RIYADH — It was a cultural and literary fiesta here recently as 12 poets from different parts of India regaled Urdu lovers during the "Annual Mushaira 2019" organized by the Embassy of India,. Carefully selected gems of Urdu poetry gathered on the stage reflecting the literary galaxy of India. The poets paid rich tributes to the Indian martyrs and expressed solidarity with their families. The event was a huge success as the Indian community flocked to the auditorium of International Indian School Riyadh (IISR) which was jam packed. As the auditorium was filled with Urdu lovers, many latecomers were compelled to stick to the enclosure in the ground where huge screen was installed to ensure no one is disappointed. Patriotism, love and affection to the motherland, message of peace, unity and brotherhood were reflected in the poetic redemptions. Most of the poets touched diverse shades of the ebb and flow of life. First secretary and Ambassador designate to Syria Dr. Hifzur Rahman Azmi, Head of Chancery Indian Embassy Riyadh Anoop Dhingra and Dr. Waseem Barelvi lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the event. Master of ceremony Nadeem Farrukh invited Irfan Lucknowi to kick start the event with nasheed. The following couplets of his naat was appreciated by the audience Is jahan ko sanwaar sakti hai; Sirf roshan kitab ki khushboo; Zehr bhi apna kaam bhool gaya; Paa kar unke luaab ki khushboo. After the naat he regaled the audience with ghazal. Highlighting the personality traits and scorn of this worldly life he said: Duniya mere khuloos ko pehchanti hai khoob; Main jung jeet lete hoon shamsheer ke baghair ; Ahl-e-iman ke wastey Irfan; Kitni na saazgaar hai duniya Nayeem Najmi from Rampur in his lines on the solitude of expat's life away from family, he said to the thunderous applause: Koi hum se ye kahne wala nahi; Ghar chalo raat ho gaye hai bahot. Also the following punch lines touched the audience. Ye zamana usi ka hai najmi; Aaj kal jo khushamadi hai bahot. Now it was the turn of humorous poet Kaleem Samar Badayuni from Aligarh. He tickled the bones of audience by presenting parody of some old Bollywood songs: Maine jo tujh pe lutaya tha khazana yaad hai; Kya mere dewanepan ka wo zamana yaad hai. In addition to representing the feministic stance, Shabina Adeeb presented some of her popular ghazals and a geet. Following of her couplet feminist feelings got applause. Bas mujhe bewafa kah dijiye mar jaaungi; Aap par qatl ki tohmat bhi na aayegi. Attacking the disregard in blood relations nowadays, she expressed her thoughts as follows: Aasteenon mein palte rahe hain; Aasteenon mein palte rahenge; Jitney rishtey bhi hain saanp jaise; Zehr yun hi ugaltey rahengey. A renowned poet from Mumbai and founder of famous Urdu quiz competition "Quiz Time" Hamed Iqbal Siddiqui enthralled the audience with his unique style. Highlighting the ups and downs in our lives, he linked the past to the present and advised how to be positive with future. Mayusi jeboun mein bhar kar laut aana taqdeer magar; Mutthi bhar ummedein le kar ghar se roz nikalte hain; Who chaat leta hai deemak ki tarha mustaqbil; Tumhein pata nahi maazi jo haal karta hai. He also delivered a ghazal about negativism in love and got applause for the below couplet: Judaiaun ke tasavvur he se rulaun use; Main jhoot moot ka qissa koi sunaon usey. Agha Sarosh from Hyderabad, who stole the show three years back on the same stage, again warmed up the audience with his verses. Some of his couplets on diverse topics were hailed by all. Hai jeb mein abhi sikka-e-shana saai; Ye kisne tumse keh diya tangdast hoon main; Dekh kitni nafratein boi hain tu ne baghbaan; Baada-e-gul mein saba pakdi gaye khanjar sameit; Tum faraat aur neil mein rastey banao to sahi; Gharq ho jayengey ye firaun bhi lashkar sameit; Shohrat ek aisi sone ki chidya hai dosto; Ek baar ud jayegi to nazar tak na aayegi. The poetess with melodic voice, Salma Shaheen from Delhi came up to the mike and fascinated the audience. Few of her couplets were: Aaina dekha unho ne unhein aaine ne; Dono ko aaj maza mil gaya hairani ka; Na paa saka wo kabhi apni manzil-e-maqsood; Woh jis ne raah badal daali khaafla choda. Now the Master of the Ceremony Nadeem Farrukh took the mike and