Khudi, Ishq, Banda-e-momin

By Manju Gupta, *A taste of Urdu literature* - Organiser - Delhi, India; 2011 Issues January 9/2011

Glimpses of Urdu Literature: Select Writings, Zahida Zaidi, Promilla & Co., (HB), Pp 280, Rs 550.00

In this collection of essays covering Urdu poetry, fiction and drama, the compiler tries to present the trends in Urdu literature.

In the ancient times, Urdu literary tradition included masnavi, qasida and ghazal, where masnavi was narrative prose based on a romantic theme; qasida was merely confined to the praise of kings and patrons in which Mirza Ghalib achieved artistic perfection; and ghazal’s thematic structures were love and tasavuf (mysticism or Sufism).

Part I on poetry highlights the notable trends with reference to some major writers and important literary movements. Beginning with Asadullah Khan Ghalib’s short life story and his creations, the compiler says that the former came to be known as the greatest Urdu poet by common consent.

His intellect penetrated into his own experiences as well as manifestations of the world around him. Thus his verses capture with acute artistry the tragic disintegration of a social and cultural order and its moral decline. Ghalib’s own life was an unending series of misfortunes and disappointments and this is reflected in his poetry with profound sensitivity and fine variations.

Poet Mohammad Iqbal followed Ghalib to make a name for himself in poetry, wherein his social and political consciousness crossed national boundaries to embrace more universal international themes. His sympathies were with the underprivileged and he welcomed the socialist revolution in Russian but was critical of his antagonism to religion.

His three concepts - khudi (self), ishq (love) and banda-e-momin (perfect man) were central to his poetic thought.

Under Urdu fiction, the compiler has singled out Munshi Prem Chand for his ‘Maidan-e-Amal’, in which the author compressed all his favourite and significant themes with skill and sensitive perception. It touches upon the evils of the caste system, untouchability, narrow-mindedness and hypocrisy.

The third section on modern Urdu drama mentions plays like ‘Yahudi ki Ladki’, ‘Rustam aur Sohrab’, which paved the way for Urdu dramas like ‘Anarkali’, ‘Karbala’ and writers like Sadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chughtai, K.A. Abbas, Krishen Chander, Rajinder Singh Bedi, etc. to show their creative skills.

While Manto wrote on fallen women, Bedi showed intensity of feeling, awareness of the cruelty and insensitivity ingrained in our society.

Readers interested in Urdu literature but not knowing the Urdu script can get some information of relevance to them.

(Promilla & Co., Publishers & Bibliophile South Asia, C-127 Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi-110 017)

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[from Amazon.com (ed.)]

Product Description

Here is a collection of informative and perceptive essays on some landmark figures of Urdu literature.

Divided into three sections -- poetry, fiction and drama, in that order -- the galaxy is headed by Ghalib and Iqbal, the two fabled poets of Urdu. Flanking them are five outstanding modern poets, viz., Faiz, Sardar Jafri, Makhdoom Muhiuddin, Akhtarul Iman and Munibur Rehman.

A general essay on the secular and humanist traditions of Urdu literature precedes the studies. Among the novelists are some of the perennials -- Prem Chand, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas and Quratul-Ain Haider -- flanked by two significant modern writers -- Anwar Azeem and Pegham Afaqi.

A comprehensive essay on Urdu drama and dramatists makes up the third and final section.

Trends in theatre movements are also discussed in the essay.

What kind of readership does one envisage for this uncommon work? Writers in other languages and students researching on Urdu literature are of course the obvious targeted readers. It may also be of interest to the younger generations of Urdu-knowing families who are interested in Urdu literature but are not well-versed in the script.

And above all, we hope this book will be read by lovers of Urdu poetry and literature all over the world.

About the Author

Zahida Zaidi, who retired as Professor of English from Aligarh Muslim University is a distinguished bi-lingual writer in English and Urdu, poet, dramatist and stage director.

She has her Honours in English from Cambridge University.

In her poetry great depth of feeling and freshness of imagery are balanced by a perfect grip over form and technique. As a dramatist, she is considered to be one of the best at present.

Professor Zaidi does the direction and staging of her plays herself.

In addition she has staged, directed and translated into Urdu most of the acclaimed modern dramatists and literary giants of the West. Chekhov, Pirandello, Sartre, Beckett and Ionesco are among the greats of the Western world she has translated and staged.

Among the Indian giants she has tackled with characteristic finesse and fervour Krishan Chandar, Wamiq Jaunpuri, Ismat Chugtai and Sardar Jafri.

Hers is a truly global range.

Product Details
Hardcover: 280 pages
Publisher: Promilla and Co. (August 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9380188048
ISBN-13: 978-9380188041