1857: Some rare eyewitness accounts

Contrary to the popular perception, in these hitherto ignored accounts, the rebels do not emerge as idealistic, gallant freedom fighters although the likes of Karl Marx had descried the rebellion as a befitting response to the treachery and venery of the British.

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 The rising star of Urdu poetry

"Beauty and shayari are God's gifts, when these coalesce they take the form of Rupa Saba" observed Azhar Javed the editor of Lahore's literary magazine Takhleeq. Such accolades are being increasingly bestowed upon the Ludhiana born, Punjab University graduate, by the connoisseurs of Urdu poetry. Daughter of the accomplished Hindi writer Gurbachan Kaur Nanda, Rupa used to often skip her classes in college in order to listen to AIR's Urdu Service programs. She began by writing Urdu verse in Devanagari script.

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 Contemporary, crisp and rhythmic stories

While reading this collection of eighteen short stories this couplet by Sahir Ludhianavi comes to one's mind 'Duniya ne tajurbato hawadis ki shakal mein jo kuchh mujhe diya hai/lauta raha hoon main.' (I am returning to the world what it has given me by way of experiences and accidents). It fits perfectly with what Renu Behl has to say in this anthology that depicts all the shades of human nature - dark, grey and bright. Indeed, Urdu fiction has been evolving with time and is very much tuned in to contemporary issues as well as literary style. Let's take a look at some of the stories.

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 A saga of love, fortitude and optimism amidst ruins

When a writer feels impelled to pick up a pen to write about suffering humanity there can be only one reason for it - unadulterated empathy, which in turn is a product of heightened sensitivity and deep insight. The writing becomes all the more effective and cerebral if it is backed with informed imagination. Kashmiri Lal Zakir has all these qualities as witnessed in more than one hundred of his books. This volume is but one more proof of his acumen. In fact the very title (rough translation: these ruins belong to me too) shows the extent and depth of the author's feelings for the stricken.

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 A titan among Urdu poets

Ghazal has impeccable antecedents. Beginning from Shah Hatim and Wali Dakhani it benefited from the genius of such greats as Mir Taki Mir and Ghalib, then came the likes of Iqbal, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Faiz Ahmed Faiz et al who took the art and craft of ghazal composition to new heights - lending it sophistication as well as relevance to human situation. The metaphor too has changed from the abstract, spiritual and romantic Gul-o-bulbul, husn-o-ishq, zulf-e-barham types to the more tangible ones like poverty, rebellion and societal warts. No list of great Urdu poets of modern times would be complete without the name of Parveen Kumar Ashk.

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 A poet for all reasons

The ninety year old Zakir, despite his age, is energetic and young at heart. No wonder he has about one hundred books to his credit and still writing. An accomplished litterateur he writes prose and poetry with equal felicity. His novels, short stories, plays and essays appeal both to one's heart and the mind. His poetry - be it ghazal, nazm or qita - never fails to convey a profound message.

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 Eternal poetry of great sensibility

He was studying in class five when he got hold of Diwan-e-Ghalib. Although it wasn't easy to understand the master's couplets but reading them provided him with sublime satisfaction. By the time he reached class seven he had memorized Sahir Ludhianvi's famous Talkhiyan.

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 A powerful statement against HIV AIDS

An Urdu book that makes a powerful statement against HIV AIDS

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