Quiver by Javed Akhtar

Title: Quiver--Poems and Ghazals
Author: Javed Akhtar/1995
Translated from Urdu by David Matthews /2001
ISBN-10: 8172235127
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Pages: 251

Javed Akhtar is one of my favourte Urdu poets. This book is a gift from my nephew. This volume is an English and Hindi translation of 'Tarkash', a highly successful book of Javed Akhtar's Urdu poems first published in 1995.

Here he talks about himself, his short comings, love and many more things. In first appearance, these poems seem simple. But contain deeper meanings. Each of his poems have many levels and a reader can discern it the way he/she wishes to. There are deep ironies along with philosophical ponderings. He tries to decipher the mystery of life and leaves it open for the reader to interpret it in her/his own way. As I read both the Hindi and English versions, I had not muc problem liking his verses.

A must read for all those who like good poetry. In India and Pakistan, Javed Akhtar is a well known name!