509 ABWksp

AG KHAN : AN UNKNOWN POET

 Prologue 

My one regret is that I cannot read the Persian script in which Urdu is traditionally written. I had learnt the alphabet, but before I could get a grip on ‘right-to-left’ language, the Punjab was partitioned, and Urdu became a language of our arch enemy. We were told not to use Urdu words in Hindi which was to become our official language by 1965, as per the Constitution.

 

When I grew up, I became fond of Urdu poetry. The Bollywood movies used Urdu lyrics, and in 1957, the film ‘Pyasa’ turned out to be a big hit. Sahir Ludhianvi became a household name. That is the time when I began to learn Urdu in right earnest. Around the same period, I was attracted by the works of Mirza Ghalib. His language was tough, because he used a mix of Persian and Arabic.

 

Later in life, I was destined to serve in Agra, for over seven long years. And that is where I met AG Khan. He is a short man with a slight build and an unassuming disposition. He was a draftsman by trade and was several rungs lower than me in the official hierarchy. But that did not prevent us from becoming friends. He was the very epitome of good manners, and an excellent model of what is known as the Awadh ‘tehzib’.

  

The poem at the end of this piece was written in 2003 or 2004, and that was six or seven years after I had retired from the Army. In fact, by that time, Khan had also superannuated. Therefore, he gained nothing from eulogising anyone. I am sharing this with you because it tells something about human nature. When I read it now, I realize how much a man in authority can mean to the men whom he commands!

*

Where ‘Work is Worship’

This is the story of an unknown poet, AG Khan. However, before I begin the narrative, I must tell you about where and how I met this very amicable and talented person.

509 Army Base Workshop is located in Agra, which is also the birth place of Mirza Ghalib. When we were commissioned in the Corps of EME in 1961, it was the only telecommunications facility of the army and enjoyed an imposing reputation. I first visited the unit in 1969, when my younger brother, Surinder was posted there, as a young Captain. Later, I served in this great establishment in several appointments, and had the signal honour of commanding ‘Five-O-Nine’ (abbreviated as FON by the ‘Fonians’) during 1989-91. A few years later, I was appointed Commander of the Base Workshops Group in 1994, and so I went there in a policy-making capacity. I developed very friendly relations with the civilian staff of the unit who serve there all through their working lives. Even after retirement, I have been visiting Agra to meet my comrades as often as possible.

AG Khan is prominent amongst my friends.

*

My First Encounter with Khan

I do not remember the exact year, but I was a junior Major, and Khan had just joined, as a Draftsman, when I first saw him. It was tea-time, and the employees were discussing an Urdu couplet, which ran as follows:

‘Ishq par zor nahin, hai yeh who aatish Ghalib

Jo lagaaye na lage, aurbujahaye na bujhe…

Khan was the youngest in that group, and he strongly believed that the last word in this couplet was not bujhe’ but bane’. With the utmost humility and respect for his seniors, he put across his point of view, but the elders shut him up with some snide words. He was told to concentrate on his work, rather than splitting hairs on this inconsequential issue. Khan was visibly hurt, but could do nothing, except to sulk in silence.

I overheard the debate from a distance, but I clearly saw Khan slighted and miffed. I broached the issue amongst the officers, but they thought it made little difference to the meaning or import of the couplet. But in my mind, the doubt lingered on…

Khan Enters into my Life

A few days later, Khan entered my office in connection with some official work. When the job was done, I broached the issue. His eyes lit up. With great enthusiasm, he recited the entire ghazal, ‘Nuktacheenhaigham-e-dil…’ and explained its meanings. It became clear to me that Khan was right and at the same time, Ghalib went up in my estimate by several notches. The word ‘bane’ makes a world of difference. Think it over!

 mirza ghalib

Diwan-e-Ghalib by MrirzaAsadullah Beg Khan ‘Ghalib’

agkhan ghalib book cover

The very next day, Khan brought a copy of ‘Diwan-e-Ghalib’ but it was in Urdu script, and I could not read it. And that made it necessary for me to call Khan, whenever I needed the meaning of an Urdu word. Slowly, but surely, Khan became a part of my life. Our friendship grew so much that he had the gumption to invite me to join his family for a function.

And that is the first time I entered a civilian Muslim house. Theirs was a joint family and the entire ‘mohalla’ was inhabited by Muslims. I noticed several differences between their lifestyle and ours. For one thing, the women did not join the men during the meal. In fact I could almost ‘feel’ them peeping through the creeks and the ‘chilmans’ (curtains)

Having said that, I must add that they were extremely courteous and made it a point to say good things about our workshop and the officers.

