Sanjeev Saraf’s book shows how emotions can be best expressed through Urdu couplets
Sanjeev Saraf’s book shows how emotions can be best expressed through Urdu couplets
It is not without reason that Urdu is called the ‘Language of Love’. No other language has so many words to express this feeling – Youdestiny, love, love And craziness There are also words to denote many states of love – Ulfat, sacrifice and passion. Word Love It has its roots in the Arabic word Hubba, Which means seed. Over the years, poets have used rhythm and rich rhymes and avoidance of language to express their feelings. But it is not always about male-female love, the verses often celebrate love for the Supreme.
extensive collection
Sanjeev Saraf, who is working towards popularizing Urdu among the youth through Rekhta Foundation, recently released his book, loss of longing for love in urdu poetry, A comprehensive and insightful collection of Urdu couplets of Mir, Ghalib, Daag, Momin, Faiz, and many more.
Saraf says that satire and irony are essential elements of Urdu poetry. For example, I don’t understand that you have come from somewhere, ask your dice ever since (You came from nowhere, I do not know, wipe the sweat from your forehead).
Not just a classification of Urdu Hope:They say, the couplets are woven into a narrative depicting the different shades of romance. “The book is like a guided poetic journey through love, loss and longing.”
Like any fine art, Saraf says, each couplet assumes a different meaning for each reader, depending on how he or she interprets it. He says that brevity is another element of Urdu poetry that makes it attractive to the present generation as it can convey intense emotions in just a few words.
reaching a global audience
These couplets have been transcribed into English by Saraf with the help of eminent historian and bibliographer Donald Peck. “Unlike a translation, which is usually verbatim, a transcribe is not literal. I have tried to convey my perception of couplets.” He enlists Donald’s help to reach a global audience. “Apart from English, Spanish and French poetry, I think he also has a passion for Urdu poetry.”
Peck believes that it is extremely difficult to capture the essence of Urdu in English, partly because English is no longer the creative force it used to be in the 17th century. However, it is delightful when the two draw parallels between the sad verses of the 19th century peasant poet, John Clare, and the prominent post-classical Urdu poet, Fani Budayuni.
Love, Longing, Loss in Urdu Poetry | photo credit: special arrangement
For those who consider Persian poetry to be superior to Urdu couplets, Saraf quotes Ghalib:
Whoever says that why should you be a Rekhta?
Once read Gufta-e-Ghalib and heard Ke Yun.
(Those who say Urdu poetry should be jealous of Persian, should recite Ghalib’s verse)