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Shahryar: A Life in Poetry
One of the most important voices in contemporary Indian poetry, Shahryar (1936 2012) cast a mesmeric spell with the publication of his very first collection, Ism-e Azam, in 1965. Over the next fifty years, he not only managed to remain topical, his poetry defining the times, he always seemed to have something to say that was timely and relevant without ever compromising on quality. A Life in Poetry is as much a study of a poet s life the father, friend, teacher and raconteur par excellence as it is an attempt to write the literary history of contemporary Urdu poetry. Tracing Shahryar s journey as a poet, Rakhshanda Jalil demonstrates how he evolved a set of symbols, images and metaphors that, while seemingly personal, transcended the self and the individual. She also evaluates his work in the light of the two major literary movements that shaped his poetic sensibility the Progressive Writers Movement and modernism while he consistently refused to belong to any one group. Including a selection of some of Shahryar s best poems ghazals, nazms and film lyrics brilliantly translated by the author, the book introduces his poetry to a new generation while evaluating Shahryar s considerable body of work in the trajectory of contemporary Indian writings and his extraordinary contribution to not merely modern Urdu poetry but, more significantly, modern Indian poetry.
- GenresPoetry
256 pages, Hardcover
Published August 31, 2018
2 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Rakhshanda Jalil
49 books36 followersRakhshanda Jalil is a writer, critic and literary historian. Her published work comprises edited anthologies, among them a selection of Pakistani women writers entitled, Neither Night Nor Day; and a collection of esssays on Delhi, Invisible City: she is co-author of Partners in Freedom: Jamia Millia Islamia and Journey to a Holy Land: A Pilgrim s Diary. She is also a well-known translator, with eight published translations of Premchand, Asghar Wajahat, Saadat Hasan Manto, Shahryar, Intezar Hussain and Phanishwarnath Renu.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 26, 2018
Born to a darogha in Bareilly district in 1930s Shahryar was destined to be in the police just like his father and brother. As he finished his primary education, he was sent to Aligarh for further studies where he was introduced to Urdu. With time the pressure to join the police also increased which compelled him to leave his home & continue his studies at Aligarh University, his friends helped him throughout while Khalilur Rahman Azmi gave him a place to stay & also encouraged his poetic talents to flourish. As we read further about his life we follow his journey from a young student to a famous poet, we see disagreement to be put into any kind of box & how he never let his art be constricted under labels.
Read the full review on Just Another Bookaholic
Read the full review on Just Another Bookaholic
December 11, 2018
It's very difficult to write poem, let alone read them. And the more difficulty arises in appreciating them. This fact becomes evident when one lacks the underlying point of understanding them. Not all can enjoy or appreciate poetry. One must be vivid enough to speculate them, see past them & apply them in everyday lives.
Most of the poems & shayaris in this book is appealing. This is a work of translation, so the author has done a commendable work when it comes to translating them & everything has been justified. A completely unique, different work of art. Worth reading for.
Cover is beautiful, it has been designed well.
Title is catchy, it's unique & interesting.
Language is simple, elegantly written, easy to understand. This is accompanied by an impeccable narration which makes it an enjoyable read!
Most of the poems & shayaris in this book is appealing. This is a work of translation, so the author has done a commendable work when it comes to translating them & everything has been justified. A completely unique, different work of art. Worth reading for.
Cover is beautiful, it has been designed well.
Title is catchy, it's unique & interesting.
Language is simple, elegantly written, easy to understand. This is accompanied by an impeccable narration which makes it an enjoyable read!
October 5, 2018
For fans of literary work it is a great blessing to come upon a biography in English on Shahryar a great poet in Urdu ,one of the most important voices in contemporary Indian poetry(1936-2012). Now how s that blurb introduces him.would you be able to ignore when the subtitle is A LIFE IN POETRY? Probably not. So couldn'n t I.
When I have received the book from the Publishers Harper collins. co.in. I find the reading an amazing experience. Whether for knowledge or wisdom you can blindly pick this book up and be amazed.
The Plan
Both the soft and hardcover with the image of Shahryar put in a majestic manner and the subtitle are appealing.The book has got 2 sections In section 1 there are 4 chapters. The third chapter speaks about Ghazals and the fourth one about Nazms. The second section comprises a selection of poems, Bibliography, Index, and acknowledgments
The authoress introduces the book as follows.:
THIS BOOK IS AS MUCH A STUDY OF A POET’S LIFE AD WORK AS IT IS AN ATTEMPT TO WRITE THE LITERARY HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY URDU POETRY.
Shahryar ‘s official date of birth is 16 the June 1936.Born in a family of Lalkhani Rajput Muslims.After his primary education, he joined city school in Aligarh. Where he has got Urdu as a medium of education.He passed his BA in 1958 and from the final year, he started writing poetry.He completed his MA in Urdu in 1961.He got his Ph.D. in Urdu.
He wrote his own kind of poetry and make a name for himself .The book goes on to give the versions of critics about his poetry and his love for the language Urdu and life.There are so many references to praise his acumen in writing poems to the delight of all.Due to the influence of the small leftist group lead by Munibur Rehman, he was considered by campus leftists as a fellow traveler.
Like this many references are made about his social life and the impact on his poetry.
Rakhshanda Jalil has covered all the facets of his life which include The Progressive Writer's Movement and modernism. How he has excelled creating ghazals, nazms and film lyrics is well depicted by her. She has noted explanations in the foot notes for the ready referencer of the readers. The authoress has translated the writings of the poet. Both Urdu and English versions they are given for the benefit of the Urdu speaking readers also.
The Pro
The language of the book is easy and fluid and like I stated earlier, it is full of wit and wisdom. The book has value and engaging through the book.The writing style is also breezy and delicate and brings out the best of the authoress .I personally cherished the book and couldn’t help but feel
The author’s observations in this book are so comprehensive and well supported that any serious study of him must take into account her conclusions.
