Author: Nizami
Editor: James Atkinson
Publisher: Asian Publication Services
Year: 2001
Language: English
Pages: 159
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8170060656
Description
From the original Persian of Nizami, this poem is not only a faithful transliteration of the original but is also able to recreate the magic of Nizami's verse, a daunting task for any translator.
This epic poem is believed to have been composed around 1188 AD. It is the story of the love between two children from the Arabian Desert who owe their unhappy fate to the foolishness of their parents - a common theme derived from folklore. Nizami transformed this membra disjecta of different episodes into an epic poem of more than 40,000 distichs. The mode of expression most favored by the poet is the metaphorical simile. The effect is achieved by the animating interpretation of natural objects in a sense corresponding to the desired mood.
Besides its appeal for its heart-wrenching pathos, the story of Laili u Majnun is believed to have gained popularity because the beloved is not conventionally beautiful, except in the eyes of her lover.
James Atkinson completed the English translation of Nizami's immortal epic in 1835 and Panini Office, Allhabad published the existing manuscript in 1915. Believed by Persian scholars, familiar with the original, this work is one of the finest translations available.
Contents
Introduction
Preface
CHAPTER ONE
Invocation to Wine : The Poets Muse
CHAPTER TWO
Laili and Kais Fall in Love
CHAPTER THREE
The Separation
CHAPTER FOUR
Kalis Becomes Majnun
CHAPTER FIVE
Majnun's Plight
CHAPTER SIX
Laili's Peerless Beauty
CHAPTER SEVEN
Laili Pines for Her Love
CHAPTER EIGHT
Marriage Proposal for Laili
CHAPTER NINE
Noufal the Rival Tries to Unite Laili & Majnun
CHAPTER TEN
Majnun Seems Solace in Nature
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Laili is Married off to Ibn Salam
CHAPTER TWELVE
Majnun Hears of His beloved's
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Syed Omri's Desperate Bid to Reclaim his Son
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Majnun's Love Enthrals the Animals
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A Messenger of Hope
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Majnun is Orphaned
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Hope and Despair
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Majnun's Reputation spreads far and wide
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Laili is freed of her Marriage Bonds
CHAPTER TWENTY
The Lovers are United in Death