December 07, 2016

Book Review: Amir Khusrau: The Man in Riddles by Ankit Chadha

Title: Amir Khusrau: The Man in Riddles
Author: Ankit Chadha
Illustrated: Urmimala Nag
Publisher: Penguin India
ISBN:  9780143426486
Genre: Fiction, Poetry
Pages: 96
Source: Flipkart Review Program
Rating:  5/5

INTRO
Have you ever skipped your heartbeat while holding a book? I got that feeling, once I received this beauty Amir Khurau: The Man in Riddles by Ankit Chadha. Literally I was holding it like a baby and my eyes stuck on its cover, inner pages led me into a new world, world of colourful imagination, secret lanes, magical pauses, and the utter desire to solve those riddles without turning the page.  

Structure
Basically Ankit Chadha compiled the mesmerizing verses of Amir Khusrau, actually twenty riddles with bit of cultural description of his era, each page accompanied with beautiful illustration by Urmimala Nag. Though I am not much aware of Khusrau Yet, I easily connected with this book; few riddles were reminiscent of my childhood.

Core
Amir Khusrau, was an eminent poet of medieval India, known as Tuti-yi-Hind (Parrot of India), he contributed to Indian classical music, Sufism, Qawwali, Persian Literature. Many lyricist still using his verses to enhance the beauty of current songs by giving them sufiyana touch like.. 



Here Ankit Chadha spotlighted Amir Khusrau aswhen reading khusrau’s poetry, it is evident that the poet intends to convey two meanings one that has to do with everyday world while the other delves into other worldly.

Also, Ankit didn’t forget to reveal the soulful relation between Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, the great sufi saint and Khusrau. While reading this book I could sense that Khusrau was a major cultural icon and as far as I know, he was the founder of Ganga-Jamani Tahzeeb, His prolific image stands him among the world cultural History.  


Ankit rejuvenated the soulful work of khusrau in such a profound manner. The best thing about Ankit’s book, You don’t need to be literature-friendly, even a kid will learn and enjoy it. I read this breathtaking beauty within an hour, avoiding everything.

All in all, Amir Khusrau: The Man in Riddles is gorgeously honest. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this book. Exquisite!   

Reader’s Moment
Here, I want to pick a little piece

Dil ka to dumbal bhayaa
Aur nainon ka naasoor
Jo okhat se dukh katey
Toh main bhi karoon zaroor

Ishq

Translation:
The eyes are ulcers
And the heart is a boil
If seeking a cure helps,
Then I shall toil. 


ABOUT AUTHOR
Ankit Chadha is a writer and storyteller, who specializes in weaving research-based narratives for performance in the oral art of Urdu storytelling—Dastangoi. His works revolve around Sufi poetry and history education.

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