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Zikr: In The Light and Shade of Time
Internationally renowned, Muzaffar Ali has donned many hats in his lifetime. The scion of the princely house of Kotwara, the boy Muzaffar was shaped by the changing post-Partition India. Having studied science at Aligarh University, he started his career in an advertisement agency in Calcutta, worked with the nascent Air India and then ventured on a journey that produced cinematic masterpieces like Umrao Jaan . Along the way, his path collided with many-from Satyajit Ray to Faiz Ahmad Faiz-and he has cultivated many a passion, whether for cars or couture.
His autobiography is a peek into this wealth of experience-a close look at Ali, prince, poet, philosopher, film-maker, automobile aficionado and artist. Zikr is also a rich interior portrait of an artist, as Ali takes us behind the scenes of films like Anjuman and Gaman , speaking of the sensibilities that shaped them and the influences on his work. Above all, this is a book that resounds with a deep love for life.
Whether you're looking for inspiration, seeking to venture off the beaten track of Bollywood or wishing to bite into a slice of erstwhile Awadhi culture, Zikr has something to offer all.
His autobiography is a peek into this wealth of experience-a close look at Ali, prince, poet, philosopher, film-maker, automobile aficionado and artist. Zikr is also a rich interior portrait of an artist, as Ali takes us behind the scenes of films like Anjuman and Gaman , speaking of the sensibilities that shaped them and the influences on his work. Above all, this is a book that resounds with a deep love for life.
Whether you're looking for inspiration, seeking to venture off the beaten track of Bollywood or wishing to bite into a slice of erstwhile Awadhi culture, Zikr has something to offer all.
264 pages, Hardcover
Published April 15, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 20, 2023
Actually 3.5/5
Muzaffar Ali is an artist before he’s a writer. His strength lies in painting vivid pictures (through his words) of an interesting and well-lived life. But he tends to veer off topic frequently, before returning to the subject at hand. This threw me off.
Overall, however, it’s an interesting book and I enjoyed it. The Urdu poetry is interesting and may appeal to people who enjoy that but my favourite parts were learning about his filmmaker’s mind.
Muzaffar Ali is an artist before he’s a writer. His strength lies in painting vivid pictures (through his words) of an interesting and well-lived life. But he tends to veer off topic frequently, before returning to the subject at hand. This threw me off.
Overall, however, it’s an interesting book and I enjoyed it. The Urdu poetry is interesting and may appeal to people who enjoy that but my favourite parts were learning about his filmmaker’s mind.
October 16, 2024
I loved this book. What a detailed and soulful description of a splendid journey into the author's life nourished by the Kotwara regality, people, poetry , films , music , painting, Sufism, animals and nature. This is a documentation by an honest seeker , who is perpetually in a state of awe , marveled by the hidden and the revealed aspects of life. Such subliminal experiences have beautifully been rendered by Muzaffar Ali Sahab. My words can't fathom the depth of the experience.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews