Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
MIRZA GHALIB IN GUJARAT
Ashleshaa Khurana
On 15th of February, 1869, the greatest flag bearer of ‘Rekhta’-Urdu poetry, Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan better known by his non de plume ‘Ghalib’ passed away in poverty at his haveli in Bullimaran,Old Delhi.
Although he had never set foot in Gujarat, Ghalib had very strong liaisons with the Mir community in the state; his pupils and patrons with whom he kept in constant touch via his beautiful penmanship. According to him, communication through letters meant “sau kos se ba-zaban-e-qalam baatein kiya karo aur hijr mein visaal ke mazey liya karo” (Keep writing even from a hundred miles afar and keep alive the joy of meeting even in separation.)
“While Ghalib’s poetry in profound Persian had a divine connect, the prose in his letters focused on human relationships.”, points out veteran Urdu literary critic,Varis Hussain Alvi,retired Head of the Department,St.Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, “Hence the text not only reads in simple Urdu but also in a very casual and conversational manner. His fondness for his disciples was remarkably obvious within his correspondence. He always addressed them as ‘beta’ or ‘dost’.”
In his book “Mirza Ghalib and the Mirs of Gujarat” author and direct descendant of the Nawab of Surat, Mir Jaffar Imam shares with readers sixty one letters addressed by Ghalib to patrons and students in Surat and Baroda. Among his favorite patrons was H H Nawab Mir Jafur Alee Khan of Surat. Ghalib saw a role model in the Nawab who, like him belonged to a military background and protested against the Britishers .He described the Nawab’s lineage as”Een Silsila Az Talae Naab Ast/ Een Khana Tamam Aftab Ast “(this family has sprung from the mine of purest gold, like the radiant Sun, it illuminates the globe) Upon the Nawaab’s death in 1863, Ghalib grieved deeply and wrote a Persian couplet in his honour.
Ghalib’s disciples in Gujarat wrote under the pen names of Sayyah, Wafa, Jadoo and Mayal.On being invited by Sayyah, his favourite Shagird, to Surat for a celebration. the master of mellifluous verse known for his rueful sense of humour wrote back how in his old age “Aana mera Surat tak kisi surat haaiz imkaan nahin” this lover of wine, women and song then added,” In Bombay and Surat English wines are available and if I would have come there and attended the celebrations, I would have drunk them”
Another verse written in praise of Mir Gulam Baba Khan’s initiative to educate the girl child ran thus, when translated, “The Begum’s school –going is a blessed event, made possible by the Nawab’s luck and pluck; as it is to further the Noble cause of learning, Let it bring for all a reign of joy profuse!”
A hundred and forty two years after his demise, Ghalib lives on in the hearts of Gujaratis.”One of his most oft quoted ghazals ‘Na tha kuch toh Khuda tha, kuch na hota toh Khuda hota, Duboya mujhko hone ne, naa hota main toh kya hota…..’ was a favourite with the Mir of Kamadhia, Gujarat”, says music writer Adil Bhoja,”interestingly, its last couplet runs, “Hui muddat ke Ghalib mar gaya, par yaad aata hai, woh har ek baat pe kehna, Ke yun hota toh kya hota.”
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Ghalibs-Gujarat-connection/articleshow/7497462.cms
Ashleshaa Khurana
On 15th of February, 1869, the greatest flag bearer of ‘Rekhta’-Urdu poetry, Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan better known by his non de plume ‘Ghalib’ passed away in poverty at his haveli in Bullimaran,Old Delhi.
Although he had never set foot in Gujarat, Ghalib had very strong liaisons with the Mir community in the state; his pupils and patrons with whom he kept in constant touch via his beautiful penmanship. According to him, communication through letters meant “sau kos se ba-zaban-e-qalam baatein kiya karo aur hijr mein visaal ke mazey liya karo” (Keep writing even from a hundred miles afar and keep alive the joy of meeting even in separation.)
“While Ghalib’s poetry in profound Persian had a divine connect, the prose in his letters focused on human relationships.”, points out veteran Urdu literary critic,Varis Hussain Alvi,retired Head of the Department,St.Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, “Hence the text not only reads in simple Urdu but also in a very casual and conversational manner. His fondness for his disciples was remarkably obvious within his correspondence. He always addressed them as ‘beta’ or ‘dost’.”
In his book “Mirza Ghalib and the Mirs of Gujarat” author and direct descendant of the Nawab of Surat, Mir Jaffar Imam shares with readers sixty one letters addressed by Ghalib to patrons and students in Surat and Baroda. Among his favorite patrons was H H Nawab Mir Jafur Alee Khan of Surat. Ghalib saw a role model in the Nawab who, like him belonged to a military background and protested against the Britishers .He described the Nawab’s lineage as”Een Silsila Az Talae Naab Ast/ Een Khana Tamam Aftab Ast “(this family has sprung from the mine of purest gold, like the radiant Sun, it illuminates the globe) Upon the Nawaab’s death in 1863, Ghalib grieved deeply and wrote a Persian couplet in his honour.
