Mirza Ghalib wrote a lot of poetry in Persian but the horizon of literature has been dominated by his Urdu poetry and writings.
Most of his works available in English are also related to Urdu works.
The recently published book of Mu’adh bin BilalTemple lampGhalib’s famous Masnavi is the first complete English translation of Chirag Dir. This long poem was written by Mirza Ghalib in Benares in 1826 during his stay in that city.
In the words of Dr. Salman Faisal, ‘When we look at Ghalib through the lens of Banaras, we immediately notice two things. One is his Masnavi ‘Chirag Deer’ and the other is his Persian letters in which qasidas of the city of Banaras are recited. In one way, the interpretation and description of the conditions and background of the Masnavi ‘Chirag Deer’ have been described by Ghalib in his letters. This Masnavi is not a very long Masnavi, but consists of only one hundred and eight verses. Ghalib has recited the qasida of the city of Banaras in this Masnavi. The qualities of Benares and the people of Benares are mentioned.
In this era of religious division, the English translation of this book is timely as it shows that a city generally considered sacred by Hindus could also be a romantic and spiritual home for a Muslim poet. Ghalib once wrote to his friend Munshi Hargopal Tafta that ‘I consider all humanity as my family. Every man, whether he is a Muslim, a Hindu or a Christian, is my brother.’
Angshuman Kar, an essayist in the Indian Express, writes that ‘Chirag Dir was written by Ghalib in Benares when he stopped on his way to Calcutta to relieve the British Governor-General of difficulties in obtaining his pension.’
‘Before reaching Benares, Ghalib spent a few days at Allahabad, a place he did not like at all.’
In a letter written to Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan, Ghalib expressed his distaste for the city, saying: ‘What a strange place Allahabad is! May God deliver from it, for in it there is neither healing for the sick, nor anything remarkable for man.’
After this experience, the Banaras area seemed like a piece of heaven to him.
Soon after reaching here, Ghalib’s health improved significantly.
In this Masnavi, the way in which he has mentioned Benares, his love for this place can be felt.
It is clear from the Masnavi that they are not only admirers of its beauty and beauty, outward and inward, but they also consider Banaras as a source of enlightenment.
When he reached Benares, he started thinking of this city as Delhi and wanted to stay there. In this Masnavi, he has praised the ‘Banaras ki Prizadas’. The beautiful techniques he carved in this Masnavi for the beauty there are unparalleled. There have also been Urdu translations of this Persian Masnavi.
Chirag Dir should be read as a eulogy of Benares by one of the best poets of the nineteenth century. Banaras is a holy Hindu city.
According to Mu’adh bin Bilal, ‘Benares appears poetically to be the romantic and spiritual home of Ghalib. In verse 25, Ghalib prays to God to protect the city from the evil eye: ‘May God protect Banaras from the evil eye, it is a heavenly blessing, a paradise.’
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This book expands Ghalib’s work for English readers and is more biographical and descriptive than his Urdu ghazals.
Ghalib wrote Chirag Deer in his youth.
However, there is no reason to think that Ghalib’s love for Benares faded with time.
In his old age, Ghalib wrote to his friend Mian Dad Khan Sayah that ‘Benares cannot be described in words. Such cities are rarely built. I was there at the height of my youth. If I were young now, I would go and live there and never come back.’
Reading this translation titled ‘Temple Lamp’ should remind present day India of its multi-religious and literary past which was based on mutual respect despite differences.
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2024-08-04 06:13:58
