“In today’s climate, it is important to remember people who used their art as an instrument of social change,” said Shabana Azmi at the launch of the book ‘ Kaifi Azmi: Poems/Nazms’ .
The book is a bilingual anthology of selected 50 poems, published by Bloomsbury and edited by Sudeep Sen, with additional contributions by Husain Mir Ali, Baidar Bakht, Sumantra Ghoshal and Pritish Nandy. The book contains English translations of Urdu poems, written in Devanagari script, with a translator’s note.
The book launch on Monday was timed to coincide with the birth centenary of Kaifi Azmi. It includes archival photographs featuring the poet at various junctures in his life. “It took me two years to complete this book. I completely immersed myself not only in Kaifi Azmi’s poetry but also in the history of Progressive Writer’s Movement,” said Mr. Sen.
The book launch which was held in the India Habitat Centre auditorium came alive with Urdu poetry as the panelists — Shabana Azmi, Mr. Sen and Mr. Ghoshal, read out verses from famous poems such as Aurat , Ek Lamha and Makaan in Hindi and English, written by Kaifi Azmi.
“Whenever he [Kaifi Azmi] wrote or said something, even if it was romantic in nature, he always added a twist, so that the piece of work not only remains a personal experience but goes beyond that to reach a wider audience,” remarked Shabana Azmi.
On translation and the importance of translators in modern society, Mr. Sen said, “It is a question of what kind of reverence and love you have for the poet. Things [translating] are difficult when you’re trying to do it right. I sent many drafts of this to many people, because the poems should win. This work is not about me, the poem is the real hero. We, the translators, are just foot soldiers who have to ensure that the poetry sings.”
The panel discussion was followed by the screening of a documentary, Kaifinaama, directed by Mr. Ghoshal. The event included an interactive session with the audience and book signing by the panellists.
“My father was an optimist. He never gave up hope and that was his strength. If an artist accepts defeat, it amounts to the defeat of society,” said Shabana Azmi.
