New Delhi, February 9 "As they say, 'What to do with all this?' from the movie "Bazaar", "Patta patta buta buta" from "Ek Nazar" and "Yeh Dhuan Kahan se Uthta Hai" from "Pakeezah" – odes to life, romance, and love that were never to be.
Few know that the poetry made memorable by Bollywood was actually written more than 300 years ago by Mir Taqi Mir, a migrant to Delhi from Agra, who was even praised by Mirza Ghalib, a generation later.
Three centuries after Mir (1722-1810) walked the streets of Delhi's famed walled city, his words echoed again, perhaps in the very place where he lived and found inspiration.
The wandering poet was celebrated at a recent event at the launch of translator, poet, and academic Anisur Rahman's latest book, "Essential Mir." The venue: Chor Bizarre, the Delhi restaurant that recently reopened at Hotel Broadway on Asaf Ali Road, at the edge of the bustling, picturesque Old Delhi.
The launch was followed by a discussion on Mir's poetry and its enduring relevance within the cultural fabric of the city where he lived most of his life. Towards the end, he moved to Lucknow, but always regretted it.
Ghalib wrote about Mir: "Rekhta, you are not the only master of Urdu poetry. They say that there was also a poet called Mir in the past era."
Rahman read excerpts from his book while interacting with Darain Shahidi of the Dastangoi Collective to create a poetic picture of Mir's life through verses that have survived the ages and remain relevant even today, especially his compositions that celebrate secularism.
Among the audience were lyricist Javed Akhtar and veteran actors Sharmila Tagore and Shabana Azmi.
A rendition of Mir's "nazms" and "ghazals" was performed by vocalist Yusra Naqvi. Adding to the nostalgia was singer Inder Thakur's old Hindi film songs.
Rahman's book is a unique collection that presents 200 of Mir's best verses, which he has meticulously selected and translated and provided critical commentary to help modern readers appreciate the context.
Some of the verses include: “Rah-e-dur-ishq mein rota hai kya; aage, aage dekhiye hota hai kya”; “Ab to jaate hain but-kade se ‘mir’, phir milenge agar khuda laaya’; “aag the ibtida-e-ishq mein ham, ab jo hain khaak imtiha hai ya”; “Dilli jo ek shahr tha alam mein intikhab, rahte the muntakhab hi jahan rozgar ke”.
These and many other verses, going beyond the couplets popularised in films, are part of Mir's oeuvre. Rahman's book is aimed at making Mir come alive for those who haven't read him.
The poetry and songs were perfectly suited to the theme of Chor Bizarre. The restaurant is renewing its focus on building a culture and heritage salon for Delhi, where patrons can enjoy conversations around food, literature, culture, and music.
"As Chor Bizarre completes 35 years, we are consciously shaping it into a culture and heritage salon for Delhi—one that brings together food, ideas, heritage, and shared memories,” said Rohit Khattar, founder chairperson of Old World Hospitality that runs the restaurant.
"As part of this vision, Chor Bizarre will host cultural conversations every Friday and heritage walks every Sunday Morning, reinforcing its role as a vibrant cultural address in the city. The celebrations also coincide with 70 years of Hotel Broadway, now reopening as part of the Alivaa Collection."
The restaurant was the first to begin “Chor Bizarre’s Memory Lanes”, i.e. heritage walks of Delhi in the 90s, which have been revived. These will begin at 10 am from Chor Bizarre every Sunday morning, take people through the walled city or through Darya Ganj's Kitaab Bazaar and explore many other forgotten lanes.