The TV Serial on Mirza Ghalib

A year before my posting to Agra as the Commandant, the TV serial on Ghalib was telecast in 1988. I recorded it on the VCR and saw every episode several times.

 maj jaryial

Taking over FON from the late Brig (later Maj Gen) KB Jhaldiyal

When I landed up in the unit, I found Khan waiting to seek my views on the story and the ghazals. In anticipation, he had brought a copy of the ‘Diwan’ in Devanagari script, with meanings of difficult words. That proved to be an invaluable gift and I have preserved it, till this date. To re-pay my debt, I offered to visit his house and took a few trinkets for his children. He and his kinsfolk were overawed by the ‘flag car’ and the elders in the family used the choicest of the words to express their gratitude. I got a first-hand experience of what is known as the ‘tehzib’of  Awadh, the focal point of Urdu culture. Khan had  free access to my office, and I invited him to visit me in the ‘FON house’. But in all fairness, I must place it on record, that never once did Khan seek any undue favour from me.

 FON house

A picture of the front lawn of the FON house, where I met Khan a few times

 Later, when I visited the unit as a two-star general, I made it a point to meet him in the guest house. The friendship survived my retirement and I visited his house, whenever I went for the veteran’s re-union.

Khan, the Poet

Khan did manage to keep one secret from me. He used to compose verse but his inherent shyness kept them close to his chest. However, after retirement, he shared one of his poems with his colleagues, and recited it during our re-union in 2004. Humility and decorum should have prevented me from making it public, and I have kept it under the wraps for over a decade, but today, I wish to share his words. They convey a very poignant sentiment. Read it for yourself, and be the judge.

 fitrat the nazm

 

The then Commandant of the Workshop, Brig (Later Lt Gen)  AKS Chandele had the poem recast and framed. It was delivered to me in the following form, and it is held as an invaluable  treasure.

 

 fitrat framed

A Tailpiece

If I could re-live my life, I think I would have spent more time with the likes of AG Khan!

 *

Only for the Ghalib Lovers

If, and only if, you are a genuine Ghalib lover and have four minutes to spare, click on the following link. You will see and hear Suraiya sing a classical ghazal rendered sixty odd years ago. And that will put this piece in perspective.


 

  1. Preetpal Gill says:

    dear Shahpuri Friend,

    Being a little older I was lucky enough to catch enough Urdu in its receding mode to be able to appreciate

    urdu Shairi. My favourit Shair was Sahir Ludhianvi- not only for his going to the same College that I did a

    little later, Govt College Ludhiana. I recall his famous lines on war and peace…

    Bumb sarhad par giren ya makanon par

    ruhe taamir zakhm khaati hai

    khet auron ke jalen ya apne

    zeest faakon se tilmilaati hai

    Is liye aie sharif insaan, jung talti rahe to behtar hai

    aap aur hum sabhi ke aangan main, shamaan jalti rahe to behtar hai

    Jung talti rahe to behtar hai

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Bhai Sahib,

      Bhai Sahib,
      I respect your sentiments.

      However, has it occurred to you that had it not been for Pakistan (and Kashmir) Lakhs of us would be jobless!

      Ironical as it might seem military is a necessary evil. It creates economy, and accelerates technological progress.
      Surjit

  2. Vijay Kaul says:

    Sir
    Thank you.
    Kashmiri Pandits or Hindus are the only sub sets of larger Hindu or Sanatan system which does not have the four categories viz Brahmin Kshatriya Vaish & Shudra.
    There is no Kashmiri Hindu Kshatriya or Vaish or Shudra.
    This mini commentary is not to convey a sense of superiority, rather it is for conveying the void somewhere.
    We are incomplete in a sense of higher realisation.
    Dogras, Sikhs & Kashmiti Pandits had the complete domination in all fields of life of J&K since hundreds of years.
    If things have come to this stage, we cannot blame others. We have to introspect.
    Urdu in any case played a very little role in J&K.
    I got enrolled in Jamia to learn Urdu. I failed to complete the learning because of my own Shortcomings.
    Urdu is like Yoga. You have to become one with the subject to benefit from it. No teacher can teach you.
    Thanks again Sir.
    My best of regards
    Vijay Kaul

  3. Tulsi Bhandari says:

    Dear sir,

    It is good to share heartfelt things with those who care. It is never too late for it. Your love for Ghalib had a connecting link called Khan, not very different in essence from the poem written by Khan and treasured by you. The originality of each nature is always beautiful; and if we stay true to it we receive lasting peace.

