DELHI is getting ready to launch a ‘Mirza Ghalib Week’ to celebrate the poet’s works and life. But the condition of the poet’s haunts in the Walled City, including his house, are nothing to celebrate about.
Ghalib’s haveli, his in-laws’ residence and his chosen venue for night-long recitations, remain neglected sites in Old Delhi.
Built in the early 19th century, Ghalib’s haveli in Ballimaran was turned into a museum in 2000 by the state Department of Archaeology. Now most of the building has been encroached upon and residents have been using the remaining area to park their two-wheelers and as a godown.
The one watchman who should be present at the haveli all the time, is usually not found for assistance, even as posters put up by the Delhi government Culture Department announces its contribution towards restoration work done in the haveli. While the main arch leading into the building is accessible, another section with life-size posters of the poet’s works and letters is usually found locked again due to the watchman missing in action.
The Department of Archaeology washed its hands off saying ‘‘we have no funds for conservation’’. Delhi culture secretary Nita Bali was unavailable for comments.
The haveli that lends Ballimaran its historical value has no visitors at all. ‘‘Just no one comes here. This place has not seen a visitor from outside in a long time,’’ said Shafiq-ud-din Khan, who runs a shop adjacent to the haveli.
Opposite to the haveli, the Hindustani Dawakhana too is in a deplorable state. The dawakhana, which saw Ghalib’s night-long poetry recitations, was up for demolition last year but was stopped and the building taken up for restoration. It is since locked to visitors and fenced by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). This buffer zone between the building and the fence has now been converted into a dump-yard by the locals. Little in the building shows that it was restored less than a year back.
A little distance away, another building is in total disarray. This is where Ghalib’s was married and spent most of his writing years. A number of his recitations have been attributed to this place. For now, the building is occupied by locals and being used as their habitat.
At Ghalib’s mazar in Nizamuddin, the story is much the same: no takers for restoration. Visitors to Nizamuddin Dargah miss the poet’s tomb completely — though in the same complex.
Conservationist O.P. Jain said: ‘‘While it is good to now that there is a celebration for Ghalib’s poetry in the city, it would have been nicer if something was done for heritage sites associated with him. These places have historic value and need to be preserved.’’
It would be better if some amount of money went to the restoration of these sites of historic value,’’ said another historian.