RUMI Selections from his Masnavi Translation & Introduction by Paul Smith The masnavi is the form used in Persian and other languages to write epic ballads or romances and it is essentially a Persian invention. The most famous poems written in this form are the 'Shahnama' (Book of the Kings) of Firdausi, the 'Enclosed Garden of the Truth' of Sana'i, the 'Five Treasures' of Nizami, the 'Conference of the Birds' and 'The Book of God' and many others by 'Attar, the 'Seven Thrones' of Jami, the ten masnavis of Amir Khusrau and of course the greatest of them all... the 'Masnavi' of Rumi. Many masnavis by the great Perfect Master Poets were of a Sufi/Dervish mystical nature. Included in this volume is a chapter on The Life, Times & Poetry of Rumi and one on the history of the masnavi in Persian poetry by the various masters in this form with translations of their works up until Rumi. From Rumi's Masnavi are his Introduction to the 6 volumes and the first three Tales in full and excerpts from the whole work, including some of his ribald tales. Selected Bibliography. The correct rhyme-form of the masnavi has been kept in all the translations. 260 pages. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S VERSION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'."It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished. If he comes to Iran I will kiss the fingertips that wrote such a masterpiece inspired by the Creator of all." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart."I was very impressed with the beauty of these books." Dr. R.K. Barz. Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University."Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and screenplays. New Humanity Books amazon.com/author/smithpa
Industry Reviews
Farrukh Dhondy conveys to us Rumi as a universal poet and thinker and captures in verse the spirit of Rumi's philosophy in an authentic fashion often missed by some of the modern interpreters of Rumi. His introduction gives us an overview of the essential message of Sufism and its relevance to the modern world. --Mahmood Jamal, author of Islamic Mystical Poetry Transcendent yet simple, Rumi's words--in this exquisite translation by Farrukh Dhondy--forever remain the anchor of the human condition. --Mira Nair East and west, readers are passionate about Rumi. But the poet recently called 'America's favorite poet, ' born in what is now north Afghanistan, is also the jewel of thirteenth-century Persian poetry. Farrukh Dhondy uses the patternings of pre-modernist English to reflect Rumi's antiquity and traditional poetics, as well as his lively and often humorous take on life. Like all translations of Rumi, this is a labour of love. --Ruth Padel, author of The Mara Crossing
