MIRZA GHALIB: A POETIC GENIUS!

July 19, 2021, 5 p.m. by Karuwaki Speaks ( 1127 views)

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Mirza Ghalib is a name that is synonymous with Urdu poetry & considered the last of the stalwarts of the 'Ganga jamuni' tehzeeb of Mughal era.

Born as Mirza Asadullah Khan, Ghalib was a pen name that he adopted.

 Mirza-Ghalib-A-poetic-genius|karuwaki spekas

At that time, the Mughal Empire was on the cusp of decline and the British Empire on the rise and he lived through one of the most turbulent periods of Indian history.

He spoke his mind, without fear or favour. He was free-spirited, non-conformist and his poetry is filled with words like “why, what, when, where and how”, a reflection of this questioning spirit. Ghalib was made the poet laureate after his mentor Zauq died; he occupied the position till 1857.

 Mirza-Ghalib-A-poetic-genius|karuwaki spekas

Despite being made an important courtier of Bahadur Shah Zafar II, Ghalib had proclaimed that he would gain fame only after his death and rightly so.

Ghalib ki Haveli is a 300-year-old structure and has been turned into a heritage site under the Archeological Society of India. It houses a museum that gives a glimpse into the poet’s life and work; the exhibit here includes an ivory bust donated by Gulzar, books, couplets, letters, clothes, photographs, and a life-size replica of the poet enjoying a hookah.

Mazar-e-Mirza or the tomb of Ghalib is in Nizamuddin basti, a few meters away from the tomb of Nizamuddin auliya.

 Mirza-Ghalib-A-poetic-genius|karuwaki spekas

Mirza Ghalib’s poems reflect his sparkling wit and his innovations in technique and diction. The poet is a rare literary legend whose work transcends time to express universal human truths.


Comments (2)

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Rumi 2 years, 6 months ago
Very nice article!
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Mini 2 years, 5 months ago
Superb!