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The writing has perhaps the best "rhythm" of all that I've read - so spectacular that at times, I enjoyed verses purely on the basis of their metric, rather than their content.

I appreciate the title - "Madhushala". It is a reflection of the sentiment of revolution (reformation?) against orthodox, structured edifices (primarily religious edifices). The idea of *alcohol* has a very strong connotation to it.

I feel comfortable with the knowledge that I know very little. It is scary and overwhelming - for it drives a screwdriver right at the idea of self-preservation; if we do not know, who are we? (Please don't answer with the trivially obvious Jon Snow).

In any case, returning to Madhushala - it has been overwhelming. Firstly, because of my own discomfort with the Hindi language. This is the first time I have read Hindi, aside from the school textbooks that I gave up in 2006. Secondly, I am also quite a novice when it comes to poetry. That makes this all the more difficult.

But the main point is this - the work is immensely layered. The meaning of "Madhushala" that is interpreted is so subtle, so intricately woven, so finely balanced, that at times the literal reading of a few verses came across as a shock. Certain verses I pondered over several times and found to be exquisite. Certain verses I skimmed over, unable to grasp the meaning and the vocabulary.

There is no rush. I am confident that with time, further layers, the entire depth of the text will reveal itself to me. As I said, I am comfortable with the knowledge that I know very little.