Ghazals are the most well-known genre of urdupoetry. Their widespread popularity owes a great deal to the soulful composition and renditions by great singers such as Begum Akhtar, Farida Khanum, Amanat Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, and a host of other artists.

Wayward Verses is a celebration of the undaunted spirit of poets who dare to defy social convention and the accepted concepts of morality. These independent thinkers express their convictions in incisive verse to bring down shibboleths and derisively mock the purveyors of “purity”. There is nothing too sacred for them – God, established religion, strictures against drinking, sexuality or homoeroticism. They rebel against all forms of restriction, oppression and dos and don’ts. Biting wit and humour are the weapons they employ to bring home their points. In this book Sanjiv Saraf has assiduously selected verses to give an over-arching view of this terrain along with rhymed translations for the English readers.

A journey of LOVE through the lens of urdupoetry based on over 1200 of the best couplets of great poets. The flowing narrative and rhymed transcreations in English by Sanjiv Saraf, founder of Rekhta Foundation, brings alive urdulove poetry for non-urdureaders. The exquisite journey of love passes through numerous twists and turns, bringing different experiences to each individual. In urdupoetry, poets have penned down these diverse experiences in rhyme with a sheer eloquence that aptly expresses the exceptional bond between the lover and the beloved. Meer, Ghalib, Momin, Dagh, Faiz and hundreds of urdupoets have voices to the emotions of lovers going through stages such as longing, interplay, loving, possessiveness, rivalry, separation, breaking-up and frenzy. This eloquence makes every reader share this thought, as was inimitably expressed by Mirza Ghalib: Dekhna taqreer ki lazzat ki jo us ne kahaa Maine ye jaanaa ki goyaa ye bhi mere dil men hai ‘Love Longing Loss in urduPoetry’ offers a lyrical English transcreation of these experiences woven in the web of an enchanting tale that includes the subtle nuances and the beauty of urdupoetry with all its beauty.

Mirza Ghalib's urduGhazals are a timeless symphony of words, a delicate dance of emotions, and a profound exploration of the humam experience. Reowned for his eloquence, Ghalib weaves couplets that transcend the boundaries of time and culture, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of readers. His poetry, often characterized by its intricate metaphors and profound philosophical insights, takes the reader on a journey through the complexities of love, life and the enigmatic nature of existence." Andaz e Bayan Aur" presents Ghalib's splendid ghazals alongside their elegant English translations, allowing readers to savor the essence of his verses. Moreover, the QR codes enhance readers' experience by providing access to beautifully composed recitations, bringing Ghalib's poetry to life in both word and melody.

For decades, urdughazals have been an integral part of Indian films. Owing to their rhythm and soulful diction, they have been instrumental in rendering various popular ghazals to enchant the audience. The Indian film industry has featured hundreds of such ghazals penned by a number of established urdupoets including but not limited to Mirza Ghalib, Jan Nisar Akhtar, Kaifi Azmi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Shahryar, Javed Akhtar, Sahir Ludhiyanvi, and Shakeel Badayuni. This book is a collection of 100 such ghazals which have been sung by different talented voices. Along with the original text of the ghazals, there is their transcreation in English rhyme and QR codes which enable the readers to access videos of musical renditions of these ghazals. This is a unique book that would provide readers with a delightful, immersive, and enlightening experience.

