Warsa

Shrikant Barhate “Shikoba” is my friend, philosopher and guide. We’re classmates and soulmates. Currently, he sits in the World Bank Headquarters solving the poor’s problems. A boy from Wardha near Nagpur, he moved abroad some ten years ago. Here’s a brilliant piece of his poetry – see how he portrays the father-son-grandson phenomenon. He wrote this to me when I was mourning my father’s death a couple of years ago. So far, this creation was my personal treasure. I have decided to make it public…


are bapacha bapacha
pidhya-pidhya warsa
lekrachya dolyamamadhye
shudhha premacha aarsa

are babpache bapache
dukkhha manamadhe dache
natawachya mukhawar
hasya nagde ga sache

are bapachi bapachi
bhint pathishi mayechi
porane dili loka
marmagath warshyachi

are bapacha bapacha
put adbhut mayecha
shikobachya dilawar
shikka kayam madhacha