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Summary The 215th birth anniversary Mirza Asadullah Khan is being observed today.
Renowned Urdu and Persian poet of the subcontinent, Dabeer-ul-Mulk, Najm-ud-daulah Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, pen-name Ghalib, was born on December 27, 1797 in Indian city Agra but later, he shifted to Delhi and settled there until his last breathe.Mirza Ghalib, known for his Urdu poetry, chronicles and Ghazals, began to write in Persian at the age of nine. After losing his father early in life, Ghalib was raised by his uncle. He settled in Dehli after marrying into the Muslim nobility and was admitted to the last Muslim emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar IIs court as his poet-tutor. The independence war of 1857, however, disrupted the poets life.He is considered, in South Asia, to be one of the most popular and influential poets of the Urdu language. Ghalib today remains popular amongst Urdu speakers not only in India and Pakistan but also amongst diaspora communities around the world.Ghalibs poetry is distinguished by its intense feelings, wistfulness and a strong romantic mood which produce a charming effect on readers.Not only Urdu poetry but the prose is also indebted to him. His letters gave foundation to easy and popular Urdu. Before Ghalib, letter writing in Urdu was highly ornamental.Diwan-i-Ghalibin is the main collection of poetical works of Ghalib. It has been translated into several Indian and foreign languages.Ghalib’s ghazals have been interpreted and sung in many different ways by different people while several people and organisations have also produced films and drama series on his life and works.The great poet died on February 15, 1869 at the age of 72.Many literary organizations in the subcontinent and across the world will arrange different activities including conferences and seminars to mark the birth anniversary of Ghalib.
