🇮🇳

मैं अकेला; by Suryakant Tripathi Nirala — Analysis & Translation

2 min read Hindi

Original Poem

मैं अकेला; देखता हूँ, आ रही मेरे दिवस की सांध्य वेला। पके आधे बाल मेरे, हुए निष्प्रभ गाल मेरे, चाल मेरी मंद होती आ रही, हट रहा मेला। जानता हूँ, नदी-झरने, जो मुझे थे पार करने, कर चुका हूँ, हँस रहा यह देख, कोई नहीं भेला।1

Translation (English)

I am alone; I see, the evening of my life is approaching. Half of my hair has turned white, My cheeks have become dull, My pace is slowing down, The crowd is dispersing. I know, the rivers and streams, That I had to cross, I have crossed them, smiling at this, No one is left with me.

About the Poet

Suryakant Tripathi Nirala (20th century)

Suryakant Tripathi Nirala was a prominent Hindi poet, novelist, essayist, and story-writer. He was a key figure in the Chhayavaad literary movement, which marked a romanticism in Hindi literature. His works often reflect a deep sense of social awareness and personal introspection.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
Poetry
When Written
20th century
Background
This poem reflects the themes of solitude and introspection, common in Nirala's works. It captures the poet's contemplation of aging and the passage of time, symbolized by the evening of his life.

Sources: https://brainly.in/question/44839403, https://kavitapoemdunia.com/2024/02/mein-akela-suryakant-tripathi-nirala.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindi_literature

Detailed Explanation

This poem by Suryakant Tripathi Nirala reflects on the themes of solitude and the passage of time. The poet describes himself as alone, observing the evening of his life approaching. He uses vivid imagery to convey the signs of aging, such as graying hair and a slowing pace. The metaphor of the 'fair dispersing' suggests the end of vibrant life activities. The poet acknowledges that he has crossed the metaphorical rivers and streams of life's challenges, and now finds himself laughing at the realization that no one remains with him. This introspective piece captures a sense of acceptance and reflection on life's journey.

Themes

  • Solitude
  • Aging
  • Introspection
  • Life's Journey

Literary Devices

  • Imagery: Vivid descriptions of aging and solitude.
  • Metaphor: The evening of the day symbolizes the later years of life.
  • Personification: Rivers and streams are given human-like challenges to cross.
  • Symbolism: Graying hair and slowing pace symbolize aging.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
मैं मुझ I main
अकेला एकान्त alone akelaa
देखता निहारता see dekhtaa
हूँ रहता हूँ am hoon
आ आ रही coming aa
रही हो रही is happening rahee
मेरे मेरा my mere
दिवस दिन day divas
की का of kee
सांध्य शाम evening saandhya
वेला समय time velaa
पके सफेद gray pake
आधे अर्ध half aadhe
बाल केश hair baal
हुए बन गए became hue
निष्प्रभ फीके dull nishprabh
गाल गाल cheeks gaal
चाल गति pace chaal
मंद धीमी slow mand
होती बनती becoming hotee
हट चला moving hat
रहा गया has gone rahaa
मेला भीड़ fair melaa
जानता समझता know jaantaa
नदी जलधारा river nadee
झरने जलप्रपात streams jharne
जो वह that jo
मुझे मुझको me mujhe
थे थे were the
पार उलांघना cross paar
करने करना to do karne
कर किया done kar
चुका पूरा completed chuka
हँस मुस्कुरा laughing hans
यह इसे this yah
देख देखना look dekh
कोई कोई भी no one koi
नहीं न not nahin
भेला साथी companion bhelaa

Want to analyze your own poem?

Paste any poem in 180+ languages and get an instant AI-powered analysis with translation, explanation, poet biography, and literary devices.

Try Poetry Explainer — Free