ISLAMABAD – Literature lovers across the country paid glowing tributes to Mirza Ghalib for his marvelous contribution in Urdu poetry and ghazals on his 213 birth anniversary on Monday.
Literary organizations arranged different activities including conferences and seminars to mark the birth anniversary of Ghalib, who is regarded as one of the greatest Urdu poets. Talking to APP, Chairman of the National Language Authority (NLA) Iftikhar Arif said that Ghalib played a great role in the recognition of Urdu as an international language.
The contribution of Mirza Ghalib in poetry, especially Ghazals, will be remembered by the literature lovers. Ghalib focussed on quality writing not quantity and whatever he wrote was exemplary, Iftikhar said. Ghalib’ letters which are an example of unique literary style and diction are the best example of prose and are also part of syllabus for the younger generation.
His poetic works proved a milestone in the uplift of Urdu language and literature, Iftikhar commented. Mirza Ghalib, known for his Urdu poetry, chronicles and Ghazals, began to write in Persian at the age of nine. After losing his father early in life, Ghalib was raised by his uncle. He settled in Dehli after marrying into the Muslim nobility and was admitted to the last Muslim emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II’s court as his poet-tutor. The independence war of 1857, however, disrupted the poet’s life.
Ghalib, who saw the decline of the Mughal empire and the horrors of the uprising, chronicled it in detail. Mirza Asadullah Begh Khan Ghalib was born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Ghalib’s poetry is distinguished by its intense feelings, wistfulness and a strong romantic mood which produce a charming effect on readers.
‘Diwan-i-Ghalibin’, 10 volumes is the collection of poetical works of Ghalib. It has been translated into several Indian and foreign languages. In 1850, he was appointed poet laureate by the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II.
As a writer and poet, Ghalib believed in using simple words. He laid the foundation of Urdu prose and that is why he is called the father of modern Urdu Prose. ‘Urdu-i-Hindi’ and ‘Urdu-i- Muallah’ are his two famous books of collection of letters. Some other notable prose works of Ghalib are: ‘Naam-i-Ghalib’, ‘ Lateif- i-Gaibi’ and ‘ Dupshe Kawaiyani’.
Mirza Ghalib Academy in Delhi has been established in the memory of this great Urdu poet for research on his works and also to encourage Urdu literature. Though Ghalib spread love, beauty and happiness all around, his own life was filled with moments of despair and tragedy. He suffered from a drinking problem, financial difficulties as well as pains of old age, and finally died at the age of 72 years.