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‘बे-लगाम शाइरी’ उन शाइरों के अदम्य साहस का जश्न मनाती है, जो सामाजिक रीति-रिवाजों, परंपराओं और नैतिकता की आम कसौटियों को चुनौती देने की हिम्मत रखते हैं। ये आज़ाद-ख़याल शाइर अपनी पैनी और सटीक शाइरी के ज़रीए पुराने जड़ विचारों पर वार करते हैं और “पवित्रता” के ठेकेदारों का ख़ूब मज़ाक़ उड़ाते हैं। उनके लिए कुछ भी और कोई भी इतना पवित्र या ख़राब नहीं कि उस पर सवाल न उठाया जा सके या उस पर बात न की जा सके — चाहे वो ख़ुदा हो, धर्म हो, शराब-नोशी पर पाबंदी लगाने वाले उपदेशक हों, जिस्मानियत का ज़िक्र हो, या फिर समलैंगिकता की बातें हों। ये शाइर हर तरह की रोक-टोक, ज़ुल्म, और ‘ये करो–ये न करो’ जैसी बंदिशों के ख़िलाफ़ आवाज़ उठाते हैं। हाज़िर-जवाबी और तंज़ (व्यंग्य) इन शाइरों के सबसे धारदार हथियार हैं, और इन्हीं के सहारे वो अपनी बात पाठक के दिल में उतार देते हैं। इस किताब में संजीव सराफ़ ने बेहद मेहनत और लगन से ऐसे अश्आर चुनकर पेश किए हैं, जो इस अपारंपरिक शाइरी की पूरी दुनिया का एक संक्षिप्त परिचय देते हैं। उद्योगपति, निवेशक और सामाजिक उद्यमी संजीव सराफ़ कई भूमिकाएँ निभाते नज़र आते हैं, लेकिन उर्दू शाइरी का जुनून उनके दिल के सबसे क़रीब है। उन्होंने रेख़्ता फ़ाउंडेशन की स्थापना की, जो उर्दू भाषा और साहित्य की दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा और लोकप्रिय प्लैटफ़ॉर्म है। साथ ही ये संस्था उर्दू के पुराने ग्रंथों के संरक्षण और युवाओं के बीच उर्दू को बढ़ावा देने के लिए साहित्यिक उत्सवों और अन्य कार्यक्रमों के आयोजन का व्यापक काम कर रही है। सिंधिया स्कूल (1975) और आई.आई.टी. खड़गपुर (1980) के पूर्वछात्र रहे संजीव, कारोबार और उद्योग में तीस से अधिक वर्षों से सक्रिय हैं। इस दौरान उन्होंने पॉलीप्लेक्स कॉरपोरेशन लिमिटेड (एक भारतीय बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनी) की स्थापना की। साथ ही उन्होंने मनुपत्र (भारत का प्रमुख लीगल डेटाबेस) स्थापित की और ग्रीन-एनर्जी के क्षेत्र में कई छोटे-बड़ी परियोजनाएँ शुरू कीं। इसके बाद उन्होंने अपनी सारी ऊर्जा उर्दू साहित्य पर केंद्रित कर दी और अब पूरी तरह इसी क्षेत्र में सक्रिय हैं, जिसे वो अब तक के अपने जीवन का सबसे संतोषजनक काम कहते हैं। संजीव को कई पुरस्कारों और सम्मानों से नवाज़ा जा चुका है, जिनमें 2016 में मौलाना आज़ाद नेशनल उर्दू यूनिवर्सिटी, हैदराबाद की डॉक्टर ऑफ़ लेटर्स (D.Litt.) की उपाधि; 2018 में अलीगढ़ मुस्लिम यूनिवर्सिटी का नैशनल सर सय्यद एक्सिलेंस अवार्ड; 2020 में रेख़्ता फ़ाउंडेशन के माध्यम से उत्कृष्ट काम के लिए सिंधिया स्कूल का माधव अवॉर्ड; और 2022 में उनके अल्मा मेटर आई.आई.टी. खड़गपुर द्वारा दिए गए डिस्टिंग्विश्ड एलमनाई अवॉर्ड शामिल हैं।

The exquisite journey of love passes through numerous twists and turns, bringing different experiences to each individual. In urdupoetry, poets have penned down these diverse experiences in rhyme with a sheer eloquence that aptly expresses the exceptional bond between the lover and the beloved. Meer, Ghalib, Momin, Dagh, Faiz and hundreds of urdupoets have voices to the emotions of lovers going through stages such as longing, interplay, loving, possessiveness, rivalry, separation, breaking-up and frenzy. This eloquence makes every reader share this thought, as was inimitably expressed by Mirza Ghalib: Dekhna taqreer ki lazzat ki jo us ne kahaa Maine ye jaanaa ki goyaa ye bhi mere dil men hai ‘Love Longing Loss in urduPoetry’ narrates the enchanting tale of this journey that includes the subtle nuances and the beauty of urdupoetry with all its grace. Also, this book is available in Hindi and urduLanguages with the title "Hazaar Daastaan-e-Ishq".