presented his verses on patriotism and enmity. Mitti se apni jo bhi wafa na kar saka; Woh ped andhioun mein jadon se ukhad gaya; Jis din mere urooj ki us ne khabar suni; Us din se uska zahni tawazun bigad gaya. Senior poet Dr. Kaleem Qaiser was invited on the mike to deliver his poetic views and he presented the class of poetry, which had the audience generously applauding. He dealt with the ignoring attitude of youngsters towards elders. Nai peedhi buzrugon ka jo saaya phenk deti hai; Samajh kar kaanch ka tukda ye heera phenk deti hai. Claiming the existence of nobility even in the current world, he offered the following verse: Guzarti hai sharafat ab bhi rahmat ban ke galiyon mein; Zalalat jis ke sar pe roz kuda phenk deti hai. He blew up men's cruel attitude towards women with these lines: Sitam jab ma pe hote dekh leti hai to ye bachi; Khilonon se uthaa kar apne gudda phenk deti hai; Jis ko gham tha mere na hone ka; Sab se pahle wo de gaya mitti. Haseeb Soz from Badayun was also appreciated and praised by one and all. He highlighted the characteristic traits for human beings: Hum ne kirdaar ko kapdon ki tarha pehna hai; Tum ne kapdon ko hi kirdaar samajh rakha hai; Us ko khuddari ka kya paath padhaya jaaye; Bheek ko jis ne puraskar samajh rakha hai. Touching on the agony of expat's life he said: Kal raat hum bhi aa gaye pardes chod kar; Paani bhi peena padta tha pathar nichod kar; Tum ek baar jo toote to jud nahi paate; Hamein to roz ye zillat uthana padti hai. Dr. Naseem Nikhat from Lucknow started her recitation with supplication to the Lord and presented some of her famous couplets before presenting some fresh bounty. Yun tumhare wastey had se guzar jaayegi maa; Tum ko kuch hone se pahle khud hi mar jayegi maa; Mere betay berukhi se baat yun maa se na kar; Toot jayegi to phir gir kar bikhar jaayegi maa; Apne ghar ke liye ek chat bhi bana paye ne wo; Shehr mein saaya-e-deewar baney phirte hain; Hum ne shohrat ke liye khud ko tamasha na kiya; Aur wo shahr mein akhabar baney phjirte hain. Now finally it was the turn of legendary poet Dr. Waseem Barelvi to deliver his presidential address and his poetry. As per the expectations, he stole the show with his unique touches and style. He paid rich tribute to the Indian martyrs and recited a couplet which he termed as the voice of martyrs: Khoon mein doobe hue ye itehas ke panne ek amanat hain; Jaao inpar naaz karo balidaan ki in par chaya hai; Aane wali nasl ke khwabo lekin itna yaad rahe; Hum ne tumhare kal ki khatir apna aaj ganwaya hai. His following couplet on expats living away from home received thunderous applause. Apni mitti ko zara peeth jo diklhlai hai; Dar ba dar kaisi bhatakne ki saza paayi hai. Then he presented selected couplets on various topics in his own style as he recalled. Baat sun li hai magar sun ke hasee aaye hai; Khatra kehta hai samander se shanasaai hai; Teri ankhon mein jo soe hue gehraai hai; Bas kisi doobne wale ko tamannai hai; Ye na ho phir kisi paani ke hi bas ki na rahey; Tum ne jo aag laganey ki kasam khaye hai; Hawa ke samne seena sapar to rehta hai; Magar chirag hai bujhne ka dar to rehta hai; Aate hain aane do ye toofan mera kya le jaayenge. Main to jab darta ke ye mera hausla le jayenge; Jis zameen par main khada hoon wo meri pehchan hai; Aap aandhi hain to kya mujh ko uda le jayuenge; Aap bas kirdar hain apni hadein pehchaniye; Warna phir ek din kahani se nikale jaayenge; Kahan sawalon ke tum se jawab maangte hain; Hum apni ankhon ke hisse ke khwab maangte hain; Hamee ko darya pe jaane se rokne waley; Hamee se paani ka saara hisaab mangte hain. This mushaira had a mesmerizing influence on the audience. Dr. Hifzur Rahman Azmi presented plaques of appreciation to cultural committee members they were Abdul Ahad Siddiqui, Zaigham Khan, Mohammed Mubin, Taqiuddin Mir, Muneeb Pazhoor, Wasi Haider Rizvi, Shihab Kottukad, Shahbaz Farooqui, Abdul Azeez, Dr. Dilshad Ahmed and Abrar Ahmed. On this occasion Dr. Hifzur Rahman presented mementos of appreciation to journalists K N Wasif and Ghouse Arsalan photographers Jaleel Alppuzha and Ashfaq Khan in recognition of their contributions and services for covering the activities of Indian Embassy. On this occasion gifts were presented to poets on behalf of the sponsors.
