In the Year of Sahir 2021 Diary

DETAILS : 

• Author :Nasreen Munni Kabir
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Westland
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 16 November 2020
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 938964867X
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9389648676
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 450  g

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the Year of Sahir: 2021 Diary, compiled and curated by the acclaimed film historian and documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir and published by Westland, is an elegant, commemorative literary journal. Released to coincide with the birth centenary of the legendary Urdu poet and Hindi film lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi (1921–1980), this spiral-bound volume functions as both a functional daily planner and an intimate, archival tribute to one of Indian cinema’s greatest romantic and revolutionary voices.

The primary objective of the diary is to provide a uniquely interactive space where readers can weave their own daily notes alongside the rich history of the Progressive Writers' Movement. Curated with an eye for deep cinematic history, each page layout juxtaposes weekly planning grids with rare, never-before-seen photographs, brief analytical essays, and personal anecdotes. It documents Sahir’s monumental fight for artists' rights—such as his historic insistence that All India Radio credit lyricists alongside composers and singers, and his demand to be paid one rupee more than his musical directors.

A defining feature of the book is its inclusion of rich, primary source materials. It features heartfelt reminiscences from legendary contemporaries like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Gulzar, and Yash Chopra, alongside reflections from modern artists like Naseeruddin Shah who continue to be inspired by his work. The diary includes a concise biographical introduction by author Akshay Manwani and concludes with an incisive essay by Kabir that introduces a rare, English translation by filmmaker K.A. Abbas of Sahir’s iconic anti-war masterpiece poem, Parchhaiyan (Shadows), printed right alongside the original Urdu script.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nasreen Munni Kabir is an internationally renowned, London-based television producer, author, and authority on Hindi cinema. Over a career spanning several decades, she has produced numerous highly acclaimed documentary series for the UK's Channel 4, including Movie Mahal and definitive biographical film profiles on icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, and Shah Rukh Khan.

Kabir’s authorial style is characterized by its meticulous research, accessibility, and unique ability to elicit candid, deeply personal histories from major artistic figures. She has written over a dozen highly regarded books on Indian film history, featuring extensive conversational biographies with masters such as Javed Akhtar, Waheeda Rehman, A.R. Rahman, and Gulzar. Through her work as a curator and translator, she continues to play a vital role in introducing the complex artistic frameworks of classic South Asian cinema to global English-speaking audiences.