That is how Ghalib, whose 214th birth anniversary was celebrated in Delhi on 27 December at a 3-day function ‘Yaadgare Ghalib’ programme, expresses his dilemma in disclosing his identity, probably in a lighter vein. The celebrations started on 26 December when a mushaira was held at India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) in which many poets including, among others, Wasim Bareilvi, Manzar Bhopali, Majid Deobandi, Bekal Utsahi, Dr. Nawaz Deobandi, participated. A documentary film produced by Uma Sharma on Ghalib’s life was also shown. On 27th a candle light procession, as in previous years along the traditional route from Old Delhi’s Town Hall to his Haveli, a distance of hardly one kilometre, led by the famous film personality and poet Gulzar and accompanied among others by India’s ambassador to Bhutan, Pawan Verma, famous Kathak dancer (Ms.) Uma Sharma, chairman of Delhi’s Minorities Commission Safdar Khan and a large crowd with bands and drums marched from Chandni Chowk’s Ghanta Ghar chowk (named after the historical Clock Tower which had been installed in front of Town Hall till about half a century ago but which is no longer there now) via. Ballimaran’s narrow road to his haveli in still narrower Gali Qasim Jaan. The crowd was so large and the entire locality including Chandni Chowk being always very busy and crowded, that the procession reached there with great difficulty. Even Delhi’s chief minister Shiela Dikshit found it very difficult getting there which prompted her and many others to say that next time this function should be held at an open and spacious place somewhere else where people could reach easily.

The chief minister inaugurated an exhibition at the haveli on this occasion which has now been turned into “Ghalib Museum” under the 3-day Yaadgar-e Ghalib function on 27th. The haveli or museum consists of only two rooms and a small open courtyard and the exhibits include Ghalib’s and his wife Umrao Begum’s cloaks and clothes, her make-up box, Ghalib’s divans (collections of poems) in Persian and Urdu, his letters, chess board, qalamdaan (pen and inkpot holder), shamadaan (candle stand) and other things associated with his life, postage stamp issued by the Pakistani government in his honour, his and his wife’s pictures and paintings etc. brought from Banaras, Rampur, Muradabad, Calcutta where he lived in different periods of his life. A digital copy of some of his letters, soundtracks of his works among many other items were also on display in the exhibition and will remain there. However, all these things are ‘doubles’ i.e. replicas and nothing is original and in fact nothing belongs to him because, as Suresh Goel, Director General of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), said ‘We cannot’ keep the original belongings here for security reasons’ lest they may be stolen or vandalised. Describing Ghalib as the greatest poet of 19th century, he said that Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan was not only an outstanding poet but also the best chronicler of the most disturbing and turbulent period of our history.”

The haveli which only a few years ago housed a coal depot was virtually a kabadkhana or junk yard was given a new lease of life with the efforts of Firoz Bakht Ahmad of Friends for Education Society and Consultant to ICCR who got it restored to its respectable status through a court order. Shortly thereafter it was acquired by Delhi government in December 1999. Ghalib Memorial Movement was spearheaded by (Ms.) Uma Sharma, famous Kathak dancer way back in 1977 who organises this event annually ever since and is supported by ICCR, Delhi government and Showcraft Productions. ICCR Director General Suresh Goel said that ICCR plans to make the museum ‘an important destination on the heritage tourism trail of Delhi’.

In view of the fact that Ghalib’s admirers are in foreign countries also like England, Germany, Japan, Czechoslovakia, Russia etc. who first learnt Urdu language and then translated his poetry into their native tongues, some of his writings and couplets will be displayed in this museum in the form of tughras in Urdu, Hindi and English. There is also a statue of Ghalib in a posture in which he normally used to sit

On the concluding day on 28 December a humorous drama titled ‘Ghalib in New Delhi’ written and directed by Sayeed Alam and sponsored by ICCR was presented by Pierrot’s Troupe at India Islamic Cultural Centre.

The haveli wore a festive look on this occasion, with fancy lights and the fragrance of flowers. It covers an area of about 130 sq. yards. Suggestions that there should be Urdu computer classes, a small shop selling books and also a canteen etc. so that it always hums with activity and not present a deserted look. It will be open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A few years ago Hakeem Ajmal Khan’s one-time famous Hindustani Dawakhana existed just opposite the haveli but it is no longer there now.