A celebration of Ghalib’s life

Actor Tom Alter as the legendary poet Mirza Ghalib in the three plays on Ghalib’s life and poetry. Alter’s command over English and Urdu is commendable.

Khat likhenge garche matlab kuch na ho Hum to aashiqu hai tumhare naam ke — Mirza Ghalib The famous Urdu poet comes to life in Delhi this week as writer-director M. Sayeed Alam brings his three plays to celebrate Ghalib’s life and literature. Alam saab’s Pierrot’s Troupe presents theatre festival Jashn-e-Ghalib. A first-of-its-kind, the festival comprises three plays — Ghalib Ke Khat (Urdu), Ghalib in New Delhi (Hindi) and Ghalib (Urdu) — about Mirza Ghalib’life, style, his letters and also about his comeback in present times. Ghalib Ke Khat will be performed on November 11, 7.30 pm at LTG Auditorium, Mandi House. Ghalib In New Delhi and Ghalib will be staged on November 13, at 4 and 7 pm respectively at Shri Ram Centre.

“One play is not enough to do justice to Ghalib. He’s a total package and one can do as many plays on him,” says Alam saab.

The first play Ghalib Ke Khat is the presentation of the personal letters that the great Ghalib wrote to his friends, disciples, relatives and even government authorities. While Ghalib’s letters are very popular as it helps re-imagine his life and times, most of the plays usually restrict to reading out these letters. “From being a solo performance we converted this into a full-fledged, multi-actor play,” explains Alam. Viewers get to see not only Ghalib, but also his friends, disciples, his wife (Umrao Begum) and even his maid (Wafadar) on stage who read Ghalib’s letters. What’s interesting is that this play not only introduces some very important people around Ghalib, but it also brings those characters to life. Those character to whom Ghalib used to write letters are introduced. It is always assumed that Ghalib’s wife was a religious person but beyond that she was also a well-read woman, who had a mind of her own. It is she who can be seen criticising Ghalib for his non-sensical letters.

His highly witty and intelligent maid, and his favourite disciple Munshi Har Gopal Taftah, a great and but long forgotten poet of Persian (played by Tom Alter). The play is an entertaining account of the life and times of Mirza Ghalib as well his near and dear ones.

The play features Tom Alter, Jaskiran Chopra as Mirza Ghalib’s wife, Anju Chhabra as Mirza Ghalib’s witty and vivacious maid and Alam in multiple roles.

The second play Ghalib in New Delhi is probably India’s most successful comedy, running since 1997, with 409 shows. It’s a humourous take on Ghalib being re-born in the the 21st century New Delhi. It shows the shocks and horrors the poet feels and ruminates over how his “Dehli” has transformed so much.

The entire plot revolves around Ghalib striving against an omnipotent identity crisis, beginning with the occupants of his “Haveli” mistaking him as Ghalib’s ghost. Ghalib faces his share of trials, and tribulations --- being born at the ISBT, Delhi to staying in a servant quarter with a Delhi University student from Patna And the haughty landlady. Ghalib’s desperate need for recognition forces him to “sell” himself. There’s a press conference which turns out to be a dampener. Then there’s an advertising agency. After much struggle Ghalib finds fame by becoming a Page-3 celebrity. Tom Alter is at his best in portraying Ghalib. His command over Urdu, English as well as “Hindustani” becomes the obvious choice for the director to rope in the seasoned actor. “In one of his letters, Ghalib describes his own looks. That he was lean, thin, fair with sharp nose and pointed cheeks this reminds me so much of Alter. He takes the role you give to him.

Be it Taftar, Ghalib or Bahadur Shah Zafar, Alter is the obviously the first choice. His knowledge of Indian history and heritage is immaculate. There are some very great actors who don’t know so much about history. Alter is a perfect choice!”says Alam excitedly.

The third play Ghalib gives an account of the life and times of Mira Asadullah Khan Ghalib, with Tom Alter playing the legendary poet. The play is punctuated with lots of music, poetry, literary anecdotes and historical episodes that make one thoroughly entertained, humoured, informed and educated. The three plays are a celebration of the life of Ghalib and attempts to pay tribute to the Urdu poet who mesmerises us and remains alive through his verses.