This anthology of Ali Sardar Jafri's Urdu poetry translated into English, covers the entire span of his writing career, i.e., 1943-1997. Reflecting the evolution of his thoughts, ideology, flights of fancy, a free soaring spirit, seven different segments of the book are a tribute to how the muse has fired the inner recesses of this passionate poet, who on the one hand seeks the fulfilment of his personal desires and dreams, and on the other seeks the solitude of the soul, aspiring to escape from the prison of bondage during the struggle of India's Independence.

These verses are a live, provocative document, poetically depicting the survival of the human spirit in the face of callous inhumanity. Compassion and sensitivity are the need of the hour as the poet manifests these virtues through his lyrical poems with resilient new expressions.

Recipient of the national honour Padma Shri, the prestigious literary recognition of Jnanpith Award and several other laurels including the Soviet Land Nehru Award, U.P. Urdu Academy Award, Sant Jnaneshwar Award and, Iqbal Award, Ali Sardar Jafri made his debut in writing with a collection of short stories, Manzil, in 1938, and thereafter made a mark as a poet in 1943, with his book, Parvaz. Attracted both to nationalism and communism, he virtually became the undisputed leader of the Progressive Writers' Movement with his own inimitable style, wherein the love of the personal beloved got transformed into an engagement with revolution. And Jafri inaugurated the euphoria of liberation, and penned a collection of verses, Patthar kii diivaar, when he was jailed during the freedom struggle.

With nine books of verses, two plays, one collection of short stories, one memoir- reportage and three collections of critical essays in his literary satchel, currently he's editing a six-volume Encyclopaedia of Urdu Poetry.

Many of his distinguished writings have been translated into other languages which include Nai Duniya Ko Salaam, Khoon Ki Lakeer, Asia Jaag Utha, Lahu Pukarta Hai, Pairahar-e-Sharar, November Mera Gahwara, etc.

Some thirty five years ago, soon after graduating from Aligarh Muslim University, I visited the home of a professor of Urdu in Patna in company with a few friends. Someone pointed to a book on the coffee table, in great excitement, and exclaimed: look Diwan-e-Mir. A poetry collection of Mir Taqi Mir, the famous eighteenth century Urdu poet, was generally available at that time and was not going to impress me unduly, so I responded indifferently. Nevertheless, my friend could not contain his excitement, "but it is compiled by Sardar Jafri." My indifference was suddenly transformed into something close to a reverence, which is usually reserved for religious books.

**Contents and Sample Pages**