Creative Guncha

A Painting A checkered window, Overlooking an old willow. In an ornate mansion, On a Rocky Mountain. With dull, unpolished, rough window pane And a well worn curtain, Tied aside with a strain, Fabric sheared from a dame’s train. Allowing an uninterrupted view, Of a cobbled passage with mildew, Growing on the flora old and new. Trees casting a shadow, Blades of grass swinging in dusky mellow, An owl hiding in the hollow, Of the old willow. An antique chair strategically kept, For anyone who cared to be swept Off and reflect In the imagery of the evening twilight A picture painted in black and white ! Dr. Guncha Gupta 29/3/19

Wandering Clouds Travelling together Across the dessert. Sun-tanned brown Like camels, sand drowned. Just a glimpse, A colourful tinge. Women in capuchin Princess in palanquin Jewels shining Beauty blinding Syce riding Wise men guiding. Drack dracone, Water with a caramel tone. Miles to cover Mirage hovering over Trinkets and bells, Music and miracles. Rare showers, Captive powers. Children dancing, Birds glancing, Rats hiding, Sun gliding Panoptic panoply A cloudy caravan across the sky ! Dr. Guncha Gupta 9 - 10 - 1999

Kinder Version - Igloo Round from the top Made of snow Sloping gently towards the polar brow A camp for nomadic eskimos A temporary house To tide over the chilling winter woes The dome built of layers of snow In the north arctic vast tundras without a glow The only heat abode From trapped body heat of Inuit eskimos Ever wondered why if the snow hut can reach a temperature of 50 degrees and provide heat to the eskimos - does the house not melt ? A marvel it is to study and wonder The mechanism that can prevent cold to enter ! Dr. Guncha Gupta 26/3/19

Umbrellas Domes of fabric Mounted on metal frames Curves that are fitted Both colourful and vivid Plain as well as printed With centres pitted To fix a cone on top, jutted The handles rigid A blast of myriad umbrellas! With perimeters spread To hide the head Provide some shade No sun rays to invade Rain water swayed Falling off in a cascade Heatstrokes and Sun - blockade Rain soaks allayed ! Groups hung to landscape Collection of beautiful Umbrellas! The damsels’ pride Fabrics dyed Jellyfish like A good place to hide To cover a bride With confidence glide And stay in style Fit for a queen to preside A tribe of colourful Umbrellas! Domes Of vanity As well as of utility What perfect ingenuity! A blast of wonderful Umbrellas ! Dr. Guncha Gupta 25-3-19

Nostalgia An old bungalow with an adjoining unconstructed land A place to grow the most healthy and grande Trees of guavas, papayas and mulberry panned The landscape of the place not so planned There were creepers, bushes and sand All reeked of a childhood well spanned.                               In the heart of my grandparents land ! I dream of the old house that stood At the edge of the marshy land Where the fireflies in the night danced A bright and lively dance Where I would try and catch As many on to my hand That I could latch! The house built without a constraint Not even a boundary to restrain Freedom was the only plan In that untamed borderland The house was warm The bushes were a charm Full of roses red A shed outside with a bed To doze off Or just to spend An afternoon as lazy or dead Cushion supporting your head Flies hovering above the bend In the roof top at the edge The living room was big and cool A respite from the sunny afternoo

A feathery reincarnation ! If I were to be reborn Dear Lord Make me a bird With wings so strong ! That I can fly Up up so high With freedom to defy Even the wind - aye ! Like a Phoenix burn down And from the ashes rise To a whole new life Exploring the skies Petite, weightless like a star in the night Seeds would be my preferred diet From tree to tree I would fly Fluttering and tasting the fruity fly ! With beak so strong I could pick up a worm Or knit a nest to keep me warm Collect some twigs from the neighbour’s barn I could line my nest with a woolly yarn Pluck some leaves from the tree so green Make me a shed to keep away the rain And when the sun would be up again I could hop and dance simple and plain. Make me a bird O dear Lord And see of Your own accord How of Your glory, I sing Rapturous, fascinating, wondrous things Make me a bird Dear Lord With feathers bright Songs sweet and wild With heart so light A child’s delight ! Make me a bird

