Javed Akhtar: Mirza Ghalib's work would have found meaning only in India

Javed Akhtar, a former writer and lyricist, says that Mirza Ghalib's work could only have made sense in India. Akhtar was speaking at the inauguration of Ghalib's mural in Mumbai.

"It would not have been possible to leave Ghalib of India. His reflections and his work would have made sense only here, not in another country, "he told the press.

According to the author, Ghalib and the Taj Mahal are a "Synthesis" of Indian Philosophy and Persian Culture

"Ghalib is a wonderful synthesis of Indian philosophy and the sophistication of Persian and Mughal culture. The Taj Mahal is the only other example in this sense, for even a mixture of Indian and other civilizations, which later on become one with India, have been sown in the country.

Akhtar said beautiful combinations like Ghalib and the Taj Mahal should always be preserved.

"This combination should not go away. Urdu or Persian alone could not have given birth to Ghalib. Only Vedanth could not have done it either. It's a combination of both, "he added.