Industrialist, investor, and social entrepreneur Sanjiv Saraf juggles many roles, but his passion for urdupoetry is what is closest to his heart. He set up the Rekhta Foundation—which hosts the world’s largest and most popular resource for urdulanguage and literature—apart from doing extensive work for the preservation of texts and propagation of the language among youth through festivals and events. An alumnus of the Scindia School (1975) and a graduate from IIT Kharagpur (1980), Sanjiv was involved in business and industry for over thirty years during which he founded Polyplex Corpn. Ltd., an Indian multinational, Manupatra, India’s leading legal database, and other ventures in the green energy space. Thereafter, he turned his energies towards urduliterature and is now fully involved in what he considers ‘the most satisfying work of my life, so far. Sanjiv is a recipient of several awards and honours, including the distinguished Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) degree by Maulana Azad National urduUniversity Hyderabad in 2016, the National Sir Syed Excellence Award 2018 by Aligarh Muslim University for his contribution to the cause of preserving and promoting urduand the Madhav Award as an Old Boy of Eminence for the year 2020 by the Scindia School for his outstanding work through Rekhta Foundation.

"हर मौक़े के लिए शेर" उर्दू शाइरी की सदा-बहार खूबसूरती को इस तरह पेश करती है कि वो न सिर्फ़ आसानी से समझ में आए, बल्कि पढ़ने वाला अपनी ज़िंदगी के वाक़िआत को भी इन शेरों के आईने में देख सके। इस संग्रह में ऐसे यादगार शेर शामिल हैं जो इंसानी ज़िंदगी के पूरे दाइरे की तस्वीर पेश करते हैं - चाहे वो हमारे बदलते जज़्बात के विषय में, चाहे ज़िंदगी के ख़ुश-नुमा लम्हों की यादें हो। वो तमाम मौक़े जो हमारी ज़िंदगी को शक्ल देते हैं, इन अशआर में इज़्हार पाते हैं। चाहे मोहब्बत हो या जुदाई, खुशी हो या तड़प, जश्न हो या चिंता - हर एहसास और हर लम्हे के लिए इस संकलन में ऐसा कोई न कोई शेर मौजूद है, जो उलझी से उलझी परिस्थितियों में भी आपके दिल को अपनी बात कहने के लिए सुलझे हुए शब्द मुहय्या करता है। सोच-समझकर चुने और खूबसूरती से पेश किए गए ये शेर पढ़ने, याद कर के दोस्तों को सुनाने और पलट कर फिर से पढ़ने और विचार करने के लिए हैं। "हर मौक़े के लिए शेर" सिर्फ़ उद्धरणों की किताब नहीं बल्कि एक साथी है, जो ज़िंदगी के जज़्बात और लम्हों को को शाइरी की रोशनी से मुनव्वर करती है।

The poems of Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" represent innate, passionate ramifications and poetic mystification for readers. While they may include hymns and religious instructions, what stands out is the sentimental piety in the poems offered within this collection. As a poet, Nishank surveys possibilities, comparing them to actualities, facts, theories, alternatives, and ideals, weighing them together. Thus, his work is both insightful and foresightful, providing a sense of life’s worth. Remarkably, these poems are not complex; they are simple and pliable. The doctrines and practices they endorse are not new or recent but align with established norms. The poems that emerge from darkness invigorate the spirit, making our hearts dance and enveloping us in a mystical softness, enchanting enough to soothe distressed feelings while instilling a sense of truth, clarity, and refinement. Nishank conjures images of everyday, affable life, depicting socially intellectual and passionate men who dance, croon, and fall yet rise again—shortly devastated but soon resilient. His poems are both popular and distinctly contemplative. Hidden behind his voice lies every man; if you wish to understand his character, let the doors of the heart open and allow them to speak. *** The ardor for humankind may pulse in every throb of my heart; let there be a beautiful person within me. My only desire in this life is to die for my country, with my life as an emblem for humanity. *** Like worms clothing the wheat, jealousy, like termites, hollow out the preposterous. *** To erase darkness, those who burn like torches do so even in adverse torrents; they never extinguish. *** Happiness resides in the present, not in the future; it rests in the depths of the mind. —From this collection.

