Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan (1797 – 1869), commonly known as Mirza Ghalib was a renowned classical Urdu and Persian poet of the subcontinent. Most notably, he wrote several ghazals during his life, which have since been interpreted and sung in many different ways by different people. He is considered to be the most dominating poet of the Urdu language.
In 1988, poet Gulzar, also known as Sampooran Singh Kalra, wrote and produced a biographical television drama series for Doordarshan, the national TV channel.
Naseeruddin Shah starred as Mirza Ghalib, the renowned classical Urdu and Persian poet from the Mughal Empire during British colonial rule.
The series showcased ghazals sung and composed by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh, whose music has since been hailed as their magnum opus, earning a devoted cult following across the Indian subcontinent.
Love Sonnets of Ghalib features the Urdu ghazals of the Ghalib, translated into English.
Excerpts:
ham ko malum liai jannat kI haqiqat lekin
dil ke khush rakhne ko Ghalib yih khayal achha hai (175:10; #1087)
We do know the reality of Paradise;
However, for consoling the heart, the idea is good, Ghalib.
bazicha(h')’ atfal hai
dunya mere age
hota hai shab-o-roz
tamasha mere age (209:1; #1284)
The world is merely a childrens playground to me;
I watch its whirling display all day and night.
bazicha(h): playground.
I view the world as child’s play; whatever happens around me I do not take it seriously. It is just Natures play. Ghalib has expounded upon a very serious side of Gods creation in this deep verse. Maybe to God it was just a game to create the Universe, but to us it is an altogether different matter. Because I know the reality, I know why I should not take it seriously.