तरकश /ترکش / Tarkash

by Javed Akhtar

About the Author ????, ???????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ????-???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ?????????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????, ????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???????? ???? ?????-?????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Indian Literature, India

163 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1995

Reviews

[Gorab · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best "about me" I've ever read. Showcases his initial struggles in an elegant writing style.

Akhtar ji mentions about his adverse relations with his father and then a helping friend in the initial days without revealing the friend's name. But I've also read Gulzaar ji's half a rupee stories and there is a story "Jaddu" having intense connections with this one. So we know who was who ;)

Coming to the Ghazals and poems, majority of them were not that very impressive... especially if you compare it with any of his Bollywood lyrics and works, these totally fade off.
Especially liked the one he wrote for his daughter Zoya - on finding your own identity.
The two liner Ghazals filling in between the longer poems and Ghazals were more appealing to me.

सब का ख़ुशी से फासला एक कदम है।
हर घर में बस एक ही कमरा कम है।।

Another one:
उन चरागों में तेल ही कम था।
क्यों गिला फिर हमें हवा से रहे।।

Special mention to the excellent Kindle edition, providing ample footnotes for all the difficult Urdu words and demystifying the pun.

[Neha Shehrawat · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ उनसे अब वापस ख़रीदूँ ख़ुद को मैं
लोग जो माँगें वो अपने दाम दूँ “

I am in lack of words to describe what a rollercoaster of emotions a few lines can make you go through. Javed Jii knows that magic. He knows how the breath life into his poems. You know how birds have a sense of nature, of wind, and their directions; Javed Ji has a quality to unravel an emotion to a level where he clearly reaches to it's depth.

“ तुम्हें भी याद नहीं और मैं भी भूल गया
वो लम्हा कितना हसीं था मगर फ़ुज़ूल गया “

See how many of us simply ignore the moment which once meant so special to us and now even ignoring it gets unnoticed. I don’t think anyone would have explained it as beautifully as Javed Jii. There are many such ignored and unnoticed feelings that have been discussed in this book.

I have nothing to compare it to, as it's my first poetry book, except to my emotions. And I have given all my heart to this beautiful book as my emotions have been addressed very splendidly. Whenever given a chance I will surely read this again. Highly Recommended!

[Aishwary Mehta (The_Fugitive_Biker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

10th book of 2021 (179 Books read overall)

Quote from the Book I Liked - 'मंज़िल को पाने के बाद अकेलेपन का एहसास एक विश्वव्यापि अनुभव है।' (Page no. 33)

Rating - 5 Stars

*Important take from the book* - 'आदमी कितनी भी हिम्मत रखे कभी-कभी बहुत डर लगता है।' (Page no. 16)

Plot Summary - ‘तरकश’ जावेद अख़्तर की शायरी का मज्मूआ है। एक ऐसा मज्मूआ जिसमें जावेद अख़्तर की संजीदा सोच और उनकी संवेदनशीलता का मुग्धकारी अन्दाज़ मिलता है। जावेद अख़्तर की शायरी एक औद्योगिक नगर की शहरी सभ्यता में जीनेवाले एक शायर की शायरी है। बेबसी और बेचारगी, भूख और बेघरी, भीड़ और तन्हाई, वंदगी और जुर्म, नाम और गुमनामी, पत्थर से फुटपाथों और शीशे की ऊँची इमारतों से लिपटी तहजीब न सिर्फ़ शायर की सोच बल्कि उसकी ज़बान और लहज़े पर भी प्रभावी होती है। जावेद की शायरी एक ऐसे इनसान की भावनाओं की शायरी है, जिसने वक़्त के अनगिनत रूप अपने भरपूर रंग में देखे हैं, जिसने ज़िन्दगी के सर्द-गर्म मौसमों को पूरी तरह महसूस किया है, जो नंगे पैर अंगारों पर चला है, जिसने ओस में भींगे फूलों को चूमा और हर कड़वे-मीठे जज्बे को चखा है, जिसने नुकीले से नुकीले अहसास को छूकर देखा है और जो अपनी हर भावना और अनुभव को बयान करने की शक्ति रखता है। ‘तरकश’ की रचनाएँ इस बात का पुख्ता प्रमाण हैं कि जावेद अख़्तर ज़िन्दगी को अपनी आँखों से देखते हैं। उनकी शायरी एक आवाज़ है, किसी और अन्दाज़ की अनुगूँज नहीं।

My Review - This book was not exactly on my TBR but was on my mind. The famous comedian 'Zakir Khan' recited one of the famous lines from this book and that just stuck in my mind. That I'll have to read this book soon. I have a reserved love for the Urdu language. It feels ancient, premium. Like just reading and listening to it makes the person's soul elevate. I get this feeling about Urdu. Thus, I'm trying to learn. Although, many of us don't even know that we use Urdu much more in our vocabulary than we think in our day to day life. 

