian poetry be your companion. Allow the words to whisk you away to snow-covered landscapes, where the beauty of the season mirrors the intricacies of the human experience.
As we bid adieu to the year and embrace the wintry tales that await, may these poems kindle the warmth of reflection and the joy of literary exploration.
