Hindi poetry aficionados were in for a special treat on May 25, 2002, at 7:00 pm at the Kavi Sammelan, held at the Wong Auditorium in MIT where poets, Hullad Moradabadi and Alok Bhattacharya narrated some of their best creations. Sangam MIT, and the International Hindi Association organized the Kavi Sammelan. Over 200 people attended the event. Some came from far as New Jersey and Hartford.

Originally scheduled to start at 7:00 pm the program was delayed and it finally started at 8:45 PM. Surendra Tiwari, President of International Hindi association presented the welcome address. He talked about the current status of Hindi in USA. He emphasized the need to garner pride in the national language of India. “IHA’s vision is to introduce Hindi as second language in High School like Chinese and Korean”, said Surendra Tiwari. He introduced the two poets Hullad Muradabadi and Alok Bhattacharya. Hulladiji is one of the most famous and admired poets of present generation. His satirical poetry entertains millions at home and abroad. His unique style of reciting poems created bouts of laughter in the auditorium.

Alok Bhattacharya is a Bengali from Andhra, who has a penchant for languages and speaks Telugu, Marathi, Bangla and writes in Hindi. He has received the Sahitya Academy and President’s award for his poetry. He is a fiery poet who writes about burning social issues.

The sammelan was conducted by Alok who started with a very sensitive poem about Indo-Pak Agra summit. He aroused nationalistic fervor in the entire audience. Lines such as

Tajmahal ke saye mein tum aye,
Aur pyar ki baat hi nahin kar paye.


sensitized the audience to his genius.

His poems echoed his social concerns and he attacked the present corrupt political scenario. He recited two very emotionally appealing poems, one about Bhagat Singh and other glorifying India’s tolerance and heritage.

Hullad started with Ganpati vandana and entire auditorium was bursting with laughter right from the start. Hullad was at his usual best as he kept the audience riveted with the finest satirical Hindi poetry.

Following are some quotes,

Dono ghutne theek kiye hain shriram ne
Tek na dena inhe Pakistan ke samne

Mat karo budhape mein Ishq ki tamanna
Kyon ki fuse bulb mein nahin hoti bijliyan

Aap bhi kuware main bhi kuwari
Main Jaylalitha aap Atal Bihari

Dhan chahe mat dijiye jag ke palanhar
Par itna to kar dijiye ki milta rahe udhar



The program concluded at 11:45 PM with two of the best poems of the evening one titled "Accha hai par kabhi kabhi" which was hilarious. The other was a very serious but touchy sher. At the end of the Sammelan, fans of Hindi poetry went home satisfied.

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