Okay about the book. It's a kinda Gem for me. Starting with the self-intro the author gives at the beginning of the book. Which is written in Urdu and feels so good to read. His story mixed with humour and many great stories throughout his life. It felt refreshing. Then the Shayari's and Nazm's are just beautifully compiled. Each word and the weaving by the author is commendable. Like it just flows from its heart and gets directly poured in ours. Many of his Shayari's are just simply relatable to most of his readers. I highly recommend this book if you are into Urdu or simply into poetry.

Conclusion - What he wrote and writes, touches the heart in the most peculiar way.

Full Review on Blog.
Link to Blog - The Tales of Fugitive Biker

[Avinash · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average collection, probably the best part of the book was "अपने बारे में" by Javed Akhtar himself. The book also has a "पेशलफ्ज़" (Foreword) by कुर्रतुल ऐन हैदर which is again more or less life story of Javed Akhtar from her point of view but it's not as interesting Javed's about me. Only few poems were in the best league and same was the case with the Ghazals. Although more or less all the shairies were good but since they were only the fillers I will not rate the overall book by them. It's a decent read if you are a fan of Javed Akhtar and Urdu poetry / Ghazals and Shairies but don't expect very much.

[Surabhi Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to know about the life events of Javed Akhtar which shaped his writing and directed towards film writing.

[Vasudha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just in case you are thinking of reading this book, I'd suggest, please avoid.
I liked the initial chapter, where Akhtar has given the details about his childhood and his journey. It's very interestingly written and very well.
I liked some of the lines/couplets (here and there in the book) and a few of the poems like Do Raahaa, Suraj, Vakt, etc. The language used by the poet is too heavy, and several Urdu words are hard to understand. Besides this, the writing and the poems come across as too filmly and many a times boring, hence making the reading very tiring. It seemed liked the author wanted to show off his Urdu speaking skills unnecessary. I lost track of the actual poem many a times because of the unnecessary use of heavy Urdu words.
Selected this book, because of the popularity of the lyrics written by the famed lyricist but this book failed to interest and impress me.

[Pramod Verma · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a collection of ghazals by jawed Akhtar. There are some heart touchy lines about the childhood and old age. In some of its ghazals you would find the human values and harmony.
But you may not like other ghazals. You would feel that these ghazals have simply found some way to come out anyhow.

[Eshita Dey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mashallah, what a book!
I chanced upon this while on my visit to the library and oh my God, the experience I had while reading this book!
I finished this book in around 1.5 hours, given that I was eating his words literally!!
Definitely recommended.

[Nilesh Suthar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of multiple beautiful lines. The special thing is the part where he discussed and described his early days of struggle. Some of the pages will surely bring smile on your face and some will compel you think a bit more about the world.

[Robin P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I will never stop reading this.

[Sumit Singla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Javed Akhtar is brilliant. Most of his poetry in this book (and even otherwise) is elegant and lyrical. The introduction where he highlights some of his travails and the tough circumstances he faced before making it 'big' makes your respect for the man increase manifold.

However, this book doesn't go into the upper echelons of his works, primarily because the 'ghazals' are a little disappointing and not visual enough. Still, if you want to explore some Hindi poetry, this book is a really good option.

[Akshay Vadher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The introduction part written by Javed Akhtar himself is so good! Loves it. The Urdu words were a little out of my comfort zone!

[Keshav · Rating 5 out of 5]

’तरकश’ जावेद अख्तर के द्वारा लिखित शायरी/कवित��� संग्रह है। जिस प्रकार जावेद की हर बात में शब्द बहुत ही सोच समझ के पिरोहे जाते हैं, उसी प्रकार से इस किताब में भी हर शायरी बेहतरीन है। कई प्रकार के विषयों पर लिखी हुई इस किताब के कुछ हिस्से आपको शायद पसंद कम आए पर हर तरीके के पाठक के लिए कुछ न कुछ यादगार लाती है ये किताब। अंत में मैं केवल किताब की इन पंक्तियों से ये रिव्यू को खत्म करना चाहूंगा –

"एक ये घर जिसमें मेरा साजो–सामॉ रहता है,
एक वो घर जिस घर में मेरी बूढ़ी नानी रहती थी।"

[Pararth Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read introduction to books. I'm glad I decided to change this habit for this one. What a beautifully penned introduction that sets a stage for the emotions you're about to experience in wonderful poems and ghazals ahead.

