Class 11 Hindi - TAMILNADU
Poetry: Ghar Ki Yaad
The chapter 'Ghar Ki Yaad' (Memories of Home) is a poignant poem written by the legendary nationalist poet Shamsher Bahadur Singh, composed while he was imprisoned during the Quit India Movement. The poem vividly captures the deep emotional agony of missing one's family and home during exile or imprisonment. For Class 11 Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi students, this chapter is crucial as it tests comprehension of modern Hindi poetry, emotional resonance, imagery, and the socio-political backdrop of India's freedom struggle. Board exams frequently feature questions on poetic devices, stanza-wise explanations, and the psychological state of the poet.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Historical Context & Imprisonment
The poem reflects the poet's state of mind while jailed in Bareilly Central Jail during the 1942 Quit India Movement, highlighting the personal sacrifices made by freedom fighters.
Portrait of the Mother
The poet's mother is portrayed not as educated, but as a fountain of love, warmth, and resilience, whose very tears symbolize immense sorrow for her jailed son.
Significance of Siblings
The poet lovingly remembers his brothers and sisters, describing them as athletic, industrious, and deeply bonded, yet incomplete without him.
The Figure of the Father
The father is depicted as old in age yet young at heart—fearless, a lover of Gita reading, and someone whose physical aging is masked by mental strength.
Central Theme of Nostalgia
The intense longing for home and the psychological pain of separation are woven throughout the poem using powerful domestic imagery like the leaking roof and soaked night.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi Class 11 Hindi board examinations, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 10 marks. Questions usually include reference to context (SAPRASANG VAKHYA), short answer questions regarding character sketches of family members, and analytical questions on the emotional impact of the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the poet remember his mother so intensely in prison?
The poet remembers his mother because she represents unconditional love, and her absence in prison magnifies his pain. He imagines her weeping and worrying constantly about her fifth son (the poet).
How is the poet's father described despite his old age?
Even at the age of fifty, the father is agile, fearless, reads the Gita, exercises, and does not lose courage, though he secretly feels the deep sorrow of his son's imprisonment.
What is the significance of the rain in the poem 'Ghar Ki Yaad'?
The continuous pouring rain symbolizes the relentless flow of the poet's tears and the gloomy, depressing atmosphere of separation from his family during imprisonment.
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