Life ! Life is an adventure Not always easy or without fear The end, I believe is still fair. Life is a journey Full of blissful moments Not without trials and tribulations. Life is a lesson To be learnt the hard way Destiny is written well in advance they say. Life is a canvas Paint it your own way Make it as bright as you may The greys and blacks might still stay. Life is complex Not linear an equation There is however an answer to all questions. Life might not be a dream Thorns may accompany the blooms that gleam. Life has a purpose To find and change, Add a perspective Make some difference. Life is worthy Of all risks and afflictions Stay true to yourself In all situations. Life is a progress Not a constant, A wheel in motion God’s own beautiful creation. Give it your best Avoid stagnation For Life is an adventure Not always easy or without fear The end, I believe is still fair. Dr. Guncha Gupta 21/3/19

An Artisan’s Abode Tales Of moulded mud and cement Of warriors, kings and elements. Of sun baked casques, Wind dried masks. Irish, English, Indian cameos Cast as Juliets and Romeos. Of expressive tries, Each a masterpiece in its right. Sculptures with dyes. Colourful and muddy, Rain soaked buddies. Cascades of imaginations Caskets of expressions Sprawled across an Artisan’s creations Dr. Guncha Gupta 15/3/2002

A Fairy Tale The Princess and Princes Dancing away In the king’s ball All are gay The feast’s just started Bring your plate Be merry For it’s the princess’s bachelorette She chooses who to marry today Come one, Come all As you have fun and play There are courtesans made of clay The palace is big with decorations array It’s one bright and sunny day The princes all carry swords to display See your princess choose away Most valorous, resolute prince, pure as a sun ray But humility is must she says A man who merely brings not wealth but fame A man fit to marry a dame A prince to protect the countrymen From plunder and thunder and a foul game And not just squander away Freedom bought hard With perseverance and diligence A princess with a heart so grande A virtuous soul who understands Sacrifices and courage of her countrymen For her motherland ! Dr. Guncha Gupta 20/3/19

Bake A Cake! Let’s bake a cake For the baby’s sake Pick up a pan Bake a chocolate tan Let’s Melt that butter Add some sugar thither Blend in those eggs Little rum from that keg A tea spoon of vanilla will do the trick Bring in an aroma - add a pleasant kick Now knead in some flour Use that knuckle power A pinch of baking soda Use a spatula Chocolate chips Coloured cherry tips My favourite picks Give a vibrant colour - another one of my tricks! Line up a tray Heat the oven, I pray Voila! Voila ! See the mixture turn brown Our cake is ready Do wear your crown! Dr. Guncha Gupta 19/3/19

Laugh it off ! When you are sad And the day is bad When the going gets tough And work seems rough When the spirit is low And you end up in a row Laugh it off For laughter is a must ! When the world seems shallow Life feels hollow The clouds are dark Snow too cold Day seems bleak Enthusiasm weak Laugh it off For laughter is a must ! Too much ado ? Count away, yes please do When chaos is much Circumstances such And the troughs ride more than the crests When you would rather laugh But all that you can do is cry As tears run by Laugh it off For laughter is must ! When there is a lot on your mind but no words to say When all you can really do is pray When thoughts are all astray And the little doubts always creep in the way When the mind wanders In the world beyond and yonder Laugh it off Oh you must ! Laugh it off Yes ! You must. For laughter as they say Is the medicine best A cure for broken heart and mind Is a jest A remedy it is For all ma

