Discussing the aspect of love in Urdu poetry and comparing the intensity of ‘ishq’ in poetry of Mir, Ghalib, Firaq & Sahir

Shams Ur Rehman  Alavi

NewsBits.in

Great poets and their poetry came up for discussion at a poetic evening and conversation on Urdu shaayri.

The difference in the treatment of ‘love’ in the poetry of four major Urdu poets of different eras—Mir, Ghalib, Firaq and Sahir, was the  topic of the event.

Swati Sani spoke at length about the difference between the ‘lover in Mir’s poetry and the kind of love is expressed in Ghalib’s collection of poetry. As couplets after couplets were recited the audience were  enchanted. The best of couplets of these poets and their lives, the spiritual or divine love, the intensity of love and longing, was explained, through their ash’aar.

Sei Deshpande had a lively conversation with Swati Sani & asked the latter about how she  entered the world of Urdu poetry after a successful career in  advertising. The concept of Library on Wheels was also explained, as it has been received well in Nagpur. Mayank Bhadoria and other members of the team, were behind this event.

Earlier, Swati Sani said that there was need to learn Urdu script as well. "Once you learn the script, it opens an entire new world, vast literature and not just the meanings but stories and you canvas expands. It takes barely a few days. But I insist that give it a try and learn the scipt", she said. Her books are being received well and sold in India and abroad. 

In response to Sei's question, Swati said that Urdu is a very powerful and popular language and no one can harm it. "What you are talking in, what I am talking in, it is Urdu. The language has always grown and will keep growing. Though youngsters must learn the script and this aspect needs focus", she added.

The audience applauded as couplet after couplet, the great shayars and their poetry was discussed live at the café Seven O Eleven. The concept of Library on Wheels initiated by Likhit Agrawal and Alisha. Likhit stays in Bengaluru. The aim was to bring people close to books and give a filip to the culture of reading books.

A moving library that goes on wheels and lends the books to people, it is a concept that has got attention. Also, discussions and reading sessions, 'readathon', events like poetry recital are held. As cities expand, the aim is to have more than one library on wheels to cater to readers in different parts of the cities.