Ghalib, Cullings from Divan rendered in English

by Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, T.P. Issar (Translator)

It is a trilingual book. Urdu Poetry transcripted in Udru, Hindi and Roman (English) with translation in English. Good effort but Ghalib was a not only a poet but also a philosopher. Translating him is not easy.

286 pages, Leather Bound

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Mirza Ghalib (Urdu: مرزا غالب) born Mirza Asadullah Beg Khan (Urdu/Persian: مرزا اسد اللہ بیگ خان) was a classical Urdu and Persian poet from India during British colonial rule. He used as his pen-name Ghalib (Urdu/Persian: غالب, ġhālib means dominant) and Asad (Urdu/Persian: اسد, Asad means lion. His honour title was Dabir-ul-Mulk, Najm-ud-Daula.

During his lifetime the Mughals were eclipsed and finally deposed by the British following the defeat of the Indian Revolt of 1857, events that he wrote of. Most notably, he wrote several ghazals during his life, which have since been interpreted and sung in many different ways by different people. In South Asia, he is considered to be one of the most popular and influential poets of the Urdu language. Ghalib today remains popular not only in India and Pakistan but also amongst diaspora communities around the world.

Mirza Ghalib is also known as the last great poet of the Mughal Era.

Reviews

[Sandeep Bhalla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mirza Asad Ullah Khan 'Ghalib' is beyond review. No person can review his poetry. The translation is another matter and leaves much to desire. Now I occasionally pick up this book and with pencil I have started doing my own translation. I find that the philosophical substance was remiss in the translation by Mr. Issar.