Ghalib’s disciples in Gujarat wrote under the pen names of Sayyah, Wafa, Jadoo and Mayal.On being invited by Sayyah, his favourite Shagird, to Surat for a celebration. the master of mellifluous verse known for his rueful sense of humour wrote back how in his old age “Aana mera Surat tak kisi surat haaiz imkaan nahin” this lover of wine, women and song then added,” In Bombay and Surat English wines are available and if I would have come there and attended the celebrations, I would have drunk them”
Another verse written in praise of Mir Gulam Baba Khan’s initiative to educate the girl child ran thus, when translated, “The Begum’s school –going is a blessed event, made possible by the Nawab’s luck and pluck; as it is to further the Noble cause of learning, Let it bring for all a reign of joy profuse!”
A hundred and forty two years after his demise, Ghalib lives on in the hearts of Gujaratis.”One of his most oft quoted ghazals ‘Na tha kuch toh Khuda tha, kuch na hota toh Khuda hota, Duboya mujhko hone ne, naa hota main toh kya hota…..’ was a favourite with the Mir of Kamadhia, Gujarat”, says music writer Adil Bhoja,”interestingly, its last couplet runs, “Hui muddat ke Ghalib mar gaya, par yaad aata hai, woh har ek baat pe kehna, Ke yun hota toh kya hota.”
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Ghalibs-Gujarat-connection/articleshow/7497462.cms
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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Monday, January 3, 2011
ONE FOR THE ROAD
The Surat police came under some unfair criticism last week over the written warnings of ‘dos and don’ts’ that they distributed to private farm owners, regarding hosting a New Year’s Eve party which might turn out to be an ‘out in the open affair’ in Tipsy town.
Surat officially has the highest amount of permit holders as well as largest groups of Alcoholic anonymous members in dry state Gujarat and there are no prizes for guessing whether it tops the list of tipple towns that turns bootleggers into billionaires.
The caution practiced did not go down well with the ‘khai piney jalsa ‘loving Lalas. In fact, post the New Year’s revelry itself, a committee of concerned ‘Pi loon’ party members was set up as mission Tequila Sunrise, at 8 in the morning near the Chamunda chai kiosk, station branch ,by Mr.Magan Batla and Aunty Batli- also known as the messiahs of Madeira.
‘This is extremely unfair”, said Mr.Batla,”after completely ignoring us last year and concentrating on just one particular farm, the law keepers in Lalaland banned us from all farm parties this year. Look at the newpapers, it’s the first of January and we have absolutely no coverage. This is preposterous, I say! “
“Actually they were just doing their job,”pointed out aunty Batli, in an effort to calm down her anger fermented spouse.” It’s not personal; they were just following instructions from the top.”
“I wonder who heads these kind of operations”, Ms.Notorius Narangi, a new member pondered aloud,” I mean, what exactly do they ask the policemen to do, to keep us away.”
“It’s kind of complicated,” said Mr.Pehli Dharno, a senior member of the BB committee (bevdi batli, not Blackberry, silly!)” there is no fixed pattern or timing. It is similar to an income tax raid. One can be raided convicted at any time, day or night completely unawares and be tongue tied while the operations are on.”
“This time it was very derogatory,” pointed out Ms. Mehka Mahua, the sensitive soul,” Besides the official warning about us not to be seen around farms, private plots and terraces etc, the apartment where I reside was visited and a bunch of kids were asked to tone down the party volume lest the dance party sounded like a ‘bob’- bring you own booze affair.
“Should we conduct a march in protest?” questioned the dignified Malts, NRBs (non resident batlis) who were visiting town, incognito for the occasion,” we feel so helpless and hurt.”
“Oh! Look at you all, sounding so much like fizzled blasts from the past,”inturrepted Puavo Pappu, the new kid on the block,” I say this year’s New Year Eve has been one of the best ever. Not only have we managed positive page 3 coverage but also have officially ringed in the New Year with ‘Cheers!’”
And even as all the other club members dropped their jaws in amazement, wondering whether they were zonked or whether Pappu Pauva had turned too potent for his own good, the rebel without a pause proudly explained, “Look at the magnificent photographs that the leading dailies have printed .Almost all of Surat was out on the roads, denizens enthusiastically blasting their music systems; and while they savoured their favourite kebabs, tikkas,eggs,parathas,biryanis and ponk while hosting the biggest Moon burn party right out there on the roadsides, what do you think was helping most of them wash it all down in high spirits?”
