Special Edition for Delhi-Lovers: Paintings by Ghulam Ali Khan and Shayari by Mir

This week in Daak:

1. Portraits of Delhi by Ghulam Ali Khan

2. Shayari by Mir

3. Brighten Up Your Monsoon Chai Ritual

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1. Portraits of Delhi by Ghulam Ali Khan, ca 1852 - 1854, Wikimedia Commons

Say what you will about Delhi, but the city is abundant in historical and architectural charms! One can’t help but feel awed by so much history tucked away in its stunning palaces, forts and mausoleums. No wonder, then, that so many lovers, wanderers and travellers have been drawn to it through the ages. Ghulam Ali, a 19th century artist, captured the delicate beauty of these monument in a series of 31 paintings, of which, this is a small glimpse. If you feel inspired and happen to be in the city, make sure to take a stroll around these historical sites and see if you can identify any of the marvels captured in these paintings.

2. Shayari by Mir Taqi Mir

dil-o-dilli donon agar hain kharaab
p’a kuchh lutf is ujde ghar mein bhi hain
//
My heart and my Delhi may both be in ruins 
There are still some delights in this ravaged home

koochey nahin dilli ke, auraaq-e-musawwir hain
jo shakl nazar aayi, tasveer nazar aayi
 //
These are not Delhi's by-lanes, these are an artist’s canvas
Every sight I see looks like a painting

Mir, the famous 18th century Urdu poet, has given voice to many universal human aches and desires. Did you know that it was in Delhi he found a creative home and a perennial source of inspiration? These are just two couplets out of the many lines he has dedicated to the city’s unique joys, comforts, and tribulations, showing us the expanse of a love, which embraces cities and spaces as much as sentient beings. If you’d like to learn more about Mir’s love affair with Delhi, read this article.

3. Brighten Up Your Monsoon Chai Ritual

If watching the rain with a cup of chai and snacks is your jam, check out our colourful, hand-crafted wooden trays which capture the flora of South Asia.