Vision of life hidden in Aryaman’s poetry: Javed Akhtar.
Ordinarily, one turns poet after crossing thirties and before that the children roam in a dreamland through poems. But this 16-year old Aryaman has achieved such a height of vision at such a young age which simply amazes me, said renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar. He has a profound viewpoint on life. His poetry exhibits the propensity to go beyond materialistic world to look at life in isolation, Akhtar observed.
The first volume of ‘Snowflakes’, a collection of poems by Aryaman Darda was released at Lodha Supremus, Worli on Friday evening. Prominent among those present on the occasion were chairman of the editorial board of Lokmat Vijay Darda, noted singer Roop Kumar Rathod and veteran poet and lyricist Prasoon Joshi. Speaking on the occasion, Akhtar said, “The older generation of parents pass down to the new generation values, ethics and ideas but nowadays it is found that the same generation has failed in passing these values further down the line. The present generation of parents is pursuing worldly pleasures. But the cultural, moral values and thoughts instilled in Aryaman by his parents are really precious and they have inspired Aryaman in his poetic creativity, he said.
Expressing his thoughts on the occasion, veteran poet and lyricist Prasoon Joshi observed that Aryaman’s attitude towards poetry is astonishing at such a young age. It is a highly inspiring thought to look upon wildlife as a passion for life rather than just a prey. Many times, emotions are easy to keep in mind, but it takes courage to lay them before the whole world. Because those emotions are going to attract reactions, Aryaman showed this courage and hence deserves special appreciation. Even his parents deserve to be appreciated for standing by him to show such exemplary courage.
Roop Kumar Rathod lauded the Darda family saying that they have always striven hard to maintain and promote literature, music, acting and other arts. The ‘Sur Jyotsna Award’ to newcomers in the music field is also part of this and it is very inspirational. In the current era, all the people have become self-centered. But in such a situation, how beautifully they have brought up this child and for this Aryaman’s parents deserve special appreciation. “I feel proud to see Aryaman’s amazing journey at such an early age.”
While proposing a vote of thanks, Aryaman’s father and managing director of ‘Lokmat’ Devendra Darda said that the inspiring words of the dignitaries present on the occasion were very motivating and their blessings will stay with Aryaman for ever.
Son, we were also like you at your age! Javed Akhtar said that poetry is not created from consciousness. For that the innermost feelings hidden in the mind and heart have to be rekindled and then there falls the spark of inspiration in the moment of peace and out comes the poem. Aryaman has realized this beautiful journey at such a tender age. ‘Son, we were also like this at your age’, said Akhtar walking down memory lane.
I will write poetry in Hindi too in future – Aryaman Darda. Javed Akhtar asked Aryaman ‘which language do you think or dream in’? Aryaman said that he thinks in both Hindi and English languages and he will write a poem even in the Hindi language in the future. Prasoon Joshi asked Aryaman whether he felt light or heavy after writing a poem, Aryaman said it is often a mixed feeling.
Aryaman who is fond of playing guitar was asked by Roop Kumar Rathod ‘Which poem has been set to music?’ Aryaman told him he has not done that yet. Rathod assured him that if he wrote poetry in Hindi in the future, and set to music, he will sing the composition. Aryaman’s grandfather Vijay Darda asked him whether the words come to him first or thoughts while composing a poem. Aryaman said that first come thoughts and then they appear in words.
The poems were presented by veterans: Javed Akhtar and Prasoon Joshi presented the poems at the programme which were well received by the audience. Akhtar got applause from the audience for reciting the poem ‘ ye wakt kya hai? Ye kya hai, akhir ki jo masallas gujar raha hai ‘. In this poem, ‘Jise samajhte hai ham gujarta hai woh thama hai, gujarta hai yaa thama hua hai, Ikai hai yaa bata huaa hai, hai munjmid yaa pighal raha hai , kise khabar hai kise pata hai? Ye wakt kya hai?’
These thoughtful lines from the poetic corpus of Akhtar drew applause from the audience. But Prasoon Joshi’s ‘Kya Hai Kavita’ also won plaudits from the gathering. The audience particularly liked and appreciated the lines ‘Do ghadi thahar kar, jivan ki nadi ko, bahate dekhna hai, kavita wahi hai’. The compositions of these two legends took the launch ceremony to a different height.
Fund for wildlife to be raised through sales of collection of poems: Aryaman said that the proceeds from the sales of his first collection of poems will be utilized for conservation of nature and wildlife through his own NGO ‘Little Planet Foundation’. Since childhood he was attracted towards wildlife and nature rather than cartoons. He said that inspired by these themes he wrote the first poem at the age of 10. After the release of his book, Aryaman recited the poems ’Snowflakes’ and ‘Into the Wild’ from the collection.
