City Through the Lens of Poetry: Ramdhari Singh Dinkar on Delhi 0 0

Abstract

Delhi, having served as the capital of India for centuries, has been a resort to many remarkable figures over time. It is often referred to as 'Mir and Ghalib's Delhi,' an evidence to the city's deep connection with these legendary poets who captured Delhi in moments of prosperity and decay. There legacy shaped how people memorise Delhi a space where Dreams were built, shattered and reborn. From 1911 onwards when the capital was shifted to Delhi by King George V, it again became a hub of cultural activities even before independence. In the light of this, the paper explores poems written about Delhi by the renowned Hindi scholar Ramdhari Singh Dinkar , composed between the 1940s and 1960s. It dives in to three of his most significant works: “Dilli”, “Chuhe Ki Dilli Yatra and “Bharat Ka Reshami Nagar”. Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s poem ‘Dilli’ portrays the city's tragic downfall from a glorious empire to a helpless widow. He exposes the rulers' false display of power, which masks oppression and suffering, he questions the true cost of its so-called progress. “Chuhe Ki Dilli Yatra”explores the journey of a timid mouse symbolizing the weak and downtrodden who remains fearful even after independence. The British were replaced by Indian babus, proving that power only changed hands. The poem leaves us questioning— has anything really changed? “Bharat Ka Reshami Nagar” explores a city draped in luxury, while the real India struggles in shadows. Dinkar unveils the bitter reality of post-independence India where freedom came, but equality did not. Yet beneath this illusion of prosperity, a storm is brewing, carrying the hope of change, ready to break the chains of injustice. The paper compares these poetic themes with historical records, showcasing how literature reflects city’s past. This paper will come out with a new way to see Delhi’s history through the lens of poetry and provide a bridge between literature and history for understanding Delhi’s evolution.