Holi  A Hindu festival  A carnival of spirit wild ! Of colours bright  Victory of good over evil it signifies ! A change in seasons  From winter to spring  From cold to warm blooms, a respite ! A celebration of relationships  Start of everlasting friendships. An event lasting a night and a day  From evening of phalgun full moon day  To demolish Holika, a demon gone astray. Holika dahan is a big day  For Hindus it signifies burning the bad in their hriday ! ( hearts ) Soul searching,  Pyres  And rituals all the way. Followed by a day of festivity  With sweets, colours and water tranquility ! Water guns and water balloons to play  Frolic and Fight, all is fair this day. Drums, beats and dances  Clouds of colours and bhang trances  Old, Young, children all gay  None is spared or left at bay  Forgive, forget, laugh and play  Repair broken hearts away Holi  A symbolic legend to explain  And honour Lord Vishnu and Prahlada, King Hiranyakashyap’s son Hiran

और एक चलो आज हम अपनी ताक़त दीखा दें क्यूँ न अपनी गणणा का सिला दें चलो सब चल कर सरहद ही नाप लें सरहद पार की धरती को तीर्थ ही बना दें नाप पाओ जितनी उतनी तुम्हारे नाम जो रह जाये वो चीन और अफगानियों के नाम भाई भाई का एक नया सा सिला दें ! सोच में थोड़ी मस्ती ही मिला दें अपनी मिट्टी को भी थोड़ा सा सहला दें और कुछ भी नहीं तो ठहाका ही लगा लें ! डॉ गुंचा गुप्ता 28/2/19

आज मैंने कुछ लिखा है .... देखो आज कैसे रुख़ हवा का मुडा है क़लम का टुकड़ा एक बार फिर काग़ज़ पर चला है कला का लट्टू दीमाग में फिर एक बार जगा है जिहादियों को कोसते कोसते आज हिंदुस्तान जिहाद से जुड़ सा गया है! देखो आज कैसे रुख़ हवा का मुडा है! बदला है! शिकायतें - हकूमतें ताक़तें, आज वोही हकूमतें ! क्या ये काफ़ी नहीं कि हर हिंदुस्तानी इकट्ठे आज एक बार खड़ा है देखो कैसे आज रुख़ हवा का मुडा है ! बदला है ! एक फ़ौजी का मनोबल कहॉं आज डगमगायेगा जब १३५ करोड़ की जनता का ख़याल ज़हन में आएगा क्या ये काफ़ी नहीं कि जिहाद तुम्हारा जोड़ रहा मुल्क हमारा क्या ये काफ़ी नहीं कि पेड़ जो ऊपर था आज जड़ भी है फैला रहा न रंग है आज न मज़हब ही कहीं दीख रहा हिंदुस्तान है बस हिंदुस्तान ही साथ खड़ा एक खड़ा ! देखो कैसे रुख़ हवा का बदल रहा ! डॉ गुंचा गुप्ता 27/2/19 Aaj Maine kuch likha hai ...... ‘Dekho aaj kaise rukh hawa ka muda hai Kalam ka tukdaa ek baar fir kaagaz par Chala hai Kala ka lattu Dimaag mein fir ek baar jaga hai Jihaadiyon ko koste koste aaj Hindustan Jihaad Se judd

#EducationForEquality & #ICICIBANKAURA A girl child Is a nation’s pride A future mother A nurturer An inspiration, And a guide Her education is her birth right An educated mother Produces a healthy child All the preventive methods She abides Correct age at reproduction She prevents population explosion She remains dignified Ill behaviour she defies Education gives her confidence Education is her strength On her, her family can rely Educated mother Means a respectful child A future man of spine A future woman - kind Literate mother Means Cleanliness Which is next to Godliness Better sanitation Good habitation No malnutrition Importance of vegetation Fresh Air for inspiration Educated girl child Brings independence of thoughts and mind Gender discrimination she shieds Educated girl child Capable of working both at home and outside She can run an enterprise She can be a teacher very wise A pilot A doctor A cook An engineer A minister

