The Shadow of A Bird in Flight

A collection of Persian verses with parallel English translations; Selection and Translation by Padma Shri Shamsur Rahman Faruqi

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The Shadow of a Bird in Flight is an invitation to engage with the rich tradition of Urdu and Persian poetry as envisioned and curated by Shamsur Rahman Faruqi. It features one hundred and sixty-seven poems by sixty poets, representing the essence of eight centuries of Indo-Persian poetic tradition. The collection invites readers to discover these works organically—each poem standing on its own, yet resonating with the others in unexpected ways.
This edition is enriched by new prefaces by Mehr and Baran Farooqi, Shamsur Rahman Faruqi’s daughters, alongside his original introductory essay which situates the collection within the broader landscape of Persian poetry and his own sensibilities. With pieces spanning all five main genres of Persian verse, this anthology serves as both an introduction for newcomers and a fresh lens for seasoned readers.
The Shadow Of a Bird in Flight celebrates the enduring influence of Indian contributions to Persian literature, offering a fresh and accessible entry point into this layered tradition, as well as the man who brought modernism to it.