Yun Hota To Kya Hota? translates simply to ‘What If?’

This exciting new show from Radio Azim Premji University explores the life and times of Mirza Asadullah Khan, one of the most influential writers in Urdu, known to us by his nom de plume — Ghalib.  

There are stories that Ghalib told, and there are stories told about Ghalib. 

Address your letter to “Ghalib, Delhi” and it will reach me, the great man is reputed to have said. Not a boast, because he was already a legend in his own lifetime. Yet, despite his accomplishment, he was in need of money. So the story goes that he applied for a job as a teacher of Persian. His conduct at the job interview, however, became the stuff of gossip in his time, and the stuff of legend in ours.

Hosting you through this absorbing series is Amit Basole, faculty in Economics at APU, whose pet passion for Urdu poetry found expression in a book, Thinking With Ghalib - Poetry For A New Generation, co-authored with Lahore-based writer Anjum Altaf.

Listen to this and more vignettes in Episode 1 - The Man And His Times. 

Acknowledgements:
Letters read by Zia Mohyeddin 
Song: Ghalib Ke Khutoot | Album: Ghalib Kay Khutoot Vol. 1 & 3 | Artist: Zia Mohyeddin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqGSK17-Y30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mjsv_8lp1g 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1KiFOWGaEQ 

Explore more:

YouTube | A Desertful of Roses The Urdu Ghazals of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib
By Francis W. Pritchett 
Columbia University
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ghalib/

Ustad Ahmed Jawed's lectures 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZeo-t7Q54&t=1023s

Anjum Altaf Website
http://anjumaltaf.com

YouTube | A Conversation with Anjum Altaf and Amit Basole, authors of Thinking With Ghalib - Poetry For a New Generation | Institute for South Asia Studies 
https://youtu.be/kepIWKB1Ma0 

Books by Amit Basole
https://www.amazon.in/Books-Amit-Basole/s?rh=n%3A976389031%2Cp_27%3AAmit+Basole

Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar

Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota The world of Ghalib with Amit Basole - The Man And His Times (EP1)3rd Feb 2023

Episode 2 - Speaking To The Beloved 

In this episode of Yun Hota To Kya Hota - The World Of Ghalib, host Amit Basole ponders the enigma of Ghalib the lover. How did Ghalib speak of love? Whom did Ghalib love? He transports you to the heart of the ghazal. 

Zia Mohyeddin, the British-Pakistani actor renowned for giving voice to the lyrical seduction of Ghalib’s poetry, died on February 13. Ghalib is a state of mind beyond the narrow confines of nation, religion and other notional boxes in which we find ourselves bracketed. This transcendence comes achingly to mind as we mourn the passing of Zia Saheb. This episode is a tribute to his memory. 

Acknowledgements:

Zia Mohiuddin Videos | Rekhtarekhta.org
https://www.rekhta.org/Zia 

Domni 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_zWZpMLzZI 
6:04 to 6:44
YouTube | Composition of music by Swati Phadke and recited by Pubali Mattoo #GhazalGuruvaar #10 - Aane ka muntazar tere - Smt. Swati Phadke | Mah Laqa Bai Chanda https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyTc4MEUoQs 
YouTube | Taskeen ko Hum Na Royen - Mirza Ghalib 
Sung by Farid Ayaz & Abu Muhammad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c56THXY0MO8 

Dil Se Teri Nigah Jiggar Tak Utar Gayi | Rahat Fateh Ali Khan | Ghazal | Mirza Ghalib
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxM7NpF4Z5Y  

Credits:

Programming: Prashant Vasudevan
Sound: Akshay Ramuhalli
Performance Coaching and Advisory: Shraddha Gautam
Advisor: Velu Shankar
Executive Producer: Narayan Krishnaswamy
Project Management: Supriya Joshi

Discover more:

YouTube: Zia Mohyeddin recites Mirza Ghalib's poetry 'Azadi Ka Shukr Baja Laao, Gham Na Khao'
https://youtu.be/xsRy4dO7YeM  