    I too love Ghalib, if it was in my power, I would confer a Bharat Ratna and a Nobel for poetry for him.

    Nuktcheen… is one of my favourites. I often hear, read and recite Ghalib. He expressed the deepest feelings of a love filled and suffering heart as no one else has done. And it takes you to the divine.

    Gulzar, Jagjit and Nasseruddin team for the serial Mirza Ghalib has performed a tremendously evergreen feat. I place it as one of the highest tribute to Ghalib, because his lyrics have been presented from the heart complete with music and clarity.

    Thanks and best wishes for you always.

    Tulsi

  4. SBS Kochar says:

    Nice

  5. kanwal dhingra says:

    I loved the short poem by khan. And of course your attitude towards him is laudable.

  6. Vijay Kaul says:

    Sir
    Thank you for speaking about Urdu and poetry of Great Mirza Ghalib.

    Urdu is the language of my thoughts. It does not matter, though, I do not read or write Urdu.

    Diminishing knowledge of Urdu is one of the many losses of Independent India. Along with the language we are also loosing tameez & tehzeeb. ..both are linked to the language.

    Current environment proves the point.

    There are reasons for writing Urdu the way it is written. Research brings out astonishing facts. I will leave the spade work of research to the curious mind.

    Likes of Jenab Khan whom you refer in your communication, was one famous Jenab Iqbal who taught at old Delhi College, at Ajmeri Gate, now known with adifferent name. Some times facts are avoidable load.

    Iqbal as he is popularly known, wrote the all time Great …Sare Jahan se Acha…… He wrote it as a poetry in lieu of a political speach that he was requested to deliver. Being a learned man he refused political leaning and instead composed and recited the poem. Later Indian Army gave it immotality by composing it as a Marching tune.

    Interestingly the learned Iqbal was a Kasmiri Pandit , ( Kaul ) by birth, he converted to Islam, after partition went to Pakistan, and by then seeing the popularity of his poetry in India, denounced his writing and died unsung later in the country of his choosing. So much for the learned poet. One wonders if he was in India his place of birth. Not withstanding the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, Urdu would and still is loved by many.

    My best regards
    Col Vijay Kaul, Retd
    A Sapper

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Dear Vijay,
      I am not sure that what you have said about Iqbal is right.
      It was his GRANDFATHER, who converted to Islam. He was a Sapru, ( and not Kaul)
      You may like to check up.
      Surjit

  7. commodore Bibhu Mohanti says:

    Thanks.

  8. SS Sohi says:

    Sir,
    your views of collective representation to Justice Reddy was discussed & felt that during such occasions only few officers talk wisdom a lot, who never work for the ESM community at all but dominate the heroism. Most lower ranks feel neglected & disappointed.

    Rgds.
    Col Sohi.

  9. Surendra Rishi says:

    Dear Surjit,

    There is considerable talent amongst our civilian employees over and above
    their trade work. It needs encouragement to surface like you have done in this case.

    Thanks for sharing,
    Surendra

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Dear General,
      As you have mentioned, talent is not the exclusive preserve of officers!
      I have seen some very poor persons with great gifts…
      Thanks for the kind words.
      Surjit

  10. Ramani k says:

    Dear Gen Surjit,

    I read your blog and piece on Khan. We are from South. I have been broght up near Shimla but my wife has total tamil background . She studied in Delhi Lady Hradinge. Her favourite song i Nutachi… hai .. game dil… she used so sing in concrets and Be…murrawat Bewafa… not knowing what it means. Music is beyond words . Words end where music begins …

    Your relationship with Khan was most interesting.

    What we all misss

    simple pleasures of human life

    We as bachelors were also at AGRA . In fact we did not have accn in our mess … so we sayed in 509 Mess next to Sadar Bazzar ,, the only thing I can think of was how to have shortest dinner nights in our mess and rush for coffee in quality … Dinner nights in regalia was the ultimate of sadism amongst our 2ICs !!!!!! Hot summer , no fans ,, and dinner night … any better combination!!!!!

    thank you very much foe a beutiful sensitive write up

    best regards

    ramani k

  11. Harikumar Krishnannair says:

    Thank you very much for sharing this Sir.
    Happy Independence Day.
    Rgds
    Harikumar

  12. Saravjit says:

    Dear General Sahib,

    Sat Sri Akal!

