Madhushala in a new avatar

First published in 1933-34, the book is now designed in a format that contains original poems along with their English translation. It was launched to mark the 102nd birth anniversary of Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

Harivansh Rai Bachchan

When Amitabh Bachchan and other members of his family took to the podium to recite from Harivansh Rai Bachchan's Madhushala - The House of Wine, commemorating his 102nd birth anniversary, nostalgia was in the air as the book was launched in a new avatar.

First published in 1933-34, the book is now designed in a format that contains original poems along with their English translation, interspersed with illustrations of paintings done by Namrita Bachchan, daughter of Amitabh's brother Ajitabh.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan said at the launch that the book was not a revised version of the original, but a translation.

"It's wonderful that my cousin Namrita has illustrated the Madhushala and it's wonderful to get the third generation of Bachchans to contribute," Abhishek said.

Amitabh revealed that this book was his wife Jaya Bachchan's idea. "It was Jaya's idea that if the book is compiled in a way where one page has the original poems and in the corresponding page the translation of the same, then this generation would love to read it," Amitabh said.

Some translations have also been done by Ram Swaroop Vyas. Almost every member of the Bachchan family recited Harivansh Rai Bachchan's select poems on the occasion.

Actors Om Puri, Rahul Bose and Ashutosh Rana and screenwriter Prasoon Joshi were among others present at the function.