Ghalib: A Thousand Desires

by Raza Mir

Mirza Ghalib is perhaps the most widely chronicled Urdu poet in English. But few can pithily capture the essence of his life and work as enjoyably as Raza Mir can. In this lively, witty and illuminating account, Ghalib emerges from these pages as a man of his time but also one who looms large over history.Raza infuses his research with just the right amount of anecdote and trivia, evoking Ghalib as an outspoken genius, a game-changer who never shied away from aiming a witty barb (or three) at his rivals. Moreover, Ghalib also lived in a crucial age that saw the end of Mughal rule and the destruction of his beloved A Thousand Desires also comprises a selection of the great poet's most enduring poems and ghazals, accompanied by Raza's insightful commentary that decodes underlying themes and meanings in these verses.

Genres: Poetry, History, Biography, Nonfiction

171 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2019

About the author

Raza Mir is the author of Ghalib: A Thousand Desires, The Taste of Words: An Introduction to Urdu Poetry and the co-author of Anthems of Resistance: A Celebration of Progressive Urdu Poetry. He can be reached at urduwallah@gmail.com

Reviews

[Sharan Ahluwalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. A good starting point for Urdu-noobs like me.

[Batool Rizvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book accomplished what the author set out to accomplish; it was a wonderful introduction to the age of Mirza Ghalib that left me wanting more--more to learn and read by Ghalib but also more to read by the author Raza Mir himself.

The sociopolitical backdrop of Delhi helped contextualize the poet and served an important function in the understanding of Ghalib.

This book is packed with so much --historical & social context, a very adept narrative story that zooms in on a day-to-day Ghalib (which I think makes this book super attractive), the form & structure of a ghazal, various ghazals & translations of Ghalib, Ghalib's contemporaries, and a sample couplet by couplet interpretation, which, as a poet myself, I really appreciated reading and seeing the author breakdown the deeper meanings and the references.

I read some of the ghazals with my family who learned & memorized many of Ghalib's couplets and poems back in Pakistan. Thus, I have much respect for the author who was able to bridge a generational gap and use this as a tool to understand a part of my identity as both a Pakistani and also a poet. Ghalib is canonical.

This book could serve as a reading for a 101 class, if there ever was, on Ghalib.

[Gany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

This book offers several dimensions; the pivotal moment in history of the revolt of 1857, and how it impacted the development of Urdu literature. It also delves into the life and personality of the great Ghalib; and finally examines the structure of the ghazal form. All of these elements are seamlessly woven together to provide a comprehensive and coherent understanding of this subject.

The narrative also shows several dimensions. It describes the mughal mushairas, with a poetic fictional style and at the same time takes a documentary like tone in other places.

It introduced me to several new mythologies like the story of Khosrou and Shirin, the story of the prophet Khizr. It also introduced me to the similarities between Sufi Islam and Advaita Vedanta

My biggest take away has been that, every age has been transitional age. In every age, there have been people viewing the inevitable change with anxiety.

[Bhavy Khatri · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very short book, a lot could have been written about ghalib since a lot of his personal life stories are preserved through letters to his friends and family members. A lot of answers remained unanswered it doesn't explain the details, the social structure at that time which makes arguments presented in the book very convincing.

[Kenrick Pinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to Ghalib's poetry.

The first part of the book is devoted to Ghalib's life, starting with a description of the socio-political landscape of Ghalib's Delhi. The effects of increasing British power (coupled with a declining Mughal empire) on Delhi, and in turn Ghalib are analyzed. The mutiny of 1857 and it's aftermath, and Ghalib's thoughts also find mention in this book. An interesting account of Ghalib's aesthetic and philosophical leanings using couplets(from his ghazals) & anecdotes(from his life) complete this section.

In the second part, the author looks at Ghalib's most famous ghazals(with translations). The structure of the ghazal is discussed and it's complexities analyzed.

Overall, a fantastic introduction without being too pedantic or academic.

[Nahin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great introduction to Mirza Ghalib that leaves the reader wanting to learn and read more about this truly fascinating individual. As someone whose mother tongue is Urdu, but then as time progressed, started to not only converse primarily in English but also think and dream it in as well.. this was a great segue into wanting to reconnect with such a beautiful and heart wrenching language.

[Prasanjan Mitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My introduction to this timeless legend was every bit as relaxing and invigorating as I had imagined.

[Aradhana S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Offers a great introduction to Ghalibs life. But that is all, it doesn't help a great deal in understanding Ghalibs shayari and the Translation is good but could be better.