‘Ghalib Day’ commemorates timeless legacy of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib in Delhi

New Delhi: On the occasion of the death anniversary of poet Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu (Delhi) organised ‘Ghalib Day’ in collaboration with Ghalib Institute and Ghalib Academy.

On this occasion, Director of Ghalib Institute, Idrees Ahmed, President of Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu (Delhi) Iqbal Masood Farooqui, Secretary of Ghalib Academy Aqeel Ahmed, Professor Shahpar Rasool and several research scholars of Urdu laid flowers and offered Fateha (prayers) at Ghalib’s tomb.

A discussion was held at 3 pm in the Ghalib Hall, which was presided over by Professor Ali Ahmed Fatemi. He said that he had the opportunity to meet Firaq Gorakhpuri many times.

"Once I asked him why he mostly mentions Mir and wrote only one article on Ghalib? He replied that Mir is a poet of the heart and Ghalib is a poet of the mind. When you read Ghalib’s poetry, the mind starts to breathe," said Fatemi.

"I was happy that Shaista Yousuf’s novel ‘Sadiyon Ka Raqs’ also has the same attitude of living life and accepting its challenges that is Ghalib’s identity."

Iqbal Masood Farooqui, President of Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu (Delhi), while delivering the welcome remarks, said that one language is official and the other is public.

"During the British era, Urdu was given the status of official language, but today Urdu does not have this facility and it has to struggle for its survival and at this stage, Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu (Delhi) is with it," said Farooqui.

Khalid Alvi said that the world of Ghalib’s popularity that he has seen is something that hardly any poet has been blessed with.

"In Calcutta, a person used to write Ghalib’s poems in Roman script on walls with his own pocket money. He was a painter by profession. When I went to Tashkent, I was surprised that there was a neighbourhood, a road and a mosque named after Ghalib there."

The launch ceremony of Shaista Yousuf’s novel ‘Sadiyon Ka Raqs’ was also held on this occasion.

"When I opened my eyes and saw this world, the question arose in my mind that what is this world, what is life? I have tried to explore these questions in this novel of mine as well," said Shaista.

Idrees Ahmed, Director of Ghalib Institute, said, "Remembering Ghalib is apparently a ritual, but the attachment to this ritual also connects us to our academic capital and intellectual tradition and keeps us fresh."

After the discussion, a poetry recital was held which was presided over by Waqar Manvi. Matin Amrohvi participated as the special guest.

Eminent researcher and poet Umair Manzar presided over the recital.

Zafar Moradabadi, Iqbal Firdousi, Ahmed Imtiaz, Sohaib Ahmed Farooqi, Ashla Khanum Kashf, Shahid Mahmood and Chashma Farooqi read poetry.

After the poetry recitation, a ghazal was organised in the evening.

Ikram Mirza gave the introduction and Rekha Callaway conducted the program. On this occasion, Kashif Nizami and his colleagues made the programme memorable by reading the poetry of Ghalib and other poets.

Tags : Mirza Ghalib, Urdu, New Delhi, Shaista Yousuf, Novel