Needless to say, the men in khaki were instantly forgiven and Pappu Pauva got a standing ovation, besides being anointed head of public relations for the new ‘Pi Akkad club.’
Tapi town known for its industries and prosperity, has begun the next new decade on a very positive note.I mean ,what better words could flow more mellifluously from the Surti lala’s mouth than happily proclaiming ,”Car-o-bar-achha hai !”.
The Surat police came under some unfair criticism last week over the written warnings of ‘dos and don’ts’ that they distributed to private farm owners, regarding hosting a New Year’s Eve party which might turn out to be an ‘out in the open affair’ in Tipsy town.
Surat officially has the highest amount of permit holders as well as largest groups of Alcoholic anonymous members in dry state Gujarat and there are no prizes for guessing whether it tops the list of tipple towns that turns bootleggers into billionaires.
The caution practiced did not go down well with the ‘khai piney jalsa ‘loving Lalas. In fact, post the New Year’s revelry itself, a committee of concerned ‘Pi loon’ party members was set up as mission Tequila Sunrise, at 8 in the morning near the Chamunda chai kiosk, station branch ,by Mr.Magan Batla and Aunty Batli- also known as the messiahs of Madeira.
‘This is extremely unfair”, said Mr.Batla,”after completely ignoring us last year and concentrating on just one particular farm, the law keepers in Lalaland banned us from all farm parties this year. Look at the newpapers, it’s the first of January and we have absolutely no coverage. This is preposterous, I say! “
“Actually they were just doing their job,”pointed out aunty Batli, in an effort to calm down her anger fermented spouse.” It’s not personal; they were just following instructions from the top.”
“I wonder who heads these kind of operations”, Ms.Notorius Narangi, a new member pondered aloud,” I mean, what exactly do they ask the policemen to do, to keep us away.”
“It’s kind of complicated,” said Mr.Pehli Dharno, a senior member of the BB committee (bevdi batli, not Blackberry, silly!)” there is no fixed pattern or timing. It is similar to an income tax raid. One can be raided convicted at any time, day or night completely unawares and be tongue tied while the operations are on.”
“This time it was very derogatory,” pointed out Ms. Mehka Mahua, the sensitive soul,” Besides the official warning about us not to be seen around farms, private plots and terraces etc, the apartment where I reside was visited and a bunch of kids were asked to tone down the party volume lest the dance party sounded like a ‘bob’- bring you own booze affair.
“Should we conduct a march in protest?” questioned the dignified Malts, NRBs (non resident batlis) who were visiting town, incognito for the occasion,” we feel so helpless and hurt.”
“Oh! Look at you all, sounding so much like fizzled blasts from the past,”inturrepted Puavo Pappu, the new kid on the block,” I say this year’s New Year Eve has been one of the best ever. Not only have we managed positive page 3 coverage but also have officially ringed in the New Year with ‘Cheers!’”
And even as all the other club members dropped their jaws in amazement, wondering whether they were zonked or whether Pappu Pauva had turned too potent for his own good, the rebel without a pause proudly explained, “Look at the magnificent photographs that the leading dailies have printed .Almost all of Surat was out on the roads, denizens enthusiastically blasting their music systems; and while they savoured their favourite kebabs, tikkas,eggs,parathas,biryanis and ponk while hosting the biggest Moon burn party right out there on the roadsides, what do you think was helping most of them wash it all down in high spirits?”
Needless to say, the men in khaki were instantly forgiven and Pappu Pauva got a standing ovation, besides being anointed head of public relations for the new ‘Pi Akkad club.’
Tapi town known for its industries and prosperity, has begun the next new decade on a very positive note.I mean ,what better words could flow more mellifluously from the Surti lala’s mouth than happily proclaiming ,”Car-o-bar-achha hai !”.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
RESPECTED VIP, KINDLY RSVP
Dear VIP (very important politician),
Heartiest congratulations mister minister, from all us Surtis of this sparkling diamond city! Your contribution to our town has been quiet unequivocal and praiseworthy, in lieu of which you have been chosen to inaugurate our eighth flyover.
Built at a cost of Rs.59 crore, this 962 meters long piece of architecture is ‘Hors de prix’-priceless, because of the fact that not only did we uproot our signature mini Eiffel tower for it but also that denizens of an age group that ranges from kids upto the ready to kick the bucket kind, residing around it went through several sleepless nights so that it could be constructed in good time.
