Dewan-e-Ghalib: Naqsh-e-Chughtai

Abdur Rahman Chughtai, Dewan-e-Ghalib: Naqsh-e-Chughtai, Lahore: Print Printo, Circa 1960s

About 150 pages, 22 plates, 6 in colour and 2 in duotone, rest in black and white; original decorated rexine limp boards in gilt showing a deer sitting beside a small cypress tree growing out of a jewel
9.8 x 7.8 x 0.6 in (24.5 x 19.5 x 1.5 cm)

With a typed 2-page autobiographical date of Chughtai around 1960s. Signed by Chughtai "With kind regards to Prof. Rolf Isakander. Signed and dated 30.5.63"

Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, known under the pseudonym Ghalib ("Supreme" in Urdu and Persian), born 1797, died 1869 - recognized as the greatest poet in Urdu, the creator of the most outstanding "gazals" or a kind of love poem. Ghalib's poetry tackled themes such as love, philosophy, and the mysteries of life.

Abdur Rehman Chughtai published three books of his own work: the Muraqqai-i-Chughtai (1928), Naqsh-i-Chughtai (c. 1935) and Chughtai's Paintings (1940). "Dewan-e-Ghalib: Naqsh-e-Chughtai ", is a collection of Mirza Ghalib's poetry illustrated by Chughtai. Dewan means a collection of poems written in a certain specific order.

Abdur Rehman Chughtai was a painter and an intellectual artist, who was inspired by Mughal art and Miniature painting to create his own exclusive style. He was also an etcher, engraver, architect, calligrapher, naqash (decorative art), photographer, photo-lithographer, textile, and jewellery designer. He also wrote short stories and articles on art. He designed stamps, coins, insignia, and book covers.

Before Partition, he was known as the greatest living artist of India. After Partition, he was officially recognised as the National Painter of Pakistan. He was given the title of 'Khan Bahadur' by the British Raj in 1934, and was awarded Pakistan's second highest civilian award, 'Hilal-i-Imtiaz' in 1960, and the Presidential medal for Pride of Performance from the Government of Pakistan in 1968.