The Way it Was Once

Faiz Ahmed Faiz was and continues to be one of the most popular and iconic Urdu poets of the Indian subcontinent. Since his death in 1984, the interest in his ideas and work has only grown, and the ideals that underlined his poetry – love, freedom, justice and hope – continue to inspire people all over the world.

In this wonderful book, with a biography by Faiz's grandson Ali Madeeh Hashmi and translations of fifty – two of his poems by noted Pakistani writher Shoaib Hashmi, Faiz's life and verse come alive as never before.

While the biography, incisive as well as affectionate, captures the key moments of Faiz's life, the translations capture the spirit and flavour of Faiz's poems. A visual treat, with rare pictures from the family album and letters written by the poet, this tribute to Faiz in his centenary year is a collector's delight.