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Neglected Poems
About the Book: Neglected Poems A selection of exquisite poems that represent Gulzar at his creative and imaginative best You gave me the earth On which I could build A home good enoughfor you to live in; Come, when you find time from all your otherchores Maybe on some weekend, come! After Selected Poems, a collection of some of his best poetrywas extremely well received, Gulzar has chosen to present his nextsixty poems in an inimitable way: labelling them NeglectedPoems. These poems represent Gulzar at his creative and imaginativebest, as he meditates on nature, delves into human psychology andconfronts the most telling moments of everyday life. About Authors: Gulzar, Pavan K. Varma One of the countrys leading poets, Gulzar has published a numberof poetry anthologies and collections of short stories. He is alsoregarded as one of Indias finest writers for children. Apart frommany Filmfare and National Awards for his films and lyrics-and anOscar and Grammy for the song Jai ho-Gulzar has received theSahitya Akademi Award in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in 2004. Helives and works in Mumbai. Pavan K. Varma is a writer and diplomat. His books include TheGreat Indian Middle Class, Being Indian and Becoming Indian, allpublished by Penguin. Apart from Gulzars Selected Poems, he hastranslated Kaifi Azmis and Atal Bihari Vajpayees poetry intoEnglish for Penguin.
- GenresPoetry
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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681 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 9, 2021
"इतनी ईंटें लगती हैं क्या एक ख्याल दफनाने में?!"
Sublime!
Sublime!
February 7, 2017
How can one praise Gulzar? His imagery is a blend of the old and new, he breaks language barriers, and his verses are unconventional and familiar at the same time.
However I thought the translation by Pawan Varma was not optimal in this selection.
However I thought the translation by Pawan Varma was not optimal in this selection.
December 14, 2023
The only thing you hate about this book is it ends. Well, it had to end. But, it won't - the words in them, his legacy.
May 25, 2024
"काट के पेड़ ले गये कुछ लोग
और साया पड़ा सिसकता रहा"
Truly neglected poems, to be honest.
I will prefer not to talk about the hiccupy ones here. They should not malign the magic his pen created otherwise.
There are pieces on war, on environmental degradation, humans' abuse of nature, love, religion, and about writing itself. Poets are often shamed saying they bury their thoughts and feelings in their poetry rather than living them. Gulzar accepts the allegations ... he writes shaming his own tendency to bury. Images are potent, and sometimes magical. I'm listing some of my favorites:-(no i don't like the english translations as much as the original ones)
- दोनों एक सड़क के आर-पार चल रहे हैं हम
- बारिश होती है जब...
- बग़दाद
- गुजरात
- दो परिनदे
- मैं क़ैदी हूं
- सरदार डैम
- सामने वाली उस पहाड़ी पर
- नौ साला फ़राज़ का कहना है...
- उस कलसी का पेंदा नहीं है
... and many more!
और साया पड़ा सिसकता रहा"
Truly neglected poems, to be honest.
I will prefer not to talk about the hiccupy ones here. They should not malign the magic his pen created otherwise.
There are pieces on war, on environmental degradation, humans' abuse of nature, love, religion, and about writing itself. Poets are often shamed saying they bury their thoughts and feelings in their poetry rather than living them. Gulzar accepts the allegations ... he writes shaming his own tendency to bury. Images are potent, and sometimes magical. I'm listing some of my favorites:-(no i don't like the english translations as much as the original ones)
- दोनों एक सड़क के आर-पार चल रहे हैं हम
- बारिश होती है जब...
- बग़दाद
- गुजरात
- दो परिनदे
- मैं क़ैदी हूं
- सरदार डैम
- सामने वाली उस पहाड़ी पर
- नौ साला फ़राज़ का कहना है...
- उस कलसी का पेंदा नहीं है
... and many more!
December 22, 2023
I didn't quite like it. Maybe I wasn't able to grasp but it felt below average to me.
December 24, 2017
This is not going to be a good review. There is no Indian person worth their salt, with a love for words, imagery, beauty, and poetry that has not heard of Gulzar. I received this book by chance. It came as part of a pay it forward book initiative - and I was open to the idea of something new. This was new.
I’d heard so much about the lyrical beauty of Gulzar’s poetry that I was assured this book was going to swim over me. It did not. It instead clanged like saucepans in a windy kitchen, insisting it be read and found profound.
Translations are always a tricky business. And Urdu as a language is throaty and deep, seductive and resonant. The English version has butchered the words of Gulzar. What I read has traces of sublimity and you can catch a whiff of what the poet intended. If you come to the table without any bias, you can call this book of verse vapid and sorely lacking in depth.
