Why Ghalib ?

1.The World – A Children’s Playground

At a time when we are busy erecting superstructures which are just embodiments of our aggrandised egos, whether in the form of business empires, religious monuments and political organizations, it may be wise to recall the dismissive sweep of the master shayer when he said:

Bazeecha-e-atfal hai duniya mere aage
Hota hai shab-o-roz tamaashaa mere aage

2. Patience

At a time when no one is ready to wait for the other, and even a second’s delay of a lift causes panic buttons to screech, it may be wise to remember the patience of a Ghalib:

Ye na thi hamari qismat ke visaal-e-yar hota
Agar aur jeete rehte yahi intazaar hota

3. On making fun of oneself

At a time when we are so busy making fun of others and shielding our fragile egos from the smallest of barbs, often unintended, it may be proper to remember the tongue in cheek repartee of the mushkil pasand shair, who, after making the profound statement:

Usey kaun dekh sakta ke yagana hai woh yakta
Jo dui ki bu bhi hoti to kahin do char hota

had the audacity to add a quick rejoinder to himself:

Ye masail-e-tasawwuf ye tera bayan ‘Ghalib’
Tujhe hum wali samajhte jo na bada khwar hota

4.Hallowed traditions and puncturing inflated egos

At times when institutions and individuals pounce on any critical remarks to so-called hallowed traditions and must put down any attempt at puncturing inflated egos, the lips twist into a wry smile when we recall the poet saying:

Kahan maikhane ka darwaza ‘Ghalib’ aur kahan waiz
Par itna jante hain kal woh jata tha ke hum nikle

5.Epitaph to self

At times when we live as though we were immortal, hardly aware of the grasp of the great leveler that lays all to dust, and unaware of what we bequeath posterity, it may help to recall the way the poet expected himself to be remembered:

Hui muddat ke ‘Ghalib’ mar gaya par yaad aata hai
Woh har ek baat pe kehna ke yun hota to kya hota

Articles/Online resources by author to shers quote above

1.The World – A Children’s Playground
2. Patience
3. On making fun of oneself
4.Hallowed traditions and puncturing inflated egos
5.Epitaph to self