YouTube: Ghalib aur Mein-Zia Mohyeddin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCEd1mtjBtM

YouTube: Ghalib aur Mein - Zia Mohyeddin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCEd1mtjBtM  

Imagery of Ghalib (1) - Ahmad Javaid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg5STy4WCjs

YouTube: Ghalib ki ma'ani aafreeni  غالب کی معانی آفرینی - Ahmad Javaid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiYuee2JAs

YouTube: Frances Pritchett: How to Read Ghalib
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnmzgG54KWA

YouTube: Ghalib-E-Khasta Ke Baghair | Shamsur Rahman Faruqi with Pavan K. Varma | Jashn-e-Rekhta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAoyx34zz_s

Amazon: When Sun Meets Moon: Gender, Eros, and Ecstasy in Urdu Poetry (Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks)
When-Sun-Meets-Moon-Civilization

Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota The World Of Ghalib With Amit Basole - Speaking To The Beloved (EP2)

Ghalib on religion would have crashed Twitter. 

Much ink, and blood, have been spilt over religion and faith throughout human history. Yet, nothing stopped Mirza Ghalib from playfully exploring these realms, where even the boldest present-day poets tread with caution. Ghalib on Twitter would have been a powder keg but, in those arguably more patient and forgiving times, not only did his tongue-in-cheek challenge of the rituals and symbols of faith elicit a chuckle from his challengers, but their well-intended mischief never failed to provoke thought and reasoning.

In this episode, discover an aspect of Ghalib that equally shocks and charms. Listen to Ep 3 - On Faith And Religion on YouTube | Soundcloud. 

Acknowledgements:

On Playing Chausar
Mirza ghalib (1988) Complete TV Series 1/2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfNOXyPVjxk 

On Diwali:
Humanity of Mirza Ghalib - Diwali Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAd1nXaQZk8 

On Ramzan fasting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_FvKTNN4A4
8:15 to 9:22 - To Munshi Nabi Bakhsh Haqeer- how hot it is in Delhi, keeping Rozas in the heat, 22 June 1853

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjHoc7pyBHc
 4:08 to 5:10 - more on Delhi heat and Roza written to an unmentioned recipient in June 1854

Credits: Akshay Ramuhalli, Beej, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi and Velu Shankar


Discover more:

YouTube: Zia Mohyeddin recites Mirza Ghalib's poetry 'Azadi Ka Shukr Baja Laao, Gham Na Khao'
https://youtu.be/xsRy4dO7YeM  

YouTube: Ghalib aur Mein-Zia Mohyeddin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCEd1mtjBtM

YouTube: Ghalib aur Mein - Zia Mohyeddin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCEd1mtjBtM  

Imagery of Ghalib (1) - Ahmad Javaid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg5STy4WCjs

YouTube: Ghalib ki ma'ani aafreeni  غالب کی معانی آفرینی - Ahmad Javaid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiYuee2JAs

YouTube: Frances Pritchett: How to Read Ghalib
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnmzgG54KWA

YouTube: Ghalib-E-Khasta Ke Baghair | Shamsur Rahman Faruqi with Pavan K. Varma | Jashn-e-Rekhta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAoyx34zz_s

Amazon: When Sun Meets Moon: Gender, Eros, and Ecstasy in Urdu Poetry (Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks)
When-Sun-Meets-Moon-Civilization

Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota The World Of Ghalib With Amit Basole - On Faith And Religion (EP3)

Raftaar zindagi ki | Humayunn Peerzaada

Koi Umeed Bar Nahin Aati

Lyrics:
दिल-ए-नादाँ तुझे हुआ क्या है 
आख़िर इस दर्द की दवा क्या है
सब्ज़-ओ-गुल कहाँ से आए हैं
क्या है अब्र, हवा क्या है

