Sunday, January 16, 2011

Sarna's new muse: 111 verses of Zafarnama in English

New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Diplomat-author Navtej Sarna has always felt a creative kinship with exiles. This time round, he has penned an English translation of Zafarnama - 111 spiritually resonant Persian verses of impassioned plea for justice composed by Guru Gobind Singh, the last Sikh guru, while on the run from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's soldiers in the early 18th century.

'It's a blistering indictment of Aurangzeb's policies and statecraft, the lack of morality in governance and war during his tenure,' Sarna, who is at present India's ambassador to Israel, told IANS in an interview here before he heads to the Jaipur Literary Festival later this week.


'At the same time, it is a stirring praise to true god. Guru Gobind Singh was a prophetic poet, writer, a warrior poet and a polyglot who was well versed in Persian, Sanskrit and Brijbhasha,' said Sarna, who also served as spokesperson of India's Foreign Office for six long years.

with thanks : SIFY : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

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