The Lightning Should have Fallen on Ghalib

by Robert Bly and Sunil Dutta

Ghalib is one of the most famous and widely read Urdu poets. While he wrote in the tradition of Hafiz and Rumi he managed to imbue it with his distinctive stamp such that it has remained vibrant and vital more than a century after his death. Ghalib's poetry combines humour and anguish. He weaves many emotions into his couplets, jumping from one to the other, leaving it to the reader to find the connecting thread. In the Lightning should have Fallen on Ghalib Selected Poems of Ghalib poet Robert Bly and Urdu scholar Sunil Dutta endeavour to bring the intensity and finesse of Ghalib's poetry to English readers.

About the Author:

ROBERT BLY is the author, editor and translator of numerous works of poetry and prose.SUNIL DUTTA is a biologist as well as a student of Indian music and literature. He is attempting to preserve the ancient musical tradition of Dhrupad.