“A beautiful woman delights the eye; a wise woman, the understanding; a pure one, the soul,” said Minna Antrim.

The above words befit the persona of eternal beauty and epitome of grace, Paridhi Sharma, the majestic Jodha of Indian television.

Paridhi is a poem in herself, you look at her and you get mesmerized. Her beauty serenades and her melodious voice captivates. 

Playing the lead role in Zee TV’s Jodha Akbar, Paridhi spoke to us for our Irshaad section. While conversing we learnt that she is well apt with the realms of literature and poetry and is an avid watcher of Tata Sky’s innovative initiative Actve Javed Akhtar. Read on for more…

We feel that life without poetry would be incomplete…your thoughts?

I am completely in sync with the thought and feel that poetry enhances one’s ability to express emotions.

Do you have interest in poetry and shayari?

I have a lot of interest in poetry and I wish that I had a good command over a language to become a writer. I have always wanted to add on to the field of art, especially poetry. 

Has anyone written or recited a poem or shayari to profess their love to you?

Yes, friends still do that and of course my husband during our college days. He used to woo me with romantic poems and shayaris (blushes).

In this day and age – where people have lost interest in poetry and that kind of romance, how do you stay connected to shayari/poetry?

It might seem so at the surface level but deep down we all are connected with poetry. It will always remain alive in our hearts and minds.

Who is your favorite shayar or poet?

Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Rabindranath Tagore, Gulzar and Javed Akhtar are my all time favourites.

Did you know that Tata Sky & Javed Akhtar saab have recently launched Actve Javed Akhtar service on Tata Sky to bring back the golden era of poetry? Your comments on it?

Of course I know about it and whole heartedly enjoy watching the videos. I am in favour of such programs as it allows one to enjoy poetry in its purest form. I really like the show and get to learn so much through the talented man at the comfort of being at my home.

Poetry is understood essentially as a soulful expression. It has been used in the past to express all emotions of life (not just alcohol, love and betrayal, as popularly believed). What do you associate poetry with?

I feel it’s the reflection of human expressions and emotions in its strongest form. Every emotion that a human feels can be articulated aptly through the magic of poetry.

Javed Akhtar is a magician with the pen. Any favourite song or poem of his you remember/like?

All his songs are beautiful.

To end, kuch irshaad kijiye…

Banaya hai maine ye ghar dheere dheere, khule mere khwabon ke par dheere dheere...

Kisi ko giraya, na khud ko uchala, kata zindagi ka safar dheere dheere…

Zameen khed ke saara, maine ugaya hai shehar dheere dheere…

Mila kya na mujhe aye zindagi, mohabbat zaroor mili hai dheere dheere…

For those who are fans of Urdu Shayari and spiritual dohas, check out ‘Actve Javed Akhtar’, the latest offering from Tata Sky.