MIRZA GHALIB, a legendary classical Urdu and Persian poet has been a source of many inspirations and his incredible gift to the literature, collection of poems, better known as shayari, is ageless.  Lately, young generation across Indian and Pakistan have been drawing parallels between his writings and their life experiences. Several Ghazal Singers like late Jagjit Singh have sung his poems, taking them across the language barriers. Merinews will take the liberty of taking our readers through some of the best works of the eminent poet that stay with his readers forever. Although one might not understand the language but the essence is universal.

Dil dhondhta hai phir wohi fursat k, raat din

bethien rahien tasavur-janan kiye howe.

The heart yearns for those leisured days when,

To lie reclined, emerged in the thoughts of my beloved.

Yaad thien, hum ko bhi, rang-a-rung bazm-araian,

lekin ab nakhs-o-nigar-e-taq-e-nasian ho gayen.

I too revelled in the colourful sessions in the days of my youth

But now they only serve to embellish oblivion's gloomy chest.

shoridgi ke hath se, hey sar-o-baal dosh,

sehra mein, aye Khuda! koi dewar bhi nahien.

My head seems a weary weight in this frenzied state,

Alas O Lord, there isn't a wall in this wild desert.

The celebrated Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib spent a considerable time in Delhi and he lived in the capital city from 1856 to 1869. However, in spite of his poetry providing a source of inspiration and solace to many, his Haveli was forsaken and deserted until the Ghalib Memorial Movement came into being in 1997. The founding member of the Ghalib Memorial Movement, Uma Sharma, said, “since 1997 she has been part of the movement and this time the Haveli that should be a heritage of India is fully renovated. Thus in order to inaugurate the place and also to remember the great poet a three day cultural fest called ‘Yaadgar-e-Ghalib’ from Dec 26-28 is being organised.” The whole event is organised by the Ghalib Memorial Movement, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, the Delhi government and the India Islamic Cultural Centre.

 

The first day of the cultural fest was opened by a traditional mushayira that was designed by Uma Sharma. Apart from shayaris, the audience was also taken back to Ghalib’s era with the Shama daan, Pan and the Jhalar. All the guests present on the occasion included eminent people such as poet Gulzar, Pavan K. Varma, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, a musician from the Delhi Gharana, musicians and several leading artists.

 

A candle light vigil from the Town Hall to Balimaran was organised on the second day of the fest and Chief Minister Sheila Dixit inaugurated the Ghalib collection. The Haveli present at Gali Qasim Jaan near Balimaran, one of the alleys of Chandni Chowk, in the old city was in poor condition but thanks to the movement members and the government that Delhi people have one more thing to be proud of.

 

The third and the final day of the fest would see a comic play, written by Pawan K Verma, entitled Ghalib i New Delhi and according to Uma Sharma, it is a play depicting Ghalib’s thoughts on the present day Delhi. The guests are invited for the show that is scheduled to start at 6:30 pm. It would be interesting to see what Ghalib thinks of today’s world Delhi.