    Your blog about AK Khan and the love of Mirza Ghalib is one of the best I have read.

    I realize what we lost by rejecting Urdu – a language so rich. Our collective culture could have been something else if we had given it the respect it deserves as one of the 22 scheduled languages.

    Its sad that I missed out on the shairi of Mirza Ghalib and other Urdu poets. Maybe its too late now to go into enough depth since I am already 73.

    One thing I have practiced, fortunately, is having friends across all strata of life – irrespective of station or religion. This is what Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us and it leads to such a fruitful life.

    Warm Regards,
    Saravjit

  13. Gurjeet Singh says:

    My Dear Gen Surjit,
    It is a great pleasure to read your posts & I am very excited at your new political party for clean govt. Keep it up sir. I am coming to India on Oct 7 & would like to meet you.

    Good Luck.
    Cheers!

    With Kind Regards,

    Sincerely,

    Major Gurjeet Singh,
    President
    Napa Finance Group,

  14. Neena Singh says:

    Ah! what a delight to read the elegantly worded post, the heart-touching poem and in the end listen to the melodious ‘Nukta-cheen hai gham-e-dil’.

    Surjit Veerji you are a genius! More power to your keyboard…

    Warm regards!
    Neena

  15. dsmadan says:

    Hello 2997,

    I have read the full piece on Khan and the poem written by Khan. It explains his respect and reverence for you in great poetic form.

    I have known you from NDA days when tour frame was frail but mind was as sharp.

    I rate your journey in Service and out of service as well spent .Looking back ,you can have sense of achievement and satisfaction that you did not let your life be just a drag and waste.

    Enjoy the time Waheguru has given you .

    Love ,

    3000

  16. Prem Hejmadi says:

    Dear Bro,
    Enjoyed reading the poetry and the anecdote. Indeed a rare talent and your very human approach. Your blog reads good.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Love & Light
    Prem

  17. KOHLI VEENA says:

    ”shaurat” aour ”seerat”

    Allah kisse kisse koe bakshta hai

    Aap khushnassebh hainn

    eh dost

    ”ek nachheej
    colls”

    I wish you cold have added ENGLISH VERSION OF THE FRAMED POETRY… for unlearned guys like me

  18. Khaled Hashmy says:

    Thanks General Saheb! This was great.

    You have expressed your admiration for the Avadh “tehzib”, something dear to my heart. An essential component of the tehzib is “takalluf” for which I have long searched for an equivalent in English. Recently I accidentally came across a phrase which could, conceivably, do justice to the term. The phrase is “punctilious courtesy”. As an aficionado of Urdu and a “Tehzib yafta” gentleman, in your opinion, does the phrase do justice to the phrase?

    Regards

    Khaled

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Jenab,

      Urdu has to be enjoyed in its original form. It can not even be translated into Hindustani.
      Urdu is Urdu. Like ‘pyar’. You can not translate it.

      ‘​pyar ko pyar hi rehane do koi naam na do…’ (quote from Gulzar’s lyric)

      Surjit

  19. Vipan Passi says:

    General Surjit Sir,

    So nice to read this email and the write-up at the website.
    Sending some pics of my visit to Ghalib Ki Haveli in the year 2010.

    With warm regards,
    Vipan Passi

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Vipan,
      The pictures are a treasure! But they can not be posted on the comments. We have two options:

      You write a piece to cover your visit to the ‘Haveli’ Place the pictures, along with suitable captions. I am sure it will interest my readers.
      I publish these as Part II to my piece, and announce it once again.

      I would prefer the first option. So, please get down to your keyboard, and start ticking!
      Regards to Poonam. Where are the ‘children’ ?
      Surjit

  20. Kujad Jani says:

    My dear General;

    Thank you so very much for awakening my memories of this song by the all time great Suraiya. We used to listen this song on the old HMG Gramophone(hand cranked) with 78 rpm records !!

    Regards;
    KP

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Dear Cdr Jani,

      There was an old world charm to those 78 RPM disks and the HMV gramophones. Music was expensive those days. Now, you can hear those classic numbers with the click of a button!

      Surjit​

  21. KS Virk says:

    Dear Surjit,
    I read ur piece with great interest. I am senior to u in age, I can read and write Urdu though I am somewhat out of date. I am vrry fond of Ghalib and still possess a couple his Diwans. Misery is that there is hardly anybody around knowledgable about Urdu with whom one could convrerse with.
    I enjoy going thru ur msgs always. Have we ever met in person?

