Delhi: Ghalib's Memorabilia Inaugurated on His 214th Birth Anniversary

The 215th birth anniversary of the great Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib was observed on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011 in Delhi. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurated the exhibition at Ghalib's restored "haveli" at Gali Qasim Jaan near Ballimaran, one of the alleys of Chandni Chowk, in the old Delhi.

An august gathering of poets, writers and fans of Mirza Ghalib, led by Dikshit, marched from the Town Hall to Ballimaran where the chief minister unveiled the Ghalib collection.

The participants included poet Gulzar, author and diplomat Pavan K. Varma, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, a musician from the Delhi Gharana, musicians and several leading artists.

A three-day cultural fest "Yaadgar-e-Ghalib" has been organized from Dec. 26–28, 2011 in the memory of the great poet. The celebrations began with a mushaira on Dec. 26. On Dec. 28, the Peirrots Troupe will present "Ghalib in New Delhi," a comic Urdu play at the India Islamic Centre.