[Nitin Kautkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book

[Amiya Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

"ऊँची इमारतों से मकां मेरा घिर गया कुछ लोग मेरे हिस्से का सूरज भी खा गए"

जावेद जी के आगे कोई कुछ बोल सकता है क्या? ए... जावेद भाई...

[Kartik Kataria · Rating 3 out of 5]

सब का ख़ुशी से फ़ासला एक क़दम है,
हर घर में बस एक ही कमरा कम है।

[Anveshak · Rating 4 out of 5]

कौन सा शेर सुनाऊं मैं तुम्हें, सोचता हूं
नया मुबहम है बहुत और पुराना मुश्किल।

[Anand Rathore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each and every poem of Javed saheb is heart-touching and niceish. Best part of the book was the 'About Me' section in beginning which wins hearts. This section describe his earlier struggling life in a beautiful way. He uses Urdu words too but overall his poems are in understandable simple language with deep meanings that spread a magic of positive energy even in bad times and sad moments. The subject of his writings often is from daily routine life of any common man but sometimes he also write upon other issues like: political leadership, religious matters, imaginations, poem to his own daughter etc. Once you start reading Tarkash, you start enjoying his writings and want to get more and more. A must read book for Hindi and Urdu readers.

For Hindi Readers..
एक बेहतरीन और उम्दा पुस्तक। रचनाएँ भी एक से बढ़कर एक। ज़ावेद साहब की लगभग हर कविता दिलकश और तारीफ़-ए-क़ाबिल है। वैसे इस पुस्तक में कविताएँ तो बेहतरीन थी ही थी लेकिन पुस्तक के प्रारंभ में दिया गया About Me आलेख तो जैसे आपका दिल ही जीत लेता है। पुस्तक में यह खास हिस्सा उनकी लड़कपन वाली आयु के इर्द-गिर्द का है जब संघर्षशील ज़ावेद साहब क्या थे और बाद में क्या से क्या हो गए। बड़ी ही नाजुक घड़ियाँ मालूम पड़ती थी कि जाने कल क्या हो जाय। इसी संघर्ष-यात्रा में उनकी मुलाकात नए लोगों से भी होती है। उनके साथ जुड़कर लगभग समान कठिनाइयों का सामना करता एक साथी जो बाद में नशे की लत में पड़कर एक वक्त के बाद ये संसार छोड़ जाता है और जिसके बारे में वे खुद कहते हैं कि बस एक सहारा मिल जाता तो वो भी मेरी तरह बच सकता था। इस आलेख में उनके इर्द-गिर्द के खास लोगों का भी जिक्र है मसलन उनके पिता और पिता से उनका रिश्ता, उनकी नानी, उनकी पत्नी वगैरह। बहुत ही सारांश में जीवन के उस खास हिस्से का बहुत-कुछ और बहुत ही सुंदर अंदाज़ में लिख दिया गया है।

ज़ावेद साहब जिस घराने से हैं वहाँ उर्दू बड़े ही नाज़ से पली-बढ़ी हैं और ऐसे में खुद वे उर्दू का प्रयोग कैसे नहीं कर सकते थे। हिंदी और उर्दू के समागम से वे अपने लेखन में बहुत ही गहरे अर्थ उकेर देते हैं लेकिन बावजूद इसके उनकी कविताओं की भाषा बेहद सरल होती है और आसानी से समझी जा सकती है। कविताओं की जहाँ बात करूँ तो मुझे जो खास रचनाएँ पसंद आई वे हैं..

