Ghalib as imagined by the modern Pakistani artist and calligrapher Sadiqain, in a commemorative calendar issued in 1969.

If the 18th century was the century of Mir and the 20th century that of Iqbal, between these two giants of Urdu literature stood another equally remarkable individual in the 19th century, Mirza Ghalib.

Ghalib is the most quoted of all Urdu poets. This achievement is largely due to his poetry leaving hardly any situation or state of mind untreated, all the while being infused with his unique style and often remarkable wit and humour. What’s more, despite living in an era of social and political unrest and suffering personal misfortune, he did not give way to melancholia. Yet, compared with Mir’s some 2,000 ghazals, he penned a modest 235 ghazals. So, what is so special about this slim collection that he should still be remembered and quoted by millions of people in thousands of day-to-day occurrences year after year? Our next event explores some of Ghalib’s most famous works so that we can better understand this distinguished figure of Urdu literature through his poetry.

The session will be led by Tasnim Firdaus, Director of Language & Literature Programmes at The Mehfil. Tasnim's academic interests include classical Urdu & Persian poetry and Persian in the Indus valley. Tasnim has worked as a lecturer of Persian and Urdu language and literature in Pakistan and has a teaching career spanning over 30 years.

The session will be held on Saturday 27th August from 3-5 pm. Venue: Maida Vale, London (W9). Tickets are available to purchase here. Knowledge of Urdu is required - material will be provided in Urdu and Romanised Urdu.

***Refreshments will be provided. Doors open at 2.45 pm, and the session will begin promptly at 3 pm***