poem – Nithi CJ

The Short Service Officer (An ode)

Long time ago on a Saturday morning,
I pinned on my shoulders,
the stars shining,
I wore the lanyard of tradition,
the beret of duty,
without any inhibitions.

I knew no rights or wrongs,
just fulfilled a dream I longed.
I had no biases to colour me ,
Only the tricolours fluttering along.

10 yrs, 20, 30 ?? What do you choose? , they asked.
I said, “Why count years? Is loving your mother land a task?”
“See your responsibilities then you decide,”.
I choose my flag always, there’s no need to hide.

They said, Oh, so you must have been a rebel,
to leave at ten?
Yes, no one stops me from serving my nation.
Said some , What’s outside? Money and breaking rules?
Said others,”Oh, your CV is plain, what was your pay level?
I laughed, “Don’t stress my friend , You will not get it,
My experiences lie on silent mountains , I don’t wear these medals as a jewel.”
-Major Nithi CJ

Blurred Thoughts…

as I sip into my memories,

I find the warmth

of a love lore,

the froth of

an unsettled score.

the bitterness

of a broken heart,

the sweetness

of two apart.

a dip into

few laughters,

the crunch

of a law stickler.

the whiff

of a trembling hand,

the melted droplets

on an aged glass.

the tang

of a new marriage

the pungent

fights of souls afar.

And blurred in this concoction

are my thoughts.

where should I end,

what did I start.

Stargazer and Poetess

Beyond the olive green world,

Were two souls unspoken about,

unheard.

Yearning to live a life of eternal bliss,

One a stargazer ,

the other a poetess.

Many nights at many roads,

Their interests met at the crossroads.

Drawing the souls

for eternal togetherness,

The Stargazer and the Poetess.

Seasons changed

and so did the constellations,

Only to find them drowned in each other’s admirations,

Little did they knew

about the subtle conspiracies of the Universe,

The Stargazer and the Poetess.

With moments

sometimes of insane laughter

and sometimes melancholy,

Slowly his description of the Galaxy became her poetry

And her words invigorating his starry vigil,

Only to untwine the strings of worldliness ,

And bond them in the threads so nuptial ,

The Stargazer and the Poetess.

The Circle of Fire

She twirled and twisted

wrenching in the urge

to find her way

through this wilderness

the sweat and blood

not did once dissolve

the fire…

the fire kept simmering

until, until it burned

every tissue, every skin

of her layered self

until, until it flamed

every dream of hers

in her eyes, vividly..

she thought to herself

as she woke up from one

(the dream)

yes this is it…

this is my beloved

desire ..

until, until it flamed

a realisation

to her ,

that her purpose

is to burn

and be the light

of life

till eternity….

– Nithi C J

Just Randomly

a stroll in the dust cladded pathway

a look into the empty driveway

my fingers wipe

an unseen tear

a known finger tugs you near

just randomly…

and just randomly

I pick that book

flipping into its leaves

I looked hooked..

the bell rings

I rush to the door

opening my self to the cold wind

just randomly…

and just randomly

I ink my nib

An extra fine sometimes

sometimes a stub

I switch between them

as if that will make my words better

and scribble on the sheet randomly

and just randomly I drop my hi

leaving not much space for a why

I ask my beloved

hope you had a good meal

and some questions randomly

with randomness

I sometimes express my soul

only to make the experience of life

more precious

leaving the others bewildered

I just gift them a smile

just randomly….

The Language that killed an Emperor

The duals fought in historical courts between poets is a tradition still revered as one of the most intellectual and literary traditions. Not just poets, musicians, educators, all strived to make a mark on the mind donned by the royal throne.

The commonality between the above historical artists is the language. Language has been the showcase for religions, regions , mindsets and different realms. Today let’s look into one such realm.

In the book titled,” Adrishya” on the greatest spies of Indian history, the mention of Bardai opens up uniquely different dimension of spy craft. Most unassuming individuals hidden with most unassuming skills often make it to this strata of warfare. And when you read about Bardai, this is more evident.

The chapter speaks of the extraordinary skills of Bardai in spy craft, but most historically significant was the use of Brij Bhasha as a secure means of communication. As we commemorate Hindi Diwas today it’s imperative to know little more about this language.

As per Britannica ,” Braj Bhasha language, also spelled Braj Bhasa, Braj Bhakha, or Brij Bhasa, language descended from Shauraseni Prakrit and commonly viewed as a western dialect of Hindi. It is spoken by some 575,000 people, primarily in India. Its purest forms are spoken in the cities of Mathura, Agra, Etah, and Aligarh.”

Who knew this dialect would carve a great part of India’s Historic Journey? So back to Bardai. Bardai had the poetic skills which made his communications with Prithviraj Chauhan more worthy to etched into a book. And none other than Chand Bardai himself wrote the epic ,” Prithviraj Raso” in Brij Bhasa.

“In the world of intelligence-gathering, jargon acts as a much needed veil of secrecy. “-Web

Brij was that veil to the association of Bardai and Prithviraj especially while executing tactical activities. When Prithviraj was imprisoned by Mohammad Ghori , Chand Bardai strategised a plan to help Prithviraj kill his enemy as escape wasn’t possible. Bardai spread this rumour that Prithviraj can aim by hearing and the sold this to Ghori , who blindly believed Bardai as by then Bardai had established his influence on Ghori. An Archery competition was organised where Bardai played this ace of spades about Prithviraj’s skill. Ghori’s curiosity about his enemy coerced him to witness this skill. And that’s when Bardai recited,

“चार बांस चौबीस गज अंगुल अष्ट प्रमाण ता ऊपर सुल्तान है मत चूके चौहान !”
-Prithiviraj Raso by Chand Bardai

The same verse and the event has been narrated in this excerpt from the Book ‘Adrishya’.

Excerpt of the Chapter on Chand Bardai from the book ‘Adrishya’

This excerpt clearly brings out that how Brij was used as a secret language akin to signal codes of the modern era. The explanation of the enemy’s location in Brij gave Prithviraj the exact clarity which he needed to aim at Ghori. This brings out the need to have a very in depth understanding of the language.

This historical account of Chand Bardai and Prithviraj Chauhan is only one drop as a witness to the advancement and vision already seen by the ancient India in terms of how evolution of language can exceed beyond the spheres of mundane human communication to significant military craftsmanship!

No More in the Night Shine

I no more gaze into the glitter of the darkness..

I no more silence myself in the cosmetic laughs..

Yes I still relish few musical notes

with my intoxication..

But I no more ache myself into a drunken farce..

I be with people who are my own..

I no more smile at faces unknown..

I no more cloak my true self..

For ticking my social presence..

I have shredded that skin..

That skin we wear before we step out of our homes..

To mingle in the glitter and glamour..

To be accepted,

acknowledged

and ‘adored’..

And satiate ourselves

with temporary happiness..

I am happy..

I no more have to do that..

My space looks akin to solitude ..

But we are never alone!!

What about your soul ?

Which accompanies you..

In sadness and galore..

Tonight I sit peacefully

with a soul bonded to mine..

His calm presence comforts

more than wine..

Many a ‘-demics’

will come and go

Nothing can kill the joy..

Cherish it till you breathe..

Because you are the hero,

in this ploy!!

– Nithi CJ

On Days like this ….

I wander

gently,

digging the soil

of my soul

only to nurture ,

to care it more,

to let my true self

fearlessly

come to the fore.

I water it

with consciousness

thoughts and rationale

that strengthen,

my experiences

into impactful beliefs,

not letting them sore .

as wanders

through my gaze

a stroke

of imagination

I finally sit down

peacefully

tipping the pen

on the paper

And slowly

my thoughts

feel safer….

Ode to the Black Cat Soldier

I was born with a normal human skin,

Unaware of the mettle inside.

I jumped and hopped through the woods in my country,

Unknown where does my future reside.

When books replaced my colourful marbles,

It was little disheartening,

“Can’t I just keep playing with my toys”, was a thought always recurring.

And lo behold ! One day who knew I will get that call,

Which every youth in this nation pleads,

To be the most unique of all.

The Olive green with beautiful stars

Was more than a costly dress donned,

It was my second skin,

And the Army my second home.

But still I felt my fate doesn’t end here,

There is so much to conquer,

so many unseen fears.

The craze to be unique still had not died,

The black combats is what now I started to eye.

Sleepless nights with endless training,

The bruises had grown so deep ,

That it had stopped paining.

Weapons of insurmountable power,

Were now my new toys,

This land my bed, and my workplace in the Sky.

So beware oh Enemy!!

I am no easy animal you could hunt,

I am a predator who will tear you down,

Till from my land you’re nicely shunt!

Until then I watch you like an eagle,

With a thirsty weapon and a mettle hat,

I m the deadliest protector of this pious land,

I am the Black Cat!!!