    Regards.
    Brig KS Virk.

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Dear Brig Virk,

      Thanks. You are fortunate, indeed.
      I had a very dear friend, Brig Mula Singh Virk. He passed away in the USA a few years ago.
      However, I do not recollect having met you in service. It will be a pleasure to get to know you.
      Surjit​

  22. Capt SB Tyagi says:

    Dear Sir,
    Enjoyed the Nazm!
    Indeed Khan was with great depth and finer feelings.
    Best regards
    Capt SB Tyagi

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Tyagi Sahib,

      Thanks. Khan is indeed a talented a man. The sketch on the right of the poem adds value to the words.
      Surjit​

  23. Anand Nair says:

    Sir,

    I have taken the liberty of posting the link to your very touching blog on my Facebook wall.

    Regards,

    Lt Col Anand S Nair, EME (Retd)

  24. Aman Chinna says:

    Very nicely written Sir.
    As we pass different stations in life, we get enriched by many whom we remember long after.

  25. Mahavir S Jagdev says:

    Sir,
    Thank you for the article.
    Regards,
    Mahavir

  26. PM BAMBAWALE says:

    Sir , It is ” BANE ” & not ” BUJHE ” which was probably a misprint in initial prints.
    Many, though honest but not so well in the subject carried it further without
    understanding the true meaning. Thanks for introducing the unknown poet “KHAN”.

  27. Yogi says:

    Such a sweet human-interest story; told with so much feeling! Touching!

  28. Ashwani says:

    Urdu Lovers may register for Rang-e-Rekhta at Tagore Theatre on 27-Aug
    http://rangerekhta.org/#register

  29. Brig PT Gangadharan says:

    Forwarded to all my friends.
    Gangadharan

  30. Kishan Bhatia says:

    Feroz sahib jee I think you may enjoy the following along with a song by Suraiya.

    AG KHAN : AN UNKNOWN POET @ http://amolak.in/web/ag-khan-an-unknown-poet/

    I looked at it and I know the Suraiya song from yester years.

    Enjoy.

    Kishan Bhatia

  31. Ajay Chandele says:

    Dear Sir,
    AG Khan retired as Chief Dfn from 509, a short while after I left in 2004. I completely agree with your description of him. Certainly he is a very respectful and well behaved individual, apart from being thorough in his profession and an artist, in more ways than one. He never asked any favour.
    He always sends greetings on New Years and I too make it a point to respond and meet him in the FON guest room when I visit.
    Remember fondly the FON Milap which you refer to.
    Regards,
    Ajay

  32. Ajay Chandele says:

    Dear Sir,
    AG Khan retired as Chief Dfn from 509, a short while after I left in 2004. I completely agree with your description of him. Certainly he is a very respectful and well behaved individual, apart from being thorough in his profession and an artist, in more ways than one. He never asked any favour.
    He always sends greetings on New Years and I too make it a point to respond and meet him in the FON guest room when I visit.
    Remember fondly the FON Milap which you refer to.
    Regards,
    Ajay

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Ajay,
      Thanks.
      You kept up the FON spirit.
      Your visit to our ‘gharibkhana’ when you were the DGEME was a similar gesture!
      Thanks.
      Surjit

  33. Lt Col B B Ghai says:

    Thanks a lot Surjit Sir. I served witth FON from June, 1969 to Feb 1972. Capt (later Brig )Surinder Singh was posted & was with me as P & P Officer Any job assigned to him was as good as completed. We used to regularly play bridge With Maj B C Halan & others. Maj(later Maj Gen) K B Jhaldiyal was the most effective MR Group Officer as reported by me as OIC P&P evaluating groups performance against the monthly schedules presented in the daily conference in the first week of every month. This post of yours revived my old memories of FON.

    The poet A G Khan did not come to lime light during my tenure with FON. The composition poem as given here is a wonderful peice of work. I have collections of Urdu Poetry hand written by my father Lt Col K L Ghai. He was a Persian Scholar.

    • Surjit Singh says:

      BBG,
      Thanks.
      I remember your very affable father fondly. He was a colleague of our Dad, in the IMA.
      You must share his poetry, in a user-friendly manner with all of us.
      Surjit

  34. Surinder singh says:

    Simply brilliant!

    An audio recording of ” Fitrat” would have added much charm to the poem preferably in Khans own voice.

    Maybe it will find its way into some movie and then some great music director will have it sung in some melodious voice like that of Suraiyya…the singing star

    Surinder

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Surinder,
      Khan was quite poor at reciting, even his own words. Remaining in the background was his fitrat.
      I have jus worked out that he must be over seventy himself! And since I am very unlikely to go to Agra, no chance of having t recorded in his voice.
      I think we can leave it at that! I have already violated my personal norms of modesty by posting this on the Web!
      Thanks for the kind words.
      Surjit

  35. PT Gangadharan says:

    Dear Sir,

    Human values transcends all barriers .The person matters and not rank and appointment.I was emotionally moved as I follow some of your qualities in life.Great sir.

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Ganga,
      That is what life is all about.
      And you have compassion and empathy more than any one else.
      In addition, you have a great fighting spirit. Keep it up!
      Surjit

  36. Dave Sood says:

    Surjit…master in fine arts. I wish I had these digressions in my life.

    I have heard Nukta cheen Hain ghame dil was played many times for my father on his HMV handle 78 rpm big boss. Heard it and can recognise it. Cannot go into the nuances of bane and bhuje.

    Always enjoy your writings.

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Dave,
      Ah! Those 78 RPM disks and the HMV gramophones… That was old world charm!

      ‘Guzra hua zamaana aata nahi dubaara…’

      Thanks
      Surjit

  37. Neena says:

    Ah! what a delight to read the elegantly worded post, the heart-touching poem and in the end listen to the melodious ‘Nukta-cheen hai gham-e-dil’.

    Surjit Veerji you are a genius! More power to your keyboard…

    Warm regards!
    Neena

  38. colls says:

    GUFTA GUU 15 AUG 2016
    ”shaurat” aour ”seerat”

    Allah kisse kisse koe bakshta hai

    Aap khushnassebh hainn

    eh dost

    ”ek nachheej
    colls”

    I wish you could have added ENGLISH VERSION OF THE FRAMED POETRY… for unlearned guys like me

  39. colls says:

    ”shaurat” aour ”seerat”

    Allah kisse kisse koe bakshta hai

    Aap khushnassebh hainn

    eh dost

    ”ek nachheej
    colls”

    I wish you cold have added ENGLISH VERSION OF THE FRAMED POETRY… for unlearned guys like me

  40. Vipan Passi says:

    General Surjit Sir,
    It was a great pleasure reading this piece!
    I have been to Mirza Ghalib Ki Haveli in Gali Qasim Jan in Ballimaran in the year 2010, and spent some very nostalgic moments there.
    Nawab Qasim Jan had made his residence in Ballimaran, and the street Gali Qasim Jan there is named after him. Qasim Jan’s younger brother Arif’s grand-daughter Umrao Begum was married to Mirza Ghalib, and that’s how Mirza Ghalib got to stay in that Haveli in Gali Qasim Jan!
    I have some nice pictures of my visit there, but I don’t know how to paste them here. I will send those in an email to you.
    With warm regards,
    Vipan Passi

    • Ashwani says:

      I also once visited Ghalib’s Haveli in 2014. Now the govt. taken over the rest of the portion of haveli. Gulzar is doing a lot to revive that place. More artifacts, dresses etc. being collected for display..

      • Surjit Singh says:

        Ashwani,
        I have requested a friend to do a complete piece on Ghalib’s Haveli.
        Will add your experience, when he sends it.
        Surjit

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Vipan,
      In a personal mail, I have requested you to write a piece on your visit to the Haveli.
      I am sanguine that you will oblige.
      Surjit

  41. I also agree that Bane is more appropriate than Bujhe because the purpose of the lover is not to put out the fire of his love but to complete it – banana maqsood hai; bujhana nahin

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Mirza ji,
      You have added one more word to my Urdu vocabulary; ‘maqsood’ I have learnt its meaning, and you have used it most appropriately!
      Thanks
      Surjit

    • Surjit Singh says:

      Mirza ji,

      The greatness of Ghalib is that you can NEVER improve upon his ghazals. In fact, if you ever touch even a ‘nuqta’ you end up in ruining the text.
      And that is why, he is called an ‘Ustad’ The lesser poets pick up from his works. He is like the ‘Reserve Bank of India’ from where the other banks draw their currency!

      Regards,
      Surjit​

  42. Joseph Thomas says:

    As usual, Surjit’s ‘tehzib’ comes through.

    • Surjit Singh says:

      J,
      You came first in the entrance to the NDA.
      Finished first in the VI term
      Remained on top all through the life…
      And now, yours is the FIRST comment!
      SS

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