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