Three-day event in Delhi to celebrate poet Mirza Ghalib

Three-day event in Delhi to celebrate poet Mirza Ghalib

Sub: History

Sec: Medieval India

Context:

• The Delhi government organized a three-day event titled ‘Remembering Ghalib’ to commemorate the birth anniversary of poet Mirza Ghalib.
• The event, hosted by the Sahitya Kala Parishad under the Art and Culture Department, began with a candlelight march from Chandni Chowk’s Town Hall to Ghalib’s haveli in Ballimaran.

About Mirza Ghalib:

• Mirza Ghalib, born as Mirza Asadullah Khan on December 27, 1797, in Agra, India, was one of the most celebrated poets of Urdu and Persian literature.
• He passed away on February 15, 1869, in Delhi and is buried near Nizamuddin Auliya’s tomb.
• His residence in Ballimaran, Delhi, is now a museum and memorial.

Literary Contributions:

• Ghalib wrote extensively in Urdu and Persian, with over 11,000 Persian verses and around 1,700 Urdu couplets.
• He revolutionized the ghazal by moving beyond traditional themes of love and sorrow, addressing philosophy, existentialism, and human struggles.
• Ghalib also revolutionized Urdu prose through his informal and conversational letters, which showcased his sharp intellect and unique perspective on life.

Association with Mughal Court:

• Served as the royal historian under Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and mentored him in poetry.
• He witnessed the decline of the Mughal Empire and the aftermath of the 1857 revolt, which shaped his worldview and poetry.
• Ghalib experienced the transition from Mughal rule to British dominance in India, reflecting the socio-political changes of the time in his works.