Enchanting Showcase of Mir Taqi Mir’s Persian and Urdu Poetry Unfolds in Delhi

An exciting exhibition showcasing the manuscripts of Persian and Urdu poetry and prose by the renowned 18th-century Mughal poet Mir Taqi Mir (1723–1810) recently took place at the Urdu Ghar in Delhi, India. This significant event was organized by the Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind in collaboration with the Urdu Ghar and the Noor Microfilm Center, running from January 11 to January 17. The exhibition drew attention from various dignitaries, including the Ambassador of Iran to India, Iraj Elahi, and the Cultural Counselor of Iran in New Delhi, Faridoddin Faridasr, alongside numerous Indian officials and academics, as reported by ISNA.

During the opening ceremony, Ambassador Elahi commended the collaborative efforts of both the Urdu Ghar and the Noor Microfilm Center in safeguarding the literary treasures of Mir Taqi Mir, along with many other remarkable academic, literary, and religious works. He emphasized the importance of their initiative by stating, “In a situation where libraries and the culture of reading books are on the decline, this step is very commendable.”

Faridasr also highlighted the poetic elements that characterize Mir Taqi Mir’s work, noting that “The pain of Sufism is completely different from the definition of pain by modern European countries.”

This exhibition presented a rare and diverse collection of Mir’s manuscripts, including:

• His personal stories written for his son
• A collection of Ghazals and Masnavis (spiritual couplets)
• Documents providing an intimate look into his life and literary contributions

One of the exhibition’s focal points was the display of at least two different manuscripts of Zikr-e Mir, the poet’s autobiography. These manuscripts, penned in 1807, offer profound insights into his personal struggles and evolution as a poet, making them invaluable pieces of literary history.

Additionally, three different manuscripts of Kulliyat-e Mir, a comprehensive collection of his poetry, were showcased. This collection remains a cornerstone of classical Urdu literature.

The event also featured a manuscript of Tazkira Nikat-ush-Shora, a biography of poets authored by Mir himself, reflecting his active engagement with the literary circles of his era and his impact on future generations of poets. Furthermore, Mir’s bayaaz (personal notebook) was presented, providing additional insights into his private thoughts and musings.

In a forward-thinking approach, the Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind has not only concentrated on preserving physical manuscripts but has also embraced technology to enhance accessibility. They are undertaking a significant effort to digitize all of Mir’s manuscripts and rare books, collaborating with the Noor Microfilm Centre and Iran Culture House in New Delhi. This digital archive is set to preserve these precious literary works long after the exhibition concludes, ensuring they remain accessible to scholars, researchers, and literary enthusiasts worldwide.

The digitization initiative speaks to a broader vision of making Mir’s work more accessible and facilitating research for future generations of writers, historians, and academics.

The exhibition displayed original and collated manuscripts of Mir’s poetry, sourced from prominent collections such as:

• Shibli Memorial Library of Urdu Ghar
• Rampur Raza Library
• Aligarh Muslim University’s Azad Library
• Hyderabad Library

This event is part of a larger initiative to honor the tricentenary of Mir Taqi Mir’s birth. The Anjuman has organized a year-long series of activities dedicated to his life and works, which includes discussions, festivals, book launches, and special journal editions.

Moreover, the Anjuman plans to host a three-day festival in February 2024 in collaboration with the India International Center, celebrating Mir’s life in his home city of Shahjahanabad (now part of Delhi). This festival will focus on the influence of Mir’s work on the city’s culture and literary scene.

As part of the tricentenary celebrations, a special issue of Urdu Adab, the quarterly journal published by Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind since 1921, was released. Launched on January 11 by Iraj Elahi, this issue is dedicated to Mir Taqi Mir, further solidifying his status as a central figure in Urdu literature.

Mir Muhammad Taqi, known as Mir Taqi Mir, was one of the pioneers who shaped the Urdu language itself. A principal poet of the Delhi School of Urdu ghazal, he is often regarded as one of the finest poets in the Urdu language.

The hallmark of his poetry is the profound grief he expresses, particularly reflecting on the decline of his beloved city, Delhi. Living during a formative period for Urdu language and poetry, his innate aesthetic sense allowed him to blend indigenous expressions with new influences from Persian imagery and idioms, giving rise to the elite language known as Rekhta or Hindui.

By basing his work on his native Hindustani, Mir infused it with elements of Persian diction and phraseology, creating a poetic language that is both simple and elegant—a language that continues to guide future generations of poets.

In conclusion, the exhibition dedicated to Mir Taqi Mir not only celebrates his literary contributions but also emphasizes the importance of preserving and promoting Urdu literature for future audiences.