Book Title: Barf pe Jami Aag
Author: S.M. Akhtar
This book is divided into six sections. The first ‘anunaad’ (अनुनाद) which means echo, carries works which have a fresh energy with a musical flight of thoughts. The second ‘antarnaad’ (अंतर्नाद) which means the inner sound, carries works that depict the turbulence of thoughts inside the mind. The third ‘ardhnaad’ (अर्धनाद) which means incomplete sound, carries a poetic revolt towards the incompleteness of the society and lack of clarity in social value systems. The fourth ‘anad’ (अनाद ) carries works that talk about the nameless existence of those sections of society where humans do not have a voice of their own. The fifth is ‘pratinaad’ (प्रतिनाद ) which is a revolt, a reaction of the poet to the existing state of affairs in social and political organizations. Its a reflection of systems which show the helplessness of common man. The final sixth section is ‘muktnaad’ (मुक्तनाद) which is the final resolve, the invocation of the struggle of life, as a pledge to rebel.
Sound is the source of all creation and the theory of sound is used to its best in the systematic way in the categorization of works by the poet himself. The sounds within the mind of a poet, become poetry just the way ‘naad’ the primordial sound created universe.
The author, Dr. S. M. Akhtar has a multi-disciplinary background. His studies spans over Architecture, Town Planning, Social Sciences and Environment. He is a graduate of The Indian Institute of Architect, a Post Graduate of the Institute of Town Planners India, with a Master Degree in Public Administration ( which covers Urban & Rural Environment Management, Sociology, Economics ) and Bachelors degree in Law, and Ph.D. on Urban Housing. He is the first recipient of D.Litt. ( D. Litt. awarded on a thesis entitled “ Translating Democratic Virtues into Sustainable Physical Development” is composite work on Policy Science and Ekistics) in Public Administration as well first Architect and Planner honoured with a D.Litt. degree.
He is Professor & Founder Dean Faculty of Architecture & Ekistics at Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi. Presently he is serving third consecutive term as Dean Faculty of Architecture & Ekistics. By initiating B. Arch (SFS) besides B. Arch he introduced second shift in teaching with aim to optimize national resource utilization, he succeeded in bridging Industry Institution gap. He developed Six Master degree program namely, M. Ekistics, M. Arch Architecture Pedagogy, M. Arch–Building Services, M. Arch–Medical Architecture, M. Arch-Recreation Architecture, M. Arch Urban Regeneration, which all are unique and are in high demand, as well under his supervision Ph. D, program in Architecture & Planning has been introduced, five Ph.D. have been awarded under his supervision. His books entitled “Urban Housing – issues & strategies”, “Islamic Architecture -at crossroad’, and Habib Rahman –The Architect of Independent India has been published.
He had been convenor of the ‘International Conference on Islamic Arts & Architecture 2007 and International Conference on Islamic Arts & Architecture 2011’. He has been convenor for Five issues of the National conference series ‘Architecture for Masses’.
He has been consultant for the UNDP sponsored programme ‘Capacity Development of Urban Local Bodies’. He was Programme Collaborator in (UIA-CIMES) Union International de Architect’s International work Programme 1999 on ‘Intermediate Cities (CIMES)
He had been Chairman of the Indian Institute of Architects U.P. Chapter and Secretary of the Institute of Town Planners India, U.P. Chapter. He is also a Life Member of the Indian Institute of Public Administration. He is Vice President of Lucknow First (an NGO working for the betterment of Urban Environment ). He is also associated with Citizens action Forum and Clean Gomti Programme.
He is a regular writer on Urban affairs, Transportation and Housing in News Papers/ Magazines. He has over 50 Research Papers to his credit on Urbanization, Transportation and Housing published at National and International Levels.
His poetry represents the under-current of thoughts that make him the multidisciplinary man that he is.
Poiesis Society for Poetry has awarded this book as the best book for the third quarter of 2017.
