Ghalib is an astonishing poet from India, perhaps the most important poet since Kabir. In The Lightning Should Have Fallen on Ghalib: Selected Poems of Ghalib, poet Robert Bly and Urdu scholar Sunil Dutta collaborate to bring the delicacy and intensity of Ghalib's poetry to readers of English. This collection of thirty ghazals by Ghalib also serves as an introduction to the ghazal, the elegant and amazing poetic form revered for centuries in the Muslim world.
Ghalib was unorthodox in many ways: he was a Muslim, but he drank and was fond of gambling. He had a difficult life, full of rejections and excesses; much of his life was spent in Delhi during the British conquest of India. Ghalib's poems often mingle humor and anguish. In "The Clay Cup," he says:
I know that Heaven doesn't exist, but the idea Is one of Ghalib's favorite fantasies. 
His form and detail are exquisite. Many emotions flood into one poem--he complains, he pokes fun at intellectuals, he grieves over desires--and it is up to the reader to find the thread that holds the couplets together. Ghalib ends "The Road with Thorns" with a charming boast:
The lightning that fell on Moses should have fallen on Ghalib. You know we always adjust the amount of the wine to the quality of the drinker 
His work lies in the tradition of Hafiz and Rumi; and yet he manages to join that fervor with a contemporary style. More than one hundred years after Ghalib's death, his ghazals remain indisputably modern, intense, and as fresh as ever.

The Lightning Should Have Fallen on Ghalib: Selected Poems of Ghalib

Literature & Fiction

Dutta, Sunil

Ghalib

Bly,Robert

History & Criticism

Ecco Pr

New! Compare this edition with six others at http://www.bandannabooks.com/vsghalib.php. Ghalib, a court poet in India during the period of British takeover, excelled in poetry both in Urdu and Persian. Ghazals are a poetry genre with couplets gathered that share a common theme but do not form a narrative sequence. With these two-liners, Ghalib was a master. His subjects range from personal to cosmic, and includes his metaphoric "love affair" with God, in which he protests the neglect or spurning by The Beloved. Ghalib lived by his wits, with cleverness and astuteness. He did not regard himself as a mystic, yet he marvels at the wonders of existence. Ghalib's work gives a sense of the state of India as it came under the British. He himself was not political; Gandhi came to represent that dimension of Indian philosophy with satyagraha. Gandhi's best thought might be seen in Gandhi on the Gita (Bhagavad Gita) (www.createspace.com/4035181).

Ghazals of Ghalib

Bandanna Books

THE FOUR GREAT URDU POETSMir, Nazir, Ghalib & Iqbal Selected PoemsTranslation & Introduction Paul SmithMir (1723 - 1810) was the leading Urdu poet of the eighteenth century and one of the pioneers of Urdu. He was one of the principal poets of the Delhi school of the Urdu ghazal. Like many Urdu poets Mir's literary reputation is from his ghazals. After moving to Lucknow his daughter died, then his son and wife. Mir practiced the Malamati or 'Blameworthy' aspect of Sufism. He was a prolific poet, his complete works consisting of 6 Divans comprising all kinds of poetic forms: ghazals, masnavis, qit'as, ruba'is, etc. Nazir (1735-1830) is an Indian poet known as the 'Father of Nazm', who wrote mainly Urdu ghazals and nazms. The canvas of Nazir's nazms is so vast that it encompasses all aspects of human behavior. Many of his poems are spiritual and he is seen as a true Sufi. Ghalib (1797-1869}}, was born in the city of Agra of parents with Turkish aristocratic ancestry. His great fame came to him posthumously. Although he wrote ghazals, qit'as and ruba'is in Persian he is more famous for those written in Urdu. Iqbal (1873-1938) was born in Sialkot, Punjab. He graduated with a master's degree in philosophy. Nietzsche and Bergson influenced him and he became critical of Western civilization that he regarded as decadent. He turned to Islam and Sufism for inspiration. In his final years he returned to Urdu as his medium with ghazals inspired by his on-and-off Sufism. Here is a large collection of his ruba'is, ghazals, nazms, qit'as, masnavis & qasida. All poems in this collection are in the correct rhyme-structure and meaning. Introduction on all the lives of the Poets, Selected Bibliographies. Large Format Paperback 7" x 10" 599 pages.COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'."It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat... I am astonished. " Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran."Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator from English into Persian, knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart.Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Omar Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Mahsati, Lalla Ded, Bulleh Shah, Shah Latif, Makhfi and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays. www.newhumanitybooks.com