★ दुःख के जंगल में फिरते हैं कब से मारे-मारे लोग
★ मुझको यकीं है सच कहती थी जो भी अम्मी कहती थी
★ मैं पा न सका कभी इस ख़लिश से छुटकारा
★ वो ढल रहा है तो ये भी रंगत बदल रही है

मेरा व्यक्तिगत अनुभव कहता है कि किसी को भी अपने बुरे दौर अथवा दुःखद पलों में ज़ावेद साहब की कविताएं जरूर पढ़नी चाहिए, क्योंकि उनकी कविताएँ चाहे किसी भी विषय पर हों, उल्लास, प्रेम, व्यंग्य या ग़म, उनसे सकारात्मक शक्ति का एक जादू हमेशा बिखरता है। थके हुए मन को एक नर्म मुलायम तकिया है 'तरकश'। इसे पढ़िए अगर आप दिनभर की धूप-धूल-धुंध में हुई भागमभाग के बाद किसी हरे-भरे बाग में एक साँझ बिताना चाहते हों, अगर आप बहुत चल लेने के बाद थोड़ा रुककर ठहरना चाहते हों, मशीनी दुनिया की गिरफ्त में अगर आप दो पल मन को टटोल लेना चाहते हों, तेजी से भागते जा रहे वक़्त में कुछ लम्हें रोक लेना चाहते हों।

और अंत में..

"जो मुझको ज़िंदा जला रहे हैं वो बेखबर है,
कि मेरी ज़ंजीर धीरे-धीरे पिघल रही है..
मैं कत्ल तो हो गया तुम्हारी गली में लेकिन,
मिरे लहू से तुम्हारी दीवार गल रही है.."

[ANKIT TIWARI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Very deep thoughts. Delightful to read.

[Kshitiz Goliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Javed Akhtar has presented one of the widest variety of emotions in one book. The pangs of hunger, the nostalgia of an old room, urbanization, the relentless march of time as well as the sweet pain of love - all have been explored in this great volume.

My favorite are two - the haunting poem on hunger as well as the one crushing and unrequited love.

The fact that Akhtar uses simple words and even short lines to express his emotions are the hallmark of the depth of his craft. The recurring new urdu words add that touch of beauty to his poetry that only Hindi can't achieve.

The short gazals after every poem make you yearn for what's lying behind every page.

Read it and reflect at pleasure.

[Sejal Ghia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

3 stars over 4 because I had high expectations since it's Javed Akhtar.

Out of the 49 pieces in the book, there were some 10-15 that I loved! There were some I liked. There were some of which some parts I liked. But there were some (especially from the ghazals) that I thought were disappointing, coming from Javed saab :(
I like to think that it's me, that I haven't been able to fully grasp the meaning. I hope that's the case. I hope I understand the hidden layers over time, as Javed saab himself had said in an answer to my question during a panel discussion.. "Read indiscriminately. Sab samajh mein nahin aayega. Kuch cheezein samajh mein aayengi, kuch cheezein bahot baad mein samajh mein aayengi." :)

Thankfully the meanings of new/difficult words (there were quite a few) are given, at least in the edition I have! That's helped widen my vocabulary.

Apart from the poetry, his 'Apne Baare Mein' section was brilliant! It beautifully unfolded his life within a few pages, managing to pack in humor, drama, and contagious emotions. I found myself relate to him despite our lives being so different!

All in all, I enjoyed the book, but unfortunately this one didn't make me want to make it last longer by reading it bit by bit, like it has happened with some other collections of poetry.

[Amrendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful collection of shayari by Javed Akhtar. Equally beautiful is the introduction of the book penned by Quttar - ul-ain Hyder and the poet himself which gives a biography of the poet's life starting from his lonely childhood, struggles of youth, penniless days and rejection as a writer to finally tasting success, savouring it, tasting love, two marriages, children, etc. Akhtar tells about his roots (Lucknow, Aligarh, Bhopal) and remembers his mother who passed away when he was rather young. This part is very nicely penned.
As for the shayari, it is crisp and condensed thought, beauty of which comes in contemplation and not in its rhythm. This is Akhtar's style of poetry - lucid and deep. The pathos of the work is evocative -
'Bahut nakamion pe aap apni naaz karte hain/ Abhi dekhi kahan hain, aapne nakamiyan meri.'

[Dhanvant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, touching and straight from heart. I absolutely loved this book, it is one of the best work of poetry in our times. Very beautifully and delicately words woven together like ornaments. Don't miss this book it has some of the most beautiful and sincere poems I've ever read like "Hamare Shauk ki Yeh","Waqt", "Main aur Meri Awaargi", "Woh kamara yaad aata hai", "Shehr ke Dukandaron", "Mujko yakeen hai", "Doraaha","Meri Zindagi Meri Manzile", "Meri Dua Hai","Hill Station" and many other.

Its a gem of a book, definitely not to miss. :)

[Vandana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally simple and engaging..... Javed sahab is a gem whn it comes to writing and touching people through words...... I loved the book!

