Transgressions: Poems Inspired by Faiz Ahmed Faiz

by Anjum Altaf

Faiz Ahmed Faiz is considered among the most popular modern poets of Urdu. The poems in this collection are inspired by his poetry. Each poem corresponds to one by Faiz but is not a translation of it. Rather it reflects the author's thoughts on the theme of the poem.

Genres: Poetry

256 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

Anjum Altaf is a South Asian living in Lahore.

Reviews

[Aneela ♒the_mystique_reader♒ · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Syeda Sumayya Tariq · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transgressions by Anjum Altaf is a collection of poems inspired by the legendary Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Aptly titled, most of these poems are based on the themes of despair and desolation, while also underlying the need for a revolution and a change for the good.

Quoting a few of my favorite lines,
We collect the shreds they tore
Dyed red in ourblood
Sew them back in a banner
Bigger, brighter than before

While these poems are inspired by Faiz they almost read like an add-on to his original works, making it more fitting and relatable to the current times. At the end of each poem the poet also mentions the real life events that encouraged him to pen down these poems and how he found the foundation for them in Faiz's works, which is still considered an epitome of the ideas of revolution, hopes, and dreams.

This collection even though is different from the original language in which Faiz chose to write, is sure to appeal to the fans of Faiz, and would certainly add more to his legacy.