What an absolute blissful afternoon it was at the Stanford campus, immersed in the vibrant world of Nautanki—the rich folk theater tradition of North India. It was an honor to spend time with not just great artists, but also remarkable human beings who are preserving and innovating this beautiful art form.
We had the privilege of engaging with Padma Shri Pandit Ram Dayal Sharma Ji, a living legend and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, whose dedication to keeping Nautanki alive is awe-inspiring. Adding to this enriching experience was his son, Professor Dr. Devendra Sharma, a prolific artist and scholar in his own right, and Shubhra Prakash, a familiar voice on Chai Time and a celebrated theater artist from the Bay Area, now making waves in New York.
Don’t miss this special episode of Chai Time, where we dive deep into the world of Nautanki, exploring its timeless charm, evolving narratives, and the passion that fuels these extraordinary artists.

Nautanki - The rich folk theater tradition of north India

In this Chaitime, we talk to poet and writer Kamal Kishore Rajput. His new song "Meri had ki sarhade maula"  was recently launched on Youtube.  The song in this video is performed by well-known folk singer  Padmashri Prahlad Singh Tipaniya and his group. This interview was recorded in July 2017 when I was introduced to Kamalji during my trip to Luniyakhedi, home of Shri Prahlad Tipaniya, and when Prahladji performed this song for the first time.

Kamalji worked professionally as a scientist in DRDO before his retirement. He now lives in Bangalore and besides writing sufi poetry, he also writes ghazals and bhajans. Many of his poems and ghazals have been performed by well-known artists and released on CD and Youtube video.

Meri had ki sarhadein maula aake mita do- In conversation with poet and writer Kamal Kishore Rajput

गीत ज्ञानेश्वरीतले ज्ञानेशांचे बागलाणी भाषेमधले अतिशय अनोखे असे काव्यरत्न आपणापुढे सादर करीत आहोत. परितोषने या गाण्याला अप्रतिम संगीत दिले आहे, त्यामुळे हे गाणं हेडफोनवर ऐकल्यास जास्त प्रत्ययकारी अनुभव देऊन जाईल. ज्ञानेशांनी हे गाणे बागलाणी गवळणीच्या भूमिकेतून रचले आहे. बागलाणी भाषा गुजरात आणि नाशिकच्या सीमेवरील भागात बोलली जाते.

मे दुरर्थी कर जोडुं । ता-हो सेवा न जाणुं ।।१।। मन्हा रे कान्हा मन्हा रे कान्हा । देखी कां न गिणा रे । मन्हा कान्हा रे ।।२।। तन्हा मराठा देश । मन्ही बागलाणी भाष ।।३।। घटि पटि विजार । खंडे भाले तरवार । बापरखुमादेविवरु जाण । ऐसें मन्हा कान्हा ।

या अभंगाचा सरल भावार्थ -

मी तुला दुरूनच हात जोडते,  तुझी सेवा कशी करायची, हे खरंच कळत नाही रे, माझ्या कान्हा ! तुझ्या अगणित रूपांची मोजदाद मी कशी करू रे माझ्या कान्हा ? अरे माझ्या कान्हा, तू महाराष्ट्र देशात राहतोस, मग माझी बागलाणी भाषा तुला कळणार का ? म्हणून मी तुला दुरूनच हात जोडते.घटामधले अवकाश घटाकार आणि वेगळे भासले तरी अवकाश हे एकसंध असते, किंवा वस्त्रांचे आकार व रंग विविध भासले तरी त्यातलेे कापड केवळ एका धाग्यापासूनच बनलेलेे असते. (त्याप्रमाणे हे विश्व वैविध्याने भरले असले तरी त्यामागे एकच मूलतत्त्व आहे.) 

असे अवघड तत्वविचार मला उमजत नाहीत. अशावेळी तुझे नाम हेच माझे ढाल तलवार बनून माझे रक्षण करतात. असा आहे माझा कान्हा !

गीत ज्ञानेश्वरी - मन्ही बागलाणी भाष

Chai Time is a weekly program in Hindi and English, on Stanford Radio, KSZU 90.1 FM. The program explores current events and issues relevant to South Asian literature, culture and music. The program is hosted by Pranjali Sirasao who teaches in Department of South & Southeast Asian Studies, UC Berkeley. In the past she has taught in Stanford University and UC Davis. The program is heard in more than 100 countries around the world.

Meri had ki sarhadein maula aake mita do- In conversation with poet and writer Kamal Kishore Rajput

Chai Time Radio

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