Collective Circle Time with Dr. Saif Mahmood

In the continuum of our practice of reconnecting (teachers, admin and auxiliary staff) after the winter break through a collective Circle Time, we had invited Dr. Saif Mahmood, who is an Urdu poetry and literature critic, commentator, translator and rights activist. An Advocate of the Supreme Court of India he holds a doctorate in Constitutional Law in South Asia.

Dr. Saif Mahmood is also the author of ‘Beloved Delhi: A Mughal City and Her Greatest Poets’ (Speaking Tiger, 2018). ‘Beloved Delhi: A Mughal City and Her Greatest Poets’ offers a window into the life, times and poetry of Delhi’s greatest Urdu poets from the 18th and 19th centuries, with witty and critical insight, in a conversational style. Focusing on eight poets, he allowed us to touch Delhi’s past and rethink its present through Urdu.

The theme of the session was ‘Dilli Jo Ek Shehar Tha’ and based on this book authored by Saif Mahmood. In his session he narrated stories from the life and work of the finest classical Urdu poets: Sauda, Dard, Mir, Ghalib, Momin, Zafar, Zauq and Daagh. He also painted a compelling portrait of Mughal Delhi by quoting few excerpts from their biographies and poetry–including their best-known ghazals.

It was a treat to listen to the work of the poets who loved and lived in Delhi. To connect with the Urdu Poetry that rules the cultural and emotional landscape of India–especially northern India and much of the Deccan–and of Pakistan.

An evocative session which left us with the thought and desire to explore Delhi once again…