Ghalib: Selected Poems and Letters

"Ghalib: Selections from His Urdu Poetry and Prose is an accessible and wide-ranging introduction to the preeminent Indian Urdu-language poet, Mirza Asadullah Khan "Ghalib" (1797-1869). Ghalib remains one of the most popular and influential Urdu-language poets. He also wrote in Persian. Beginning with a critical introduction, which introduces Ghalib and his work to non-specialists, Frances Pritchett and Owen Cornwall then present a selection of Ghazals--the classic Urdu poetic form for which Ghalib was most famous--his poetry in other forms; little-known letters; and an introduction to an Urdu romance. The careful translations--more true to the originals than prior translations--will allow readers with little or no knowledge of Persian or Urdu to appreciate the lyricism of the original languages. Moreover, the annotations flesh out the nuances of meaning and other finer details of the poetry. The book also includes a glossary and a selection of Ghalib's comments on his own verses. The Urdu text of the poetry is included."--