Partially sponsonsored by Missouri Arts Council

Prasanna Kasthuri Presents

Ishq

An evening of romantic poems and dance
(A presentation of Ghazals and Kathak)

Venue: Gandhi Center
Date/Time: March 31st 2007; 8:00 PM

In Urdu, Ishq is used to refer to fervent love for any object, organism or God.In Hindi, Ishq is mostly used to refer to romantic love in its extreme passion between a man and a woman. In Ishq literally means love with no lust. Prasanna attempts to bring some of these passion through his Kathak dancing with famous Ghazals.The ghazal not only has a specific form, but traditionally deals with just one subject: Love. And not any kind of love, but specifically, an illicit, and unattainable love. The subcontinental ghazals have an influence of Islamic Mysticism and the subject of love can usually be interpreted for a higher being or for a mortal beloved. The ghazal is always written from the point of view of the lover who is unable to attain his beloved, because either the beloved is just playing with the poet's feelings, or because the societal circumstances do not allow it. The lover is aware and resigned to this fate, but continues loving nonetheless. Take for example the following couplets from Amir Khusro's Persian ghazal Nami danam chi manzil bood shab:

Nami danam chi manzil bood shab jaay ki man boodam;
Baharsu raqs-e bismil bood shab jaay ki man boodam.
Pari paikar nigaar-e sarw qadde laala rukhsare;
Sarapa aafat-e dil bood shab jaay ki man boodam.

I wonder what was the place where I was last night,
All around me were half-slaughtered victims of love, tossing about in agony.
There was a nymph-like beloved with cypress-like form and tulip-like face,
Ruthlessly playing havoc with the hearts of the lovers.

(translated by S.A.H. Abidi)

(courtesy: wikipedia)

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