Author speak: Shayaree-e-Zindgee: Poetry for Life by JS Mishra
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| JS Mishra with Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav |
By Ambica Gulati
There’s something about verses and rhythms that ignites the
soul. It’s music for the body, mind and spirit. And tapping into these verses
is JS Mishra’s new book Shayaree-e-Zindgee:
Poetry for Life. With 500 couplets from the times getting lost in this
technological world, the books is a great revival of the soft language Urdu and
a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy life. Most of us would not remember
these poets if such books did not find their way into the market. So what
compels people to keep digging into history and finding the fragrances of life
from there? Excerpts from an email interview with the author:
What is the reason
that you chose to bring out this book?
I have always been interested in Urdu poetry. After sending
the manuscript of my previous book Art of
Life: Timeless Wisdom from the Gita to my publisher Rupa Publications in
2013, I was keen to read some Urdu poetry to revive my interest, break the
monotony and enrich myself.
I have a good collection of books on Urdu poetry, but
decided to purchase some more to equip my personal library. While going through
various anthologies of Urdu poetry, it occurred to me that although a large
number of people are keen to learn and enjoy Urdu couplets, they feel
handicapped due to the lack of knowledge of Urdu script and a limited
vocabulary of Urdu language.
Therefore, it struck me as a good exercise to select Urdu
couplets and publish a collection with English translation. It was also
intended that the couplets selected for this collection should not have many
difficult words and be of interest to young generation as well as other readers
having interest in Urdu poetry. I decided to take up this endeavour myself and
bring out a collection of 500 such couplets of eminent Urdu poets in the
present collection.
Which are your
favourite poets?
I mostly like Urdu poetry in simple language which is
profound in meaning but easy to read and appreciate. My favourite poets are Ghalib,
Zauq, Dagh Delhvi, Jigar Moradabadi, Iqbal, Majaz, Firaq, Kaifi Azmi, Nida
Fazli, Bashir Badr, Josh Malihabadi, Akbar Allahabadi, Sahir Ludhianvi and Dr.
Kunwar Bechain. In a way I like all the poets whose couplets I have selected
and translated in this book.
Why do you think now
poetry doesn't find it space in the market?
Poetry always requires a sense of aesthetics, sensibility
and sensitivity on the part of readers to read and appreciate it. In present
times, everybody is in hurry and many of us have neither time nor inclination
to accord due priority for reading poetry and other literary works. This trend
and situation is reflected in the market space. However, poetry has been
closest to the hearts of human beings since ages due to its charm and appeal to
the human sensibilities as well as its impact and effectiveness on human mind.
It is said that the hymns in Rig Veda were one of the first poetic expressions
in human evolution.
Poetry as an art form always provides happiness, solace and
relief to the readers. As long as human beings have emotional needs and
appreciation for various moods and feelings, as long as they appreciate the
sun, the moon and the stars, and have value for tears in other’s eyes, poetry
will always have a chance to survive. No wonder the great Victorian poet and
critic Mathew Arnold says that the future of poetry is immense.
Do you write poetry
too?
Yes, I write poetry in Hindi and sometimes in English. My
five poetry collections have been published by publishers such as Vani
Prakashan and Prabhat Prakashan of Delhi .
My five Hindi poetry books are:
- Yeh Dhoop Chhanv, Yeh Aakarshan,
Published by
- Ho Himalaya Naya, Ab Ho Ganga Nayee,
Published by
- Chand Sirhane Rakh, Published by
Vani Prakashan,
- Banh Kholo, Udo Mukt Aakash Mein,
Published by Prabhat Prakashan,
- Bas Yahi Swapna, Bas Yahi Lagan,
Published by Prabhat Prakashan,
Music albums based on
my poems:
- Chand Ke Saath by Times Music has poems from my collections and sung by legendary singers such as Asha Bhosle, Hariharan and Roop Kumar Rathore.
Who do you feel makes
for a good poet?
In my opinion a good poet is one whose poetry is easy to
read, understand and grasp and also a reader is able to relate with the
experiences, feelings and emotions expressed by the poet. Poems and couplets
expressing feelings and emotions of society in a particular social context and
age are liked and appreciated by people. But immortal poetry is not only able
to depict the issues, trends, thoughts, ethos and values of its time and space
but also remains relevant in the context and message for
almost all societies and times to come. Such literary works later acquire the
status of scriptures and master pieces.
What is next in the
pipeline?
In view of my interest and the response to my previous book Art of Life: Timeless Wisdom from the Gita published
by Rupa Publications, a prestigious international publication having its office
at New Delhi, requested me for writing a book on corporate wisdom based on
eternal wisdom of Indian masters as reflected in their monumental works
available at present. Preliminary effort has been initiated to discern such
wisdom from the works of Chanakya, Ramayana by Valmiki, Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas, the Bhagawad Gita and many other such
treatises relevant in the present context of society and age. In addition to
this a book having collection of my own Hindi poems translated into English is
also in the offing.
Book details
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing India
Pages: 311
Price: Rs 350
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