what is Ghalib

It isn't hard to find Mirza Ghalib's poetry posted for aesthetic purposes behind transport vehicles, designated the responsibility of creating an artistically intoxicating atmosphere at a Dhaba (a restaurant adjoined to a highway for travellers) or posted in the bio of someone declaring their ardour for love or excruciating pain of a recent breakup.

Which makes us wonder who is Ghalib or more importantly what is Ghalib for youth of decade 2020?

Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan (27 December 1797 - 15 February 1869) used Ghalib as his pseudonym. The name itself means the great winner, the king of kings and the unstoppable. 

The continuation of his poetic journey began from a budding age. Existing in the postface of Mughals and preface of British rule he had to make a decision between the mightiness of a sword or a pen. Choosing the later he established himself as a notable poet in Urdu, Hindi and Persian language.

He had studied logic and philosophy which became the colour of many of his work. His works were abstracts in ideas, consisting of word plays and picturesque scenes opened for many interpretations. They were often criticised by his contemporaries as spilled meanderings but people can't thank him enough for adding a new leaf in the book of Urdu poetry.

"Na hota kuch tho khuda hota, 

kuch na hota tho khuda hota,  

duboya muje hone ne, 

na hota mai tho kya hota"

( "If there wasn't anything then there would have been God, if nothing was then would have been God, it's the existing that drowned me, if I wasn't (myself / there) then what would have been" )

Ghalib wrote about love by freeing it from the shackles of gender. He didn't write love poems but rather poetry of love, giving himself freedom from reality and an ocean of passion to dive into.

"Unko dekhne se aajati hai muh pe raunak, 

Vho samajte hai bimar ka haal achha hai"

( "The face shines from a glimpse of them, and they think that this sufferer is recovering well" )

"Mohabbat mai nahi hai Farak jeene aur marine ka, 

Uss he ko dekh kar jeete hai jis kafir pe dum Nikle" 

("There is no difference between living and dying in love, (I / they) live by looking at those for whom (I'm /they are) dying")

" Huyi muddat ki 'Ghalib' Mar gaya,

Par yaad aata hai vho har ekk baat par kehna, 

Ki youn hota tho kya hota"

("The time came and I died, but I still recall saying that on every prompt, that how it would have been if it would have been like this")

So, what is Ghalib for people of 2020? 

Perhaps Ghalib's a wordsmith of vintage times. Maybe, a voice of the youth trying to choose their own mighty weapon as he did when it was his time. 

Perhaps Ghalib's the ardor of some modern love or the cry for right to pave your own path as he scribbled his own. Perhaps, Ghalib is similar to words prints he left for generations to come; abstract and dependent on your own interpretation.