New Delhi : In its latest endeavour to celebrate the tricentenary of pre-eminent Urdu poet Meer Taqi Meer (also spelled as Mir Taqi Mir), Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind has organised an exhibition showcasing rare manuscripts of the poet’s writings. It was inaugurated on Saturday (January 11) and is open to the public until Friday (January 17).
The exhibition features at least two different manuscripts of Zikr e Meer (autobiography of the poet), three different manuscripts of Kulliyat-e-Meer (complete works of the poet) and a manuscript of Tazkira Nikat-ush-Shora, a biography of poets written by him.
Also showcased at the exhibition is a copy of Meer’s bayaaz (note book of the poet). In addition several printed versions of Kulliyat-e-Meer, including the first one, published in 1811, a year after the poet’s death, by the Fort William College, Kolkata.
Meer, who is referred as Khuda-e-Sukhan (the God of poetry) was born three centuries ago in 1723. He wrote both in Urdu as well as in Persian. Originally written in Persian, the first ever complete translation of Zikr e Meer was published last year by the Anjuman.
Memoirs of Urdu poet Meer Taqi Meer on display in the exhibition. Photo: Mahtab Alam.
It can be noted that in its previous versions (including the one published by the Anjuman), a section (last portion) was deleted/censored due to its perceived obscenity. The censored part has been translated into Urdu by scholar Dr. Sadaf Fatima from the original Persian.
According to Ather Farouqui, General Secretary of the Anjuman, centrepiece of the exhibition is a rare manuscript of Zikr-e-Mir, penned in 1807. “This extraordinary work stands as a testament to the literary genius of Mir Taqi Mir and offers a unique perspective on his life, thoughts, and contributions to Urdu poetry,” he added. He also informed that an English translation of Zikr e Meer (rendered by Dr. Sadaf Fatima) is almost ready and will be soon published by the Anjuman.
“It is a very important initiative taken by the Anjuman as manuscripts are the basis of any authentic research and compilation,” Professor Akhlaque Ahmad, a scholar of Persian and Urdu, told this author.
According to Ahmad, who is also Chairperson of Centre of Persian & Central Asian Studies at JNU, making these manuscripts available under one roof is a great help to all those interested in research and writing.
He hoped that researchers, teachers and students would visit the exhibition. So that they can see the original sources before starting to work on the subject.
As per the Anjuman, it has also digitalised all the manuscripts and rare books of the poet with the help of Noor Microfilm Centre and Iran Culture House, New Delhi.
“Digital versions will be available for researchers and writers even after the exhibition is over,” informed Farouqui.
The first printed version of Kulliyat-e-Meer, published in 1811, a year after the poet’s death, by the Fort William College, Kolkata, on display at the exhibition. Photo: Mahtab Alam
The Shibli Memorial Library of the Anjuman has collections of other rare and important Urdu, Persian and Arabic books, which are either out of print or not easily available in India.
To celebrate the tricentenary of Meer, the Anjuman has been organising a series activities – hosting discussions, festivals, publishing books and journals, since January 2024.
The inaugural event of the celebration was organised on January 22, 2024 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, where a complete translation of Zikr e Meer was launched and Dastan-e-Meer was premiered.
In February, the Anjuman in collaboration with India International Centre organised a three day festival celebrating the life, works and the city of Meer, Shahjahanabad (Delhi).
It has also brought-out a special issue of Urdu Adab, focusing on Meer. Urdu Adab is a quarterly journal published by the Anjuman since 1921. The special issue was launched on January 11 by Dr. Iraj Elahi, Ambassador of Iran to India.
