By Syed Hasan Zia Rizvi, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Shaam-e Adab’, a seminar on legendary poet ‘Meer Taqi Meer’ was organized at Rai Umanath Bali Prekshagrah, Qaiserbagh on 4th May 2013 by Lucknow Society, an NGO which aims at the restoration and revival of heritage of Lucknow.
They have started a campaign on the literary aspects of Lucknow which is highlighted as ‘Literary Heritage of Lucknow.’ The first poet of the series is Meer Taqi Meer (1723 – 1810). He is known as ‘Khuda-e Sukhan’ and he gave everything he had to literature and culture but lost even his grave in the midst of development, edifices and neglect which was near the present City Station, Lucknow.
It is very unfortunate that it is no more traceable in the city of poetry – Lucknow. The stone with his name ‘Meer Taqi Meer Marg’ near City Station, Lucknow is in very bad shape, partly broken and cannot be read properly. ‘Nishan-e Meer’, his memorial opposite Rafa-e Aam Club is also facing crisis. This all are defacing the prestige of the Great Poet as well of Lucknow City.
Shamim A. Aarzoo, the founder of the Lucknow Society, informed that Nagar Nigam has assured for the restoration of the stone of Meer Taqi Meer when he met along with his team with the authorities. Restoration of ‘Nishan-e Meer’ will be taken after the stone renovation.
Atif Hanif, the spokesperson of the Lucknow Society delivered informative speech about the poet. He said, “Meer was appreciated by the poets of his times and later also which includes not only from Lucknow but Delhi also like Zauq and Ghalib”.
Many experts of poetry spoke about the life and poetry of Meer, including Shafiq Husain who highlighted the fact that how the grave of the poet was found to be lost and how it was identified by the scholars; he however explained that scholars are not confident on the exact location as there are some various versions on the same.
Roshan Taqui, the historian of Awadh, was critical with respect to both the life and heritage related to the poet. He explained about the grave which he saw in his young age and now lost due to negligence.
Shanney Naqvi and Kailash Joshi spell bounded the audience with their beautiful rendition of ghazals on Meer. Other speakers included Ayesha Siddiqui, Sehba Ali who enlightened the audience with their speech.
“Mujh Ko Shair Na Kaho Meer Ki Saheb Mein Ne,
Dard-o Gham Kitne Kiye Jama To Deewan Kiya – Meer”
At the end of the seminar was the prize distribution ceremony of the quiz contests held on Lucknow earlier.