Humsafar : The World of Urdu Poetry

by Hitesh Gupta Aadil

This book is a treasure trove of over 150 beautiful and timeless romantic ghazals, nazms, and rubaais— all of them translated and transliterated into English. It holds the iconic verses of poets like Ghalib, Firaq, and Faiz, and showcases the poetry of popular contemporary poets. Lose yourself in the captivating melodies of Urdu poetry with Humsafar, and discover the beauty and power of love that transcends all boundaries. Experience the magic of Urdu poetry! • A collection of timeless poetry • Best works of renowned poets who explore spirituality • A must-have book for poetry lovers • Poems that explore love and beauty in all its glory • Captivating ghazals, nazms, and rubaais

Genres: Poetry

464 pages, Hardcover

Published May 20, 2023

Reviews

[Aakanksha Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently had the privilege of immersing myself in Humsafar: The World of Urdu Poetry by Hitesh Gupta Aadil, known as "Aadil" in his literary pursuits.

This anthology masterfully introduces over 150 classic Urdu ghazals, nazms, and rubbais, translating them into English for broader accessibility. Aadil pays homage to celebrated poets like Ghalib, Firaq, and Faiz while also spotlighting lesser-known contemporary voices.

What distinguishes this collection is Aadil's profound exploration of Urdu's evolution and its global resonance. He deftly navigates poetic themes, debunking myths and elucidating the art form's technical intricacies.

It primarily revolves around romanticism, with minimal Persian complexity, ensuring accessibility. Aadil's meticulous research and commitment to bridging linguistic divides make this book an invaluable resource.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading these verses, accompanied by the poets' intriguing historical contexts, and I plan to revisit them, making this book a must-have for Urdu poetry enthusiasts.

Read the detailed review here - Books Charming

[Ashiish V Patil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, educational, entertaining, fab curation, super collection.

[Aarti Arora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humsafar is a captivating anthology of Urdu poetry that celebrates the rich tradition and culture of this poetic form. Hitesh Gupta Aadil deserves high praise for curating a diverse collection that spans centuries of literary brilliance, encompassing over 150 ghazals, nazms, and rubaiyat.

What sets this book apart is its accessibility. The poems are transliterated into English, making them more approachable for readers unfamiliar with the Urdu script. The freestyle transliterations effectively preserve the rhythm and essence of the original works, ensuring that the beauty and depth of the poetry remain intact.

Read the full review on: https://readreactreview21.wordpress.c...

[Shaheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book — it has filled a personal gap I’ve been feeling as an American native speaker of Urdu. How do we better understand Urdu poetry when the script itself is so complex and inaccessible without years of immersion? I learned written Urdu several years ago and still struggle with being able to understand poetry fully when only presented with the original script. Humsafar is descriptive, resourceful, and appreciative of this rich artistic world while still making it palatable for those with less background knowledge.

My one reservation with the text is the sheer amount of typos and mistakes in translation that I found even with my limited Urdu (Aadil hit me up if you want me to do your editing for cheap, I marked down everything I found😩). I think it also would have been a bit easier to follow if the urdu and english were truly side-by-side so I didn’t have to keep flipping pages.

[Readnrise · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Humsafar" by Hitesh Gupta Aadil is a book that will take you to the world of Urdu poetry. The book covers more than 150 Nazms (free verse) & Ghazals (poems) that come from extremely famous poets like Jaun Eliya, Gulzar, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Jaan Nisar Akhtar, and many others.

The book is written keeping in mind beginners as well and all the poems and ghazals are translated into English language for better understanding. It will take you to a world where no other poetry book can and I believe this when I say this.

I've read more than 100 books, some fiction, some on entrepreneurship and business, and many nonfiction and poetry from authors of different origins never felt an attachment to any other book than "Humsafar." The book is going to be with me for a lifetime. A must-read for "Urdu" and "Poetry lovers."

[Nivrati Goel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone with slightest incline towards Urdu language and ghazals will be considerably drawn after reading this beautiful compilation and explanation of what we must say, "A literary world in itself"...loved it to the core

[Arvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise introduction to major Urdu poets from the Indian subcontinent, with brief bios and notable works. Simpler and less intense than Saif Mehmood’s "Beloved Delhi" that I last read but great for beginners. A must-read for anyone starting their journey into Urdu shayari.

[Devansh Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most fun 350 rupees I've ever spent. Introduced me to Urdu poetry and also made me write some of my own!

[odysseus of ithaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

i just wish there were even MORE underrated and depressed poetry included, in totality as a whole it was amazing to have written something like this, but yes.. wished there was more to it.

[Tanishq Khandelwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful gateway into the world of Urdu poetry. Collects some of the most timeless verses, perfect for beginners.