Agha Shahid Ali likens the ghazal to a necklace strung with "Ravishing DisUnities,"of which each stone is an autonomous couplet that shines in "vivid isolation." This panel explores the distinct features of the ghazal: the rhyme-refrain scheme, poet's signature, independent couplets, and playful yet profound "ghazal spirit," while tracking the evolution of the form from ancient to contemporary. It also pays a tribute, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his death, to Shahid, who brought the ghazal to the U.S.

Location: Room 318-319, Level 300

Session Code S117