दिल-ए-नादाँ तुझे हुआ क्या है

ये परी-चेहरा लोग कैसे हैं
ये नाज़, नखरे, अदा क्या है
ज़ुल्फ़ों में शिकन क्यूँ है
ये कजरारी नज़रें क्या है

हम हैं मुश्ताक़ और वो बे-ज़ार
या इलाही ये माजरा क्या है
हम को उन से वफ़ा की है उम्मीद
हम को उन से वफ़ा की है उम्मीद (उम्मीद)
जो नहीं जानते वफ़ा क्या है
वफ़ा क्या है

जब कि तुझ बिन नहीं कोई मौजूद
फिर ये हंगामा ऐ ख़ुदा क्या है
जान तुम पर निसार करता हूँ
मैं नहीं जानता दुआ क्या है

दिल-ए-नादाँ तुझे हुआ क्या है
दिल-ए-नादाँ तुझे हुआ क्या है

जान तुम पर निसार करता हूँ
मैं नहीं जानता दुआ क्या है
दुआ क्या है

दिल-ए-नादाँ तुझे हुआ क्या है (क्या है)

Rough Translation in English:
O naive heart, what has happened to you?
What is the cure for this pain, after all?
Where have the greenery and flowers come from?
What are the clouds, what is the wind?

O naive heart, what has happened to you?

What are these angel-faced people like?
What is this grace, these coquetries, this demeanor?
Why are there creases in their hair?
What are these kohl-lined eyes?

We are eager, and they are indifferent,
Oh God, what is this situation?
We are hoping of loyalty from them...
We are hoping of loyalty from them (we are hoping),
Those who do not know what loyalty is.
What loyalty is!

When there is no one but you,
Then what is this commotion, O God?
I sacrifice my life for you,
I do not know what prayer is.

O naive heart, what has happened to you?
O naive heart, what has happened to you?

I sacrifice my life for you,
I do not know what prayer is,
What is prayer?

O naive heart, what has happened to you? (What is it?)

***
This track uses Generative AI Vocals and Instruments

Dil E Nadaan

Dil E Nadan

Mirza Ghalib, one of Urdu’s greatest poets, masterfully wove metaphysical reflections into his verse, questioning the nature of reality, existence, and perception. On the occasion of his 156th death anniversary, we revisit his poetry through a selection of verses from Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota: The World of Ghalib, a six-part series presented by Amit Basole, a poetry aficionado and faculty in economics at Azim Premji University.

Ghalib’s poetry often challenges our understanding of the visible and the hidden, suggesting that what appears before us may, in fact, conceal a deeper truth. One of his celebrated verses plays with paradoxes, exploring the idea that ultimate reality is hidden in plain sight. Through close readings, this episode unpacks such layered meanings, drawing connections to philosophical traditions and his poetic predecessors.

We also examine Ghalib’s playful yet profound manipulation of language, which reflects on existence and divinity with deceptive simplicity. Whether through paradox, wordplay, or existential musings, Ghalib’s poetry remains an endless source of interpretation and wonder—an invitation to look beyond the obvious and glimpse the hidden truths of the universe.

Amit Basole explains three Ghalib poems in this bonus episode. If you enjoyed these excerpts, you’ll find more to love as you explore the series on Radio Azim Premji University.

Credits

Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Gorveck Thokchom, Kishor Mandal, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar


Ghalib Explained: 3 Poems On Reality and Existence

You are listening to Radio Azim Premji University, our campus radio station. Azim Premji University was founded in 2010 with the vision to contribute to the realisation of a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. On our channel, you can tune in to a variety of engrossing shows on themes ranging from democracy and culture, science and mathematics, and more. You can also experience a slice of campus life. If you are a seeking student, an arts aficionado, curious about science, or just passionate about India, subscribe and start listening.

Credits:
Akshay Ramuhalli, Bijoy Venugopal, Bruce Lee Mani, Narayan Krishnaswamy, Prashant Vasudevan, Sananda Dasgupta, Seema Seth, Shraddha Gautam, Supriya Joshi, and Velu Shankar

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New tracks tagged #ghalib