Omar Khayyam
About Omar Khayyam, the poet..
The universal name of Omar Khayyam is surely a unique phenonemon in the history of literature, in the sense that his name would certainly never have been known to any but a few specialists outside the country of his birth, and little celebrated in Persia, had it not been for the quite outstanding popularity of the translation of his poems by Edward Fitzgerald.
What makes the story all the more astonishing is the fact that Fitgerald’s Ruba’iyat would itself in all likelihood have taken a humble place among the half-forgotton products of minor Victorian literature, if not been totally neglected, but for the chance interest taken in it by powerful critics of his day.
The details of the “discovery” are well known, but always bear repeating. In the words of his editor in Everyman’s Library, “His Omar Khayyam, after being offered in vain to Fraser’s magazine, had been published in Quaritch as a small quarto, without the author’s name. It gained no notice, and most of the two hundred copies sold found their way into a remainder box and were sold at a penny each…Rossetti and Swinburne were among the early buyers, and Swinburne took a copy triumphantly to George Meredith, and so the first discovery of its original value came about.
A second revised edition followed ten years later. The first edition was issued in 1859, the second in 1868, the third in 1872, the fourth in 1879, the fifth (in Fitzgerald’s Collected Works) in 1889; twenty more edition appeared before the close of the century; and the poem has maintained its extraordinary vogue ever since, there can scarcely be a household in Britain which has not at some time possessed a copy in some shape or form. British soldiers have taken it with them into action in two world wars.
Oh, come with old Khayyam and leave the wise,
To talk, one thing is certain, that life flies;
One thing is certain, the rest is lies;
The flower that once has blown forever dies.
Omar Khayyam Indian Restaurant Edinburgh
No.1 Indian Restaurant in Edinburgh
News
Express Lunch in Edinburgh city centre. 17/02/2010
For that business lunch or out shopping in Edinburgh city centre, why not enjoy a delicious Indian/European 3 course meal, including tea or coffee.
Omar Khayyam Indian Punjabi restaurant now serves an excellent three course lunch, Monday to Friday from 12.00 noon until 2 pm for just £8.95. Splendid Indian or European food in beautiful surroundings in Edinburgh’s west end. To save time, you can also book a table online now and receive instant confirmation.
Click this link to view the full menu.
New Website 19/06/2009
Omar Khayyam Indian restaurant in Edinburgh launches its new website. Edinburgh Best indian restaurant.
Book Online 19/06/2009
You can book online at Edinburgh 's finest Indian restaurant. Restaurant booking system provided by Eveve.
Redecoration 01/06/2009
Omar Khayyam has had a sumptuous redecoration, and is now perhaps the most stylishly appointed Indian Punjabi restaurant in Edinburgh!
Omar Khayyam Indian Restaurant Edinburgh
Open Monday to Friday 12 noon - 2pm and 5pm till 12 midnight
Saturday 12 noon till 12 midnight: Sunday 4.30pm till 12 midnight
Enjoy Omar Khayyam's great indian food in the comfort of your home, Takeaway service available.
10% Discount on Take-Away, Restaurant pickup only. See the menus page for more details
Omar Khayyam
Edinburgh's No1 Indian Restaurant
1 Grosvenor Street,
Edinburgh,
EH12 5ED