It’s true, I surprise myself as I write this review. I wonder if I have been impatient, harboured unreasonable expectations, or simply did not let myself be taken under by the intoxicant nature of poetry. But I cannot deny the abject nothingness and indifference I felt for this book. If I wish for one thing, it is to know how to read Hindi.
I’d heard so much about the lyrical beauty of Gulzar’s poetry that I was assured this book was going to swim over me. It did not. It instead clanged like saucepans in a windy kitchen, insisting it be read and found profound.
Translations are always a tricky business. And Urdu as a language is throaty and deep, seductive and resonant. The English version has butchered the words of Gulzar. What I read has traces of sublimity and you can catch a whiff of what the poet intended. If you come to the table without any bias, you can call this book of verse vapid and sorely lacking in depth.
It’s true, I surprise myself as I write this review. I wonder if I have been impatient, harboured unreasonable expectations, or simply did not let myself be taken under by the intoxicant nature of poetry. But I cannot deny the abject nothingness and indifference I felt for this book. If I wish for one thing, it is to know how to read Hindi.
September 13, 2020
I love Gulzar... His movies, his writing and his thought inspire me to look out into the skies and wonder how far the human mind can fly.
This book however, was a put off. The translator could have done a better job and some of his poems were flat, without the usual Gulzar touch. Perhaps that is why the name neglected poems.
The meditation seems half sought and it feels as if the author and the translator both compiled work that had never gone off the shelf, only for the sake of bringing it off the shelf.
Inspite of all this, a Gulzar fan will find Gulzar in these poems and since he's been my ideal for a long time, I'd let this rest here.
This book however, was a put off. The translator could have done a better job and some of his poems were flat, without the usual Gulzar touch. Perhaps that is why the name neglected poems.
The meditation seems half sought and it feels as if the author and the translator both compiled work that had never gone off the shelf, only for the sake of bringing it off the shelf.
Inspite of all this, a Gulzar fan will find Gulzar in these poems and since he's been my ideal for a long time, I'd let this rest here.
January 3, 2023
It's always a treat (and ritual) to start each year with his books. After a while I picked up his poems.
The collection has works which are sublime and contemporary at places. (Even commentary on some burning current affairs as well). Collected (without section names) topic wise, almost, they preserve a theme and gradually takes you to the magical island of his words, nazm and misr. He takes you to mountains, makes you witness movements of planets and tells tales of loneliness.
The translations are not up to the mark. At places they are even wrong and at places some lines are even skipped to translate. Would have loved it if some pure Urdu words were translated in footnotes.
The collection has works which are sublime and contemporary at places. (Even commentary on some burning current affairs as well). Collected (without section names) topic wise, almost, they preserve a theme and gradually takes you to the magical island of his words, nazm and misr. He takes you to mountains, makes you witness movements of planets and tells tales of loneliness.
The translations are not up to the mark. At places they are even wrong and at places some lines are even skipped to translate. Would have loved it if some pure Urdu words were translated in footnotes.
January 12, 2024
I must admit this is my first Gulzar book. Coming in with great expectations I wish I'd read the original work prior to the translation. While I am certainly grateful for the translation, it adds meaning to the work and makes it easier for me to understand, but it also took away from the beauty of the work. The translation made the poetry seem slightly comical, at certain points I truly sat there wondering why someone would write about this? What is the significance of this? Through the course of the novel, I came to appreciate the diction used by Gulzar and how much the author's choice of words adds to the text. Definitely worth a read though!
August 27, 2023
Most enduring poetry I read, after a long time. Poetry has changed so much in the recent times. It's only about heartbreaks and feminism nowadays. I love how Gulzaar Sahab talks about cities, mountains , rains, love, etc.
Pleasantly surprised by the hindi additional version in this book.
100% recommend for all poetry lovers ❤️
Pleasantly surprised by the hindi additional version in this book.
100% recommend for all poetry lovers ❤️
December 7, 2024
I think it's not worth the hype except few poems I don't like this collection. Maybe I'm not cut out for it. Also it was my first Gulzar's work and I had a lot of expectations for it. I didn't enjoyed reading it.
February 24, 2025
This collection features 60 of Gulzar's poems, with Varma's translations beautifully capturing the beauty and essence of the original works. I was pleasantly surprised to see a poem about the planet Pluto in the book.
March 22, 2019
Barring few poems, the book is not worth its price.
June 14, 2019
Beautiful collection of poem by Gulzar sir. The imageries used are so simple and yet so flavorful.
A must read for people who enjoy poetry.
A must read for people who enjoy poetry.
