क्या भूलूँ क्या याद करूँ

by Harivansh Rai Bachchan, हरिवंश राय बच्चन

This book is first in a series of, the eminent Hindi poet, Harivansh Rai Bachchan's autobiographical works.

The four volumes together describe his journey as a writer, from the days of his youth to his days of being a poet. The book reveals how his poetry became an expression of his emotions, and how his work was influenced by the many facets of society.

This is an extensive story of the personal and professional journey of a renowned poet, describing the many events in his life that left an impact on him, and the many influences that impacted his poetry.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kya Bhuloon kya yaad karoon- Harivansh Rai Bachchan- First voluem of autobiography of the renouned hindi poet. In Simla just behind Mahatma Gandhi statue at Ridge- a Government Library is established. I read all four volumes of the Autobiography. I have been reading autobiographies all my life- if the reader can associate with the writer then the script can easily touch the heart and the book becomes sort of immortal for him. First he has written about early years of his ancestors, then about the society in Allahabad in period British rule-Middle class people had to work hard in order to survive. Harivansh Rai Bachchan studied, gave tutions of children and associated himself with writing poems. He nutured his dreams and made an effort to bring them true. In the society, agriculturists, shopkeeper, businessmen were financially better of than middle class city dwellers. His father was an employee of newspaper printing press, thus reading and writing were in the family. Beyond this, his father had a strenous routine- going to Ganga river for morning bath, Puja, work at office then back dinner again books and sleep. Publication of first book- Madhushala was done by a publisher free of cost- just by providing him a few free copies. Later he published the book himself and sold from his house. Second comes the art of reading his poems in a Kavi Sammelan. He recited his poems before the public with feelings and was always in demand for a repeat by the audience. His relations with his mother and other relatives, with his first wife Shyama have been so well written that it brings tears to the eye of the reader. The first volume of the book ends with the death of Shyama his first wife. I rate the autobiography of Harivansh Rai Bachchan alongwith the autobiography of his contemporary Balraj Sahni as five star.

[Sanjaya Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An autobiography with which generations of first half of 20th century can relate very well.

Worth recommending for others to read and have insight of a great human being. New generation must also read to peek into life during first half of twentieth century.

[Anuradha Goyal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed Review: http://www.anureviews.com/kya-bhoolun...

[Vschauhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the really very good book to read.

[Rahul Chaudhary · Rating 5 out of 5]

"इस पार प्रिये मपु है तुम हो उस पार न जाने क्या होगा।"

मेरी पसंदीदा ऑटोबायोग्राफी में से एक है बच्चन जी की "क्या भूलूँ क्या याद करुँ" Title देखकर ही अंदाजा लगाया जा सकता है l

[Paradox D · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's amazing , everyone who is related to hindi literature they should read it.

[Anshul Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read shri Bachhan while at iit, borrowed his Madhushala from a friend. Had heard a lot about him and the book and conservative inside me from a small town used to think it’s a vulgar book. But it was different. TBH couldn’t make much of it at that time but then read many other poems of his mostly on online Hindi websites and they were impressive. Later came to know that he did PhD in English and was father to Amitabh Bachhan. Certainly a personality of many colours. Later heard rave reviews about his autobiography, even its name was very unique and inviting and finally I got a chance to read it and I was hooked up from the time I picked up the book . The book is a treasure trove. It details family history of an Indian in 1850-1935 era, gives a good idea of socio economic milleue. Muslims and Christians are absent from life circles of author and his family in a city like Allahabad which shows how everyone of them inhabitated different worlds. Sheer lack of economic opportunity, industry, jobs and entrepreneurship is so much apparent that youth spent years working on low paid jobs. How Gandhiji inspired struggles and ideals often wreaked havoc in life of individuals who believes firmly in them is shown. Life of a typical Kayastha or babu family is also depicted very graphically. People didn’t travel much , didn’t have much idea of economy or things outside India is apparent. Apart from Jis life struggles and life journey the philosophical bent of author is very obvious. One is ship of thesus where author mentions that after replacing every part does the original remain same and secondly the Upanishadic concept of being watcher and being fruit ester while sitting on same tree. Then prevalent medical situation where people would die of TB and unknown illness at pretty young age is a recurring theme in the book

Overall a very goes read and glad I finally got a chance to read it

[The_book_tales01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

हरिवंशराय बच्चन जी ने अपनी आत्मकथा बहुत ही विस्तृत तौर से लिखा है, उन्होंने शुरुआत में एक तरह से अपनी वंशावली ही दे दी है, और वो भी काफी विस्तार से। 70 पृष्ठ के बाद उन्होंने अपना जन्म करवाया है, और ये तथ्य इस बात का पर्याप्त सबूत है कि ये आत्मकथा कितनी विस्तृत है।