The Four Great Urdu Poets: Mir, Nazir, Ghalib & Iqbal: Selected Poems

Iqbal

Nazir

Poetry

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

TEN GREAT SUFI POETS OF DELHIAmir Khusrau, Hasan Dehlavi, Dara Shikoh, Sarmad, Makhfi, Bedil, Mir, Dard, Zafar & Ghalib. SELECTED POEMS & BIOGRAPHIESTranslation and Introduction Paul SmithFrom the 13th to the 19th century Delhi was one of the great centres of Sufi Poetry & Culture in the Persian & Urdu languages. Amir Khusrau (1253-1324), the 'Parrot of India' composed ten long masnavis, five Divans of ghazals and other poems and many prose works. He was a Master musician and invented the sitar and was a profound influence on Hafiz. Hasan Dehlavi (1253-1328) was a close friend of Amir Khusrau and achieved greatness as a poet and Sufi. He composed over 800 ghazals. Influenced by Sadi he was called the 'Sadi of India'. Dara Shikoh (1615-1659) was the oldest son of Shah Jahan of Mughal India. He was a fine poet, his poems having the influence of Sufism. His Divan in Persian was not the only work he left, his five prose works on Sufism are still popular in India. Sarmad (d. 1659) was known for exposing and ridiculing the major religions and hypocrisy of his day, but he also wrote beautiful Sufi poetry in the form of 321 rubai's. He wandered the streets of Delhi as a naked dervish. He was beheaded in 1659 by Emperor Aurangzeb. Makhfi (1638-1702) was the beautiful, talented oldest daughter of Aurangzeb. She was imprisoned for 20 years by him for her Sufi views. Her ghazals and ruba'is are deep, spiritual and often heartbreaking. Bedil (1644-1721). His writings in Persian are extensive, being one of the creators of the 'Indian style'. He was heavily influenced by Sufism. Mir (1723 - 1810) was a leading Urdu poet and one of its pioneers. He was of the Delhi school of the Urdu ghazal. Mir practiced Malamati or 'Blameworthy' aspect of Sufism. Dard (1720-1784) is considered one of the three great poets of the Delhi school of classical Urdu poetry. He was a Sufi poet able to successfully transmit his mystical philosophy into his poetry and his ghazals can be read in both a mystical and secular way. Zafar (1775 - 1862) was the last of the Mughal emperors in India, as well as the last ruler of the Timurid Dynasty. Zafar was a noted Urdu poet and Sufi who has left behind a huge collection of ghazals in four volumes. Ghalib (1797-1869}}. Fame came to him posthumously. Although he wrote ghazals, qit'as and ruba'is in Persian he is more famous for those written in Urdu. In this selection of both languages all reflect his Sufism. All the poems here are translated into the correct rhyme-structures. Selected Bibliographies. Large Format 7" x 10" Pages 752.Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu, Hindi and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Lalla Ded, Mahsati, Baba Farid, Iqbal, Vrind, Rahim and others, and his own poetry, fiction, biographies, plays, children's books and a dozen screenplays. www.newhumanitybooks.com

Ten Great Sufi Poets of Delhi: Amir Khusrau, Hasan Dehlavi, Dara Shikoh, Sarmad, Makhfi, Bedil, Mir, Dard, Zafar & Ghalib - Selected Poems & Biographies