Many a night, beyond 1 a.m in the mornings, when the noise got unbearable and disturbed ailing elders, board exam students, pregnant mothers to be, newly born infants and us all, most of us dialed 100 to place a complaint at the Umra police station in vain, as we were promptly told to grin and bear the drone till the wee hours of the morning since, “flyover publicna sukh maatey baney chey, jetlu jaldi bani jay, public ne laabh thay.”(The flyover is for the benefit of the public, the earlier it is constructed, the better)
While the citizens of this area have sacrificed their sleep and are waiting to exhale with a sigh of relief to breathe easy, there are other Surtis who have sacrificed sweat,burnt petrol and boiled blood while trying to maneuver their vehicles with extreme difficulty on the rain ravished pot holed single track lanes, desperately awaiting the flyover to take over the problem of saving precious time, if not kilometers by smoothly branching out traffic.
School buses and the bachha brigade that rides on them are looking forward to return home earlier, Ambulances and fire brigade rescuers hope to reach their destinations faster, travelers to and from the airport where the lone flight arrives and departs during busy traffic hours within the town are looking forward to the brisk connectivity, as are railway passengers who will be able to access the station sooner. Surtis, who regularly saunter out on Sundays in search of the Arabian Sea, are looking to fly high over Parle Point’s first and only flyover that exists in this part of the town.
Since Diwali, we await the inaugural of the same and while officials are still non committal about the D date, we are sure you would know better about the reason why the same has been indefinitely delayed and postponed.
We Surtis are known to treat our guests like gods-Atithi Devo Bhav is our motto and out of habit, we shall tend to tempt you with our winter goodies such as Undhiyu, Ponk and Salempak.
Kindly take this request in right earnest and request your office to provide you a date so that you may grace the occasion of the Parle Point flyover’s inauguration with your august presence this December, so that we may all have a happy new year.
Truly, your sincere Surtis.
P.S.-While we make the best hosts, the average Surti does not care who takes the credit of this bone of contention between man and minister, because the priority here is about facility to, for and by the public, which was the original purpose. With our past record of inaugurating the Amroli bridge by ourselves and the present rumor of a Facebook campaign to walk over the flyover, hurry before we banish the barricades!
Dear VIP (very important politician),
Heartiest congratulations mister minister, from all us Surtis of this sparkling diamond city! Your contribution to our town has been quiet unequivocal and praiseworthy, in lieu of which you have been chosen to inaugurate our eighth flyover.
Built at a cost of Rs.59 crore, this 962 meters long piece of architecture is ‘Hors de prix’-priceless, because of the fact that not only did we uproot our signature mini Eiffel tower for it but also that denizens of an age group that ranges from kids upto the ready to kick the bucket kind, residing around it went through several sleepless nights so that it could be constructed in good time.
Many a night, beyond 1 a.m in the mornings, when the noise got unbearable and disturbed ailing elders, board exam students, pregnant mothers to be, newly born infants and us all, most of us dialed 100 to place a complaint at the Umra police station in vain, as we were promptly told to grin and bear the drone till the wee hours of the morning since, “flyover publicna sukh maatey baney chey, jetlu jaldi bani jay, public ne laabh thay.”(The flyover is for the benefit of the public, the earlier it is constructed, the better)
While the citizens of this area have sacrificed their sleep and are waiting to exhale with a sigh of relief to breathe easy, there are other Surtis who have sacrificed sweat,burnt petrol and boiled blood while trying to maneuver their vehicles with extreme difficulty on the rain ravished pot holed single track lanes, desperately awaiting the flyover to take over the problem of saving precious time, if not kilometers by smoothly branching out traffic.
School buses and the bachha brigade that rides on them are looking forward to return home earlier, Ambulances and fire brigade rescuers hope to reach their destinations faster, travelers to and from the airport where the lone flight arrives and departs during busy traffic hours within the town are looking forward to the brisk connectivity, as are railway passengers who will be able to access the station sooner. Surtis, who regularly saunter out on Sundays in search of the Arabian Sea, are looking to fly high over Parle Point’s first and only flyover that exists in this part of the town.
Since Diwali, we await the inaugural of the same and while officials are still non committal about the D date, we are sure you would know better about the reason why the same has been indefinitely delayed and postponed.
We Surtis are known to treat our guests like gods-Atithi Devo Bhav is our motto and out of habit, we shall tend to tempt you with our winter goodies such as Undhiyu, Ponk and Salempak.
Kindly take this request in right earnest and request your office to provide you a date so that you may grace the occasion of the Parle Point flyover’s inauguration with your august presence this December, so that we may all have a happy new year.
Truly, your sincere Surtis.
P.S.-While we make the best hosts, the average Surti does not care who takes the credit of this bone of contention between man and minister, because the priority here is about facility to, for and by the public, which was the original purpose. With our past record of inaugurating the Amroli bridge by ourselves and the present rumor of a Facebook campaign to walk over the flyover, hurry before we banish the barricades!
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