My Miracle Story April 1996 post my X boards result, I got selected to DPS, R.K.Puram for my higher secondary. And post the initial excitement and furore about a small town convent school girl achieving a big feat, I realised the gazillion task lying ahead of me - cracking the pre- medical tests while making sure I could at least pass the mathematics paper that being the essential in DPS ! The days seemed to turn very bleak indeed as I started from a brilliant student of St. Theresa’s Convent School, Karnal - a scholar board member to a mediocre in a class of almost four hundred and fifty students all sections included. The smile disappeared The stress level multiplied, The weight loss started Loss of appetite ! The health deteriorated The morale wasn’t high ... A small break arrived As the ‘Festival of Lights’ ! I came home For that little respite, My miracle appeared Bang on the Diwali night ! I went to the rooftop with some candles to light, And an angel saw

Change A way of life Law of mortals and divine The only constant Finite and Infinite Both happiness and strife From birth to the end of life An inevitable wheel in motion Full of myriad emotions A process A learning An evolution Of spiritual growth And transition The earth rotates So do other planets Comets outgas The meteorites shoot The sun rises and sets As does the moon Seasons change Spring flowers bloom A sapling grows Spreads its roots Caterpillar metamorphoses Fauna moults Wind blows Volcano moulds This change is vital So go with the flow From childhood to an adult We must all grow From adulthood to old age In a blink life goes From light to dark From darkness to light A cycle of sadness and respite The subconscious is not constant Nor is life! Change is the only constant The truth be told. Dr. Guncha Gupta 8/3/19

How Do Plants Cook Food ? The day progressed with a lazy little one who refused to focus and learn the ongoing theme in class... ‘the plant kingdom’ ! And the scene was almost a one act play with a solitary actor performing like a parrot - ‘Myra what do plants need to grow?’ No reply. My words fell on deaf ears! She was too busy playing with her crayons. And I was in a hurry. Seventeen thirty already !! I quickly made my to do list in the brain. Teach her quick, my mind almost screamed. Soon it would time for her dinner. And then Zumba fitness for me - an hour of sweat breaking, fast paced exercises as if I needed any more adventure than I already had in my life ! But it was a cooler way to stay fit and not to mention meet some new exciting non- medico faces. The trainer being a dude helped my cause further! And then almost a Eureka moment as I asked Myra - ‘Hey do you want to play telling a story?’ She agreed almost immediately and excitedly asked me to go first. I sensed my

जितना छोटा   उतना खोटा   एक अकेला,   सब पर भारी हाथ न आये,   ताली पे ताली! ख़ून चूसता बारी बारी   पंख फैलाता   उड़ता जाता   नहीं किसी से   इसकी यारी ! किसकी बाज़ू   किसकी टाँग   सब कर लाल कर दे बेहाल ! आँखें इसकी   तेज़तर्रार   देखे वो भी जो छिपा,   न है बाहर ! धूप, बारिश   किसी से न डरता   आतंकी एसा आँधी जैसा   एक एक मादा कर दे पैदा   फ़ौज भयंकर अफ़लातूनी ! डेंगू, मलेरिया, चिकनगुनिया   सब इसकी ही कारसतानी ! क्या बच्चे,   क्या बड़े, बूढ़े   क्या पंडित, मौलवी और फ़क़ीर   कोई न बचता   इसके डंक से   देखो कैसा अपक्षपाती !   हाँ मैं मच्छर   ख़ुराफ़ाती ! करता वह जो   मन में आती पंडित , मौलवी और फ़क़ीर   न किसी की तरफ़दारी   पाँव पड़ता पूजा करता   सबका भक्त मैं   एक सा ही   आशीर्वाद आप ही ले लिया करता   चख कर ख़ून देख लिया करता कौन है राजा   कौन भिखारी ! कुछ न अंतर सब बवंडर ! मच्छर मैं भी हूँ   अनुभवी ! डॉ गुंचा गुप्ता   १२/०३/२०१९