New Delhi “Puchte hain woh ki Ghalib kaun hai, Koi batlao ki hum batayen kya.”
The narrow bylanes of Chandni Chowk in 19th century, leading to a narrower Gali Qasim Jaan, the lane full of bangle and sweatmeat shops in Ballimaran, housed a two-room ‘haveli’ of Asadullah Baig Khan. For the man, who was known to the world as Mirza Ghalib, the traditional shama would be placed in the courtyard — the place where the then not-so-famous poet recited this nazm expressing his life’s dilemma.
Over the years, the Ghalib haveli fell into neglect, so much so that it was rented out for marriange ceremonies by the caretakers till a couple of year ago. It was then that Indian Council for Cultural Relations along with Delhi governmentt, filmmaker and poet Gulzar and Kathak danseuse Uma Sharma made efforts to preserve it and started the Ghalib Memorial Movement.
On Tuesday, to mark the 214th birth anniversary of Ghalib, Gulzar led a candlelight procession from the Town Hall to Ghalib haveli — amid much chaos and traffic congestion. The refurbished haveli was opened as a museum and the shama, fuscia in colour with a faux antique look, was placed.
“Hum har saal yahan itna dhakkampel kar ke pahuchte hai (Every year we reach this place after so much chaos). Once the people of this country realise the importance of its heritage, the government will come forward for conservation,” said Gulzar.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshitt, who also attended the event, said, “I had visited this place many years ago and then there was nothing here except for some wooden pillars. But I am glad that some memorabilia has been added. However, the next time, such programmes should be organised elsewhere, at a more open space, where it is not this crowded and is easier to reach.”
But the memorabilia — which is being touted as “priceless exhibits” and includes old clothes, utensils, letters, compilations of Ghalib’s ghazals and nazms — are all replicas. Nothing in the museum is “real”, and nothing belongs to Ghalib.
“All of the Ghalib’s personal belongings and original works are at Ghalib Academy or National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language. The original ones can’t be brought here because of security reasons,” said Suresh K Goel, Director of ICCR. He said there are plans to make the haveli an important marker on the heritage tourism trail.
Over the years, the Ghalib haveli fell into neglect, so much so that it was rented out for marriange ceremonies by the caretakers till a couple of year ago. It was then that Indian Council for Cultural Relations along with Delhi governmentt, filmmaker and poet Gulzar and Kathak danseuse Uma Sharma made efforts to preserve it and started the Ghalib Memorial Movement.
On Tuesday, to mark the 214th birth anniversary of Ghalib, Gulzar led a candlelight procession from the Town Hall to Ghalib haveli — amid much chaos and traffic congestion. The refurbished haveli was opened as a museum and the shama, fuscia in colour with a faux antique look, was placed.
“Hum har saal yahan itna dhakkampel kar ke pahuchte hai (Every year we reach this place after so much chaos). Once the people of this country realise the importance of its heritage, the government will come forward for conservation,” said Gulzar.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshitt, who also attended the event, said, “I had visited this place many years ago and then there was nothing here except for some wooden pillars. But I am glad that some memorabilia has been added. However, the next time, such programmes should be organised elsewhere, at a more open space, where it is not this crowded and is easier to reach.”
But the memorabilia — which is being touted as “priceless exhibits” and includes old clothes, utensils, letters, compilations of Ghalib’s ghazals and nazms — are all replicas. Nothing in the museum is “real”, and nothing belongs to Ghalib.
“All of the Ghalib’s personal belongings and original works are at Ghalib Academy or National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language. The original ones can’t be brought here because of security reasons,” said Suresh K Goel, Director of ICCR. He said there are plans to make the haveli an important marker on the heritage tourism trail.
The three-day celebrations, which began with a mushaira at India Islamic Research Centre on Monday, will conclude with an Urdu comedy titled Ghalib in New Delhi produced by Peirrot’s Troupe on Wednesday.
source: http://www.ExpressIndia.com / by Suanshu Khurana
posted: December 28th, 2011
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