Sunday, December 27, 2009

Ghalib 213th birth anniversary today
The 213th birth anniversary of one of the legendry poet of Urdu and Persian literature, ‘Asadullah Khan Ghalib’ is being observed by the diaspora community today 27th December.

Using a pen name of ‘Ghalib’ and ‘Asad’ (former pen-name), Mirza Assadullah Khan Ghalib was born on 27 December 1797 and died at the age of 72 on 15 February 1869, was a classical Urdu and Persian poet from India during British colonial rule.

During his lifetime the Mughals were eclipsed and displaced by the British and finally deposed following the defeat of the Indian rebellion of 1857, events that he wrote of.

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, in South Asia, to be the 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.

He never worked for a livelihood, lived on either state patronage, credit or the generosity of his friends. His fame came to him posthumously. He had himself remarked during his lifetime that although his age had ignored his greatness, it would be recognized by later generations.

Parveen Shakir's death anniversary observed

The 15th death anniversary of noted poetess Parveen Shakir observed on Saturday 26th December.

Parveen Shakir Trust organised Quran Khawani here on this occasion for the departed soul.

Prominent literary figures will also lay floral wreaths on the grave of late poetess.

It may be recalled that Parveen Shakir, 42, was killed in a road accident on December 26, in 1994.

Born on November 24, 1952 in Karachi, she was a noted Urdu poetess, teacher and a civil servant. She did her master in English Literature and Linguistics from Karachi University.

She was a professor at Karachi University and Trinity College, Connecticut, USA, for 9 years before joining the Civil Service, where she served in the Customs department. In 1986, she was appointed second secretary, CBR in Islamabad.

In 1990, she taught at Trinity College, Connecticut, USA, and then did her masters in public administration at Harvard University in 1991.

She married Naseer Ali, a doctor by profession, whom she later divorced. She is survived by her son, Syed Murad Ali. Her unique honour was that when she appeared in the Central Superior Services Examination in 1982 there was a question on her poetry in the Urdu examination.

Her poetry was a breath of fresh air in Urdu poetry. She used the first person feminine pronoun, which is rarely used in Urdu poetry even by female poets. The feminine perspective of love and the associated social problems were her theme. Critics compare her poetry to that of Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad.

Her first book, Khushboo, won the Adamjee Award. Later she was awarded the Pride of Performance.

Upon her death, the Parveen Shakir Trust was established by her close friend, Parveen Qadir Agha. The Parveen Shakir Trust organizes a yearly function and gives out the "Aks-e-Khushbo" award.

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