The shrill calls of the door-to-door vegetable vendor interrupted my ideas. I had been skimming the newspaper headlines as I sipped tea sitting on the porch of my pal’s home in Chandigarh, India. The greenery round the home and the incessant chirping of the birds supplied the right backdrop for a lazy morning. Because the hawker’s calls light, I mirrored on how I had ended up in Chandigarh, a metropolis removed from my common Toronto-India routes.
It began with a Fb pal request.
A protracted-lost pal had reached out, questioning if I used to be the identical particular person he thought I used to be. It turned out that I used to be. One nice shock led to a different, and earlier than lengthy, I used to be in a small WhatsApp group of 4 buddies whose lives had intersected in Bombay 4 many years in the past.
Family and friends reuniting over social media are virtually passé nowadays. However this one felt completely different. Looking back, our lives had been like episodes of NBC’s Mates — a small group of single, middle-class, twenty-somethings sharing an condominium whereas coping with day-to-day vagaries of profession, life, friendship, and romance. The group was as various because it may get — three guys and a lady from the 4 corners of the nation!
When somebody within the group floated the concept of a bodily assembly, it was simply that, an thought. Getting collectively to reminisce about bygone days posed logistical challenges that concerned Dubai, Toronto, Bombay, Calcutta, and Chandigarh. Private constraints included work, caring for aged dad and mom, partner schedules, and prices.
An audio file of a deep-voiced man reciting a Hindi poem, shared inside the WhatsApp group, supplied me the impetus to make the assembly occur. The poem was titled “Kuch Dost.”
My Hindi is sketchy. But, I knew that the literal translation of the title “Sure Mates” or “Some Mates” wouldn’t seize the poet’s nuanced sentiments. I used to be drawn to the poet’s sense of déjà vu as he wrote about how random anecdotal reminiscences introduced outdated buddies to thoughts.
As I listened to the phrases, lots of which I needed to search for, I spotted that I had not learn many English poems about buddies and friendships. Pining about long-lost buddies shouldn’t be a factor within the western world. Nonetheless, the poem written as random musings of the poet resonated with me. Realizing absolutely properly that I won’t be able to seize the true essence of the poetry in its translated kind, right here’s my try at it.
Kuch Dost (Sure Mates)
Principal Yaadon Ka Qissa Kholu Toh, Kuch Dost Bahut Yaad Aate Hai
If I open the tales of my reminiscences, sure buddies come to thoughts loads.
Principal Guzre Pal Ko Sochun Toh, Kuch Dost Bahut Yaad Aate Hai.
After I take into consideration the bygone days, sure buddies come to thoughts loads.
Ab Jane Kaun Si Nagri Mein, Abaad Hai Jakar Muddat Se
I ponder during which metropolis they ended up settling in throughout this time.
Principal Der Raat Tak Jaagu Toh, Kuch Dost Bahut Yaad Aate Hai.
If I keep awake late at night time, sure buddies come to thoughts loads.
Kuch Baate Thi Phoolon Jaisi, Kuch Lehze Khusbu Jaise they.
Some conversations had been like flowers; some accents like fragrances.
Principal Shaher-e-Chaman Mein Tehlu To, Kuch Dost Bahut Yaad Aate Hai.
After I stroll town’s gardens, sure buddies come to thoughts loads.
Sabki zindagi badal gayi, Ek Naaye sire mein dhal gayi,
Everybody’s lives have modified and brought on new instructions.
Kisi ko Naukri se fursat nahi, Kisi ko Doston ki zarurat nahi,
Some don’t have any time without work work; some don’t want buddies.
Saare Yaar gumh ho gaye hai, “Tu” se “Tum” aur “Aap” ho gaye hai,
All the chums have disappeared. Ones addressed as “Tu” grew to become “Tum” and “Aap.“
Principal Guzre pal ko sochu to, Kuch Dost bahut yaad aate hain,
After I take into consideration the bygone days, sure buddies come to thoughts loads.
Dheere dheere umr kat jatee hai, Jeevan yaadon kee pustak ban jaatee hai
You begin getting old slowly; life turns into a guide of reminiscences.
Kabhee kisee kee yaad bahut tadpaatee hai, Aur kabhee yaadon ke sahaare zindagee kat jaatee hai
At occasions, somebody’s reminiscence torments you, and, at occasions, the reminiscences enable you get on along with your life.
Kinaaro pe saagar ke khajaane nahin aate, phir jeevan mein dost puraane nahin aate
The ocean’s treasures don’t come to the banks, and, in life, buddies by no means get outdated.
Jee lo in palon ko has ke dost; phir laut ke dostee ke jamaane nahin aate
Dwell these moments with laughter, pal; such occasions of friendship seldom return.
Oh yeah, about that reunion. It went nice. If something, it felt slightly quick.
It took a poem to remind me: Mates get outdated, however friendships don’t.
