N. Dharam Singh was a great fan of Urdu poetry and spared no opportunity to quote verses, in the classic Hyderabad Karnataka tradition of linguistic and religious syncretism.
A man greatly influenced by Sufism, he was often philosophical in victory and defeat.
Before assuming office as Chief Minister:
Na jane kaun duaon mein yaad rakhta hai. Dushman dubana chahata hai to samundar uchchal deta hai.
(I don’t know who remembers me in their prayers. The enemy tries to drown me but the ocean keeps me afloat.)
As Chief Minister in the Assembly:
Na jaane kiski banayi hui yeh tasveer hai. Sar par taaj hai magar paav mein zanjeer hai.
(I don’t know who created this image. There is a crown on the head but the legs are chained.)
After losing the Lok Sabha election in 2014:
Ujale apne yadon ke apne saath rehne do. Na jane kis gali mein zindagi ki shaam ho jaye.
(Let us not forget the warm memories of the moments spent together. Who knows in which dark corner life ends.)
