Thinking with Ghalib - Poetry for a New Generation

by Anjum Altaf, Amit Basole

This is an unusual book — the focus is not on what Ghalib means but on what Ghalib makes us think of contemporary issues. It puts Ghalib to work and brings Ghalib to life. It is an invitation to think with Ghalib about all the big issues — faith and religion, us and them, the nature of divinity, being and nothingness, the importance of thinking for oneself, what it means to believe, and what it takes to be human. It is a roller-coaster ride with one of the most creative minds of all time.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2021

About the author

Anjum Altaf is a South Asian living in Lahore.

Reviews

[F · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5)

Ghalib’s thoughts on faith and religion were so enjoyable to read and dissect, my only qualm being my lack of fluency in Urdu. But also I need to tell the authors that not every couplet needs to be understood within the contemporary sociopolitical climate to be impactful — sometimes the historical context is sufficient (and more interesting anyway)

[Madhulika Liddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan ‘Ghalib’ (1797-1869) probably ranks right up there as India’s most popular poet of Hindustani. Reams have been written about Ghalib; he is famed in anecdote and verse; he has been immortalized on cinema and television. And, in an ironic reflection on his popularity, pretty much everybody has, at some time or the other, come across a couplet wrongly attributed to Ghalib. His love poems are immortal; his couplets so well-known that most of the more popular ones are freely quoted (and misquoted). There is, sadly, a pedestrianization of much of Ghalib’s work.

But is this all there is to Ghalib? Beautifully written poetry, sometimes complex, sometimes a play on words, but with no greater depth? In Thinking with Ghalib: Poetry for a New Generation, Anjum Altaf and Amit Basole set out to prove that Ghalib’s poetry isn’t just very good poetry, it also encourages us to think, to explore the world around us and to examine issues that are (or should be) as pertinent today as they were in Ghalib’s time.

They do this by examining thirty couplets of Ghalib’s. Each couplet forms the basis of a new chapter, beginning with the couplet inscribed in Urdu, Devnagari and Roman Urdu, with a translation into English. This is followed by a more detailed explanation of the couplet, for instance, by providing historical or cultural references that may elude the modern reader. Where a couplet (or part of it) can have multiple interpretations, these are provided as well. In the last part of the chapter, the authors relate the thought behind the couplet to modern matters. For instance, on how one might weigh law against morality; or what should be the guiding principle behind faith; what is identity, what is paradise, what should govern governance. Interestingly, the authors are able to show that even in couplets that seem to be only about love, Ghalib often conveys a far deeper meaning, that may be extended to emotions and ideas well beyond love.

Each couplet, contained in its own short chapter, thus provides the impetus for thought: to ponder over the questions Ghalib raises, and which the authors help simplify as well as amplify. Just as Ghalib did, so they do, too: they do not provide answers to the questions. They just put the questions out there, provoking the reader to mull over the possible answers to what might be disturbing questions. Problems that plague both India and Pakistan, of corruption, religious intolerance, self-seeking ambition, and more: many of these are touched upon and discussed through factual examples and references.

The result is a book that, while it helps demystify some of Ghalib’s work, also puts it into a contemporary framework. This serves two purposes: on the one hand, it brings Ghalib’s poetry, and not just the more well-known verses, into the reach of the average reader. On the other hand, it helps the reader face some of the unpleasant truths about life today in South Asia. It encourages the reader to think, beyond and above the trite platitudes that are trotted out and so easily swallowed by the impressionable on both sides of the border. It encourages the questioning of long-held ideas.

(From my review for The New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/life...)

[raj dasani · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a unique and interesting approach. A lot of things could’ve been better and yet, somewhere this book has some really good sparks. It’s looking at two worlds: the past and the present, especially social and political sphere, through the lens of Ghalib’s poetry. If you’re even remotely interested in Ghalib, poetry, politics, history, or culture, pick it up.

[Deepan Maitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's worrisome if someone says they haven't come across Ghalib even once, while accessing Indian art and Indian poetic literature. Such is the pioneership of Ghalib, a stalwart in Persian and Urdu poetry--and hence a looming figure in the Indian literary landscape. Having said that, it is also not difficult to note that Ghalib's poetic splendour might be perceived as tedious by someone not accustomed to how old poetry was written. Such a someone might be daunted by the sheer philosophical background of Ghalib's verses, and hence miss out entirely on what can be an excellent treat for the mind.

The genesis of this book lies just there. The authors choose thirty couplets of Ghalib, and discuss them in thirty separate chapters. In each, they start with the two-verse couplet in original Urdu, followed by a literal Hindi and English translation. After this, they proceed with a discussion on the background of the couplet, the possible allegories which can be cited, as well as the ideological foundation of the same. The uniqueness is explored when the authors then go on to excavate the inner layers of the verses, trying to go deep into their metaphorical significance which can be superimposed to modern settings. They consistently try to highlight Ghalib's progressiveness in thought, his intellect in breaking free from conservative sayings and also his prowess in conveying multiple thoughts and perceptions within a span of just two verses, thereby challenging the fact that old poetry has no relevance with today's living.