Makhfi

Khusrau, Amir

Shikoh, Dara

Sarmad

Dehlavi, Hasan

Bedil

Dard

Ghalib - Persian Poems

SUFI POETS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY Selected Poems Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Prophet Mohammed’s nephew and son-in-law Hazrat ‘Ali (598-661) was the first Imam of the Shi’ites and the fourth of the true caliphs of the Sunnis. Sufi Masters believe in ‘Ali as one of the ‘Seven Great Ones’ in the first generation of teachers and many in orders of Dervishes trace their spiritual ancestry back to him. His ghazal that follows contains the essence of all the Sufi poetry in this book that came after him. You do not know it, but in you is the remedy; you cause the sickness, but this you don’t see. You are but a small form… this, you assume: but you’re larger than any universe, in reality. You are the book that of any fallacies is clear, in you are all letters spelling out, the mystery. You are the Being, you’re the very Being… It: you contain That, which contained cannot be! CONTENTS: Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art and Use of Poetry 7, God-Realization & God-Intoxication 26, The Main Forms in Sufi & Dervish Poetry 35. THE POETS: Zafar… 47, Aatish… 102, Zauq… 142, Ghalib… 150, Dabir… 203, Anees… 211, Tahirih… 219, Hali… 232, Farid… 275, Shad… 280, Khusrawi… 292, Iqbal… 396, Inayat Khan… 345. The correct form has been attained in all of these beautiful, inspiring, powerful poems. Each poet has a biography and a short bibliography. Large Format Paperback 7”x10” Pages 379. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH’S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ’S ‘DIVAN’. “It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance.” Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. “Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith.” Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of many mystical works in English into Persian and knower of Hafiz’s Divan off by heart. “Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz.” Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith (b.1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, ‘Attar, Sana’i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Iqbal, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Ghalib, Iqbal, and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies and a dozen screenplays. www.newhumanitybooks.com

Sufi Poets of the Nineteenth Century: Selected Poems (Centuries of Sufi Poets)

Khan, Inayat

Dabir

Shad

Khusrawi

Aatish

Zafar

Zauq

GHAZALS OF GHALIBTranslation & Introduction Paul SmithMirza Asadullah Beg (1797-1869}}, known as Ghalib (conqueror), a pen-name or takhallus he adopted in the tradition of classical Persian and Urdu poets, was born in the city of Agra of parents with Turkish aristocratic ancestry. When he was only five his father Abdullah Beg Khan died in a battle while working under Rao Raja Bakhtwar Singh of Alwar and his uncle Nasrullah Beg Khan took charge of him. But he lost his uncle also at the age of eight. He then moved to Delhi. He lived on state patronage, credit or the generosity of friends. His fame came to him posthumously. His major poetry was ghazals in Persian, but he is more famous for those written in Urdu. Dr. Arifshah Gilani, author of 'Ghalib: His Life and Persian Poetry' states: "Ghalib is, to all intents and purposes, the last of the great classical poets of the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent, because although the late Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal has made a distinct and valuable contribution in Persian poetry, still in so far as the language is concerned, he cannot be said to have even approached Ghalib, much less surpassed him." He also states, "Strictly speaking, the real Ghalib lies not only in the twelve hundred Urdu verses but also in the twelve thousand and odd couplets of his Persian poetry... Like an eagle he flew over all the rest. In fact, he was a giant amongst the pygmies. His many sided genius should earn him and abiding niche in the domain of Persian poetry." Here is a large selection of his ghazals from the Persian and Urdu in the correct form and meaning with Introduction on his Life, Times, Poetry, The Form of the Ghazal, Urdu Language, Selected Bibliography. Large Format Paperback 7" x 10" 120 pagesCOMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'."It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran."Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart.Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages, including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Shah Latif, Mahsati, Bulleh Shah, Khushal Khan Khattak, Iqbal, Seemab, Jigar, Makhfi and others and his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays. www.newhumanitybooks.com

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

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