Masterpieces of Modern Urdu Poetry

Modern Urdu poetry is rendered into English and transliterated in the Roman script for the benefit of non-Urdu readers in this anthology. The 95 poems from 33 representative Indian and Pakistani poets reflect the social, political, and poetical trends that prevailed in the latter half of the 20th century. Inspired by the Red Revolution of 1917 and strongly influenced by the socialist ideology of former Soviet Russia, these "progressive" writers exorcised the ghosts of the feudal and imperialist past and propagated ideas of social equity and justice through their poetry. Writers include Firaq Gorakhpuri, Josh Malihabadi, and Hari Chand Akhtar.