Archive for October, 2017
Prefixes Posted by Nitya on Oct 30, 2017
Prefixes! Those glorious little words that can change the meaning of a word in an instant. English has a rich trove of prefixes that are sourced from languages including Greek and Latin. Hindi is no different, and boasts its own store of prefixes, many of which are borrowed from languages like Urdu. To provide an…
Ailments, Injuries, Illnesses Posted by Nitya on Oct 21, 2017
Got the sniffles? Broke a leg? Twisted your ankle? Or are you offering comfort to someone who is suffering a more serious affliction? When in India, it is useful to know names and terms for illnesses or ailments that you might encounter in conversations during daily business or travel. Some of these might be useful…
Sahir Ludhianvi: A Poet of the Silver Screen (Part 3) Posted by Rachael on Oct 15, 2017
If you haven’t yet read parts 1 and 2 of this series on the renowned poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, check them out now! In this next poem I’ll share with you, Ludhianvi once again manages to upend a traditional concept and transform it into an entirely different meditation on justice, the rights of the…
Sahir Ludhianvi: A Poet of the Silver Screen (Part 2) Posted by Rachael on Oct 14, 2017
If you haven’t already, check out my part 1 of this series on the talented poet and lyricist, Sahir Ludhianvi, and enjoy this part 2 on his work and literary style! Although Ludhianvi is perhaps best known for his role as a film lyricist, his poetry beyond that certainly commends itself. He made his debut…
Asking for Small Change Posted by Nitya on Oct 10, 2017
In many large towns in India, small change or छुट्टा (chutta) is coveted and guarded currency that people part with sparingly and reluctantly. It is the currency of daily business with the autorickshaw driver, the vegetable vendor, the bus conductor, and even grocery shopping in supermarkets. “Please give me exact change,” मैडम छुट्टा दीजिये (Madam chutta dijiye) is…
Sahir Ludhianvi: A Poet of the Silver Screen (Part 1) Posted by Rachael on Oct 9, 2017
In the world of Hindi-Urdu literature and popular film, Sahir Ludhianvi’s (साहिर लुधियानवी) name stands out as one of the most gifted and insightful poets of the 20th century. Born Abdul Hayee (अब्दुल हयी) in 1921 in Karimpura/करीमपुरा, Ludhiana (लुधियाना, a district in the state of Punjab), Punjab/पंजाब (in what was then British India), Sahir…