उन्होंने ना सिर्फ अपने जीवन मे हुई घटनाओं को साझा किया है, बल्कि उस समय उनके अंदर जो भावनाए उठी उसका भी बहुत ही स्पष्ट और विस्तृत वर्णन किया है, मुझे बहुत ही सुखद आश्चर्य हुआ कि कोई इन्सान किस तरह से अपनी भावनाओं को इतनी स्पष्टता से समझ सकता है और उन्हें स्वीकार कर सकता है।

बहुत ही ईमानदारी से सब कुछ लिख दिया गया है इस पुस्तक में, अगर आपको मधुशाला, मधुबाला और बच्चन जी कि प्रारंभिक रचनाएँ किस मनःस्थिति मे लिखी गई है ये जानना है तो ये खण्ड जरूर पढ़ें, मुझे व्यक्तिगत रूप से मधुशाला और मधुबाला कि एक नई समझ हुई है इस पुस्तक को पढ़ कर।

ये कृति आपको इस बात का कुछ अनुभव जरूर देगी कि क्यों हिंदी साहित्य के पाठक श्री बच्चन जी को एक अलग दर्ज देते है, और एक व्यक्ति के तौर पर शायद आप भी कुछ सीख सके। मेरे अनुसार आज के समय मे जिस ईमानदार और सत्यता कि कमी हम महसूस करते है वो इस रचना से दूर कि जा सकती है। हालांकि ये ईमानदारी कहीं और ढूंढने से तकलीफ़ बढ़ती है क्योंकि शायद और कहीं ये ईमानदारी ना ही मिल सके।

[Ashok Deobhakta · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Best Books I have read so far, in Hindi! You may start on any page, you will continue reading it further, without break! It has an amazing flow, so rich in language! And, it is too touching, at many places. The last few pages are very moving, when we get to read the tragic years-when Shyamaji, his first wife-whom he loved immensely-finally succumbs to her illness. The highly acclaimed works of Babuji, Harbans Rai Bachhanji, are published during these times and get him in to lime light, with amazing popularity.
The devotion of his parents and the hard life they had to under go are other touching moments, beautifully described in the book.
Some of the passages can be read and re-read, repeatedly.

[Arisudan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If somebody asks which are the best books written in Hindi, ever. This will be one of my Top 10. This becomes more special being an autobiography. And an autobiography of a poet of Bachchan's stature has to be quite poetic throughout. This lives upto its reputation. There is so much to learn, not just about the poet's life but also the society of those days, history, philosophy, the evolution of literature and life lessons. It's a must read for any Hindi literature enthusiast.

[Pooja Arora · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the masterpieces for the Hindi literature. I am just mesmerized after reading this book. It's not just a book, it's a world made up of trillions of Bachchan Sir' memories, where we fortunately got a chance to roam around.

[Richa Awasthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bhasha dwara abhivyakti to bahut pustakon mein milti hai parantu aisi kitaabein milna mushkil hoti hain jo swayam bhaashaa ka khazana hon...
Is kitaab ke sameeksha samay nikal kar likhenge par yeh nishchit hai ki yedi hindi padhna aapko pasand hai to yeh kitaab haath mein lekar aap atyant khushi ka anubhav karenge...
Anubhooti ka bhandaar hai yeh aur lekhak ka ek tarah se darpan bhi !!!
Sabse jyada prabhavshaali lekhak ki krantikari soch hai... samaaj ke prati... aur shayad sise log hi samaaj ko sahi disha ki ore le jaate.
Lekhak ne jis tarah apni patni Shyama ji ka chitran kiya hai usse lagta hai ki un dono ka sambandh adbhut hai. Shyama ji sahi mayne mein ek Jeevansangini saabit huin aur nishchit taur par unhe paakar lekhak ne swayam ko dhanya mehsoos kiya hoga.

[Kamal Upadhyay · Rating 5 out of 5]

बहुत ही मार्मिक

हरिवंशराय बच्चन जी ने इस आत्मकथा को बहुत ही मार्मिक ढंग से लिखा। उन्होंने अपने जीवन मे जिस तरह एक के बाद अपने करीबियों की मृत्यु देखी उसी ने उन्हें वो कवि बनाया जिनकी कविता पढ़कर हम भावविभोर हो जातें हैं।