LAHORE: Educationist and writer Dr Arfa Syeda Zehra, in an online session, explored various aspects of celebrated poet Mirza Ghalib’s poetry.

In the session, titled ‘Shair Ki Baat’, organised by Faiz Ghar, she requested people to refrain from sharing incorrect verses on social media, often attributed to poets Ghalib, Faiz and Iqbal. She said the young generation, especially, was not much well-versed in Urdu and there was a need to first check the authenticity of a verse before attributing it to a poet. She explained the different aspects of a few ghazals of Ghalib.

She said the poet had a novel, out-of-the-box thinking process and the novel usage of common words was his forte. In his ghazal, ‘Bazicha-i-atfal hai duniya mere aage’, he smoothly says that this mundane world had no value for him.

Earlier, in another session, titled ‘Ghalib-i-Khasta Kay Baghair’, organised by the Lahore Arts Council on the 152nd death anniversary of the poet, Dr Arfa said Ghalib’s poetry talked about or referred to good behaviour of humans, that of recognition of humanity at large and how life is knitted with different human relations. The mental attitudes of the society Ghalib lived in and the ways of spending life are weaved in his poetry.

Recalling the time of Ghalib, Dr Arfa said his period was dotted with social and political degradation, but he did not look disappointed if one looked at his verses. He had a positive mind and was constantly encouraging people through his poetry that they should strive for life. He did not worship the past, but looked ahead to a rosy future, she remarked.

She stressed that many had the objection that Ghalib used to write qaseedas, which was unjustified because in those times poets had to write qaseedasto earn their bread and butter. Ghalib never got defeated by life; he never accepted the defeat. He lived with his dreams that he tried his best to fulfil.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2021