Madhushala - Rubaiya 26

एक बरस में एक बार ही
ek baras me ek baar hee
जलती होली की ज्वाला,
jalti holee kee jwaalaa,
एक बार ही लगती बाज़ी,
ek baar hee lagtee baazee,
जलती दीपों की माला;
jaltee deepon kee maalaa;
दुनियावालों, किन्तु, किसी दिन
duniyaawaalon, kintu, kisee din
आ मदिरालय में देखो,
aa madiraalay mein dekho,
दिन को होली, रात दिवाली,
din ko holee, raat diwaalee,
रोज़ मनाती मधुशाला
roz manaatee madhushaalaa


A really beautifully constructed verse!! Notice the lilting play on the words, the "music" to which the verse is set!! Bachchan points out that we spend our days in grief, and celebrate some special days once an year as a sort of consolation, but at the tavern, it's Christmas every day!!


This is an indictment of the life that tolerates a five-day week, only to look for a short-lived weekend, whereas life, if properly lived, is a constant source of pleasure, of happiness, a seven-day-a-week of richness. The man who loves life does not need drink or drug - he is constantly living the joy of celebrating life. Every day is Christmas, Eid, Diwali.


It s a simple thing to be happy: we unnecessarily complicate our lives.