[Manas Barpande · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sab ka khushi se fasla ek kadam hai,
Har ghar mein bas ek hi kamra kam hai

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tarkash by Javed Akhtar is a book containing 47 pages. It is in four parts- first part autobiography, second part biography, third poems by Javed Akhtar and fourth part back cover page- comments on the book by famous writer Qurtulain Haider. Autobiography deals with his childhood and education in Colvin Talukedars College, Lucknow, Minto Circle School, Aligarh, Sofia College, Bhopal. Pen portrait of Mushtak Singh is worth reading. Last phase in Bombay- his days of struggle from 1964 to 1969 when he gets a break in films up to the time of his second marriage with Shabana Azmi and his ultimate success in Film Industry as a man of letters , leading poet of his genre. The narrative deals with his first marriage to Hani Irani bieth of both of his children. His narrative deals with his father- Jain Nisar Akhtar and contemporary Peoples' Theater artists- Krihsan Chander, Ismat Chugtai and her husband Shahid Lateef, Rajender Singh Bedi, Khawja Ahmed Abbas, Akhtar Ul Iman, Sahir Ludhianwi. After the death of his mother, his and his younger brother's upbringing by his mothers parents then by his mother;s sister at Aligarh last by his step mother at Bhopal make interesting reading. The reader is able to associate and appreciate his struggle. The Book brings out contemporary history by stating that Muslims were landlords - Zamindars and educators in Central Provinces and Bihar. Two incidents- first, the enactment of Agricultural land Celing law brought land to the original tillers from the Zamindar second bringing Hindi as first language of education and putting Urdu in the backbench in Schools, brought both the Muslim landlords and urdu language forgotten story.
Poems by Javed Akhtar are heart touching- Sach Kahti thi, Peom for his daughter and others create a happy-sad impression on the reader. Fourth part, Qurtultain Haider an authority on urdu wrting has established him as a progressive writer with proper value system.
It is a must read book for all

[Abhijeet Dangat · Rating 4 out of 5]

After many years, I read a book in Hindi/Urdu. Surprisingly, it was a smooth reading experience, thanks to sidenotes on every page for unknown and difficult Urdu words. For those who do not know, Hindi (Devanagari script) and Urdu (Perso-Arabic script) are mutually intelligible.

I started the book, and on page 22 only, I shed a tear. And this was just the first part of the book -'About Me' section (अपने बारे में) where Akhtar handsomely talks about his life journey.

In the second part (प्राक्कथन), Qurratulain Hyder praises Akhtar and his impact on modern Urdu poetry.

Then the book's main content follows - 49 Shairis and Ghazals (poems) and many two-liner Shers. I enjoyed reading many poems like बंजारा, एक मोहरे का सफर, वक्त, दोराहा and मेरी दुआ है etc. Some I did not understand. Some touched me, and some did not. But overall, I enjoyed reading this excellent compilation.

Ending this review with my fav sher from the book about greed and happiness -
सब का ख़ुशी से फ़ासला एक क़दम है
हर घर में बस एक ही कमरा कम है.....

[Kshitij Itkare · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is just so relatable! I thank the youtube algorithm for introducing me to javed akhtar and me for taking an interest in it. The book has many things from childhood, love, separation, homelessness, home sickness, science. It is just so relatable.

The introduction captured my attention. It has one poem where Akhtar is having some troubles with his life and there is his roommate who has suffered a lot more but doesn't express it much -
आप अपनी नाकामियों पर नाज़ करते है,
अभी देखी कहां है आपने नाकामियां मेरी।

And there's a poem which i read when i was far away from home and had just left my college-
मैं अब जिस घर में रहता हूं
बहुत खूबसूरत है
मगर अकसर यहां खामोश बैठा याद करता हूं
वो कमरा बात करता था

It's full of this. And much more. I think there's something for everyone here. Even the meanings of words are written to the immediate sides so your attention remains.

[S Prakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read something in Hindi after quite a while. But a heavy dose of Urdu which did came along like boulders in the flow. Though the meanings were given at the end of each of the poem/Ghazal etc, switching to and fro on the digital pages does take away the mehak( fragrance) of a good work..Some of the couplets and poems simply belong to some other world..there were stunners which kept me dazed for hours.

Javed's words at time burns your heart and also at times cleans your soul. A great read.. Minus one star is for myself as I couldn't understand the 100% beauty of his works for lack of good grasp on Urdu.