Dear reader, I wrote this book for the ones who feel everything too deeply. The rare souls who still listen to their hearts and believe in love. The ones who don’t hurt others just because they’re in pain. The ones who wear their hearts on their sleeves and carry kindness within. The ones who overthink, over-invest in people and over-love, always. This book is an ocean full of feelings, so if at any point, you feel like you’re drowning, take a moment to remind yourself that it’s a privilege to feel emotions as intensely as you do. Some people are so disconnected from their hearts that they don’t allow themselves to feel anything at all. That being said, I wish you a happy reading. This book will make you cry. Love, Rithvik

Her thoughtful verses which often revolt to gain the roots, upwardly or downwardly enrich the poetry readers with wonderful insights. When she is not recreating the world with her poetry, she indulges in gardening.

Chandrasekhar Kambar draws his strength deeply from folklore as well as contemporary life and his poems are embodied in an earthyly, sensual language. His poetry works at a different altogether from what logical and analytical prose does. Profound insights into life get expressed metaphorically in him. English translation by O.L. Nagabhushan Swamy of Chandrasekhar Kambar's Kannada poems. Sahitya Akademi 2004.

Mankutimmana Kagga (rendered in English as Muddled Muff's Musings) is a collection of sprightly yet profound verses that explore concepts such as the meaning of life, truth, and beauty. Mankutimmana Kagga, also known in English as Muddled Muff's Musings, is a collection of lively yet profound verses that explore concepts such as the meaning of life, truth, beauty, happiness, and the human experience. This literary classic has gained immense popularity among both scholarly and general audiences. Its gentle, non-preachy, and self-deprecating tone has endeared it to generations of readers since its first publication in 1943. It has rightfully earned the affectionate titles of "Kannada Bhagavad Gita" and "Gundopanishad," presenting happiness, the human experience, and related themes in an intimate and relatable manner. It is a literary classic that has enjoyed immense popularity among both erudite scholars and the general public. Its gentle, non-preachy, and self-deprecatory tone has endeared it to generations of readers since its first publication in 1943. It has deservedly garnered love and regard as "Kannada Bhagavad Gita" and "Gundopanishad."

Dear reader, I hope this book feels like a warm hug to you. I wrote this book for the ones who feel everything too deeply. You’re right, I wrote this book for you. This book was meant to find you if you’ve ever loved someone who didn’t love you back, if you’ve ever over-invested in the wrong people or if you have a hard time letting go. I Don’t Love You Anymore is a book that’ll feel like home to you. I promise it’ll hold you gently on your worst days. Love, Rithvik

Dear reader, If you have a heart, you will fall in love. And chances are, someone will end up breaking your heart. I wrote this book after someone broke mine. What do you do when the only person you’ve ever loved with your whole heart decides to leave your life? You keep trying to run away from the hurt, but to no avail. This book is a product of all the running I did from heartbreak. I feel everything too deeply, and when my heart broke, I collected all the broken pieces, and they fueled my art. This book is everything I wrote after someone I loved left me. There’s too much heartbreak in these pages, but also too much hope and, more than anything, a promise that life can’t always hurt you. I hope healing finds its way to you soon. Love, Rithvik

The key is in your hand and now it's upto you how do you unlock yourself

This book carries 51 poems of Kuvempu in translation with a long introduction to give the pan India audience an understanding of Kuvempu's major concerns. Prof Raghunath has made his choice carefully to represent Kuvempu's social concern, and that seems to be at the heart of his introductory piece.

We all speak in one language or the other. The many cultures have varieties languages that help them interact with one another. However, our mind sometimes lack the words to express the emotions that it experiences in bouts ecstasy and enlightenment. This book holds a such verses that have not escaped the mind in a way original to the author. Kumar Harsh has put his mind and heart in perfect synchrony and has written these with utmost care and affection. The readers might find it delightful to read. It's a treat for the heart and mind. Symphonies a Curious Mind will take you back to all those unfelt emotions and will remind you things intangible, even those close to touch sometimes. A harmony modern times. Organic, Dexterous, Easy.