Baal-o-Par: Collected Poems

Gulzar

Jan 2024 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

One of India's greatest and most beloved poets, Gulzar has mesmerized and enchanted generations of readers with his inimitable lyrical expression, visual imagery and poetic thought. There are few Indians who aren't familiar with a verse or two of Gulzar's; and rare is the person who hasn't been reminded of a line of his at some turn on the journey of life.

Baal-o-Par is a definitive collection of Gulzar's poetry. It comprises the complete text of six volumes of poems: Chand Pukhraaj Ka, Raat Pashminey Ki, Pandrah Paanch Pachhattar, Kuchh Aur Nazmein, Pluto and Triveni. The first volume, Chand Pukhraaj Ka, was written four decades ago; the last, Triveni, in 2004. Taken together, the many hundreds of poems bear witness to a remarkable poetic journey.

Collected together here for the very first time, the poems in Baal-o-Par are all newly translated into English by Rakhshanda Jalil, and appear in bilingual form with the original poem in Devanagari script and the English translation on facing pages.

This unique, irresistible, giftworthy volume deserves pride of place on the shelves of any poetry lover. For every admirer of Gulzar, it is a true collector's edition.

Ratings and reviews

Each poem is a reflection of Gulzar sir's unique perspective of poetic brilliance and lyrical expression which expresses cultural roots touching upon universal themes. The collection encapsulates the essence of mesmerizing poetry, inviting readers to partake in the journey of self- reflection and introspection. This book is an eternal abode to all the poetry lovers.

About the author

Gulzar (b. 1934) is one of India's leading poets; he has published several volumes of poetry and fiction (many of which are available in translation) and is also regarded as one of the country's finest writers for children. A greatly respected scriptwriter and film director, he has been one of the most popular lyricists in mainstream Hindi cinema, gaining international fame when he won an Oscar and a Grammy for the song 'Jai ho'. Gulzar received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002, the Padma Bhushan in 2004, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2014.He lives and works in Mumbai.

Rakhshanda Jalil is a writer, critic and literary historian. She has published over twenty books and written over fifty academic papers and essays. Her book on the lesser-known monuments of Delhi, Invisible City, continues to be a bestseller. Her most recent works include translations of The Sea Lies Ahead, Intizar Husain's seminal novel on Karachi and Krishan Chander's partition novel Traitor; an edited volume of critical writings on Ismat Chughtai called An Uncivil Woman; a literary biography of the Urdu poet Shahryar; The Great War: Indian Writings on the First World War; Preeto and Other Stories: The Male Gaze in Urdu and, most recently, Kaifiyat, a translation of Kaifi Azmi's poems. She runs an organization called Hindustani Awaaz, devoted to the popularization of Hindi–Urdu literature and culture. In 2016, she was awarded the Kaifi Azmi Award for her contribution to Urdu.