Cover photo by Siddiq Ahmed Siddiqi, Tittle calligraphy by Nikheel Aphale , Cover design by Studio Em&En are nice.
My favorite
The following ghazals, and nazms attract my attention.
I am seeing my face in your eyes
Is it a whim, or a dream.
You are so close to me
I am so far from you.
No one is big or small: the mirage belongs to everyone
Everyone is thirsty alike, everyone is equal.
Between you and me
There’s nothing but lust
Meet me somewhere one day
Away from your body.
About art
The primary function of any art form is to surprise; it is the most magical effect that art can produce.
Quality of a poet
A poet must reach the greatest number of people.
Best criticism from his well wishers
His poems had bare, simple, sincere words coming from the heart that touched the heart.
Sir Syed’s advice was: Bring your work even closer to nature. The extent to which a work comes closer to nature is the extent to which it gives pleasure.
Good poetry can indeed make the reader feel 'I could have said this 'or This is exactly how I feel.
My verdict
The authoress brings a scholar's care to many aspects of this biography. Her primary source research is thorough, and she has uncovered some interesting material regarding his strengths and achievements.
This book should remain robustly alive as long as readers are fascinated by the magic of Gazals and nazms and film lyrics.. Those unacquainted with the book should read it.
Overall, this book is a pleasant read and I will recommend it to people who are looking for a well crafted non-fiction biography about a great poet.
When I have received the book from the Publishers Harper collins. co.in. I find the reading an amazing experience. Whether for knowledge or wisdom you can blindly pick this book up and be amazed.
The Plan
Both the soft and hardcover with the image of Shahryar put in a majestic manner and the subtitle are appealing.The book has got 2 sections In section 1 there are 4 chapters. The third chapter speaks about Ghazals and the fourth one about Nazms. The second section comprises a selection of poems, Bibliography, Index, and acknowledgments
The authoress introduces the book as follows.:
THIS BOOK IS AS MUCH A STUDY OF A POET’S LIFE AD WORK AS IT IS AN ATTEMPT TO WRITE THE LITERARY HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY URDU POETRY.
Shahryar ‘s official date of birth is 16 the June 1936.Born in a family of Lalkhani Rajput Muslims.After his primary education, he joined city school in Aligarh. Where he has got Urdu as a medium of education.He passed his BA in 1958 and from the final year, he started writing poetry.He completed his MA in Urdu in 1961.He got his Ph.D. in Urdu.
He wrote his own kind of poetry and make a name for himself .The book goes on to give the versions of critics about his poetry and his love for the language Urdu and life.There are so many references to praise his acumen in writing poems to the delight of all.Due to the influence of the small leftist group lead by Munibur Rehman, he was considered by campus leftists as a fellow traveler.
Like this many references are made about his social life and the impact on his poetry.
Rakhshanda Jalil has covered all the facets of his life which include The Progressive Writer's Movement and modernism. How he has excelled creating ghazals, nazms and film lyrics is well depicted by her. She has noted explanations in the foot notes for the ready referencer of the readers. The authoress has translated the writings of the poet. Both Urdu and English versions they are given for the benefit of the Urdu speaking readers also.
The Pro
The language of the book is easy and fluid and like I stated earlier, it is full of wit and wisdom. The book has value and engaging through the book.The writing style is also breezy and delicate and brings out the best of the authoress .I personally cherished the book and couldn’t help but feel
The author’s observations in this book are so comprehensive and well supported that any serious study of him must take into account her conclusions.
Cover photo by Siddiq Ahmed Siddiqi, Tittle calligraphy by Nikheel Aphale , Cover design by Studio Em&En are nice.
My favorite
The following ghazals, and nazms attract my attention.
I am seeing my face in your eyes
Is it a whim, or a dream.
You are so close to me
I am so far from you.
No one is big or small: the mirage belongs to everyone
Everyone is thirsty alike, everyone is equal.
Between you and me
There’s nothing but lust
Meet me somewhere one day
Away from your body.
About art
The primary function of any art form is to surprise; it is the most magical effect that art can produce.
Quality of a poet
A poet must reach the greatest number of people.
Best criticism from his well wishers
His poems had bare, simple, sincere words coming from the heart that touched the heart.
Sir Syed’s advice was: Bring your work even closer to nature. The extent to which a work comes closer to nature is the extent to which it gives pleasure.
Good poetry can indeed make the reader feel 'I could have said this 'or This is exactly how I feel.
My verdict
The authoress brings a scholar's care to many aspects of this biography. Her primary source research is thorough, and she has uncovered some interesting material regarding his strengths and achievements.
This book should remain robustly alive as long as readers are fascinated by the magic of Gazals and nazms and film lyrics.. Those unacquainted with the book should read it.
Overall, this book is a pleasant read and I will recommend it to people who are looking for a well crafted non-fiction biography about a great poet.
June 10, 2020
"Bechi hai sehr ke haathon
Raaton ki siyahi tumne
Kii hai jo tabahi tumne
Kisi Roz sazaa Paoge"
A study of a poet's life. His journey as a poet.
@rakhshandajalil did a great job.
I personally love this book as the journey of Kunwar Akhlaq Muhammad Khan ( Shahryar ) is so engaging and one cannot close this book without finishing it. .
Raaton ki siyahi tumne
Kii hai jo tabahi tumne
Kisi Roz sazaa Paoge"
A study of a poet's life. His journey as a poet.
@rakhshandajalil did a great job.
I personally love this book as the journey of Kunwar Akhlaq Muhammad Khan ( Shahryar ) is so engaging and one cannot close this book without finishing it. .
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews