Selected Ghazals and Other Poems by Mir Taqi Mir

He also wrote several poems dedicated to his cat. That being said, Mir didn’t hesitate to touch upon earthy topics. If he writes about the sea, for instance, one can feel the undulations of the waves in the melody of his language. He possessed a gift for what is called in Urdu as ravani, or flow.

His most celebrated poetry, on the other hand, is in Urdu, and Mir’s is some of the most beautiful and mellifluous writing in that language. It would then look like a heap of flowers, and their fragrance would transport passersby even at some distance.”Īs was customary among the literati of his time, Mir Taqi Mir wrote his memoirs in Persian. Burhan-ul-Mulk ate it with relish, then remarked in a jocular vein, “It’s not a platter of pilaf it’s the blessesd grave of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya.” The remark was greatly enjoyed, for people in fact used to bring jasmine flowers in great quantities to cover that revered person’s grave. Burhan-ul-Mulk heard its praise and made a request to A’zam Khan Sr., who then had some prepared and sent over in several big platters. Then they would use the oil to cook the rice, which gave it a fine aroma. They would put jasmine flowers in some oil and let it sit for a few days so it would absorb the fragrance. “They used to prepare a fine jasmine pilaf at the house of A’zam Khan Sr.

Once you read it, you’ll know right away why the description captured my attention.

While reading the memoirs of Mir Taqi Mir, a great Indian poet who lived in 18th century Delhi, I came across a charming anecdote about a jasmine pilaf.

Selected Ghazals and Other Poems by Mir Taqi Mir