Nagari-Nagari,Dware-Dware

कितना अकेला आकाश –
ज्ञानपीठ पुरस्कार से सम्मानित श्रीनरेश मेहता का यह प्रथम यात्रा संस्मरण ‘कितना अकेला आकाश’ में भारतीय कवि द्वारा अपनी सहज सर्जक दृष्टि से यूरोपीय जीवनधारा को परखने की चेष्टा है। यूगोस्लाविया के एक छोटे-से जनस्थान स्त्रूगा में आयोजित काव्य समारोह में एकमात्र भारतीय प्रतिनिधि के रूप में सहभागिता करने के लिए भेजे गये श्रीनरेश मेहता ने सहज कौतुक से न सिर्फ स्त्रूगा को देखा; बल्कि वहाँ के जीवन, वहाँ के स्त्री-पुरुषों की गतिविधियों, भावमुद्राओं, मानसिकताओं और हलचलों की भी मन के कैमरे में छवि उतारी। एनी और बुदिमका जैसे सौम्य और बुद्धिदीप्त महिलाओं के सहयोग ने कवि के अकेले और सूने आकाश को दीप्ति और उल्लास से भर दिया।

Swapna Liddle was passionate about Delhi, Shahjahanabad and its culture. She wrote a PhD thesis on the city’s intellectual and cultural life during the nineteenth century. She is currently working for the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. Her book Delhi: 14 Historic Walks is her own.
Today, Chandni Chowk is a remnant of Shahjahanabad, an imperial city that was founded by Shahjahan in 17th century. This is the story about how the city was established, its glory as capital of an empire at its height and its significant role in shaping North India’s language and culture. It also tells the tale of the many trials the city has faced, including the invasion of Nadir Shah and the Revolt in 1857.
Shahjahanabad is now part of the sprawling metropolis of Delhi. It still retains its own identity. It is popularly known as Chandni Chowk. This name conjures up narrow streets, exotic markets, and a variety street food. Shahjahanabad remains a vibrant city, even though its inhabitants have lived in different eras. Dariba Kalan still boasts rows of thriving jewelers’ shops. Begum Samru’s Haveli is now Bhagirath palace, a sprawling electronic market. No visit to Chandni Chowk would be complete without a meal at Karim’s. Karim’s chefs use recipes that have been handed down through the ages to create mouthwatering biriyani or kebabs.
Swapna Liddle uses a variety of sources such as accounts from Mughal court chroniclers and travellers’ memoirs to create a vibrant and dynamic picture of the city, from its inception until recent times.