Monday, June 13, 2016

Diwan-e-Ghalib (1) ~ Naqsh Faryadi. . .




{1.1}
नक़्श फ़रयादी है किस की शोख़ी- तहरीर का
काग़ज़ी है पैरहन हर पैकर- तस्वीर का
{1.2}
काव-काव- सख़्त-जानीहा- तंहाई पूछ
सुबह करना शाम का लाना है जू- शीर का
{1.3}
जज़बा- बे-इख़्तियार- शौक़ देखा चाहिये
सीना- शमशीर से बाहर है दम शमशीर का
{1.4}
आगही दाम- शनीदन जिस क़दर चाहे बिछाए
मुद्दा अंक़ा है अपने आलम- तक़रीर का 
{1.5}
बसकि हूँ ग़ालिब असीरी में भी आतिश ज़ेर- पा
मू- आतिश-दीदा है हलक़ा मिरी ज़ंजीर का

Translation, Interpretation & Analysis of the Ghazal
{1.1}
नक़्श फ़रयादी है किस की शोख़ी- तहरीर का
काग़ज़ी है पैरहन हर पैकर- तस्वीर का
naqsh faryādī hai kis kī sho
hī-e tarīr kā
kāġhazī hai pairahan har paikar-e tavīr kā
Against whose mischievous writing is the impression of complainant?
Made of paper is the attire of the countenance of every image.

Notes on the Couplet
Naqsh: Print, Impression, Expression
Faryādī: Pleader, Requester, Complainant
Shohī: Playful, Mischievous
Tarīr: Writing
Kāġhazī: Made of Paper
Pairahan: Attire, Clothes
Paikar: Face, Appearance, Portrait
Tavīr: Image, Picture

This is the matla (first sher / couplet) of first gazal in Ghalib’s diwan, though it’s not the first one created or written by him. Ghalib’s had this knack for creating complex couplets difficult for the people to comprehend. He assumed a great pride in composing the incomprehensible couplets and basis his profound knowledge of Urdu and Persian language and it would not wrong to say that, more often than not, he succeeded in his endeavor of doing so (the instant couplet is a classic example of the same; infact I read somewhere that some of the affluent urdu poets termed this first couplet of Ghalib’s diwan as meaningless as they couldn’t understand the meaning thereof while there were others who hailed it as one of the wonderfully composed verse!!).

Saturday, June 04, 2016

Diwan-e-Ghalib ~ The Curtain Raiser. . .


The Curtain Raiser - Diwan-e-Ghalib

Ghalib, the man and his time were unique in the sense that none could endure the supremacy of the other and there always exist a silent but stiff competition amongst them to outpace each other. While the time surely succeeded in keeping its domination during the major part of his life when the success and recognition elude him, Ghalib managed to stay afloat thereafter as he still remains alive from the versatile verses he left for generations to come. I have written a detailed six-part series on the life of the Ghalib, which attempts to explore his life and enduring.

Monday, May 30, 2016

Book Review: Wings of Fire by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam


Book Review: Wings of Fire by Abdul Kalam
Book Review: Wings of Fire by Abdul Kalam

Book Details. . .

·         Title: Wings of Fire
·         Author: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
·         Genre: Non Fiction
·         Publisher: Universities Press; 1st edition (1999)
·         ISBN-10: 8173711461 (ISBN-13: 978-8173711466)
·         Pages: 180 Pages
·         Rating: 3.5/5

Behind The Book. . .

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, the son of a little-educated boat-owner in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, had an unparalleled career as a defence scientist, culminating in the highest civilian award of India, the Bharat Ratna. As chief of the country's defence research and development programme, Kalam demonstrated the great potential for dynamism and innovation that existed in seemingly moribund research establishments. This is the story of Kalam's rise from obscurity and his personal and professional struggles, as well as the story of Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul and Nag-missiles that have become household names in India and that have raised the nation to the level of a missile power of international reckoning. This is also the saga of independent India's struggle for technological self-sufficiency and defensive autonomy-a story as much about politics, domestic and international, as it is about science.

Sunday, May 08, 2016

Chronicles of a Solitary Soul – Ubuntu . . . I am because You are !!!




Monday mornings are unique in the truest of the sense always offering the contrary admixture of emotions. While they do open door to a brand new start to life leaving aside all the grudges of the past week with a new perspective and new hopes, they also imply the end of the weekend, the most cherished part of the week . . . and no sooner do the realization of ‘Thank God Its Friday’ creeps in, the revelation of ‘Oh God Its Monday’ comes knocking – Ding Dong!!!

Caught in the similar web of motions and emotions, I started my routine commutation to my office with my brother. The joy of having a younger brother entitles you to the luxury of putting him in the driver’s seat with you surrendering to the adjacent seat catching those short naps with your choicest songs being played in the background – a subtle way to respond to the struggles of Monday Mornings.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Book Review: Sai Baba is Still Alive by Jaya Wahi


Book Review: Sai Baba is Still Alive

Book Details. . .

·         Title: Sai Baba is Still Alive
·         Author: Jaya Wahi
·         Genre: Devotional
·         Publisher: Times Group Books (2013)
·         ISBN: 9382299483 (ISBN-13: 978-9382299486)
·         Pages: 232 Pages
·         Rating: 3.75/5

Behind The Book. . .

“… when I read about Sai Baba and all that He professed, the one thing that comes to my mind is this: Be a fakir and live in bliss.”
– Jackie Shroff

Sai Baba Is Still Alive is a book of miracles that devotees of Sai Baba have experienced in recent times. Ranging from simple yet heart-rending experiences to astounding life-saving ones, this book affirms the victory of faith over suffering, sorrow and even death, and at the same time reinforces the faith of Baba's devotees in His Eternal Soulful Presence. Interspersed with nuggets of Baba's teachings, excerpts from His life and replete with His quotes, this book is a handbook to everyday living as well as a guide to good karma and a meaningful life.

Whether you are a confirmed devotee of Baba Sai or on the path to discovering Him or simply curious, this book will delight and soothe you that in these testing times of uncertainty and stress, Sai Baba is still alive.

Wednesday, April 06, 2016

Pensive Reflections. . .April 06 2016


Each one of us is fighting his own battle against life’s struggle and scramble…Just because we cannot see what the other person is going through doesn’t imply the absence of struggle in his life. Whomsoever, you meet in this journey called life, try to lend some smile to them…show kindness, give compliments and be compassionate. Your gesture can surely make someone’s day and the cognizance of the same can brighten up yours as well.


Shubh Life. . .Om Sai Ram

Friday, April 01, 2016

. . . as You turn Two today!!


Source: Google Images

Dear Musings,

It’s exactly been a year when I last wrote a letter to you. The delay has been somewhat intentional as I have reserved this interaction for an occasion as special as you – and what could be a more special & apt moment than your birthday.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Someone Gone…Someone Lost


Source Here

***Being in Love is surely a blessing only if both the partners are in unison, if one happens to leave the other…the life of the one left behind becomes a curse***

Gone is the soul I love so dear
Gone is the voice I long to hear
Gone is the face I want to see
Gone all the things that belonged to me

Saturday, February 06, 2016

Kindling the joy with the KINDLE


Source of the pic: Here

While the world is witnessing the paradigm shift in (almost) each of the technological innovations and the new improved advances are eating away even the imprints of their originals, there do exists people like me who are and would always remain those from ‘old school of thoughts’. When I say paradigm shift, I mean fixed lines paving way for mobile phones which later side-stepped for smartphone revolution which continues to storm the world of possibilities; the audio cassette player gave up its life for the survival of compact discs players which again are thwarted by the emergence of mp3 and other media files options; the good old computers and desktops giving space to laptops and palmtops and more recently to tablets, i-pads and the list goes on.

The similar transitional and transformational phase is currently underway in case of our beloved physical books. While the extreme phase of extinction might just remain a fantasy the paradigm has already started shifting towards e-books with the advent of kindle and other e-readers – the fact which I (for some strange reason) hate to own and in which I also seem to be becoming a party.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Book Review: Ramayana - The Game of Life: Stolen Hope (Book – 3) by Shubha Vilas


Book review Ramayana
Book Review: Ramayana-The Game of Life
Book Details. . .

·         Title: Ramayana-The Game of Life: Stolen Hope (Book – 3)
·         Author: Shubha Vilas
·         Genre: Religion & Mythology
·         Publisher: Jaico Publishing House (2016)
·         ISBN-10: 8184958242 (ISBN-13: 9788184958249)
·         Pages: 312 Pages
·         Rating: 4/5

Behind The Book. . .

In the evil labyrinths of Dandakaranya forest, human values are put to test. Rama’s righteousness, Lakshmana’s loyalty, and Sita’s endurance reflect our own sense of values and judgment in difficult times. The story unfolds the facets of human life – the conflict and trickery, the praise, the slander and above all, the hope and the despair in the eventful forest life of exiled royals.

Stolen Hope is about extreme deception and extreme love. It is about arrogant power and deep devotion. With every twist and turn, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana find themselves robbed of whatever and whoever they valued the most.

Exploring the dynamics of human relations – between father and son, husband and wife, teacher and disciple – and the complex game of power and greed, Stolen Hope mirrors our own dilemmas in the modern world and teaches us how we must overcome them.

Seek courage when everything, including hope, is stolen.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

The Phoenix


Image Source Here

***The struggle within and tussle outside withers the soul extracting the enthusiasm to move ahead. The result, life lags motivation & comes to stand still and moment by moment it becomes hard to stay afloat***

Wake up O’ Soul
Arise from the slumber
Liberate that thrust
Let loose the encumber

Re-kindle that fire
So eager and curious
Spread those wings & flutter
And experience the brilliance

Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Book Review - Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India by William Dalrymple


Book Review: Nine Lives

Book Details. . .

·         Title: Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India
·         Author: William Dalrymple
·         Genre: Non Fiction / Travel Writings
·         Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing India Private Limited (2013)
·         ISBN: 1408846144 (ISBN-13: 978-1408846148)
·         Pages: 304 Pages
·         Rating: 3.75/5

Behind The Book. . .

A Buddhist monk takes up arms to resist the Chinese invasion of Tibet - then spends the rest of his life trying to atone for the violence by hand printing the best prayer flags in India. A Jain nun tests her powers of detachment as she watches her best friend ritually starve herself to death. Nine people, nine lives; each one taking a different religious path, each one an unforgettable story. William Dalrymple delves deep into the heart of a nation torn between the relentless onslaught of modernity and the continuity of ancient traditions.

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