Gulzar brings back memories of Partition in his new book

India's Partition in 1947 has always influenced the works of an entire generation of writers and now Gulzar brings those memories alive in his latest book "Footprints on Zero Line".

Translated by well known critic and writer Rakhshanda Jalil, this compilation, published by HarperCollins India, marks 70 years of India's Independence. The book brings together a collection of his finest writings -- fiction, non-fiction and poems - on the subject.

What sets it apart from other writings on Partition is that Gulzar's unerring eye does not stop at the events of 1947 but looks at how they continue to affect our lives to this day.

It is not only a brilliant collection on a cataclysmic event in the history of our nation by one of our finest contemporary writers, it is also a timely reminder that those who forget the errors of the past are doomed to repeat them.

Gulzar, whose given name is Sampooran Singh Kalra, was born in Dina (now in Pakistan). Gulzar is one of the finest poets in Urdu/Hindustani, he has a number of poetry and short-story collections to his credit. He is a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Bhushan. In 2008, he was awarded an Oscar for his song 'Jai ho' in "Slumdog Millionaire..." He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2014.

--IANS

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