Altaf and Basole have maintained a simple diction across the chapters, staying away from making the book metaphorically inaccessible yet again. Their opinions about Ghalib's hidden conveyances are crisp, intelligent and marked by a sound understanding of the poet.

Thanks Roli Books India for the copy.

[Romita Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Lest we forget:
It is easy to be human, very hard to be humane”

― Mirza Ghalib

For poetry lovers out there, Mirza Ghalib is a name not unknown to them. A great poet known for his Urdu and Persian poetry, Ghalib’s perception of life and everything about it was considered to be way ahead in time. And that may be a major reason why his poetry is still very much relevant in current times.

“Thinking with Ghalib” is a venture on the authors’ part in forging a connection between 30 of Ghalib’s selected couplets and modern times. The contemporary rendition of Ghalib’s observations and thoughts in this book acts as a substantial medium for the readers of modern times to appreciate his wisdom.

Every couplet is minutely analyzed to decipher not only its literal meaning but also its hidden implications. I really appreciate how the authors have tried to communicate Ghalib’s thoughts by relating them to many of the incidents of recent times, making it easier for the readers to comprehend and admire. Even though the couplets are based on diverse subjects, there is an easy flow in the narration which artistically establishes a link between them. The Hindi, English, and Arabic translations of the couplets were a helpful addition.

Also, that beautiful cover is something I couldn’t resist peeking at throughout the read.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can only be grateful to Anjum Altaf and Amit Basole for making this nineteenth century poet relevant to the twenty first century readers. This book is an act of inspiration; rewriting our classics so that they appeal to the young.

Thirty couplets in English, Urdu, Hindi and Roman followed by the prose reflection on the couplet: lucid and explorative, it leaves us surprised at how we could have lost the questioning path that was there for the following. It leaves the reader to find both questions and possible answers to some of the most perplexing issues of our times. The layered meanings of Ghalib’s couplets and their relatability to the current political, psychological and economic issues not only highlights the complexities and nuances of Ghalib’s words but also proves the fact that Ghalib is for all times. Thinking with Ghalib is a must read for everyone.

My favourite couplet:

ہوں گرفتارِ اُلفتِ صیاد
ورنہ باقی ہے طاقتِ پرواز

[thebookwormcritic · Rating 4 out of 5]

" We know the reality of paradise , but
To keep the heart happy , Ghalib , it is a good idea . "

Thinking with Ghalib , Poetry for new generation , is a compilation of 30 famous and powerful couplets from ghazals by Ghalib .
Each couplet is made into a chapter and been translates from Urdu to English to Hindi .

Just a few are able to seek out the soul of poetry , and Ghalib was definitely the one. Ghalib , is the pen name of Mirza Asadullah Khan . Ghazals by him were exquisite and a brilliant contribution to the contemporary literary.

A timeless Beauty of words woven with different aspects and virtues of life , politics , love , spirituality , god , and soul , every couplet of this book is so thoroughly expressed and makes one crave for more . I really recommend this book to today's generation , what is the essence of poetry , is sought here .

[Aditi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, reading the book "Thinking with Ghalib" literally feels like you are sitting with someone and discussing poetry. Just that, in this book that someone are the authors and the poetry we read is the amazing works of great Mirza Ghalib which always makes one think which is mostly, thinking outside the box

#books #bookreader #readingpoetry #poetryunderthestars #mirzagalibpoetry #thinkingwithghalib #booksof2023 #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookblogging #bookblogger #readinglove #backtoreading

[Fahad Qazi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well-written, and the author does a good job of illustrating the complexity of Ghalib’s work and the historical contexts they were written. Personally felt that the extrapolations to modern Indian-Pakistani politics were a stretch that didn’t fully apply and didn’t respect Ghalib’s contexts and motivations within his work.

[Siddharth Solanki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can’t pretend to be an intellectual in India without having said you have read some Ghalib.

My two stars are for the book’s wandering commentary, not for Ghalib’s poetry. Too often, the authors tried to shoehorn in political commentary instead of providing context and explanations.

[Nofil Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of Ghalib's poetry is completely ambiguous in meaning, Altaf tries to present a path towards acceptance and tolerance through Ghalib's writings.

[Ali Owji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

[sinchan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 //
while i was drawn to the concept of the book, it falters in the execution. the authors try to connect the personal (more specifically through romantic love) with the political, and it lacks an attempt to flawlessly connect the two.
+ given the political atmosphere today, it seems like a rather servile choice to talk in ambiguous terms, omitting names.