January 1, 2020
"I am a prisoner of many cages
I live in many cages
I like to be incarcerated...."
I live in many cages
I like to be incarcerated...."
May 18, 2020
Base-less are the names of god
No longer can they be filled up with reverence of faith !
No longer can they be filled up with reverence of faith !
December 8, 2024
Reading Gulzar is like listening to a wise family member. This collections randomness makes it even more unique.
March 20, 2025
This man left behind an outstanding legacy. “Why does it take so many bricks to bury a thought?” Brilliant, excellent, so worth the read.
July 24, 2025
मैं एक कैदी हूँ, कई पिंजरों का कैदी हूँ,
मैं कई पिंजरों में रहता हूँ,
मुझे कैद में रहना पसंद है,
और अपनी मर्ज़ी से,
अपनी अलग-अलग जेलें चुनता रहता हूँ...
मैं कई पिंजरों में रहता हूँ,
मुझे कैद में रहना पसंद है,
और अपनी मर्ज़ी से,
अपनी अलग-अलग जेलें चुनता रहता हूँ...
November 22, 2021
Added one more treasure to my bookshelf.
Each and Every poem is so thought-provoking and Stunning.
Some of my favourite poem are as follow:
* सैकडों बार गिने थे मैंने......
* में कैदी हूँ.......
* अच्छे लगते है ये पहाड़ मुझे....
* रात पहाड़ों पर कुछ और ही होती है....
* सब कुछ वैसा ही चलता है....
* तुम गये तो और कुछ नहीं हुआ...
Good read. Awesome writing. Full of philosophy and vision about society by Gulzar.
Each and Every poem is so thought-provoking and Stunning.
Some of my favourite poem are as follow:
* सैकडों बार गिने थे मैंने......
* में कैदी हूँ.......
* अच्छे लगते है ये पहाड़ मुझे....
* रात पहाड़ों पर कुछ और ही होती है....
* सब कुछ वैसा ही चलता है....
* तुम गये तो और कुछ नहीं हुआ...
Good read. Awesome writing. Full of philosophy and vision about society by Gulzar.
July 4, 2013
This book of Gulzar ji has 60 poems. The first poem is about his daughter Meghna. There are poems written on places (Gujrat, Mumbai, Chennai etc). There are poems about rains (Monsoon Symphony, When it Rains etc). The book has a typical Gulzar ji touch and you can feel his magic as you go on reading. The translations are made in an easy language and do not affect the effect of original poems. As in “Selected poems” this book too, has the original poems in Hindi (Devnagri script) on the left and English translations on the right side. There is not a single long poem (Deergh Kavita) in this collection. The only minus point i could find was not about the type setting. The font used seems a bit small (but only if compared with the “Selected Poems”), otherwise it’s a very nice book.
As far as the title concerned, I’ll share what Gulzar ji himself has said –
“there are so many collections called Selected Poems; why don’t we name the collection Negelected poems instead? Pavan ji looked acutely embarrassed. He started to explain that the delay in translating the new poems was because of his change of office and designation... He hadn’t meant to neglect the poems somehow... Suddenly he saw a smile on my face and realized that i was joking.like two good friends we have stuck to the joke as far as the title of the book goes. It is now time to share the joke with everyone. Here they are then : Neglected Poems.”
Here’s a poem to conclude with:
Hame pedo ke poshako se itni si khabar to mil hi jati hai
Ki badalne wala hai mausam..!
Naye aaveje (nageene) kaano mein latakte dekh kar koyal khabar deti hai
Baari aam ki aayi...!ki bas ab mausam-ae-garma shuru hoga
Sabhi patte gira ke Gulmohar jab nanga ho jata hai garmi mein
To jardo-surkh, sabze par chhapi, poshak ki taiyyari karta hai
Pata chalta hai ki baadal ki aamad (aagman) hai
Pahado se pighalti barf behti hai dhulaane pair ‘Pine’ ke
Hawayein jhaad ke patte unhe chamkane lagti hai
Magar jab rengne lagti hai insaano ki basti
Hari pandandiyon ke paav jab bahar nikalte hai
Samajh jaate hai saare ped, ab katne ki baari aa rahi hai
Yehi bas aakhri mausam hai jeene ka, isse jee lo!!
As far as the title concerned, I’ll share what Gulzar ji himself has said –
“there are so many collections called Selected Poems; why don’t we name the collection Negelected poems instead? Pavan ji looked acutely embarrassed. He started to explain that the delay in translating the new poems was because of his change of office and designation... He hadn’t meant to neglect the poems somehow... Suddenly he saw a smile on my face and realized that i was joking.like two good friends we have stuck to the joke as far as the title of the book goes. It is now time to share the joke with everyone. Here they are then : Neglected Poems.”
Here’s a poem to conclude with:
Hame pedo ke poshako se itni si khabar to mil hi jati hai
Ki badalne wala hai mausam..!
Naye aaveje (nageene) kaano mein latakte dekh kar koyal khabar deti hai
Baari aam ki aayi...!ki bas ab mausam-ae-garma shuru hoga
Sabhi patte gira ke Gulmohar jab nanga ho jata hai garmi mein
To jardo-surkh, sabze par chhapi, poshak ki taiyyari karta hai
Pata chalta hai ki baadal ki aamad (aagman) hai
Pahado se pighalti barf behti hai dhulaane pair ‘Pine’ ke
Hawayein jhaad ke patte unhe chamkane lagti hai
Magar jab rengne lagti hai insaano ki basti
Hari pandandiyon ke paav jab bahar nikalte hai
Samajh jaate hai saare ped, ab katne ki baari aa rahi hai
Yehi bas aakhri mausam hai jeene ka, isse jee lo!!
Read
April 5, 2014After having attended an interactive session with Gulzar at the Bangalore International Literature festival, I was keen on reading some of his lyrics that were independent of films. I was lucky enough to find videos online where he recited some of his own poems in his captivating voice. Out of the many options I was given by online book stores, what intrigued me was a book by the name Neglected Poems.
Characteristically, the poems are not vigorously expressive. But the beauty in which common themes are narrated in the form of a poem with deep philosophical underlining and sometimes with the usage of witty metaphors, is ineffable.
The book consists of the original version in Hindi followed by an English version. Though I personally do not prefer the translated version, it extends the boundaries of cultural knowledge and helping out at times when stuck with a word or phrase. Like any other translations the translation has taken the edge off, giving the reader a feeling of having read simple anecdotes with beautiful similes and metaphors.
More at: http://thelitroom.com/2014/03/23/read...
Characteristically, the poems are not vigorously expressive. But the beauty in which common themes are narrated in the form of a poem with deep philosophical underlining and sometimes with the usage of witty metaphors, is ineffable.
The book consists of the original version in Hindi followed by an English version. Though I personally do not prefer the translated version, it extends the boundaries of cultural knowledge and helping out at times when stuck with a word or phrase. Like any other translations the translation has taken the edge off, giving the reader a feeling of having read simple anecdotes with beautiful similes and metaphors.
More at: http://thelitroom.com/2014/03/23/read...
June 5, 2013
This collection of poems given a peculiar name "Neglected Poems" is definitely not to neglect. It contains 60 poems by Gulzar which you will absolutely love if you are fond of poems. Well, there's not much you can say about Gulzar, his name is enough to describe the depth and sensitivity of his words. When you read his poems you wonder this man seems to belong to some other planet than we live. No one, absolutely no one can see the world the way he does. Don't miss this book, it would be a crime for a poem lover to neglect these Neglected Poem. :)
March 16, 2014
I see why poems from the collection "Neglected Poems by Gulzar" are titled as 'Neglected' These poems have a certain offbeat nature. They bring forth somewhat contrast imagery to mind while reading them. Gulzar sahaab's imagination is at it's strongest in this collection. The reader has to actually read and re-read some the verses to actually interpret their meaning but its a rewarding experience once you are able to see what the poet means. Once you get it, you read that particular poem again to bask in it's beauty.
After all these poems don't deserve to be Neglected.
After all these poems don't deserve to be Neglected.
July 27, 2015
Gulzar’s poetry looks at the human mind and explores emotions that are so known yet unknown. How often we neglect things whose values we know yet not realize. He even looks at God from a different angle. He looks at life and observes it as it passes by; some are easy to imagine, easy to picture in our mind, and others take more time to understand. But it’s poetry, meaningful as it should be, and contemplative at best.
February 18, 2015
While reading few of the poems I was totally lost in the memories of the streets of my hometown and school friends. Each and every word came up with so real picture that all the time when i read these neglected poems (even multiple times) i was wearing a innocent smile my childhood left with me.
November 26, 2014
Such wonderful, lyrical poetry and that is in the translated English!
April 6, 2016
Every poem is so thought provoking, I actually felt every plot is happening around me. Gulzar saheb hats off!!
September 9, 2015
awesome writing.
August 26, 2017
Neglected poems
Good book, full of philosophy and vision about society, culture values. Thought provoking lines provides insight about past and future
Good book, full of philosophy and vision about society, culture values. Thought provoking lines provides insight about past and future
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews