English translation of Josh’s Rubai’yat available
The efforts made by prominent writer and poet Mohammad Yamin for translating Rubai’yat of Josh Malihabadi in English (A Drop and the Ocean) was lauded by speakers at the launching ceremony of the book.
The ceremony organised by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) was presided over by Professor Dr Muhammad Ali Siddiqui. Dr S. Moin Qureshi was the chief guest, while Agha Noor Muhammad Pathan, Resident Director PAL, Ishrat Roomani, Jamal Naqvi, Nazir Channa and others spoke on the occasion. Siddiqui lauded the role of the author in introducing Josh to English literature. He said the author has preserved the poetic qualities of the Rubai’yat of Josh. “While translating, Yamin has used rhyming lines, which is an extremely difficult thing to do,” added Siddiqui.
Qureshi, while congratulating Yamin for his excellent translation, said that Urdu Rubai’yat are not included in the book as it was printed in the UK. “The translations are not only truthful but have preserved the quality of the original Rubai’yat,” he said.
Roomani in his presentation said that being a poet himself, Yamin has expertly conveyed the voice of Josh to the West keeping in view the traditions of Urdu poetry. While Naqvi said that Josh had left an indelible impression in whatever genre of poetry he wrote. He said in the quatrains of Yamin, the restrictions of rhythm have been followed, which is difficult to do but he has done it successfully.
Earlier, Nazir Channa, Agha Noor Mohammed and others showered their praise and appreciation for the contribution of Yamin.
Source: The News
Date:3/1/2008
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