Darkling I listen : and for many a time
I have been half in love with easeful Death
Called him soft names in many a mused rhyme,
To take into the air my quiet breath;
Now more than ever seems it rich to die,
To cease upon the midnight with no pain.
John Keats
This was quoted by Khushwant Singh, noted journalist, author and editor in his weekly column in the Hindustan Times.
From my college days, I have always admired his candour and the cascading flow of his language, right from when he was the editor of the Illustrated Weekly of India and his editorials were a never miss, With Malice Towards One and All!
His works range from political commentary and contemporary satire to outstanding translations of Sikh religious texts and Urdu poetry. Born on 2nd Feb 1915, educated in the Government College Lahore in undivided India and King's College Cambridge, he turns 98 very soon and I would like to wish him the best in his twilight years ...
So nice to see you, fellow traveler. I have been wondering how you are. The bridge in your top photo is spectacular. Wow. I love the twinkly lights in your twilight - here it is morning. Are you enjoying my evening already? :) I ADORE the Keats quote. It sounds like Mr. Singh has made a profound impact with his life and has reached the grand age of 98. Wonderful. My grandma almost made it to 100, short a couple of weeks. She encompassed history through the most impactful hundred years on the planet. Astounding to think about. So nice to see you posting.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I am also a profound admirer of this Grand Sardar, his wit and yes ofcourse his command on almost every subject, be it religion, nature, literature.
ReplyDeleteBut sometimes, I found his jokes too weird.
He translated Amrita Pritam's work into English. Long back I sent you his translation of Amrita Pritam's Peom 'Ek Mulaqat' into 'Rendezvous', if you remember. I also join to wish him best in his twilight years....
the Sardar with a logo the bulb and bubles, wits and bites, and legends. the Illustrated Weekly was the big format of my child/teenhood. let us wish him a fluid ton.
ReplyDelete