Eminent writers remember Ghalib

He may have lived a poverty-stricken life, but on his birthday who’s who of the poetic world came together to commemorate his 212th birthday.

He may have lived a poverty-stricken life, but on his birthday who’s who of the poetic world came together to commemorate his 212th birthday.

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The narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk came alive on Saturday as admirers of Mirza Ghalib took out a candlelight walk.

Lyricist Gulzar, director Vishal Bharadwaj and his wife and singer Rekha Bharadwaj also participated in the walk.

The walk is organised very year by the Ghalib Memorial Movement spearheaded by kathak dancer Uma Sharma.

Talking about the misuse of Ghalib’s haveli as a wedding venue recently, Gulzar said, “We should not always blame the government for everything. We need to create awareness among people to conserve and protect monuments this candle light walk is a step forward in this direction.”

He added that the haveli should be converted into a museum for its better upkeep.

Vishal Bharadwaj termed the entire walk from Ghanta Ghar to Ghalib’s haveli a nostalgic experience.

“Through this walk we have retraced Ghalib’s journey,” said Bhardwaj. His wife recited Ghalib’s ghazals thereafter.

Writer Pavan K. Varma said the memory of Ghalib and his works should be kept alive and that could only happen by reviving Shahjahanabad and the surrounding areas.

“Shahjahnabad is merely living but not growing. It is the pulse of the city and is dying a slow death. We need to revive it and for this everyone has to join in,” he said.

“If we do not look after our heritage like Ghalib’s haveli, Old Delhi will soon be deserted by its people.”

Heritage activist Firoz Bakht Ahmed, who had got the haveli restored through public interest litigation, highlighted the need for such events in making people aware of the city’s heritage.

A cultural programme comprising dance performance by Uma Sharma and ghazals recited by a number of artists was held at a haveli in Kucha Pati Ram after the walk.

“We had taken the first step in restoring Ghalib’s haveli but once again it is being neglected. The deterioration of Chandni Chowk has to be stopped otherwise we will lose a slice of our heritage,” said former Union minister Vijay Goel.

“The concentration in terms of growth has already shifted to New Delhi but it is Old Delhi that has the tourist potential and needs to be revived.”