Author: K C Kanda
Publisher: Sterling
Year: 2002
Language: multilingual
Pages: 367
ISBN/UPC (if available): 812072357 0
Description
This book offers a representative selection of humorous and satirical Urdu poetry, drawn from the works of seventeen major poets, including the classics like Mohammed Rafi Sauda and Akbar Allahabadi, besides the famous practitioners of this art in the 20th century, such as Zarif Lucknavi, Sayed Jafri, Haji Laq Laq, Dilawar Figar and Saghir Khayyami.
Primarily meant to amuse and tickle the readers, humor is quite often used by Urdu poets as an instrument of social satire, as in Family Planning (Shaukat Thanvi), Poetic Symposium (Sayed Mohammed Jafri), Ek Chehlum Par (Raja Mehdi Ali Khan) and Mehmaan-e-Khasoosi (Raja Mehdi Ali Khan). Such poems treat a serious theme humorously, and perform the twin tasks of providing delight and instruction.
The poems are chosen on the basis of their artistic and thematic quality. These are then translated in the Roman script for the benefit of the non-Urdu-knowing reader. This is probably the first book of its kind in Urdu-English translated literature. It will evoke, it is hoped, a welcome response from the lovers of poetry.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
MIRZA MOHAMMED RAFI SAUDA (1713-1781)
Caricature of a Horse
AKBAR HUSSAIN AKBAR ALLAHABADI (1846-1921)
Lightning at the Church (Barq-e-Kaleesa)
Miss Seemain Badan
Majnun’s Reply to Laila’s Mother (Latifa)
Durbar 1911
A Wise Old Man (Pir-e-Daana)
Quatrains (Qitaat)
ZARIF LUCKNAVI (1870-1937)
Requiem for Poetry (Shaer Ashob)
A Travelogue (Sayahat-e-Zarif)
The Plague of Elections (Shaamat-e-Election)
HAJI LAQ LAQ (-1961)
Aim of Life (Maqsad-e-Hayaat)
Paradise (Bahisht-e-Bareen)
Income and Expenditure (Aamadni aur Kharch)
SHAUKAT THANVI (1904-1963)
The Dream of Freedom (Khwab-e-Azadi)
Poet’s Wife (Shaair ki Beewi)
Wheat Flour (Aata)
Family Planning (Excerpt)
WAQIF MURADABADI (1904-1966)
Interview
Transistor Set (Gaanon ka Pitara)
The Future Scenario of Education
SAYED MOHAMMED JAFRI (1905-1976)
The Clerk
Old Coat (Purana Coat)
Third Division
The Sweepers’ strike (Bhangion ki Hartaal)
Abstract Art
Poetic Symposium (Mushaira)
SHAHBAAZ AMROHVI (1910-1985)
Hakimji (Excerpt)
The Conference of Clerks
Urdu Conference (Excerpt)
Reply to the Teacher’s Protest (Jawab-e-Shikwa)
The Chapatti and the Loaf (Phulka our Chapatti)
MAJID LAHORI (1913-1957)
The Day of Eid
Democracy (Jamhooriat)
Now that I’m a Minister (Man ke Ek Minister Hoon)
O My Charmer Love (Jaadugar Baalama!)
ZARIF JABALPURI (B.1913)
The Mechanic Poet
Love in Films
Mosquitoes of Layalpur (Layalpur ke Machchar)
FURQAT KAKORVI (1914-1973)
Family Planning
Loans (Udhaar)
Symposium of Dogs
RAZA NAQWI WAHI (1915-2002)
Rallies Galore (Rallian hi Rallian)
Our Leading Lights (Ghar Ki Raunaq)
Research Scholar (Muhaqqaq)
The Reviewer’s Art (Tabsara Nigari ka Fun)
The Chief Guest (Mehman-e-Khasoosi)
ZAMEER JAFRI (1918-1999)
My Election Manifesto
A scene of Train Travel The Boss in a Bind (Sahib ki Bipta)
Assembly of Women (Auraton ki Assembly)
Old Motor Car (Purani Motor)
RAJA MEHDI ALI KHAN (1928-1966)
A Mourning Meet (Ek Chehlum Par)
The Thief’s Prayer (Chor ki Dua)
Suicide (Khud Kushi)
After you, Sir! (Aji Pahle Aap)
To Her and Her Again (Us se aur Usi se)
DILAWAR FIGAR (1928-1998)
Why Malign Ghalib (Ghalib ko Bura Kyon Kaho)
Poet Laureate (Shaair-e-Azam)
Test Paper on Love (Ishq ka Parcha)
Teachers’ Complaint (Teachers ka Shikwa)
Quatrains (Qitaat)
NAZAR BURNEY (B. 1941)
Call on Him and Socialize (Milte Julte Aate Jaate)
Ghazal
The Clerk’s Complaint
A Parody (Zabaan Kyon Ho!)
As Heretofore!
SAGHIR KHAYYAMI (b, 1946)
Allaudin’s Melon (Allaudin ka Tarbooz)
Ghalib in Delhi (Ghalib Dilli Mein)
The Poet’s Brain (Maghz-e-Shaair)
Behind the Light (Pas-e-Roshni)