|
Magazine
Akhtar and Sen
Javed Akhtar
IT was a rare occasion where the star-studded cast was balanced by an equally well known and well represented audience. But it was finally the poetry of Javed Akhtar and the ready wit of Professor Amartya Sen that wove some magic at the release of Quiver, an English translation of the poet's Urdu work, Tarkash. While all were unanimous in their praise for Dr. David Mathew's excellent translation, Akhtar said while translation of poems and ghazals is considered tough, Dr. Mathew's work had opened the door for Urdu poetry and made a window for English literature. He added that in these times of terrorism and state repression, the poet is still relevant because he is the person who has the courage to call a spade a spade. While Dr. Sen lauded Quiver as a magnificient work, he underscored the need for quality translations. "A poet can tell what it is like to be a sufferer but an economist cannot," said Dr. Sen.
SUCHITRA BEHAL
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Magazine
|
