Musafir [Traveller]

Do Kadam Aur Sahi is an excellent compilation of selected poems by the renowned Urdu poet Rahat Indoori. The compiler, Sachin Chaudhary, has named the collection as ‘selected pearls of the ocean’. The magic that flows from the pen of Rahat Indauri gives a different feeling.

Naraz has many references that reflect the resenting virtue of Rahat Indori. A lyricist of films par excellence, and a master of literature in college, he is a famous poet loved by all - who also accomplishes in playing with colours and lines. Besides all these traits, he is also able to discern the inner and outer dilemmas of people against the political and social backdrop.

The compositions of Wasim Barelvi, an exponent of Moradabadi School of poetry, appeal to the classes and masses alike. Charag is a compilation of these works. Known for his deft handling of easy and everyday language, the poetry of Wasim wins the hearts of all. It also shows Wasim Barelvi’s engagement with contemporary times and its issues. His poems do not just dwell in any imaginary world, but contemporary problems and events form an integral part of his repertoire, which makes his works more relevant. 

This book by Prakash Pandit reflects upon the life of an 18th-century Urdu poet named Meer Taqi Meer who lived in Mughal, India. Meer Taqi was one of the pioneers who gave shape to the Urdu language. A few of his important literary works are given in a separate section of the book. He was one of the principal poets of the Delhi school of Urdu ghazal, and most of his literature has been written under his nom de plume, Mir.

 Talkhiyan literally means ‘bitterness’ and was written in the poet’s student days. He discovered his unique style of expression by weaving his poetry with shades of bitterness that captured the decadence of the contemporary world. His romanticism was not in praising beauty or the consuming passion of love, but in sensitively urging the reader to empathise with other challenges of the world. His heart went out to the suffering of people in war, debt, poverty, homelessness, political conflict and gender inequality.  

Amritalaal naagar kee lekhanee se haasy-vyang mishrit jin vibhinn rachanaaon kaa srijan huaa ve apane aap mein vilakṣhaṇ hain. Ye samay-samay par vividh patr-patrikaaon mein prakaashit huii theen. Unke kayi sangrah nikle jinhein behad pasand kiyaa gayaa.

This book is about Sahir Ludhianvi, one of the greatest poets and lyricists of Hindi films. Sahir Ludhianvi, whose original name was Abdul Hayee, wrote poems that were different from his contemporaries who limited themselves to singing paeans on god, beauty, or wine. Instead, his poems were about other things: declining values of society, the meaninglessness of war and the subsummation of love by consumerism.

'iraaq’ saahab ne anginat ghazalein, nazmein, rubaayiyaan, katye, ityaadi likhein hain. Samalochak bhi vah ucch-koti ke the lekin smaran ve sadaa apni ghazalon aur ghazalon ke unn sheron ke kaaran kiye jaayeingay jinki sankhya sainkdon tak pahuchti hai aur jo nihsandeh classic ka darza rakhte hain, unhee sheron ke kaaran jinmein tassafuk ghazal ki paramparaagat kathavastu se lekar raajneeti aur varFg-sangharsh tak sabhi kuch hai. Mashhoor shayar Firaaq Gorakhpuri ki chuni hui behtareen ghazalon ka sankalan hai Sargam.    

This book, written by Prakash Pandit, describes the events in the life of Firaq Gorakhpuri, who was an Urdu poet, writer and critic. He was one of the most noted contemporary Urdu poets from India, and he has written a number of ghazals, nazmas, rubais and stories. Many of his works are still revered for their contemporary relevance, and he was awarded Padma Bhushan in the later part of his life. The number of ghazals written by him is said to be in the hundreds, and a few selected ones are given in a separate section of the book. 

Khair Chhodo is a niche collection of poems written by Vishwa Deepak. In this book, the poet has tried to include poems on various emotions like love, valor, revolution, family relations, etc. The metaphors and similes used in his poems are refreshingly new, and the abstract references used by him in some places enchant you. But the real treat for the listener will be the introduction of a relatively new genre called Triveni.

Geetashree is one of the few authors who incorporates the local flavor and life references of both village life and a metropolis in her writings. This is not to say that she does not have her repertoire of dense lingo, traces of which can be seen in her writing as well. Litti-Choka and the anthology of 10 stories within it are a prime example of this. 

In 1707, when Emperor Aurangzeb went to his grave, the Mughal empire began to crack into a hundred fractured pieces. It was the lure of the Deccan that drained this conqueror’s energies, putting him on a course of collision with his most threatening adversaries. After all, the Deccan was a land that inspired wonder. Its treasures were legendary, and its kings magnificent. It was a horizon of rousing adventure, attracting talent from beyond oceans.

Dark Horse is one of the most popular novels of this decade written in Hindi. Such a live and vivid portrayal of the life of candidates preparing for the civil services examination in the Hindi medium were not focused in any other book to date. A candidate preparing for the country's highest honored examination is not only an aspirant but also has a multifaceted lifestyle and struggles in his lap. This is the story of the same struggle.

Mirza Ghalib was an Urdu poet who is known for his unique and smooth style of writing. This book is a compilation of the events which happened throughout his life, along with few of the poems written by him. The poems in this book are an ideal listen for people who are fascinated by Urdu poetry but do not understand the nastaliq, the script in which Urdu is written.  

The story of Yayati is perhaps one of the most intriguing and fascinating episodes of Mahabharata. Yayati was a great scholar and one of the noblest rulers of olden times. He followed the shastras and was devoted to the welfare of his subjects. Even the king of gods, Indra, held him in high esteem. Married to seductively beautiful Devyani, in love with her maid Sharmishtha, and father of five sons from two women, Yayati unabashedly declared, 'My lust for pleasure is unsatisfied'. His quest for the carnal continued.